https://theathletic.com/4135720/2023/01/30/nhl-weekend-rankings-sabres-rangers-canucks/ Top five reasons to jump on the Sabres bandwagon Spoiler 5. They’re fun — Let’s start here because there’s nothing worse than a boring bandwagon team. The Sabres are certainly not boring. They’ve spent the year near the top of the league in goals scored, but have trouble keeping pucks out of their own net. In a 3-2 league, the Sabres are a 4-3 team. And every now and then, a 9-4 team. 4. You don’t hate them — Every time I suggest a bandwagon destination, fans descend on me to swear that they hate that team. But the Sabres? There’s no way you hate them. You just don’t. Even their two surviving Adams Division rivals, Boston and Montreal, can’t still be holding a grudge against a team that never won anything. Leafs fans? Sure, they’re a great rival, but imagine how wild a playoff series would be. Senators fans? You’re over 2006 by now. Flyer fans? The Sabres/Flyers rivalry of the 90s was low-key one of the most brutal ever, but that was a long time ago. Canucks fans? OK, I can kind of see this one, only because the Sabres are your brothers in misery and it would be weird to see them move out and get their own place. But Canucks fans have bigger problems these days, so let them have some joy in their lives. 3. If you don’t cheer for Buffalo, Tage Thompson might eat you — I can’t actually prove this one, but he’s nine feet tall and he’s not getting his superpowers from protein shakes. 2. Their long-suffering fans deserve it — No fan base has gone through more misery in the last 15 years than Buffalo. They’re riding an NHL record streak of missing the playoffs, the rich owner who was supposed to be the savior has been decidedly up-and-down, they’ve seen great players bolt for bigger markets, and there’s rarely been any sense of real hope. And sure, there are some cases where prolonged misery can be its own kind of fun for outside fans. If you want to see the Oilers implode or the Leafs lose another Game Seven, go ahead. But Sabres fans have been through enough. They’re some of the best fans in sports. Let them have this. 1. This is probably your last chance — While it wouldn’t be the first time we all got suckered in by a Sabres win streak, this really does seem like a team that’s on the way to better days. They’re good now, but they could be really good in a year or two, and when that happens you’ll eventually get sick of them and their fans won’t want you on the bandwagon anyway. This is a short-term fling, and the time is now. As a bonus, you won’t be accused of front-running, because the Sabres don’t crack this week’s top five. Who did? Let’s find out …
all valid points. They are an entertaining team to watch. They manage to get every game into OT which makes for very entertaining hockey.
Most teams have reached the all star break /thoughts -The top 4 in the central are really not separated by much at all. Stars are up 9 and 8 points on the Avs and Wild, but Dallas and Winnipeg both have 3 games less in hand than either. Avs are going to get healthy and win the division imo. -I think the public models might even be underrating how good the Bruins' defense is. I believe right now they're getting both the best defense and best goaltending in the league. -If Edmonton finishes below Seattle this year, that organization should be thoroughly embarrassed. -Lamoriello is going to make a horrible deadline move to try to get the Islanders into the playoffs and save his job.
Don't disagree with anything here. I'll add some more atlantic thoughts Boston- You nailed it. That defense and goaltending is amazing Toronto- This is by far the best team they have had. Can't wait until Dubas screws it up because he folds to the media pressure to add grit at the deadline. Tampa- This team just keeps on ticking. So well built Buffalo- Really nice season they are having, but they are also riding some amazing OT luck. If that falls off at all, they are going to fall off quickly. (there's something to be said for the ability to get so many games into OT though) Florida- Everything that can go wrong, has gone wrong so far and they are still only 5 points out. Can't come from behind, can't win in OT, can't get games tied late and sneak into OT for loser points. The season is a mess, but somehow they are only a good February from being right back in the playoffs. Time is running out though. I'll honestly be happy if they finish high enough to stay out of the Bedard sweepstakes. Detroit- Stevie Y is doing some real damage to his rep as a team builder. Woof at that Chiarot contract. He is single handedly destroying Seider. Ottawa- LOL Montreal- Coming down from their early season bender where everything they threw at the net went in. Remember when Suzuki was on a 95 point pace through 25 games despite some of the worst underlying numbers in the league? 2 goals and 12 points in his last 25 and his pace is down to 60ish points. The question becomes can they fall apart enough to get back into Bedard territory?
Re: Suzuki. It’s hilarious the amount of fans that refuse to believe a stupid high oish% leading to huge production isn’t sustainable. It’s gravity. Happened with Tom Wilson last year, too. Ottawa is also the latest example of why Canadian teams have struggled to win cups in the cap era imo. They can’t just let a full rebuild happen organically without caving to fan or ownership pressure. It’s looking like they’re going to have given up assets for 1 season of Debrincat with nothing to show for it.
The Wings are just stuck in neutral. My opinion is Yzerman added what he did this Summer to give guys like Seider and Raymond a chance to shoulder the load this season, but it was too much too soon. Only the Chiarot deal is really bad but there are only three more years left, thank god. And now that Seider is with Walman, Seider has easily been out best player (Chiarot is now cratering Hronek’s career year, lol). The Bertuzzi injury and Varna’s personal issues certainly didn’t help either, though. Regardless, my opinion is the Wings need to sell (12 UFA on the roster) at the TDL.
Seider hasn’t played with Chiarot in like a month and a half. Coincidentally Seider has been playing phenomenal for a month and a half.
Vrana has been scoring a bit more in GR, but it feels like there is more going on than meets the eye. I just don’t get the sense he’s coming back anytime soon, if ever.
Ehhh. I think Vancouver could have done better. Beavillier has seen a lot of his shine wear off over the last couple seasons and Raty is a solid but not spectacular prospect. A lotto protected 1st is also pretty meh.
A middle six winger, a potential middle six center, and a protected first. About what Detroit was willing to give up (detox said Rasmussen, Hronek, and a 2nd).
That’s a pretty decent return for a rental imo. Also the market gets set every year and is always different. So who really knows.
Islanders would be better off by renting him and failing to make the playoffs, than by signing him to a long term deal, which is why Lou is gonna do the latter.
A 3rd liner that can play up and down your middle 6 (Beau is normally good for 12-20 goals), a solid B prospect (Raty was a PPG in Liiga at 19yo), and what could/should be a top 15 pick. Solid return for a pending UFA IMO.
I'm convinced that the phrase "it's been such a whirlwind" is only used in the English language when a hockey player is traded
Curious what the protection is. Seems like a lot to give up for someone having a career year (7 points off from his matching season-high) due in large part to his absurd S 21.7%
Top 12 protected. With how old the islanders are I could actually see them deferring the pick and getting a better one next year
Don’t think they get a Choice on that. Usually it’s the team giving away the pick that gets to choose