Realistically, what do you think a good sabres' defense squad looks like in the next few years?
- bsabres716

I personally think we need to find our Brent Seabrook type player. Someone to play with Myers if and when he turns the corner. If Mcnabb or Pysyk improve over this next year then either one can play with Hoff on the 2nd pair, and Weber, Sekera, McCabe, Ruwhedel whoever can be bottom pairing defensemen. Sekera is a guy I who might get moved at the draft IMO

I personally think we need to find our Brent Seabrook type player. Someone to play with Myers if and when he turns the corner. If Mcnabb or Pysyk improve over this next year then either one can play with Hoff on the 2nd pair, and Weber, Sekera, McCabe, Ruwhedel whoever can be bottom pairing defensemen. Sekera is a guy I who might get moved at the draft IMO
- OneKaneOneCup

Yeah, I think at some point they'll try McNabb with Myers, not that I necessarily agree with it. People rave about McNabb's defensive capabilities, but really he's just a hard hitter, but maybe he'll end up wowing us with his positioning on the NHL level. I honestly think Pysyk will turn out much better than McNabb.

Yeah, I think at some point they'll try McNabb with Myers, not that I necessarily agree with it. People rave about McNabb's defensive capabilities, but really he's just a hard hitter, but maybe he'll end up wowing us with his positioning on the NHL level. I honestly think Pysyk will turn out much better than McNabb.
- bsabres716

Agreed 100%. Mcnabb cannot skate very well at all. IMO it will be a huge issue for him, it won't allow him to use the above average offensive skill he has at this level.
Pysyk is a mini Teppo. He will be what Sekera is but better at it. Sekera IMO is a perfect 3-4 guy, but everytime someone either Myers or Hoff get's injured and he has to step up and play big minutes and special teams, he sticks out like a sore thumb. That's why IMO they move him soon

The only injury I recall being mentioned was a broken jaw when he was playing for Dubuque. I'm fairly positive they've only had 1 each.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

He also continued playing most of the game with that boken jaw and got a highlight reel pass I believe.

Agreed 100%. Mcnabb cannot skate very well at all. IMO it will be a huge issue for him, it won't allow him to use the above average offensive skill he has at this level.
Pysyk is a mini Teppo. He will be what Sekera is but better at it. Sekera IMO is a perfect 3-4 guy, but everytime someone either Myers or Hoff get's injured and he has to step up and play big minutes and special teams, he sticks out like a sore thumb. That's why IMO they move him soon
- OneKaneOneCup

Yeah, I think McNabb will turn out to be Weber 2.0 who pots a few more goals. I can't understand why so many people fret when McNabb is included in deals to get higher end players. If he is the piece that gets you a great player then you pull the trigger. I understand we are thin on tough guy defenseman, but I just don't think he's the answer we're looking for. We need a Suter, Boychuk, Girardi type player, not a Doug Murray type of player.

Agreed 100%. Mcnabb cannot skate very well at all. IMO it will be a huge issue for him, it won't allow him to use the above average offensive skill he has at this level.
Pysyk is a mini Teppo. He will be what Sekera is but better at it. Sekera IMO is a perfect 3-4 guy, but everytime someone either Myers or Hoff get's injured and he has to step up and play big minutes and special teams, he sticks out like a sore thumb. That's why IMO they move him soon
- OneKaneOneCup

McNabb will be a beast

McNabb will be a beast
- jdfitz77

Possibly. It was kind of unfair to compare him to Douglas Murray. He will definitely be better than him, but if he can't improve his skating then he will forever be a third pairing guy because players won't fear his physicality because they will just be able to fly by him.

He also continued playing most of the game with that boken jaw and got a highlight reel pass I believe.
- Herzeleid

Yep, I recall McKenzie talking about that play when we drafted him.

Yeah, I think McNabb will turn out to be Weber 2.0 who pots a few more goals. I can't understand why so many people fret when McNabb is included in deals to get higher end players. If he is the piece that gets you a great player then you pull the trigger. I understand we are thin on tough guy defenseman, but I just don't think he's the answer we're looking for. We need a Suter, Boychuk, Girardi type player, not a Doug Murray type of player.
- bsabres716

His ceiling IMO is to be a player similar to Eric Brewer with a little more offense. Unfortunately if he doesn't improve his skating a tad or become completely a stay at home smart defensemen he will never stay in the NHL full time

Yep, I recall McKenzie talking about that play when we drafted him.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Even if Girgensons doesn't pan out talent wise he will still make a great third or fourth line energy guy who just gives it his all and pumps his team up. Definite leader, no doubt.

His ceiling IMO is to be a player similar to Eric Brewer with a little more offense. Unfortunately if he doesn't improve his skating a tad or become completely a stay at home smart defensemen he will never stay in the NHL full time
- OneKaneOneCup

Hopefully we're both wrong and he turns out to be the next Shea Weber

One can dream...

