I've heard this 15 games this season (actually 19 with the OT/SO losses) and even in some of the victories that the Sabres had obtained.

Its just time to face up to reality and as fans, deal with the fact that we aren't contending this season, not only the Cup, but the playoffs as well.

I look at how close the bottom 10 teams are in the standings (excluding Edmonton of course) and as unfortunate as it sounds, with the inconsistencies in play from this team for various reasons (que the Nieds/Grier to old, Hecht, Pomminville invisible, Connolly just sucking, the secondary scoring disappearing for "LONG" stretches of games, the lack of a true 3rd linemate with consistency to help elevate Roy and Vanek to even more production, the absence of an entire 2nd scoring line, center depth problems.....etc.....etc.....) the Buffalo Sabres are heading for a 4 to 10 pick overall in the draft.
Which suits me just fine, I can only hope that the trades at the deadline add some picks from the 1st/2nd round to not only address the lack of offensive presence, but to also add depth at forwards into the system.

I look at as a rebuild Squanto, and I have alot of faith in the defensive pipeline of the organization, but forwards are scarce at best in the pipeline with only Adam and Kassian as 2 players that I currently see as pushing for a roster spot next season.

I'm calling it what I see it as, a rebuild moving away from this failed experiement with the current core to a younger, hungier, more aggressive youth movement with Gaustad, Roy and Vanek as the future veteran leadership of the club.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Is every year a rebuild/reload for everyone? It is these days. We have done too much experimenting with no satisfying results and failed to address problem areas. Our focus should be spent on winning games, and with the new ownership in place before the trade deadline, making realistic moves to improve the overall winning team product.

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Let's go Buffalo!

I don't understand this question Sabretooth.
The past 3 seasons from this one this organization did little to nothing in the way of rebuilding.
It's been pretty much the same roster for 3 now playing in the 4th season, like I said, with little to no changes.

This past off season was the most signifacant changes the Sabres have seen in years with the departure of Lydman and Tallinder.
No, I believe the defense is being rebuilt and infused with a great amount of youth from within the system itself.
I mean, Butler, Sekera and Weber are direct products of the organizations pipeline and Myers direct from the draft.
It's a defensive rebuild, and I actually think they haven't done half bad, just need to get these young kids valuable experience.
I also believe Montador doesn't get re-signed but gets traded at the deadline with Weber as his replacement.

The forwards are a different story altogether. In my view, atleast 7 of the 12 forward positions need to be addressed, inparticular the 2nd scoring line center position. I look at Adam as a very solid line 3 center right now.

And so on and so on........

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Yes, this team is below average. Yes, they have a lot of problems that need to be addressed.

No, you can't make any of these observations after one fucking game, especially considering that they've been playing well as of late. THAT is my bitch.

Should I rephrase my question as "Is every team looking to improve itself through rebuilding its system and/or reloading with quality talented players?" Regardless how I try to craft it, each team strives to improve itself every season.

As for your assessment, slesh, you are spot on.

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Let's go Buffalo!

Squanto is correct, we can't abandon all of the positives just because of a few negatives. What if your parents gave up on us when we shit your pants? You might still be shitting your pants today. Or pissing them, or shitting AND pissing them while puking all over yourself from the smell and what if your parents posted pics on a message board and told the world that you suck?

I mean, look at Badreau? You want the Sabres to be the team that still needs their mommy to wipe their mouths after they eat and correct their naughty mouths?

Now get out there and make your opponents pee.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger