He can't turn and skate. That's why he gets caught flat footed at the blue line a lot or backing into his own zone. At least that's what I notice. People seem to get around him way too easily.

His shot is great but lack of mobility makes it tough for him to get it off at the NHL level.
- sbroads24

Yeah I think his best chance at being successful in the nhl is with a team like LA. They play a style that's taylor made for mcnabb. All he has to worry about is playing d. LA has fowards that don't turn over the puck at the blue lines, bring back pressure and can score.

Me, Im really excited about Delaurias(possibly misspelled). Big tough kid who can score, has some touch and can drop the gloves. I think he, with Lemieux, Girgensons, Fasching could really make Buffalo a ridiculously tough team to play against.
- Buffalo-Sabres

He is fun to watch. The skill is high. He made the transition to wing from defense just prior to last season because he made terrible reads defensively and was almost cut. Tough as nails though and playing wing in your own zone is a different story.

From a far I think the Sabres are rebuilding the right way. Reminds me of how the Kings, Ducks, Blues and Sharks were built as opposed to the Pens, Oilers and Isles.

Thanks guys appreciate the input. Hopefully McNabb doesn't turn out to be Keaton Ellerby 2.0 but I'm not overly optimistic. Dean doesn't usually lose trades but I think you guys got two very solid NHL wingers out of the deal. Deslauriers will be interesting to me as well. He was tearing up the AHL, big hits, great hands but most Kings fans saw him as 3rd line NHL winger with more scoring upside but slightly lost at times defensively.

McNabb sounds like a bit of a wild horse. Although it normally takes defenseman longer to develop, especially stay at home guys.
- QuicksEnnormous

If mcnabb could be on a team, like LA, that gets leads and only asks him to play in his comfort zone he has a really good chance at being a successful nhl'er. Buffalos fowards can't score, lose too many battles and turn over the puck at the blue lines. Defensive dmen don't help teams like that.

He is fun to watch. The skill is high. He made the transition to wing from defense just prior to last season because he made terrible reads defensively and was almost cut. Tough as nails though and playing wing in your own zone is a different story.

From a far I think the Sabres are rebuilding the right way. Reminds me of how the Kings, Ducks, Blues and Sharks were built as opposed to the Pens, Oilers and Isles.
- QuicksEnnormous

I'm hoping the Sabres team turns out like the current LA team. Everyone is big, everyone is tough to play against. No idiots taking dumb penalties, just keep playing their game.

I think you may be underselling Fasching a little bit. I got to watch him at camp last year and he was head and shoulders above the other rookies. I also watched a few Minnesota games last year and he was at times the best player on the ice as a freshman. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned into a 25-30g power forward.

I am curious as the Kings signed McNabb to a 1 way contract. I have seen film but I have never seen him play. Is a 3-4 pairing defenseman a possibility for this season or not. I know the Kings want him to replace Willie Mitchell and maybe take Regehr's spot with Voynov but I don't know how realistic that is. Can he play PK? Second PP?
- QuicksEnnormous

like what you're saying about fasching...as for mcnabb, good sized, physical d-man who can score, but can get beat with speed on the edge on defense...not sure if he'll reach top-4...bottom-pairing may suit him best...

Me, Im really excited about Delaurias(possibly misspelled). Big tough kid who can score, has some touch and can drop the gloves. I think he, with Lemieux, Girgensons, Fasching could really make Buffalo a ridiculously tough team to play against.
- Buffalo-Sabres

i'll pony on that by adding compher, baptiste and this year, larsson

Thanks guys appreciate the input. Hopefully McNabb doesn't turn out to be Keaton Ellerby 2.0 but I'm not overly optimistic. Dean doesn't usually lose trades but I think you guys got two very solid NHL wingers out of the deal. Deslauriers will be interesting to me as well. He was tearing up the AHL, big hits, great hands but most Kings fans saw him as 3rd line NHL winger with more scoring upside but slightly lost at times defensively.

McNabb sounds like a bit of a wild horse. Although it normally takes defenseman longer to develop, especially stay at home guys.
- QuicksEnnormous

I like the fact that it was a "hockey trade"...if someone comes out on top, so be it

i'll pony on that by adding compher, baptiste and this year, larsson
- Michael Pachla

I'll say this, I hope they make the right choices by giving opportunities to the guys most deserving. Theres a lot of guys in this system who have promise, there will be odd men out.

