They were shell shocked. Toronto came out needing points and punched the Sabres in the mouth. We didn't know how to recover, good teams do. Sure, effort could have been better, but if that first 5 minutes doesn't happen, we're looking at a totally different game.
- sskkoo1

all your analysis tells me is we don't have a leader..

Jack played like ass all game, couldn't hold the puck or make any plays and took stupid penalties. i know its only one game but i don't think he deserves the C yet. bring Gionta back for another season and keep it on him for now

My money is on this opening night defense

McCabe - Risto
Antipin - Bogo (Yes, we're stuck with him)
Falk - Guhle
Gorges - Fedun

Murray goes shopping, doesn't find much on a budget.
- sskkoo1

Bogo is going to handcuff this team for years.. i don't mind gorges as much.. i would put moving him above anytthing..

You're severely jumping the gun on Guhle!!!
i think he will EVENTUALLY be good...
but youre really gonna try to say a rookie w/ only a couple games experience isnt going to make more mistakes than even Gorges or Bogo?
sorry man.. but NO WAY
this kid wasnt drafted top10

ppl are expecting WAY WAY WAY too much from him...
and WAY too soon

is Guhle a top4 defenseman?
yes, most likely
just not NOW
- jdfitz77

Guhle is better than Zach Werenski

i agree he probably at least to start needs bottom pairing minutes... if he makes the sabres roster

all your analysis tells me is we don't have a leader..

Jack played like ass all game, couldn't hold the puck or make any plays and took stupid penalties. i know its only one game but i don't think he deserves the C yet. bring Gionta back for another season and keep it on him for now
- IndianaSabresFan

If this team needs leadership currently and Gionta is on the team now, how would bringing Gionta back cure the leadership problem?


I think they're all just spent. I think you're right on the leadership problem, it's just not a player.

all your analysis tells me is we don't have a leader..

Jack played like ass all game, couldn't hold the puck or make any plays and took stupid penalties. i know its only one game but i don't think he deserves the C yet. bring Gionta back for another season and keep it on him for now
- IndianaSabresFan

I agree. I don't think we have a leader. Jack is still too young. Gionta and O'reilly are the closets we have, but neither are ideal.

all your analysis tells me is we don't have a leader..

Jack played like ass all game, couldn't hold the puck or make any plays and took stupid penalties. i know its only one game but i don't think he deserves the C yet. bring Gionta back for another season and keep it on him for now
- IndianaSabresFan

I dont think he was that bad. Leafs played him pretty well and at least he was trying compared to the rest of the team.

The way this team plays suggests the leadership isnt very good anyways

If this team needs leadership currently and Gionta is on the team now, how would bringing Gionta back cure the leadership problem?


I think they're all just spent. I think you're right on the leadership problem, it's just not a player.
- gcomella34

Regardless...Gionta as a veteran presence, on the 4th line, for cheap....is not a bad deal for the Sabres

and before anyone says he's taking away a spot from the young guys, most of you would be throwing a fit if Bailey came up and was stuck with 7 minutes on the 4th line. The big thing with Gio is the *hopefully* new coach understands that Gio plays 4th line minutes and on the PK.....not in the top 6.

If this team needs leadership currently and Gionta is on the team now, how would bringing Gionta back cure the leadership problem?


I think they're all just spent. I think you're right on the leadership problem, it's just not a player.
- gcomella34

Gionta is a nice vet/leader to help young guys, but he's no captain. I think We're screwed here. Too soon to give it to Eichel, and if you give it to O'reilly than it's his or you have to deal with striping him of the captaincy when Eichel is ready.

Regardless...Gionta as a veteran presence, on the 4th line, for cheap....is not a bad deal for the Sabres

and before anyone says he's taking away a spot from the young guys, most of you would be throwing a fit if Bailey came up and was stuck with 7 minutes on the 4th line. The big thing with Gio is the *hopefully* new coach understands that Gio plays 4th line minutes and on the PK.....not in the top 6.
- feetontheair22

I absolutely agree with you. They should bring Gionta back.

I just think emotions are high right now and people are reacting over one game like they're ready to scrap ANYONE not named Jack Eichel.

I'm for a more measured approach.

My post doesn't mean I didn't agree with the conclusion, just thought the logic to get there was faulty.

I absolutely agree with you. They should bring Gionta back.

I just think emotions are high right now and people are reacting over one game like they're ready to scrap ANYONE not named Jack Eichel.

I'm for a more measured approach.

My post doesn't mean I didn't agree with the conclusion, just thought the logic to get there was faulty.
- gcomella34

Gotcha....ya people need to step away from the edge of the peace bridge...

Trading ROR or Risto is one step foward, two steps back.....that might even be true for Kane and Reinhart

Regardless...Gionta as a veteran presence, on the 4th line, for cheap....is not a bad deal for the Sabres

and before anyone says he's taking away a spot from the young guys, most of you would be throwing a fit if Bailey came up and was stuck with 7 minutes on the 4th line. The big thing with Gio is the *hopefully* new coach understands that Gio plays 4th line minutes and on the PK.....not in the top 6.
- feetontheair22

This far into the rebuild and Gionta in the top 6. The very thought makes me want to barf and root for Toronto.

