Did Buffalo just cement a championship core?

[Filthy Dangles]

First off, let me congratulate the Buffalo Sabres on acquiring the rights to Rasmus Dahlin. Well deserved and the team I was hoping for once the rags were eliminated from lotto.

Now, with Dahlin/Eichel/Mittelstadt/Risto this is feels this next generation's Keith/Toews/Kane/Seabrook with these 4. Buffalo can't possibly mess this up, can they? I'm not saying they should contend next year but are we finally sold on them?

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[HaNotsri]

Can we discuss this if we manage to not end up in last place next year?
Also, Chicago had a very good supporting cast during the cup years.

 

[East Coast Icestyle]

Should probably wait before pasting Casey and Rasmus in as superstars, even if they are hyped. Personally don't think much of Risto, either. Just wait and see before saying anything. Not to mention how desperately they need a goalie.

Also, takes more than four players to contend for the cup or a team like the blues would have one.

 

[varano]

First off, let me congratulate the Buffalo Sabres on acquiring the rights to Rasmus Dahlin. Well deserved and the team I was hoping for once the rags were eliminated from lotto.

Now, with Dahlin/Eichel/Mittelstadt/Risto this is feels this next generation's Keith/Toews/Kane/Seabrook with these 4. Buffalo can't possibly mess this up, can they? I'm not saying they should contend next year but are we finally sold on them?

Mittelstadt looks good. But he's not really in the Dahlin, Eichel conversation. Buffalo needs to look at adding more high end prospect depth for sure. They have a good group of prospects that look like the could be bottom six nhl'ers but they need a little bit more quality top 6 depth and a little more top 4 defensive depth.

 

[LeafGrief]

They managed to mess up with what they have so far, I don't see why one player changes anything. Dahlin and Eichel give them the #1D and #1C that they need, but that team has a gaping chasm just about everywhere else.They need real depth on both forward and defense and that will take a few years to build even if they do things properly. Add in at they still need a goalie, they are nowhere near being anointed future champs.

 

[ImNeverWrong]

sabres won't go anywhere without a good goaltender.

 

[Steddy33]

Sabres need depth. Depth is easier to acquire than stars. They still need smart moves to get them out of the basement

 

[Mickey Marner]

I've heard a lot more about their talent than I have about them winning. Time to break the loser mentality and win some hockey games.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

Nice thread btw

 

[rent free]

no. for all we know they could all bust. they haven't played a game yet together, let alone a season, let alone multiple seasons.

 

[aufheben]

Why do people think every team is going to be the next Blackhawks? It's not happening. The CBA is different. The Sabres won't be able to sign Eichel and Dahlin until the sun burns out.

Mittelstadt isn't Patrick Kane, Morgan Rielly isn't Duncan Keith.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

the same players that finished last + an unproven player =/= a cemented championship core
they might get there and I definitely wouldn't bet against it, but this is extremely premature

 

[Lonewolfe2015]

Maybe after they get rid of a losing culture.

 

[John Matthews]

First off, let me congratulate the Buffalo Sabres on acquiring the rights to Rasmus Dahlin. Well deserved and the team I was hoping for once the rags were eliminated from lotto.

Now, with Dahlin/Eichel/Mittelstadt/Risto this is feels this next generation's Keith/Toews/Kane/Seabrook with these 4. Buffalo can't possibly mess this up, can they? I'm not saying they should contend next year but are we finally sold on them?

They have a talented core, lets all agree upon that. If you don't, then your judge of hockey player is up for debate. The CORE is talented. Mittelstadt needs to prove more so id be inclined to swap him and Reinhart around until we know more about him as an NHL player with a larger sample size, but all these player have had great youth careers. Just because you have a ton of talented players doesnt equate to success. As the 90 rangers teams who were spending 100 million plus and missing the playoffs with 2-4 super star players. They've gotta mesh well. The difference between Chicago and Buffalo is their younger guys are a D and Center, not a Center and Winger. Seabrook and Keith had time to develop while Toews and Kane pretty much walked into their respective roles. Could they be the next Chicago, sure they could easily with the right supporting case. Okposo could be a decent scoring threat, and O'rielly could fetch a nice youthful return in a PICK.

I feel more than half of buffalos roster issues would be solved with a bonifed starter between the pipes.

 

[MessierII]

Thet’re looking good. Lock down their goaltending and they turn things around real quick. I think next year they will continue to struggle though.

 

[A91]

but

Need a good GM to make the right moves by adding quality depth and finding more talent for as little assets as possible, but it is a terrific core no doubt.

The Oilers in 2015 had a better core IMO of McDavid, Hall, RNH, Draisaitl, Nurse, Klefbom (16th+33 overall/Barzal/Connor/Dougie Hamilton) and look at us now.

 

[Pens x]

The supporting cast isn’t there right now. You don’t win a cup off the heals of 3 or 4 players, this isn’t the NBA.

It is wayyyyy too early for this thread.

 

[WillTheThrill]

I remember the outrage when the Leafs were compared to the Hawks on here.

 

[Quiet Jack]

The Hawks had a hell of a lot more than the 4 guys listed. The swords are a long way from contending. Baby steps. I'll settle for a run at the playoffs.

 

[TheGroceryStick]

They have a nice spread out core.
Teams like Carolina and Toronto are bloated at either position....and have tougher decisions.

They need to find the right goaltender that works in their system. They are out there....

 

[KCC]

They have some good pieces, but have no depth and a lot of holes still.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Sabres need to hit on some 2nd-4th rounders to fill out their roster with quality depth.

 

[aufheben]

I remember the outrage when the Leafs were compared to the Hawks on here.

Why wouldn’t there have been? It was ridiculous.

 

[bambamcam4ever]

They have a good start, Ristolainen sucks though.

 

[Leafidelity]

Not even Dahlin can save that team right now, Its certainly a great piece towards fixing that mess, but a lot of work still needs to be done. They'll likely be back for another top 10 pick next year with him on the roster.