Maybe this belongs in the trade forum, I don't know. I put it here because it's not so much about who we can bring in as it is what the current issues are.

What are the Sabres top needs in order of importance?

1). Top Line L/RW to complete Roy and Vanek.
2). Second line center that doesn't suck balls.
3). Either a talent upgrade from Paul Guastad and Jochen Hecht, or a cost downgrade.
4). Not Patrick Lalime.
5). A physical hustle guy to either replace Kaleta, or to complete McCormick and Kaleta.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

if numbers two and five could be addressed, then i think i would feel a lot better about this team. the rest would be great, but i see 2 and 5 being very possible solutions that would help immensely.

not likely, but it would be great.

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young people everywhere have been allowed to choose between love and a garbage disposal unit. everywhere they have chosen the garbage disposal unit. (guy debord)

Number 2 needs to be done.

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As far as #1 & #2:
How about a go-to guy who is clutch? I know that's a tall order, but there isn't one successful team that doesn't have AT LEAST one of those. The Sabres haven't had that (consistantly) since you-know-who left.

As far as #3:
Cost cut won't win anything. How about a talent upgrade?

And #4:
Miller is a goaltender who WANTS to play 75 or so games a season. He SAID that a couple seasons ago. He said wanted he to pick Brodeurs brain to get some insight as to how to play at that level. If Miller has his way, a backup will not see much time in net. THAT is a MAJOR problem. it is a rare backup who plays so little but can come in and do well. Any backup will most likely need to catch that Portland shuttle often to stay fresh---just as Lalime did when he miraculously started played well when Miller was out last season.

And #5:
Ben Eager. Similar numbers as Kaleta & McCormick. Big guy. Price is right.

Not bad, I actually called for Eager to be added in the offseason. :/

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Not sure I can put things in a proper order but...

1) An entire second line. Connolly isn't the main problem but he's gone next season anyway. A real scoring LW besides Hecht would be nice along with players of Connolly and Pominville's skill, but with physicality that will crash the net/crease and try to score garbage goals. For now Pominville is struggling to regain form, Hecht is Hecht, and Connolly is not producing much with two marginal wingers and no desire to go hard to the net.

2) Another 3rd line center that isn't old, hurt, and past his prime.

3) A...PP...QB...D-MAN (how many years in a row will we go without one), and a #6 or #7 d-man that isn't Butler, preferably a #2 or #3 caliber d-man to go with someone that can run a PP.

A few other notes...I don't see much need for a top line RW because I think Vanek should stay as the RW with Ennis at LW. No need for another back-up goalie because Enroth has proven himself as next year's back-up and beyond.

Ennis-Roy-Vanek
???-Connolly (or replacement)-Pominville
Hecht-???-Grier (gone next season also?)
McCormick-Gaustad-Kaleta

Morrisonn-Myers
Leopold-Montador
Weber-???
???

Too many holes for this team to be a serious contender.

Why did you remove Sekera from the defense? He has been playing balls to the wall and is arguably Myers best defense partner. Also, PP-QB D-Men don't grow on trees.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

1. Secondary scoring. Not the kind that chips in 3 during a 7-1 blowout, but the kind that helps break open those 1 goal games to give you a cushion.

2. Some forwards that actually finish checks. I'm not asking for bruisers who only hit, but it frustrates me how little our current forwards peel off when they could finish a check.

I really think our biggest need is a good #2 Center. If we had that, I would be much more confident in this team.

Are you serious? Sekera is a 1 dimensional defenseman in the mold of Soupy Campbell but without the scoring touch. The guy is an absolute liability defensively. His erratic play and poor decisions, along with his getting so easily knocked off the puck, have really hurt this team. Hard to believe he won't be riding the pine soon.

Our problem is scoring. So far, our defense is producing more points than our offense! We need 1 and 2 most of all, and 3 would be nice.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Our opinions differ, because he's been really good defensively lately, I think. I've been thoroughly impressed.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I also feel like Sekera has been one of our best defensemen this season.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

2nd line C.. how about Stephen Weiss? He's just wasting his time with Panters.

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Sekera is not our problems this year and HELLO, Myers or Sekera can QB the PP, Myers does a damn fine job with it so far.

We need more consistent scoring from our second line, teams that win have two lines that can score or three, not just one line. Our first two lines need to score while the third line chips in ever once in awhile. Just like last years team did.

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Morrisonn and Myers didn't play well together at all.

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mechaphil

I'm not intending to dismiss Sekera. He has played maybe his best games so far this season, but also has looked his usual self plenty also. Either way he's not the type of player that needs to stick around beyond a #6 or #7 role. I also know that PP D-men don't grow on trees, but several d-men were available this off-season that would've been an upgrade to the mess we have to call our powerplay.

Speaking of which Skyline, the board has had many discussions about Myers being a PP QB. I don't remember Sekera being described in that role much. If so I can only say...bwahaha!! He can man the point back there, but to the degree of being a bona-fide QB type of talent...no way. As for Myers, sure he has potential for that, but as I've said before that role takes time and experience that Myers does not have yet. It's a role that he has not yet fulfilled. Having great range and skating ability 5-on-5 does not mean a d-man will be a PP QB type. There are other things about the PP that could improve that would make Myers or anyone else look better back there, but he still is not controlling that unit the way it could be. We have a few d-men that can fill the void, but nobody that is a danger by way of control, passing, or shooting.

I know...I'm just listing the defense to point out where decent sized holes remain. The way Myers has played it wouldn't matter who's been paired with him.

I think we can all agree that we need a decent second line center. Roy is starting to break out to become that number one center we've needed for awhile. Hecht can't do the job, you can't depend on Connolly if he's going to be out with injuries and Gaustad isn't second line material. The only thing he can seem to do lately is win faceoffs consistently for us.

I'm sure there's a lot of guys in the NHL we could get for a small price, but it's just if Darcy realizes we need it. Which is probably an automatic no.

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you have to ask where they see Adam fitting in as well... If they see Adam being that 2nd line C next year would they go out and get a real 2nd line C? And isn't Kassan (spelling) a C as well? those two guys could be with the big club next year...

If I was running the team, I would, because it would allow me to move Adam to 3rd line C and have Goose/Neids battle it out for 4th line C... if you look at how the Pens are built, they are simply stacked down the middle... Sid-Geno-Stall-Max-Flury/Johnson ..... right down the middle of the ice, they are stout... the Sabres can't say that...

Roy is showing he can man the 1C... Timmy is screwing the pooch and shouldn't be resigned... Neids has been hurt all year which leaves you with Stuart and Adam filling in and Goose is a solid 4th line C and solid face of guy...

I say build the middle... a solid top 6 winger and 2nd line C and this team can be scary... Im happy with the D currently and like the depth there. I may consider moving Butler or Sekera to give Weber a little more ice time, but i do like the D...

Miller likes Patty LaLa... and Miller likes to play a lot, so Im not sure what you do with back up goalie...

Id like to see Timmy and Staff with maybe a Butler or Sekra type of package to try and bring in a little top 6 help... I think that would go a long way and with the guys we have coming up, the team could be solid for a while....

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