The 2011-2012 Buffalo Sabres season proves that being the offseason champions of the word doesn't make you anywhere near immune from a massive underachievement.
- buffalofan19

Ville Leino is hardly an offseason champ...

All three teams made real upgrades with real players.. Leino didn't have half the career Vanek, Stastny and Iginla had before he came here.. those are big upgrades to teams that were all ready superior to where the Sabres were before the signed Leino and Ehrhoff. I just don't see Arizona sniffing the playoffs next year.

Imo:

1) As I said, the effort will be there in spades.

2) Reinhart makes the team, and stays all season and adds a little bit of offensive creativity to the 3rd line. And for those of you worried about "burning a year of his ELC, who cares? Let Pegula's wallet worry about that.

3) Love em or hate em, Stewart and Stifford are in contract years, and that counts for something.

4) Gorges is a far better defenseman than he's given credit for. Very underrated, and will be a solid influence on Myers.

5) Meszaros is also a very capable player who will be playing for: a) a contract extension with Buffalo or, b) a trade to a playoff-bound team at the deadline.

6) Neuvirth is going to take the crease and he's not going to give it back. He's got a lot to prove, and from what I've heard, he's ready to show Washington they made a mistake.

7) Teams are not going to take the Sabres seriously.


They will be better. I'm hoping not too much better. Remember, that team last year was a historically bad team. To have that happen twice in a row is unlikely, and you're going to see some pride make up for a lack of top-end talent this year.

Hopefully it's only about 8-10 more wins worth of pride.
- grand-magus

I for one don't think Myers and Gorges should be paired together. I'd prefer Gorges be paired with one of the younger guys. Especially if Risto is up playing here. Myers is a big boy now he should be able to handle himself without having to have his partner influence him. I might take crap for this but I think the D pairing should be something like this:

Myers-Weber(I know, I know)

Gorges- Risto/Psysk

Mez- Whoever else

Imo:

1) As I said, the effort will be there in spades.

2) Reinhart makes the team, and stays all season and adds a little bit of offensive creativity to the 3rd line. And for those of you worried about "burning a year of his ELC" , who cares? Let Pegula's wallet worry about that.

3) Love em or hate em, Stewart and Stifford are in contract years, and that counts for something.

4) Gorges is a far better defenseman than he's given credit for. Very underrated, and will be a solid influence on Myers.

5) Meszaros is also a very capable player who will be playing for: a) a contract extension with Buffalo or, b) a trade to a playoff-bound team at the deadline.

6) Neuvirth is going to take the crease and he's not going to give it back. He's got a lot to prove, and from what I've heard, he's ready to show Washington they made a mistake.

7) Teams are not going to take the Sabres seriously.


They will be better. I'm hoping not too much better. Remember, that team last year was a historically bad team. To have that happen twice in a row is unlikely, and you're going to see some pride make up for a lack of top-end talent this year.

Hopefully it's only about 8-10 more wins worth of pride.
- grand-magus

Agreed. Wins/losses isn't solely relative to talent. Otherwise Chicago would have won the cup and Calgary would have been 30th

I agree with most of what you said here.. I'm not willing to give Neuvith the net just yet.. I think Enroth will have something to say about this.. Also I think Reinhart plays on 2nd line. Girgenson's may get more minutes at first but he's better fit for a 3rd line role than Reinhart is.
- bluengold12

I'll agree that Z is best served on the 3rd line, but asking an 18 year old to step in and play 2nd line minutes is the "Edmonton error" that we shouldn't fall trap to. Therefore, I see Z sheltering Samson by playing some of his minutes. At least at the beginning.

I think the line of Foligno-Girgensons-Stewart (Ott if Stewart is traded) will be a very angry line to play against.
- thatsapickle

Yeah that's what I'm saying that the perfect 3rd line.. Reinhart playing with Gionta and Hodgson or Moulson also makes much more sense

To be fair, the Coyotes were neck and neck with Minny and Dallas for the last 2 spots until Mike Smith got hurt last seaso
- markyjoe

Trade Mike Smith + 2nd rd pick to Vancouver, for Ryan Miller.

Similar contracts in both cap hit & term. Vancouver gets Team Canada back-up & slightly younger/cheaper. Miller re-unites with Darcy & is only a 1hr flight from California. The lack of scrutiny in a market like Phx would be less stressful for ol Millsey than a Canadian club.

Imo:

1) As I said, the effort will be there in spades.

2) Reinhart makes the team, and stays all season and adds a little bit of offensive creativity to the 3rd line. And for those of you worried about "burning a year of his ELC, who cares? Let Pegula's wallet worry about that.

3) Love em or hate em, Stewart and Stifford are in contract years, and that counts for something.

4) Gorges is a far better defenseman than he's given credit for. Very underrated, and will be a solid influence on Myers.

5) Meszaros is also a very capable player who will be playing for: a) a contract extension with Buffalo or, b) a trade to a playoff-bound team at the deadline.

6) Neuvirth is going to take the crease and he's not going to give it back. He's got a lot to prove, and from what I've heard, he's ready to show Washington they made a mistake.

7) Teams are not going to take the Sabres seriously.


They will be better. I'm hoping not too much better. Remember, that team last year was a historically bad team. To have that happen twice in a row is unlikely, and you're going to see some pride make up for a lack of top-end talent this year.

Hopefully it's only about 8-10 more wins worth of pride.
- grand-magus

Effort wasn't there last year? Remind me how that helped us last season when we finished winning TWO of our last TWENTY games last year

I for one don't think Myers and Gorges should be paired together. I'd prefer Gorges be paired with one of the younger guys. Especially if Risto is up playing here. Myers is a big boy now he should be able to handle himself without having to have his partner influence him. I might take crap for this but I think the D pairing should be something like this:

Myers-Weber(I know, I know)

Gorges- Risto/Psysk

Mez- Whoever else
- Cheeseballin

Myers should be nowhere near Weber.. I'd rather Myers play with a cardboard cut out of Paul Coffey then play with Weber that line would be incredibly detrimental.. Myers with Georges would be excellent number 1 line. Risto can play with another vet in Mezaros or play with defensively sound Pysyk as well.

