- homiedclown

Remember when the world almost stopped turning as we tried to sign Babcock? Important lesson: Winning the offseason headlines doesn't amount to poop.

ROR will be fine, he was brought in here for precisely:
1-Shield Eichel and Reinhart so they can grow into their roles
2-Provide leadership both on and off the ice...how to prepare, how to play a 200 foot game, be accountable...all incredibly important skills and traits for a young team to learn and become second nature to their respective game.

This year and next year will be demanding for ROR...by then, he should have a solid core who learned to play the right way to expand those learnings to the next cycle of youngins.

Lovin what he is doing.

Why worry about what anyone here thinks?
Try not to.
Chances are, you will never meet these people "in the flesh".
I have met one person on here since becoming a member and that was only because, I felt that he was one of the more genuine posters here.
Give your entitled opinions and simply allow the "cliques" to try and assault you for them.
Take comfort in knowing that they need numbers and you, well... move on being you.
- BuffaloHardHat

I really, really like this guy.

to tank, or not to tank

to tank, or not to tank
- homiedclown

I don't think you can come out an blatantly tank like they did the last 2 years.

However if they keep losing these 2-1 3-2 games so be it.

The end game should be getting one of the top 3 forwards in this draft if they aren't making a real playoff push.

Either way I don't think a 9th place finish is a death sentence this year as they already have their key pieces. Would I like to add one more from this years draft absolutely but if they go on a run and finish in 9th it should show this team is capable of winning.

I don't think you can come out an blatantly tank like they did the last 2 years.

However if they keep losing these 2-1 3-2 games so be it.

The end game should be getting one of the top 3 forwards in this draft if they aren't making a real playoff push.

Either way I don't think a 9th place finish is a death sentence this year as they already have their key pieces. Would I like to add one more from this years draft absolutely but if they go on a run and finish in 9th it should show this team is capable of winning.
- Stripes77

I want them to lose every game 4-3 from here on out

of course my mind can change at 5 pm when I finish this 12 pack of sierra

I want them to lose every game 4-3 from here on out

of course my mind can change at 5 pm when I finish this 12 pack of sierra
- homiedclown

It's the age old question here.

The thing is if they go on a run and finish on the outside of the playoffs you should in theory of course be able to make the roster moves necessary to make this a playoff team next year. It all depends on if Eichel keeps producing, Kane starts looking like the player we want him to and they find a partner for Risto.

I still say we draft in the top 5 grab a forward and make a push for Yandle.

Kane ROR Reinhart
draft pick Eichel Girgensons
Fasching Larsson Ennis
Foligno Schaller Gionta
Moulson Delo

Risto Yandle
Gorges Bogosian
Pysyk McCabe
Franson

Lehner
Ullmark

to tank, or not to tank
- homiedclown

Tank

I don't think you can come out an blatantly tank like they did the last 2 years.

However if they keep losing these 2-1 3-2 games so be it.

The end game should be getting one of the top 3 forwards in this draft if they aren't making a real playoff push.

Either way I don't think a 9th place finish is a death sentence this year as they already have their key pieces. Would I like to add one more from this years draft absolutely but if they go on a run and finish in 9th it should show this team is capable of winning.
- Stripes77

Chychrun looked good in the prospects game. Looked like the prototypical 6'5 top pairing defensemen. If we pick anywhere after 3, I'd love to take him

I still say we draft in the top 5 grab a forward and make a push for Yandle.

- Stripes77

Kris Russell would work IMO

Chychrun looked good in the prospects game. Looked like the prototypical 6'5 top pairing defensemen. If we pick anywhere after 3, I'd love to take him
- sbroads24

I worry about taking defensemen that high, especially at this critical juncture of our rebuild. You don't know if you're getting drew doughty or cam barker. Id take whichever big winger is left or trade it for an nhl d-man (shattenkirk maybe?). Thought about one of the Ducks d-men but they are represented by Claude Lemieux so I don't see that going well.

Kris Russell would work IMO
- homiedclown

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=74376

Honestly, if we don't get matthews or the 2 fins, I take chychrun or juolevi. Clear top line d man material. If we win the lottery and columbus REALLY wants #1, their pick must be top 3, and they throw in werenski.
Sorry, slightly off topic.
- Dr3aMWeav3r

I'm not as excited about the top defensemen in this draft as I was about guys like Ekblad & Jones...
I wouldn't be upset if we took one of them though
Tkachuk will be an option in that 4-6 area as well
It'll be interesting to see what Murray does this offseason
A top3 pick will pretty much solidify our top6 forwards for the next 10years
We do need to find Risto a partner at some point too though
I have said all along that I think McCabe can be that guy
He's not there yet, but he's been pretty good
I love his potential & he's definitely trending in the right direction

I worry about taking defensemen that high, especially at this critical juncture of our rebuild. You don't know if you're getting drew doughty or cam barker. Id take whichever big winger is left or trade it for an nhl d-man (shattenkirk maybe?). Thought about one of the Ducks d-men but they are represented by Claude Lemieux so I don't see that going well.
- Sabresfan-365

I like Shattenkirk, or Vatanen, but for a top 5 pick, I'm not sure it's worth it.

