Or a backup
Or a goalie making his first start
Or a goalie on his last legs (Ward)
- PrinceChill

Luongo too. Can't beat that (frank)er to save their lives.

Edit: Luongo is 20-9-2 all time with a 2.02 and a .932 5 SO against the Sabres. Which is the best against any team other than the Panthers, but he only played them 7 times.

Or maybe they are holding onto the hope of winning a Calder to a fault. He could be better off or maybe it makes no difference?
- MCGUIZZY

He needs to play on the left with Eichel or Erod at center. A right shot center. Give him 12 minutes with Erod and ease him into PP2

CJ Smith was making the AHL his b**** when he went back down. He is just another player on the big team. If Oloffsson is going to be an NHL player he'll have to stick in the top 6. When he dominates that league and has consistency (he's had a few cold streaks down there) he will then be on the big team imo. He might get a game or two up here this year however.
- Pegullaville

CJ Smith is just ok in my book. Doesnt have nearly the same skill set at Olofsson. I would say hes shown enough to get a stint here. And giving him 1 game at the end of the year is not going to help him learn how to play in the NHL. If he was givin the same chances to learn as Thompson did, he would be ages ahead of where he is now in my opinion. Tage Thompson didnt had to dominate the AHL to get his shot

Vanek was better than Skinner will ever be. He was a pure sniper with underrated playmaking ability

Never had a center
- jcragcrumple

This might be the worst take ever. Didn't read up if anyone already mentioned the fact that he had Roy going against other teams third lines. I watched him play since he was 16 in the USHL. This "play making" consisted of hanging at the red line, hoping to get sprung. Don't get me wrong, if it happened, it was a goal. Just didn't happen a whole lot. I never saw much change in the show. Sniper and garbage sweep. Again, don't get me wrong he was the best at it. Skinner is better. Way better.

CJ Smith is just ok in my book. Doesnt have nearly the same skill set at Olofsson. I would say hes shown enough to get a stint here. And giving him 1 game at the end of the year is not going to help him learn how to play in the NHL. If he was givin the same chances to learn as Thompson did, he would be ages ahead of where he is now in my opinion. Tage Thompson didnt had to dominate the AHL to get his shot because he never did
- MCGUIZZY

The problem is that he's a natural LW. We have a ton. To make matters worse, our top 2 see 70% ozone starts. So if you call up Olofsson, he's looking at 4th line minutes in a defensive role, he sits, and/or he plays his off-wing. If they wanted him to play RW, you'd think they play him there in Roch. The timing just isn't right. Smith has a much stronger two way game.

Luongo too. Can't beat that (frank)er to save their lives.

Edit: Luongo is 20-9-2 all time with a 2.02 and a .932 5 SO against the Sabres. Which is the best against any team other than the Panthers, but he only played them 7 times.
- Wetbandit1

Ouch. That is no bueno.
As a Sabre fan, I’ve been conditioned to fear backup goalies more than the opposition’s starters. And goalies making their debut? Forget it, were sunk.

The problem is that he's a natural LW. We have a ton. To make matters worse, our top 2 see 70% ozone starts. So if you call up Olofsson, he's looking at 4th line minutes in a defensive role, he sits, and/or he plays his off-wing. If they wanted him to play RW, you'd think they play him there in Roch. The timing just isn't right. Smith has a much stronger two way game.
- Lunaion

Then we wait for him to have an opening .

Housleys side pose reminds me of the Cindy Loos father in the Grinch

Then we wait for him to have an opening .
- cabin

I'm shocked that we've had so few this year.

I'm shocked that we've had so few this year.
- Lunaion

No injuries . knock on wood

The problem is that he's a natural LW. We have a ton. To make matters worse, our top 2 see 70% ozone starts. So if you call up Olofsson, he's looking at 4th line minutes in a defensive role, he sits, and/or he plays his off-wing. If they wanted him to play RW, you'd think they play him there in Roch. The timing just isn't right. Smith has a much stronger two way game.
- Lunaion

I don’t know why people want this.

It will just make them angry

I want him here if he’s put in a position to do well. He won’t be

No injuries . knock on wood
- cabin

To answer your earlier question I have no faith in nylander. Haven’t had any since this past offseason.

This might be the worst take ever. Didn't read up if anyone already mentioned the fact that he had Roy going against other teams third lines. I watched him play since he was 16 in the USHL. This "play making" consisted of hanging at the red line, hoping to get sprung. Don't get me wrong, if it happened, it was a goal. Just didn't happen a whole lot. I never saw much change in the show. Sniper and garbage sweep. Again, don't get me wrong he was the best at it. Skinner is better. Way better.
- SDSabre

He still produced as a 1LW with Roy at 1C who was a 2C at best. He and Pominville had an uncanny connection.

Let me know when Skinner gets 40 assists (twice).

Looks like Eichel will help Skinner get 40 goals for the 1st time.

Skinner has more moxie, no doubt, but Vanek in his prime was the superior offensive player

I don’t know why people want this.

It will just make them angry

I want him here if he’s put in a position to do well. He won’t be
- sbroads24

I agree with you. Full year in the AHL for him. There should be spot for him next year. Unless we’re eliminated and he comes up for the last five or so.

I agree with you. Full year in the AHL for him. There should be spot for him next year. Unless we’re eliminated and he comes up for the last five or so.
- PrinceChill

He isnt a 20 year old prospect coming out of junior. Hes a 23 year old that has been playing pro hockey for 4 + years. A full year in the AHL does what for him? Not sure how you can look up and down this failure of a line up and not find a spot for him

I don’t know why people want this.

It will just make them angry

I want him here if he’s put in a position to do well. He won’t be
- sbroads24

Calling up a new toy will always be popular. 'It can't get any worse'....but if Olofsson is defending Barzal, it can get worse in a hurry.

He still produced as a 1LW with Roy at 1C who was a 2C at best. He and Pominville had an uncanny connection.

Let me know when Skinner gets 40 assists (twice).

Looks like Eichel will help Skinner get 40 goals for the 1st time.

Skinner has more moxie, no doubt, but Vanek in his prime was the superior offensive player
- jcragcrumple

I'm with you on this one. Odd place for Vanek to be underrated.

Calling up a new toy will always be popular. 'It can't get any worse'....but if Olofsson is defending Barzal, it can get worse in a hurry.
- Lunaion

Yup

Reinhart pointless in 3 straight.

And he’s playing well

Tough to produce with bad linemates

Reinhart pointless in 3 straight.

And he’s playing well

Tough to produce with bad linemates
- sbroads24

So true, but it's very encouraging how he continues to play.

He isnt a 20 year old prospect coming out of junior. Hes a 23 year old that has been playing pro hockey for 4 + years. A full year in the AHL does what for him? Not sure how you can look up and down this failure of a line up and not find a spot for him
- MCGUIZZY

Cuz Phil would play him on Sobotka’s line...for a game or two, then the press box for ten.

So true, but it's very encouraging how he continues to play.
- kingcong39

Yes . We have a few that don't that need the attention

So true, but it's very encouraging how he continues to play.
- kingcong39

And he seems to have the skill set to get better. Doesn't seem to have reached his ceiling .

Cuz Phil would play him on Sobotka’s line...for a game or two, then the press box for ten.
- PrinceChill

Erod with Olofsson would be nasty. If Housley is worried about Olofsson's defense, I wouldn't be mad if he played Olofsson with Sobotka on the road if that made Housley feel better when he doesn't get the last change(still not a good idea)

Pommer with the game winner.
Not many current Sabres put that in the net.


#livinglegend


Sabres played well on defense tonight
Bogo not in the lineup

Not coincidence