This. You on XBONE, PS4, or PC?
- Wetbandit1

PS4

TB came back and won in OT, Toronto won, Panthers got a point, at least Carolina lost

TB came back and won in OT, Toronto won, Panthers got a point, at least Carolina lost
- doppelthat

10 pts out of the wild card spot .

10 pts out of the wild card spot .
- cabin

But only 6 out of 3rd in the division. That's probably going to be where we'd have to get in. With the way the Metropolitan division has done lately, the wild card probably isn't going to be an option.

But only 6 out of 3rd in the division. That's probably going to be where we'd have to get in. With the way the Metropolitan division has done lately, the wild card probably isn't going to be an option.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah it's kinda goofy the way that works out. Was easier when 1-8 were in the playoffs.

These are just "bold predictions by Kris Baker

7) At season's end, rumors of a Sam Reinhart for William Nylander trade emerge, adding a little more fuel to what many hope will be a competitive re-kindling of a long-standing NHL rivalry between the Sabres and Maple Leafs.

Uniting the Nylander brothers with Jack Eichel makes for a tantalizing rumor in Buffalo leading up to the draft in Chicago. Meanwhile in Toronto, the thoughts of bringing a former World Junior star "home" to play for Mike Babcock makes for a compelling story line.

It would be the first trade between Toronto and Buffalo since March 4, 2009 when the Sabres spent a second-round pick to acquire Dominic Moore.

2) With contending teams looking to tinker and add depth before the rush of the trade deadline, Johan Larsson becomes a hot topic of discussions in January and is ultimately moved.

Larsson's growth into a role is the best thing that could happen for Tim Murray, who inherited Larsson from the previous regime. Larsson's checking-line competence and ability to agitate is attractive to contenders, and his pending status as an RFA could add to the attraction for a team that sees him as something greater than a rental.

Among the suitors is a Minnesota Wild team that originally drafted Larsson in the 2010 draft.

Murray knows his team is speed-deficient. Moving a valued, affordable, yet not-so-speedy player like Larsson may disappoint fans in the short term, but could make sense when considering the long-term blueprint.

http://www.sabresprospect...ris-tal-ball-edition.html
- GilPerreault11

Reinhart would be a Sabre killer for a decade playing under Bab's. Bylsma has to go before this team implodes.

Yeah it's kinda goofy the way that works out. Was easier when 1-8 were in the playoffs.
- cabin

Would actually be harder if it were 1-8 for us, this year. We'd be fighting with the Islanders, Carolina, and Devils, on top of FLA, BOS, TB

Would actually be harder if it were 1-8 for us, this year. We'd be fighting with the Islanders, Carolina, and Devils, on top of FLA, BOS, TB
- sbroads24

The current structure plus the fact that the division we're in is currently the weaker of the two could definitely be beneficial to us. Just not sure if they'll actually take advantage of it.

If Reinhart is going to play wing for the foreseeable future here and he is a natural center and we already have Eichel and O'Reilly and Reinhart is not the fastest wing or a natural wing why not trade him to a team who needs a valuable commodity, a skilled center for a dynamic, fast skilled natural winger?

Trading Reinhart within the next year or so for a dynamic, speed, skilled player was a bold prediction I made about a month or so ago. I know TM said he isn't going to trade Reinhart but he said the same thing about Myers. I never believe what the GM says to the press. Will he trade Reinhart? Who knows, but it's not a crazy idea if the return is like Nylander.
- GilPerreault11

The one factor that I have not seen mentioned is how Reinhart can move to center whenever needed, such as due to an injury to either Eichel or O'Reilly, and handle that job.

Also, when the team is better filled on the wings, you can move Reinhart to center the so-called 3rd line and have a triple threat down the middle for the playoffs, which is very difficult for opposing teams to match up with.

Those are the reasons I would keep Reinhart and not deal him for somebody like Nylander.

I understand the team needs speed, but they have some in the AHL, and they can get more via FA.

Keep Reinhart unless it's part of a deal for a true top pairing defenseman.

He has value in a multitude of ways.

I'm glad I'm not going crazy, it seems like the Sabres get a ton of chances, but just seem totally unable to bury them. The Sabres are 4th in the league at 5v5 scoring chances for. They just also happen to be 28th in SH%. To me that's 100% on the players, Bylsma's system is working to get the chances, the players are just woefully unable to bury them. And they're still 12th in goals against. That's pretty damning evidence of it being the players fault.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/n...-countdown-211140980.html
- Wetbandit1

Malkin and Crosby do not agree with this post.

Would actually be harder if it were 1-8 for us, this year. We'd be fighting with the Islanders, Carolina, and Devils, on top of FLA, BOS, TB
- sbroads24

Just looked at that and agree.

Even though Boston is the team they are chasing now, it will end up being Tampa as the team.

