The thing he has going for him, is he will not be center of attention. That will be McEichel.
- ImThatGuy

Boom.

Who are the 2 rookies with similar skill sets to Tavares you're adding I figured one is Mceichel who is the other one? Also do you have Martin, Cizikas, Clutterbuck, DeHaan, Hamonic, Nielsen, Nelson, Strome, Lee and that's just who we had last time we went to the playoffs minus the rookies in a shortened season. Forget about adding Boychuck, Leddy, Halak, Grabovski, Kulemin in the offseason this year to be competitive.

As far as knowing that those 3 players will instantly improve your team I have no idea? I have never seen them play an NHL game? How could myself or anyone else claim that it'd instantly make your special teams better? Who is your goaltender? Who do you have on defense minus Weber and Gorges that's not a first yr player and haven't exactly been lighting it up? Bogosian? I like him but he's a legit top 4.


Murray would have to move heaven and earth for you guys to even be a bubble team next year IMO I have no idea how anyone could possibly think otherwise and with this UFA market and teams penchant for signing players before they even reach UFA I'd expect this free agency to be the slimmest in years considering it is now today at this very moment forget about factoring in who signs with their teams before July. Sorry this comes off as me throwing a dagger which isn't my ambition but I think I just stated a whole lot of fact just don't know how else to deliver it?
- Cptmjl

the other is reinhart, you know the number 2 overall pick from last year


kane does improve special teams big time


also adding pysyk who will be a legit top 4 d man


gringo is an x factor


new coach

I fully expect 2 or 3 better players brought in during the off season as well


again this is a conversation for august but the foundation is in place

If this does end up ringing true its a huge mistake.

Not just that, but it makes Murray and Pegula look like some pretty huge douchebags.

Hire a guy so he can take the fall, while the guy that orchestrated putting this poopty roster together with all of his wasted moves this past summer that Teddy has been forced to coach is let go?

The guy that wants to stand in front of the media and act like he is shocked at what a bad team this is, or how bad it is?

He should know, he brought Gorges, Neuvirth, Benoit, Meszaros , Strachan in here to be this bad, and just let his best goalie leave to bring in another waste of roster space in Lindbach.

(frank)ing hypocrite scumbag son of a female dog.

If Nolan is not given next season with a roster not set up to fail by the GM, i'll never respect the guy, ever.

It's a piece of poop move if indeed happens.

I can't even stand the nerve and arrogance of that beady eyed (frank) for placing all the blame on Nolan and none besides in a "matter of fact manner during the interview" on himself.

I can't even wrap my head around this and the arrogance of that fool.
- BuffaloHardHat

You're constantly beating this drum, who cares if Nolan is let go, he's nothing special.

How do you know that he wasn't brought in and told we are gonna have a bad roster so if you want the job you'll have to deal with that. I'm sure Nolan understood the plan on the rebuild and accepted the challenge to win with scrubs. Thats his MO and he failed to succeed time to move on. I don't think he's a good coach. Stop saying he doesn't have talent he's got some good youth that are not progressing like they should.
- Carubba-Kaleta

This is not a joke. I am afraid that the younger guys on the roster, Risto, Girgens, Zads, are all going backwards. I don't think they look as impressive or as promising as they did in November.

You know who's game has gotten much, much better? Mike Weber's.

My take: Nolan is fine for guys with very simplified games that rely primarily on effort and grit. And I like what Weber brings in that department. But those guys are not going to be the guys who are going to win the Stanley Cup in the 21st Century (whatever might have happened in the Mid-90's, on Long Island, and in Latvia.

I figured one is Mceichel who is the other one?
- Cptmjl

#2 overall last year.

Nobody likes their roster being dismissed, especially in a great year, just like nobody likes to hear that the Sabres team in the 90s was "Dominik Hasek and 22 other guys". The reality is, however, without those guys, the team isn't close. I think we are going to end up seeing that the guys you mentioned above are good players that are all having very good to great years. The Islanders acquired a lot of good depth, and that's what has vaulted them into the success they are having. The question is, how much longer does that last beyond this season?
- buffalofan19

The reality is without Hamonic, Nelson(who was leading the team in points not long ago), Strome, DeHaan, ESPECIALLY Clutterbuck, Cizikas, and Martin( the line that's being referred to as the best 4th line in hockey) this team is a bubble team. Every one of those players was drafted by us and was developed by us besides Clutterbuck. Saying this team is not competitive without OKposo and Tavares couldn't be further from the truth being both of them were struggling when we were on our 10-1 streaks. The team wouldn't be as good without them of course but nor would they be without any of the players I mentioned.

http://youtu.be/O43emEpUrRs
- dadeadhead

diamond dogs is a great listen

#2 overall last year.
- seedy

I have a hard time comparing him to Tavares. He's not billed as such.