Hopefully we're both wrong and he turns out to be the next Shea Weber

One can dream...
- bsabres716

He has a shot similar to Weber but thats about it. I think he will be a decent player but not what people are touting him to be, I agree with you I think Pysyk will be the better player

He has a shot similar to Weber but thats about it. I think he will be a decent player but not what people are touting him to be, I agree with you I think Pysyk will be the better player
- OneKaneOneCup

Yes, well it's only a matter of time until we find out...Go Sabres

Possibly. It was kind of unfair to compare him to Douglas Murray. He will definitely be better than him, but if he can't improve his skating then he will forever be a third pairing guy because players won't fear his physicality because they will just be able to fly by him.
- bsabres716

I wouldn't say he's a bad skater
Needs work, sure... But that's most big guys
And he's still really young
Skating is something u can improve

Size, and willingness to use it...
That's not as easy to find

McNabb looked good in his time here
It would be foolish to trade him now, before we give him a chance to actually make it
He should've been here last year
He'll def be here this season
Let's at least see how he looks now

His ceiling IMO is to be a player similar to Eric Brewer with a little more offense. Unfortunately if he doesn't improve his skating a tad or become completely a stay at home smart defensemen he will never stay in the NHL full time
- OneKaneOneCup

His celing is more like Pronger
He's big, mean & nasty...
And has real offensive skill

I wouldn't say he's a bad skater
Needs work, sure... But that's most big guys
And he's still really young
Skating is something u can improve

Size, and willingness to use it...
That's not as easy to find

McNabb looked good in his time here
It would be foolish to trade him now, before we give him a chance to actually make it
He should've been here last year
He'll def be here this season
Let's at least see how he looks now
- jdfitz77

He's IMO a very below average skater. He can improve it but if a team is really intrigued by him and he can help us move up 3 or 4 spots I would do it.

He's IMO a very below average skater. He can improve it but if a team is really intrigued by him and he can help us move up 3 or 4 spots I would do it.
- OneKaneOneCup

What are u basing your opinion of his skating on?
When he played w the Sabres,
It was 25games, 18min, and only a -1
That's pretty damn good for a rookie
If his skating is so bad,
Bad to the point ppl will "skate right around him"
Then why wasn't he much worse?

What are u basing your opinion of his skating on?
When he played w the Sabres,
It was 25games, 18min, and only a -1
That's pretty damn good for a rookie
If his skating is so bad,
Bad to the point ppl will "skate right around him"
Then why wasn't he much worse?
- jdfitz77

I don't exactly remember, but I'm sure he was only put out against team's bottom two lines. Also I do remember him having some positioning issues, where players did actually skate right by him.

What are u basing your opinion of his skating on?
When he played w the Sabres,
It was 25games, 18min, and only a -1
That's pretty damn good for a rookie
If his skating is so bad,
Bad to the point ppl will "skate right around him"
Then why wasn't he much worse?
- jdfitz77

My opinion is based on watching him play. And he did not play well the last 5-10 games here, he kept trying to go for big hits and putting himself out of position. And come on, Pronger? He's 23 already and doesn't have a roster spot

My opinion is based on watching him play. And he did not play well the last 5-10 games here, he kept trying to go for big hits and putting himself out of position. And come on, Pronger? He's 23 already and doesn't have a roster spot
- OneKaneOneCup

Yes, those were the positioning issues I recall. Seems sort of like coaching forced him to play in a certain style near the end of his stint here. Forced him to play the bulldozer instead of the smart defensive player. I hope they don't screw him over like they did with Myers. Tried to force him to be the defensive guy when he's clearly an offense first defenseman.

Yes, those were the positioning issues I recall. Seems sort of like coaching forced him to play in a certain style near the end of his stint here. Forced him to play the bulldozer instead of the smart defensive player. I hope they don't screw him over like they did with Myers. Tried to force him to be the defensive guy when he's clearly an offense first defenseman.
- bsabres716

If McNabb didn't make the highlight reel hits in open ice not too many people would care about him

If McNabb didn't make the highlight reel hits in open ice not too many people would care about him
- OneKaneOneCup

Yeah, I understand we need a punisher, a guy to be afraid of, but they can't play dumb. They need to take a lesson out of the Chara handbook. Always play positionaly sound and dish out the big hits when you know you'll land them and there won't be a negative consequence.

wait hold up...

you think yo uare getting our 1st and Vanek and Girgensons for a prospect that MIGHT come over and a concussion syndrome 6M per season Dman..


- JVince11

Almost as funny as the Sabres legitimately asking for Wilson/Kuznetsov, 1st, and a roster player for an inconsistent 1 year wing rental.

My opinion is based on watching him play. And he did not play well the last 5-10 games here, he kept trying to go for big hits and putting himself out of position. And come on, Pronger? He's 23 already and doesn't have a roster spot
- OneKaneOneCup

"ceiling"
I don't think he will be as good as Pronger,
But he has the same skill set... It's possible
When did Chara get good?
Campbell?

Guys take a while develop sometimes
And McNabb should've been here full-time last year,
But the Sabres went w a vet defensive group bc they were trying to win "now"
That was a mistake, he should've been here

Almost as funny as the Sabres legitimately asking for Wilson/Kuznetsov, 1st, and a roster player for an inconsistent 1 year wing rental.
- Blackstrom2

But just imagine Vanek-Backstrom-Ovechkin