It's funny how he's not around much these days now that his team has been exposed as a fluke and it's become clear that they're still the same joke they've always been even with McJesus.
- sskkoo1

We're fretting about heading into rebuild 2.0, they're knocking on the door of rebuild 3.0, even after benefiting from a rule change cause by their historical run of futility resulting in 1st overall after 1st overall, and consequently trading or releasing them for pennies on the dollar and signing Milan "I was good in 2011" Lucic to a 7 year deal.

We're fretting about heading into rebuild 2.0, they're knocking on the door of rebuild 3.0, even after benefiting from a rule change cause by their historical run of futility resulting in 1st overall after 1st overall, and consequently trading or releasing them for pennies on the dollar and signing Milan "I was good in 2011" Lucic to a 7 year deal.
- jcragcrumple

Ha-ha, right? A lot of Leaf fans need to be added to this group as well. They suck for decades, tank, get a great player, make the playoffs once and are one and done, and now so many of them act like they're team is the Detroit Red Wings and is the model for success in the NHL.

Analysis, inspired by the discussion yesterday after back reading...
about who is worth keeping, and what should we expect from players given their role and line assignment

I decided to see how the roster stacks up to "expected production" based on simple Google search of Actual Production by Line assignment.
in the range below for each Line,
- the higher number is associated with the Center,
- while the lower number is associated with the RW
- the LW varies in between.
Source SBNation Eye on the Prize ... not that it is gospel, but does give perspective.

Safe to say that the rumors around the Sabres open for business, and the general feeling here that save Jack and Kane most would listen to offers. ROR drawing the biggest critics in suggested trade of him ... many point to ROR's D-zone starts in the 60% range as a reason for lower production ... Jack get's 62% O-zone starts and has a LW producing at high rate ... he needs a RW badly (we know this from the eye test) - so should ERod be given a chance there??

First Liners = 0. 83 -> 0.90 PPG
- Kane = .90
- Eichel = .77
- Pommer = .53

2nd Liners = 0.55 -> 0.75
- ROR = .63
- Okposso = .43
- Pouloit = .33

3rd Liners = 0.35 -> 0.50
- Sam = .37
- ERod = 1.00 (only 3 game sample size)
- Wilson = .33

4th Liners = 0.29
- Larsson = 0.17
- Nolan = 0.148
- Gus = 0.120

Analysis, inspired by the discussion yesterday after back reading...
about who is worth keeping, and what should we expect from players given their role and line assignment

I decided to see how the roster stacks up to "expected production" based on simple Google search of Actual Production by Line assignment.
in the range below for each Line,
- the higher number is associated with the Center,
- while the lower number is associated with the RW
- the LW varies in between.
Source SBNation Eye on the Prize ... not that it is gospel, but does give perspective.

Safe to say that the rumors around the Sabres open for business, and the general feeling here that save Jack and Kane most would listen to offers. ROR drawing the biggest critics in suggested trade of him ... many point to ROR's D-zone starts in the 60% range as a reason for lower production ... Jack get's 62% O-zone starts and has a LW producing at high rate ... he needs a RW badly (we know this from the eye test) - so should ERod be given a chance there??

First Liners = 0. 83 -> 0.90 PPG
- Kane = .90
- Eichel = .77
- Pommer = .53

2nd Liners = 0.55 -> 0.75
- ROR = .63
- Okposso = .43
- Pouloit = .33

3rd Liners = 0.35 -> 0.50
- Sam = .37
- ERod = 1.00 (only 3 game sample size)
- Wilson = .33

4th Liners = 0.29
- Larsson = 0.17
- Nolan = 0.148
- Gus = 0.120
- IonSabres

Excellent work. Considering that Moulson and Griffith and Criscuolo also shared time on the 3rd line, the results are actually getting better

Analysis, inspired by the discussion yesterday after back reading...
about who is worth keeping, and what should we expect from players given their role and line assignment

I decided to see how the roster stacks up to "expected production" based on simple Google search of Actual Production by Line assignment.
in the range below for each Line,
- the higher number is associated with the Center,
- while the lower number is associated with the RW
- the LW varies in between.
Source SBNation Eye on the Prize ... not that it is gospel, but does give perspective.

