Probably more like 2/3rds of the way...but the point is we still aren't there (obviously). We do have a pipeline just need to hit on some of those AND still more work to do.
Finishing low in the standings this year is actually the best that could happen for them this year...fill one of those holes on D or Wing, and fill another through FA.
- IonSabres

I agree, but if you are looking at a roster that is 2/3 complete, and you are at the bottom of the standings, it seems we are more than a tweak or two away from contending.

Obviously Eichel, Reinhart, Risto's development play a factor, but this team lacks a lot in secondary scoring and defense IMO

When Pysyk is back, play him and Franson as your 2nd pair, and Bogo/McCabe as the 3rd.

Also, I think the ice team needs to be spread evenly on the blue line, give Franson/Bogo/Risto all close to 20 min, as opposed to letting Risto get pummeled defensively.

Ristolainen looks excellent in the offensive end, however he's shooting at an unsustainable 9.3 shooting% and has a bunch of secondary assists. Pretty soon, the hot streak will end and he will need to get better in his own end
- sbroads24

I love the amount of negativity in this post about a Defenseman that got a hat trick last night.

I love the amount of negativity in this post about a Defenseman that got a hat trick last night.


- HonkFortheGoose

We lost last night (to the worst team in the league), and are a bottom 5 team. I think everyone would agree Ristolainen is really, really good. However he isn't going to score 20 goals like he is on pace for. He is getting puck luck.

He is getting hammered in his end, and was on for 3 or 4 of CGY's goals against

We lost last night (to the worst team in the league), and are a bottom 5 team. I think everyone would agree Ristolainen is really, really good. However he isn't going to score 20 goals like he is on pace for. He is getting puck luck.

He is getting hammered in his end, and was on for 3 or 4 of CGY's goals against
- sbroads24

He's 21 years old. He scored a hat trick last night.

Does the team need to improve? Yes. But to basically pick him out and be negative about him last night, is silly.

I'm fine with finding fault with the other 19 guys that laced up their skates last night. Risto shouldn't be the first one guy pointed to that needs to improve.

He's 21 years old. He scored a hat trick last night.

Does the team need to improve? Yes. But to basically pick him out and be negative about him last night, is silly.

I'm fine with finding fault with the other 19 guys that laced up their skates last night. Risto shouldn't be the first one guy pointed to that needs to improve.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'm not picking on him at all. You are reading what you want to read. He has been great this year. I think they need to shelter him though a little more.

I'm not picking on him at all. You are reading what you want to read. He has been great this year. I think they need to shelter him though a little more.
- sbroads24

I don't hate how Gorges has looked, but getting Risto a better partner should help that as well.

Here's an interesting stat. I just looked to see when Pysyk played last and how we've done overall with him out of the lineup. Prior to his injury, they were 8-9-1. Since he got hurt, they are 3-6-2. I think getting him back should help considerably. Hopefully it's soon.

I agree, but if you are looking at a roster that is 2/3 complete, and you are at the bottom of the standings, it seems we are more than a tweak or two away from contending.

Obviously Eichel, Reinhart, Risto's development play a factor, but this team lacks a lot in secondary scoring and defense IMO
- sbroads24

Agreed, I hope that is where Bailey and others can contribute in the future.
I still believe we need that sniper...though Ennis could be that guy, but man he has disappointed this year...hopefully they can get him back on track

He's 21 years old. He scored a hat trick last night.

Does the team need to improve? Yes. But to basically pick him out and be negative about him last night, is silly.

I'm fine with finding fault with the other 19 guys that laced up their skates last night. Risto shouldn't be the first one guy pointed to that needs to improve.
- HonkFortheGoose

What other 19? Only 19 play....

[b]I'm not picking on him at all
- sbroads24[/b]. You are reading what you want to read. He has been great this year. I think they need to shelter him though a little more.

Do you read what you write?

What other 19? Only 19 play....
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

The backup goalie also laces up his skates.

There's 20 players on a roster nightly.

I don't hate how Gorges has looked, but getting Risto a better partner should help that as well.

Here's an interesting stat. I just looked to see when Pysyk played last and how we've done overall with him out of the lineup. Prior to his injury, they were 8-9-1. Since he got hurt, they are 3-6-2. I think getting him back should help considerably. Hopefully it's soon.
- HonkFortheGoose

That pairs defensive woes are easily explainable.

One is past it, the other isn't there yet. A 26 year old version of each probably gets poop done.


Like on that Monahan goal, really nice pass by gaudreaubut you have to figure an actual top pairing guy (or even a top 4 guy with speed) probably keeps up with monahan when he goes to the net.

Do you read what you write?
- Irish 14

I usually don't read what you write.

