Michael Pachla: Buffalo has enough cap-room for Ristolainen and a d-man TBD

........

........
- SABRES 89

succinct and precise...bravo

Must be Russel

I assume this is Buffalo's top 6.

Kulikov, Ristolainen.
McCabe, Bogosian.
Georges, Franson.

Falk was brought into to be a depth Dman who will sit out games far more than he ever plays by a significant margin & if significant injuries hit trades will be pursued far before he assumes any form of a regular role.

I assume Nelson will spend the vast majority of time in the NHL playing as the #7 being the 1st to sub in for injuries, illness & to provide the odd night off for someone. Not an ideal role for this type of asset but with a guaranteed 1 way contract & 24 having played 4 full seasons of college hockey he appears ready to play in the NHL. He & Falk appear suited for the roles they are being slotted in for.

I see no need to add a top 6 Dman unless 1 of the existing Dman is shipped out to get an upgrade but with expansion looming why create a protection problem. Buffalo appears to be locked into the 7F, 3D & 1G option meaning their 3 keepers at D are Ristolainen, Bogosian & McCabe. At forward, O'Reilly, Okposo, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, Larson & Foligno. G, Lehner. Buffalo doesn't have to expose anyone of any significant consequence.

I assume this is Buffalo's top 6.

Kulikov, Ristolainen.
McCabe, Bogosian.
Georges, Franson.

Falk was brought into to be a depth Dman who will sit out games far more than he ever plays by a significant margin & if significant injuries hit trades will be pursued far before he assumes any form of a regular role.

I assume Nelson will spend the vast majority of time in the NHL playing as the #7 being the 1st to sub in for injuries, illness & to provide the odd night off for someone. Not an ideal role for this type of asset but with a guaranteed 1 way contract & 24 having played 4 full seasons of college hockey he appears ready to play in the NHL. He & Falk appear suited for the roles they are being slotted in for.

I see no need to add a top 6 Dman unless 1 of the existing Dman is shipped out to get an upgrade but with expansion looming why create a protection problem. Buffalo appears to be locked into the 7F, 3D & 1G option meaning their 3 keepers at D are Ristolainen, Bogosian & McCabe. At forward, O'Reilly, Okposo, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, Larson & Foligno. G, Lehner. Buffalo doesn't have to expose anyone of any significant consequence.
- striker777

I don't disagree with the lineup as you constructed it, but they absolutely need to add another defenseman if they want to make the playoffs.

I assume this is Buffalo's top 6.

Kulikov, Ristolainen.
McCabe, Bogosian.
Georges, Franson.

Falk was brought into to be a depth Dman who will sit out games far more than he ever plays by a significant margin & if significant injuries hit trades will be pursued far before he assumes any form of a regular role.

I assume Nelson will spend the vast majority of time in the NHL playing as the #7 being the 1st to sub in for injuries, illness & to provide the odd night off for someone. Not an ideal role for this type of asset but with a guaranteed 1 way contract & 24 having played 4 full seasons of college hockey he appears ready to play in the NHL. He & Falk appear suited for the roles they are being slotted in for.

I see no need to add a top 6 Dman unless 1 of the existing Dman is shipped out to get an upgrade but with expansion looming why create a protection problem. Buffalo appears to be locked into the 7F, 3D & 1G option meaning their 3 keepers at D are Ristolainen, Bogosian & McCabe. At forward, O'Reilly, Okposo, Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, Larson & Foligno. G, Lehner. Buffalo doesn't have to expose anyone of any significant consequence.
- striker777

You can set your calendar to the Gorges Franson pairing, John Scott could skate circles around them

I don't disagree with the lineup as you constructed it, but they absolutely need to add another defenseman if they want to make the playoffs.
- buffalofan19

I wouldn't say absolutely.

The top 4 could hold their own playing 23 minutes a night each pairing. It wouldn't be ideal, the real key to that IMO is what Bogosian shows up. If you get the one who finished the last 3rd of the season most nights you are in decent shape. It is not a contending team but it's a blue line that can get you in the playoffs.

