Michael Pachla: Building the 2016-17 Buffalo Sabres roster--The Seventh D-man

Michael Pachla: Building the 2016-17 Buffalo Sabres roster--The Seventh D-man
- Michael Pachla

First?

From the last blog:

Nylander has definitely had his chances to show what he has. I don't think he's been bad at all, just don't think he's been great either. Still looks like Rochester bound to me. Not a knock on him at all, just think it's the best place to develop his game and grow. If he plays well down there he can easily be called up.

Fasching should stay in the NHL. He's looked strong on the puck and has been in good position from what I've seen. I'm a Bailey fan but unless he shows something over Fasching tonight I think I'd start Fasching on the 3rd line over Bailey at this point.

63-90-21
9-15-23
26-28-52
82-22-12

Could also do a line of Foligno-Girgensons-Fasching which would be a tough line that could also put up some points. That'd leave 26-22-12 which could be a decent line if Larsson plays like he can and Moulson keeps doing what he did this preseason.

Falk would be a fine 7th Defenseman. I still think we make a deal before the deadline, maybe even at the deadline, to get a defenseman but we'll see. Like you said, not too much depth on D. 2 big injuries and you're reaching for some inexperienced guys.

Guhle did look good last night, though. Needed to look like that all preseason

First?

From the last blog:

Nylander has definitely had his chances to show what he has. I don't think he's been bad at all, just don't think he's been great either. Still looks like Rochester bound to me. Not a knock on him at all, just think it's the best place to develop his game and grow. If he plays well down there he can easily be called up.

Fasching should stay in the NHL. He's looked strong on the puck and has been in good position from what I've seen. I'm a Bailey fan but unless he shows something over Fasching tonight I think I'd start Fasching on the 3rd line over Bailey at this point.

63-90-21
9-15-23
26-28-52
82-22-12

Could also do a line of Foligno-Girgensons-Fasching which would be a tough line that could also put up some points. That'd leave 26-22-12 which could be a decent line if Larsson plays like he can and Moulson keeps doing what he did this preseason.
- Zschalberg

nylander has great hands and is a real good skater...he looked fully engaged last night...a very raw talent

Falk would be a fine 7th Defenseman. I still think we make a deal before the deadline, maybe even at the deadline, to get a defenseman but we'll see. Like you said, not too much depth on D. 2 big injuries and you're reaching for some inexperienced guys.

Guhle did look good last night, though. Needed to look like that all preseason
- Zschalberg

he hasn't had the impact this preseason that he did last year...it makes me believe he'll be back in junior

Colaiacovo, nope.

Eric Burgdoerfer has not looked out of place at all this training camp, and I believe it was Bylsma who said he was amazed that he hasn't played at a higher level before this. I think he is the perfect guy to sit in the press box up in Buffalo, while the veterans they signed go down to Rochester and teach the youngin's how to play the game.

nylander has great hands and is a real good skater...he looked fully engaged last night...a very raw talent
- Michael Pachla

I agree, but I think raw enough that his development should come before the team's needs. That's why I'm thinking Rochester is the best place for him. Can play quality minutes in big situations. Worked pretty well for his brother.

Eric Burgdoerfer has not looked out of place at all this training camp, and I believe it was Bylsma who said he was amazed that he hasn't played at a higher level before this. I think he is the perfect guy to sit in the press box up in Buffalo, while the veterans they signed go down to Rochester and teach the youngin's how to play the game.
- macman9

you stole my thunder for the next blog

I agree, but I think raw enough that his development should come before the team's needs. That's why I'm thinking Rochester is the best place for him. Can play quality minutes in big situations. Worked pretty well for his brother.
- Zschalberg

i'm with ya

Nylander will be good to great. Maybe even elite. But it's gonna take him some time, and that's perfectly ok.

Nylander will be good to great. Maybe even elite. But it's gonna take him some time, and that's perfectly ok.
- TheSabresTaco

just needs to catch up to the speed of the game a bit

Jourdon LaBarber ‏@JourdonLaBarber 1h1 hour ago
Nilsson and Ullmark are the goalies. McCabe, Nelson, Burgdoerfer, Guhle, Austin, Falk are the D-men.

McCabe Nelson could be a very cool pairing to watch, especially in a year or two.

Jourdon LaBarber ‏@JourdonLaBarber 1h1 hour ago
Nilsson and Ullmark are the goalies. McCabe, Nelson, Burgdoerfer, Guhle, Austin, Falk are the D-men.
- TheSabresTaco

So in essence, McCabe is being sent down for the night and we're starting the Amerks defense.

Nylander will be good to great. Maybe even elite. But it's gonna take him some time, and that's perfectly ok.
- TheSabresTaco

You said "Elite" Way to jinx the kid.

You said "Elite" Way to jinx the kid.
- Pope of Pucks

He might end up the best player of all time. Who knows?

How has Austin looked on D this pre-season?

I agree, but I think raw enough that his development should come before the team's needs. That's why I'm thinking Rochester is the best place for him. Can play quality minutes in big situations. Worked pretty well for his brother.
- Zschalberg

I agree, can't have this guy step into the league like Eichel. Rochester will do him some good, help build confidence and learn the pro game

I think colaiaiaiaiacovo is still a decent choice to bring back. I preferred him to whatever it was franson gave the sabres

I agree, can't have this guy step into the league like Eichel. Rochester will do him some good, help build confidence and learn the pro game
- lulags

I didn't see him at all last night. The bar I was at was showing the baseball game over the hockey game. To me, the question simply needs to be this: is my team better with Nylander on it? If so, you keep him. If not, you send him down. From the sounds of it, the answer to that question is "not yet".

Gonna guess that boos talks about Carlo coming back. Off to reid.

Edit: man, I'm good.

So in essence, McCabe is being sent down for the night and we're starting the Amerks defense.
- Der Kaiser

Eh.. sorta. Guhle will likely be in juniors. Falk will prob be our 7th D. Nelson Berg and Austin..... yeah.

I didn't see him at all last night. The bar I was at was showing the baseball game over the hockey game. To me, the question simply needs to be this: is my team better with Nylander on it? If so, you keep him. If not, you send him down. From the sounds of it, the answer to that question is "not yet".
- buffalofan19

What if the question is this: "Is Nylander better next year with a year on the Sabres or a year on the Amerks?" Could be better for his development to play in the AHL. If he's good enough, by all means bring him up. But if he's going to struggle for 40 some games, get limited ice time, and potentially be watching a few games in the press box is that better than getting 12-17 minutes a night in Rochester and as he grows being put in bigger situations?

If this was a question of juniors v the NHL I'd probably say NHL, but since it's the AHL I like him going there just because if he does play as well as we think he can it's a short ride back to Buffalo. Just my opinion, of course.

How has Austin looked on D this pre-season?
- SabreWest

Looked yesterday like he realized he was a big guy and could use that. There was a sequence where both teams really started to throw the body and he was right in the middle of it. Was nice to see.