Buffalo improved a lot this season, though not enough to make the playoffs.
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45 Comments
Eight game loosing streak did to us.
Samuelsson is their best defensive defenseman. Dahlin calls Samuelsson's hockey stick the cobra. Watch his 1 on 1 defensive plays and you'll start saying it out loud yourself. "Cobra"
At the beginning of the year you asked which players we would be watching closely this year and I said Tage Thompson. I thought he was the genuine article and not a fluke and he came through. He slowed down after a red hot first half and I was disappointed he didn't get 50 goals. Maybe next year.
im not sold on Buffalo lol. I told everyone they werent going to make the playoffs this year and I got hell. If I were Thompson I'd come to the Bruins, we could really use him lol.
The East will be crowded next year! If Detroit, Ottawa and Buffalo are playoff worthy, Pittsburgh and Washington bounce back with some retooling this summer, it could be a blood bath because I don't see any of this year's playoff teams to fall dramatically next year
The Atlantic is a really tough division to crack the playoffs. Buffalo, Detroit & Ottawa all seem to be on the same trajectory to making a playoff push but the likes of Tampa, Toronto & Buffalo aren't slowing down. I can see them hovering around the playoff line for next couple of years.
The bar to make the playoffs in the East was very low this season too. Florida made it with a paltry 92 points when the bar is usually ~95 points.
To be fair about the two 8 game losing streak, especially the first one, was Samuelsson played in pretty much none of them. Proves why Adams paid the man, dude is an anchor for Dahlin in a good way. Loved seeing him step up in the rush near the end on the season when finally getting enough confidence
Sabres traded the VGK 2nd for Greenway this year
Like you said those 2 long winless streaks killed the Sabres chances but the Sabres have definitely improved and should again take another step forward next season. One thing I feel Buffalo has to improve on is there physical play. They need to get tougher and more physical. Looks like Levi is definitely a keeper.
I think your spot on.
Tuch Better than Eichel as I told everybody especially coming off neck surgery for a person his age. Tage Thompson is another piece to that puzzle for sure. Though they lack Goalies in Net. They are not going to make Playoffs with the short Goalie as Ullmark is on Boston? If he couldn't win in Buffalo I don't think some shrimp will get it done. Maybe you can get him as backup as Nashville has learned you can't win with sub six foot guy. Even if he gets you there he will just be injured missing entire Post Season. Kings got Fiala will he even play as can't complete full season but they wanted to diss Chychrun for that? I can't really believe JEts or Buffalo will make Playoffs whether its NFL or NHL. Maybe they sign Jarry or Jones or Korpisalo :)?
I think Girgs comes back.
Will the Sabres make the playoff's next season? Yes. The Black and blue and gold and red are on the cusp of a Dynasty! The champagne will flow like Niagara Falls. Mark my words.
Go Bills
Just watched again today Skinners " Between Two Stalls " with Sammy.đđ
Power is solid.
Cozens ainât worth that contract, is he?
They are better for sure but the east is crazy strong too. That does not help ! Washington and Pittsburgh is going down. too just miss the play off after losing against Chicago who are a bottom team.
This season was exactly what I was hoping/expecting from the Sabres. The team grew into a playoff contender and most of the youngsters took a big step forward. Credit goes to Don Granato and the development coaches.
The big questions for me are:
If Devon Levi is the starter (which he should be) can we get enough quality starts from UPL to rest Levi enough? I think UPL starts the season as the backup but we may have to get an experienced backup during next season.
Where does Victor Olofsson fit into Granato's plan? Is he a potential trade piece going forward?
We need at least one right sided defenceman in Free Agency. Who will Kevyn Adams target?
I have heard that Matt Savoie, Lukas Rousek & Jiri Kulich are probably ready for at least a part time NHL gig next season. Rousek is likely to be a 4th line energy guy, but where will Savioe & Kulich fit in?
If Buffalo were in the West they would be a playoff team next season, but the East and particularly the Atlantic is very deep. There are probably 11-12 realistic candidates for 10 spots in the playoffs.
Playoffs or bust
It needs to be mention that Hockey Terrorist Ralph Kreuger absolutely hated skinner which contributed to his 14 point season
You watch Between Two Stalls, Shannon???? Attaboy!
Buffalo is finally on the right track! Levi is off to a nice start. Maybe Comrie can be with him or sign a veteran goalie in the off season .Sign another strong defenseman and watch out!
More Sabres videos! This is a team on rise and I am ready! The burins are so happy the Sabres are not in the playoffs the panthers are a shell
Eichel was nothing compared to back to back 1st overall draft choices, Dahlin and Power. How could you say they weren't tanking in 20-21?
