Post by Buffalo Sabres on Jan 29, 2023 12:01:49 GMT -6
The Buffalo Sabres keep hanging around the top in the sole elite division of the PFHL, the Atlantic Division. In a dog fight with Ottawa and Florida for the entire season makes every game feel like a playoff game where wins are a must and losses are devastating, every game the 3 teams play are of huge importance. Surely this level of dominance can't be sustained...right?? At the time of this writing, all 3 teams would be 1st in any other division!
Aside from the drag race for top spot in the Atlantic which automatically carries the tag of best team in the PFHL the Sabres have to start thinking playoffs at the 50 game mark. The playoff bar is 19pts away and anything short of a historic collapse in the final 32 games the Sabres look to be thinking post season. A trade with LA bringing in Stanley Cup champ Joe Pavelski 20 games ago has all the signs of the Sabres entering an 'All In' mode. I'd be lying if I said the Sabres haven't been active trying to bring in another couple pieces. Rumours have the management looking for a slight improvement in the defense, maybe a little more offense from the back end. Bringing in another elite top 6 forward talent is the loudest of the rumours, the feeling is if the top 6 can add one more elite piece then this would cure the 3rd line woes. About 1 month from trade deadline expect Buffalo to fine tune the engine.
Recent games some players have started to earn their pay cheques, Alex Ovechkin seems to be coming out of a slump and is playing hockey they way he's being paid to almost reaching a point per game pace and reaching the 20 goal mark. Just to be clear these numbers fall well short of expectations, but any improvement is welcomed and that he is doing. Joe Pavelski has been brilliant, 22 games played 13 goals, 26 points, +14 and 53.12% in the circle all while playing on the 2nd line has Joe exceeding expectations. Lastly back up Adin Hill has been lights out for the Sabres, in 12 starts the goaler hasn't lost in regulation yet, 10-0-2, 2.50gaa and 90.3 sv% has the coaching staff very confident in giving Hill more starts.
Massive disappointments are few but there are always some. Zach Sanford is struggling to produce, maybe just a down year or possibly trying to define his role on the 3rd line but his season is disappointing none the less. But an absolute massive let down, veteran Jeff Carter. 6 goals, 10 points and -7 for $5.272727 Million is an outrage! Coach Boughner had no option but to place the slumping Vet on the 4th line making Carter one of if not the highest paid 4th liner in the PFHL.
Should be a busy month in the PFHL, stayed tuned!
The Buffalo News
Aside from the drag race for top spot in the Atlantic which automatically carries the tag of best team in the PFHL the Sabres have to start thinking playoffs at the 50 game mark. The playoff bar is 19pts away and anything short of a historic collapse in the final 32 games the Sabres look to be thinking post season. A trade with LA bringing in Stanley Cup champ Joe Pavelski 20 games ago has all the signs of the Sabres entering an 'All In' mode. I'd be lying if I said the Sabres haven't been active trying to bring in another couple pieces. Rumours have the management looking for a slight improvement in the defense, maybe a little more offense from the back end. Bringing in another elite top 6 forward talent is the loudest of the rumours, the feeling is if the top 6 can add one more elite piece then this would cure the 3rd line woes. About 1 month from trade deadline expect Buffalo to fine tune the engine.
Recent games some players have started to earn their pay cheques, Alex Ovechkin seems to be coming out of a slump and is playing hockey they way he's being paid to almost reaching a point per game pace and reaching the 20 goal mark. Just to be clear these numbers fall well short of expectations, but any improvement is welcomed and that he is doing. Joe Pavelski has been brilliant, 22 games played 13 goals, 26 points, +14 and 53.12% in the circle all while playing on the 2nd line has Joe exceeding expectations. Lastly back up Adin Hill has been lights out for the Sabres, in 12 starts the goaler hasn't lost in regulation yet, 10-0-2, 2.50gaa and 90.3 sv% has the coaching staff very confident in giving Hill more starts.
Massive disappointments are few but there are always some. Zach Sanford is struggling to produce, maybe just a down year or possibly trying to define his role on the 3rd line but his season is disappointing none the less. But an absolute massive let down, veteran Jeff Carter. 6 goals, 10 points and -7 for $5.272727 Million is an outrage! Coach Boughner had no option but to place the slumping Vet on the 4th line making Carter one of if not the highest paid 4th liner in the PFHL.
Should be a busy month in the PFHL, stayed tuned!
The Buffalo News