It has to be with their overall talent, unless both Boston and Ottawa will come crashing back to earth.

Would actually be harder if it were 1-8 for us, this year. We'd be fighting with the Islanders, Carolina, and Devils, on top of FLA, BOS, TB
- sbroads24

Jersey and Islanders are last . and don't seem to be getting any better. Boston Tampa and Leafs would be the harder of the bunch imo

Reinhart would be a Sabre killer for a decade playing under Bab's. Bylsma has to go before this team implodes.
- Pairo11

I like this one:

6) A few obnoxious analytics folks get egg on their faces and a huge hit to any credibility they've (somehow) garnered when Rasmus Ristolainen is named a finalist for the 2016-17 Norris Trophy. Hey, at least those charts were pretty.

Just looked at that and agree.

Even though Boston is the team they are chasing now, it will end up being Tampa as the team.

It has to be with their overall talent, unless both Boston and Ottawa will come crashing back to earth.
- kingcong39

Add Toronto, they have had a very good record since October ended.

But then again, I was told rebuilds take ten years, so they won't win anything for another 8 at least.

The one factor that I have not seen mentioned is how Reinhart can move to center whenever needed, such as due to an injury to either Eichel or O'Reilly, and handle that job.

Also, when the team is better filled on the wings, you can move Reinhart to center the so-called 3rd line and have a triple threat down the middle for the playoffs, which is very difficult for opposing teams to match up with.

Those are the reasons I would keep Reinhart and not deal him for somebody like Nylander.

I understand the team needs speed, but they have some in the AHL, and they can get more via FA.

Keep Reinhart unless it's part of a deal for a true top pairing defenseman.

He has value in a multitude of ways.
- kingcong39

I agree. He doesn't have foot speed but his hockey IQ and hands are top notch. He's really only playing his 2nd season and producing on a pretty bad team. With better wingers on a better team with a different coaching style he'd look like Joe Thornton (minus a foot or so),

I agree with Kong. Unless he's getting packaged for that top pairing D man he should not be dealt. Give him a year or two and he'll be a very good #2 Center at the least.

Add Toronto, they have had a very good record since October ended.

But then again, I was told rebuilds take ten years, so they won't win anything for another 8 at least.
- sbroads24

Possibly, but I'll believe Toronto when I see them there at the trading deadline and beyond.

The only team I trust being good, outside of Montreal who I'm not even sold 100% on, is Tampa.

Possibly, but I'll believe Toronto when I see them there at the trading deadline and beyond.

The only team I trust being good, outside of Montreal who I'm not even sold 100% on, is Tampa.
- kingcong39

Boston has depth, an amazing top line, and great goaltending.

They are a legit playoff team IMO.

Bylsma system doesn't work for this team.

Fire the stubborn idiot.

Just looked at that and agree.

Even though Boston is the team they are chasing now, it will end up being Tampa as the team.

It has to be with their overall talent, unless both Boston and Ottawa will come crashing back to earth.
- kingcong39

I hate to sound so dramatic but this team plays SOOO close to being on the cusp of turning the corner (should have won a Carlina game and the Fla. game) that these two Boston games could break our season or set them up to get over the hump.

Huge 2 games coming up here.

Boston has depth, an amazing top line, and great goaltending.

They are a legit playoff team IMO.
- sbroads24

Looking at goal differential: Columbus has a ridiculous number, wow.

GF 114 GA 68 +46

Their young, top pair D has been playing very well.

I hate to sound so dramatic but this team plays SOOO close to being on the cusp of turning the corner (should have won a Carlina game and the Fla. game) that these two Boston games could break our season or set them up to get over the hump.

Huge 2 games coming up here.
- Pairo11

If they play well and split, there will be a lot of negativity in here.

I can't imagine what it will be like in here if they lose both, even if they lose both in OT.

If they play well and split, there will be a lot of negativity in here.

I can't imagine what it will be like in here if they lose both, even if they lose both in OT.
- kingcong39

Lets face it though, they need to take both to gain ground.

If they lose both we might as well become sellers on Sunday.

If they play well and split, there will be a lot of negativity in here.

I can't imagine what it will be like in here if they lose both, even if they lose both in OT.
- kingcong39

Imagine how Boston will feel losing both.

F them

Lets face it though, they need to take both to gain ground.

If they lose both we might as well become sellers on Sunday.
- sbroads24

They definitely need to win both. They also need to win the 3 games they have in hand on Boston. That right there is a 10 point differential.

If they play well and split, there will be a lot of negativity in here.

I can't imagine what it will be like in here if they lose both, even if they lose both in OT.
- kingcong39

If I were a betting man I'd lay $50 on them losing both games. They'll be close games with one going to OT or shootout.

Boston has the players (and coach) to win the close games. Buffalo does not and they are without OReilly (still their best player).