- homiedclown

he has 35 points in 36 games


6th in the league for points
- homiedclown

And while he's doing that, he is worth every penny they are paying him. The question is, will he maintain that pace even 2 or 3 years down the road.

- cabin

the head nod was priceless

Assuming Reinhart tops out at say 65 pts per 82 - roughly pominville territory - will that be good enough for fans, or we he always be a whipping boy?

But you're looking at it backwards. Everything is crystal clear in hindsight. My point is that you can make it work. I think the idea of having your most expensive guys exclusively in your top six is a bit archaic. Times have changed. In a lot of cases, those guys that are in the top 6 have started being taken over by the young kids (like Eichel, McDavid, Matthews, etc). That forces teams to move a "more expensive" player into a different spot on a lesser line. Doesn't mean they can't be as effective there. Just spreads the talent out throughout the lineup more.
- HonkFortheGoose

However, Kessel is still an exception given how long he is under contract for. Having the more expensive guys on the lesser line is just fine for a short term solution. It's been done for quite a while now. However, it can't last in a salary cap era. Once the likes of Eichel, Matthews, McDavid, etc. are up for their first free agent contracts, that luxury goes out the window.

Assuming Reinhart tops out at say 65 pts per 82 - roughly pominville territory - will that be good enough for fans, or we he always be a whipping boy?
- jcragcrumple

I would like to see more out of a 2nd overall pick, but I'm told that only miserable people expect greatness.

And while he's doing that, he is worth every penny they are paying him. The question is, will he maintain that pace even 2 or 3 years down the road.
- buffalofan19

I would rather pay a 29 year old player who is close to a ppg game player 6.8 mil per than


paying non difference makers

ennis 4.6
moulson 5
bogo 5.1
franson 3.3
gorges 3.9

give me 2 kessels and 3 entry players instead of this crap we are getting for 22 mil

Assuming Reinhart tops out at say 65 pts per 82 - roughly pominville territory - will that be good enough for fans, or we he always be a whipping boy?
- jcragcrumple

in this nhl, it would be fine if he is getting 65 points a year

the number of players north of 80 points a year shrinks every season and the 100 point players are few are far between


as long as you have girgens, carrier, foligno, etc on your top 6, so goes reinharts production

Assuming Reinhart tops out at say 65 pts per 82 - roughly pominville territory - will that be good enough for fans, or we he always be a whipping boy?
- jcragcrumple

I'm sure there will still be a few .

I would rather pay a 29 year old player who is close to a ppg game player 6.8 mil per than


paying non difference makers

ennis 4.6
moulson 5
bogo 5.1
franson 3.3
gorges 3.9

give me 2 kessels and 3 entry players instead of this crap we are getting for 22 mil
- homiedclown

So would I. However, tying myself to even a Kessel for 5 or 6 years is only a success if I get a championship somewhere in that span.

I would like to see more out of a 2nd overall pick, but I'm told that only miserable people expect greatness.
- buffalofan19

I get the feeling that because he flies under the radar and isn't a speedster, people will hate on him like they did Vanek (which I never understood). I have a suspicion that if his career looks something like:

50 pts
57
68
62
66

People will complain about him forever. I think he's going to be really good, but not great.

However, Kessel is still an exception given how long he is under contract for. Having the more expensive guys on the lesser line is just fine for a short term solution. It's been done for quite a while now. However, it can't last in a salary cap era. Once the likes of Eichel, Matthews, McDavid, etc. are up for their first free agent contracts, that luxury goes out the window.
- buffalofan19

the thing with what the pens are doing

you have 3 studs up front that make everyone around them better, and get better supporting numbers

Sheary, Hornqvist, Rust etc

hell Justin Schultz has 2 less points than Risto this year

I get the feeling that because he flies under the radar and isn't a speedster, people will hate on him like they did Vanek (which I never understood). I have a suspicion that if his career looks something like:

50 pts
57
68
62
66

Gerbe will complain about him forever. I think he's going to be really good, but not great.
- jcragcrumple

FTFY

the thing with what the pens are doing

you have 3 studs up front that make everyone around them better, and get better supporting numbers

Sheary, Hornqvist, Rust etc

hell Justin Schultz has 2 less points than Risto this year
- homiedclown

I took schultz this week and Crosby Both 18pts last night.

http://fantasy.hockeybuzz.com/hbsl/boxscore/5131

I get the feeling that because he flies under the radar and isn't a speedster, people will hate on him like they did Vanek (which I never understood). I have a suspicion that if his career looks something like:

50 pts
57
68
62
66

People will complain about him forever. I think he's going to be really good, but not great.
- jcragcrumple

people hated Vanek because he floated on the ice, didn't play much d, refused to play pk

and was the man we paid and let briere and drury walk


the only player I have seen more hate for, that was paid is Satan, and I still am clueless why there was hate on Miro

I took schultz this week and Crosby Both 18pts last night.

http://fantasy.hockeybuzz.com/hbsl/boxscore/5131
- cabin

schultz was the only pen I took

I did take eichel though

the thing with what the pens are doing

you have 3 studs up front that make everyone around them better, and get better supporting numbers

Sheary, Hornqvist, Rust etc

hell Justin Schultz has 2 less points than Risto this year
- homiedclown

Correct, but the majority of that supporting cast probably won't be there in 2 or 3 years.

Ideally, Eichel, Reinhart, and O'Reilly would be your 3 studs up front, and the rest, including the Kane's of the world, even at their best, should be interchangeable. I guess you could exchange the likes of an Okposo for Reinhart, but that doesn't scream championship caliber to me. The Sabres aren't there yet.

people hated Vanek because he floated on the ice, didn't play much d, refused to play pk

and was the man we paid and let briere and drury walk


the only player I have seen more hate for, that was paid is Satan, and I still am clueless why there was hate on Miro
- homiedclown

I think because (and we hear it ALL the time ) he isn't a 200 foot player.

people hated Vanek because he floated on the ice, didn't play much d, refused to play pk

and was the man we paid and let briere and drury walk


the only player I have seen more hate for, that was paid is Satan, and I still am clueless why there was hate on Miro
- homiedclown

He did everything Pominville did except have a likable personality.

He did everything Pominville did except have a likable personality.
- buffalofan19

satan or vanek?


the thing with satan, he was the only guy in our lineup, the other team could focus on him and he still produced at an all star level


vanek, lost respect for him when he refused to kill penalties

people hated Vanek because he floated on the ice, didn't play much d, refused to play pk

and was the man we paid and let briere and drury walk


the only player I have seen more hate for, that was paid is Satan, and I still am clueless why there was hate on Miro
- homiedclown

He scored 65-70 points a year. His style looked effortless so people thought he wasn't trying

I think because (and we hear it ALL the time ) he isn't a 200 foot player.
- cabin

Mikko Rantanen will be the next beast that plays a 200 foot game

He scored 65-70 points a year. His style looked effortless so people thought he wasn't trying
- jcragcrumple

vanek or satan?

vanek or satan?
- homiedclown

Vanek. He was a really good player for us. I think Reinhart will basically match his production

Lehner .930 S% last night
Kane 2G
Rhino G
Eichel G
Risto primary A
Gionta primary A on game winner

Leadership steppped it up last night to Fill the void.
Keep it up boys!
- IonSabres

Enjoy it sports fans because the B's are gonna sweep the home and home.

Detroit - oh how the mighty have fallen.