JThorne
Stop accepting failure
I hope that continues. We need a top six forward who can skate and score.....
That was supposed to be Kane.
I hope that continues. We need a top six forward who can skate and score.....
The thing is... they want to play this style. Bylsma in particular... this seems to be style they want to use to eek out points in every game to keep "in it" until Eichel/Bogosian/Ennis come back because they don't believe they (and more specifically Bylsma) can win consistently playing open ice hockey with the current roster.
They are severely missing a back end QB. Can be a lefty like everyone wants (maybe that is McCabe or Guhle, but I doubt it), or a UFA (Shattenkirk???) but it is the main priority of this team. I would prefer a lefty that could slot below Risto, cut down his minutes a bit and put Bogosian on the 3rd pair and have a really nice defense that way.
This team is just trying to stay afloat right now.
Going for some extra optimism because of some Armistice Day perspective.
G- Sabres didn't get shut out!
- Sabres got a point !
- the team defense compensated well enough for all the injuries
- Nilsson wasn't a drop-off from Lehner. Might be better at tracking the puck and controlling rebounds too.
- PK is very good
- Moulson scored on the powerplay
- Bylsma squeezing points out of the dilapidated roster he's been saddled with
B- ROR injured, Ennis out for months
- probably just me, but really don't like Kane with Okposo, they negate each other somehow
- Sabres scoring woes continued
U- nearly a 3rd (25.3m) of the projected team cap (72.2m) are unable to play. That includes McCormick, the Hodgson buyout and all the dings including ROR leaving early. Don't try to read anything into that, was just pointing it out.
Once they rid themselves of girgensons ennis moulson and add eichel and another top 6 they will improve 5v5
The thing is... they want to play this style. Bylsma in particular... this seems to be style they want to use to eek out points in every game to keep "in it" until Eichel/Bogosian/Ennis come back because they don't believe they (and more specifically Bylsma) can win consistently playing open ice hockey with the current roster.
They are severely missing a back end QB. Can be a lefty like everyone wants (maybe that is McCabe or Guhle, but I doubt it), or a UFA (Shattenkirk???) but it is the main priority of this team. I would prefer a lefty that could slot below Risto, cut down his minutes a bit and put Bogosian on the 3rd pair and have a really nice defense that way.
This team is just trying to stay afloat right now.
I really don't think its the issue. Disco has a conservative mentality and rarely has our defense activate. Our d-corp's lack of points at ES is a systemic thing more than a talent thing. If you recall in the summer Disco said no coach has ever been fired for allowing no goals. Its just the way he thinks.
Bylsma was saying yesterday that the coaching staff is pushing the D to get more involved in the offense. Hamilton, I believe, was saying on WGR that it's been one of the points of emphasis. But it isn't happening as much as it should.
Bylsma was saying yesterday that the coaching staff is pushing the D to get more involved in the offense. Hamilton, I believe, was saying on WGR that it's been one of the points of emphasis. But it isn't happening as much as it should.
The Sabres do not have defensemen known for getting involved offensively. They also don't have many healthy forwards known for offense. I don't know what fans expect.
Risto, McCabe, Franson, Bogo, Nelson and to a lesser extent Kulikov are all known for getting involved in the play. Gorges is the only one that doesn't have that aspect to his game.
I'm aware. In fact Disco's been trying to get them to activate for a week or so now. But when you set things up systemically in a conservative fashion, those habits don't go away over night. And thats how we've been playing since Disco got here.
I would also add we still drop back into the 1-1-3 quite a lot. Which has the defense in the neutral zone no where near the puck if its turned over. And the stretch pass has been creeping back into the mix again. Which could be old habits creeping in despite the coach or because the coach wanted it back. Not sure which. But either way, with the stretch pass it puts the defense about as far away from the attack as you can when your forwards get it in the neutral zone. Then they dump it in and try to cycle. with the defense scrambling to get up into the play.
I don't agree at all. Ristolainen yes. Nelson has skills offensively, but the guys I'm thinking of carry play in the offensive zone, and I just don't see anything like that on our roster.
Bogosian can, but his hockey sense limits him. There are reasons we want to add D to the roster.
I don't think you're disagreeing so much as not understanding. Activating the defense is about the dmen joining the rush, leading the rush pinching down low in the opposing zone when we have possession, generally getting involve more all over the ice etc. Its about having a 4 or 5 man attack offensively to try and create odd man advantages all over the ice. Every dman I mentioned has the ability to do those things effectively to one degree or another.
When you say "carrying play in the offensive zone" it sounds like you're talking what a PP QB does from the point. That type of play control simply does not take place at ES/5v5. There isn't nearly the time and space for it. ES/5v5 the dmen activate or get involved to create odd man advantages in various parts of the ice to further puck movement and the offense.
I don't agree at all. Ristolainen yes. Nelson has skills offensively, but the guys I'm thinking of carry play in the offensive zone, and I just don't see anything like that on our roster.
Bogosian can, but his hockey sense limits him. There are reasons we want to add D to the roster.
I don't think you're disagreeing so much as not understanding. Activating the defense is about the dmen joining the rush, leading the rush pinching down low in the opposing zone when we have possession, generally getting involve more all over the ice etc. Its about having a 4 or 5 man attack offensively to try and create odd man advantages all over the ice. Every dman I mentioned has the ability to do those things effectively to one degree or another.
When you say "carrying play in the offensive zone" it sounds like you're talking what a PP QB does from the point. That type of play control simply does not take place at ES/5v5. There isn't nearly the time and space for it. ES/5v5 the dmen activate or get involved to create odd man advantages in various parts of the ice to further puck movement and the offense.
You can activate them all you want, its instinctive. We do see the Sabres D do it, its typically Risto and Bogo. I have seen Kulikov at times. Its not their strength.