Do you think they ever kick themselves for not renewing the NHL contract this time of year
- lulags

Probably not. Hockey is still the lowest rated of the four major sports by a mile.

we should be drafting for D, no?
- Khmylev

Depends who is available when we draft but I think we should yes. Whoever we pick will not be helping us next year so you have to look at BPA in my opinion. If the talent is close I think you go defense for sure.

Yeah, and Babcock was finalizing his contract to become the next head coach but then..............
- hehateme

Stay positive!


Babcock > Antipin, also one is a player and the other is a coach, so there is that too.

Nicholas Baptiste wants to claim an NHL spot out of training camp next year.
"My goal is to make the team," Baptiste said. "When I was up there, I showed that I could play up there and play with those guys. For me, it's bringing tons of speed. Obviously, my scoring ability is something that I've got to continue to do, bringing energy. I'll have a great opportunity next year to hopefully make that roster." He had three goals and one assist in 14 appearances with the Sabres in 2016-17. Baptiste also registered 25 markers and 41 points in 59 contests with Rochester of the AHL.

What if the new GM wants to move Evander Kane? Maybe he can get you your guy?
- Acup2buff

If they can land a bona fide top-pairing d-man via trade, i'm all for it

Stay positive!


Babcock > Antipin, also one is a player and the other is a coach, so there is that too.
- mattsox

Forgot about that. I was looking forward to a Babcock/Risto pairing

Nicholas Baptiste wants to claim an NHL spot out of training camp next year.
"My goal is to make the team," Baptiste said. "When I was up there, I showed that I could play up there and play with those guys. For me, it's bringing tons of speed. Obviously, my scoring ability is something that I've got to continue to do, bringing energy. I'll have a great opportunity next year to hopefully make that roster." He had three goals and one assist in 14 appearances with the Sabres in 2016-17. Baptiste also registered 25 markers and 41 points in 59 contests with Rochester of the AHL.
- SABRES 89

My favorite out of the, Bailey, Bap, Carrier, Fasching group. I hope he does make the team.

Carry over from last blog..

Again this is very basic work so far but Gabe Vilardi could wind up being a steal for someone.

The points havent piled up but his expected goals for and primary assists are very good
- Sabresfan-365



I think hes this years version of Draisaitl. Maybe not the same upside tho
- MCGUIZZY

Talk of Vilardi has been very quiet, but yet, he's held down that #3 spot in the ISS for over a year now. He'll be an interesting player to watch.

Mike and Mike no more either
- Matthews_Auston

Where did you see this? I can't find it.

Nicholas Baptiste wants to claim an NHL spot out of training camp next year.
"My goal is to make the team," Baptiste said. "When I was up there, I showed that I could play up there and play with those guys. For me, it's bringing tons of speed. Obviously, my scoring ability is something that I've got to continue to do, bringing energy. I'll have a great opportunity next year to hopefully make that roster." He had three goals and one assist in 14 appearances with the Sabres in 2016-17. Baptiste also registered 25 markers and 41 points in 59 contests with Rochester of the AHL.
- SABRES 89

Hopefully his ceiling is much higher. He's got the talent to make the club ......... the question is can he make an impact. We've got way too many guys that are simply good enough to make it to the NHL ..... but very few that can actually contribute in big ways.

Nicholas Baptiste wants to claim an NHL spot out of training camp next year.
"My goal is to make the team," Baptiste said. "When I was up there, I showed that I could play up there and play with those guys. For me, it's bringing tons of speed. Obviously, my scoring ability is something that I've got to continue to do, bringing energy. I'll have a great opportunity next year to hopefully make that roster." He had three goals and one assist in 14 appearances with the Sabres in 2016-17. Baptiste also registered 25 markers and 41 points in 59 contests with Rochester of the AHL.
- SABRES 89

and he'll get it

ESPN The Total Sports Network


As long as it's not the NHL, we will cover it.


ESPN has been a joke for many years now.
- SABRES 89

Is it ESPN's fault for not having strong hockey coverage? Just about every other piece of garbage programming outperformed hockey.

YEAR W L OTL PTS
2016-17 33 37 12 78
2015-16 35 36 11 81
2014-15 23 51 8 54
2013-14 21 51 10 52
2012-13 21 21 6 48



#WINNING
- SABRES 89

and we are suppose to win cups

Is it ESPN's fault for not having strong hockey coverage? Just about every other piece of garbage programming outperformed hockey.
- Slump Buster

ESPN never cared about the NHL, the only times you see anything about hockey is if there is 2 minutes left on sports center or if there is a fight.

and we are suppose to win cups
- homiedclown

So you can't win cups like that ?

Is it ESPN's fault for not having strong hockey coverage? Just about every other piece of garbage programming outperformed hockey.
- Slump Buster

I never understood the hockey community's bitterness towards ESPN for not covering hockey like the other sports. They don't have a TV contract. The majority of the country isn't interested except during certain parts of the year. The TV ratings are still pretty much crap. I'm actually surprised they covered it as much as they did.

Hopefully his ceiling is much higher. He's got the talent to make the club ......... the question is can he make an impact. We've got way too many guys that are simply good enough to make it to the NHL ..... but very few that can actually contribute in big ways.
- fastek

The game has completely changes now that Murray and Bylsma are gone, so it's a wait and see now.

ESPN never cared about the NHL, the only times you see anything about hockey is if there is 2 minutes left on sports center or if there is a fight.
- SABRES 89

True, but why would they? From a national perspective the NHL is as popular as dog shows. It isn't their brand to grow. It sucks but it is reality.

Talk of Vilardi has been very quiet, but yet, he's held down that #3 spot in the ISS for over a year now. He'll be an interesting player to watch.
- sskkoo1

very good 5v5 production despite being misused in windsor. 6'2, 200. Depending on who takes him he may make the nhl right away.

So anything new?

I was playing my Nintendo switch last night I'm going to be such a zombie for school today I feel like poop

If you trade down Josh Norris is a good option too. Shot metrics are about average so we're not talking inflated stats and 5v5 production is off the charts for draft year.

committed to U-Michigan next year

very good 5v5 production despite being misused in windsor. 6'2, 200. Depending on who takes him he may make the nhl right away.
- Sabresfan-365

Obviously would love to win the lottery and take Nico, Gabe, or Patrick... but, I'd be very happy with Tippet, Mittlestadt, Lilijegren, or Makar.

I still think Lilijegren is the best defenseman in the draft regardless if he didn't have a stellar year. Anyone playing in a mens' league at that age will have more trouble than a guy dominating in juniors.

If you trade down Josh Norris is a good option too. Shot metrics are about average so we're not talking inflated stats and 5v5 production is off the charts for draft year.

committed to U-Michigan next year
- Sabresfan-365

Ugh... no more college guys. This CBA-UFA loophole is becoming a nightmare.

Obviously would love to win the lottery and take Nico, Gabe, or Patrick... but, I'd be very happy with Tippet, Mittlestadt, Lilijegren, or Makar.

I still think Lilijegren is the best defenseman in the draft regardless if he didn't have a stellar year. Anyone playing in a mens' league at that age will have more trouble than a guy dominating in juniors.
- sskkoo1

Corey Pronman-"Several NHL execs expressed skepticism that Liljegren will be in their top 10. Believe Miro Heiskanen/Cale Makar fighting for top D in 2017."

Ugh... no more college guys. This CBA-UFA loophole is becoming a nightmare.
- sskkoo1

agreed