and here I thought I was the only one here with gray hair.......
- bflobillww

The fact of still having hair is a thing I cherish.

Nice artwork. yours ?
- cabin

i wish i could drawer that good

- IndianaSabresFan

The fact of still having hair is a thing I cherish.
- cabin

No - did not watch it. Unfortunately, I went to the BUF/NYR game on Saturday. That kind of killed my interest in watching hockey for awhile.
- bflobillww

It was a level of hockey that I hope the Sabs can achieve in a couple years. It was a clinic.

Im glad for larsson looking the part right now, but he is not a top line player, and very doubtful on the second line down the road. A natural center of which we are bordering on too many, if he continues to succeed i can see him as part of a package/sweetener to land a winger.
- ieetbred

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...st_id=16748&user_id=22120

and now we have some that have swung to the other end of the pendulum based upon a sample of about 4 games.. where is the middle ground
- IndianaSabresFan

I have been the constant, let him have full time 3C role, along with PK2 C role, next year.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16748&user_id=22120
- kingcong39

Nicely done

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16748&user_id=22120
- kingcong39

While I've come down on the side of "playing with Ennis" I can see a role with him and Girgensons becoming a very dangerous 3rd line - physical, shut-down with the ability to put the puck in the back of the net if you take a shift off.

Nice post, cong.

Nicely done
- ImThatGuy

Thank you sir, I appreciate the kind thoughts.

Coaches challenges approved for next year:

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...h-concerns-191433063.html

While I've come down on the side of "playing with Ennis" I can see a role with him and Girgensons becoming a very dangerous 3rd line - physical, shut-down with the ability to put the puck in the back of the net if you take a shift off.

Nice post, cong.
- nfph

Thank you kind sir.

Agreed. Larsson Girgensons and Foligno would make a formidable line.

The worst case scenario of giving Larsson significant minutes all of next year is that he either A. stinks, in which case big deal, or B. plays just well enough to maintain his position but not fend off the more talented guys behind him, which means you have an at least somewhat valuable trade chip.

It is win win to me.

Because Ristolainen has a ceiling higher than any other defensemen on this roster by a long shot.

Zadorov is raw, Bogosian is average.

If they could land a young top 6 player for Bogosian, you wouldn't take it and replace him with someone like Franson/Green/ Sekera ?
-Sbroads



We have very different ideas of how good Bogosian is...
And he hasn't reached his ceiling yet either. You realize he's the same age as Myers right?
Of the 3 guys u mentioned above, he's much more physical & better in his own end IMO. Those guys are all way ahead of him offensively, bit that's not his role with us. It's gonna be to lock down other teams top forwards. None of guys u mention are in that realm, not even close.

And I don't understand how u make comments about how he shouldn't be untouchable BC of how much Murray likes Pysyk & McCabe?
Did u not hear how Murray said he's been interested in Bogosian for YEARS and he now finally became available? The reason he dealt Myers was BC he could get Bogo back in the deal.

I'm not trying to say he's "untouchable"
I just HIGHLY doubt Murray will turn around and trade a guy he has coveted for so long.

And our forward depth is pretty deep...
You're talking top6 guys, but we are in pretty good shape IMO.
McDavid/Eichel, Reinhart, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, and Moulson.
That's pretty good
Now maybe you'd like a few of those guys better on the 3rd line, and I could see that point...
But don't forget, we still have Hodgson, Grigorenko, Carrier, Bailey, Baptiste, Compher, Fasching and a host of others with top6 potential.

We just gotta give these kids time to grow up.
Murray should be able to take advantage of some Cap-strapped teams in the meantime this summer without having to give up someone like Bogosian

Since we are on the topic of Larsson, and also Ennis, I think it's a terrible idea to trade Ennis in a package for O'Reilly.

Ennis may be small, but he is always making an impact on the ice, and we badly need many more players like that.

We cannot afford to be making lateral moves. We need to be adding.

Thank you kind sir.

Agreed. Larsson Girgensons and Foligno would make a formidable line.

The worst case scenario of giving Larsson significant minutes all of next year is that he either A. stinks, in which case big deal, or B. plays just well enough to maintain his position but not fend off the more talented guys behind him, which means you have an at least somewhat valuable trade chip.

It is win win to me.
- kingcong39

The only issue, he is an RFA next year. Do you qualify him? Do you get him with a one year QO? OR do you have to sign him to a 3-4 year deal.

Since we are on the topic of Larsson, and also Ennis, I think it's a terrible idea to trade Ennis in a package for O'Reilly.

Ennis may be small, but he is always making an impact on the ice, and we badly need many more players like that.

We cannot afford to be making lateral moves. We need to be adding.
- kingcong39

i agree on moving ennis for ROR.. ROR is more of what we have in the others. Ennis has that game changer ability and spark that can light his teammates up at times. while have tough steady good players is good, i think having too many of them is not. TEnnis provides that change of pace from the others.

Regarding the tanking..

I dont believe there should be a lottery, last place should draft first always IMO. The lottery invites a handful of teams to do exactly what buffalo, arizona, edmonton, and toronto(late to the party but still showed up) are doing this season with the two players at the top of this draft.

Which brings me to my main point. With mcdavid being the prize, this draft is unlike many others. It is very arguable that eichel has even more of an impact on teams tanking this year because with the current rules, last place is guarenteed to get him.

It is a complete non-story in any other year. Nobody was writing articles slamming the sabres last year because they 'tanked' to get reinhart, or florida was 'tanking' again because they needed a franchise Dman. How about colorado? No one called them out for 'tanking' to get mackinnon.