I'll say this, I hope they make the right choices by giving opportunities to the guys most deserving. Theres a lot of guys in this system who have promise, there will be odd men out.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I don't think they'll fool around too much

I'll say this, I hope they make the right choices by giving opportunities to the guys most deserving. Theres a lot of guys in this system who have promise, there will be odd men out.
- Buffalo-Sabres

A couple of our prospects will be used to get top 6/top 4/ Starting goalie NHL talent.

There isn't room for the ones we have, let alone after the 2015 draft

A couple of our prospects will be used to get top 6/top 4/ Starting goalie NHL talent.

There isn't room for the ones we have, let alone after the 2015 draft
- sbroads24

Hopefully Tim makes some savvy trades . It would also be nice to see Rochester be an annual contender for the AHL championship as well.

Hopefully Terry makes some savvy trades . It would also be nice to see Rochester be an annual contender for the AHL championship as well.
- Maximum Signal

Murray seems like he's high on development so I'd count on Rochester being a fun team to watch for some time. When the time comes for us to trade some prospects we don't have room for that's when Hockeybuzz will be buzzing with activity.

I'll stop.

Hopefully Terry makes some savvy trades . It would also be nice to see Rochester be an annual contender for the AHL championship as well.
- Maximum Signal

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Hopefully Terry makes some savvy trades . It would also be nice to see Rochester be an annual contender for the AHL championship as well.
- Maximum Signal

I'd be willing to bet that if the Isles pick is out of the top 10, it's used to get a good NHL'er. I can see us adding a legit top 6 winger in the offseason.

A couple of our prospects will be used to get top 6/top 4/ Starting goalie NHL talent.

There isn't room for the ones we have, let alone after the 2015 draft
- sbroads24

they will make room...don't forget that nearly everyone of those 2015 draftees will spend more time in junior instead of being rushed...plus, the sabres have been drafting players like connor hurley and max willman out of high school...you can tack on an extra year of development for them to stretch out the system

they will make room...don't forget that nearly everyone of those 2015 draftees will spend more time in junior instead of being rushed...plus, the sabres have been drafting players like connor hurley and max willman out of high school...you can tack on an extra year of development for them to stretch out the system
- Michael Pachla

This plus the European players too.

This plus the European players too.
- Zschalberg

yup...and you can add in college players who will stretch it out as well...

pretty good thought process over the last couple of years

I'd be willing to bet that if the Isles pick is out of the top 10, it's used to get a good NHL'er. I can see us adding a legit top 6 winger in the offseason.
- sbroads24

I'd be willing to bet said pick will not be out of the top 10.

Unrelated note: I'm so sick of hearing friends and others complain about food and beverage prices at concerts and bars. That is all.

I'd be willing to bet said pick will not be out of the top 10.
- Herzeleid

how about a lottery pick?

I'd be willing to bet that if the Isles pick is out of the top 10, it's used to get a good NHL'er. I can see us adding a legit top 6 winger in the offseason.
- sbroads24

Could also see them using it along with the STL pick and a 2nd rounder to move up. Id be shocked if he decided to keep all of there picks in the 1st two rounds unless they strike gold in the lottery.

how about a lottery pick?
- Michael Pachla

3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th, imo.

they will make room...don't forget that nearly everyone of those 2015 draftees will spend more time in junior instead of being rushed...plus, the sabres have been drafting players like connor hurley and max willman out of high school...you can tack on an extra year of development for them to stretch out the system
- Michael Pachla

Problem is some of these guys won't pan out, and hopefully Murray and Co. realize this ahead of time and move them while they still have some value (McNabb)

We have a whole lineup of prospects. I know that they will all come here at different times but I can't imagine we see all these guys put a Sabre sweater on.

Problem is some of these guys won't pan out, and hopefully Murray and Co. realize this ahead of time and move them while they still have some value (McNabb)

We have a whole lineup of prospects. I know that they will all come here at different times but I can't imagine we see all these guys put a Sabre sweater on.
- sbroads24

It will be a nice problem to have if they all turn out good.

Problem is some of these guys won't pan out, and hopefully Murray and Co. realize this ahead of time and move them while they still have some value (McNabb)

We have a whole lineup of prospects. I know that they will all come here at different times but I can't imagine we see all these guys put a Sabre sweater on.
- sbroads24

Yeah plus depends on what team Murray wants and who has chemistry