Sabres’ 3 Biggest Takeaways at the Quarter-Point of the Season
November 26, 2025
Sabres’ 3 Biggest Takeaways at the Quarter-Point of the Season
4 comments
first paragraph header “Youth provides hope” killed me a bit inside
The irony in this is the takeaways aren’t really wrong. Youth is leading the way. Doan and Benson have been more spark than Dahlin and Thompson and Tuch. Idk what we run when Kulich is back. Though at least with Norris looking better we hopefully have another shooter to give take a reason to forget about some 6’7″ giant that can shoot 100mph.
Honestly my takeaway from this season is the team is good enough, but Adams might be the dumbest motherfucker when it comes to filling from injuries. Follow me here. Let’s go to the start of the season. Norris, Kulich and Greenway went down. Now horrible as that is my call ups would have been Rosen, Ostlund and Helenius. Why? Ostlund has shown he’s a good 2 way forward with some offensive upside. Rosen needs to show he has the ability to transition to the NHL preferably sooner rather than later and Helenius is known for offense.
Now why would that be my focus? Kulich is an offensive talent, Norris is a offensive talent and Greenway is a 2 way power forward. Yeah we lose a touch of hitting picking Ostlund, but it isn’t the be all end all when Sammy has decided he remembers what earned him that contract and we still have Malenstyn in the lineup.
Not going to lie. Idk who I would have picked for Kesserling. Like there really wasn’t a good option because he’s frankly that much better than who we know. I guess I would have moved Timmins up and pray the 5’10” wonder that is Bryson somehow goes god mode for 10 games again
I know we’ve been here before – however –
I’m the most optimistic I have been for a number of years
Offence – we have 3 genuine lines that ‘can’ score, there is lots of youth that just needs to find that consistency.
We have NHL ready players in Rochester who can step into roles when we have some injuries.
Defense
Most nights we’ve looked tough to play against. The return of Sammy has been a revelation. Kesselring and Timmins look like upgrades (and I was pissed we let Docker walk)
Netminding
All 3 have had their moments.
Expecting Lindy to ride the hot hand for the season. If we are in the mix come deadline, someone may get moved towards the deadline for a depth piece.
There is alot of ifs and buts however at this point I’m glad there hasn’t been a full teardown. Most nights we pass the eye test IMO.
Frustratingly this team could just as easily win 8 in a row or lose 8! Confidence is fragile after a number of tough years.
4 comments
first paragraph header “Youth provides hope” killed me a bit inside
The irony in this is the takeaways aren’t really wrong. Youth is leading the way. Doan and Benson have been more spark than Dahlin and Thompson and Tuch. Idk what we run when Kulich is back. Though at least with Norris looking better we hopefully have another shooter to give take a reason to forget about some 6’7″ giant that can shoot 100mph.
Honestly my takeaway from this season is the team is good enough, but Adams might be the dumbest motherfucker when it comes to filling from injuries. Follow me here. Let’s go to the start of the season. Norris, Kulich and Greenway went down. Now horrible as that is my call ups would have been Rosen, Ostlund and Helenius. Why? Ostlund has shown he’s a good 2 way forward with some offensive upside. Rosen needs to show he has the ability to transition to the NHL preferably sooner rather than later and Helenius is known for offense.
Now why would that be my focus? Kulich is an offensive talent, Norris is a offensive talent and Greenway is a 2 way power forward. Yeah we lose a touch of hitting picking Ostlund, but it isn’t the be all end all when Sammy has decided he remembers what earned him that contract and we still have Malenstyn in the lineup.
Not going to lie. Idk who I would have picked for Kesserling. Like there really wasn’t a good option because he’s frankly that much better than who we know. I guess I would have moved Timmins up and pray the 5’10” wonder that is Bryson somehow goes god mode for 10 games again
I know we’ve been here before – however –
I’m the most optimistic I have been for a number of years
Offence – we have 3 genuine lines that ‘can’ score, there is lots of youth that just needs to find that consistency.
We have NHL ready players in Rochester who can step into roles when we have some injuries.
Defense
Most nights we’ve looked tough to play against. The return of Sammy has been a revelation. Kesselring and Timmins look like upgrades (and I was pissed we let Docker walk)
Netminding
All 3 have had their moments.
Expecting Lindy to ride the hot hand for the season. If we are in the mix come deadline, someone may get moved towards the deadline for a depth piece.
There is alot of ifs and buts however at this point I’m glad there hasn’t been a full teardown. Most nights we pass the eye test IMO.
Frustratingly this team could just as easily win 8 in a row or lose 8! Confidence is fragile after a number of tough years.
We actually might have it this year!