Sabres have an abundance of forwards in their system. They are devoid on the defense side beyond Dahlin, Power and Samuelsson. Savoie and Kulich will be pushing for spots next year. A ton of forwards. Maybe a draft pick like Isak Rosen along with Victor Olofsson, and probably more could be moved for a defenseman that could be starting on the Sabres blue line next season.
There is a lot of optimism in Buffalo for the first time in a very long time. Great job as always Shannon. One of the best Youtube sites out there.
If that defense and goaltending make a decent jump, LOOK OUT. they have alot of offensive talent
"The Canucks joined the league in 1970 as an expansion team along with the Buffalo Sabres; The Canucks, along with the Sabres, are the two oldest teams to have never won the Stanley Cup."
Personally this feels like the start of something great
The goaltending situation is going to be really interesting next season. I'm not too sure what Donny has planned because the front office and Adams really love Levi, and rightfully so. We'll see what happens with him and UPL and everything is handled going into next season.
I've watched him live when they faced off against Carolina a couple of weeks ago, and the amount of confidence this kid has is insane. He acts so poised and acts like he's been in the league for 5+ seasons, only playing in a handful of games. The one game against is left to be desired, but he proved that he could be their future.
I'll tell you a situation that happened during the game with Levi and with one of the refs. So Levi put his water bottle on top of the net before the game started (which you're not supposed to do in the NHL, but I think you can. Correct me if I'm wrong. They're supposed to put it in the cup holder behind the net) and one of the refs just took his water bottle and didn't give it back. So Levi grabbed another water bottle during the game, and anytime there was an intermission, he would grab the water bottle, put it inside of his glove when he does his ritual in front of the net (which is him on his knees in front of the net and putting his head down), and drinks it when he needs it and puts it back at the bench. The ref at one point tried to take it away from him at the 3rd period, but Skinner and I think Tuch interfered and defended Levi. Then afterwards, Levi kind of gives the message to the ref by skating to the bench when the whistle blew, grab his water bottle, go back to the net, drink it when he's watching, puts the water bottle back, and continues playing when the puck drops. Very interesting to see this unfolding, and it was a great game too.
They need d-men. Dahlin and Power are great but they also need guys who are strong in their own zones. Still too soon on some of the young forwards… my only question is what Oloffson's future with the team is.
Samuelsons contribution to offense isnât on the state sheet directly but he allows dahlin to do his thing in the ozone
I have not been this excited going into a new season as I am right now since going into the 2006-07 season. I was excited going into the 2011-12 season, but that team was older and on the decline, a far cry from the youthful talent that this roster currently boasts.
Best shape the teamâs been in for years going into the offseason.
But certain changes will have to take place to continue making progress. New D-schemes (i.e. new faces behind Granato) a punishing D-man, and a punishing F/C who can win face-offs (both need to be crease-clearers) and Buffalo has to decide who the tandem is.
Levi/UPL or Levi/Someone like Gibson, etc. Comrie isnât an answer. Would like UPL to remain and not become the next Ullmark, barring a really good deal.
The boys will make the playoffs next year. As RJ said, if they donât have your attention yet, they will soon! Letâs go Buffalo!!!!!
If you take away the Sabres two massive losing streaks, theyâd be on pace for 117 points.
I know you can do say that for any teamâs steaks but I found it interesting it was that high of a pace and showed when they were on, they were playing really well
I really enjoyed watching them. Needs some help after the first four defenders.
I dig that jersey, it deserves "Great White Buffalo" by Ted Nugent to be either a goal song or win song.
Need a goalie
As a long-time fan of the Sabres and Canes, 06 was utterly Bittersweet for me in every way. I always told myself after that year, the Canes had their year, now the Sabres' time is coming. I feel that we're on the verge of something truly great here! It is also awesome to see Kevyn Adams, a player on the Canes' Stanley Cup winning team, is now leading my other favorite team back to winning ways! LET'S GO BUFFALO!!!
They scored a bunch of goals, but were simply terrible with all aspects of defense. I can't decide if that means they were better or some players just grew into Don's wide open system???
There are scenerios where the average team age could actually get younger next year. If that happens I'm not sure if they will get better or worse…
This is the first time Iâve felt extremely happy and optimistic about the Sabres since I was about 13. Iâm 25. Lmao
Good,talented and young team from top to bottom. Good coaching and management. Great cap structure. A blueprint for success.
I think the biggest priority for Buffalo in the offseason is to find a seasoned D-man for a mentorship role. Similar to the role, and impact, Ekholm has had with the Oilers.
I hope the Sabres make it next year. If nothing else Melody Martin deserves it
And letâs get back to the âThey will make the playoffs next yearâ chat. Itâs the same thing Year after year. This time will be different. Some other team thatâs been able to get in all these years, wonât make it and the Sabres will.