CJ Smith needs to score, but I like his game for a 3rd/4th liner
- sbroads24

The same could be said for Larsson as well, to a lesser degree.

The same could be said for Larsson as well, to a lesser degree.
- kingcong39

Agreed, wouldn't mind seeing 22,28,49 when healthy

That's kinda my point. It is what it is. When he looks bad in a bottom 6 role (which he has many times this year) it's fair game to criticize him.

I don't really care what he does or doesnt do on the top line. He isn't meant to be there nor will be there long term
- sbroads24

I guess, but you hear more about him(a guy making $650K) than a guy he's outscoring(Sobotka) that makes 5 and a half times more than he does. My expectations of ERod is any production is gravy. I don't really expect anything for that contract, and those that do are just setting themselves up for disappointment.

Who would you take right now, 71 or 29?

One can play fast, the other is 10x as smart

I guess, but you hear more about him(a guy making $650K) than a guy he's outscoring(Sobotka) that makes 5 and a half times more than he does. My expectations of ERod is any production is gravy. I don't really expect anything for that contract, and those that do are just setting themselves up for disappointment.
- Wetbandit1

I don't disagree. Which is partly why I don't really care what Erod did tonight. The experiment is over

I don't disagree. Which is partly why I don't really care what Erod did tonight. The experiment is over
- sbroads24

It just irks me when people female dog about him, but Pominville gets no poop when, outside of like 7 games, he's been completely invisible and makes like 9 times as much.

So whose head will roll when we eventually miss the playoffs ??
- r2so73

Nobody because regardless, this team has improved from last year and the year before.

Yeah, WOW, just wow.... How does that happen?

Russia gets best goalie and best defenseman.... ?????
- gordong

That Russian goaltender is really good.

It just irks me when people female dog about him, but Pominville gets no poop when, outside of like 7 games, he's been completely invisible and makes like 9 times as much.
- Wetbandit1

Well most people thought Pommer was donzo heading into this year. Erod was coming off an impressive stretch. I only care about cap hit when it's beyond the current year. We all knew Pommer wasn't a 5 mil player

The guys who deserve to be criticized

29, 43, 21, 17.

They need to do ANYTHING
- sbroads24

I feel like when Sobotka is on the ice nothing happens at all, for either team, he's fine I guess, it's probably time to start thinking about a buyout for Okposo

Who would you take right now, 71 or 29?

One can play fast, the other is 10x as smart
- sbroads24

The question isn't between those two. In a perfect world, Elie isn't here, and 3 of: Wilson, Erod, Girgs, Sobotka and Larsson occupy 4th line spots, and the other 2 are extra forwards.

Pominville and Okposo are Moulson

Einhorn is finkle

The question isn't between those two. In a perfect world, Elie isn't here, and 3 of: Wilson, Erod, Girgs, Sobotka and Larsson occupy 4th line spots, and the other 2 are extra forwards.

Pominville and Okposo are Moulson

Einhorn is finkle
- jcragcrumple

I think Pommer > Moulson by a margin, but I agree with the premise

Who would you take right now, 71 or 29?

One can play fast, the other is 10x as smart
- sbroads24

29

29
- BeadyEyedDouche

71 plus $4.95M in cap space to sign 2 schmucks that can outproduce 29.

71 plus $4.95M in cap space to sign 2 schmucks that can outproduce 29.
- Wetbandit1

I meant in a game today

I meant in a game today
- sbroads24

Still 71, at least you hear his name. I can't remember the last time I heard Pominville's name. Even with zero talent you can still make poop happen on accident if you're fast.

If the Sabres had a legit 2C, then Pommer, obviously.

The Hurns injury:

The Hurns injury:


- Wetbandit1

Dude no joke, I yelled out, winced and jumped away from it

Dude no joke, I yelled out, winced and jumped away from it
- BeadyEyedDouche

I've seen the Willis McGahee Fiesta Bowl one like a hundred times. The Hurns one, once was enough. The slo-mo was nuts, you can see the leg taking the load, and then it doesn't and just snaps. I just shouted "OH! ... NO! NO!" then made that "bitter beer face" where you half squint and almost bare your teeth.

71 plus $4.95M in cap space to sign 2 schmucks that can outproduce 29.
- Wetbandit1

I really don't get the Pominville hate

We didn't sign him to that deal, Minnesota did.

