Looks like Schaller beat out Phil Varone. should be a battle between McCabe Donovan and Colaiacovo for tha last spot imo. Rudy and Luduc are gone when Bogo and Risto come back
- yen6d1

I like Schaller, but I think he ends up in Rochester this year. Kid's got a great motor though and he has a pretty nice scoring touch.

the price they paid for Suh, they lost 4 guys on the D

they also got a TE downgrade


I expected them to be better this season, seems the fins are just another 6-10/7-9 team
- homiedclown

There problem is management and coaching. If Tannehill was supplemented by a decent run game and solid O-line, they could succeed. But they are too concerned with making be free agent splashes and trying to throw it 50 times a game

is there room for him up front?


I like the kid for pk and shut down roll, I just don't see a spot for him, unless a move or 2 is in the works
- homiedclown

Completely agreed, he's probably got one more year until is real shot.
His only hope is for Legwand to come of the books and to beat out Cody McCormick.
Moving McGinn at the deadline would allow Larsson to move up for him

Completely agreed, he's probably got one more year until is real shot.
His only hope is for Legwand to come of the books and to beat out Cody McCormick.
Moving McGinn at the deadline would allow Larsson to move up for him
- yen6d1

McCormick is still dealing with his blood clot issue. He may never play again.

The way Ennis has been on fire raises a very, very interesting point I'm not sure we're all thinking about enough.

Every one is excited by the improvement this team is going to see as a direct consequence of adding all the new faces. But I haven't really thought about the reality that all this new talent should also go a long way toward making everyone around them better too. So Ennis, Moulson, Foligno, Larsson, Deslauriers Gionta(?)- all these guys will seem much "better" just because they are playing closer to their natural roles, and because they are benefitting from the infusion of talent around them.

My point is this: there will be an indirect benefit from that infusion of talent that may be as larger, or even larger, than the direct benefit itself.

I like Schaller, but I think he ends up in Rochester this year. Kid's got a great motor though and he has a pretty nice scoring touch.
- HonkFortheGoose

Nothing flashy but yes i go to numerous Amerk games a year and he has improved his offense each year. The way 4th lines are changing he could be an diamond in the rough

i was very happy we got McGinn but my god he looks nothing like he did with the sharks or the avs when he broke out

McCormick is still dealing with his blood clot issue. He may never play again.
- HonkFortheGoose

True, Also Cal OReilly pobably has the edge on schaller now

True, Also Cal OReilly pobably has the edge on schaller now
- yen6d1

Disagree.

Frank Krulicki ‏@krufrank 14h14 hours ago

BUF + CGY talking trade. Would guess it would be for Hiller. Just guessing though.


if true we could make the playoffs with hiller imo

The way Ennis has been on fire raises a very, very interesting point I'm not sure we're all thinking about enough.

Every one is excited by the improvement this team is going to see as a direct consequence of adding all the new faces. But I haven't really thought about the reality that all this new talent should also go a long way toward making everyone around them better too. So Ennis, Moulson, Foligno, Larsson, Deslauriers Gionta(?)- all these guys will seem much "better" just because they are playing closer to their natural roles, and because they are benefitting from the infusion of talent around them.

My point is this: there will be an indirect benefit from that infusion of talent that may be as larger, or even larger, than the direct benefit itself.
- Der Kaiser

This was what I figured would happen with someone like Ennis or even Girgensons. They are very good, surround them with other very good players and they start to actually produce like very good players.

True, Also Cal OReilly pobably has the edge on schaller now
- yen6d1

they would have to sign him to a NHL contract for that to happen right ?

The way Ennis has been on fire raises a very, very interesting point I'm not sure we're all thinking about enough.

Every one is excited by the improvement this team is going to see as a direct consequence of adding all the new faces. But I haven't really thought about the reality that all this new talent should also go a long way toward making everyone around them better too. So Ennis, Moulson, Foligno, Larsson, Deslauriers Gionta(?)- all these guys will seem much "better" just because they are playing closer to their natural roles, and because they are benefitting from the infusion of talent around them.

My point is this: there will be an indirect benefit from that infusion of talent that may be as larger, or even larger, than the direct benefit itself.
- Der Kaiser

Absolutely. This is the exact reason that I didn't want Ennis traded at any point. There were plenty of people that kept saying he could bring in a "better" player. I didn't think so. I think he's going to have a huge year. The fact that he put up 20 goals each of the last 2 years on the worst team ever says a lot about what he's capable of.

