Calling him a 4th liner is a little harsh.
- PrinceChill

Agreed. Who knows who the "source" is but I think he's more of a 3rd line player with his career numbers who is having a great season in a bigger role. Not a 4th liner.

McGinn and a third for Mattheson
- Der Kaiser

I'd rather Murray get a player with a pick instead of just a 2nd rounder. But I think that's all he'll get. It better be a second this year and not in 2017 though...

He scored 20 in one season between SJ and COL and then he scored 19 the next season in COL
- Wetbandit1

Id love to know who is linemates were then. My biggest issue with him is he provides nothing outside of scoring. Hence the hesitation to give him a multi year deal at 4 mil.

Seems to be because they're becoming more involved in the offensive zone. Even Dunleavy just mentioned that.


Or they suck.
- CaptainRivet

San jose's fowards are reading their forecheck better than our fowards are reading the breakouts. I legit just watched pysyk sit behind our net for 10 seconds till we could regroup and it was still a sloppy breakout. Right now our centers need to support, something ror is great at.

McGinn and a third for Mattheson
- Der Kaiser

Ian McCoshen is also a solid d prospect for them.

Agreed. Who knows who the "source" is but I think he's more of a 3rd line player with his career numbers who is having a great season in a bigger role. Not a 4th liner.
- bluengold12

He's a good third liner who can play up and down the lineup he has good production everywhere he's played, what more does the guy need to do? He had one "bad" season where he played hurt before having surgery. He's proven he's not a flash in the pan for his 3rd straight full season. I don't get the hate.

San jose's fowards are reading their forecheck better than our fowards are reading the breakouts. I legit just watched pysyk sit behind our net for 10 seconds till we could regroup and it was still a sloppy breakout. Right now our centers need to support, something ror is great at.
- joshs

Pysyk looked okay that period 25 looked awful so did Gorges and Foligno didn't have a great period either.

Id love to know who is linemates were then. My biggest issue with him is he provides nothing outside of scoring. Hence the hesitation to give him a multi year deal at 4 mil.
- Sabresfan-365

You can say that about anyone then. He's produced on 3 different teams.

Agreed. Who knows who the "source" is but I think he's more of a 3rd line player with his career numbers who is having a great season in a bigger role. Not a 4th liner.
- bluengold12

Yeah, he is probably overachieving this year. Which is why I'd be weary to hand him a juicy contract.

These western teams are all about interference. Sabres have to start playing like that.

You can say that about anyone then. He's produced on 3 different teams.
- Wetbandit1

Yes and I would, that's my point. They don't need to pay big to find players who can fill that role.

Id love to know who is linemates were then. My biggest issue with him is he provides nothing outside of scoring. Hence the hesitation to give him a multi year deal at 4 mil.
- Sabresfan-365

Not comparing, at all, but neither does Ovi. Pavel Bure never even played in his own zone. If we asked McGinn to PK and back check like a maniac and he didn't then yeah, but he's not asked to do those things.

These western teams are all about interference. Sabres have to start playing like that.
- sippyd

This

Our centers are forfeiting a ton of ice. Not just on our breakout but on the forcheck aswell. I really miss ror. Eichel does not have the luxury to break out early this game. He needs to support.

He's a good third liner who can play up and down the lineup he has good production everywhere he's played, what more does the guy need to do? He had one "bad" season where he played hurt before having surgery. He's proven he's not a flash in the pan for his 3rd straight full season. I don't get the hate.
- Wetbandit1

People are trying to say he sucks so they can be cool with trading him. Then once he starts playing well they can act like it was a mistake.

Our centers are forfeiting a ton of ice. Not just on our breakout but on the forcheck aswell. I really miss ror. Eichel does not have the luxury to break out early this game. He needs to support.
- joshs

Also this

Our centers are forfeiting a ton of ice. Not just on our breakout but on the forcheck aswell. I really miss ror. Eichel does not have the luxury to break out early this game. He needs to support.
- joshs

Larsson....

Also Kane without O'Riley seems to think he can take the puck in the zone every time erratically and not have any help.

Not comparing, at all, but neither does Ovi. Pavel Bure never even played in his own zone. If we asked McGinn to PK and back check like a maniac and he didn't then yeah, but he's not asked to do those things.
- Wetbandit1

Then why name drop? Ovi scores at will enough that he outscores whatever defensive shortcomings he has, McGinn does not.

A cost effective bottom 6 makes it easier to build and maintain a great top 6. You overpay the O'Reillys, not the McGinns

Larsson....

Also Kane without O'Riley seems to think he can take the puck in the zone every time erratically and not have any help.
- bluengold12

Yeah were not gonna win many without ror. Is girgenson centering a line? Or is it reinhart?

Sharks have played the Sabres physical enough that they are making the mistakes by themselves at this point.

A cost effective bottom 6 makes it easier to build and maintain a great top 6. You overpay the O'Reillys, not the McGinns

I agree with this. I'm not sure where I would be comfortable for a McGinn contract, but it would be under 4m/per.

I agree with this. I'm not sure where I would be comfortable for a McGinn contract, but it would be under 4m/per.
- PrinceChill

Almost half of McGinn's goals are powerplay goals. Assuming on a good version of the sabres (one with a real top 6) paying 4 mil for a guy who would have 8 goals is a terrible idea.

Then why name drop? Ovi scores at will enough that he outscores whatever defensive shortcomings he has, McGinn does not.

A cost effective bottom 6 makes it easier to build and maintain a great top 6. You overpay the O'Reillys, not the McGinns
- Sabresfan-365

I agree he's not worth $4M per, but he's due a raise from his $2.9M or whatever he's at now. A good, scoring, third liner is going to run you about $3.5M. It's just the way it is.

I agree he's not worth $4M per, but he's due a raise from his $2.9M or whatever he's at now. A good, scoring, third liner is going to run you about $3.5M. It's just the way it is.
- Wetbandit1

Then you walk and replace him from within or buy low in FA. Parenteau has scored 16, he's making what 1 mil?

I think all of chicago's bottom 6 makes less than 4 mil

Id love to know who is linemates were then. My biggest issue with him is he provides nothing outside of scoring. Hence the hesitation to give him a multi year deal at 4 mil.
- Sabresfan-365

13/14 Even strength points:

10 w/ O'Reilly-Duchene
4 w/ MacKinnon-Parenteau
3 w/ Duchene-Talbot
2 w/ MacKinnon-O'Reilly
10 other EV points with different line combos, 4 have at least one of the 3 big names above, another had Stastny (John Mitchell shows up a lot as well)