Michael Pachla: Some food for thought as the off season officially begins

Byeeee Ville

Do you think they will use a regular buy out on Ville so his cap still counts? That way they would still have 2 buyouts they could use in trades with other teams.

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.
- buffalofan19

Seriously? Throwing kids into the NHL before theyre ready is not a championship mind set.

Developing them and allowing them to grow in the minors is the proper way to develop a successful team.

If you watched some of the prospects in the AHL you would see theyre not yet ready for prime time.

Do you think they will use a regular buy out on Ville so his cap still counts? That way they would still have 2 buyouts they could use in trades with other teams.
- Jebus_Price

They plan on competing in 2-3 yrs so the cap numbers would end up working against us. My guess is they'll trade Ehrhoff for someone's 1st and a good prospect or 2 while taking on a short term contract with a high cap hit in that deal to help reach the floor.

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.
- buffalofan19

I agree with this but if Murray thinks this will help him gain confidence and benefit from it I don't see how it hurts to have him playing in an winning environment in Rochester

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.
- buffalofan19

It all depends. I agree with letting defensemen stay in the AHL. They take longer to develope and as we have said before they won't benefit from this current forward group in the slightest.

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.
- buffalofan19

I believe zadorov still has junior eligibility (is that right?). If thats the case, I assume he gets the ten game look to get his feet wet. Risto will be up and down, probably like pysyk was last year. Grigorenko is now a cautionary tale they tell young gms before tucking them into bed at night. Im sure there are examples of young players playing in the nhl right away and bring effective, and there are also examples of building for success the patient way, plenty of ways to skin a cat. Im good with this way. They are about to lay an 82 game steaming turd on the ice, and I think murrays cleaning house next year. Theyll be here full time soon enough.

I agree with this but if Murray thinks this will help him gain confidence and benefit from it I don't see how it hurts to have him playing in an winning environment in Rochester
- Pegullaville

I don't disagree that they might be helped by playing another half-season, or a season in the AHL. Both may very well need some more time in the minors. However, my problem is with the concept itself. There's something very counter-intuitive and arguably incompetent in telling someone that he really has no shot at the big club before the offseason even really starts. If I'm a player, and I'm essentially told that no matter how hard I train, no matter how much I work to improve, I have no shot at realizing my dream in the NHL this year, I'm incredibly disappointed, and it really lessens my incentive to work as hard as I can. That is not how championship teams operate. It's no different than a high school or college Varsity coach in any sport telling a freshman or a sophomore that he's good enough to play varsity, and in fact, he's better than most players on varsity, but he's going to put him on JV anyway simply because that's how it's traditionally done. If a player makes your team better with him on it, he should be playing. That's how competition and accountability, something that's been lacking on this team for years, is fostered.

I have no problem seasoning young kids in rochester for at least a full year. I think the cases where players develop properly in the AHL and benefit their NHL team long term outweigh the kids who make the jump right in to an HNL team. THE sabres just dont currently have the support structure to put a kid on the 3rd line and chip in what he can.

[quote=buffalofan19]
I finally read your location....

Nolan doesn't believe in force feeding young players but yet...Girgensons played full season in buffalo, he clearly needs some years in AHL until he can learn to win more than 41% of faceoff and learn how to score at least 15 goals in AHL. Why Would he be playing center in NHL while in AHL he was on the wing 85% of the time? Every Amerks game I went to he was playing wing. But we are not gonna force feed young kids lol...Sabres are not going to see Reinhart in NHL for 2-3 years with Nolan as coach, I'm not happy with him. Zadorov is much better than Weber at this point

"We ain't gonna force feed young kids like Pysyk but Girgensons we are gonna force feed" I predict that Girgensons plays 20 minutes a game this season and doesn't even score 15 goals. Future captain

Jeezuz, blogs I can actually read without throwing up in my mouth.

Once again, nice job, sir.


Risto definitely should start in Rochester, but he will no doubt be up before the season ends.

Grigs, McCabe and Armia need a whole year, imo.

I have the sense that Rudy will make the big club out of camp. I'm not a fan of his, but think that he played with a quiet confidence and steadiness last year. I need more offense from him though. 5'10" defensemen that don't put up many points aren't long for the NHL.

WE ARE THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT TEAM IN HOCKEY RIGHT NOW!


WOOOOO!

Jeezuz, blogs I can actually read without throwing up in my mouth.

