I'm not asking anyone to keep him just because he tries hard. I was more saying what I said for all the people who seem mad that he'd want a bigger role. Most humans who strive for better have that desire. So I'm not really disagreeing with you on the fact that he doesn't belong in the Top 6.

However there is a middle ground between "we drafted him mid first round, he should be in the Top 6" vs "he doesn't have skill". He definitely possesses the skill to be an NHL player but its not "Top 6 Fwd on a Playoff team" skill. Matt Ellis didn't have NHL caliber skill.

You seem to be really hammering the guy for no other reason than he wants a bigger role (whether he deserves it or not). I respect his effort and his desire to play Top 6 but sadly he might have to go elsewhere to get the opp to do it. No big deal. Fans need to learn to understand that and not get bent out of shape on it.
- Phatjohnsn

play every shift and the hate goes away

pretty sure everyone on here wants him to do well

pretty sure everyone if being honest, will say he was one of the biggest disappointments last season

time for him to step up and be part of the solution, not just another skater going through the motions, as I have seen enough of that crap from this team the last 9 years
- homiedclown

I think you're being a little harsh
Lots of guys struggled to pick up Bylsma's system last year
And I don't think anyone was moved up & down the lineup & played different positions like he did
He's also only 22
Not too many guys that age have it all figured out

Not excusing the points u make, but it's a little early IMO to get that down on him

upgrade the roster
2 for 1's
- homiedclown

Can't have a roster full of "upgrade's" though
Salary Cap

- cabin

What ... what ... is this?

Are you saying you're bent out of shape?

Either way, I'm excited for all that bending.

I just mean not all hope is lost for #28. I think he will be ok.

I also don't think it's doomsday if he ends up on a top 6 line.

He generates possession. I wouldn't campaign for him to be there though
- sbroads24

If we follow what Pittsburgh did & roll 3 scoring lines,
I'm ok with him fitting in somewhere in that top9
He's not any less talented than some of the guys Pitt had playing on lines w Crosby & Malkin... He's probably more talented actually

If we follow what Pittsburgh did & roll 3 scoring lines,
I'm ok with him fitting in somewhere in that top9
He's not any less talented than some of the guys Pitt had playing on lines w Crosby & Malkin... He's probably more talented actually
- jdfitz77

He plays a similar style to Kunitz. Kunitz probably has better hands

He plays a similar style to Kunitz. Kunitz probably has better hands
- sbroads24

Yeah, Girgs can be a bit more physical though.
I don't see him being the goal scorer Kunitz has been either
He just won't get the PP time with all the other talent we have up front
I do think he can score around 15 though, especially if we're rolling 3 lines

Yeah, Girgs can be a bit more physical though.
I don't see him being the goal scorer Kunitz has been either
He just won't get the PP time with all the other talent we have up front
I do think he can score around 15 though, especially if we're rolling 3 lines
- jdfitz77

He's proved he can score a little bit.

I personally think he's a fine top 9 guy who can go up and down the lineup.

IMO, either trade him, or sign him long term at a fair cap hit.

He's proved he can score a little bit.

I personally think he's a fine top 9 guy who can go up and down the lineup.

IMO, either trade him, or sign him long term at a fair cap hit.
- sbroads24

What's a fair Cap hit long term though?
I'm guessing he gets signed for 1-2 years, for something around 1.5mil

He probably doesn't have much trade value right now bc of the poor stats he had last year
I could see the trade happening for Fowler around the deadline if he gets back on track. Right now, they prob want too much in addition to Girgs

I'd say we should trade bogo and girgs for karlsson, but karlsson stinks, so pass.

I'd say we should trade bogo and girgs for karlsson, but karlsson stinks, so pass.
- TheSabresTaco

STINKS !

Sounds good when you scream it

I'm not asking anyone to keep him just because he tries hard. I was more saying what I said for all the people who seem mad that he'd want a bigger role. Most humans who strive for better have that desire. So I'm not really disagreeing with you on the fact that he doesn't belong in the Top 6.

However there is a middle ground between "we drafted him mid first round, he should be in the Top 6" vs "he doesn't have skill". He definitely possesses the skill to be an NHL player but its not "Top 6 Fwd on a Playoff team" skill. Matt Ellis didn't have NHL caliber skill.

You seem to be really hammering the guy for no other reason than he wants a bigger role (whether he deserves it or not). I respect his effort and his desire to play Top 6 but sadly he might have to go elsewhere to get the opp to do it. No big deal. Fans need to learn to understand that and not get bent out of shape on it.
- Phatjohnsn

Saying I don't want him in my top 6 isn't hammering. I've said multiple times I'd like him in the bottom 6. That said he needs to accept his role or he won't have one here. It's the same thing I say about Foligno. If Foligno accepts that he's a 4th liner he can be fine. If he tries getting too fancy offensively and stops doing what got him here in the first place he won't have a place on the team.