Go watch a talented, yet completely lifeless leafs team and then come tell me the sabres are an embarassment, and blemish on the sport because a rebuilding team traded UFAs and made a foundational trade(bogo, kane, myers). More often than not the team tries hard and it seems whatever scrub the sabres put in net, overachieves.

I think its laughable how the lottery is going to be changed, evening out the odds further inviting more teams to slip to the bottom and get a 'fair shot' at the next player scheduled to go at the top of the draft.

Good luck toronto fans and media. If management truly decides to blow it up, your road will undoubtedly be longer than the sabres provided you do not win the lottery this season. (please NO) Auston matthews might be the next great prospect, but you will barely have a chance at him.

'Tanking' is not fun, this season has not been fun, last season was not fun. It sucks. I hate it. It was necessary, yet after enduring these past few years i welcome runs to 9th place. At least then the only exciting part of the season doesnt take place after the games are done and doesnt hinge on losing.

I cant wait to root for improvement on every level beginning in 12 games.

end rant

Because Ristolainen has a ceiling higher than any other defensemen on this roster by a long shot.

Zadorov is raw, Bogosian is average.

If they could land a young top 6 player for Bogosian, you wouldn't take it and replace him with someone like Franson/Green/ Sekera ?
-Sbroads



We have very different ideas of how good Bogosian is...
And he hasn't reached his ceiling yet either. You realize he's the same age as Myers right?
Of the 3 guys u mentioned above, he's much more physical & better in his own end IMO. Those guys are all way ahead of him offensively, bit that's not his role with us. It's gonna be to lock down other teams top forwards. None of guys u mention are in that realm, not even close.

And I don't understand how u make comments about how he shouldn't be untouchable BC of how much Murray likes Pysyk & McCabe?
Did u not hear how Murray said he's been interested in Bogosian for YEARS and he now finally became available? The reason he dealt Myers was BC he could get Bogo back in the deal.

I'm not trying to say he's "untouchable"
I just HIGHLY doubt Murray will turn around and trade a guy he has coveted for so long.

And our forward depth is pretty deep...
You're talking top6 guys, but we are in pretty good shape IMO.
McDavid/Eichel, Reinhart, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, and Moulson.
That's pretty good
Now maybe you'd like a few of those guys better on the 3rd line, and I could see that point...
But don't forget, we still have Hodgson, Grigorenko, Carrier, Bailey, Baptiste, Compher, Fasching and a host of others with top6 potential.

We just gotta give these kids time to grow up.
Murray should be able to take advantage of some Cap-strapped teams in the meantime this summer without having to give up someone like Bogosian
- jdfitz77

I like bogo a ton. He reminds me of boydchuk. Won't put up a ton of points but does all the things you absolutely need a defenseman to do.

And our forward depth is pretty deep...
You're talking top6 guys, but we are in pretty good shape IMO.
McDavid/Eichel, Reinhart, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, and Moulson.
That's pretty good
Now maybe you'd like a few of those guys better on the 3rd line, and I could see that point...
But don't forget, we still have Hodgson, Grigorenko, Carrier, Bailey, Baptiste, Compher, Fasching and a host of others with top6 potential.

- jdfitz77

You took the words right out of my mouth.

If you are talking a competitive, low level playoff team, a top 6 of 2015 draft pick, Kane, Reinhart, Ennis, Girgensons, & Moulson works.

If you are talking about a potential cup winning team, then I would your only top 6 players would be 2015 draft pick, Kane, & Reinhart.

I would argue that on a cup winning team, Ennis and Girgensons are optimal as 3rd line players to make the greatest impact.

The only issue, he is an RFA next year. Do you qualify him? Do you get him with a one year QO? OR do you have to sign him to a 3-4 year deal.
- ImThatGuy

I would qualify him unless he would take a 2 year bridge deal.

The 2 year bridge deal would give them more options going forward.

A 3 to 4 year deal would only be acceptable if he had shown this level of play for most of the entire season in the NHL.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

If you are talking a competitive, low level playoff team, a top 6 of 2015 draft pick, Kane, Reinhart, Ennis, Girgensons, & Moulson works.

If you are talking about a potential cup winning team, then I would your only top 6 players would be 2015 draft pick, Kane, & Reinhart.

I would argue that on a cup winning team, Ennis and Girgensons are optimal as 3rd line players to make the greatest impact.
- kingcong39

Ennis could for sure be in the top 6 of cup winning teams.

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=16748&user_id=22120
- kingcong39

Solid read, i think he tops out on the third line next season and either makes it impossible to trade him in a good way or just becomes another plug and play bottom 6 guy. Beyond that someone is moving to wing or being traded because 3C will be girgensons.

[quote=IndianaSabresFan]


No.

At the beginning of the season I posted a comment on TSN regarding even then how the Leafs were setting up a tank - one just had to look at who they let go and who they signed. Naturally I was pounced on by 'impartial' Leaf fans who looked up from their Stanley Cup planning meetings just long enough to express their disdain at the even the slightest suggestion of a tank in the centre of the universe.

Guess I'll have the last laugh.

The Leafs couldn't even tank right.

Solid read, i think he tops out on the third line next season and either makes it impossible to trade him in a good way or just becomes another plug and play bottom 6 guy. Beyond that someone is moving to wing or being traded because 3C will be girgensons.
- ieetbred

Were gonna have many options and problems as to where to put some of these guys next season.