I don't think he's being utilized properly, in all honesty. He should get sporadic top-6 minutes with 2nd PP unit time. Instead, Okposo has that role because "respect" or something idk

Pominville goes to the dirty areas, he is active in front of the net and while he may have lost a step, he's defensively responsible. He, like Thompson, is doing the right things but it's not showing up on the stat sheet.

We have zero play-makers outside of Jack Eichel. We have one role player who does his job (Larsson). Mittelstadt looks awful, I don't care what the reasoning is, he has not created chances and he has not made one play this season that I have been impressed with. Rodriguez, as stated, is a 12/13 guy and I don't think being signed to the league minimum makes him less useless, he's garbage.

Okposo, Sobotka, Sheary are useless, especially Okposo. The guy is a turnover machine. Sheary had me thinking he was a hidden gem the first 10 or so games of the season but has been utterly useless since.

Tage Thompson needs to see the RW on the 1st line once Eichel comes back. And not just for a few shifts. Stick Reinhart with Mittelstadt and try to get Sam to produce away from Eichel and to get Mittelstadt going.

Our defense has been mediocre this season, which is not an issue right now IMO. Dahlin is making a lot of rookie mistakes, but that's just it, they're rookie mistakes. Other than that, they have been serviceable and so has the goaltending.

Our problem is a lack of play-makers and role players. We need that grinder-type who can play in the middle-6; We need a play-maker outside of Eichel; We need another scorer in addition to Skinner; We need a 2nd line center; We need 4th liners who can give an energy shift (If Larsson played like he did tonight all the time, he'd be a perfect 4th line C) and not just fly around clueless like Zemgus; We need a chirpy 3rd liner who can get under the other team's skin and score scuzzy goals...

We have too many floaters, too many perimeter players, no one who's an absolute pest to play against.

Reinhart is invisible away from Eichel and Skinner can't do it all by himself, FFS, he had like 7 shots on net tonight, and at least 5 of them were quality chances that Rask stoned him on.

There is no one on the team who can finish a play outside of Eichel/Skinner and the occasionally defenseman who jumps into the play this season.

And for the record, no, I don't consider defensive scoring to be secondary scoring. That's the back-end. Outside of your top pairing, their literal job is to play defense and let the forwards do their's, while following through on a play once in a while or letting a floater go from the point to create a rebound/scoring chance.

I've seen the Willis McGahee Fiesta Bowl one like a hundred times. The Hurns one, once was enough. The slo-mo was nuts, you can see the leg taking the load, and then it doesn't and just snaps. I just shouted "OH! ... NO! NO!" then made that "bitter beer face" where you half squint and almost bare your teeth.
- Wetbandit1

Do you not remember this one? NCAA a few years back... Kevin Ware's leg explodes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPiCqAyBJy4

Do you not remember this one? NCAA a few years back... Kevin Ware's leg explodes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPiCqAyBJy4
- BeadyEyedDouche

I really don’t want to ever see that again. No thanks.

I really don't get the Pominville hate

We didn't sign him to that deal, Minnesota did.

I don't think he's being utilized properly, in all honesty. He should get sporadic top-6 minutes with 2nd PP unit time. Instead, Okposo has that role because "respect" or something idk

Pominville goes to the dirty areas, he is active in front of the net and while he may have lost a step, he's defensively responsible. He, like Thompson, is doing the right things but it's not showing up on the stat sheet.

We have zero play-makers outside of Jack Eichel. We have one role player who does his job (Larsson). Mittelstadt looks awful, I don't care what the reasoning is, he has not created chances and he has not made one play this season that I have been impressed with. Rodriguez, as stated, is a 12/13 guy and I don't think being signed to the league minimum makes him less useless, he's garbage.

Okposo, Sobotka, Sheary are useless, especially Okposo. The guy is a turnover machine. Sheary had me thinking he was a hidden gem the first 10 or so games of the season but has been utterly useless since.

Tage Thompson needs to see the RW on the 1st line once Eichel comes back. And not just for a few shifts. Stick Reinhart with Mittelstadt and try to get Sam to produce away from Eichel and to get Mittelstadt going.

Our defense has been mediocre this season, which is not an issue right now IMO. Dahlin is making a lot of rookie mistakes, but that's just it, they're rookie mistakes. Other than that, they have been serviceable and so has the goaltending.