Hell of a morning so far. Tornadoes in the area, hiding in a building with no shelter, so there is that.

Gionta is a nice vet/leader to help young guys, but he's no captain. I think We're screwed here. Too soon to give it to Eichel, and if you give it to O'reilly than it's his or you have to deal with striping him of the captaincy when Eichel is ready.
- sskkoo1

Id just give out 4 A's or something till hes ready.

Hell of a morning so far. Tornadoes in the area, hiding in a building with no shelter, so there is that.
- ImThatGuy

Stay safe

Does Marchand get suspended this time?

- ImThatGuy

I'd say 2 games at the most.

Stay safe
- sbroads24

All of the conference rooms (To be different) were built with frosted glass.
Whoops!

Is it possible to move Kane to Vegas? Vegas takes a player like Orlov flips him to buffalo for Kaner. Not saying specifically Orlov just a player I see available for the Knights

Is it possible to move Kane to Vegas? Vegas takes a player like Orlov flips him to buffalo for Kaner. Not saying specifically Orlov just a player I see available for the Knights
- Acup2buff

Vegas is going to be fascinating. They'll want to load up on prospects with the expansion draft but also have to hit the cap minimum. I could foresee them drafting Ullmark from us but also willing to take on Bogo and Ennis if we trade them a second round pick and another young kid like faeshing, Larsson, Girgs, etc??). Getting $10m in cap relief would be huge.

What's the latest on Peterson? Is Notre Dame's Season over yet??

Is it possible to move Kane to Vegas? Vegas takes a player like Orlov flips him to buffalo for Kaner. Not saying specifically Orlov just a player I see available for the Knights
- Acup2buff

Unless trade are made by the ANA/MIN of the world, Vegas will be able to draft some really good oyund dmen, which they could flip. nothing saying that these teams don't trade a d ahead of time or make a deal with Vegas for them not to draft their d.

Is it possible to move Kane to Vegas? Vegas takes a player like Orlov flips him to buffalo for Kaner. Not saying specifically Orlov just a player I see available for the Knights
- Acup2buff

Kane's value is a lot higher than any player that will be left exposed to Vegas.

Vegas is going to be fascinating. They'll want to load up on prospects with the expansion draft but also have to hit the cap minimum. I could foresee them drafting Ullmark from us but also willing to take on Bogo and Ennis if we trade them a second round pick and another young kid like faeshing, Larsson, Girgs, etc??). Getting $10m in cap relief would be huge.

What's the latest on Peterson? Is Notre Dame's Season over yet??
- turbo044

Can't see them taking Ullmark. He's good, but every team will leave a goalie exposed. At most Vegas needs only four, and they'll probably draft one of their own this year. I hope Murray's favor repaid from McPhee will be him taking either Moulson or Bogo. It helps them get to the cap floor and helps us get out of potential cap hell.

Can't see them taking Ullmark. He's good, but every team will leave a goalie exposed. At most Vegas needs only four, and they'll probably draft one of their own this year. I hope Murray's favor repaid from McPhee will be him taking either Moulson or Bogo. It helps them get to the cap floor and helps us get out of potential cap hell.
- sskkoo1

One can dream.

Btw, Notre Dame plays Denver tomorrow. If they lose, I wonder if GMTM tries to sign Cal immediately with the stipulation he plays in one of the Florida games this weekend and burns a year of his entry level contract?? If Notre Dame wins, they play Saturday for the championship. I hope GMTM's relationship with Cal is as good as he professes.

Kane's value is a lot higher than any player that will be left exposed to Vegas.
- sskkoo1

Disagree. There will be top 4 defenders made available, and that's probably what Kane's value is, especially only signed for 1 more year

One can dream.

Btw, Notre Dame plays Denver tomorrow. If they lose, I wonder if GMTM tries to sign Cal immediately with the stipulation he plays in one of the Florida games this weekend and burns a year of his entry level contract?? If Notre Dame wins, they play Saturday for the championship. I hope GMTM's relationship with Cal is as good as he professes.
- turbo044

I really feel Cal is as good as gone. It makes no sense for him to sign with us. There is talk of Chicago shopping Crawford and if so, he'll return them a 1st and free up 6 million in cap space. Cal could sign with them, be close to home, play for his surely hometown team in the Blackhawks (more than like be their starter) and compete for a Cup in his rookie year. So, really why sign with us, not explore all your options, and start in the AHL next season?

Disagree. There will be top 4 defenders made available, and that's probably what Kane's value is, especially only signed for 1 more year
- sbroads24

Who do you think will be made available? RoR had a year left on his contract and look at what we paid to get him. Not saying Kane would fetch as much, but he's proved his worth this year, so I think a 1st plus a middle pairing guy would be the asking price.