GDT: Morning with the Sabres vs Devils in Prague, CZE 10 AM ET - TV: MSG, NHL Network - Radio: WGR550 - Game # 2

[sabremike]

Hated the Lindy hire when it happened as it felt like nostalgia bait and they rushed it when there were a bunch of other candidates out there. Felt like Terry’s idea.

2 games into the Lindy 2.0 era and I gotta say he is not exactly inspiring confidence, he looks (and sounds) very old and tired. So many younger sharp minds on benches around the league and we’re stuck with this. The fire that used to make him great just isn’t there anymore and he no longer has that presence/aura behind the bench like in the old days.

Why do people not understand ANYONE WITH ANY OPTIONS WILL NOT COME HERE TO WORK FOR YOU KNOW WHO. The only candidates besides Lindy would be Ron Rolston clones. We are totally f***ed.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

New coach and new bottom 6. I'm willing to give Ruff more than 2 games to make a difference.

How quickly many have turned on them. Where is the excitement that many had with a new coach and additions? All I'm saying is give them more than 2 games

Pointing out their deficiencies is not the same thing as turning on them. Constructive criticism is what is needed. Folks here are providing it.

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

Yea in what world is that clean? He doesn't check "through the body" at all. It was closer to a WWE move than a hockey check.

And way late. The puck JJ passed was already on his teammates stick.

Impossible to sugarcoat this trip. Dominated both games by the Devils, zero pulse offensively, horrific defensive positioning by the D and especially the forwards, several injuries especially to my boy Benson, not detecting any difference in play under new coach, "veteran" players mailing it in, etc etc.

Whoever thought starting the season in Europe with this inconsistent and inexperienced group needs their head examined.

I especially agree with your last statement. Apparently, no one learned a thing from the past Sweden debacle.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Whoever thought starting the season in Europe with this inconsistent and inexperienced group needs their head examined.

Great point, want Pham, Lance, etc and others to talk about it this week!

 

[littletonhockeycoach]

At the end of the day, if Ruff can do any good with this group, it wasn't going to happen in a training camp and half a preseason. So of course the same guys will look like some version of last year, with an added bonus of New Jersey being capable of playing a style that gives us fits (smothering defense and above average passing) and having to play them twice in less than 24 hours.

That being said, I'm getting less and less optimistic that this core aren't just always going to be this dumb, lazy and/or set in their ways. It's hard to coach the stupid out of so many players at the same time.

I will add that NJ was noticeable faster, quicker, more agile, more intent and smarter. That doesn't imply that the Sabres weren't trying. Says that the Sabres are far less talented, less aware and far slower.

It's gonna be another season waiting until they finally emerge from their stupor and largess and look competitive. Another playoff qualifying run far too late in the season?

I wanna be wrong about the latter.

I'm not being combative but at some point we all need to be on the same page and realize that this core/these players aren't good enough.

I'm there with you. Unfortunately.

Players like Thompson have not yet woken up to the fact that his style of play has been exposed and can be (is being) easily defeated. He needs to change his game and another summer has flown by without him doing anything about it.

 

[nickdawg95]

how do you not jump meier after he hit levi after the goal.

 

[BB79]

-2 games played? Check
-2 losses? Check
-Piss poor defensive effort? Check
-Getting embarrassed on an international stage? A new low.

Glad that's over. It's only 2 games into the season but the defensive effort leaves a lot to be desired. No problems with either goalie, I don't blame it on them. Levi got hung out to dry and still did well, 2:1 shots ratio isn't a winning games.

Play some damned defense next game. And if someone runs your goalie, cave their face in ffs..

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Not the "thee-hee-hee-hee" one?

Quote about everyone has a plan.

 

[5 Minute Major]

There is so much to be disappointed about with this team. Take for instance, Rasmus Dahlin. Very good player. Our new captain. Probably our best player.

But where does he rank in NHL defensemen? Top 20? He was touted as a generational defenseman. Sorry, but he is nowhere near what he was advertised as. I just don’t think difference maker when I see his play.

