With Risto turning the corner big time and being a legit #1 d man, and the goalies still being in the top 16 in goals allowed per game



this team should be much better than where we are right now IMO
- homiedclown

I don't know. This team is pretty much where I expected them to be this year. There are games where they look great and there are games where they don't. They're consistently inconsistent. It's what I figured we'd see being that the roster had a ton of turnover, a new coach was brought in, and the team is very young.

I'm enjoying watching and don't feel the need to nitpick at this point. You can see the flashes of how good they can be when it all comes together, so for now, I'm going to sit back and just enjoy being a Sabres fan again.

pens are 28th in goals scored per game
ducks are dead last



- homiedclown

Lots of goofed stats this season. 10pts separate 15th -30th.

I'm sure it will be a bigger margin as we get farther into the season. But the lower section of the league is closer than normal.

Lots of goofed stats this season. 10pts separate 15th -30th.

I'm sure it will be a bigger margin as we get farther into the season. But the lower section of the league is closer than normal.
- cabin

the west no longer owns the east

I know that much

Ahh ok. I will let you know for sure by tonight about tix for the 28th then.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

ty

I love Christmas coming and all that (wish we had some snow ) but I am really looking forward to each game. Cant wait for Saturday. That, I know, is a lame version of "success" for an nhl team but for me it is so much fun watching a rebuild. All gmtm's moves...some awesome some wtf, the kids, Risto, the goalies playing solid, trade deadline,buyers/sellers, Kane blowing by everyone and shooting wide, all of it is a blast.

I barely made it through any full 60 minute games last year, so yeah, there is success so far.

Merry Xmas, happy Hannukah, Festivus,and Friday for all the atheists out there!

the west no longer owns the east

I know that much
- homiedclown

Im not sold on that, especially looking at the top 8 on either side. When I look at the west, I see 4 legit cup contenders. In the east I see 1 right now.

What's the deal with this William Borgen kid? 4th rounder out of high school has 9 assists in 18 college games and makes the USA WJ team. He's 188 lbs and 6'2".

What's the deal with this William Borgen kid? 4th rounder out of high school has 9 assists in 18 college games and makes the USA WJ team. He's 188 lbs and 6'2".
- Zschalberg

He's really good

http://www.democratandchr...c0e43be7732232d35c9d05dc3

Vanek

He's really good
- Sabresfan-365

What's he good at? What's his strength? Does he have any chance of that strength carrying over into the NHL? He's not overly big and doesn't see like an offensive force, having 61 points in 85 high school games.

He really just came out of nowhere for me. I knew he was a late round pick I was just surprised he had made the WJ squad

Too good not to share


- Stripes77

What's he good at? What's his strength? Does he have any chance of that strength carrying over into the NHL? He's not overly big and doesn't see like an offensive force, having 61 points in 85 high school games.

He really just came out of nowhere for me. I knew he was a late round pick I was just surprised he had made the WJ squad
- Zschalberg

He's basically Pysyk but I think he's starting to find a better offensive game too. The strengths are the same though (breakouts, skating, smart etc).

His play this year reminds me a lot of when McCabe was on the WJ team. He just seems to be able to put it altogether. He's looked really good at St. Cloud so far (that's according to other people, i've only seen 1 of his games but he looked great there too).

He's impressed quite a few people who are covering the US team as well.

He's basically Pysyk but I think he's starting to find a better offensive game too. The strengths are the same though (breakouts, skating, smart etc).

His play this year reminds me a lot of when McCabe was on the WJ team. He just seems to be able to put it altogether. He's looked really good at St. Cloud so far (that's according to other people, i've only seen 1 of his games but he looked great there too).

He's impressed quite a few people who are covering the US team as well.
- Sabresfan-365

If Murray can hit on a few mid round picks like Borgen and Guhle (assuming they do) it will go a long way.

Just watched the latest edition of the Blue & Gold series.

Zach's 2 pups are beautiful (both German Shepherds)

Man after my own heart.

Now I like Zach even more for sure !!!!

If Murray can hit on a few mid round picks like Borgen and Guhle (assuming they do) it will go a long way.
- sbroads24

It is asking a ton, but if he can also get lucky with a later pick that turns into something resembling a Tarasenko or even a Tyler Toffoli, the team will be set for the future.

If Murray can hit on a few mid round picks like Borgen and Guhle (assuming they do) it will go a long way.
- sbroads24

Guhle I've heard more about. The ones that I wanted to hear a lot about this year (Bailey and Baptiste) have really quieted down from last year. I don't want to say our cupboards are bare but I will say it doesn't look as nice as it did last year, which is expected once you start getting into the building phase.

Hopefully this years draft can help get some offensive players that can grow into NHLers

Guhle I've heard more about. The ones that I wanted to hear a lot about this year (Bailey and Baptiste) have really quieted down from last year. I don't want to say our cupboards are bare but I will say it doesn't look as nice as it did last year, which is expected once you start getting into the building phase.

