20 Questions...from an Ignorant Sabres Fan

Comments · 613 Views

20 Questions...from an Ignorant Sabres Fan


I've been lurking for years but have never posted anything for fear of coming across as the idiot on here (I guess whether that happens remains to be seen, especially if I can't figure out how to post this).BACKGROUNDI have been a Sabres fan since the mid 70s, My earliest Sabres memories are moments from the Stanley Cup playoff run (like the fog game).However, outside of that, I never played hockey.Heck, I can't even stand on skates.I mostly only follow the Sabres and watch most of their games versus following other teams.My knowledge of prospects, and the draft, comes almost entirely from what I read on DBTB https://www.buffalofanstoreonline.com/Lukas_Rousek_Flag-178, as that is usually the first time I hear of any of them.My background is in coaching; I used to coach D1 in another sport (I hope that doesn't come across wrong; I simply state it because I look at everything through a coach's eyes, not a hockey player's eyes Colin Miller Face Mask, which is the perspective from where many of my questions come).20 QUESTIONS?I have a number of questions (I doubt I make it to 20 but no one plays games like "13 Questions" https://www.buffalofanstoreonline.com/Riley_Sheahan_Pillow_Cover-209, hence my title of "20 Questions") but I will start with only one.My questions come entirely from my ignorance of hockey, so please don't take anything as attacks on anyone's hockey knowledge.I humbly prostrate myself in front of the DBTB hockey gods as I ask these questions to enlighten me and anyone else who doesn't understand the game as well as many of you.QUESTION 1Since we just had the draft lottery and the draft seems to be on everyone's mind, I will start with a draft question.The consensus seems to be that we need to draft a scoring forward.However, why has there been no talk of drafting Askarov?Admittedly I had never heard of him until I read about him from all of you, however word seems to be that he is a generational goaltending talent, the best goalie prospect in over a decade.It appears that Sabres goaltending has been very weak lately.I have read numerous comments from people speculating that we would have won quite a few more games had we had above average or even average goaltending.Had we won those games, we'd be in the playoffs right now.The great Sabres teams had great goaltenders – Hasek, Miller, etc.They didn't make the playoffs with Ullmarks and Huttons in net.In football, a coach looks for a franchise quarterback to build the team around.In basketball, a coach may look to build around a center or a point guard to run the offence.In baseball, starting pitching makes a huge difference (heck in softball https://www.buffalofanstoreonline.com/Zemgus_Girgensons_T_shirt-17, a dominant starting pitcher can carry an entire team).In hockey, to me https://www.buffalofanstoreonline.com/Tage_Thompson_Face_Mask-222, it appears a good goaltender can make the most difference for a team.How many times has a goaltender "stole a game"?From all of you I have learned this is called standing on his head; though standing on your head seems like a poor goaltending strategy https://www.buffalofanstoreonline.com/Riley_Sheahan_Face_Mask-210.But what do I know? So without going on even longer, I respectfully ask all of you, why no consideration for drafting Askarov, the generational goaltending talent?

Comments