Willgamesh
Registered User
- Jan 31, 2019
- 1,087
- 1,097
I think this is a realistic hope. What that “bit of a breakout/resurgent year” will look like is anyone’s guess.Like I said with Cozens getting over 60 points at the beginning of a couple seasons ago.. my prediction for 24/25 is I believe Ruff & staff will do their best to give Krebs every opportunity to succeed next season & he will have a bit of a breakout/resurgent year, an all around competitive & fun player & fan favorite on these boards. The kid just sounds so dialed in, & wants to improve, stick up for his teammates, prove doubters wrong & actually loves this city.
I have absolutely no problem with him staying, but we need a proven 3C/2C (depending on the player).I think this is a realistic hope. What that “bit of a breakout/resurgent year” will look like is anyone’s guess.
There are certainly some who don’t like Krebs and want him moved on from. But I think a larger group (that includes me) doesn’t have an issue with him staying. Their concern is having to rely on him as our 3C in a playoffs or bust season.
I have absolutely no problem with him staying, but we need a proven 3C/2C (depending on the player).
But Tage and Cozens..
I know, we have two 2Cs and that’s only if Cozens ain’t crappin the bed, too. Tage can score like a 1C, hope Lindy can add defensive awareness but I think he just yells is all, no real strategy.
Anywho, in my nhl ‘23 Krebs is an 86 overall, playing 2nd line over Cozens. So, problem solved, clearly.
Lindy is one of the most respected strategists in the sport. He’s had success implementing multiple styles from defensive shell to run and gun. You don’t coach that long without a deep understanding for the game and how it evolves.But Tage and Cozens..
I know, we have two 2Cs and that’s only if Cozens ain’t crappin the bed, too. Tage can score like a 1C, hope Lindy can add defensive awareness but I think he just yells is all, no real strategy.
I still think Krebs has a lot more to offer, I'm excited for him this year under Lindy, idk, maybe I'm delusional.
A couple counterpoints.I disagree.
1. He was kept up in the NHL because the GM wanted to show he got a good return for Eichel, even though his development would have been better getting a year or so of AHL time.
2. Granato, although supposedly a "development focused coach" seems to have been unable to develop anything other than "offense by the rush". The skills that Krebs needed work on were never really emphasized.
3. This is sort of an addendum to point 1, but Kreb's play style really requires more physical development (growth, muscle gain, etc.,), which takes time. But he wasn't given that time and was in the NHL too early.
4. Ruff, as a player and coach, is more aligned with what Krebs needs. And honestly is a much better NHL level coach. I'm interested in seeing what he can do with many of the players that stagnated under Granato.
5. We Sabres fans seem to have a history of running players out of town before they are truly ready for the NHL. Much of that is because of 13+ years of futility. And the fact that our coaching staffs have been mediocre (to put it kindly) over the past decade.
6. Krebs had success as a playmaking Center in Juniors, not a goal scorer. But the past few seasons he's been lined up with Girgensons, Okposo, and other 4th line players. He's never really been put in a situation to succeed, other than later last season after Mittelstadt was traded away. It will be useful to see if he can succeed when given a real opportunity this season. (Assuming Buffalo DOES trade or sign a true 4.)
This is all my opinion, of course. I just see the effort Krebs puts in. The kid has a good attitude and effort, and god knows we need more of that, not less.