Careful how you word that around here. Some will think you mean he drags the team down. And agree with it. We call those the crazy people.
- Wetbandit1

If the guy was a free agent what kind of attraction would he warrant? That is the kind of consideration you have to ask yourself. There is not a team in the NHL that would not line up for his services, and pay handsomely for them. Craziness!

For arguments sake since I find it crazy that there might not be an appreciation for Risto

My Top 5 Defensemen in the Atlantic Division:
1. Hedman (38pts, -1, 24:30toi)
2. Karlsson (38pts, +4, 27:00toi)
3. Weber (29pts, +18, 26:00toi)
4. Risto (28pts, -2, 27:00toi)
5. Ekblad (15pts, -18, 22:30toi), having a down year!

For arguments sake since I find it crazy that there might not be an appreciation for Risto

My Top 5 Defensemen in the Atlantic Division:
1. Hedman (38pts, -1, 24:30toi)
2. Karlsson (38pts, +4, 27:00toi)
3. Weber (29pts, +18, 26:00toi)
4. Risto (28pts, -2, 27:00toi)
5. Ekblad (15pts, -18, 22:30toi), having a down year!
- Weisenheimer

That looks about right to me...
Risto just keeps getting better & better
and it's all while he's getting more & more responsibility
Sabres' fans are definitely thrilled with him

Character win guys.....
- MR.Hunter

Character loss by Toronto last night. Lead late into the third and lose in shootout, nice!

Happy Saturday Sabres OT Win!

Made dinner with the lady and kept the phone silent, just finished watching this "Horrible" team beat the best team in the conference, in their barn, with the Best Goalie in the League on the end of a back-back. This team has a number of valid areas of improvement, but since the lines were put back together the players really have responded. If people don't see this as growth in a really positive way, they are just negative because they are negative , but I love them all because we are all fans of the Buffalo Sabres

Bogosian really has been improving his game, just didn't want to mention it after how horrid his play was.
Kane is a beast
Jack is the real deal
ROR keeps putting in the face of his detractors Why he is so valuable



- MEBSabresFAN

Irish - Likes this

Sabres are 3-0 in games Ennis has played in his return.

Save of the year makes me want to bring back his nickname- Sugar Ray Lenner.

Prospect report

Brandon Hagel (6th rd 2016) had a 6 point night last night (2g 4a) for Red Deer. It gives him 20g and 26a in 41 games.

Guhle scored two goals last night before leaving the game with a foot injury.

Cal Petersen gets his 5th shutout of the season for ND.

Bailey tearing it up for Rochester, another goal in a 3-1 win over Hartford. bailey has 17 goals in 34 AHL games this year. He had 30 in 70 last season. That's how players should develop.

sabres 5 points behind bruins, 3 games in hand
2 points behind panthers, 2 games in hand
3 points behind flyers, 1 game in hand

Prospect report

Brandon Hagel (6th rd 2016) had a 6 point night last night (2g 4a) for Red Deer. It gives him 20g and 26a in 41 games.

Guhle scored two goals last night before leaving the game with a foot injury.

Cal Petersen gets his 5th shutout of the season for ND.

Bailey tearing it up for Rochester, another goal in a 3-1 win over Hartford. bailey has 17 goals in 34 AHL games this year. He had 30 in 70 last season. That's how players should develop.
- mhp

Baptiste has 17 in 33 games too.

Baptiste has 17 in 33 games too.
- rover16

Yes, but he's cooled off lately.

Yes, but he's cooled off lately.
- mhp

Funny how Bailey and Baptiste seem to trade off between the two of them being hot at any one time.

Funny how Bailey and Baptiste seem to trade off between the two of them being hot at any one time.
- IonSabres

If and hopefully we clear some of that dead weight out both of these guys will be in Buffalo next year. I like the way both Baptiste and Bailey have developed in the minors.

I' miss hoping that Kulikov comes back soon, fully healed. We need to see him play when he is healthy...and hopefully to add some value to his trade status for the TDL...he could, just could get us something decent in return IF he comes back and plays well. He's the perfect rental for a playoff team looking to bolster their backend.

sabres 5 points behind bruins, 3 games in hand
2 points behind panthers, 2 games in hand
3 points behind flyers, 1 game in hand
- homiedclown

2 road games coming up and if they can get at least 3 out of 4 they're in the thick of it. This is also the time of year some teams go on losing streaks and struggle a bit. Hopefully McCabe won't be out for too long.