Disagree.
- Der Kaiser

I hope you're right

Frank Krulicki ‏@krufrank 14h14 hours ago

BUF + CGY talking trade. Would guess it would be for Hiller. Just guessing though.


if true we could make the playoffs with hiller imo
- gerbe75pts

If this is true I really like it. It demonstrates that GMTM is willing to second guess himself even after going all in on a guy he was sure was the answer, and to consider the possibility that he wasnt.

It also means the Sabres are in a win now mode.

This is very exciting.

i was very happy we got McGinn but my god he looks nothing like he did with the sharks or the avs when he broke out
- gerbe75pts

He's been out for pretty much an entire year. It's going to take a bit for him to get comfortable being out there again.

they would have to sign him to a NHL contract for that to happen right ?
- gerbe75pts

Ahhh good point, I think you're right if he doesnt make the opening season roster he'd have to pass through waivers to move up

The way Ennis has been on fire raises a very, very interesting point I'm not sure we're all thinking about enough.

Every one is excited by the improvement this team is going to see as a direct consequence of adding all the new faces. But I haven't really thought about the reality that all this new talent should also go a long way toward making everyone around them better too. So Ennis, Moulson, Foligno, Larsson, Deslauriers Gionta(?)- all these guys will seem much "better" just because they are playing closer to their natural roles, and because they are benefitting from the infusion of talent around them.

My point is this: there will be an indirect benefit from that infusion of talent that may be as larger, or even larger, than the direct benefit itself.
- Der Kaiser

I think everyone in that top 6 will be better because of an influx of talent. However, I am taking individual performances right now with a grain of salt. It's preseason. With vanilla rosters and no gameplanning, a lot of players can look much better or worse than they really are. It's also why Lehner doesn't bother me yet either.

i was very happy we got McGinn but my god he looks nothing like he did with the sharks or the avs when he broke out
- gerbe75pts

Have we ever had a player look completely out if it in the preseason and yet come the regular season become a productive player? right now im a little worried that we got ales kotalik back the guy is noticably bad and then when you are just about ready to give up on him, he will have a 2goal 3pt night. Then right back to the bad.

I think everyone in that top 6 will be better because of an influx of talent. However, I am taking individual performances right now with a grain of salt. It's preseason. With vanilla rosters and no gameplanning, a lot of players can look much better or worse than they really are. It's also why Lehner doesn't bother me yet either.
- buffalofan19

Pretty weak D in front of him too without risto an bogo..he's not the only goalie to struggle

I think everyone in that top 6 will be better because of an influx of talent. However, I am taking individual performances right now with a grain of salt. It's preseason. With vanilla rosters and no gameplanning, a lot of players can look much better or worse than they really are. It's also why Lehner doesn't bother me yet either.
- buffalofan19

Very good point, and for the most part I feel the same.

However, I think that what we've seen from Ennis, Kane, Girgensons, and Eichel is what we're going to see overall during the season. They're going to be a very difficult team to defend. There's just so many weapons at Bylsma's disposal, it'll be impossible for the other team to get the best defensive matchups on a nightly basis.

As for Lehner, he hadn't played since February, and it shows. However, I'm not panicked because goalies get better with repetition. It may take a bit for him to find his rhythm, but I think he'll be fine once he does.

I think everyone should take the Brendan guhle situation seriously I thought he would be sent down by now but they're still keeping him and I think hes going to make it to the regular season

If this is true I really like it. It demonstrates that GMTM is willing to second guess himself even after going all in on a guy he was sure was the answer, and to consider the possibility that he wasnt.

It also means the Sabres are in a win now mode.

This is very exciting.
- Der Kaiser

Following 739 and 656 followers....gunna go out on a limb and say it's not. GMTM doesn't strike me as the kind of gm to second guess himself. He's not gonna give up a first for his protege just to bench him.

Following 739 and 656 followers....gunna go out on a limb and say it's not. GMTM doesn't strike me as the kind of gm to second guess himself. He's not gonna give up a first for his protege just to bench him.
- Sabresfan-365

It is awfully early for a double clutch.

I think everyone should take the Brendan guhle situation seriously I thought he would be sent down by now but they're still keeping him and I think hes going to make it to the regular season
- gerbe75pts

I think they like what they've seen and with the injuries to Risto and Bogo it gives them some space to allow him to stick around for a bit. But he'll be going back to Jr. There isn't room for him right now and there's no need to rush him.