Safe to say that the rumors around the Sabres open for business, and the general feeling here that save Jack and Kane most would listen to offers. ROR drawing the biggest critics in suggested trade of him ... many point to ROR's D-zone starts in the 60% range as a reason for lower production ... Jack get's 62% O-zone starts and has a LW producing at high rate ... he needs a RW badly (we know this from the eye test) - so should ERod be given a chance there??

First Liners = 0. 83 -> 0.90 PPG
- Kane = .90
- Eichel = .77
- Pommer = .53

2nd Liners = 0.55 -> 0.75
- ROR = .63
- Okposso = .43
- Pouloit = .33

3rd Liners = 0.35 -> 0.50
- Sam = .37
- ERod = 1.00 (only 3 game sample size)
- Wilson = .33

4th Liners = 0.29
- Larsson = 0.17
- Nolan = 0.148
- Gus = 0.120
- IonSabres

I'm ready to see that whole 4th line go, Nolan's okay, but I've had enough of players on this roster who just take up a roster space. After this season, securing the stealth tank job, I would like to see these guys moved. I'm okay with moving them now for draft picks or prospects as well.

Erod, Wilson, Fashing, Smith, Bap, Bailey, will make a fine bottom 6 next season.

I'm ready to see that whole 4th line go, Nolan's okay, but I've had enough of players on this roster who just take up a roster space. After this season, securing the stealth tank job, I would like to see these guys moved. I'm okay with moving them now for draft picks or prospects as well.

Erod, Wilson, Fashing, Smith, Bap, Bailey, will make a fine bottom 6 next season.
- sskkoo1

I think the problem is that Pouliot, Pommer and Okposo should ideally be on a 3rd line.
Fasching, Erod and Bailey would make a nice 4th,
But we need Baptiste/Nylander/Mittelstadt to be bona fide top line players

The Anaysis above also says Sabres should
- offload the entirety of the 4th line
- put Wilson on the 4th
- Pouloit and Sam or Pommer should Be on 3rd line as Wingers
- Jack needs a finishing RW
- ROR needs both Wings

They have
- 50% of Top 6
- solid 3rd line if ERod is their C there
- 1/3 of 4th line.

Can
-Asplund fill 4th C next year?
- one of Bailey Baptiste fill the other wing on the 4th with Wilson?
- Nylander fill either wing on 2nd?

Where do they get a RW for Jack, another wing for ROR?

The Anaysis above also says Sabres should
- offload the entirety of the 4th line
- put Wilson on the 4th
- Pouloit and Sam or Pommer should Be on 3rd line as Wingers
- Jack needs a finishing RW
- ROR needs both Wings

They have
- 50% of Top 6
- solid 3rd line if ERod is their C there
- 1/3 of 4th line.

Can
-Asplund fill 4th C next year?
- one of Bailey Baptiste fill the other wing on the 4th with Wilson?
- Nylander fill either wing on 2nd?

Where do they get a RW for Jack, another wing for ROR?
- IonSabres

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
We have several players of a core, but not all, and our support personnel suck. The key to success is keeping the partial core we have acquired, completing the core, and getting talented support personnel.

The key to success is not jumping from bridges.

I think the problem is that Pouliot, Pommer and Okposo should ideally be on a 3rd line.
Fasching, Erod and Bailey would make a nice 4th,
But we need Baptiste/Nylander/Mittelstadt to be bona fide top line players
- jcragcrumple

I don't see Bap as a top line guy, 3rd line, 2nd line when needed. I think Kane is gone and we might vey well see a top 6 next year of: Eichel, Rein, Okpo, Mittel, Nylander, RoR, (Nylander, Mittle jumping between 3rd line and top 6) Pouliot might not be here and Pommer will be on the 3rd line.

Well hopefully they lose to the Steelers then the game against us wont matter to them
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

If the Steelers beat the Patriots the Pats absolutely have to play like it means something against the Bills.

If the Bills win out and the Patriots lose out (Steelers, Bills, Jets) the Bills will win the division.

There are scenarios out there where the Bills can still get a first round bye in the playoffs (obviously a far fetched idea)

This of course doesn't matter if the Bills don't win on Sunday.

I will fight anyone that claims nylander is a bust

Not really I'm a lover ..

But if you look at a player like Ryan Johansen he was proclaimed a bust by the Columbus Blue Jackets and all of a sudden it just clicked for him
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Nylander could be Grigorenko 2.0 with better skating ability.

