You think he just magically went from top scorer on team to "couldn't crack the PP"?
What does the lowest scoring team have to do with it? It's not like everyone who WAS getting PP time is better than Hodgson.

Let's see how he does once we actually have good players and he can play with them (Kane, Eichel, Ennis, Reinhart (maybe not right away), Girgs, Grigs.

He's already proven he can score (pretty well) when playing with good players, and even put up some points when he wasn't on the 3rd/4th line in 13-14
- Herzeleid

Kane, Eichel, Ennis, Reinhart, Moulson, Grigensons, and I will even say Grigorenko have passed him and 1 of those players has yet to play a NHL game and one played in 9 have passed him. No way Hodgson should play in the top 6 you answered your own question right there.

Well he was a capable top six player before nolan, we don't need our 6th/7th best forward to be some two-way beast.
- Herzeleid

and we don't need him being our 7th or 8th best forward on the 3rd line which usually plays in a defensive shut down role

not enough
- SABRES 89

opinions vary.


Statistically they're the best of the bunch, probably the closest to winning a cup.

opinions vary.


Statistically they're the best of the bunch, probably the closest to winning a cup.
- Sabresfan-365

That's why they keep getting knocked out, they can't keep up. Steen slow, Backus slow, Oshie, lost and slow, Bouwmeester , slow, Stastny, overpaid and seems lost, 2 good D men and an average goalie in Elliot.

Kane, Eichel, Ennis, Reinhart, Moulson, Grigensons, and I will even say Grigorenko have passed him and 1 of those players has yet to play a NHL game and one played in 9 have passed him. No way Hodgson should play in the top 6 you answered your own question right there.
- Stripes77

I would rather have Hodgson than Moulson in the top six, and Girgs will Probs be the 3rd line center so that doesn't matter.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Grigs - Reinhart - Hodgson
Moulson - Girgs - Larrson/Gionta

6th/7th/8h best forward still in top 6.

Some Hodgson haters have bashed this lineup repeatedly but play the lines sort of evenly to start off.

3 solid lines, the (sort of) 3rd line has two thirds of our top line from last season and possibly Larrson. 2nd line may be a bit young, maybe switch Reinhart and Girgs for the start of the season.

I would rather have Hodgson than Moulson in the top six, and Girgs will Probs be the 3rd line center so that doesn't matter.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Grigs - Reinhart - Hodgson
Moulson - Girgs - Larrson/Gionta

6th/7th/8h best forward still in top 6.

Some Hodgson haters have bashed this lineup repeatedly but play the lines sort of evenly to start off.

3 solid lines, the (sort of) 3rd line has two thirds of our top line from last season and possibly Larrson. 2nd line may be a bit young, maybe switch Reinhart and Girgs for the start of the season.
- Herzeleid

you are not going to see Moulson on the 3rd line and Hodgson on the 2nd, please stop with that.

I would rather have Hodgson than Moulson in the top six, and Girgs will Probs be the 3rd line center so that doesn't matter.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Grigs - Reinhart - Hodgson
Moulson - Girgs - Larrson/Gionta

6th/7th/8h best forward still in top 6.

Some Hodgson haters have bashed this lineup repeatedly but play the lines sort of evenly to start off.

3 solid lines, the (sort of) 3rd line has two thirds of our top line from last season and possibly Larrson. 2nd line may be a bit young, maybe switch Reinhart and Girgs for the start of the season.
- Herzeleid

Who the heck is gonna back check on the 2nd line? Our rookie center is the best defensive player on that line.

Larsson is ahead of Hodgson in the depth chart as well.

Matt Moulson when playing with someone that can set him up produces a heck of a lot better than anyone that was on our team last year minus Ennis and you are bumping him down to the 3rd line??? Yikes...

Even if you switch Girgensons to the 2nd line you cannot have a line with 2 wingers that are terrible in their own zone...Hodgson has no place on this team if you are building for the future.

Nothing about the 2nd line you created evens out. In fact it makes teams that can actually have 2 real scoring lines mouth's water

Maybe but who knows what could happen. I would be happier if it was in the $6-6.5 range on a long term deal
- Stripes77

Well he already makes $6 million.

you are not going to see Moulson on the 3rd line and Hodgson on the 2nd, please stop with that.
- SABRES 89

Like I said, play the lines pretty evenly. That line is two third of our most recent first line.

You act like Hodgson on the 2nd line is unheard of.

Who the heck is gonna back check on the 2nd line? Our rookie center is the best defensive player on that line.

Larsson is ahead of Hodgson in the depth chart as well.

Matt Moulson when playing with someone that can set him up produces a heck of a lot better than anyone that was on our team last year minus Ennis and you are bumping him down to the 3rd line??? Yikes...

Even if you switch Girgensons to the 2nd line you cannot have a line with 2 wingers that are terrible in their own zone...Hodgson has no place on this team if you are building for the future.

Nothing about the 2nd line you created evens out. In fact it makes teams that can actually have 2 real scoring lines mouth's water
- Stripes77

I'm hoping Moulson is on a the 3rd line sooner than later and Hodgson pots 20 goals and is moved for a 2nd round pick after this year.

opinions vary.


