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

Nice problem to have, encourages competition for limited spots.

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.
- CaptainGary

They have even kept Kessel to help with the Tank because even though he scores he is so bad defensively it isn't even funny. He is a -32 this year so far.

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

Yep. Nice problem to have, especially thinking back to leino and ott being 'centers'

Joe Haggerty ‏@HackswithHaggs 9m9 minutes ago Boston, MA
Jeremy Smith up on emergency recall to serve as backup to Niklas Svedberg. Tuukka Rask must have the sniffles wicked bad

Anders Lindback will get the start versus the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
Apparently, Coach Nolan "said it was long discussion but the big guy [Lindback] is simply too hot and they wanted to see [him go in back to back games]." And while Lindback is winless in five starts with Buffalo thus far, he also has four Quality Starts with just 14 goals against. Not too shabby, all things considered. For the season, Lindback is 2-11-2 with 47 goals against, but only two Really Bad Starts, in 12 starts and 16 games for Dallas and Buffalo.


Nolan strikes again

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. 2yrs ago i'd have been ok with it...
But now? NO WAY

I thought it was crazy a couple years ago when Home told us that Sabres MGMT saw Ennis at a "Pat Kane" type player... And while he's no where near that level, he does continue to produce against top players with very little help around him. I'm thinking about how much better he'll be when he's skating with McDavid, or even Reinhart, or even on a third line against lesser defense.

Ennis isn't "untouchable"
But to even consider moving him for a guy that likely wants to test free agency would be a really bad idea IMO

Anders Lindback will get the start versus the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
Apparently, Coach Nolan "said it was long discussion but the big guy
- SABRES 89[Lindback] is simply too hot and they wanted to see [him go in back to back games]." And while Lindback is winless in five starts with Buffalo thus far, he also has four Quality Starts with just 14 goals against. Not too shabby, all things considered. For the season, Lindback is 2-11-2 with 47 goals against, but only two Really Bad Starts, in 12 starts and 16 games for Dallas and Buffalo.


Nolan strikes again

Well you got your wish the big piece of swiss cheese is getting his starts

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 know you didn't right the stuff at the top but I disagree with all of it.

Did somebody pick up Charles Clay at the airport?

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

Ok... But how much better will Ennis & Girgensons be in 2-3yrs?
And even if they don't get any better at all, if they're on our 3rd line a couple years from now, they'll face lesser talent and still likely be able to improve production.

Regardless of where they are positioned, we have 6 of our top9...
And another 10 or so guys with that potential...
So even if 30% of them work out,
We're still in pretty great shape

Goalie is the only position I'm worried about

I know you didn't right the stuff at the top but I disagree with all of it.
- Homer

Who has a higher ceiling than Ristolainen?

I know you didn't right the stuff at the top but I disagree with all of it.
- Homer

Bogosian can't be a top pair guy like Karlsson or Weber...
But he can be a guy on a "shutdown" pair
If he can defend guys like Crosby, then Ristolainen's pair can match up against The 2nd line... Or vice versa
I think McCabe & Zadorov are future top4 guys, so I really like how our defense looks going forward
And Pysyk could be amazing as a 3rd pair guy.
That's how deep we look to me

Who has a higher ceiling than Ristolainen?
- Sabresfan-365

Depends what u mean...
Zadorov has the most potential IMO to be dominant both in the defensive AND offensive zone
None of what was said was meant to knock anyone,
More just saying we have a bunch of defensemen that have top4 and even top pair potential

Guys, Toronto isn't tanking.

They just (frank)ing suck.

Also. Ted Nolad is a (frank)ing ass.

Also. I will never ever say go Bruins.

Boston.

Who has a higher ceiling than Ristolainen?
- Sabresfan-365

Tyler Myers geddit? kekekekekekekeke

Let's go Bruins !!!!!!!

Depends what u mean...
Zadorov has the most potential IMO to be dominant both in the defensive AND offensive zone
None of what was said was meant to knock anyone,
More just saying we have a bunch of defensemen that have top4 and even top pair potential
- jdfitz77

He said he disagreed with everything above and i was wondering who he thought had a higher ceiling (and i assumed ceiling to mean how good or what role they'll be).

Zadorov may have the potential to be more dominant statistically be it hits or goals Im not sure he or anybody else in the organization right now has the potential to be a better overall player than Ristolainen.

Let's go Bruins !!!!!!!
- SABRES 89

I'm starting to dislike your tude. Were the frank is Navin ?

He said he disagreed with everything above and i was wondering who he thought had a higher ceiling (and i assumed ceiling to mean how good or what role they'll be).

Zadorov may have the potential to be more dominant statistically be it hits or goals Im not sure he or anybody else in the organization right now has the potential to be a better overall player than Ristolainen.
- Sabresfan-365

D men are tough. My ideal one would have :
20 goals
30 Assists
29 min every night
runs the PP AND pk
+20-+30 plus/minus
30 pim a season
5m/7yr contract runs out at age 31
And makes his partner better .


Of course thats a lot to dream of . Seems you have to pick and choose those expectations and impossible to get them all. Any team getting a player with 1/2 them attributes is a win . Love how the players so called ceiling is predicted around here

@viccarucci: The #Bills have given an offer sheet that Charles Clay has signed. The #Dolphins have 5 days to match.

Game on Bitc*hes !!!

He said he disagreed with everything above and i was wondering who he thought had a higher ceiling (and i assumed ceiling to mean how good or what role they'll be).

Zadorov may have the potential to be more dominant statistically be it hits or goals Im not sure he or anybody else in the organization right now has the potential to be a better overall player than Ristolainen.
- Sabresfan-365

As far as potential

Risto>>Zads>>Bogosian,McCabe,Pysyk

Whether 51,55 pan out is another story

It's been a rough day in the rapperray house...... had to put our dog down this morning.... Really sucks..... RIP Chase

It's been a rough day in the rapperray house...... had to put our dog down this morning.... Really sucks..... RIP Chase
- rapperray

Sorry Ray. Parents just put down their shepherd on friday.

Sorry Ray. Parents just put down their shepherd on friday.
- cabin

Had to do this 3 times now... It is never easy...