team has a lot of flexibility with eichel, reinhart, ror, ennis, foligno, girgens

they can play center or wing in a pinch

nice problem to have given the time we had mair as our second line center
- homiedclown

It's a very nice problem to have. The problem we had last year though, was those guys that were expected to help produce, basically didn't. Let's hope that doesn't happen again this year.

Right, but they're not in the pipeline anymore.

Sabres have GOOD players in the minors. All those guys you mentioned have a chance to make the big team. We're in a good position, I'm not trying to dispute that.

What the Sabres DON'T have is the guy who we see in the AHL and think "definitely going to be a top line player". Bailey, Fasching, Carrier, Baptiste we look at as maybe/probably top 6. Closest one is our Nylander. The defensemen we see as serviceable, potentially top 4 but none of them are our stalwart #1 defenseman. The leafs have 3 guys who they think will be their top guys in 3 years.

That's all I'm trying to say. Ours are already here so the excitement is met with realism since we know what they look like and how we think they'll play. Theirs are fancy, shiny, and new and they can dream since they haven't played yet. That's why the fans and the newspapers and the media that try to get the fan's attention are saying what they are.
- Zschalberg

First of all, let me stop you right there. (frank) the Leafs.

Second, these three guys, which I assume are Matthews, Marner and Nylander.. Nylander did his AHL time just like ours. Matthews is their Eichel, who moved up immediately and Marner spent his year in juniors just like Reinhart. Of the top three, what difference is there?

First of all, let me stop you right there. (frank) the Leafs.

Second, these three guys, which I assume are Matthews, Marner and Nylander.. Nylander did his AHL time just like ours. Matthews is their Eichel, who moved up immediately and Marner spent his year in juniors just like Reinhart. Of the top three, what difference is there?
- TheSabresTaco

They don't have a years worth of NHL rust on them already? (aka they're the shiny new toys everyone wants because the other toys aren't a shiny anymore)

team has a lot of flexibility with eichel, reinhart, ror, ennis, foligno, girgens

they can play center or wing in a pinch

nice problem to have given the time we had mair as our second line center
- homiedclown

Dark days indeed...

The only thing the Sabres AHL team doesn't have is a good center. Cole Schneider, Catenacci, Grant, and Kea are the ones that I see. The wingers numbers could be even higher if we had one or two good ones down there

Dark days indeed...

The only thing the Sabres AHL team doesn't have is a good center. Cole Schneider, Catenacci, Grant, and Kea are the ones that I see. The wingers numbers could be even higher if we had one or two good ones down there
- Zschalberg

That's the problem with having your best two skip the AHL and go right to the NHL club. The Wingers there will have to learn to produce with guys that don't have the same talent level they'll play with at the NHL level.

They don't have a years worth of NHL rust on them already? (aka they're the shiny new toys everyone wants because the other toys aren't a shiny anymore)
- HonkFortheGoose

I mean, yeah, really that's what it is. We had our year of peak excitement last year with Reinhart and Eichel coming into the league at the same time. They're having theirs this year. That's why they're preparing for playoffs, because the fans are excited. Fans aren't smart. The season will play, they'll have ups and downs, and they'll be on the outside looking in, just like us last year.

That's the problem with having your best two skip the AHL and go right to the NHL club. The Wingers there will have to learn to produce with guys that don't have the same talent level they'll play with at the NHL level.
- HonkFortheGoose

Good point. Forces the wingers to make their own space and their own plays rather than just piggy backing a good center.

Sal CapaccioVerified account
‏@SalSports
According to @mortreport (welcome back), Coughlin did meet with Pegulas, but it was early in off-season and included Rex, who arranged it.

This needed to be said.

They don't have a years worth of NHL rust on them already? (aka they're the shiny new toys everyone wants because the other toys aren't a shiny anymore)
- HonkFortheGoose

Wow, my second post in a row. This time not directed at the poster of the comment above.

First of all, let me stop you right there. (frank) the Leafs.

Second, these three guys, which I assume are Matthews, Marner and Nylander.. Nylander did his AHL time just like ours. Matthews is their Eichel, who moved up immediately and Marner spent his year in juniors just like Reinhart. Of the top three, what difference is there?
- TheSabresTaco

Toronto doesn't have anything coming up that we don't already have, like you said:
Eichel = Matthews
Reinhart = Marner
Nylander = Nylander (I think they were both picked at #8 too)
Risto = Reilly
Ennis = JVR (They are about the same age and have very similar ppg)
Lehner = Anderson (Both are young, good, and relatively unproven as a #1)

But what the Leafs don't have is an ROR, Okposo, or Kane (on the ice, Kane's still an asset) We traded the farm system for two of three of these guys, so we should be better for the forcible future, but Toronto does have the prospects to pedal away for more ready now NHL players if they wanted to improve in a hurry.

people forget carrier put up like 23 points in his last 25 ahl games before he got hurt


kid is the most under rated prospect we have IMO
- homiedclown

Agreed, and I thought he played very well last night, used his body to shield pucks, good speed. Like where he is headed.

