Why are we picking a QB in the first 2 rounds and then not playing him? Doesn't seem to be any real QBs available (Cousins maybe, Hoyer, Glennon) in free agency. Understanding that throwing a rookie into the fire isn't always great at least letting him get the experience is better than him holding a clipboard. Either way you're going to be a bad team with either a rookie QB or a FA so we're shooting for the year after that then.
- Zschalberg

Either way.

Rookie/Vet Starter
Rookie/Vet Back-up
Jones experiment 3rd stringer

Only way I see Chad Kelly here is if they don't get a QB in the 1st 2 rds.

Wow I just looked at the stats and he's averaging 17 minutes. That's even worse. He's playing 17 minutes plus 1:49 power play time and were getting .5 ppg. Like I said, I know I'm in the minority but I'd rather see the minutes elsewhere. Idk I just don't think we need him
- jcragcrumple

.5 ppg is 41 points in a year. How many points a year is decent for the 3rd line? Do we need 50 point 3rd liners? I'd like that but how often does that happen?

Either way.

Rookie/Vet Starter
Rookie/Vet Back-up
Jones experiment 3rd stringer

Only way I see Chad Kelly here is if they don't get a QB in the 1st 2 rds.
- dadeadhead

I'm expecting Tyrod to stay, so I don't think they take a QB in the top 2 rounds. I also don't want Kelly but would only pick him up if he's undrafted. Depending on who you talk to I've heard 4th-undrafted and I stop paying attention since it's all just a guess. I wouldn't waste a pick that you can use for next year after having only one of our top 4 draft picks start the season last year

.5 ppg is 41 points in a year. How many points a year is decent for the 3rd line? Do we need 50 point 3rd liners? I'd like that but how often does that happen?
- Zschalberg

17 minutes is too much for that production and averaging two minutes a night on the power play where he's brutal. I don't want him, but if he's playing 10-12 on the fourth line and zero time on the PP that's an improvement. One good year out of three and suddenly a 39 year old is the best plan for the third line next year?

I'm expecting Tyrod to stay, so I don't think they take a QB in the top 2 rounds. I also don't want Kelly but would only pick him up if he's undrafted. Depending on who you talk to I've heard 4th-undrafted and I stop paying attention since it's all just a guess. I wouldn't waste a pick that you can use for next year after having only one of our top 4 draft picks start the season last year
- Zschalberg

Wow I just looked at the stats and he's averaging 17 minutes. That's even worse. He's playing 17 minutes plus 1:49 power play time and were getting .5 ppg. Like I said, I know I'm in the minority but I'd rather see the minutes elsewhere. Idk I just don't think we need him
- jcragcrumple

How Gionta is bashed in any way is nuts. He outperforms pretty much ANY 3rd line player in the entire league.

Best team in the league's 3rd liners points(per 5v5 ice time numbers):

Minnesota
Pomminville(24), Zucker (32), Haula(16)

San Jose
Boedker(15), Donsko(15), Labanc(14)

Washington
Eller(14), Burakovsky(25), Beagle(20)

Montreal
Danault(25), Lehkonen(16), Mitchell(15)

17 minutes is too much for that production and averaging two minutes a night on the power play where he's brutal. I don't want him, but if he's playing 10-12 on the fourth line and zero time on the PP that's an improvement. One good year out of three and suddenly a 39 year old is the best plan for the third line next year?
- jcragcrumple

This to me is the deal breaker. You're betting on a guy 39 year old replicating this production not a 29 year old.

How Gionta is bashed in any way is nuts. He outperforms pretty much ANY 3rd line player in the entire league.

Best team in the league's 3rd liners points(per 5v5 ice time numbers):

Minnesota
Pomminville(24), Zucker (32), Haula(16)

San Jose
Boedker(15), Donsko(15), Labanc(14)

Washington
Eller(14), Burakovsky(25), Beagle(20)

Montreal
Danault(25), Lehkonen(16), Mitchell(15)
- stashu

Trade target

If we're serious about being good, Gionta has to be on the fourth line. If he starts the season on the fourth line, I'll know we're serious about being 1-2 rounds deep into the playoffs. If he's on the third line, it'll be a repeat of this year. His sheltered minutes point production doesn't move the needle for me at all. If he's that good playing that little, he'll be a great fourth liner
- jcragcrumple

again he has one of the best production in nhl for 5 on 5 per minutes played

and you can make a case he is the best 3rd liner in the nhl this season

gionta is as close to the opposite for what is wrong with this team in the 2016-17 season

did gionta sleep with your mom or girlfriend?

