do you think fowler would have made that much of a difference during all their injuries at the beginning of the year?
- Michael Pachla

He's a better player then Bogo, Gorges and Falk. Add him to our D core of Risto, Bogo, Gorgers, Kulikov and Franson, that's not to bad.

murray would have gotten crucified if he traded away yet another first-rounder
- Michael Pachla

It would have been rough because it was in Buffalo too, but we need a top 3 D man and Folwer could have been that, without the time to develop. It would have put more eggs in the win sooner basket though, not sure we are suited to do that.

He's a better player then Bogo, Gorges and Falk. Add him to our D core of Risto, Bogo, Gorgers, Kulikov and Franson, that's not to bad.
- SABRES 89

imo, and some know a helluva lot more about him than I, he's of the same ilk in that top-four category...not sure how much that helps this team with Ristolainen and a group of five other top-four d-men...

I also think that the injuries to the forwards had an adverse affect on the defense

murray would have gotten crucified if he traded away yet another first-rounder
- Michael Pachla

I totally agree with you here about that trade. The price tag on Fowler was stupid if it was a 1st for him. I still believe we would have been off keeping Pysyk, unless this other Rasmus can be impactful down the line.

It would have been rough because it was in Buffalo too, but we need a top 3 D man and Folwer could have been that, without the time to develop. It would have put more eggs in the win sooner basket though, not sure we are suited to do that.
- Lilroot9

I think that's too high a first-rounder to give up for him...however, I haven't seen a whole lot of him

I totally agree with you here about that trade. The price tag on Fowler was stupid if it was a 1st for him. I still believe we would have been off keeping Pysyk, unless this other Rasmus can be impactful down the line.
- mattsox

Youre dead to me.

I totally agree with you here about that trade. The price tag on Fowler was stupid if it was a 1st for him. I still believe we would have been off keeping Pysyk, unless this other Rasmus can be impactful down the line.
- mattsox

from my understanding, murray thought Pysyk had more to give--most notably, jumping into the play more often--and I guess in murray's eyes he never did that on a consistent enough basis

I think that's too high a first-rounder to give up for him...however, I haven't seen a whole lot of him
- Michael Pachla

I guess, I mean do we think Larsson (Edmonton D) is better than Fowler? They had to give up Taylor Hall. I just don't know what the price would be for a top 3 D locked up for the next 2 years (this would have been during the summer) at $4m. Seems pretty good. Again, I am not in love with the deal, but would you have traded that pick for Shatenkirk?

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Burner I saw him leave yesterday morning he told me where he was headed. I posted it on here.

Baier is a great guy. One of the most respected players in the ECHL.
- Stripes77

Cool. I wish him luck. At the rate the Sabres are going, he can play in Buffalo at some point.

I guess, I mean do we think Larsson (Edmonton D) is better than Fowler? They had to give up Taylor Hall. I just don't know what the price would be for a top 3 D locked up for the next 2 years (this would have been during the summer) at $4m. Seems pretty good. Again, I am not in love with the deal, but would you have traded that pick for Shatenkirk?
- Lilroot9

that's a good point about being locked up for two years...

as for shattenkirk, not sure...he's a righty so probably not...i'm not displeased with the defense-corps heading into this season...injuries up and down the lineup renders their grade a solid incomplete at this point...

then again, i'm not an analytics guy and apparently this group would rival the flyboys post '04 lockout defense for worst in the league

Cool. I wish him luck. At the rate the Sabres are going, he can play in Buffalo at some point.
- burner087

I would expect him back here in a week or two once the Sabres get a little healthier

that's a good point about being locked up for two years...

as for shattenkirk, not sure...he's a righty so probably not...i'm not displeased with the defense-corps heading into this season...injuries up and down the lineup renders their grade a solid incomplete at this point...

then again, i'm not an analytics guy and apparently this group would rival the flyboys post '04 lockout defense for worst in the league
- Michael Pachla

They have a combined 1 goal in 25 games. That's almost unheard of.

that's a good point about being locked up for two years...

as for shattenkirk, not sure...he's a righty so probably not...i'm not displeased with the defense-corps heading into this season...injuries up and down the lineup renders their grade a solid incomplete at this point...

then again, i'm not an analytics guy and apparently this group would rival the flyboys post '04 lockout defense for worst in the league
- Michael Pachla

I don't get all of the hate for the blue line.

It's not great but it's not god awful either.

I don't get all of the hate for the blue line.

It's not great but it's not god awful either.
- Stripes77

im convinced it just looks that way because they're literally playing risto for half the game

I don't get all of the hate for the blue line.

It's not great but it's not god awful either.
- Stripes77

It's pretty close.

You can't keep playing Rasmus 30 minutes a game. At this rate he's going to be burnt out by the end of January.

Regardless, serious upgrades are needed to improve the blue line and they have nothing to give up to get said upgrade.

im convinced it just looks that way because they're literally playing risto for half the game
- Sabresfan-365

Probably but again the Sabres are 7th best in the league in goals against per game...they are just last in goals scored per game

They have a combined 1 goal in 25 games. That's almost unheard of.
- sbroads24

How many posts have McCabe hit this year?

I swear its like 12

There is bad shooting luck and then there is Buffalo shooting luck...

Probably but again the Sabres are 7th best in the league in goals against per game...they are just last in goals scored per game
- Stripes77

Since Eichel has been back and they have opened it up a little offensively, they've given up 4,3,2, and 3. So 3 per game which would be around 25th.

Small sample, but we were being so cautious without Eichel, trying to win 2-1 games.

I don't get all of the hate for the blue line.

It's not great but it's not god awful either.
- Stripes77

Gorges is literally one of the worst possession players in the league. The worst defenseman. Almost ever one of the the top 4 is playing 1-2 slots higher than they should be (except for Risto, maybe). Franson is garbage

Since Eichel has been back and they have opened it up a little offensively, they've given up 4,3,2, and 3. So 3 per game which would be around 25th.

Small sample, but we were being so cautious without Eichel, trying to win 2-1 games.
- sbroads24

Way too small of a sample size.

Also who have they played in those 4 games?

Washington (who scored their 3rd goal skating 3 on 3 in OT)
Ottawa 3rd in the conference scored 4 Sabres won
Rangers 2nd in the conference scored 3 Sabres won
Boston scored 2 Sabres lost 2 to 1...

Way too small of a sample size.

Also who have they played in those 4 games?

Washington (who scored their 3rd goal skating 3 on 3 in OT)
Ottawa 3rd in the conference scored 4 Sabres won
Rangers 2nd in the conference scored 3 Sabres won
Boston scored 2 Sabres lost 2 to 1...
- Stripes77

Agreed, but I think it probably continues. Not that they are the worst D corps ever, just not one you make a serious push with

Agreed, but I think it probably continues. Not that they are the worst D corps ever, just not one you make a serious push with
- sbroads24

it still fascinates me that a year has gone by and somehow the handling of ristolainen's ice time has gotten worse. How is that even possible.

Agreed, but I think it probably continues. Not that they are the worst D corps ever, just not one you make a serious push with
- sbroads24

I agree they aren't one to make a serious push but I think they are good enough to get you to the dance.

Being last in scoring is the issue here.

Team shooting percentage is like 6.67% dead last

Hell last year it was 8.23% not even the worst, the worst was the Leafs at 7.63%

Until the shooting percentage improves nothing will change

it still fascinates me that a year has gone by and somehow the handling of ristolainen's ice time has gotten worse. How is that even possible.
- Sabresfan-365

Especially when Bylsma said they wanted to cut his ice time a bit