You could say the same for every team. Mike Schopp (local radio) said that Mark Pysyk was the 4th most important Sabre behind Eichel, O'Reilly and Risto. Said he was more important than Kane or Reinhart.

He played 11 minutes last game. At least what the WPG writer wrote, is somewhat reflective of what actually happens on the ice. Here is a whole other story
- sbroads24

Yes, but...BUT. Which 11 minutes did he play...just the important ones right?
See what I did there?

Don't quote JANIS Joplin.
- Der Kaiser

Kinda like Susan Tedeschi better...especially since she is with Daryl Trucks...that guy makes the damn guitar talk and sing.

This is essentially exactly what I said... McGinn is a great 2nd lime player Kane is a 1/2 line hybrid. Ennis has been hurt 85% of the year.
- bluengold12

I like Limes

And, yes.
I am expecting a solid FA or two this year to help. Not sure where...but if they trade McGinn and don't resign him, he is a fair sized hole to fill

Kinda like Susan Tedeschi better...especially since she is with Daryl Trucks...that guy makes the damn guitar talk and sing.
- IonSabres

I saw her and Trucks last summer. The woman is pure sex but she doesn't hold a candle to Janis's raw animistic soul pouring

I saw her and Trucks last summer. The woman is pure sex but she doesn't hold a candle to Janis's raw animistic soul pouring
- bluengold12

Well, I do like me some Janis...but at times she screams a bit too much for me.
IMO, Tedeschi has a voice of an angel.

And, yes.
I am expecting a solid FA or two this year to help. Not sure where...but if they trade McGinn and don't resign him, he is a fair sized hole to fill
- IonSabres

They need to resign McGinn cut loose Moulson ad Gionta. I also expect Ennis to be traded by the draft.
Next years line up should look something like this

? O'Riley Reinhart
Kane Eichel McGinn
Larsson Girgensons ?
Folgino ? Desluaries

? Risto
? Bogosian
Pysyk McCabe
Franson

So, last year we all agreed that the team had players who were playing at least one and more likely 2 lines higher than they should have been. Ennis, the best of them last season is a 2nd line winger on a competent team. The 3rd and 4th line was filled with AHLers.
This year, were we expecting that to have magically changed in one offseason?

For as good as ROR and McGinn have been, Moulson and Ennis are non-existent even when on the ice...draw there.
Eichel and Reinhart are developing, and contributing ... But clearly need more time to round out their game. Slight upgrade there.
Kane is about the same as Staff scoring wise, but shows up every game. Girgensons is not producing offensively as he did last year...but was asked to be a shut down 3c mostly. Slight upgrade to draw there.
Foligno, DeLo, Larson, are the same as last year...but Foligno looks a bit better lately. Draw there.
Gionta has slipped a bit, and Legwan is about the same as Flynn and others last year. Draw there.

Point 1 is, the Forwards are slightly better that last year collectively. Guys like McGinn and Kane are likely playing 1 line higher than they should.
Point 2 is, more time to develop will yield stronger play from 2 key guys in Eichel and Reinhart.
Point 3 is, we need an influx of 2 more top 6 players...and one needs to be a stud 1st liner. GMTM needs to hit on this draft big time.
Point 4 is, we need the 3rd and 4th liners to throw a goal more frequently than they have...especially from the 3rd line. Maybe that comes from an overhaul, Foligno out, Gionta out, Girgensons in...Maybe McGinn lands there as well.

To Max - I think this is an axceptional analysis...requesting Exceptional Staus please.
- IonSabres

By the power vested in me by The Cheech and Chong fan club. I grant you exceptional status!

By the power vested in me by The Cheech and Chong fan club. I grant you exceptional status!
- Maximum Signal

Thank you...now, like most of these young punks today...I think I should be getting paid by USA Today...and until I do, I'm not reporting anymore. Just gonna sit here and sulk. My Agent is pissed and said he can't believe I hadn't received the Pulitzer Prize yet.

They need to resign McGinn cut loose Moulson ad Gionta. I also expect Ennis to be traded by the draft.
Next years line up should look something like this

? O'Riley Reinhart
Kane Eichel McGinn
Larsson Girgensons ?
Folgino ? Desluaries

? Risto
? Bogosian
Pysyk McCabe
Franson
- bluengold12

I think you move McGinn down to 3rd...he can play up,when injuries occur.
Schaller is your 4th C.
Top pick is one of your wingers on 1st or 2nd, or your 1st pair D.
Also, hopefully the Ennis trade (with +) fills in the other

Still need FAs to plug holes

Thank you...now, like most of these young punks today...I think I should be getting paid by USA Today...and until I do, I'm not reporting anymore. Just gonna sit here and sulk. My Agent is pissed and said he can't believe I hadn't received the Pulitzer Prize yet.
- IonSabres

I like Limes
- jochfr

Goes great in a nice Pilsner glass with Genny Bock

And same color as the can.