- dadeadhead

well played

Talent to be a playoff team. But the caveat is better coaching. Bylsma learned nothing in his year off from hockey. We don't play to the strengths of our players. Dumb system. Get rid of the stretch pass. Get rid of the dump and chase. Employ better puck support. Allow active defenseman in offensive zone and coming up the ice.

Not a fan of Lehner despite his saves the other night.
- theblueandgold

At first I thought your avatar was Donald Trump

again he has one of the best production in nhl for 5 on 5 per minutes played

and you can make a case he is the best 3rd liner in the nhl this season

gionta is as close to the opposite for what is wrong with this team in the 2016-17 season

did gionta sleep with your mom or girlfriend?
- homiedclown

He has given us great production this year no doubt. but the conversation is about 17-18, where he will be 39 years old. Im fine with bringing him back as 3rd/4th line tweener and 0 pp minutes.

Root NOW!

We're good NOW (except on Thursdays)!
- buffalofan19

This is preposterous.

Interesting trade offers on cap friendly arm chair gm.

Maatta and Hagelin (Pitt) to Buff for Kane, Girgs, Casey Nelson and a 2017 3rd.
off season trade-Manson, Stoner and a 3rd for Girgs and Foligno (not too crazy about this one).
off season trade-Scandella for 2017 1st and 2nd. (Hmm.)
Vatanen and a 3rd for Kane and Girgs.
off season trade-Brodin and Zucker for Kane, Girgs and '17 2nd rd.

GO!
- mhp

I like these two

Garthsomes blog is a good one today.

again he has one of the best production in nhl for 5 on 5 per minutes played

and you can make a case he is the best 3rd liner in the nhl this season

gionta is as close to the opposite for what is wrong with this team in the 2016-17 season

did gionta sleep with your mom or girlfriend?
- homiedclown

He shot my dog and never returned a saw I lent him. I think he's a waste of space on the PP, I think he's having a nice first half, but the season will take a toll on his body and he'll wear down. I think he would have nothing left in the playoffs. I think people are fascinated with this period of good play while ignoring the overall trajectory of his career.

I think if you're serious about being a contender you need to get better, not ice the same players. There's such a myopic view of this (relatively) small group of games that's clouding the actual picture that is he is in decline. We'll see as season wears on

Interesting trade offers on cap friendly arm chair gm.

Maatta and Hagelin (Pitt) to Buff for Kane, Girgs, Casey Nelson and a 2017 3rd.
off season trade-Manson, Stoner and a 3rd for Girgs and Foligno (not too crazy about this one).
off season trade-Scandella for 2017 1st and 2nd. (Hmm.)
Vatanen and a 3rd for Kane and Girgs.
off season trade-Brodin and Zucker for Kane, Girgs and '17 2nd rd.

GO!
- mhp

Way to much going to the Pens, Maatta is not very good and he has 2 or 3 years of military service that he must complete. Maatta is overrated.

has anyone noticed gionta skating slower this year

Way to much going to the Pens, Maatta is not very good and he has 2 or 3 years of military service that he must complete. Maatta is overrated.
- SABRES 89

6 months. 3 years would prevent nhl teams from ever drafting finns again

17 minutes is too much for that production and averaging two minutes a night on the power play where he's brutal. I don't want him, but if he's playing 10-12 on the fourth line and zero time on the PP that's an improvement. One good year out of three and suddenly a 39 year old is the best plan for the third line next year?
- jcragcrumple

If he comes back next year he won't be on the 3rd line, that spot likely goes to Bailey/Carrier/Baptiste/Fasching. If he comes back I wouldn't want him playing 17 minutes a night. That said, you can't bash him for the year he's having so far. At this moment he's playing well beyond what any of us predicted he would be.

6 months. 3 years would prevent nhl teams from ever drafting finns again
- Sabresfan-365

It's 2 years the Pens guys that call the games said it the other night. So you can laugh all you want

It's 2 years the Pens guys that call the games said it the other night. So you can laugh all you want
- SABRES 89

He's wrong. He's also senile.

He's wrong. He's also senile.
- buffalofan19

Whatever you say, everything is an argument on this blog.

It's 2 years the Pens guys that call the games said it the other night.
- SABRES 89

I dunno what to tell you, Im pretty sure he's wrong. The finnish article said that he postponed his obligation for 2 years I believe he meant that as in he'll do it in 2 years time ( i guess summer of 2018)

This. The fact that the east is so bad almost makes it good? The bottom feeders are all middling out, even against each other. Some of these teams have to make a run. So far Toronto is that team. There's no reason the Sabres can't be another, but the same argument can be made about Tampa, Detroit, even the Islanders.

At least this last doesn't feel as bad.
- Zschalberg

The East is stronger than the West this year.