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Playoffs?!?!? Playoffs?!?!?!

Sabresfansince1980

Sabresfansince1980

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Sep 29, 2011
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The frustrating part last month was not so much about missing the playoffs, but going through another funk and whimpering through terrible games just when they got to a playoff position. I at least wanted to see the team improve as the season progressed and show some fight. So at least this last stretch has showed all of that, and proves this roster has some gritty mentality about it, and more to offer overall with a few improvements (that maybe should have been done by the front office earlier). It's definitely a great way to finish the season, looking strong and like they belong in the playoff talk all summer and through next season.
 
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Chainshot

Chainshot

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Sabresfansince1980 said:
The frustrating part last month was not so much about missing the playoffs, but going through another funk and whimpering through terrible games just when they got to a playoff position. I at least wanted to see the team improve as the season progressed and show some fight. So at least this last stretch has showed all of that, and proves this roster has some gritty mentality about it, and more to offer overall with a few improvements (that maybe should have been done by the front office earlier). It's definitely a great way to finish the season, looking strong and like they belong in the playoff talk all summer and through next season.
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Agreed. They can look at this final run and know they gave what they could to get this close. They aren't going into the season with the regret of having gone out with a whimper like so many of the Eichel teams did, instead they know they have it in them to play the right way in tough situations. That's something to look at going forward - how deep can they dig, how much can they get to this state when they lose a couple in October or November next year? They have the knowledge they can get back to winning hockey if they play a certain way now. That experience should be useful.

Also, I'd like to think that the coaches and front office have learned through this too that when the team is short-handed, more can be done than just riding a couple of players into nubs. Some of that post-deadline swoon seems like it's on their big three defensemen being broken (Sammy) or worn out (Power) or in Dahlin's case a bit of both. Hopefully they see how close this group is and continue forward to make the squad better immediately (as in this summer) rather than again giving the wait-and-see approach. They've reached a threshold that the GM and coaches have to level their game up too.
 
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WhereAreTheCookies

WhereAreTheCookies

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Feb 16, 2022
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Chainshot said:
Agreed. They can look at this final run and know they gave what they could to get this close. They aren't going into the season with the regret of having gone out with a whimper like so many of the Eichel teams did, instead they know they have it in them to play the right way in tough situations. That's something to look at going forward - how deep can they dig, how much can they get to this state when they lose a couple in October or November next year? They have the knowledge they can get back to winning hockey if they play a certain way now. That experience should be useful.

Also, I'd like to think that the coaches and front office have learned through this too that when the team is short-handed, more can be done than just riding a couple of players into nubs. Some of that post-deadline swoon seems like it's on their big three defensemen being broken (Sammy) or worn out (Power) or in Dahlin's case a bit of both. Hopefully they see how close this group is and continue forward to make the squad better immediately (as in this summer) rather than again giving the wait-and-see approach. They've reached a threshold that the GM and coaches have to level their game up too.
Click to expand...
Their play seemed to improve when they started to get some practices in again also. I'm sure that can't just be a coincidence. Hopefully they don't have to reschedule several games again and compress an already tight schedule.
 
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Dubi Doo

Dubi Doo

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Aug 27, 2008
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toddkaz said:
Click to expand...

Man, I thought Grier left way earlier than that.

One thing I remember vividly from that season is Niedermayer sucking for most of the regular season, then playing his ass off in the playoffs and looking solid.
 
Pietrangelo

Pietrangelo

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Oct 26, 2015
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Not a Sabres fan, but just popping in to say I was really rooting for you guys to get in. You have a really promising team ahead of you guys for years to come. Can’t wait to see them back in the playoffs the next few years! Great season guys.
 
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BB79

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Apr 30, 2011
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Pietrangelo said:
Not a Sabres fan, but just popping in to say I was really rooting for you guys to get in. You have a really promising team ahead of you guys for years to come. Can’t wait to see them back in the playoffs the next few years! Great season guys.
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Thanks!
 
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