Michael Pachla: A quick reference guide to the players at Sabres' training camp

LW, Nicolas Deslauriers (2009, 8th, LAK)--Didn't have the best of seasons in 2016-17 and it looks as if he'll be spending a lot of time in rochester this season.

Ftfy


And, firssst

LW, Nicolas Deslauriers (2009, 8th, LAK)--Didn't have the best of seasons in 2016-17 and it looks as if he'll be spending a lot of time in rochester this season.

Ftfy


And, firssst
- jcragcrumple

yeah, I thought of that

Great write up on the guys in camp!

I know its a year later, but this roster looks a lot more complete than in years past.

There are going to be 5-6 guys on the NHL bubble (seriously on the bubble not just cause we want them to be).

Guys like Seth Griffith, Kyle Criscuolo, Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste, Stevie Moses, CJ Smith, Evan Rodriguez, Nylander, Hudson Fashing will all be playing for 3 roster spots. Could be fun! It challanges everyone to be better and that will make the team a lot stronger.

LW, Evander Kane (2009, 4th, ATL)--Heads into his second full season with the Sabres behind a smile that says he's ready to go. Lead the team last season with 28 goals (25 at even strength) and is in a contract year. Should make for a very productive Kane on the ice, but most will have one eye on what happens with him off the ice as well.

Isn't Kane heading into his 3rd full season?

Isn't Kane heading into his 3rd full season?
- HonkFortheGoose

'with the sabres'

first year was a partial season

'with the sabres'

first year was a partial season
- Michael Pachla

??

yeah, I thought of that
- Michael Pachla

Not to hammer on the guy, but he's a relic, a heavy weight with no opponent, and no reasonable role. If he's on the roster, he'll play 35 games with 2 assists and a goal, and he'll spend most of his time on the bench or beating up over eager rookies. If he were even semi competent as a defensemen, he would have a case for making the team in the same way Nathan paetsch did, but he's not, so he wont.

??
- sbroads24

yeah, I know, a bit awkward, but he wasn't traded for until 2015, which represents a partial season with the sabres (whether he played or not)

'with the sabres'

first year was a partial season
- Michael Pachla

Every year for him is technically partial because he ends up with some sort of injury every year.

But he played 65 games for us 15-16 (two separate injuries if I remember correctly). He was on the opening night roster though.

Isn't Kane heading into his 3rd full season?
- HonkFortheGoose

ohhh...now I get it




my bad

yeah, I know, a bit awkward, but he wasn't traded for until 2015, which represents a partial season with the sabres (whether he played or not)
- Michael Pachla

He's played 2 years with us. This is his 3rd

Every year for him is technically partial because he ends up with some sort of injury every year.

But he played 65 games for us 15-16 (two separate injuries if I remember correctly). He was on the opening night roster though.
- HonkFortheGoose

thx, goosie...


my brain's mush

He's played 2 years with us. This is his 3rd
- sbroads24

yeah, I know...it's fixed

*shrugs*

yeah, I know...it's fixed

*shrugs*
- Michael Pachla

No worries. I was doubting myself for a second

thx, goosie...


my brain's mush
- Michael Pachla

You lost a year somewhere. Might want to get that looked at.

You lost a year somewhere. Might want to get that looked at.
- HonkFortheGoose

I actually lost like 2 1/2 decades...

but who's counting?

I actually lost like 2 1/2 decades...

but who's counting?
- Michael Pachla

I actually lost like 2 1/2 decades...

but who's counting?
- Michael Pachla

Hey just think 10 more years will have flying cars

- homiedclown

- Michael Pachla

well played

well played
- homiedclown

Will be included on my final mix tape

Great write-up Pach. Looking at that training camp roster, i am pumped to see what they can do on the ice. I don't think they are a playoff team yet (one more year) but they'll definitely show some incremental improvement this year due to the d-man upgrades Jbots acquired and with Housely behind the bench. IMO, an 86 point season and still playing meaningful games into March would be progress in the right direction.

Regarding some of the things/players being discussed:

- I like the idea of Rhino moving to 3C. It puts him in a position to succeed at his natural position plus it gives us strength down the middle. And it moves Larsson to #4C. Also, as you pointed out, RW is a strength of ours so it allows us to role 3 good lines
- I would really like to see D-Lo, Gorges and Moulson in Rochester. But chances are it won't happen. Hopefully D-Lo and Gorgest spend most of the time in the press box. Moulson is headed to the 4th line.
- Who is Adam Wilcox and when did we sign him? Missed that one. I guess being a former Hobey Baker finalist means he is pretty good.
- Really like all of the signings that Bots did to help strengthen Rochester. That can only result in good things for that club plus the development of our young guys.
- Let's not write off guys like Cornell or Karasebek yet. THis will be a big "show me" year for them
- Baptiste riding shotgun with Jack. I like it. Baptiste rode shotgun with McDavid in Erie so i think he can keep up.
- Move Bailey ahead of Pouliot on the depth chart. Put Bailey at #2 LW. A third line of Rhino, Pommer and Pouliot could be interesting.
- Girgs playing with ROR and Oko also sounds interesting. Let's see how they play together.

Overall, I am feeling really good about where we are at compared to previous years.

McGinn was terrible in Arizona last year, Moulson had 15 more points than McGinn. That being said Pouliot was also terrible last year, but we dodged a bullet not extending McGinn
- mattmoulson

Cc wetbandit

curious to see what stevie moses can do. The hype around him was huge a couple years ago.

We try not to make a big deal of overseas production but im surprised his dominating the khl didnt translate at all when he signed with nashville.