Finally, an awesome playoff game this weekend.
- Hatboro_Swords

If we could get a QB half as good as Rodgers we'd be in the playoffs

Couldn't resist. And ROR has been soldering through injuries all year. I'd like him to score more but I think he's just starting to heat up. His line mates are currently Gionta and Girgensons. He's doing what he can...
- bluengold12

point taken but so's ya know...gus had the game-tying goal yesterday and Gionta the game-winner with an assist from o'Reilly...not too bad, eh?

I'm guessing if he doesn't sign it's because Murray would't give him assurances that Lehner wasn't the franchise guy. Which means we likely wouldn't be drafting a goalie again that high.
- bluengold12

just curious, why would any gm give franchise assurances to a college goalie who was a 5th round pick?

Tim Schaller now has 6 goals this year.

I'm not a math whiz, but I think that's a lot more than Grant, D-Lo have.
- sbroads24

After seeing him play yesterday, I'd rather have Armia on the 4th line than Grant. He had an excellent preseason which earned him a spot on the roster, but as we all know he hasn't shown anything since. I'd be willing to listen to the intangibles argument if our PK wasn't ranked last in the league, which Grant has been a part of.

I have a soft spot for 4th line grinders like D-lo, but he's been pretty rough this year so far. He can skate pretty well and hit, but that's about it. So yes, Schaller would be better than the 2 of them, I agree.

just curious, why would any gm give franchise assurances to a college goalie who was a 5th round pick?
- Michael Pachla

Not assurances to Petersen that he would be the franchise guy but assurances that he could be should he play well here. Basically not just telling him Lehner is my guy and that's it. Also what does being a 5th round pick have to do with anything? You play well you can be drafted dead last in the 7th round I don't care. Once you're drafted it's about production not draft status.

point taken but so's ya know...gus had the game-tying goal yesterday and Gionta the game-winner with an assist from o'Reilly...not too bad, eh?
- Michael Pachla

Yes both played well yesterday. But Gionta snapped a ten game goal streak and it was only Girgensons 5th goal of the year. Hardly high production. Before that he had guys like Carrier and Deslauries with him at times this year. Again not super terrific linemates

just curious, why would any gm give franchise assurances to a college goalie who was a 5th round pick?
- Michael Pachla

yea don't give him the keys to the castle or nothing lol. I just think he wants to be given a fair shot and i think there's legitimate concern that as long as TM is in charge the tie will always go to lehner.

yea don't give him the keys to the castle or nothing lol. I just think he wants to be given a fair shot and i think there's legitimate concern that as long as TM is in charge the tie will always go to lehner.
- Sabresfan-365

What I have been saying..

Tim Schaller now has 6 goals this year.

I'm not a math whiz, but I think that's a lot more than Grant, D-Lo have.
- sbroads24

bigger mistake:

a) giving grant way too many chances based on pre season play

b) not giving Guhle a chance because pre season play wasn't enough to justify benching high cap hit d-men.

Not assurances to Petersen that he would be the franchise guy but assurances that he could be should he play well here. Basically not just telling him Lehner is my guy and that's it. Also what does being a 5th round pick have to do with anything? You play well you can be drafted dead last in the 7th round I don't care. Once you're drafted it's about production not draft status.
- bluengold12

fair enough...I can subscribe to that...I just can't think of any college goalie who's made the jump directly to the nhl after college...nor can I think of any off hand who would have the clout of being a first-round or even second round pick to even try and force a team's hand like that

Not assurances to Petersen that he would be the franchise guy but assurances that he could be should he play well here. Basically not just telling him Lehner is my guy and that's it. Also what does being a 5th round pick have to do with anything? You play well you can be drafted dead last in the 7th round I don't care. Once you're drafted it's about production not draft status.
- bluengold12

I'd like the Sabres to sign Peterson but finding a goalie isn't that hard

What I have been saying..
- bluengold12

Its why i think he'll at the very least explore options in FA. its like playing the same position as the coaches son in peewee.

