Tampa Toronto/Boston Florida/Montreal Buffalo Detroit/Ottawa

So no

Even with the moves they made i don't think so.

Penciling in MTL already, not good Karma

Olofsson is in the top 9 or in Rochester, hes not a 4th liner. Sheary and Okposo are probably not 2nd liners

If krueger puts in a defensive system that allows for at least league average goaltending, if dahlin takes a big step and if mittelstadt becomes a 40-50 point players they will contend for the playoffs

sabers have to stay consistent. the atlantic, currently, is the toughest division in hockey. florida got much better. it'll come down to florida, mtl and buff (if they stay consistent) to get that wild card spot.

And if at least 2 of Boston, Florida, Toronto, Tampa and Montreal falter. One could happen easily enough but two is asking a lot.

Not sold on Florida or montreal

No. Still not enough depth upfront and the other Atlantic teams (Florida and Montreal) are still better, plus, you still have to deal with the 3 powerhouses of the division for 12 games a year

It's possible but it's gonna be tough with who's in their division, they've got themselves a good coach so that should make a huge difference, they're really gonna need their goaltending to be consistent and reliable though.
I think they should put Middlestadt at 3C with Sheary and Okposo as his wingers for the beginning of the season, two experienced wingers will help him develop and if he's excelling then move him up to the 2C spot.
Regardless of whether they make the playoffs or not I'm certain they'll be much improved with Kruger as head coach.

A thousand pound grizzly called no playoffs is charging at us, our guide Botts has shot him 4 times but he's been using a 22 rifle and that bear is still charging - I'm looking at Botts and saying either you need to shoot that bear 4 or 5 more times with that 22 or you need a bigger gun - Botts is like nope I think I killed that bear he just don't know it yet- you have been mauled by that bear's kin 8 times and find no comfort in Botts confidence.

They don't have the goaltending to get them there. Unless Ullmark finds another level.

Okposo is a cap killer. 4 more years of his 30 points doesn't help. Sheary is another 30 point guy.

They need a 2C, another top 6 winger and a real goalie.

Those are the ones who could falter but I think Florida has under performed and is a very good team that needs goaltending, Bob could give them that. Montreal should be better than last year, maybe but who knows.

I don't think Buffalo has the depth to challenge the top teams in the division yet so I'd still be patient.

I listed things I thought that needed to happen for buffalo to contend for a playoff spot. I didnt predict a cup

I know, i just look at them and see a team that will be in tough due to the talent in their division. They have Toronto and Tampa at the top and Boston, Montreal and Florida in between. They have to pass 2 of them at least and that is a hard task.

Bold move to put yourself above boston

I don't think its that bold, I think Boston could falter this year. They aren't getting younger and they just went through a long draining playoffs. That catches up to you at times. In all likelihood, its going to be Boston TO in the first round again but they could drop to a wildcard team, the Leafs are going to be better than last year and I think they'll challenge Tampa for the conference lead.

I guess we will find out

I'd like to see Buffalo make it but I am not a fan of their management over the past 6 years or so. They have jumped the gun on a rebuild a couple of times and stalled their progress. I fear they are going to do it again. They have some great pieces but still need to find that depth to compete with the upper echelon teams.

I agree regarding Tim Murray.

I will go to my grave believing ownership forced the O'Reilly trade and forced it before the bonus was due. Makes no sense otherwise.

The Ownership is a huge problem in Buffalo as it is for many teams in hockey. Owners should just butt out and leave the hockey stuff to the smart guys.

Too many good teams in the East. Columbus needed 98 pts to make the playoffs, 90 was good enough in the west.
Playing extra games against three of the best teams in the NHL makes it that much more difficult to reach 98.
So here is my ignorant opinion, with the team in hand NO, but they will have about 90 pts.
Betterall is not done, one more solid LHD, and RW, then the team is closer if not in the hunt until the final month.
If Bales can do his magic with Ullmark as he did in PIT and CAR, if Kruger can get Jack to play the entire season as he did the last couple of weeks, if there are enough pucks for 4 offensive defensemen, if Vesey and Johansson can play as well here in Buffalo as they have in the past. Then maybe.
While this team is much better than last year, I do not think it is 22 pts better so I need to say no.


not yet, but it is getting a lot closer than last year.

ditto above

Florida/New Jersey/Rangers all took huge steps forward and only the Devils had less points than the Sabres.

Three ifs, all very possible. Add one more, if Mike Bales can do for Ullmark what he did for Matt Murray, then anything is possible.

YUP, two edged sword, as a season ticket holder I get to watch all of the great teams and great players live. As a season ticket holder I know 100 pts MAY not make the play offs (the Jackets with 98 just made it)

you could add the Jackets and Islanders as well.

Yup, as I said even 100 pts in the east may not be enough to be a playoff team

Please tell me what do you do when the team leader (your captain) says he gave up? I will wait for your answer.

I am not as down on the owner ship as you. He added the Harbor center out of his pocket, and the Bills are a lot better. The Sabres have one of the best top lines in Hockey (not the best but one of the best).

Are you agreeing with me? ihdk what this means

I actually think the Metro will only have 3 teams in the playoffs this year. Washington and Pittsburgh likely and then one of Carolina, Islanders, or Philly. New Jersey could surprise as well if the get decent goaltending (Thats a big if).

Which is why I think Buffalo has to pass at least one or two of the teams ahead of them. If one of the Metro teams surprises, it makes it even harder for Buffalo.

I am still high on the team, I just don't think they have the necessary depth to take on the upper teams. Being a Leafs fan, I compare them to Buffalo and the top talent isn't equal, but its close. The mid level talent is where TO hammers Buffalo.

For arguements sake, Tavares, Matthews and Eichel are all close.

Then on the wings, TO has way more depth and down the middle more depth, its tough to make up the points Buffalo needs when their 2nd and 3rd lines will get worked over by the top teams.

You mentioned MTL, I added other teams that Buffalo had to pass as well. I thought it was obvious that since this post was about the Sabres, and I added 3 teams that made big strides I was concurring with your assessment that it is unlikely that the Sabres will make the play offs.

Thanks for your comment. I agree that the Sabres are not a playoff team.
There is no way the Sabres can compete with the Leafs offensive prowess, I can only hope that the Sabres defensive depth, improved GK coach, improved HC and additional secondary scoring will improve the performance sufficiently to be close until April. Even with the additions the team as you correctly point out is still far away from being a playoff team.
I should add, I knew this at the end of November when all of the sport writers thought they should trade away picks at the TDL to make a play off push.
BTW, I am happy that Canadian teams do well, I just wish my nearly Canadian (I forgive you for burning Buffalo after USA invaders burned Niagara on the Lake) team could do well also. LOL