I do think an upgrade would push the lever but I think the roster as it is now is a borderline playoff team.

I wouldn't say absolutely.

The top 4 could hold their own playing 23 minutes a night each pairing. It wouldn't be ideal, the real key to that IMO is what Bogosian shows up. If you get the one who finished the last 3rd of the season most nights you are in decent shape. It is not a contending team but it's a blue line that can get you in the playoffs.

I do think an upgrade would push the lever but I think the roster as it is now is a borderline playoff team.
- Stripes77

Gorges-Franson can't be a pair, way too slow

I wouldn't say absolutely.

The top 4 could hold their own playing 23 minutes a night each pairing. It wouldn't be ideal, the real key to that IMO is what Bogosian shows up. If you get the one who finished the last 3rd of the season most nights you are in decent shape. It is not a contending team but it's a blue line that can get you in the playoffs.

I do think an upgrade would push the lever but I think the roster as it is now is a borderline playoff team.
- Stripes77

2015/16 finish: 24th
Scoring: can't find it but BAD
D: 16th

The key to this team making the playoffs is not the D, it's winning by scoring more. Our focus should be Kane, Moulson, Ennis, Grigs, lesser so Foligno.

2015/16 finish: 24th
Scoring: can't find it but BAD
D: 16th

The key to this team making the playoffs is not the D, it's winning by scoring more. Our focus should be Kane, Moulson, Ennis, Grigs, lesser so Foligno.
- Der Kaiser

can't find too many opportunities to score if you're spending too much time in your own end, which this team did.

Gorges-Franson can't be a pair, way too slow
- mattmoulson

Playing 14 minutes a night yes they can

http://www.spotrac.com/nh...defenseman/ufa/available/

James Wisniewski would have been nice


maybe murray needs to call the bolts for a trade

Stralman or Garrison

http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/defenseman/ufa/available/

James Wisniewski would have been nice


maybe murray needs to call the bolts for a trade

Stralman or Garrison
- homiedclown

Facts mean nothing here don't you know ?


I think it was me, you and DD that mentioned Wiz on a number of occasions.

http://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/defenseman/ufa/available/

James Wisniewski would have been nice


maybe murray needs to call the bolts for a trade

Stralman or Garrison
- homiedclown

Stralman is a non-starter.

This team needs a 1 or 2. Not another #4

can't find too many opportunities to score if you're spending too much time in your own end, which this team did.
- Sabresfan-365

Counterpoint:


https://youtu.be/ZUnpy_i-syg

Facts mean nothing here don't you know ?


I think it was me, you and DD that mentioned Wiz on a number of occasions.
- SABRES 89

wiz signed a player try out deal with bolts

Stralman is a non-starter.

This team needs a 1 or 2. Not another #4
- sbroads24

if gorges or franson is the 4th, they could use an upgrade

if they are playing mccabe at 4, leave it alone but be prepared to make a move in november

packers released Josh Sitton

get him gmdw

Counterpoint:


https://youtu.be/ZUnpy_i-syg
- Der Kaiser

I concede

packers released Josh Sitton

get him gmdw
- homiedclown

Can they make him fit cap wise?

if gorges or franson is the 4th, they could use an upgrade

if they are playing mccabe at 4, leave it alone but be prepared to make a move in november
- homiedclown

Thats where I am with the current group. if for no other reason then right now theres nobody really available that fits what they need.

As much as i like the nylander pick, Id love to know where the Faulk talks went. If you add him and then flip Bogosian you've got yourself a good and reasonably priced top 4

Thats where I am with the current group. if for no other reason then right now theres nobody really available that fits what they need.

As much as i like the nylander pick, Id love to know where the Faulk talks went. If you add him and then flip Bogosian you've got yourself a good and reasonably priced top 4
- Sabresfan-365

Remind me of the Faulk talks?

Remind me of the Faulk talks?
- Stripes77

pick 8 for faulk right before draft

pick 8 for faulk right before draft
- homiedclown

Too rich for a team weak on wingers IMO.

It would be interesting but I think Nylander in a year or two plays a bigger impact in a winning Sabres team than Faulk...