Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill gave his inconsistent, middling team a shot in the arm when he traded for a skill-forward in Dominik Kahun. The 24 yr. old Kahun is on his third team after being signed by the Chicago Blackhawks, who then traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins last June. Kahun was then traded tot he Sabres at the 2020 trade deadline this past Monday.
Although Kahun played center in Germany he has been on the wing in the NHL and it raises the question of can he play center in the best hockey league in the world? Sabres bench boss Ralph Krueger hasn't ruled it out, but for now Kahun will be riding shotgun somewhere in the middle-six of the lineup.
Showing posts with label Curtis Lazar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curtis Lazar. Show all posts
Friday, February 28, 2020
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Three-game Sabres recap Jan. 14-18
Buffalo bench-boss Ralph Krueger and the Sabres, via general manager Jason Botterill prior to the Vegas Golden Knights game, said that the goal is to win two of three games for a playoff push. Going back to the beginning of 2020, the Sabres had 41 points in 41 games to start the new year and using the Krueger formula, garnering four points per three games would give them 52 points in 39 games for a 93-point total with two games left to play. One of those games is on the road against the New Jersey Devils with the season finale' coming at home against the Philadelphia Flyers, whom they could be battling for a playoff spot.
So far so good in 2020 as they went won two of three in the first three games and replicated it the next three.
So far so good in 2020 as they went won two of three in the first three games and replicated it the next three.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Some mid-six juggling and the search for secondary scoring (again)
Published by hockeybuzz.com, 11-13-2019
You have to like the gumption Krueger has shown in sticking to his system of beliefs. With his Buffalo Sabres on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) and mired in a 1-5-1 slump with litany of offensive woes plaguing his team, Krueger is standing firm to what he laid out in the beginning of the year and continues to defend his players work-ethic. Krueger was on the WGR550 radio this morning and once again he talked about how hard everyone has been working on the ice but not having the results there.
It's common theme Sabreland has heard dating back the Lindy Ruff years and unfortunately, on the whole, it's lead to full-season results that have kept them out of the playoffs or worse for a NHL-long eight seasons. Last season we heard head coach Phil Housley talking about playing a good team over there while coddling his players despite some despicable efforts and we found out, among a number of things, that he wasn't really cut out for the job and that his team was lacking in a few key areas.
Things have changed for the better with the Sabres as general manager Jason Botterill added key pieces to his blueline and added to his forward ranks. Early in the season it looked like it was a huge step in the right direction but with this recent streak there have been calls for Botterill to make a move if he wants his team to take a big step over last season. Perhaps there are things in the works, but the third-year GM runs a pretty tight ship with very few leaks coming out during his tenure.
You have to like the gumption Krueger has shown in sticking to his system of beliefs. With his Buffalo Sabres on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) and mired in a 1-5-1 slump with litany of offensive woes plaguing his team, Krueger is standing firm to what he laid out in the beginning of the year and continues to defend his players work-ethic. Krueger was on the WGR550 radio this morning and once again he talked about how hard everyone has been working on the ice but not having the results there.
It's common theme Sabreland has heard dating back the Lindy Ruff years and unfortunately, on the whole, it's lead to full-season results that have kept them out of the playoffs or worse for a NHL-long eight seasons. Last season we heard head coach Phil Housley talking about playing a good team over there while coddling his players despite some despicable efforts and we found out, among a number of things, that he wasn't really cut out for the job and that his team was lacking in a few key areas.
Things have changed for the better with the Sabres as general manager Jason Botterill added key pieces to his blueline and added to his forward ranks. Early in the season it looked like it was a huge step in the right direction but with this recent streak there have been calls for Botterill to make a move if he wants his team to take a big step over last season. Perhaps there are things in the works, but the third-year GM runs a pretty tight ship with very few leaks coming out during his tenure.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Should he stay or should he go?
Preseason ended for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday with a 3-2 shootout win against the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Yesterday the team had a very early practice so they could be at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY to watch the Buffalo Bills take on the New England Patriots (which turned out to be a defensive struggle with the Pats coming out on top 16-10.)
Today the powers that be are huddled in Sabres offices trying to figure out who should stay and who should go. Yes, we know Sabreland, if it was up to the most vociferous of the fan base Kyle Okposo and Rasmus Ristolainen would have been traded by now, Vladimir Sobotka bought out, Zemgus Girgensons, Johan Larsson and Scott Wilson all waived with Marco Scandella given a one-way ticket to anywhere in the world and every one of those fans willing to drive him to the airport.
Ain't gonna happen.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Building the 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres roster--Reserves and Contenders
Published by hockeybuzz.com, 9-24-2019
Today we fill out a potential final 2019-2020 opening night roster with three more players. As we've gone through this process, more than a few of the names presented here have drawn the ire of many Sabres fans, yet they more than likely will be there on opening night. Names like Kyle Okposo, Johan Larsson, Zemgus Girgensons and Marco Scandella represent bad times in Sabreland however for various reasons they'll probably be there come October 3.
While many have clamored for an influx of youth and vitality, as well as speed and skill, it would seem as if Buffalo GM Jason Botterill will be sticking with the tried and true (at least to start the season) with regards to the lower lines and pairings. Fact is, although there's some talent waiting in the wings, Botterill is a firm believer in developing that talent. He seems willing bring players up full time only if their ready, which is why some youngins will end up in their proper developmental leagues while the Sabres under new head coach Ralph Kreuger trudge their way through yet another season of transition.
With that in mind, the first name we trot out for a reserve spot on the Sabres roster won't make a lot of fans happy, but is logical in the sense that he'll be in a reserve/fourth-line role:
Today we fill out a potential final 2019-2020 opening night roster with three more players. As we've gone through this process, more than a few of the names presented here have drawn the ire of many Sabres fans, yet they more than likely will be there on opening night. Names like Kyle Okposo, Johan Larsson, Zemgus Girgensons and Marco Scandella represent bad times in Sabreland however for various reasons they'll probably be there come October 3.
While many have clamored for an influx of youth and vitality, as well as speed and skill, it would seem as if Buffalo GM Jason Botterill will be sticking with the tried and true (at least to start the season) with regards to the lower lines and pairings. Fact is, although there's some talent waiting in the wings, Botterill is a firm believer in developing that talent. He seems willing bring players up full time only if their ready, which is why some youngins will end up in their proper developmental leagues while the Sabres under new head coach Ralph Kreuger trudge their way through yet another season of transition.
With that in mind, the first name we trot out for a reserve spot on the Sabres roster won't make a lot of fans happy, but is logical in the sense that he'll be in a reserve/fourth-line role:
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