thank you, kind sir...

as for ennis, he's hit 20 and 21 goals in both of his full seasons (82 and 80 games, respectively)...should he play a full season, his projection would be 21 goals...

idk...i'd put an over/under for him at 25 goals on the year, based upon more ice time and his coaching
- Michael Pachla

I guess I'm really underestimating. I'm also assuming 2 he'll be playing with better players. Only one guy can put the puck in at a time.


Random thought: Cody Hodgson, is he already obsolete in our system?

Bump from last blog, with credit to Sabresfan - 365.

http://www.thehockeynews....n-preview-buffalo-sabres/

Bump from last blog, with credit to Sabresfan - 365.

http://www.thehockeynews....n-preview-buffalo-sabres/
- Der Kaiser

Forgot to add my 2 cents in that so here goes:


1. I notice they left Myers off top 5 fantasy list, which is ridiculous considering they have gionta on it and there's a good chance Myers outscores him this year.

2. It will be interesting to see, at least in terms of pp numbers and overall posession, what this team looks like without Ehrhoff. We saw a guy who checked out but the numbers overall suggest he was really driving the possession bus here. I guess more importantly I wonder if his departure lessens the value of adding a guy like Moulson (statistically speaking) and whether Ennis and Hodgson can really take that next step.

3. Does this team have the "Major league capability" considering Nolan is the head coach? ( for reference)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

4. I hate that article did say much about the goaltending but its probably the biggest mystery as in boom or bust going into the season. Talented goalies, but neither has really cut it as a starter because they didn't have the chance or because they weren't healthy enough. I think it's the position that ultimately determines whether we cement a place in the bottom 5 or separate our selves from it.

Forgot to add my 2 cents in that so here goes:


1. I notice they left Myers off top 5 fantasy list, which is ridiculous considering they have gionta on it and there's a good chance Myers outscores him this year.

2. It will be interesting to see, at least in terms of pp numbers and overall posession, what this team looks like without Ehrhoff. We saw a guy who checked out but the numbers overall suggest he was really driving the possession bus here. I guess more importantly I wonder if his departure lessens the value of adding a guy like Moulson (statistically speaking) and whether Ennis and Hodgson can really take that next step.

3. Does this team have the "Major league capability" considering Nolan is the head coach? ( for reference)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

4. I hate that article did say much about the goaltending but its probably the biggest mystery as in boom or bust going into the season. Talented goalies, but neither has really cut it as a starter because they didn't have the chance or because they weren't healthy enough. I think it's the position that ultimately determines whether we cement a place in the bottom 5 or separate our selves from it.
- Sabresfan-365

I really want to be optimistic about this team. But Boos' analysis of the likely scoring capabilities shows that they're just NOT going to be good. They can't win games if they can't score goals. And leadership aside, I can't see where the goal scorers are. At least not enough of them throughout the lineup.

I'm intrigued by the goalie position, too. Neuvirth.

Forgot to add my 2 cents in that so here goes:


1. I notice they left Myers off top 5 fantasy list, which is ridiculous considering they have gionta on it and there's a good chance Myers outscores him this year.

2. It will be interesting to see, at least in terms of pp numbers and overall posession, what this team looks like without Ehrhoff. We saw a guy who checked out but the numbers overall suggest he was really driving the possession bus here. I guess more importantly I wonder if his departure lessens the value of adding a guy like Moulson (statistically speaking) and whether Ennis and Hodgson can really take that next step.

3. Does this team have the "Major league capability" considering Nolan is the head coach? ( for reference)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097815/

4. I hate that article did say much about the goaltending but its probably the biggest mystery as in boom or bust going into the season. Talented goalies, but neither has really cut it as a starter because they didn't have the chance or because they weren't healthy enough. I think it's the position that ultimately determines whether we cement a place in the bottom 5 or separate our selves from it.
- Sabresfan-365

I really don't think we will miss him. He was given incredibly generous zone starts considering what team he was on. I think he was a good player, but Gorges will be steadier defensively than Ehrhoff was IMO.