Myers should be nowhere near Weber.. I'd rather Myers play with a cardboard cut out of Paul Coffey then play with Weber that line would be incredibly detrimental.. Myers with Georges would be excellent number 1 line. Risto can play with another vet in Mezaros or play with defensively sound Pysyk as well.
- bluengold12

Well the point is to be bad right. Give Weber the ice time.

I'll agree that Z is best served on the 3rd line, but asking an 18 year old to step in and play 2nd line minutes is the "Edmonton error" that we shouldn't fall trap to. Therefore, I see Z sheltering Samson by playing some of his minutes. At least at the beginning.
- grand-magus

Like I said Girgensons and the 3rd line can get more minutes to start or maybe switch Girgs and Reinhart in on the 2nd line when they are in offensive situations. but Reinhart should be playing with Gionta and Hodgson and Girgensons with the grittier bigger wingers.

Reinhart should start here, but I'm betting they send him back after 9 games.

I for one don't think Myers and Gorges should be paired together. I'd prefer Gorges be paired with one of the younger guys. Especially if Risto is up playing here. Myers is a big boy now he should be able to handle himself without having to have his partner influence him. I might take crap for this but I think the D pairing should be something like this:

Myers-Weber(I know, I know)

Gorges- Risto/Psysk

Mez- Whoever else
- Cheeseballin

Myers might be a big boy now, but when you have someone like him who's game is predicated on being aggressive and creative, you need someone who can bail him out.

Weber needs bailing out on his own

I for one don't think Myers and Gorges should be paired together. I'd prefer Gorges be paired with one of the younger guys. Especially if Risto is up playing here. Myers is a big boy now he should be able to handle himself without having to have his partner influence him. I might take crap for this but I think the D pairing should be something like this:

Myers-Weber(I know, I know)

Gorges- Risto/Psysk

Mez- Whoever else
- Cheeseballin

If Weber plays #1 pairing minutes, I guarantee everything I just posted goes out the window and we finish dead last

Well the point is to be bad right. Give Weber the ice time.
- Cheeseballin

No that's not the point.. the point is to have our defenseman grow. Myers and Weber is a really, really bad pairing.

This hasn't been mentioned and maybe it's not a huge factor but Buffalo is back to playing 20+ back to back games after having that number reduced significantly last year. Friday night home games are back so the Sat b2b makes for some tired legs. On the flip side without a true #1 they can utilize a fresh goalie each night. Still, more b2b's could cost them a couple points this year.

No that's not the point.. the point is to have our defenseman grow. Myers and Weber is a really, really bad pairing.
- bluengold12

Im more worried about Risto's growth at this point than Myers. But thats just me I guess. Weber is going to be getting top 4 minutes either way I hope everyone knows that

This hasn't been mentioned and maybe it's not a huge factor but Buffalo is back to playing 20+ back to back games after having that number reduced significantly last year. Friday night home games are back so the Sat b2b makes for some tired legs. On the flip side without a true #1 they can utilize a fresh goalie each night. Still, more b2b's could cost them a couple points this year.
- Khymlev13

Didn't seem to help them last year having the cushy schedule..

Im more worried about Risto's growth at this point than Myers. But thats just me I guess. Weber is going to be getting top 4 minutes either way I hope everyone knows that
- Cheeseballin

Risto will be fine as long as he's nowhere near Weber.. Pysyk a defensive defenseman would be fine or another vet in MZ. Don't see Weber being in the top 4 in any scenario..

If Weber plays #1 pairing minutes, I guarantee everything I just posted goes out the window and we finish dead last



- grand-magus

Bingo

Effort wasn't there last year? Remind me how that helped us last season when we finished winning TWO of our last TWENTY games last year
- jdfitz77

Like I said. Historically bad team. Won't happen twice in a row. We still finish near the bottom, but they'll be better.

Risto will be fine as long as he's nowhere near Weber.. Pysyk a defensive defenseman would be fine or another vet in MZ
- bluengold12

Weber is either playing with Myers or one of the young impressionable kids. pick you're poison I guess.

This is my thought barring any movement and having no knowledge of anything.

Hodgson-Ennis-Stafford
Moulson-Reinhart-Gionta
Foligno-Girgensons-Stewart
Mitchell-McCormick-Kaleta

Extra and call up: Flynn/Deslauriers/Ellis
- thatsapickle

The top 9 has more talent then some give them credit for. 15-30 goals each ? Possible if they don't suck ass like last season.

Effort wasn't there last year? Remind me how that helped us last season when we finished winning TWO of our last TWENTY games last year
- jdfitz77

We also had no Myers, Enroth or Nuevirth, no Moulson

Weber is either playing with Myers or one of the young impressionable kids. pick you're poison I guess.
- Cheeseballin

Georges Myers
Risto Pysyk
Mezaros Weber

or

Georges Myers
Risto Mezaros
Pysyk Weber

or.....

Georges Myers
Pysyk Mezaros
Risto Ruhwidel
Weber..

Georges Myers
Risto Pysyk
Mezaros Weber

or

Georges Myers
Risto Mezaros
Pysyk Weber

or.....

Georges Myers
Pysyk Mezaros
Risto Ruhwidel
Weber..
- bluengold12

1.Doubt they pair two kids together for any extended period of time. Especially playing second pairing minutes

2. Psysk's career is over

3. Weber won't be used as a 7th D man come on.