Which is weird because Bogo was healthy at the end of the year. Were those maybe OT games?

Edit: He played a ton in January. Not really at the end of the year
- sbroads24

I was just restating what Bylsma said. He never said he couldn't handle 25. He said he couldn't handle that stretch of 28-30 he had. And his play went way down when he was playing a lot. He still played a lot in the first half too and he put up monster numbers. They just need to find a happy medium. The last 19 games he played 26+, and 29:10 in that crazy Pens game that went to OT, maybe a shootout? But still even if no OT he still would've had at least 26:30. Which is a lot for a 20-21 year old kid. Even if he's been in the league for 3 years already. You're not completely developed until you're about 26.

I don't think he is.

We need our Muzzin/Stralman/Hjalmarrson type of go-to player outside of Risto.
- sbroads24

Probably asking too much for McCabe to be that guy this year...
But next year I think he could be that guy
I expect more really good things from him this season
He's steadily trended up every year

If u want a "Hjarlmsson" kinda guy, there's another Duck id be looking at...
Josh Manson
He was pretty damn good in his own end from what I saw last year
Has th potential to become a true "shut down" type guy
And won't cost nearly as much as Fowler

I was just restating what Bylsma said. He never said he couldn't handle 25. He said he couldn't handle that stretch of 28-30 he had. And his play went way down when he was playing a lot. He still played a lot in the first half too and he put up monster numbers. They just need to find a happy medium. The last 19 games he played 26+, and 29:10 in that crazy Pens game that went to OT, maybe a shootout? But still even if no OT he still would've had at least 26:30. Which is a lot for a 20-21 year old kid. Even if he's been in the league for 3 years already. You're not completely developed until you're about 26.
- Wetbandit1

Well, he said he should be around 24

Probably asking too much for McCabe to be that guy this year...
But next year I think he could be that guy
I expect more really good things from him this season
He's steadily trended up every year

If u want a "Hjarlmsson" kinda guy, there's another Duck id be looking at...
Josh Manson
He was pretty damn good in his own end from what I saw last year
Has th potential to become a true "shut down" type guy
And won't cost nearly as much as Fowler
- jdfitz77

I'm a big McCabe fan, but I'm not sure he will be that good. Guys like Hjlamarsson and Muzzin could be a 1 or 2 on several teams.

I guess I just don't see Risto being a Norris caliber player, so I think we need another real high quality guy.

***I'm not criticizing Risto BTW, just being realistic***

Well, he said he should be around 24
- sbroads24

Which is closer to 25 than 28-29 is. He played his best when he was right around 25 minutes.

Right, but there wasn't pressure to reduce any of there roles. That's what I found interesting. I don't remember Sutter saying that Doughty couldn't handle 25 min a night
- sbroads24

He wasn't talking too much about reducing his role from his average though it seems, just that he shouldn't have been out there for those 28 minute type games (which I know affects his overall season average). I may need to go back and re-read the quote, but basically it says she should be a 24-ish minute a night guy, right? That's what he averaged, and basically what those others averaged at those ages too.

He wasn't talking too much about reducing his role from his average though it seems, just that he shouldn't have been out there for those 28 minute type games (which I know affects his overall season average). I may need to go back and re-read the quote, but basically it says she should be a 24-ish minute a night guy, right? That's what he averaged, and basically what those others averaged at those ages too.
- stashu

Yeah, that's what I got out of it too.

Trade up for what? more players that will take 2 years or so to be ready ? how much longer to we have to keep waiting.
- SABRES 89

More like never be ready if your talking about a 4th rounder.

He wasn't talking too much about reducing his role from his average though it seems, just that he shouldn't have been out there for those 28 minute type games (which I know affects his overall season average). I may need to go back and re-read the quote, but basically it says she should be a 24-ish minute a night guy, right? That's what he averaged, and basically what those others averaged at those ages too.
- stashu

Yea, which he probably should be. I just found the quote a little interesting with Risto unsigned. Almost like downplaying his importance.

Idk if Fowler is that guy either though?
So we might be better off seeing how McCabe can continue to develop & how Kulikov fits into the mix

I know I bring it up a lot...
But Murray does have to keep in mind who he's gonna protect in the expansion draft & how bringing in another defenseman would affect that
- jdfitz77

For this season anyway Kulikov will be the #2.

Our true #2 d man to pair with Risto will be Guhle but he's a few years away. Kuli is an insurance policy and hopefully he'll re-sign or we'll be forced to rush Guhle sooner.

Zads was gonna be the #2 but ya know how that turned out.

For this season anyway Kulikov will be the #2.

Our true #2 d man to pair with Risto will be Guhle but he's a few years away. Kuli is an insurance policy and hopefully he'll re-sign or we'll be forced to rush Guhle sooner.
- mhp

He definitely has the skill set to be a quality minute eater. (Guhle)

Yea, which he probably should be. I just found the quote a little interesting with Risto unsigned. Almost like downplaying his importance.
- sbroads24

Can't disagree there. Sort of a mix of good and bad - good for the managment side as an attempt to make it seem like he shouldn't get paid as much, but could also anger the player

He definitely has the skill set to be a quality minute eater. (Guhle)
- sbroads24

Absolutely. I think he's gonna be better over time than we think. I would be all for a Guhle/Risto first pairing.