If we follow what Pittsburgh did & roll 3 scoring lines,
I'm ok with him fitting in somewhere in that top9
He's not any less talented than some of the guys Pitt had playing on lines w Crosby & Malkin... He's probably more talented actually
- jdfitz77

While I agree that I want to do this there's 2 concerns first: Who is that #3 center, and is Eichel at the same level as a guy like Malkin and Crosby where you can put anyone next to them and they'll do well? If we're having Ennis as our 3C then we don't know how it'll be, and I don't think Jack is at that level. Yet.

While I agree that I want to do this there's 2 concerns first: Who is that #3 center, and is Eichel at the same level as a guy like Malkin and Crosby where you can put anyone next to them and they'll do well? If we're having Ennis as our 3C then we don't know how it'll be, and I don't think Jack is at that level. Yet.
- Zschalberg

Eichel was almost a ppg player after Christmas.

If he keeps that up I would say he's in that all-star center, maybe not elite elite but he will be up there

STINKS !

Sounds good when you scream it
- SABRES 89

it makes more sense to me when i yell it.

Eichel was almost a ppg player after Christmas.

If he keeps that up I would say he's in that all-star center, maybe not elite elite but he will be up there
- Stripes77

He'll be an all-star, elite, and eliteelite.

Eichel was almost a ppg player after Christmas.

If he keeps that up I would say he's in that all-star center, maybe not elite elite but he will be up there
- Stripes77

If Eichel doesn't end up an elite center then I don't know what we tanked for lol. I think it's pretty safe to say he should end up at least elite.

I'd say we should trade bogo and girgs for karlsson, but karlsson stinks, so pass.
- TheSabresTaco

What does Finnish Harrki have to say about this?

While I agree that I want to do this there's 2 concerns first: Who is that #3 center, and is Eichel at the same level as a guy like Malkin and Crosby where you can put anyone next to them and they'll do well? If we're having Ennis as our 3C then we don't know how it'll be, and I don't think Jack is at that level. Yet.
- Zschalberg

Pitt's main player on their "3rd" line was a winger, Kessel
but we could consider moving Reinhart back to center
Get the "pairs" that we hear Bylsma talk about, and then fill in with a guy that can find chemistry with them
Vesey-Eichel-???
???-O'Reilly-Okposo
Kane-Reinheart-???

That presumably leaves Ennis & Girgensons to fill in 2 of the blanks
Moulson (for now) is likely the 3rd, unless Foligno, Gionta or Larsson are moved into one of those slots

But we've also got Bailey, Nylander & Fasching who could all be ready by next year or earlier

Of course, our young guys aren't at Crosby/Malkin level yet
But it also doesn't mean we can't roll 3 lines that can score either
We won't be ready to compete for the Cup,
But playoffs this year are a reasonable goal/expectation

I've grown to like the idea of trying to get another very good center.

Tyler Johnson

it makes more sense to me when i yell it.
- TheSabresTaco

That's fine also

I've grown to like the idea of trying to get another very good center.

Tyler Johnson
- sbroads24

I am okay with the 4 centers looking like

Eichel
ROR
Johnson
Larsson

move Girgensons to the wing on the 3rd line with Ennis

Vesey? Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Okposo
Girgensons Johnson Ennis (then Bailey)
Foligno Larsson Gionta

Now what to do with Moulson?

I am okay with the 4 centers looking like

Eichel
ROR
Johnson
Larsson

move Girgensons to the wing on the 3rd line with Ennis

Vesey? Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Okposo
Girgensons Johnson Ennis (then Bailey)
Foligno Larsson Gionta

Now what to do with Moulson?
- Stripes77

Moulson will play wing over Girgensons on the 3rd line.

I am okay with the 4 centers looking like

Eichel
ROR
Johnson
Larsson

move Girgensons to the wing on the 3rd line with Ennis

Vesey? Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Okposo
Girgensons Johnson Ennis (then Bailey)
Foligno Larsson Gionta

Now what to do with Moulson?
- Stripes77

Old Yeller.

I am okay with the 4 centers looking like

Eichel
ROR
Johnson
Larsson

move Girgensons to the wing on the 3rd line with Ennis

Vesey? Eichel Reinhart
Kane ROR Okposo
Girgensons Johnson Ennis (then Bailey)
Foligno Larsson Gionta

Now what to do with Moulson?
- Stripes77

I think Girgs would be a main piece going to TB for Johnson if that pipedream ever happened