And, like I said, he’s our best player.

So…..we have no difference makers.

 

[Fjordy]

The defense certainly didn't look very good, but attack is better? Somehow they scored two goals in two games, there were very few dangerous moments, Thompson and Cozens didn't show anything as a top 6 C, Tuch looked terrible, Quinn and Peterka were almost invisible, only Benson stood out a little, but he got injured. PP still sucks, is Appert a specialist in this or Ruff? Why couldn't they hire a guy who understands this. While Tage is skate, and Dahlin throws the puck back to him, I already managed to run to the kitchen for coffee and come back, and Tage hasn't entered the zone yet with puck.

 

[K8fool]

And way late. The puck JJ passed was already on his teammates stick.


I especially agree with your last statement. Apparently, no one learned a thing from the past Sweden debacle.

Its a palindromic event cycle. /. We failed in sweden now we get caved in chechia the next Constantinople and thus complete the 13year cycle of beat downs and abuse. Now We're free.

 

[Mattilaus]

There is so much to be disappointed about with this team. Take for instance, Rasmus Dahlin. Very good player. Our new captain. Probably our best player.

But where does he rank in NHL defensemen? Top 20? He was touted as a generational defenseman. Sorry, but he is nowhere near what he was advertised as. I just don’t think difference maker when I see his play.

And, like I said, he’s our best player.

So…..we have no difference makers.

I would disagree. Dahlin is a difference maker. The problem is we haven't once tried to actually get him a partner who can play on the first pairing. He isn't gonna shine when he needs to do the work of 2 D men every shift.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Are we talking about the same 1C who did nothing here? Then went to a team already built to to win the Cup.

I guess no one noticed him “taking over” since he didn’t get the Conn Smythe.

Can't let that comment slide, Josh.

We're all disappointed Eichel accomplished nothing here, but Marchessault doesn't even sniff the Smythe without Eichel feeding him. The guy with the most goals won that year, not the best playoff performer.

 

[SundherDome]

I'm not being combative but at some point we all need to be on the same page and realize that this core/these players aren't good enough.

I can see the desire but we saw them when they were good. This team has the ability to be very very good, they just need a wooden spoon to the back of the head to knock all stupid shit outta them along with understanding that Lindy will rip ice time from them. That is really hard too change with two games in Europe. My leash this year is shorter than normal but I understand that this team won't be fixed in a few practices, some hard practices and two games versus a tough opponent. I honestly thought the Devils were bad on paper but their depth carried them in these two games.

 

[Fjordy]

There is so much to be disappointed about with this team. Take for instance, Rasmus Dahlin. Very good player. Our new captain. Probably our best player.

But where does he rank in NHL defensemen? Top 20? He was touted as a generational defenseman. Sorry, but he is nowhere near what he was advertised as. I just don’t think difference maker when I see his play.

And, like I said, he’s our best player.

So…..we have no difference makers.

Dude, he was one of the best defensemen in the league the season before last, his metrics were better than Makar and Fox. He was unfairly deprived of a place in Norris' top 3. Yes, he is a special player, but all this crap that is happening with the team drags all the players down. We see Jokiharju in the first pair again, I see Dahlin doing the job of a defensive defenseman again, he plays physically for himself and his partner, he is not as aggressive in attack (Lindy's setup?). He does not have a free hand and he needs some freedom. Although Dahlin played one preseason game and he had an injury, maybe that's the reason. Or maybe the whole team plays with weights on their feet because Lindy overloaded them in training? Well, the Devils were just twice as fast, it's easy to see.

 

[hizzoner]

I do not need any damn excuses. We lost and deserved to lose. It has been the same every year lately--just confirmation of the old adage that hope is not a strategy. Unfortunately that is all we have. While not ready to write the season off I can tell you that other than the seats I have already purchased I will not be lining up at the Key Bank Center.