I have a hard time comparing him to Tavares. He's not billed as such.
- Cptmjl

No one really knows, so there's no point in arguing about it, but he's going to be a good player.

I have a hard time comparing him to Tavares. He's not billed as such.
- Cptmjl

we are talking about tavares right, another player that writers were questioning if he would go number 1 or not on draft night as well

The reality is without Hamonic, Nelson(who was leading the team in points not long ago), Strome, DeHaan, ESPECIALLY Clutterbuck, Cizikas, and Martin( the line that's being referred to as the best 4th line in hockey) this team is a bubble team. Every one of those players was drafted by us and was developed by us besides Clutterbuck. Saying this team is not competitive without OKposo and Tavares couldn't be further from the truth being both of them were struggling when we were on our 10-1 streaks. The team wouldn't be as good without them of course but nor would they be without any of the players I mentioned.
- Cptmjl

You are of course assuming that Nolan didn't already know the score. It's very possible they told him they wanted him to stick around for one more year because they weren't planning to be very good. The 3-year contract may have been Teddy's reward for agreeing to basically be a fall guy.
- Pierceme69

Yea...I understand your take Pierce.

You're joking right?

(Martin, Cizikas, Clutterbuck, DeHaan, Hamonic, Nielsen, Nelson, Strome, Lee)
- Cptmjl

Clutterbuck and his 19 points this year?
Martin and his 10?
Cizikas and his 13?
Nelson and his 32
Nielsen and his 29
Strome and his 34
Lee and his 22

So Ennis has 31 this season
Girgensons has 26
Moulson has 23
Stewart has 22
Foligno has 11 in 30 games

Now add in McEichel, Reinhart and Kane

So explain to me why its not possible for the Sabres to turn it around in a season?

Especially when you add Pysyk on the blue line and get rid of Meszaros and Benoit??

The thing he has going for him, is he will not be center of attention. That will be McEichel.
- ImThatGuy

I dunno how much I'd want either of them to be the center of attention in their rookie season. Still not fully physically developed so they are just more susceptible to injury. Especially if you throw them in right away like that and don't ease them in. I'm an Oilers fan, but they don't exactly have the best rebuild model going.

They're definitely going to talk playoffs next year during training camp. Trade deadline isn't over, draft hasn't happened yet, UFA signings haven't happened yet. As of now, you're right. And I don't EXPECT to make the playoffs. I just genuinely believe that's the GM's lofty goal for next season.
- seedy

I hear you. Talking and wanting are one thing. Actually making it is another. I don't know if you looked at the standings lately and the points for playoff teams but the East has become much more competitive this season. Especially the metro division. Our division's record against the west is pretty impressive. Wouldn't be surprised if an eastern conference team won.

I dunno how much I'd want either of them to be the center of attention in their rookie season. Still not fully physically developed so they are just more susceptible to injury. Especially if you throw them in right away like that and don't ease them in. I'm an Oilers fan, but they don't exactly have the best rebuild model going.
- RonPielep

Correct they don't, but i believe Buffalo is going to use more prospects and picks at the draft to bring in veteran players to Help them along.

the other is reinhart, you know the number 2 overall pick from last year


kane does improve special teams big time


also adding pysyk who will be a legit top 4 d man


gringo is an x factor


new coach

I fully expect 2 or 3 better players brought in during the off season as well


again this is a conversation for august but the foundation is in place
- homiedclown

The foundation has been in place. The depth has been there it was the top line players this team was missing and everyone playing "up" a line. Snow went out and added forward and defensive depth and found a NHL goalie for a change. If that didn't happen the Islanders wouldn't be where they are right now.

Murray just added 1 major piece to the puzzle and will be adding another one on draft day AT LEAST.

we are talking about tavares right, another player that writers were questioning if he would go number 1 or not on draft night as well
- homiedclown

Tavares was going number one as much if not more than Ekblad was going number one. Writers like to question poop, doesn't necessarily mean anything.

The reality is without Hamonic, Nelson(who was leading the team in points not long ago), Strome, DeHaan, ESPECIALLY Clutterbuck, Cizikas, and Martin( the line that's being referred to as the best 4th line in hockey) this team is a bubble team. Every one of those players was drafted by us and was developed by us besides Clutterbuck. Saying this team is not competitive without OKposo and Tavares couldn't be further from the truth being both of them were struggling when we were on our 10-1 streaks. The team wouldn't be as good without them of course but nor would they be without any of the players I mentioned.
- Cptmjl

Even when they're struggling, their mere presence is still a monumental factor.

