I have to think that if they had any confidence that Lieuwen could play in the NHL, he would not have been replaced by Ullmark in the first place.
- buffalofan19

Ullmark and Lehner seem to be the future net minders. Both tall, young swedes like Murray prefers.

I'm starting to think that the reason Eichel doesn't have any assists is no one is ready for those passes he's been making. There were several passes last night where no one was in front of the net to get them.

I have to think that if they had any confidence that Lieuwen could play in the NHL, he would not have been replaced by Ullmark in the first place.
- buffalofan19

I don't think they liked the idea of putting Lieuwen in after sitting for close to 2 weeks. Ullmark had gotten regular starts in the AHL. Not to mention I'm sure they were probably being cautious since Lieuwen had all those issues last year due to the concussion 2 seasons ago. I'd like to get a look at what he can do here though. Can't possibly be much worse than what we've seen from Johnson at times this year.

I'm starting to think that the reason Eichel doesn't have any assists is no one is ready for those passes he's been making. There were several passes last night where no one was in front of the net to get them.
- Pope of Pucks

I still love how he just shrugged Sustr off of him last night. That was awesome.

I'm starting to think that the reason Eichel doesn't have any assists is no one is ready for those passes he's been making. There were several passes last night where no one was in front of the net to get them.
- Pope of Pucks

That kid has a hell of a powerful wrist/forearm. Everything he does seems to whip off the stick blade in such a quick motion that you don't really even see.

Obviously we see his goals doing that, but I watched a pass last night with such speed whip across ice to a d-man from him and it looked like no movement from him.

I'm starting to think that the reason Eichel doesn't have any assists is no one is ready for those passes he's been making. There were several passes last night where no one was in front of the net to get them.
- Pope of Pucks

There's two parts to this:

1. There are the passes he's making to teammates who aren't ready for them; and

2. There are the passes he's making to teammates who aren't in the place he's passing the puck.

I'm not sure there's any value in the second one: a great pass to a great spot on the ice if there isn't a teammate there to collect the pass and shoot. Lots of people would call that a "turnover." It's just more of the stuff where it seems like he's pushing too hard to accomplish things.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Eichel. I just think he's still going through an adjustment learning to play within the flow of the game.

I don't think they liked the idea of putting Lieuwen in after sitting for close to 2 weeks. Ullmark had gotten regular starts in the AHL. Not to mention I'm sure they were probably being cautious since Lieuwen had all those issues last year due to the concussion 2 seasons ago. I'd like to get a look at what he can do here though. Can't possibly be much worse than what we've seen from Johnson at times this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think they would have played him at some point during those two weeks if they had any confidence in him at all. I don't think he's really in the plans.

There's two parts to this:

1. There are the passes he's making to teammates who aren't ready for them; and

2. There are the passes he's making to teammates who aren't in the place he's passing the puck.

I'm not sure there's any value in the second one: a great pass to a great spot on the ice if there isn't a teammate there to collect the pass and shoot. Lots of people would call that a "turnover." It's just more of the stuff where it seems like he's pushing too hard to accomplish things.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Eichel. I just think he's still going through an adjustment learning to play within the flow of the game.
- Der Kaiser

I feel like he and reinhart played well together because they both know how to find open ice and to get pucks to those spots. Im not so sure im convinced that Eichel needs to be on a line with players that can keep up with him. And if thats the case, Kane can play left when he gets back, Reinhart should take right.

I don't think they liked the idea of putting Lieuwen in after sitting for close to 2 weeks. Ullmark had gotten regular starts in the AHL. Not to mention I'm sure they were probably being cautious since Lieuwen had all those issues last year due to the concussion 2 seasons ago. I'd like to get a look at what he can do here though. Can't possibly be much worse than what we've seen from Johnson at times this year.
- HonkFortheGoose

out of curiosity i look at the stats in Roch.. Ullmark is the only one that has decent stats the others have crappy numbers..

I liked what i saw of lewey a few years ago in Buffalo before he got injured. But one has to wonder how he is after the head beating he took.

I feel like he and reinhart played well together because they both know how to find open ice and to get pucks to those spots. Im not so sure im convinced that Eichel needs to be on a line with players that can keep up with him. And if thats the case, Kane can play left when he gets back, Reinhart should take right.
- seedy

reinhart has made the passes to an open space that players were not in several times too.

Will it just take the other players getting used to playing with people who see the ice so well.. or will they never get there because they just aren't good enough? I tend to think its the later. those two need intelligent players on their line

reinhart has made the passes to an open space that players were not in several times too.

Will it just take the other players getting used to playing with people who see the ice so well.. or will they never get there because they just aren't good enough? I tend to think its the later. those two need intelligent players on their line
- IndianaSabresFan

those two need intelligent players on their line
- IndianaSabresFan

right. Thats why im saying thay should be on the same line together....

- Der Kaiser

or ?

or ?


- cabin

If he stays in one place all the time, Eichel and Reinhart can get the puck to him. Brilliant!

right. Thats why im saying thay should be on the same line together....
- seedy

i would not be against that.. or at least put ROR with one of them.. hell gionta may not be the best anymore but i think he would get what they are doing.

- Der Kaiser

Buffalo Sabres ‏@BuffaloSabres 1m1 minute ago
New look #Sabres lines:
Moulson-O'Reilly-Gionta
Ennis-Girgensons-Reinhart
Larsson-Eichel-McGinn
Deslauriers-Legwand-Foligno

the bills better be all over Matthew stafford this summer if he wants out

Buffalo Sabres ‏@BuffaloSabres 1m1 minute ago
New look #Sabres lines:
Moulson-O'Reilly-Gionta
Ennis-Girgensons-Reinhart
Larsson-Eichel-McGinn
Deslauriers-Legwand-Foligno
- Sabre_Tooth

what in the (frank) ????????????

what in the (frank) ????????????
- gerbe75pts

This...also...that second line looks pretty gnarly

Buffalo Sabres ‏@BuffaloSabres 1m1 minute ago
New look #Sabres lines:
Moulson-O'Reilly-Gionta
Ennis-Girgensons-Reinhart
Larsson-Eichel-McGinn
Deslauriers-Legwand-Foligno
- Sabre_Tooth

Not a fan of lines 1 and 3. 2 and 4 look fine.

Not a fan of lines 1 and 3. 2 and 4 look fine.
- HonkFortheGoose

Larsson-Eichel-McGinn played together last night, no?

Sammy Watkins (ankle) left practice early Friday.
Watkins had his ankle heavily taped and was working off to the side with the training staff at the start of practice. After being on the field Wednesday and Thursday, a downgrade Friday wouldn't be a positive sign for Watkins' chances of playing Sunday. We'll know his injury status within an hour.

Sammy Watkins (ankle) left practice early Friday.
Watkins had his ankle heavily taped and was working off to the side with the training staff at the start of practice. After being on the field Wednesday and Thursday, a downgrade Friday wouldn't be a positive sign for Watkins' chances of playing Sunday. We'll know his injury status within an hour.




- SABRES 89