Mark Pysyk played 11 minutes. Can someone explain to me what the plan is with him? Is he really just a #6 defensemen?
- sbroads24

Looked up his game log and last night appears to be an anomaly.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&season=20152016&view=log

He's been averaging just over 16 minutes per game so far this year.

Looked up his game log and last night appears to be an anomaly.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&season=20152016&view=log

He's been averaging just over 16 minutes per game so far this year.
- kingcong39

He was -2 against Colorado too. Perhaps the coaches wanted to limit his play a bit while he got comfortable getting back in the NHL.

They need to resign McGinn cut loose Moulson ad Gionta. I also expect Ennis to be traded by the draft.
Next years line up should look something like this

? O'Riley Reinhart
Kane Eichel McGinn
Larsson Girgensons ?
Folgino ? Desluaries

? Risto
? Bogosian
Pysyk McCabe
Franson
- bluengold12

I would definitely pencil McGinn on the 3rd line. Schaller has been solid since his callup, I dont see why they wouldnt give him a shot at the 4th line center. And Guhle should be coming up in a year or two for the D. I dont know how keen TM is on Brycen Martin these days. Should be in Rochester next year I think.

The rest are going to have to be filled with trades. I dont see any FA signing that would fill those spots. Unless Stamkos and TM have a secret...

So the big needs are a top 6 LW and RW and a top pair left D. I guess it all depends on where they land on the lottery. Besides shedding the UFA's, I dont see TM making a splash until then.

Looked up his game log and last night appears to be an anomaly.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&season=20152016&view=log

He's been averaging just over 16 minutes per game so far this year.
- kingcong39

16 minutes is still that of a 3rd pairing defenseman

16 minutes is still that of a 3rd pairing defenseman
- sbroads24

If he doesn't play the PP and very little of the PK it is not going to get his minutes up to 20+

Talent wise he is a 3-4 D on the Sabres.

16 minutes is still that of a 3rd pairing defenseman
- sbroads24

My guess is you will see TOI gradually go up as the season continues along, assuming he isn't injured again, and it will rise again post trade deadline.

If he doesn't play the PP and very little of the PK it is not going to get his minutes up to 20+

Talent wise he is a 3-4 D on the Sabres.
- GilPerreault11

My point was how ridiculous people in the Buffalo media can be as well. Calling Pysyk the 4th most important Sabre is ludicrous.

It's obvious that Jake McCabe is viewed as more important to this franchise

My point was how ridiculous people in the Buffalo media can be as well. Calling Pysyk the 4th most important Sabre is ludicrous.

It's obvious that Jake McCabe is viewed as more important to this franchise
- sbroads24

Jake McCabe, who played 14 minutes against Arizona and 15 minutes against Washington while Pysyk played the same amount of time as he did in those games?

McCabe has averaged 2:20 more per game then Pysyk who was out for 2 months.

That makes it clear that McCabe is more important than Pysyk according to the franchise?

McCabe was also in the press box for the Colorado game where Pysyk played 19 minutes.

Jake McCabe, who played 14 minutes against Arizona and 15 minutes against Washington while Pysyk played the same amount of time as he did in those games?

McCabe has averaged 2:20 more per game then Pysyk who was out for 2 months.

That makes it clear that McCabe is more important than Pysyk according to the franchise?

McCabe was also in the press box for the Colorado game where Pysyk played 19 minutes.
- kingcong39

Yes, I believe he is. He's also played 13 games in which he had 20+ minutes

He's also been trusted to play in all situations against decent competition, and Pysyk has primarily played a 3rd pairing role against easy competiton

Yes, I believe he is. He's also played 13 games in which he had 20+ minutes

He's also been trusted to play in all situations against decent competition, and Pysyk has primarily played a 3rd pairing role against easy competiton
- sbroads24

There's a difference between you believing he is and the organization believing he is.

Tough to judge based on one of the two players in question having been out for 2 months of the season.

Does anybody have any thoughts about the local kid, Sean Malone? I don't think I've heard a word about him since we drafted him in 2013.

Some on here remind me of veruca salt from willy wonka

I'm a Pysyk fan, and want to see him play more minutes....but he is 24 years old now. He doesn't need to be brought along slowly. Bylsma sees him as a #5 or #6 D.

McCabe is 21 and had just a few career games until this season. Yet Bylsma trusts him more some nights. He's sees him with greater upside IMO