Vesey won't sign before Friday his agent claims
- SABRES 89

Just saw that

I guess it makes sense
I wouldn't expect for Vesey to meet w everyone tomorrow
A couple days of meetings, and maybe even the weekend to decide

I could see him signing on Monday

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.
- sbroads24

The thing that's really telling about McCabe is how he's progressed

-Drafted after the 11-12 season, his freshman year at Wisconsin
-Has great sophomore & junior seasons
-Captained the US team where his 2 goals in the gold medal game pretty much won it for us
-Rough start to his AHL career, but finishes strong
-2nd pro season, he's too good at camp for the Sabres to send down & progresses really nicely as the season goes along

All this guy has done is get better every step of the way

Just saw that

I guess it makes sense
I wouldn't expect for Guhle to meet w everyone tomorrow
A couple days of meetings, and maybe even the weekend to decide

I could see him signing on Monday
- jdfitz77

Now you have me worried! Hopefully Guhle is testing out free agency....

Now you have me worried! Hopefully Guhle isn't testing out free agency....

- SabreWest

Now you have me worried! Hopefully Guhle is testing out free agency....

- SabreWest

Hahaha... Oops!!!
My bad

The thing that's really telling about McCabe is how he's progressed

-Drafted after the 11-12 season, his freshman year at Wisconsin
-Has great sophomore & junior seasons
-Captained the US team where his 2 goals in the gold medal game pretty much won it for us
-Rough start to his AHL career, but finishes strong
-2nd pro season, he's too good at camp for the Sabres to send down & progresses really nicely as the season goes along

All this guy has done is get better every step of the way
- jdfitz77

Nitpicking, but his two goals were in the semifinals against Canada. Trochek scored the two goals in the gold medal game.

The thing that's really telling about McCabe is how he's progressed

-Drafted after the 11-12 season, his freshman year at Wisconsin
-Has great sophomore & junior seasons
-Captained the US team where his 2 goals in the gold medal game pretty much won it for us
-Rough start to his AHL career, but finishes strong
-2nd pro season, he's too good at camp for the Sabres to send down & progresses really nicely as the season goes along

All this guy has done is get better every step of the way
- jdfitz77

Very good points on the above. Hey, what's the chatter on Borgen? Why is everyone so positive on this kid? Wasn't he a late draft pick?

Very good points on the above. Hey, what's the chatter on Borgen? Why is everyone so positive on this kid? Wasn't he a late draft pick?
- SabreWest

Borgen was a 4th rd pick 2015. He's played well at the Dev camp and he played well as a freshman at St Cloud State, 1g and 13 a in 37 games. He's a very good skater and plays a physical game in the defensive end, 6'2" 190lbs. Not a lot of offense to his game.

The thing that's really telling about McCabe is how he's progressed

-Drafted after the 11-12 season, his freshman year at Wisconsin
-Has great sophomore & junior seasons
-Captained the US team where his 2 goals in the gold medal game pretty much won it for us
-Rough start to his AHL career, but finishes strong
-2nd pro season, he's too good at camp for the Sabres to send down & progresses really nicely as the season goes along

All this guy has done is get better every step of the way
- jdfitz77

I mean, that's good and all but he's the same age or even a little older than Risto and he is just barely cracking the top 4.

I like the kid, but I severely doubt he turns into an impact #2 or #3 D man. He looks like a future solid #4

I mean, that's good and all but he's the same age or even a little older than Risto and he is just barely cracking the top 4.

I like the kid, but I severely doubt he turns into an impact #2 or #3 D man. He looks like a future solid #4
- sbroads24

You want a stud to play with Risto, not necessarily McCabe. I understand that. Unless we get one via trade, we'll have to grow our own to slot in there.

You want a stud to play with Risto, not necessarily McCabe. I understand that. Unless we get one via trade, we'll have to grow our own to slot in there.
- mhp

I don't think it has to be Risto's partner. Just someone that drives play and can take pressure off Risto.

I'd love to get Shattenkirk to play on the 2nd pair/1st PP.

