At this point, I'd rather stand pat and see what we've got before we move around any more pieces.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'm very torn between the practical part of me that recognizes that the Sabres spent a substantial portion of their prospects and picks to get where we are, with the excited part of me that thinks the organization is already gonna surprise alot of people, and could really accomplish something wonderful if we could just get a few more of the missing pieces NOW.

Yes.


Again I never said he isn't a generous guy that doesn't do a ton for his community but do you really think he doesn't have a financial planner telling him if you donate x you lessen your tax burden year to year?

Again when you are losing 54% of you money to federal and state tax you find ways to lessen that blow. If lessening that blow can be done by donating to something you believe in then good for him. I give him credit for doing what he believes in.
- dadeadhead

It boggles my mind that someone would do something like that and people will say "yeah, but look what's in it for him". There was nothing in it for him. He got back a fraction of what he donated - why bring that up? I am as skeptical as anyone, but geez...

I'm very torn between the practical part of me that recognizes that the Sabres spent a substantial portion of their prospects and picks to get where we are, with the excited part of me that thinks the organization is already gonna surprise alot of people, and could really accomplish something wonderful if we could just get a few more of the missing pieces NOW.
- Der Kaiser

That's just it. We really don't know what the missing pieces are anymore. There's been too many moves made to really know that.

Everyone says we need a top 4 LHD. But having opposite L/R guys on each defensive pairing isn't a must. It's a "like to have." I bet if you go back and look at Chicago or LA, not all of their D pairings were split that way. Are there a lot of question marks on the blue line right now? Sure. But there are at forward as well.

We haven't seen Kane play for us at all. Or O'Reilly. Or Eichel. The only knowns we have up front that can be penciled into the top 6 are Moulson, Ennis and Girgs.

We haven't seen Lehner or Johnson play yet. The 2 guys in the organization in goal that have suited up and gotten time in net for the blue and gold are Makarov and Lieuwen, both of which will be in Rochester to start the year.

Lots of question marks and the only way to get the answers are to get the season going and see what they've got. I'm going to go with the theory of "not fixing something that's not broken." Currently, we don't know if it's broken, so I say leave it be.

That's just it. We really don't know what the missing pieces are anymore. There's been too many moves made to really know that.

Everyone says we need a top 4 LHD. But having opposite L/R guys on each defensive pairing isn't a must. It's a "like to have." I bet if you go back and look at Chicago or LA, not all of their D pairings were split that way. Are there a lot of question marks on the blue line right now? Sure. But there are at forward as well.

We haven't seen Kane play for us at all. Or O'Reilly. Or Eichel. The only knowns we have up front that can be penciled into the top 6 are Moulson, Ennis and Girgs.

We haven't seen Lehner or Johnson play yet. The 2 guys in the organization in goal that have suited up and gotten time in net for the blue and gold are Makarov and Lieuwen, both of which will be in Rochester to start the year.

Lots of question marks and the only way to get the answers are to get the season going and see what they've got. I'm going to go with the theory of "not fixing something that's not broken." Currently, we don't know if it's broken, so I say leave it be.
- HonkFortheGoose

At this point I don't get the "missing pieces" talk. We seem to have an awful lot of the right pieces either on the current roster or in Rochester. Sure we could use another stud D - who couldn't? We won't know how this all fits together for quite a while.

That's just it. We really don't know what the missing pieces are anymore. There's been too many moves made to really know that.

Everyone says we need a top 4 LHD. But having opposite L/R guys on each defensive pairing isn't a must. It's a "like to have." I bet if you go back and look at Chicago or LA, not all of their D pairings were split that way. Are there a lot of question marks on the blue line right now? Sure. But there are at forward as well.

We haven't seen Kane play for us at all. Or O'Reilly. Or Eichel. The only knowns we have up front that can be penciled into the top 6 are Moulson, Ennis and Girgs.

We haven't seen Lehner or Johnson play yet. The 2 guys in the organization in goal that have suited up and gotten time in net for the blue and gold are Makarov and Lieuwen, both of which will be in Rochester to start the year.

Lots of question marks and the only way to get the answers are to get the season going and see what they've got. I'm going to go with the theory of "not fixing something that's not broken." Currently, we don't know if it's broken, so I say leave it be.
- HonkFortheGoose

Funny, I have no problem going into this season with the current D, and I don't think of any of these guys as "Unknowns." We've scouted the hell out of all these players, and seen them in so many different camp, scrimmage and practice situations that we know who they are and can make a very strong prediction about how they will approach their jobs and the season. I'm comfortable with all of that, and I think they'll be able to gel as a team through practice and the first few weeks of the season.

I still think we need another top 6 RW, though. If we can get that, I'm ready to say I am really, really excited about this squad NOW. If we stay pat, I'm not saying it's broken, I'm just not as excited.

The really hard question to answer lies in the fact that there are some exciting RW prospects in the pipeline. So what do we do, wait for them to come along as we think they will, or spend assets to make moves to get one immeidately.

At this point I don't get the "missing pieces" talk. We seem to have an awful lot of the right pieces either on the current roster or in Rochester. Sure we could use another stud D - who couldn't? We won't know how this all fits together for quite a while.
- Slump Buster

Exactly. And I know we've both been saying this for quite some time now. Even before the Franson signing. Being that training camp starts tomorrow, I would think that what we've got now is what we should expect to see for at least the first part of the season, but with Murray, you never really know.

Funny, I have no problem going into this season with the current D, and I don't think of any of these guys as "Unknowns." We've scouted the hell out of all these players, and seen them in so many different camp, scrimmage and practice situations that we know who they are and can make a very strong prediction about how they will approach their jobs and the season. I'm comfortable with all of that, and I think they'll be able to gel as a team through practice and the first few weeks of the season.