Our problem is a lack of play-makers and role players. We need that grinder-type who can play in the middle-6; We need a play-maker outside of Eichel; We need another scorer in addition to Skinner; We need a 2nd line center; We need 4th liners who can give an energy shift (If Larsson played like he did tonight all the time, he'd be a perfect 4th line C) and not just fly around clueless like Zemgus; We need a chirpy 3rd liner who can get under the other team's skin and score scuzzy goals...

We have too many floaters, too many perimeter players, no one who's an absolute pest to play against.

Reinhart is invisible away from Eichel and Skinner can't do it all by himself, FFS, he had like 7 shots on net tonight, and at least 5 of them were quality chances that Rask stoned him on.

There is no one on the team who can finish a play outside of Eichel/Skinner and the occasionally defenseman who jumps into the play this season.

And for the record, no, I don't consider defensive scoring to be secondary scoring. That's the back-end. Outside of your top pairing, their literal job is to play defense and let the forwards do their's, while following through on a play once in a while or letting a floater go from the point to create a rebound/scoring chance.
- BeadyEyedDouche

This.
Is.
By.
Far.
Your.
Best.
Post.
Ever.
Glad to see someone else recognize the short comings of having a bunch of pretty players, and who snark at having grit and physicality a part of the roster.
Yes, the league is moving aggressively to elite skaters with speed, and the Sabres need more.

They also need toughness and players who play with an edge.
Guys who fit the profile of the Thachuk boys, Marchant, Wilson (without the head hunting), etc. -- 2 at foward plaese, 1 more at D (Risto has it, Bogo does it).

They need a bonafide 2C to shelter Mitts for 2 seasons, 60pt producer that can finish and set-up...who plays a 2way game as well...with a great attitude ( (frank) ROR and his woes me).
And they need 2 more snipers who go to the dirty areas.

Yah, it is alot. We know it know, we knew it back hen in the 10 game streak as well.

In other news: Nikita Kucherov on pace for 138 points
- BeadyEyedDouche

2 goals for evander last night
1 for ror

Certain players getting kid glove treatment on here from various sorts, time to take the gloves off and slap players acrosst the face (tip of hat to Rob Ray)

ERod - making $600k absolves him of producing, even though he has played up and down the lineup, mostly split between lines 3 and 4. 2 Goals. I don't care if he is playing for free FFS. It is a production league. Step-up YOU are infact PART of the problem, period. Until you ride the bench for 65 games, you aren't the 13th forward. Moreover, you production has slid off from last year, You are Part of the Problem

Pommer - let's take a 35 year old player who is in the last yeR of a contract signed by another team to task. Nah, we knew he was dead from last year. He can play in spurts only. That said, you are part of the scoring drought problem, need to step up ... $5m is a valuable $5m. Maybe JBotts trades you at the TDL for ...for...for a 3rd /4th ... it is a business afterall. Resign him to a 1 day contract next year to retire a Sabre ... that is what a friend does, not hold him out of "respect" to the detrement of the team. Sorry to say at your age, but You are part of the Problem.

Okposo - (frank). We all want you to succeed, we fully recognize the effort you're giving. It's gone dude, face it, it left after your injury and it has been neary 2 years, it ain't coming back. Negotiate a decent retirement from Pegula ... like work at the Academy for 2 years for $3m per. Sorry to say Kyle cause I like you, but You are a major part of the Problem

Sheary - Jesus Christ, WTF! You are fast as can be no doubt...but you're on your knees more that a $20 hooker on Allen St. Put some friggin skates there too if you need to. $3m for what exactly? Need more out of you, like 25 G's is a good target...your on pace for 14...solid 4th line production right there...not good enough. Primary TDL asset, let's try to get the 3rd, or maybe an overpayment of a 2nd back. You are part of the Problem.

Casey - Not good enough. You need to find a way to actually contribute on the board. Ya, 1st year, young, not built yet for NHL...blah, blah, blah. You are better than what you are showing...time to double down on the effort. This is where a ROR practice lead by the leadership should come into play ... the kid is struggling mightly...who's stepping up to help this kid develop faster?...Skinner, Jack, Sam, Pommer...where are you guys?
That said, and this is harsh but fair..YOU are part of the Problem.

Sobotka - I mean $3.5M for what exactly? 6 pts, really? 12 pts in a season? THAT is 13th forward production right there at a good 3rd line pay....(frank)ing ERod is out-producing you. YOU are part of the Problem