Nice piece about Grigorenko:

"We as fans can be a tad bit unfair to young professional athletes. Sure, they’re rich at a young age and have no “real” responsibilities, playing a game for a hefty paycheck and living the night life when they aren’t at the rink. "

"While it might be slightly exaggerated that the entire city of Buffalo is weighing down on the young Russian, it’s clear that he’s come in with a boatload of expectations. "

http://www.ourhometown.ca/hockey/BUF0041.php

I guess I'm really underestimating. I'm also assuming 2 he'll be playing with better players. Only one guy can put the puck in at a time.


Random thought: Cody Hodgson, is he already obsolete in our system?
- Buffalo-Sabres

Seems weird that you would think he'll score less than he did last year while playing with better players. That seems like backwards thinking.

I really don't think we will miss him. He was given incredibly generous zone starts considering what team he was on. I think he was a good player, but Gorges will be steadier defensively than Ehrhoff was IMO.
- sbroads24

Right but that goes both ways. Sure Gorges will be steadier defensively but there's no denying that for most of the year, Ehrhoff was really the go to guy behind what little offense we had. I'm just curious as to who (if anyone really) is capable of filling that role especially on a team that is offensively starved.

I really want to be optimistic about this team. But Boos' analysis of the likely scoring capabilities shows that they're just NOT going to be good. They can't win games if they can't score goals. And leadership aside, I can't see where the goal scorers are. At least not enough of them throughout the lineup.

I'm intrigued by the goalie position, too. Neuvirth.
- Der Kaiser

Hodgson definitely has the offensive capability (sans skating) to be that surprise breakout guy, but like you said with such little nhl ready talent around him I don't if he can do that consistently over an 82 game season. To your point about not enough in the lineup, the depth is what is worrisome. This team is maybe 1 key injury away from spiralling back close to where they were last year. Neuvirth has me excited as well, mainly because ive never seen much of him so im intrigued as to whether he can really stay healthy and turn into a solid #1.

Right but that goes both ways. Sure Gorges will be steadier defensively but there's no denying that for most of the year, Ehrhoff was really the go to guy behind what little offense we had. I'm just curious as to who (if anyone really) is capable of filling that role especially on a team that is offensively starved.
- Sabresfan-365

I really don't think we will see any difference.

He's one of the few players that did not improve when the coaching change was made, I think Gorges being here will allow Myers to have more than 41% of his shifts start in the offensive zone, which should help our offense from the back end

Nice piece about Grigorenko:

"We as fans can be a tad bit unfair to young professional athletes. Sure, they’re rich at a young age and have no “real” responsibilities, playing a game for a hefty paycheck and living the night life when they aren’t at the rink. "

"While it might be slightly exaggerated that the entire city of Buffalo is weighing down on the young Russian, it’s clear that he’s come in with a boatload of expectations. "

http://www.ourhometown.ca/hockey/BUF0041.php
- stashu

Girgensons makes that argument irrelevant.

Right but that goes both ways. Sure Gorges will be steadier defensively but there's no denying that for most of the year, Ehrhoff was really the go to guy behind what little offense we had. I'm just curious as to who (if anyone really) is capable of filling that role especially on a team that is offensively starved.
- Sabresfan-365

Yep. Going from a 40-point player in Ehrhoff to 15 points in Gorges. However, if Meszaros can stay healthy, he seems to be a 25-30 point guy.

Personally I'm going to be quite happy seeing Myers-Gorges paired together. Gorges seems to be that SOLID defensive-minded guy that will let Myers go free.

Hodgson definitely has the offensive capability (sans skating) to be that surprise breakout guy, but like you said with such little nhl ready talent around him I don't if he can do that consistently over an 82 game season. To your point about not enough in the lineup, the depth is what is worrisome. This team is maybe 1 key injury away from spiralling back close to where they were last year. Neuvirth has me excited as well, mainly because ive never seen much of him so im intrigued as to whether he can really stay healthy and turn into a solid #1.
- Sabresfan-365

Isn't that what we want?? (not the injury to anyone, but the spiral)

Isn't that what we want?? (not the injury to anyone, but the spiral)


- stashu

Personally yes, but there are those who don't so I'm just trying to see it from both sides.