The backup goalie also laces up his skates.

There's 20 players on a roster nightly.
- HonkFortheGoose

you got me, just didnt think Ullmark did that bad keeping the bench warm....

That pairs defensive woes are easily explainable.

One is past it, the other isn't there yet. A 26 year old version of each probably gets poop done.


Like on that Monahan goal, really nice pass by gaudreaubut you have to figure an actual top pairing guy (or even a top 4 guy with speed) probably keeps up with monahan when he goes to the net.
- Sabresfan-365

This team is having a TON of lapses though. Even from the forwards.

That pairs defensive woes are easily explainable.

One is past it, the other isn't there yet. A 26 year old version of each probably gets poop done.


Like on that Monahan goal, really nice pass by gaudreaubut you have to figure an actual top pairing guy (or even a top 4 guy with speed) probably keeps up with monahan when he goes to the net.
- Sabresfan-365

There's still a very big part of me that would like to see Pysyk with Risto. I know it probably seems a bit scary from a youth perspective, but I just feel like they would compliment each other well.

There's still a very big part of me that would like to see Pysyk with Risto. I know it probably seems a bit scary from a youth perspective, but I just feel like they would compliment each other well.
- HonkFortheGoose

Might happen in the future.
We are only 2-1/2 months into hopefully a 7+ year saga.

Enjoy the ride, it makes the finish more enjoyable!
Not directed to you, but really to all of us.

That pairs defensive woes are easily explainable.

One is past it, the other isn't there yet. A 26 year old version of each probably gets poop done.


Like on that Monahan goal, really nice pass by gaudreaubut you have to figure an actual top pairing guy (or even a top 4 guy with speed) probably keeps up with monahan when he goes to the net.
- Sabresfan-365

watching last night it seemed like Bogo and McCabe were sliding off their guys. That first goal by monahan, mccabe just slid off to ferland, which maybe when it comes to the system was the right move, but situational was not. And when monahan was left uncovered risto was about 5 ft behind him and just puck watched, forcing orielly to dive in there. They're both young so I dont hold it against them, but mistakes nonetheless.
And Bogo just never seems to be in the right place. Positioning's got to be something the work on.

I usually don't read what you write.
- sbroads24

I know, that's why you are behind! You always try to have it both ways with every topic. Have a good day

There's still a very big part of me that would like to see Pysyk with Risto. I know it probably seems a bit scary from a youth perspective, but I just feel like they would compliment each other well.
- HonkFortheGoose

There is a first time for everything.

I actually agree with you for once. I would like to see Pysyk with Risto. I agree that they would compliment each other well. I think Pysyk is underrated because of his stat line. You can see how McCabe's play went to poo when Pysyk went out.

There is a first time for everything.

I actually agree with you for once. I would like to see Pysyk with Risto. I agree that they would compliment each other well. I think Pysyk is underrated because of his stat line. You can see how McCabe's play went to poo when Pysyk went out.
- SabresPanacea

I think they either need to put Pysyk with McCabe or Risto and just let them go through their growing pains. If they can get one of those two pairings to really mesh, it makes a formidable pairing for years to come.

Pysyk is such a steadying force, yet so quiet about it people don't seem to realize how much he really does out there. To me, he's kind of like our version of Hjalmarsson. He'll end up the guy that never gets the glory but plays a very big role in our success.

New bloggy-wog, y'all.

Considering how many picks/assets were moved this offseason and last year, that's a shame
- sbroads24

I'm certainly with you on that thought.

Although to be fair, I think my frustration is really starting to get to me with the Bills/Sabres/Indians and no playoffs for a good enough while now.

Probably more like 2/3rds of the way...but the point is we still aren't there (obviously). We do have a pipeline just need to hit on some of those AND still more work to do.
Finishing low in the standings this year is actually the best that could happen for them this year...fill one of those holes on D or Wing, and fill another through FA.
- IonSabres

So , in other words.

Another pass for Murray this year as this team continues to fail?

I think they either need to put Pysyk with McCabe or Risto and just let them go through their growing pains. If they can get one of those two pairings to really mesh, it makes a formidable pairing for years to come.

Pysyk is such a steadying force, yet so quiet about it people don't seem to realize how much he really does out there. To me, he's kind of like our version of Hjalmarsson. He'll end up the guy that never gets the glory but plays a very big role in our success.
- HonkFortheGoose

It's good to see you back Goose. I know we don't get along so well, but I was genuinely worried something had happened when I didn't see you for a few days. Welcome back! This place just aint the same without you.

I guess there were only a few of us that expected this team to fail this year...
I'm glad I didn't expect much. On the other hand I do see a bright future for this team.