Have him and Risto play 23-25 min each

LOCKED

Even without bringing in another defenseman,
We should be significantly better overall
Each spot in the lineup will be better than last year IMO

Risto > Risto... Just gonna get better
Kulikov > Gorges... Might not be ideal, but still better
Bogo > Bogo... He looked good healthy in the 2nd half
McCabe > McCabe... Like Risto, will continue to improve
Gorges > Franson... Should be pretty solid against lesser competition by HB
Franson > Weber/Pysyk... Ok, maybe not. But he should be "ok"

I'm not saying we'll be like the Ducks or Preds defense
But I do like the direction we're headed

Improved play by the forwards will help too

Goaltending is my bigger concern
- jdfitz77

. Thanks JD that's my take on the D too

Even without bringing in another defenseman,
We should be significantly better overall
Each spot in the lineup will be better than last year IMO

Risto > Risto... Just gonna get better
Kulikov > Gorges... Might not be ideal, but still better
Bogo > Bogo... He looked good healthy in the 2nd half
McCabe > McCabe... Like Risto, will continue to improve
Gorges > Franson... Should be pretty solid against lesser competition
Franson > Weber/Pysyk... Ok, maybe not. But he should be "ok"

I'm not saying we'll be like the Ducks or Preds defense
But I do like the direction we're headed

Improved play by the forwards will help too

Goaltending is my bigger concern
- jdfitz77

You like the direction we are headed on defence when Kulikov, Franson and Gorges is on the way down wont be here when this team is ready to compete. That leaves Risto, Bogo who is spurratic and McCabe.

I don't think it has to be Risto's partner. Just someone that drives play and can take pressure off Risto.

I'd love to get Shattenkirk to play on the 2nd pair/1st PP.

Have him and Risto play 23-25 min each
- sbroads24

Love shattenkirk but don't think u get him to play 2nd line minutes. He takes over 1a from risto with risto playing more manageable minutes. Maybe too optimistic but you get shattenkirk, 60 good starts from lehner and this team is a threat to go deep in the playoffs

You like the direction we are headed on defence when Kulikov, Franson and Gorges is on the way down wont be here when this team is ready to compete. That leaves Risto, Bogo who is spurratic and McCabe.
- sabresfan69

That and Franson>Gorges by a mile...which is saying something because Franson isn't exactly great

That and Franson>Gorges by a mile...which is saying something because Franson isn't exactly great
- sbroads24

Really hard to get a defense full of Doughtys

Nitpicking, but his two goals were in the semifinals against Canada. Trochek scored the two goals in the gold medal game.
- buffalofan19

Oops
The Canada game stuck out for obvious reasons

That and Franson>Gorges by a mile...which is saying something because Franson isn't exactly great
- sbroads24

I think you'll change your mind when Gorges isn't playing against the top competition every shift

I mean, that's good and all but he's the same age or even a little older than Risto and he is just barely cracking the top 4.

I like the kid, but I severely doubt he turns into an impact #2 or #3 D man. He looks like a future solid #4
- sbroads24

Not everybody develops at the same, young age.

For somebody who likes McCabe, it feels like you're selling him short as a 4 as his end point. He seems like he has much more potential than that.

I think you'll change your mind when Gorges isn't playing against the top competition every shift
- jdfitz77

Don't count on it.

I mean, that's good and all but he's the same age or even a little older than Risto and he is just barely cracking the top 4.

I like the kid, but I severely doubt he turns into an impact #2 or #3 D man. He looks like a future solid #4
- sbroads24

What was Hjarlmsson doing as a 22yr old?
I think McCabe is developing nice & has the potential to rose to be a solid #2
I've always been a fan though,so I'm kinda biased

I think you'll change your mind when Gorges isn't playing against the top competition every shift
- jdfitz77

Probably not. Franson is better. And I don't really care for Franson.

Gorges is a replaceable #5 or 6.

Franson actually suppresses shots and provides Offense.

Probably not. Franson is better. And I don't really care for Franson.

Gorges is a replaceable #5 or 6.

Franson actually suppresses shots and provides Offense.
- sbroads24

Yesss

What was Hjarlmsson doing as a 22yr old?
I think McCabe is developing nice & has the potential to rose to be a solid #2
I've always been a fan though,so I'm kinda biased
- jdfitz77

Playing hockey.