I' miss hoping that Kulikov comes back soon, fully healed. We need to see him play when he is healthy...and hopefully to add some value to his trade status for the TDL...he could, just could get us something decent in return IF he comes back and plays well. He's the perfect rental for a playoff team looking to bolster their backend.
- IonSabres

I agree. I think we can get a decent return for both Kulikov and Franson.

If and hopefully we clear some of that dead weight out both of these guys will be in Buffalo next year. I like the way both Baptiste and Bailey have developed in the minors.
- mhp

Agreed, now we need to see some consistency from Nylander adapting to the NA game. That Scout had a different opinion, but William Nylander needed almost 2 years to get his game straightened out. Alex isn't going to find those gaping holes like he sees on the European sized ice...it is an adjustment for sure.

How bout Fedun? He was as good as Pysyk's best game in a Sabres' uni tonight.
- Hatboro_Swords

Fedun is better than Gorges. assuming we ever get all our D healthy again, Gorges should be the one to sit. Someone will give Fedun a one way contract next year

I agree. I think we can get a decent return for both Kulikov and Franson.
- mhp

Yup - we need Kuli to come back healthy and play like the way he played in Florida during the playoffs. I am in the camp that the back injury he suffered in the pre season game really has messed him up. My bad back flares up at times and when it does, I can't even tie my shoe laces. Hopefully the rest and treatment he is receiving now will allow him to come back relatively healthy and play well. Then we can flip him at the TDL for a 2nd/3rd rounder - along with Franson.

Agreed, now we need to see some consistency from Nylander adapting to the NA game. That Scout had a different opinion, but William Nylander needed almost 2 years to get his game straightened out. Alex isn't going to find those gaping holes like he sees on the European sized ice...it is an adjustment for sure.
- IonSabres

Forsberg thinks that the AHL is not suited best for Alex Nylander's development but the NHL actually is. He also said he needs to work on his strength. The kid is only 18 so he has time.

Yup - we need Kuli to come back healthy and play like the way he played in Florida during the playoffs. I am in the camp that the back injury he suffered in the pre season game really has messed him up. My bad back flares up at times and when it does, I can't even tie my shoe laces. Hopefully the rest and treatment he is receiving now will allow him to come back relatively healthy and play well. Then we can flip him at the TDL for a 2nd/3rd rounder - along with Franson.
- SabreWest

If Kulikov comes back in say, early February and gets in 10-12 games before the TDL, that will be enough for teams to look at him to gauge their interest. They also know enough about him as well. And I know enough about bad backs, got a herniated and bulging disk in the low back, have to stretch it out every day.

Yup - we need Kuli to come back healthy and play like the way he played in Florida during the playoffs. I am in the camp that the back injury he suffered in the pre season game really has messed him up. My bad back flares up at times and when it does, I can't even tie my shoe laces. Hopefully the rest and treatment he is receiving now will allow him to come back relatively healthy and play well. Then we can flip him at the TDL for a 2nd/3rd rounder - along with Franson.
- SabreWest

I think Arizona could use some veteran leadership for next year. Gorges would certainly fit that bill, and we'd even retain salary for a fifth rounder. perhaps we could also interest them in a slightly used (only two previous owners) Matt Moulson?

Seriously though, I doubt you get second rounders for any of the defensemen on this team. The most attractive one is Kulikov imo, just based on his playoffs last year. After that, I think Fedun is the most attractive

sabres 5 points behind bruins, 3 games in hand
2 points behind panthers, 2 games in hand
3 points behind flyers, 1 game in hand
- homiedclown

classic sabres. convince'em you're about to turn the corner and then *thud* hello 15th

Save of the year makes me want to bring back his nickname- Sugar Ray Lenner.
- mhp

Which save was better, Price on Risto or Lehner on Galchenyuk? Lehner's was spectacular partly because it looked like he was defending an imaginary net next to the net before the shot was taken! What an awesome save though.

Win still feeling great this morning. The 3 poster boys for criticism all scored. Franson and Bogo both did something to remind you they suck then scored right after too. Franson with a fluttering shot on goal with no one in front before commercial break, I thought for sure Bogo was gonna turn the puck over right before the rush in OT when he sent the puck around the boards to an unsuspecting Kane. Just what Bogo needed to boost his confidence a bit.

classic sabres. convince'em you're about to turn the corner and then *thud* hello 15th
- Sabresfan-365

Hahaha, par for the course. on the road to Nashville then Dallas. Sabres own the WC! Tied for the last wild card before the break?