Toronto doesn't have anything coming up that we don't already have, like you said:
Eichel = Matthews
Reinhart = Marner
Nylander = Nylander (I think they were both picked at #8 too)
Risto = Reilly
Ennis = JVR (They are about the same age and have very similar ppg)
Lehner = Anderson (Both are young, good, and relatively unproven as a #1)

But what the Leafs don't have is an ROR, Okposo, or Kane (on the ice, Kane's still an asset) We traded the farm system for two of three of these guys, so we should be better for the forcible future, but Toronto does have the prospects to pedal away for more ready now NHL players if they wanted to improve in a hurry.
- sskkoo1

This is an excellent post

Toronto doesn't have anything coming up that we don't already have, like you said:
Eichel = Matthews
Reinhart = Marner
Nylander = Nylander (I think they were both picked at #8 too)
Risto = Reilly
Ennis = JVR (They are about the same age and have very similar ppg)
Lehner = Anderson (Both are young, good, and relatively unproven as a #1)

But what the Leafs don't have is an ROR, Okposo, or Kane (on the ice, Kane's still an asset) We traded the farm system for two of three of these guys, so we should be better for the forcible future, but Toronto does have the prospects to pedal away for more ready now NHL players if they wanted to improve in a hurry.
- sskkoo1

But PROPECTS AND FIRST ROUND PIX!!

good post.

Toronto doesn't have anything coming up that we don't already have, like you said:
Eichel = Matthews
Reinhart = Marner
Nylander = Nylander (I think they were both picked at #8 too)
Risto = Reilly
Ennis = JVR (They are about the same age and have very similar ppg)
Lehner = Anderson (Both are young, good, and relatively unproven as a #1)

But what the Leafs don't have is an ROR, Okposo, or Kane (on the ice, Kane's still an asset) We traded the farm system for two of three of these guys, so we should be better for the forcible future, but Toronto does have the prospects to pedal away for more ready now NHL players if they wanted to improve in a hurry.
- sskkoo1

Toronto has Kadri as well. As much as I hate him he is a good player. He's nothing super special but he is a piece of that team.

You can say that Matthews could be better than Eichel, that Marner could be better than Reinhart, that they have the better Nylander, and that Reilly is better than Risto. You can say the opposite too.

Both teams have good pieces. Both teams have flaws. One is the center of the hockey media universe. They want fans to buy their pieces and to do that they mirror what the fans think and right now they think optimism.

We'll see in January where both teams stand.

But PROPECTS AND FIRST ROUND PIX!!

good post.
- TheSabresTaco

Eh, people are sort of ignoring guys like Nikita Zaitsev who looks like a really solid top 4 defender, Kasperi Kapanen, Kerby Rychel. I'm also not sure JVR= Ennis either.....

Both teams are looking pretty bright

Eh, people are sort of ignoring guys like Nikita Zaitsev who looks like a really solid top 4 defender, Kasperi Kapanen, Kerby Rychel. I'm also not sure JVR= Ennis either.....

Both teams are looking pretty bright
- sbroads24

Yeah JVR is a bit better than Ennis, especially with the question mark that Ennis has around him and his noggin

Yeah JVR is a bit better than Ennis, especially with the question mark that Ennis has around him and his noggin
- Zschalberg

JVR is coming off an injury riddled season as well.

JVR is coming off an injury riddled season as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

29 in 40 though. Ennis had a rough year and then got injured. Not sure what JVR's injuries were, but 2 concussions in quick succession is the reason I'm still cautious on Ennis. He's looked good in pre-season, I'm just hoping he's good.

29 in 40 though. Ennis had a rough year and then got injured. Not sure what JVR's injuries were, but 2 concussions in quick succession is the reason I'm still cautious on Ennis. He's looked good in pre-season, I'm just hoping he's good.
- Zschalberg

Can't remember offhand and I don't see it anywhere specifically. JVR is a pretty good player for them. Been pretty consistent most of his career. Though his -33 two seasons ago is a bit terrifying.

Sounds like Girgs will be centering Ennis and Moulson tonight. If they can get clicking like 2 years ago they could be a solid line for us.

Sounds like Girgs will be centering Ennis and Moulson tonight. If they can get clicking like 2 years ago they could be a solid line for us.
- LandlordTom

If they could play half as well as they did that year as our 3rd line it'd be great. Does leave that hole in the top 6 again, so likely Foligno would have to step in there. If it's good Foligno I don't mind too much but too often it's not good Foligno

Eh, people are sort of ignoring guys like Nikita Zaitsev who looks like a really solid top 4 defender, Kasperi Kapanen, Kerby Rychel. I'm also not sure JVR= Ennis either.....

Both teams are looking pretty bright
- sbroads24

Watkins - Ruled OUT
Kouandjio - Ruled OUT
Glenn - Questionable

Rex said he's concerned the China Doll is long term. What an effin poop show.

Pierre Mcguire tells us the Ducks are in trade talks with an Eastern Conference team to unload a significant contract, and get room for RFAs

— Blake Price (@BlakePriceTSN) September 30, 2016

Welcome to the Sabres Fowler

If they could play half as well as they did that year as our 3rd line it'd be great. Does leave that hole in the top 6 again, so likely Foligno would have to step in there. If it's good Foligno I don't mind too much but too often it's not good Foligno
- Zschalberg

Might be premature but it looks like Disco is trying to give Larsson looks in some spots, maybe top 6. I think I like him filling in on the top 6 over Foligno, but that scenario only works if that Missouri line (show me) of Moulson, Girgs and Ennis is kicking butt and taking names. Otherwise Foligno or Larsson in the top 6 is a very bad sign.

Toronto has Kadri as well. As much as I hate him he is a good player. He's nothing super special but he is a piece of that team.

You can say that Matthews could be better than Eichel, that Marner could be better than Reinhart, that they have the better Nylander, and that Reilly is better than Risto. You can say the opposite too.

Both teams have good pieces. Both teams have flaws. One is the center of the hockey media universe. They want fans to buy their pieces and to do that they mirror what the fans think and right now they think optimism.

We'll see in January where both teams stand.
- Zschalberg

True. But, I purposely left Kadri off my last comment because in all actuality we do have a player on our roster who produces at that exact same rate as Kadri--Matt Moulson. Both are .60 ppg for their career, and both are coming off some career bad seasons.