Yep. Going from a 40-point player in Ehrhoff to 15 points in Gorges. However, if Meszaros can stay healthy, he seems to be a 25-30 point guy.

Personally I'm going to be quite happy seeing Myers-Gorges paired together. Gorges seems to be that SOLID defensive-minded guy that will let Myers go free.
- stashu

Like you said though were adding Mezaros who can strictly handle offensive responsibilities.

I can't imagine we score less this year

I really don't think we will see any difference.

He's one of the few players that did not improve when the coaching change was made, I think Gorges being here will allow Myers to have more than 41% of his shifts start in the offensive zone, which should help our offense from the back end
- sbroads24

Probably the most likely scenario as well and I hope that does allow Myers to start putting up the points but i still figure it to be a question mark going into this season.

Like you said though were adding Mezaros who can strictly handle offensive responsibilities.

I can't imagine we score less this year
- sbroads24

I'm not so sure, I know he was once regarded as a top 4 offensive guy but his play last year suggests he's a modest improvement over Jamie McBain, not sure what kind of numbers he can put up on this team.

I'm not so sure, I know he was once regarded as a top 4 offensive guy but his play last year suggests he's a modest improvement over Jamie McBain, not sure what kind of numbers he can put up on this team.
- Sabresfan-365

22 points in 52 games, so still about a 34 point pace.

Like you said though were adding Mezaros who can strictly handle offensive responsibilities.

I can't imagine we score less this year
- sbroads24

Nope, I've said a few times that with the subtractions on the roster, another year for some others, new coaching, etc - should be no way in hell they score less

Girgensons makes that argument irrelevant.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I feel like Grigo needs a full year in Rochester and then to play with some semblance of talent when he gets a chance with Buffalo. Darcy bumbled the fcuk out of that kids career. While he takes responsibility for his own career path in that article, he couldn't control who he played with in the NHL. It was pretty clear Ruff didn't want him on the team but Regiers job was on the line, so he was. I'm totally willing to give him some time, yet im aware that not all of our prospects are going to pan out.

22 points in 52 games, so still about a 34 point pace.
- stashu

Right but he split time between an offensively gifted team and a well balanced lineup, two things we are most certainly not.

Nope, I've said a few times that with the subtractions on the roster, another year for some others, new coaching, etc - should be no way in hell they score less
- stashu

We won't score less, but some of the projections i've read here suggest that we'll score more than the Kings did in the regular season. Realistically I don't think this team can push any further than 190 goals for and even that may be a stretch.

We won't score less, but some of the projections i've read here suggest that we'll score more than the Kings did in the regular season. Realistically I don't think this team can push any further than 190 goals for and even that may be a stretch.
- Sabresfan-365

The Sabres should be a bit better. While they will score more, I'm sure they will likely give up more. it should more or less even out.

that is the fun part, seeing what happens. As long as they play tough and the games are pretty close, I'm happy.

We won't score less, but some of the projections i've read here suggest that we'll score more than the Kings did in the regular season. Realistically I don't think this team can push any further than 190 goals for and even that may be a stretch.
- Sabresfan-365

The Kings didn't score a lot. And like in '12, they were a low scoring team until they made a significant trade at the deadline.


IMO the way last season started and finished was a once in a life time thing.

We wont miss Ehrhoff, and to be honest probably won't miss Miller too much.

We won't score less, but some of the projections i've read here suggest that we'll score more than the Kings did in the regular season. Realistically I don't think this team can push any further than 190 goals for and even that may be a stretch.
- Sabresfan-365

You say this like the Kings are some high water mark. Only 5 teams scored less than the Kings did.

A correlation between them being champs and them scoring a high number of goals doesn't exist.