Goalies are a big problem for sure, but there’s a half dozen things or so we can point to right now causing our recent skid. I’ll list (in no particular order)
1. Forwards not playing defense. Tage, Skinner, Cozens, Krebs spring to mind immediately. Others play some defense, but have more to give (Tuch, for instance). Some of this are system effects. We like to play loose and exit the DZ early, but if we don’t get the puck out these guys have to hustle to back check, otherwise none of it works. I always find it funny when people say “x player is bad at defense” because right now, it’s not that they’re “bad” at it - they’re not even playing it. They’re in the NZ.
2. Goalies. I don’t think I need to explain too much here.
3. Defenseman unwillingness to block shots. Last I checked, as far as percentage of shots faced that are blocked - Sabres were dead last. Now, there are some good teams that block a relatively low percentage of shots as well, but I think some of that is system effects. If they’re allowing more low-danger chances - you’re not selling out to block shots. I think an underrated part of our horrendous PK is our inability to get into shooting lanes and block shots. I’ve seen way too many half-hearted attempts to kinda get in the way of a shot, but the defenseman effectively just screens the goalie instead. Get Jay McKee here or something and help teach these kids how to block a damn shot.
4. Unwilling to adjust play style. I think after the 10-4 loss to Dallas we did adjust a bit - yet still came up a little short. Against Philadelphia and again today we went right back to our only try and carry the puck in/not attempting to slow the game down/grind it out. Now, we didn’t get much a chance to do so today because we were down immediately, but the goals that made it 2-0 and 3-0 were because of loose play. Not saying we would’ve beat Boston - but we could’ve at least made it interesting.
5. Lack of physicality. I hate when people bash physicality and say “oh yeah, that’s what we need, a bunch of goons”. That’s not it. At all. Hell, I’m not even referencing hits directly. Winning puck battles. Using your body to get a takeaway. Even attempting an entry denial instead of giving up the blueline so easily. Our lack of physicality comes in many shapes and sizes - and I don’t see that changing in the near future.
6. Coaching. Granatos lineup choices have been questionable at best recently. Jost a healthy scratch? Olofsson back in? Greenway on the PK? Plus his inability to match lines at home raise some big questions. I’m not calling for his head, but the number of concerns I have about his ability to be a winning (not developmental) coach are growing.
7. Dead weight. Olofsson, Okposo, Greenway, Girgensons, Clague/Bryson, Joki are just adding nothing right now. Okposo looks cooked. Girgensons gives a good effort but I’m convinced his hockey IQ is very low. Joki should be a third pair RHD getting 15 minutes a night. Clague and Bryson are not NHL caliber players. Olofsson brings you absolutely nothing if he’s not scoring. Greenway has been a passenger since he’s been here, I hope to god it’s his shoulder - otherwise that’s a big blunder by Adams.
8. Inexperience. Owen Power is the shining example of this. He makes incredible offensive plays, and equally incredible defensive blunders nightly. Quinn, Peterka, Krebs - even Cozens and Dahlin make a ton of youthful mistakes. When you look at top teams around the league - Cozens and Dahlin at 22 would be considered their “kids” when they’re considered damn near vets for the Sabres.
There’s other concerns I could list (faceoffs, for instance) but I think those are the main ones. I’m not certain how much of this is on the players and how much is on the coaching staff - but changes do need to be made. Big summer upcoming.
