Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

[OpIv37]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

With ROR and Kane and Bogosian for the whole year (assuming he stays healthy), plus the young guys, I don't see any way we are last place this coming year.

But playoffs means getting at least 40 more points in the standings. That's a tall order for a young team with a lot of new faces. So, I'm going to go with no, but it wouldn't shock me to see them sneak in as the 8th seed.

[Crisis]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I see us as a bubble team that ultimately misses the playoffs.

[swiper]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Poll: Will the '15-16 Sabres make the playoffs?

IDK.

But I am sure I will finally watch some hockey for the first time in 2 or 3 years.

[coastal]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

IDK.

But I am sure I will finally watch some hockey for the first time in 2 or 3 years.

I can hardly wait!

[Night Train]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I voted no.

They are improving and I'm very happy with what Murray is doing... but they still need a year to gel and another off-season to strengthen the roster.

They only scored 161 goals last season. It takes more than 1 off-season to correct that.

[WagonCircler]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I voted no.

They are improving and I'm very happy with what Murray is doing... but they still need a year to gel and another off-season to strengthen the roster.

They only scored 161 goals last season. It takes more than 1 off-season to correct that.

Mostly agree, but the numbers from last year are less relevant when 4 of the top 6 forwards have been replaced.

And when you factor in that Boston and Toronto are in full-on rebuild mode, you just never know.

[Yasgur's Farm]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I voted no.

They are improving and I'm very happy with what Murray is doing... but they still need a year to gel and another off-season to strengthen the roster.

They only scored 161 goals last season. It takes more than 1 off-season to correct that.

Potentially.. 80 goals (50%) have bee added with the addition of ROR, Kane, Eichle and Reinhart alone.

[mightysimi]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Potentially.. 80 goals (50%) have bee added with the addition of ROR, Kane, Eichle and Reinhart alone.

That's a lot of faith. ROR has proven to score over 25 once. Kane has done it once. Eichel and Reinhart haven't even played a shift in the NHL. That's a lot of faith that they can average 20 goals each. Not to mention, as edmonton has shown, if you don't have D to get those guys the puck, they can't score. The only 2 guys on D that have shown the ability to do that are Risto and Bogo.

[swiper]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Potentially.. 80 goals (50%) have bee added with the addition of ROR, Kane, Eichle and Reinhart alone.

Doesn't seem you subtracted goals for the players lost.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

They're missing another top 4 D man... preferably a top pairing guy to play with Risto.

Lehner would have to become elite for them to make playoffs this year.

Here are the teams I think definitely make playoffs next year...

Tampa
Capitals
Senators
Florida
Montreal
NY Rangers
Columbus

That leaves Detroit, Pittsburgh, Boston and the Isles competing perhaps with the Sabres for the last spot. A lot would have to go really right.

Detroit getting green was HUGE. they needed a puck moving d-man in the worst way. They got it. Long term, they got good guys, but no one that can replace zetterberg and datsyuk

[coastal]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Detroit getting green was HUGE. they needed a puck moving d-man in the worst way. They got it. Long term, they got good guys, but no one that can replace zetterberg and datsyuk

Nothing imminent at least... Larkin seems to be on the right path in a very big way.

Like Reinhart.. he's a few years away from making a difference though.

even with the coaching change, they're still a stable organization and always going to be in the mix for a playoff spot.

[Yasgur's Farm]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Doesn't seem you subtracted goals for the players lost.

Players lost would be the bottom 4 forwards from 2015 season... not sure what their exact contribution was, but I would think very little.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

Nothing imminent at least... Larkin seems to be on the right path in a very big way.

Like Reinhart.. he's a few years away from making a difference though.

even with the coaching change, they're still a stable organization and always going to be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Probably. But they were going the wrong way big time. The young players are good, but not future franchise core players like zetterberg and datsyuk. And z and datsyuk aren't the same players they were a few years ago. Larkin looks good though. And the sabres are gonna need a few seasons too. I'm still bummed they lost zadorov, I liked his size and speed. I hope they replace him with a d man next draft.

[coastal]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I don't get the Zad love.

all the talent in the world and a five cent head.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Are the Sabres now a playoff team?

I don't get the Zad love.

all the talent in the world and a five cent head.

Even at 19, he had flashes of brilliance. Him showing up late once isn't the end of the world and I think it's overblown. But it's not our issue any more. 6 foot 5 inch mobile defensemen aren't a dime a dozen in the NHL.