 

[sabremike]

I do not need any damn excuses. We lost and deserved to lose. It has been the same every year lately--just confirmation of the old adage that hope is not a strategy. Unfortunately that is all we have. While not ready to write the season off I can tell you that other than the seats I have already purchased I will not be lining up at the Key Bank Center.

Tons of seats available for Thursday.

 

[Beerz]

Kulich has now played 3 (2?) nhl games and gotten caved in all 3 by eye test and analytically. He’s not ready.

I don’t want to hear anybody on any board pretend like he’s in the same universe as Benson at this point in time

Let's definitely make assumptions like this when whole team was caved in.

And who has made any assertion about Kulich being in line with Benson?

 

[5 Minute Major]

I would disagree. Dahlin is a difference maker. The problem is we haven't once tried to actually get him a partner who can play on the first pairing. He isn't gonna shine when he needs to do the work of 2 D men every shift.

Is he though? Again, I’m not ragging on him. He’s a nice player. But where does he rank among NHL defensemen? Can you name games where he absolutely took over?

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

It's only 2 games, but I can come up with precisely one positive takeaway.

Levi was excellent today. That's it. So he stays up and we pray Reimer doesn't get claimed, because Sandstrom is our #3 otherwise. Or we keep 3 goalies on the roster.

You guys covered all the horror stories, but one needs more emphasis. Our PP is embarrassingly bad. Can't enter the zone cleanly. Can't set up. Can't get quality chances. Can't hit the net.

Lindy better have some answers, or this season will soon be circling the drain.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Kulich has now played 3 (2?) nhl games and gotten caved in all 3 by eye test and analytically. He’s not ready.

I don’t want to hear anybody on any board pretend like he’s in the same universe as Benson at this point in time

Yup, he needs more AHL time. Not sure whether he’ll get it with Benson *and* Peterka out, though. Maybe they’ll give Rosen or Rousek a look instead, but I’m never confident this org is going to make the choices it should.

 

[Sabre the Win]

It's only 2 games, but I can come up with precisely one positive takeaway.

Levi was excellent today. That's it. So he stays up and we pray Reimer doesn't get claimed, because Sandstrom is our #3 otherwise. Or we keep 3 goalies on the roster.

You guys covered all the horror stories, but one needs more emphasis. Our PP is embarrassingly bad. Can't enter the zone cleanly. Can't set up. Can't get quality chances. Can't hit the net.

Lindy better have some answers, or this season will soon be circling the drain.

Its no surprise our PP looks as bad as last year and Ellis is still visible behind the bench. I know they said he's not running the PP but how can he not be after seeing that lol

 

[DapperCam]

Is he though? Again, I’m not ragging on him. He’s a nice player. But where does he rank among NHL defensemen? Can you name games where he absolutely took over?

If we traded Dahlin to a contender he would be the 3rd former Sabres C in the last 5 years to win a cup with his new team (and that doesn't even count ROR). He's the only skater that consistently does anything around here.

 

[Fjordy]

Is he though? Again, I’m not ragging on him. He’s a nice player. But where does he rank among NHL defensemen? Can you name games where he absolutely took over?

Where does he rank when, after two games or over the last few seasons? He had a Norris-level standout 22-23 season, then a season where Granato and the team struggled, but he still led the team in points. And then there are two games this season. He's an elite franchise defenseman who can do it all, but even he needs little help. It's also hard to judge after two games, especially since he hasn't practiced in a while or played a preseason game (except for one against Munich).

 

[Mattilaus]

Is he though? Again, I’m not ragging on him. He’s a nice player. But where does he rank among NHL defensemen? Can you name games where he absolutely took over?

There have been many games where he is the be player on the ice for either team playing. My inability to say "yes, he took over game 62 on 2022 and game 51 in 2023" doesn't change that. The team has largely been dog shit and I have a short memory. I get we are all mad but we are seriously taking shots at Dahlin's overall talent level now? Really?

Think I may need to take my mid-season break from the team and commentary early this year.