I have hated on him before he was even drafted.

but with that said, I dont want to fight you


Also I hope im wrong. Just how I feel about him

I don't see Bap as a top line guy, 3rd line, 2nd line when needed. I think Kane is gone and we might vey well see a top 6 next year of: Eichel, Rein, Okpo, Mittel, Nylander, RoR, (Nylander, Mittle jumping between 3rd line and top 6) Pouliot might not be here and Pommer will be on the 3rd line.
- sskkoo1

My to-do list would be:

Resign:

Kane

Gone at deadline:

Gorges
Girgs
Larsson
Bogo (retain 2 million over the life of the contract)
Antipin
Pouliot (would like to see him back, or resign now for cheap)

Summer:

Package Okposo with Reinhart for a mid-tier prospect who has shown speed and the ability to accept a pass.

Offer Pommer an extension of 2 year, 2.25 mil per to be on the 3rd line with Erod

Moulson lives in California now

Kane-Eichel-??
??-ROR-??
Bailey-Erod-Pommer
Pouliot-Asplund-Baptiste

Maybe Nylander/Mittelstadt/Pu/Draft Pick can come in and surprise.

Otherwise, you've cleared 17 million through those moves to go out and get a guy or two you like

Trade everyone

How does everyone feel about Antipin so far? i havent watched nearly enough full games this season to tell and I feel like he isnt talked about much.

Does he have value at the deadline? or is he a piece we hold on to?

Trade everyone
- SABRES 89

Big if true! I kidd I kidd

What's up 89!

How does everyone feel about Antipin so far? i havent watched nearly enough full games this season to tell and I feel like he isnt talked about much.

Does he have value at the deadline? or is he a piece we hold on to?
- MCGUIZZY

He has the speed for the game and he seems to be the best we have at getting shots through. His issues are that he makes blind passes a lot (the drop pass to JT for a breakaway comes to mind) and he lacks the strength to get big forwards off the puck. We've gotten hemmed a couple times with him on the ice because they cycle on his side and his man remains open.

I'm open to moving him, but he could be a bottom pairing guy on a good team IMO. He needs to get some more PP time, he's looked good there to me.

Big if true! I kidd I kidd

What's up 89!
- RhinoFan

same stuff, you

How does everyone feel about Antipin so far? i havent watched nearly enough full games this season to tell and I feel like he isnt talked about much.

Does he have value at the deadline? or is he a piece we hold on to?
- MCGUIZZY

He has performed ably and is still transitioning to the North American game. probably worth keeping as a bottom pair guy 2PPQB.

But that depends largely on the shape our top 4 takes

IMO

I'm ready to see that whole 4th line go, Nolan's okay, but I've had enough of players on this roster who just take up a roster space. After this season, securing the stealth tank job, I would like to see these guys moved. I'm okay with moving them now for draft picks or prospects as well.

Erod, Wilson, Fashing, Smith, Bap, Bailey, will make a fine bottom 6 next season.
- sskkoo1

Yeah, why not have an offensive minded 4th line? Many teams do it now. Why the frag do we have to have "muckers" or "energy guys"?

How does everyone feel about Antipin so far? i havent watched nearly enough full games this season to tell and I feel like he isnt talked about much.

Does he have value at the deadline? or is he a piece we hold on to?
- MCGUIZZY

I like his style. He is not getting enough playing time to adapt to the NA game. Why guys like Jorges get playing time over him is baffling to the mind

same stuff, you
- SABRES 89

December in Buffalo, you know the rest.

December in Buffalo, you know the rest.
- RhinoFan

yes I do

Yeah, why not have an offensive minded 4th line? Many teams do it now. Why the frag do we have to have "muckers" or "energy guys"?
- lulags

Lack of better options and our GM's ideology of leaving prospects in the minors for development. I don't think it will last longer than this season.

I like his style. He is not getting enough playing time to adapt to the NA game. Why guys like Jorges get playing time over him is baffling to the mind
- lulags

Unless we are banking on a glistening of hope from Jorges so we can grab a 3rd or 4th from him at the deadline. I can't see any other reason

Lack of better options and our GM's ideology of leaving prospects in the minors for development. I don't think it will last longer than this season.
- RhinoFan

Plenty of options in Rochester to fill a 4th line other than what we have. Send Nolan, Gus, and Larrson down