I'd rather have the potential of another franchise defensemen in the pipeline

With the emergence of Justin Faulk, and the Canes having Hanifin. What about a potential deal for Haydn Fluery?

Canes could use some offense, would we consider a package with Ennis and a prospect or pick, or swapping 1st rounders

It's the age old question here.

The thing is if they go on a run and finish on the outside of the playoffs you should in theory of course be able to make the roster moves necessary to make this a playoff team next year. It all depends on if Eichel keeps producing, Kane starts looking like the player we want him to and they find a partner for Risto.

I still say we draft in the top 5 grab a forward and make a push for Yandle.

Kane ROR Reinhart
draft pick Eichel Girgensons
Fasching Larsson Ennis
Foligno Schaller Gionta
Moulson Delo

Risto Yandle
Gorges Bogosian
Pysyk McCabe
Franson

Lehner
Ullmark
- Stripes77

Fasching will need AHL time
If Moulson is still here, he's probably on that 3rd line to start. Foligno or Gionta will get a shot if he isn't scoring though.

I'm assuming we are gonna get a top3 forward in this draft, so it'll be interesting to see what Murray does with the defense

Fasching will need AHL time
If Moulson is still here, he's probably on that 3rd line to start. Foligno or Gionta will get a shot if he isn't scoring though.

I'm assuming we are gonna get a top3 forward in this draft, so it'll be interesting to see what Murray does with the defense
- jdfitz77

I think both team structure wise from a cap perspective and from a player development perspective, you're right about Fasching. I've seen 2 gophers games this year and he looked pretty damn good to me. Kris baker claims he has done everything the Sabres have asked him to do over the past year, especially in the skating department. But giving him some time in the minors, at least up until next years trade deadline would only help his development.
I think Murray traded for him based on his work ethic and overall potential. Seems to be a trend there. Plus the kids story make me root for him to succeed.

Depends where we pick if it's #2 it becomes a tough decision...at 4 or 5 it's who is left...

I think both team structure wise from a cap perspective and from a player development perspective, you're right about Fasching. I've seen 2 gophers games this year and he looked pretty damn good to me. Kris baker claims he has done everything the Sabres have asked him to do over the past year, especially in the skating department. But giving him some time in the minors, at least up until next years trade deadline would only help his development.
I think Murray traded for him based on his work ethic and overall potential. Seems to be a trend there. Plus the kids story make me root for him to succeed.
- seedy

From what I've seen...
His skating has improved, but he still needs work
Plus, we have no reason to rush hiits just makes sense to bring him along slowly
Bailey & especially Rodrigues have been looking pretty good down in Rochester from what I hear & the little I've seen...
I'm hopeful Fasching can end up being a top6 power forward type, but we'll see. He could be another Luke Adam too

With the emergence of Justin Faulk, and the Canes having Hanifin. What about a potential deal for Haydn Fluery?

Canes could use some offense, would we consider a package with Ennis and a prospect or pick, or swapping 1st rounders
- sbroads24

That's interesting...
They also got McKeown (from LA) who was picked in round2 of that draft
I was actually pissed when we took this Karabacek guy, bc McKeown & Dougherty were both still available
(I REALLY wanted Dougherty)
I was pissed in the draft before when we took Hurley over Santini as well.
A couple different picks these last couple years & our defense would be looking quite a bit different...
Ugh

That's interesting...
They also got McKeown (from LA) who was picked in round2 of that draft
I was actually pissed when we took this Karabacek guy, bc McKeown & Dougherty were both still available
(I REALLY wanted Dougherty)
I was pissed in the draft before when we took Hurley over Santini as well.
A couple different picks these last couple years & our defense would be looking quite a bit different...
Ugh
- jdfitz77

They had a TON of guys in the pipe on D at the time though, and the forward ranks were thin, which is probably why they didn't take D in those spots.

MHP
- Der Kaiser

They had a TON of guys in the pipe on D at the time though, and the forward ranks were thin, which is probably why they didn't take D in those spots.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't agree with that at all
Besides McNabb (who they couldn't have been all that high on since he was never given a chance here- still bugs me btw! Haha), and Zadorov...
What other NHL quality defensive prospects did we have?

I guess at the time it looked like Zadorov was gonna be here for quite a while, so I guess I get it
But we went overboard picking forwards IMO

The Karabacek pick is the one that really bugged me
At that point, we had more than enough forward prospects
Definitely should've picked a dman in that spot (IMO)

I don't agree with that at all
Besides McNabb (who they couldn't have been all that high on since he was never given a chance here- still bugs me btw! Haha), and Zadorov...
What other NHL quality defensive prospects did we have?

I guess at the time it looked like Zadorov was gonna be here for quite a while, so I guess I get it
But we went overboard picking forwards IMO

The Karabacek pick is the one that really bugged me
At that point, we had more than enough forward prospects
Definitely should've picked a dman in that spot (IMO)
- jdfitz77

'There's twice as many forwards on a team as D, so that essentially means you need twice as many prospects in that regards to defenseman.

They had a TON of guys in the pipe on D at the time though, and the forward ranks were thin, which is probably why they didn't take D in those spots.
- HonkFortheGoose

Btw...
How much have u been liking your boy Girgensons on a line with Eichel lately?
Small sample size,
But it doesn't look like they'll be getting split up any time soon