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.
- HonkFortheGoose

Don't get me wrong. I think those guys will be fun to watch, but it's also a long season. Players will grow hot and cold, and coaches will figure out how to neutralize them at times, especially when you consider that this forward group is still incredibly young.

Don't get me wrong. I think those guys will be fun to watch, but it's also a long season. Players will grow hot and cold, and coaches will figure out how to neutralize them at times, especially when you consider that this forward group is still incredibly young.
- buffalofan19

Absolutely. Our best hope should be that when one guy goes cold another gets hot at the same time. It would help keep things a bit even. I know Ennis isn't going to get 4 points a night. I know Eichel is going to go stretches where he doesn't get on the scoresheet.

What I'd like to see though, is that when these guys are struggling to find the net, they're at least still effective in other ways (defensively, etc). It's a young team and there are inevitably going to struggle at times throughout the season. But damn, it feels good to know that the hockey we're going to see this team play this year is going to be much more entertaining than what we've gotten for the last 2.

Are there legs to this Calgary rumor? I wonder what we'd have to give up for Hiller. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up another pick/prospect for yet another goaltender. The Lehner deal is still the only one I dislike - but still so much time to decide whether or not it was worth it...

Are there legs to this Calgary rumor? I wonder what we'd have to give up for Hiller. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up another pick/prospect for yet another goaltender. The Lehner deal is still the only one I dislike - but still so much time to decide whether or not it was worth it...
- Cup Crazy '07

weber, a blah prospect and a pick (3rd or 4th)


just a guess since they lost one of their d men for a bit

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

Spot on.
I have been saying for years back to Darcy/Lindy days that many players are playing 1 line higher than their talent enables them to be effective.
We are now broaching a time when the opposite is true for the bottom six...in time some of those could play a line higher...I think Girgensons will eventually be a guy like that...playing on the 3rd line but on many teams could be a top 6.
Of course, trades will impact that.

Are there legs to this Calgary rumor? I wonder what we'd have to give up for Hiller. I'm not sure I'm ready to give up another pick/prospect for yet another goaltender. The Lehner deal is still the only one I dislike - but still so much time to decide whether or not it was worth it...
- Cup Crazy '07

On its face value it doesn't make a lot of sense, but stranger things have happened. Murray just sent pick #21 in a deep draft for Lehner and Legwand's cap dump, and now after two starts in the preseason his faith in Lehner is over and he's going after Hiller.

We have a few assets to send Calgary but not a whole lot they would want, and sending anymore of our blue chip prospects away would really begin hurting the farm at this point. As much as I would not want to give him up but I would bet Larsson would be one of the pieces going to Calgary, freeing up Legwand for 4th line duties.

If this trade did go down and if I was Pegula, I would be on the phone with Tim real fast wanting an explanation as to why my team doesn't have Konecny because you sent pick #21 away for a goalie you are now going to relegate to a back up roll.

On its face value it doesn't make a lot of sense, but stranger things have happened. Murray just sent pick #21 in a deep draft for Lehner and Legwand's cap dump, and now after two starts in the preseason his faith in Lehner is over and he's going after Hiller.

We have a few assets to send Calgary but not a whole lot they would want, and sending anymore of our blue chip prospects away would really begin hurting the farm at this point. As much as I would not want to give him up but I would bet Larsson would be one of the pieces going to Calgary, freeing up Legwand for 4th line duties.

If this trade did go down and if I was Pegula, I would be on the phone with Tim real fast wanting an explanation as to why my team doesn't have Konecny because you sent pick #21 away for a goalie you are now going to relegate to a back up roll.
- sskkoo1

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.
- HonkFortheGoose

i watched one of the games that was played on NHL network where lehner played.. his movement was not very good in the net and i felt like he wasn't following the puck very good.. That right there is really screw you up, if he can fix that i think he will be decent

WEBER MAKES THE ROSTER!!! Yes!

(new blog).

WEBER MAKES THE ROSTER!!! Yes!

(new blog).
- Der Kaiser

bust out the hard hats

WEBER MAKES THE ROSTER!!! Yes!

(new blog).
- Der Kaiser

WEBER MAKES THE ROSTER!!! Yes!

(new blog).
- Der Kaiser

Tank Saviour

Tank Saviour
- Sabresfan-365

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

What a surprise!
A positive spin for a huge, fresh bed shatting by Turd Murray.