Once again, nice job, sir.


Risto definitely should start in Rochester, but he will no doubt be up before the season ends.

Grigs, McCabe and Armia need a whole year, imo.

I have the sense that Rudy will make the big club out of camp. I'm not a fan of his, but think that he played with a quiet confidence and steadiness last year. I need more offense from him though. 5'10" defensemen that don't put up many points aren't long for the NHL.
- grand-magus

I don't watch any Rochester games but it sounds to me like the only one who's really earned it/has a legitimate shot for opening day is Larsson. Risto/Grigs will probably be late season call ups and the rest will probably spend the year there.

Jeezuz, blogs I can actually read without throwing up in my mouth.

Once again, nice job, sir.


Risto definitely should start in Rochester, but he will no doubt be up before the season ends.

Grigs, McCabe and Armia need a whole year, imo.

I have the sense that Rudy will make the big club out of camp. I'm not a fan of his, but think that he played with a quiet confidence and steadiness last year. I need more offense from him though. 5'10" defensemen that don't put up many points aren't long for the NHL.
- grand-magus

I think Rudy is an ok 6th guy. I'd rather watch him play than Sulzer or any of the scrubs that have no future.

I don't watch any Rochester games but it sounds to me like the only one who's really earned it/has a legitimate shot for opening day is Larsson. Risto/Grigs will probably be late season call ups and the rest will probably spend the year there.
- Sabresfan-365

I think I'll try to catch more Rochester games this coming up season... Should be an excellent team there this year.

I don't watch any Rochester games but it sounds to me like the only one who's really earned it/has a legitimate shot for opening day is Larsson. Risto/Grigs will probably be late season call ups and the rest will probably spend the year there.
- Sabresfan-365

Larsson has a good shot.

He's a little older and, imo, had paid most of his dues. He doesn't hurt you on one of the bottom two lines. Love his competitiveness

Do you think they will use a regular buy out on Ville so his cap still counts? That way they would still have 2 buyouts they could use in trades with other teams.
- Jebus_Price

Perhaps....looks like they are about $14M away from the cap floor, they should probably spend about $9M signing Ennis, Foligno, Conchar and one of the two RFA defenseman so that doesn't put them too far away from the floor. It's also been rumored that Murray would like to get another mid-First round pick and it will likely involve a salary dump contract/player coming our way.

With all that said it would be wise to not use of the only 2 compliance buyouts while cap space isn't a concern for the next 3 seasons or so until we get back into the playoff picture

I think Rudy is an ok 6th guy. I'd rather watch him play than Sulzer or any of the scrubs that have no future.
- OneKaneOneCup

He looked solid when he was up here last year.

And it's good that he's worrying about his own end first and foremost. Eventually, and sooner rather than later though, I need some points on the board.

Perhaps....looks like they are about $14M away from the cap floor, they should probably spend about $9M signing Ennis, Foligno, Conchar and one of the two RFA defenseman so that doesn't put them too far away from the floor. It's also been rumored that Murray would like to get another mid-First round pick and it will likely involve a salary dump contract/player coming our way.

With all that said it would be wise to not use of the only 2 compliance buyouts while cap space isn't a concern for the next 3 seasons or so until we get back into the playoff picture
- nikel

I thought this was the last year for using compliance buyouts... ?

I thought this was the last year for using compliance buyouts... ?
- jochfr

It is

The one thing that scares me about Murray's comments, and Nolan seemed to echo this last year, is that unless there are an inordinate amount of injuries, the likes of Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc. really don't have a shot at making the big club no matter how hard they work in the offseason. Now, hopefully, this is just a way of saying that nobody is simply going to be handed a roster spot, but if they truly do have their minds made up already on some of these guys already, that does not bode well for the future. In order to build a championship team, you need a championship mindset from day one, and that does not illustrate one.
- buffalofan19

I'd like to think Murray and CO. aren't idiots... If Risto or McCabe or whoever we draft this year plays out of their mind in camp then Murray will put them on the roster if they show even the slightest hesitation or slip up though they will be down to AHL or Juniors.. Zadorov will learn absolutely nothing in juniors same with who ever we draft this year still hate the rule should be able to play in AHL right away

Michael Pachla: Some food for thought as the off season officially begins
- Michael Pachla

Good read ... Again

B0s. You heading to Larkin on tuesday ?