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The first quarter of the NHL season for the Buffalo Sabres has been a rollercoaster ride to say the least. With a new head coach (Ralph Krueger) with limited NHL experience, who could predict realistically how the team would start. Despite added defenders, the forward group was largely the same. Fans were excited with the their ability to win games off the hop but I feel most involved in the world of advanced stats saw the Sabres coming down to Earth. Embed from Getty Images Winning only one game in the month of November, how will Jason Botterill, as well as the coaching staff, rightRead More →

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What can I say about the Buffalo Sabres that has not been said? Last season’s second half plunge resulted in a coach firing as the entire team looked out of sync. With a new head coach in Ralph Krueger, fans hope that someone can finally get this group to be on the same page. Even with more additions than subtractions, I find it hard to forecast significant change in the near-term. The long-jam of league-wide RFA’s has definitely halted GM Jason Botterill‘s ability to make a blockbuster, which they may really need to change for the better. Notable Players In: Colin Miller (D), Marcus JohanssonRead More →

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At the beginning of the season I said that predicting the Buffalo Sabres would be challenging. Other than some roster improvement, I would say this statement has been true. Few imagined that there would be a 10-game winning streak in the first 43 games and hold a playoff spot (wildcard). Most fans might be placated by being in the playoff bubble as it is still better than being in last place. Now fans have the luxury (I use this term loosely) of worrying if the Sabres will stay in a wildcard spot. If the last 7 years were not so terrible, I feel people wouldRead More →

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Through the month of October, it is hard to believe that the Buffalo Sabres are 8th in the Eastern Conference. After 13 games last season, they were below .500 (4-7-2) to kick off a last-place finish. Despite selecting a defenseman thought to be generational (Rasmus Dahlin), most have expected growing pains to continue. Truth be told, the blue and gold have had ugly moments. On the other end of the spectrum, Buffalo has had some bright spots. And going into Saturday night’s game vs the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres have a winning record (6-5-2). Embed from Getty Images GM Jason Botterill‘s changes have shown promiseRead More →

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The opening night roster, barring unforeseen circumstance, is all but set. Despite the latest move of claiming Remi Ellie (Dallas) off waivers, the roster has been trimmed. Alex Nylander and Brendan Guhle were assigned to Rochester yesterday with Tage Thompson making the initial cut. To no one’s surprise, Rasmus Dahlin has made it and Matt Tennyson is up to be an extra defenseman. There are question marks surrounding the oft-injured Zach Bogosian as he was recently sidelined (lower body) but it is better if Tennyson/Nathan Beaulieu sit in the press box than Guhle. The Buffalo Sabres need for improvement is the understatement of the year.Read More →

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Growing up in the Buffalo area exposes one to every opinion on tanking for the best draft odds. The local media shares contrasting views as the Sabres were in last place, for two consecutive years. As Buffalo is close to last in the NHL again, the debate is ongoing. The 2015 race for 30th achieved the desired result: a franchise center. Before you comment; yes, Jack Eichel is a franchise center despite the suckfest that is the Buffalo Sabres. Lacking significant improvement since then, certain media claims that tanking leads to a losing culture. Just look at Twitter and notice the heated discussions about theRead More →

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As the the calendar page turns from 2017 to 2018, some teams’ hopes turn from the bright and optimistic hopes of the playoffs to the downtrodden truth that this isn’t going to be their year. Below are teams at/near the bottom of the standings and where they can set their goals for the rest of this season and look ahead to the summer. Buffalo Sabres Embed from Getty Images New year, same old Sabres. Currently sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic division with 29 points and a horrid -43 goal differential their goal should be two fold: First is to decide if Robin LehnerRead More →

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Contract years are typically when NHL players overachieve as a significant pay day is in sight. Is it a motive behind Buffalo Sabres’ winger, Evander Kane’s, performance through 34 games (14 goals, 31 points)? The last time that the upcoming free agent faced a contract renewal, he contributed 30 goals and 57 points (2012). And if this is a reason for Kane being the most productive player, what is the issue with Sam Reinhart? Should he be in that company for the 30th placed team to impress the new management and coaching staff? Before the season began, I wrote about how the 2017-18 season shouldRead More →

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The Buffalo Sabres will start the season with superstar Jack Eichel‘s contract extension all wrapped up. The 11th hour deal is worth $80 million over eight years, that’s a AAV of $10 million per season and kicks in with the start of the 2018/19 season when his entry level contract expires. 🚨 We've agreed to terms with @Jack_Eichel11 on an 8-year extension with an AAV of $10 million. pic.twitter.com/9L8hLcVFzP — Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) October 3, 2017 In the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world that is the NHL, Eichel’s contract extension has raised a few eyebrows. The center scored a reasonable 57 points last season, but missed games throughRead More →

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It’s no secret that Jack Eichel was upset after his teams dismal 2016-2017 season. The second overall selection in 2015 let that be known when there were leaks that he wouldn’t sign a contract with Dan Bylsma as the head coach. Subsequently Bylsma and and General Manager Tim Murray were released, with eyes towards the off-season there are many choices for GM and Head Coach. There’s an adage that says you “build from the net out and then down the center” and there is no doubt Eichel is a future superstar in the National Hockey League but are the Sabres set in net? The 25Read More →