not really...keep it in the context of the sabres being a last place team two years running...

that being said, despite his 30 points in 61-game stat-line (which some see as inadequate,) for those of us who've watched him beginning as an 18 yr. old, the progress he's made points to a legit top-six down the road
- Michael Pachla

Eichel
Ennis
Girgensons
Grigorenko
Reinhart
Kane
Hodgson
Moulson
Gionta

There's your top 9

Eichel
Ennis
Girgensons
Grigorenko
Reinhart
Kane
Hodgson
Moulson
Gionta

There's your top 9
- mochoson

And I'd do it like this

Kane-Girgensons-Reinhart
Ennis-Eichel-Hodgson
Moulson-Grigorenko-Gionta

Eichel
Ennis
Girgensons
Grigorenko
Reinhart
Kane
Hodgson
Moulson
Gionta

There's your top 9
- mochoson

Hodgson is most likely going to be bought out.

not really...keep it in the context of the sabres being a last place team two years running...

that being said, despite his 30 points in 61-game stat-line (which some see as inadequate,) for those of us who've watched him beginning as an 18 yr. old, the progress he's made points to a legit top-six down the road
- Michael Pachla

I think what I liked most about Girgensons game this year is that he was making things happen for the rest of the guys on the ice in some way. He helps make the guys around him better. While he's only 21 years old, he has a major influence on that team both on the ice and in the locker room. I think that's huge.

saad had 52 points for the hawks playing all 82 games and 18 minutes a night
sharp had 43 points in 68 games playing a tad under 17 minutes a night

it's not a stretch to assume girgens puts up similar numbers in year 3 on the second line with decent players
- homiedclown

yup...and his game isn't even all about numbers, imo

Hodgson is most likely going to be bought out.
- buffalofan19

You don't know that. Based off of Murray's comments about how the coach didn't utilize him properly, I would say the likelihood of him getting bought out is slim.

And I'd do it like this

Kane-Girgensons-Reinhart
Ennis-Eichel-Hodgson
Moulson-Grigorenko-Gionta
- mochoson

kane-eichel-player x
ennis girgens-reinhart
moulson, larsson, (gionta or gringo)
deslauriers, foligno (gionta or coho)

Hodgson is most likely going to be bought out.
- buffalofan19

I can almost guarantee you that doesn't happen and you can save this post to your favorites. He's tradeable.

I'd take him in Philly.

yup...and his game isn't even all about numbers, imo
- Michael Pachla

agreed

the more I think about it, he is on the top 6 somewhere and moulson drops to the third line

You don't know that. Based off of Murray's comments about how the coach didn't utilize him properly, I would say the likelihood of him getting bought out is slim.
- HonkFortheGoose

esp since the blues wanted to trade for him at the deadline

I can almost guarantee you that doesn't happen and you can save this post to your favorites. He's tradeable.

I'd take him in Philly.
- mochoson

If they buy him out this summer, he's going to cost 1/3 his contract. The opportunity to hedge a bet like that is tough to say no to.

I think what I liked most about Girgensons game this year is that he was making things happen for the rest of the guys on the ice in some way. He helps make the guys around him better. While he's only 21 years old, he has a major influence on that team both on the ice and in the locker room. I think that's huge.
- HonkFortheGoose

^this^

stuff you don't see in stats...even the fancy stats

^this^

stuff you don't see in stats...even the fancy stats
- Michael Pachla

I do not pay attention to the fancy stats

I find the eye test is still a great way to measure a player's progress


look at Larsson, he clearly deserves to be a fixture on the third line next season, and he could move up a line in a pinch

If they buy him out this summer, he's going to cost 1/3 his contract. The opportunity to hedge a bet like that is tough to say no to.
- buffalofan19

Or you could ship him to Philly, take RJ Umberger back at 50% of his cap hit, and be stuck with him for only this season and next season.

agreed

the more I think about it, he is on the top 6 somewhere and moulson drops to the third line
- homiedclown

In a perfect world, there's enough depth that he can center the 3rd line. But he absolutely has what it takes to be a top 6 player. He may not show up on the score sheet himself every night, but you can bet that his linemates will. He does a good job of creating space for the rest of the guys to do what they need to without being a defensive liability or ending up in the box all the time.

I do not pay attention to the fancy stats

I find the eye test is still a great way to measure a player's progress


look at Larsson, he clearly deserves to be a fixture on the third line next season, and he could move up a line in a pinch
- homiedclown

He at least proves he deserves a roster spot, without question. Guy is definitely an NHL player.

agreed

the more I think about it, he is on the top 6 somewhere and moulson drops to the third line
- homiedclown

I guess it depends upon what murray does at right wing...I like ennis on that side with Moulson and kane on the left...

for now

In a perfect world, there's enough depth that he can center the 3rd line. But he absolutely has what it takes to be a top 6 player. He may not show up on the score sheet himself every night, but you can bet that his linemates will. He does a good job of creating space for the rest of the guys to do what they need to without being a defensive liability or ending up in the box all the time.
- HonkFortheGoose

I wonder if they put him with jack and kane

he would open up the ice for those 2

Or you could ship him to Philly, take RJ Umberger back at 50% of his cap hit, and be stuck with him for only this season and next season.
- mochoson

Or if Philly was smart, they'd let Buffalo buy him out, and then not have to pay him anywhere near $4.25 million a year.

I do not pay attention to the fancy stats

I find the eye test is still a great way to measure a player's progress


look at Larsson, he clearly deserves to be a fixture on the third line next season, and he could move up a line in a pinch
- homiedclown

that borders on blasphemy these days

esp since the blues wanted to trade for him at the deadline
- homiedclown

The opportunity to buy him out at a deeply discounted rate is what still gave him some resemblance of value. It would have been virtually a no-risk move. Any team that trades for him now doesn't have that opportunity, unless they trade for him for the express purpose of buying him out, which would be pointless. Teams know this. If you want Cody Hodgson on your team this summer, it's a lot cheaper both in terms of dollars and other assets giving up to let Buffalo buy him out first.

Or if Philly was smart, they'd let Buffalo buy him out, and then not have to pay him anywhere near $4.25 million a year.
- buffalofan19

There's not a doubt in my mind Cody Hodgson can earn that money. He's locked up with ok term and a fine cap hit for what I feel he's worth.

Besides, we're talking about the Flyers here.....smart? Who you kiddin....

I do not pay attention to the fancy stats

I find the eye test is still a great way to measure a player's progress


look at Larsson, he clearly deserves to be a fixture on the third line next season, and he could move up a line in a pinch
- homiedclown

Larsson was caught up in a numbers game all year, very much like Pysyk was. Unfortunately for him early in the year, he can't just jump from one league to the other and contribute the same way Pysyk could. Once he got his real shot and some consistency in Buffalo, he took off.

He's going to cause fits for guys for quite a while. Plays a real pesky game while being pretty smart about it. He's going to end up in the box from time to time because of it though.

You don't know that. Based off of Murray's comments about how the coach didn't utilize him properly, I would say the likelihood of him getting bought out is slim.
- HonkFortheGoose

I heard that comment, but I didn't hear it specifically about Hodgson. Am I missing something?

Hodgson is most likely going to be bought out.
- buffalofan19

I think that depends a lot on whether or not they make a substantial trade.