Even when they are struggling, those two are still the two guys teams are gameplanning for night in and night out. Take that away, and this team's record is far worse than it is now.

05-06 Sabres made the ECF.

And I said they were a bubble team
- sbroads24

you said bubble team at best around the end of november, up until then it was a top 5 pick, or top 10 worst.

but at 1st in our division, I think you're proven wrong either way.

Correct they don't, but i believe Buffalo is going to use more prospects and picks at the draft to bring in veteran players to Help them along.
- ImThatGuy

Buffalo seems to be collecting a lot more valuable assets along their way. I think they started with more before the rebuild too. Oil didn't seem to make the most of their UFAs when they could.

The foundation has been in place. The depth has been there it was the top line players this team was missing and everyone playing "up" a line. Snow went out and added forward and defensive depth and found a NHL goalie for a change. If that didn't happen the Islanders wouldn't be where they are right now.

Murray just added 1 major piece to the puzzle and will be adding another one on draft day AT LEAST.
- Stripes77

TRUTH; at forward and the blue line.

Our first liners are B's. Our top pair are 3/4s.

Clutterbuck and his 19 points this year?
Martin and his 10?
Cizikas and his 13?
Nelson and his 32
Nielsen and his 29
Strome and his 34
Lee and his 22

So Ennis has 31 this season
Girgensons has 26
Moulson has 23
Stewart has 22
Foligno has 11 in 30 games

Now add in McEichel, Reinhart and Kane

So explain to me why its not possible for the Sabres to turn it around in a season?

Especially when you add Pysyk on the blue line and get rid of Meszaros and Benoit??
- Stripes77

Yeah Clutterbuck and his 19 points this year. You're actually adding points up to see if that makes you a playoff team? Most hockey pundits are calling that 4th line the best in hockey ask any Ranger fan or Pens fan if they'd rather play against Matt Moulson or anyone on your team or Cal Clutterbuck forget about Martin and Cizikas. Nielsen was one of the runners up for the Selke trohy not long ago Lee would be your leading goal scorer this year and Nelson was leading our team in points not so long ago. Comparing these players by points is hysterical. What esle does Moulson bring besides 23 points. One of the worst defensive players I've seen in my life just as an example.

Forget about our developing defense of Hamonic, DeHaan, and Hickey(not drafted by us but still found his nitch over a couple yrs). These kids take time to develop Hamonic is still improving every year. Most of your blue line will have a year under their belt next season forget about goaltending which as of now is an atrocity. Philly was looking for a numer 1 for 10 yrs before Mason stumbled into their laps and he can't even stay healthy.

This isn't even factoring adding Halak, Boychuck, Leddy, Kulemin, and Grabovski just selling it from the developmental stand point.

Even when they're struggling, their mere presence is still a monumental factor.

Even when they are struggling, those two are still the two guys teams are gameplanning for night in and night out. Take that away, and this team's record is far worse than it is now.
- buffalofan19

Just like if you took our 4th line away(huge reason for our success), Hamonic(we've learned this before), Strome(probably now our best 2 way fwd and that's with Nielsen(former Selke finalist) and Kulemin. You take ANY of those players away we are far less competitive but what the hell does this have to do with anything? That's like saying if you take Lundqvist off the Rangers they suck yet they made it to the finals last year. These players are part of the team as a whole if anyone thinks Tavares and Okposo is the only reason the Islanders are successful isn't paying attention and knows zero about the team. We're winning without Okposo right now.

Buffalo seems to be collecting a lot more valuable assets along their way. I think they started with more before the rebuild too. Oil didn't seem to make the most of their UFAs when they could.
- RonPielep

Corret and Our GM said he is going to use those assets to acquire now talent which he did and will continue to do, IMO.


I cant really speak to EDM but they seem to have held on to vets for a bit too long and then thrown kinds into positions they were not ready for.

IMO, they need to clean the entire thing out in Mgmt. Even though the GM has only been on for a short time.

I love Girgensons, but to get a Hall type player, they will want a big return. Ennis, Folingo and Psysk? They want better than that for Hall, they need a Gigrensons type player.

Would you trade a package based around Gigrensons for #2 or #3 this year (if we get #1)?

I would consider it, but I really like Girgensons too.
- Lilroot9

No trading centers for wingers, especially now.