Statistically they're the best of the bunch, probably the closest to winning a cup.
- Sabresfan-365

How do you figure when Oshie, Steen and Backes fail to produce consistently in the post season? Tarasenko couldn't carry the Blues past round 1. Allen choked. Do you honestly see the Blues current roster competing with the Ducks or the Hawks? How about next year? The year after? Didn't think so. I think Buffalo has the better shot, not trying to be biased. But take in consideration the downswing of Boston and Toronto will want to total rebuild mode. Buffalo could compete with Ottawa, Florida and Detroit to possibly threat playoffs as a young team with strong depth at center like Detroit used to have (Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom). I'm not comparing Eichel, Reinhardt and Girgensons to those three, just pointing out solid depth at center makes a strong team (what up Chicago).

TL;DR Babcock is a better fit for Buffalo over St. Louis. The Blues are starting to plateau and the Sabres have much more to work with combined with a high ceiling.

Like I said, play the lines pretty evenly. That line is two third of our most recent first line.

You act like Hodgson on the 2nd line is unheard of.
- Herzeleid

Playing with a rookie center and another winger not known for his defensive play is absolutely unheard of. Even if you have Girgensons center that line to start you still have 2 irresponsible wingers. It's a recipe for disaster

I would rather have Hodgson than Moulson in the top six, and Girgs will Probs be the 3rd line center so that doesn't matter.

Kane - Eichel - Ennis
Grigs - Reinhart - Hodgson
Moulson - Girgs - Larrson/Gionta

6th/7th/8h best forward still in top 6.

Some Hodgson haters have bashed this lineup repeatedly but play the lines sort of evenly to start off.

3 solid lines, the (sort of) 3rd line has two thirds of our top line from last season and possibly Larrson. 2nd line may be a bit young, maybe switch Reinhart and Girgs for the start of the season.
- Herzeleid

Moulson needs to be chained to eichel on his left side. I do not want kane and eichel together

I'm hoping Moulson is on a the 3rd line sooner than later and Hodgson pots 20 goals and is moved for a 2nd round pick after this year.
- sbroads24

Moulson should be on the 3rd line starting in the 2016-17 season. But not next year.

Moulson needs to be chained to eichel on his left side. I do not want kane and eichel together
- CaptPantalones

Can I ask why?

Kane and Ennis are the only two wingers that have the speed to play with Eichel

Like I said, play the lines pretty evenly. That line is two third of our most recent first line.

You act like Hodgson on the 2nd line is unheard of.
- Herzeleid

over Moulson it is

How do you figure when Oshie, Steen and Backes fail to produce consistently in the post season? Tarasenko couldn't carry the Blues past round 1. Allen choked. Do you honestly see the Blues current roster competing with the Ducks or the Hawks? How about next year? The year after? Didn't think so. I think Buffalo has the better shot, not trying to be biased. But take in consideration the downswing of Boston and Toronto will want to total rebuild mode. Buffalo could compete with Ottawa, Florida and Detroit to possibly threat playoffs as a young team with strong depth at center like Detroit used to have (Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Holmstrom). I'm not comparing Eichel, Reinhardt and Girgensons to those three, just pointing out solid depth at center makes a strong team (what up Chicago).

TL;DR Babcock is a better fit for Buffalo over St. Louis. The Blues are starting to plateau and the Sabres have much more to work with combined with a high ceiling.
- awildmudkip

Peitrangelo
Shattenkirk
Tarasenko
Schwartz
Lehetra
Rattie
Jaskin
Barbashev

That's a pretty damn good young core

I'm hoping Moulson is on a the 3rd line sooner than later and Hodgson pots 20 goals and is moved for a 2nd round pick after this year.
- sbroads24

Moulson won't be on the 3rd line

over Moulson it is
- SABRES 89

I think your forgetting how bad Moulson was most of this year. He had a stretch of scoring 1 goal in a over 20 games

Moulson needs to be chained to eichel on his left side. I do not want kane and eichel together
- CaptPantalones

Kane with Eichel will drive through almost any D pairing in the East. They both have powerful skating to exploit weak side D, why wouldn't you pair them together? Slot Ennis with them and you have raw power, strong skating, smart decision making and offensive upside all together. I'm not seeing the problem there.

Who the heck is gonna back check on the 2nd line? Our rookie center is the best defensive player on that line.

Larsson is ahead of Hodgson in the depth chart as well.

Matt Moulson when playing with someone that can set him up produces a heck of a lot better than anyone that was on our team last year minus Ennis and you are bumping him down to the 3rd line??? Yikes...

Even if you switch Girgensons to the 2nd line you cannot have a line with 2 wingers that are terrible in their own zone...Hodgson has no place on this team if you are building for the future.

Nothing about the 2nd line you created evens out. In fact it makes teams that can actually have 2 real scoring lines mouth's water
- Stripes77

With regards to Larsson/Hodgson: That was true for Nolan only.

Grigs is not terrible in his own zone.

Moulson sure as fvck isn't gonna be on the first line but if you wanted him on the 2nd line I'm sure ther would be female doging about Grigs being a 3rd line role.

I think your forgetting how bad Moulson was most of this year. He had a stretch of scoring 1 goal in a over 20 games
- sbroads24

I think you are forgetting how bad the whole team was, please stop

I think your forgetting how bad Moulson was most of this year. He had a stretch of scoring 1 goal in a over 20 games
- sbroads24

and still finished with 41 points on a crappy team none the less

People can't use that excuse for one player and not take it into account for another player.

I think you are forgetting how bad the whole team was, please stop
- SABRES 89

He was part of this very bad team. A big part of it. He does nothing on his own.

Playing with a rookie center and another winger not known for his defensive play is absolutely unheard of. Even if you have Girgensons center that line to start you still have 2 irresponsible wingers. It's a recipe for disaster
- Stripes77

Too bad Grigs isn't irresponsible.