I'm a big McCabe fan, but I'm not sure he will be that good. Guys like Hjlamarsson and Muzzin could be a 1 or 2 on several teams.

I guess I just don't see Risto being a Norris caliber player, so I think we need another real high quality guy.

***I'm not criticizing Risto BTW, just being realistic***
- sbroads24

That's a fair assessment of Risto...
But he could certainly be as good as McDonaugh
I'd take that
For me,
It's more about having a strong 1-6, with a top pair that can keep Crosby, Ovechkin, etc off the scoreboard

I don't need Risto to score like Karlsson


I couldn't be happier with how McCabe has gotten better each year
Hopefully he continues to progress
He's already a solid 2nd pair guy IMO

If those guys both end up as "#2" quality guys,
I'm ok with that

I know some are very high on Guhle,
But I've gotta see him & Borgen in the NHL before I can get that hyped about either
I think they're both NHLers
But i haven't seen enough of them to have a real opinion as to just how good they'll actually be

For this season anyway Kulikov will be the #2.

Our true #2 d man to pair with Risto will be Guhle but he's a few years away. Kuli is an insurance policy and hopefully he'll re-sign or we'll be forced to rush Guhle sooner.

Zads was gonna be the #2 but ya know how that turned out.
- mhp

Have seen Guhle enough yet to be as confident as u are
If he does get to be that good, we're looking at 3yrs minimum, prob longer

As far as Zads goes,
I actually saw him as Myers partner on pair 2...
McCabe partnered w Risto

Absolutely. I think he's gonna be better over time than we think. I would be all for a Guhle/Risto first pairing.
- mhp

By the time Guhle develops,
I expect McCabe to be entrenched as Ristolainen's partner

Have seen Guhle enough yet to be as confident as u are
If he does get to be that good, we're looking at 3yrs minimum, prob longer

As far as Zads goes,
I actually saw him as Myers partner on pair 2...
McCabe partnered w Risto
- jdfitz77

Zads essentially got us ROR so I can't complain.

Murray has done a nice job of drafting last two years and this might be the best scouting staff we have in a while. Guhle, Borgen, Estephan, Nylander, Aspulnd, Pu look like excellent prospects and if we hit on these kids, we have a nice future.

I think they still need a bona fide top 2. Neither Kuli or McCabe are that.

Doesn't mean that player has to be paired with Risto either
- sbroads24

Idk, maybe McCabe is. Never know. I bet his career to date closely parallels a guy like Muzzin

By the time Guhle develops,
I expect McCabe to be entrenched as Ristolainen's partner
- jdfitz77

I can see that. I could also see a Guhle/Risto and certainly McCabe/Bogo pairing. Just a guess but the 3rd pair in a few years could be Martin/Borgen.

edit- I'll reverse course and agree completely. A McCabe/Risto pairing works and let the kid Guhle play with the vet Bogo.

Yeah it's unfortunate when draft picks don't pan out in the NHL. The Sabres drafted the right guys but for whatever reason they didn't make an impact at the NHL level.

An argument could be made the Sabres did a poor job developing these guys but to say we drafted poorly was not the case. In almost every single instance, the Sabres along with the rest of the NHL draft the best player available in that draft slot. Very few teams "reach" in the NHL draft. Some guys can reach the NHL and have an impact and most do not.

I can see that. I could also see a Guhle/Risto and certainly McCabe/Bogo pairing. Just a guess but the 3rd pair in a few years could be Martin/Borgen.

edit- I'll reverse course and agree completely. A McCabe/Risto pairing works and let the kid Guhle play with the vet Bogo.
- mhp

McCabe is only 22, full year younger than Muzzzin when he made it through a full season with the club. October birthdays baby! Used to playing the older competition.

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/m...-sense-for-vesey-1.547161


Bernstein says Buffalo...just his opinion though

Vesey won't sign before Friday his agent claims

I can see that. I could also see a Guhle/Risto and certainly McCabe/Bogo pairing. Just a guess but the 3rd pair in a few years could be Martin/Borgen.

edit- I'll reverse course and agree completely. A McCabe/Risto pairing works and let the kid Guhle play with the vet Bogo.
- mhp

Guhle could very well end up being better,
But McCabe would have to struggle a bit for Guhle to pass him just bc he'll have the years of experience on him

Either way though...
I like both players
Just not how sure Guhle can be yet

McCabe is only 22, full year younger than Muzzzin when he made it through a full season with the club. October birthdays baby! Used to playing the older competition.
- Hatboro_Swords

They aren't really comparable though. Muzzin was a late, late bloomer. He was actually a Penguin and was just left unsigned after being drafted late.