I was thinking that but he's the captain. It's unfortunate because we only signed him to make it look like we were trying not to totally tank and now we're stuck with him.
- Buffalo--Sabres

He's still going to be valuable to have around the locker room. He's a consummate pro. He's a good guy to have in the locker room grooming your young guys, especially those that we expect to be the leaders moving forward. Him being here with the C takes some pressure off of the young guys when it comes to locker room presence.

Yeah but he's a two way contract do he adds value in Rochester.
- Buffalo--Sabres

By leaving Buffalo and going to Rochester D'Amigo will raise the average talent of both teams at the same time.

In your guys opinion, who is the most expendable Sabre on the roster and why?
- Buffalo--Sabres

Foligno, there are about 5 guys off the top of my head who could replace him in a second

Seems a lot of people around here thought it was Girgensons last week.

I would probably say either Foligno or Larsson. I think in some sort of a package deal you could get a decent return for either of them and I don't see there being enough room for both of them on the roster. Especially in another year or two.
- HonkFortheGoose

That funny about Girgensons. When I think about this roster this is, it's tough to focus on with a the new and young faces, then I remember Zemgus. Excited to see him back out there.


I'm split between Foligno and Gionta.

That's the way I've been saying that phrase since I first saw that movie.
- TheSabresTaco

I do the same move at work,

By leaving Buffalo and going to Rochester D'Amigo will raise the average talent of both teams at the same time.
- Der Kaiser

In your guys opinion, who is the most expendable Sabre on the roster and why?
- Buffalo--Sabres

If Jerry D'Amigo isn't seen as a guy who can't pass through waivers, then him. Then you're looking at Matt Donovan or Mike Weber. At the very top, you're looking at Myers, because, Meszaros.

He's still going to be valuable to have around the locker room. He's a consummate pro. He's a good guy to have in the locker room grooming your young guys, especially those that we expect to be the leaders moving forward. Him being here with the C takes some pressure off of the young guys when it comes to locker room presence.
- HonkFortheGoose

Absolutely

I do the same move at work,
- DDM-Coga

All this being said I don't hate Foligno and I think he can have an impactful season.

He's still going to be valuable to have around the locker room. He's a consummate pro. He's a good guy to have in the locker room grooming your young guys, especially those that we expect to be the leaders moving forward. Him being here with the C takes some pressure off of the young guys when it comes to locker room presence.
- HonkFortheGoose

In 9 less games and much worse linemates, Gionta scored 11 less points than the team leader (Ennis),

He's not a complete waste...yet

I have noticed a few of your roster set ups...it would be a huge mistake to put McGinn on the 4th line. Especially if Moulson or Gionta are taking a top 9 spot from him.

McGinn to be effective, the guy needs to be engaged. He wont be worth it just playing 8-10 minutes a night as a 4th line banger.

He's still going to be valuable to have around the locker room. He's a consummate pro. He's a good guy to have in the locker room grooming your young guys, especially those that we expect to be the leaders moving forward. Him being here with the C takes some pressure off of the young guys when it comes to locker room presence.
- HonkFortheGoose

100% agree, and a point that so few ever mention. This isn't a video game this is real life and players need a play to groom them. I think the perfect guy is Gionta in Buffalo and MFE in Rochester.

By leaving Buffalo and going to Rochester D'Amigo will raise the average talent of both teams at the same time.
- Der Kaiser

In 9 less games and much worse linemates, Gionta scored 11 less points than the team leader (Ennis),

He's not a complete waste...yet
- stashu

I also feel what's the reason to be expendable? Ask just worst player or player with the most value that isn't being used properly?
Foligno has better trade value than Gionta, Gionta would only be dealt to a playoff team at the deadline for something small. D'Amico wouldn't be claimed off waivers if sent though

All this being said I don't hate Foligno and I think he can have an impactful season.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I feel the same way. When he's on his game, I like what he brings. The problem is he's been inconsistent due to his injuries. I'd like to see him make it through a season healthy for once.

In 9 less games and much worse linemates, Gionta scored 11 less points than the team leader (Ennis),

He's not a complete waste...yet
- stashu

I'm not sure why, but it seemed like he had an extra step in his game after he came back from the concussion.

I have noticed a few of your roster set ups...it would be a huge mistake to put McGinn on the 4th line. Especially if Moulson or Gionta are taking a top 9 spot from him.

McGinn to be effective, the guy needs to be engaged. He wont be worth it just playing 8-10 minutes a night as a 4th line banger.
- DDM-Coga

Agreed. I personally have never seen him as such. I think he could be a very effective third liner.

Kane, O'Reilly, Ennis
Moulson, Girgensons, <-> Eichel
McGinn, Larsson/Reinhart, Gionta
Foligno, Schaller/Legwand, Deslauriers

This lineup makes the most sense to me for the first game of the season. Problem is we have a huge jam of forwards. Hopefully TM's thinking of a nice package to get a guy or two out of here for a defenseman on the incline.

I have noticed a few of your roster set ups...it would be a huge mistake to put McGinn on the 4th line. Especially if Moulson or Gionta are taking a top 9 spot from him.

McGinn to be effective, the guy needs to be engaged. He wont be worth it just playing 8-10 minutes a night as a 4th line banger.
- DDM-Coga

Problem is our top 9 is kind of a logjam. It's going to be tricky to shelter the kids a bit while still not impeding their growth by putting them out there with 4th line plugs.

100% agree, and a point that so few ever mention. This isn't a video game this is real life and players need a play to groom them. I think the perfect guy is Gionta in Buffalo and MFE in Rochester.
- hubie

Still don't get the hate for Gio. He's playing his role to a T.

Problem is our top 9 is kind of a logjam. It's going to be tricky to shelter the kids a bit while still not impeding their growth by putting them out there with 4th line plugs.
- HonkFortheGoose

We have way too many guys on the bench right now. Someone's gotta go.

Still don't get the hate for Gio. He's playing his role to a T.
- TheSabresTaco

Same. I thought it was a pretty savvy move by Murray last summer.

Still don't get the hate for Gio. He's playing his role to a T.
- TheSabresTaco

I always feel there are a large group of hockey fans who want to role 4 lines of Ovechkins and all that matters to them is goals scored. All things that don't show up on the score sheer don't matter to them.

We have way too many guys on the bench right now. Someone's gotta go.
- TheSabresTaco

This is why I feel like Larsson is the best guy to move. He seems to only be interested if he's getting top minutes and that's just not gonna happen for him here. With Eichel, Reinhart, Ennis, O'Reilly, Girgensons and Moulson I just don't see where he'd fit in.

Same. I thought it was a pretty savvy move by Murray last summer.
- HonkFortheGoose

He brought the leadership skills we had not had in a long time