Hopefully this years draft can help get some offensive players that can grow into NHLers
- Zschalberg

The problem is that Bailey and Baptiste don't really have a very good center to play with in Rochester. All of our good young centers are already on the team. Nothing against Cal O'Reilly or Tim Schaller, but playing with them isn't quite the same as playing with guys like ROR or Eichel.

It is asking a ton, but if he can also get lucky with a later pick that turns into something resembling a Tarasenko or even a Tyler Toffoli, the team will be set for the future.
- kingcong39

I think you have a better chance of that being from the 1st round. A later round pick of that magnitude is just a shot in the dark.

Cornel is looking like he is our best pick offensively and he only has 39 points in 35 games in the OHL. Nothing to sneeze at, sure, but I'm worried we don't have that guy in the system that is going to be able to fill a top 6 role.

The problem is that Bailey and Baptiste don't really have a very good center to play with in Rochester. All of our good young centers are already on the team. Nothing against Cal O'Reilly or Tim Schaller, but playing with them isn't quite the same as playing with guys like ROR or Eichel.
- HonkFortheGoose

True. I'm hoping that is the problem but seeing 15 and 10 points in 28 games doesn't exactly make me confident about their ability once they're against NHL competition.

That said, this is their first year in the AHL and that entire team hasn't been great. Hoping maybe we'll see one of them sometime this year

If Murray can hit on a few mid round picks like Borgen and Guhle (assuming they do) it will go a long way.
- sbroads24

I like the D-men he's picked. It's the forwards that are a bit concerning (partly because he dealt two of the more promising ones). Martin (before his trade), Guhle, Borgen have all played very well. Estephan is really the only forward that's stood out for us. Cornel has played well but he's one of the older players in junior.

I think you have a better chance of that being from the 1st round. A later round pick of that magnitude is just a shot in the dark.

Cornel is looking like he is our best pick offensively and he only has 39 points in 35 games in the OHL. Nothing to sneeze at, sure, but I'm worried we don't have that guy in the system that is going to be able to fill a top 6 role.
- Zschalberg

I'll be interested to see what Fasching can do at the AHL level.
He's rumored to leave College at the end of this season and has 14 points in 15 games. might be the net front presence we need on the PP in a few years. I would expect he would spend at least one full season in Rochester.
Apparently, he has worked on his skating and it shows.
I would assume Ghule gets a year + in Rochester as well...

True. I'm hoping that is the problem but seeing 15 and 10 points in 28 games doesn't exactly make me confident about their ability once they're against NHL competition.

That said, this is their first year in the AHL and that entire team hasn't been great. Hoping maybe we'll see one of them sometime this year
- Zschalberg

Bailey was considered a bit of a project when he was drafted but the potential upside was huge. Baptiste was a 3rd rounder that kind of came out of nowhere the season after he was drafted. I wouldn't be surprised if it just takes him a bit to adjust. Some guys (like Larsson) need a bit of time to get things going again at a higher level of competition. I have high hopes for Baptiste because I think he could be a great fit on a line with Eichel. He has the wheels to keep up and played last season with McDavid.

Bailey was considered a bit of a project when he was drafted but the potential upside was huge. Baptiste was a 3rd rounder that kind of came out of nowhere the season after he was drafted. I wouldn't be surprised if it just takes him a bit to adjust. Some guys (like Larsson) need a bit of time to get things going again at a higher level of competition. I have high hopes for Baptiste because I think he could be a great fit on a line with Eichel. He has the wheels to keep up and played last season with McDavid.
- HonkFortheGoose

Not the name to endow me with confidence lol. But your point is made. Bailey is the one that I have my hopes set on. 6'4", 200lbs.

If either of them can learn to become that top 6 winger we will be sitting pretty in 2-3 years. Even if they can be 3rd line contributers by that time, it'll really help with that depth scoring we really need.

I like the D-men he's picked. It's the forwards that are a bit concerning (partly because he dealt two of the more promising ones). Martin (before his trade), Guhle, Borgen have all played very well. Estephan is really the only forward that's stood out for us. Cornel has played well but he's one of the older players in junior.
- Sabresfan-365

Armia looks like he's getting comfortable in the NHL. Made a few nice plays the other night. I haven't written him off yet like others.

Cornel/Karabacek are nothings IMO

Armia looks like he's getting comfortable in the NHL. Made a few nice plays the other night. I haven't written him off yet like others.

Cornel/Karabacek are nothings IMO
- sbroads24

Armia might eventually do something, but that kid has been taking his sweet time. Even this year, 8 points in 18 AHL games. It's not terrible but he's 22 so if he's going to break out before he peaks at 25 he better hurry up.

As for Cornel, I won't say he's nothing. He's 21st in OHL scoring. Not lighting up the world, but he's doing better than some of our prospect and he's only 19.