You can say that about other forwards, other Dmen but for some reason everyone feels the need to shelter the"best player on the team." I'm sure Hodgson would be playing better with better players, Ennis would have better numbers with better players, Risto would be having a better season but everyone needs to come to the aid of the biggest guy on the team.

Risto has a better hockey sense then Myers as a rookie, he knows where to play the puck. Myers tosses the puck away a ton, doesn't run a PP well, gets burned in his own end regularly but that is not allowed to be said here. When/if he is traded it is going to be to be because of his size/skating and potential at age 25 not necessarily his production over the last few years.
- GilPerreault11

Yet none of this shows up in the numbers.... Risto is the one that needed a "mental break" after having to play Myers minutes for 8 games

Yet none of this shows up in the numbers.... Risto is the one that needed a "mental break" after having to play Myers minutes for 8 games
- sbroads24

Do you watch any of the games or do you just read TBN and the stats because watching you can see it is clear who is a smarter hockey player.

I will say this, if you are trying to judge whether a player is good or not on this team you are an idiot.

This team was set up to fail, there is no getting around that.

There is not one person that is going to consistently look good. I don't care who is on this team they would look bad.

Do you watch any of the games or do you just read TBN and the stats because watching you can see it is clear who is a smarter hockey player.
- GilPerreault11

So Risto wont fall apart like Myers (Allegedly) has?

I will say this, if you are trying to judge whether a player is good or not on this team you are an idiot.

This team was set up to fail, there is no getting around that.

There is not one person that is going to consistently look good. I don't care who is on this team they would look bad.
- ImThatGuy

did you just call me an idiot..

But the same excuse can be made for Moulson that is being made for Myers is all I am trying to say.
- BuffaloHardHat

Like Moulson, Myers has produced on competent teams.

did you just call me an idiot..
- IndianaSabresFan

I called all of you idiots, not just you. Don't feel special.

Do you watch any of the games or do you just read TBN and the stats because watching you can see it is clear who is a smarter hockey player.
- GilPerreault11

I watch. Did you know Ristolainen has been more sheltered than Mike Weber lately? More coddled zone starts, less PK time.

Plus that "mental break" . Yes he's definitely stronger mentally than Myers

I will say this, if you are trying to judge whether a player is good or not on this team you are an idiot.

This team was set up to fail, there is no getting around that.

There is not one person that is going to consistently look good. I don't care who is on this team they would look bad.
- ImThatGuy

Is the brass able to set it up to be a winner ? I hope so.

I called all of you idiots, not just you. Don't feel special.
- ImThatGuy

thank you for that..

So Risto wont fall apart like Myers (Allegedly) has?
- ImThatGuy

I think Myers has a big enough base to judge him on than just the 50 or so games this year. You would have to be an idiot to only judge the talent of a 25 year old player who has been in the league 6 years on only 50 games.

Is the brass able to set it up to be a winner ? I hope so.
- cabin

this is yet to be seen.. it is much easier to set up a failure than a winner...

I think Myers has a big enough base to judge him on than just the 50 or so games this year. You would have to be an idiot to only judge the talent of a 25 year old player who has been in the league 6 years on only 50 games.
- GilPerreault11

So what is he then? The guy that scored over 80 points his first two years or the guy that has 10 points this season?

I watch. Did you know Ristolainen has been more sheltered than Mike Weber lately? More coddled zone starts, less PK time.

Plus that "mental break" . Yes he's definitely stronger mentally than Myers
- sbroads24

You do not know the definition of hockey intelligence? I'm not talking about his psychological makeup, but about where to play the puck, understanding where the puck is going to be ahead of time, understanding plays. If Myers didn't have his reach he'd be in a bit of trouble in his own zone more often than he is now. He throws the puck away repeatedly, and makes poor outlet passes.

Teams think because Myers is having an off year that Murray will give him away, foolish to think that IMO.
- SABRES 89

How many off years has Myers had?

Is the brass able to set it up to be a winner ? I hope so.
- cabin

As do I. If in 2 years these players still haven't "gotten it", then flame and criticize away.

Until then I am not really going to judge any player that is here.