I still think we need another top 6 RW, though. If we can get that, I'm ready to say I am really, really excited about this squad NOW. If we stay pat, I'm not saying it's broken, I'm just not as excited.

The really hard question to answer lies in the fact that there are some exciting RW prospects in the pipeline. So what do we do, wait for them to come along as we think they will, or spend assets to make moves to get one immeidately.
- Der Kaiser

Fair enough. I get it. Another top 6 RW probably would be nice, but that doesn't mean there isn't someone already on the team that will be able to fill that role just fine. That's why I'd rather stand pat for now instead of giving up assets for it.

I'm very torn between the practical part of me that recognizes that the Sabres spent a substantial portion of their prospects and picks to get where we are, with the excited part of me that thinks the organization is already gonna surprise alot of people, and could really accomplish something wonderful if we could just get a few more of the missing pieces NOW.
- Der Kaiser

I'm glad we moved them. They were still only prospects (hopefuls) We moved quantity for quality. What we moved could have been great. could have busted. We haven't had this type of quality on the roster in a long time.

That's just it. We really don't know what the missing pieces are anymore. There's been too many moves made to really know that.

Everyone says we need a top 4 LHD. But having opposite L/R guys on each defensive pairing isn't a must. It's a "like to have." I bet if you go back and look at Chicago or LA, not all of their D pairings were split that way. Are there a lot of question marks on the blue line right now? Sure. But there are at forward as well.

We haven't seen Kane play for us at all. Or O'Reilly. Or Eichel. The only knowns we have up front that can be penciled into the top 6 are Moulson, Ennis and Girgs.

We haven't seen Lehner or Johnson play yet. The 2 guys in the organization in goal that have suited up and gotten time in net for the blue and gold are Makarov and Lieuwen, both of which will be in Rochester to start the year.

Lots of question marks and the only way to get the answers are to get the season going and see what they've got. I'm going to go with the theory of "not fixing something that's not broken." Currently, we don't know if it's broken, so I say leave it be.
- HonkFortheGoose

Cheers Goosie

I'm glad we moved them. They were still only prospects (hopefuls) We moved quantity for quality. What we moved could have been great. could have busted. We haven't had this type of quality on the roster in a long time.
- cabin

yeah. Murray executed his announced plan to a tee. Now, it's time to see if he was right. I'm psyched for the season and am just happy there's no where to go but up after last season....

yeah. Murray executed his announced plan to a tee. Now, it's time to see if he was right. I'm psyched for the season and am just happy there's no where to go but up after last season....
- seedy

I'm glad "trade them for more picks" is over for now.

I'm glad "trade them for more picks" is over for now.
- cabin

unless.........
we trade everyone for picks and start over!
AGAIN!



Seriously though....lets just get this season going.

Kane Oreilly Ennis
Moulson Eichel Gionta
McGinn Girgensons Reinhart
Foligno Larsson DesLauries

Kane Oreilly Ennis
Moulson Eichel Gionta
McGinn Girgensons Reinhart
Foligno Larsson DesLauries
- SabresRush

thats a waste of 2 wingers for Eichel. I can see Moulson finding open spots to get dished to, but at this point, I think Gionta is 3rd line material.
I like Girgs on Eichels wing and Larsson as the 3rd line center. unless he completely blows it, he played his way in to that spot last year.

thats a waste of 2 wingers for Eichel. I can see Moulson finding open spots to get dished to, but at this point, I think Gionta is 3rd line material.
I like Girgs on Eichels wing and Larsson as the 3rd line center. unless he completely blows it, he played his way in to that spot last year.
- seedy

you make good points, i'm not thrilled having Gionta as the 2nd line right winger, but i also don't like having too many guys playing the off wing on the right side as Ennis and Girgs are both lefty shooters. I think it just underscores this teams need for another another right handed sniper. At least they finally filled the gaping hole at the center position that has existed for the past 7 seasons!! Can't wait for Oct!

you make good points, i'm not thrilled having Gionta as the 2nd line right winger, but i also don't like having too many guys playing the off wing on the right side as Ennis and Girgs are both lefty shooters. I think it just underscores this teams need for another another right handed sniper. At least they finally filled the gaping hole at the center position that has existed for the past 7 seasons!! Can't wait for Oct!
- SabresRush

True. Lets just see what happens in camp. a lot could still change.

bettor hide way deep in that bunker, schultzie
- Michael Pachla

Prediction: Guhle gets 9 game tryout and almost makes the team

Prediction: Guhle gets 9 game tryout and almost makes the team
- MCGUIZZY

I agree

Prediction: The skunk gets 9 game tryout and almost drives the whole fan base crazy
- MCGUIZZY

Fixed.

Meszaros and his poopy hockey skills officially signed to a PTO. Now be less poopy than Guenin so they can get rid of that bum

Kane Oreilly Ennis
Moulson Eichel Gionta
McGinn Girgensons Reinhart
Foligno Larsson DesLauries
- SabresRush

Kane O'Reilly Ennis
Moulson Eichel Girgensons
McGinn Reinhart Gionta
Foligno Larsson DesLauries

Kane O'Reilly Ennis
Moulson Eichel Girgensons
McGinn Reinhart Gionta
Foligno Larsson DesLauries
- bigolbig

Kane-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Moulson-Eichel-Ennis
McGinn-Girgensons-Gionta
Foligno-Larsson-DesLauries

Fixed.
- Der Kaiser

nope

I agree
- yen6d1

Guhle isn't ready yet. His skating is NHL ready but his strength and Hockey iq aren't. He had a lot of turnovers last game. Also, when's the last time you've seen an 18 year old 2nd round pick make an NHL team? He won't play in an NHL regular season game this year.