yea don't give him the keys to the castle or nothing lol. I just think he wants to be given a fair shot and i think there's legitimate concern that as long as TM is in charge the tie will always go to lehner.
- Sabresfan-365

The tie always goes to the incumbent. Everywhere.

yea don't give him the keys to the castle or nothing lol. I just think he wants to be given a fair shot and i think there's legitimate concern that as long as TM is in charge the tie will always go to lehner.
- Sabresfan-365

I hear ya, and it just isn't murray who thinks that way...pretty much every gm feels their guy is the guy...

don't get me wrong, I think Petersen has all the tools to have a good shot at having an impact in the league and i'm looking forward to seeing him play, preferably for the sabres

I'd like the Sabres to sign Peterson but finding a goalie isn't that hard
- mattmoulson

In that case I'll take the next Carey Price please!

The tie always goes to the incumbent. Everywhere.
- Der Kaiser

Right, Im guessing Petersen and his agent would like to be in a situation where the incumbent is close to or on his way out.

Its why i think he'll at the very least explore options in FA. its like playing the same position as the coaches son in peewee.
- Sabresfan-365

Evan Rodrigues was a prolific scorer in a much more competitive college conference than ND plays in.

Lets not get our knickers in a knot over Cap Peterson until he stops a few shots in professional hockey games.

I hear ya, and it just isn't murray who thinks that way...pretty much every gm feels their guy is the guy...

don't get me wrong, I think Petersen has all the tools to have a good shot at having an impact in the league and i'm looking forward to seeing him play, preferably for the sabres
- Michael Pachla

As do I, I also like Lehner but hes not irreplaceable. The production hes given the sabres can and has been found in FA for not a whole lot of money. If their scouts agree that petersen could be the real deal. Not saying give it to Petersen right away but at least internally maybe drop the idea that it Lehner or bust.

Right, Im guessing Petersen and his agent would like to be in a situation where the incumbent is close to or on his way out.
- Sabresfan-365

If Lehner is such a bumbling failure he should sign here because he will certainly outplay the incumbent - not tie.

Evan Rodrigues was a prolific scorer in a much more competitive college conference than ND plays in.

Lets not get our knickers in a knot over Cap Peterson until he stops a few shots in professional hockey games.
- Der Kaiser

Agreed, I just hope they are open to giving him that opportunity.

If Lehner is such a bumbling failure he should sign here because he will certainly outplay the incumbent - not tie.
- Der Kaiser

He's not.

As do I, I also like Lehner but hes not irreplaceable. The production hes given the sabres can and has been found in FA for not a whole lot of money. If their scouts agree that petersen could be the real deal. Not saying give it to Petersen right away but at least internally maybe drop the idea that it Lehner or bust.
- Sabresfan-365

i'm not taking it as Lehner or bust, but I do think that giving him a full season as the no. 1 goalie will give everyone a good indication as to what his makeup is in that role

i'm not taking it as Lehner or bust, but I do think that giving him a full season as the no. 1 goalie will give everyone a good indication as to what his makeup is
- Michael Pachla

He's on pace for 50+ starts this year no?


I sometimes get the impression that management tends to believe that.

As do I, I also like Lehner but hes not irreplaceable. The production hes given the sabres can and has been found in FA for not a whole lot of money. If their scouts agree that petersen could be the real deal. Not saying give it to Petersen right away but at least internally maybe drop the idea that it Lehner or bust.
- Sabresfan-365

This idea that it's Lehner or bust - other than the belief that Murray offered too much in the trade - where does it come from? What challenger has outplayed Lehner as incumbent while Lehner is healthy?

This idea that it's Lehner or bust - other than the belief that Murray offered too much in the trade - where does it come from? What challenger has outplayed Lehner as incumbent while Lehner is healthy?
- Der Kaiser

it comes from the price paid. You dont pay that much for an at the time unproven asset unless you really believe hes the guy. Nobody's "outplayed" him but its worth pointing out that they have put no effort into finding someone who would actually be able to challenge him for that spot, again probably because TM believes hes "the guy".