You do not know the definition of hockey intelligence? I'm not talking about his psychological makeup, but about where to play the puck, understanding where the puck is going to be ahead of time, understanding plays. If Myers didn't have his reach he'd be in a bit of trouble in his own zone more often than he is now. He throws the puck away repeatedly, and makes poor outlet passes.
- GilPerreault11

I can play the If game too!

If Buffalo drafts Crosby, none of this matters.

You do not know the definition of hockey intelligence? I'm not talking about his psychological makeup, but about where to play the puck, understanding where the puck is going to be ahead of time, understanding plays. If Myers didn't have his reach he'd be in a bit of trouble in his own zone more often than he is now. He throws the puck away repeatedly, and makes poor outlet passes.
- GilPerreault11

And if Ristolainen played the same amount of minutes as Myers does he would too. It's simple math handle the puck more=turn the puck over more

League leaders in giveaways

2. Karlsson
3.Subban
7. Doughty

All players who have the puck on their stick a lot

So what is he then? The guy that scored over 80 points his first two years or the guy that has 10 points this season?
- sbroads24

All of these postings coming to the defense of Myers is an example of the sheltering of Myers by some fans, you in particular.

You rip every defenseman to defend Myers. Zads, Risto, what do you think of Pysyk?

And if Ristolainen played the same amount of minutes as Myers does he would too. It's simple math handle the puck more=turn the puck over more

League leaders in giveaways

2. Karlsson
3.Subban
7. Doughty

All players who have the puck on their stick a lot
- sbroads24

He's also in his 1st full NHL year, Myers is in his 6th, big difference. I would hope the Sabres "best player" making 5.5 million a year would be able to show him a few things.

Who have Myers' partners been the last 3 seasons?

Who have the forwards been in front of him?

Now, figuratively, put him on a team with a competent partner and competent forwards... what does his game look like?

EDIT: does this team have a defensive coach? I haven't looked, but that could be part of it as well.

The Ducks have Scott Niedermayer as a Defensive coach. He doesn't travel with the team, but works with the defense when they are home.
- thatsapickle

Can't u do that for everyone though?
By that logic,
Isn't it hard to fault Hodgson for havering his #s fall off?
He was quite productive when he played with Vanek & Pominville

Not that I totally disagree...
But we need Myers and everyone else who's gonna be part of the future here to be GOOD on THIS TEAM

And if Murray doesn't think that can happen, then he needs to ship that player out & get as much possible back for him

All of these postings coming to the defense of Myers is an example of the sheltering of Myers by some fans, you in particular.

You rip every defenseman to defend Myers. Zads, Risto, what do you think of Pysyk?
- GilPerreault11

I rip them or am right about them?

Please point out one thing I said that was wrong about them? I have said they aren't ready, they are young and will make mistakes. Show me where I'm wrong

I rip them or am right about them?

Please point out one thing I said that was wrong about them? I have said they aren't ready, they are young and will make mistakes. Show me where I'm wrong
- sbroads24

I like Zads more than you do and have higher hope for him. I like Risto and believe he is going to be the Sabres #1 Dman in a couple years. I think Pysyk is going to be a solid #4 Dman in a year or two who is going to help the Sabres transition game and pass nicely.

Can't u do that for everyone though?
By that logic,
Isn't it hard to fault Hodgson for havering his #s fall off?
He was quite productive when he played with Vanek & Pominville

Not that I totally disagree...
But we need Myers and everyone else who's gonna be part of the future here to be GOOD on THIS TEAM

And if Murray doesn't think that can happen, then he needs to ship that player out & get as much possible back for him
- jdfitz77

I think that this is a bit unfair. I cant say enough that they were set up to fail. They knew it coming in and they know at the deadline any talent is going to be shipped out for the future.

I like Zads more than you do and have higher hope for him. I like Risto and believe he is going to be the Sabres #1 Dman in a couple years. I think Pysyk is going to be a solid #4 Dman in a year or two who is going to help the Sabres transition game and pass nicely.
- GilPerreault11

So is
Risto-Myers
Zad-Pysyk

a good top 4 when this team is ready?