How in the blue hell does Scott Wilson get a promotion?

Is it because he tries hard?
Is it because he’s played in this league before and therefor deserves it?
- ImThatGuy

ummm...have you noticed what's on the fourth line?

Michael Pachla: Save for one season, McEchiel era has been a dud for Edmonton and Buffalo
- Michael Pachla

"Housley's defense took a hit as it's been reported that Jake McCabe is out five to six weeks"


I consider it an upgrade for the next 5 to 6 weeks

How in the blue hell does Scott Wilson get a promotion?

Is it because he tries hard?
Is it because he’s played in this league before and therefor deserves it?
- ImThatGuy

4th line will play more, because phil is behind the bench

Well he either passes it through 4 defenders, shoots it at 3 defenders or throws it up the middle of the ice to the other team without looking.

He just needs to get comfortable carrying the puck.

He seems like a pass-first guy, which I understand because I am when I play but sometimes you have to just line up your shot or hold on to it when you have the space.
- BeadyEyedDouche

for a 20 yr. old who was basically thrown into a role that he really wasn't ready for, I think he's done well...plus his wingers have been varied with many of them being average at best...
9+11 isn't bad for a kid playing in that situation

"Housley's defense took a hit as it's been reported that Jake McCabe is out five to six weeks"


I consider it an upgrade for the next 5 to 6 weeks
- homiedclown

is McCabe the new whipping boy?

imo, he's been progressing well for the better part of the season...you can tell he's sill getting a feel for the speed of the game and what may or may not work...a lot went wrong early on but he's worked through much of that...still a way's to go but if he continues to keep his feet moving (which I think he will,) good things will happen more frequently
- Michael Pachla

I agree but he needs to be a lot stronger on the puck and go to tough areas. He seems to shy away from that and when he is forced into it, it looks like he is pushed away easily. Still young and some pulls ups will help with that.

"Housley's defense took a hit as it's been reported that Jake McCabe is out five to six weeks"


I consider it an upgrade for the next 5 to 6 weeks
- homiedclown

Homi I understand your frustration. Another way of looking at this is that it could be coaching and/or the fact that, besides whoever is playing with Eichel, the other lines threat of scoring is so low that other teams can pressure our D without fear of holding their own D dry.

imo, he's been progressing well for the better part of the season...you can tell he's sill getting a feel for the speed of the game and what may or may not work...a lot went wrong early on but he's worked through much of that...still a way's to go but if he continues to keep his feet moving (which I think he will,) good things will happen more frequently
- Michael Pachla

I'm not worried about him. He definitely needs to settle down in the d zone and stop chasing, but that'll come. His speed and patience has come along. I'd like the Sabres to acquire him a RW in the off-season, and it would be nice if they would try Olofsson of Nylander on the left.

One thing that i think goes unnoticed to a certain degree: He doesn't take more big hits than your average NHL player. I think Pommer has taken more big wallops than Mitts this year. That's pretty good for a 20 year old. As a youngin, Reinhart took some doozies

I agree but he needs to be a lot stronger on the puck and go to tough areas. He seems to shy away from that and when he is forced into it, it looks like he is pushed away easily. Still young and some pulls ups will help with that.
- Tragically Buffalo

agreed...needs to get stronger, and he will

I'm not worried about him. He definitely needs to settle down in the d zone and stop chasing, but that'll come. His speed and patience has come along. I'd like the Sabres to acquire him a RW in the off-season, and it would be nice if they would try Olofsson of Nylander on the left.

One thing that i think goes unnoticed to a certain degree: He doesn't take more big hits than your average NHL player. I think Pommer has taken more big wallops than Mitts this year. That's pretty good for a 20 year old. As a youngin, Reinhart took some doozies
- jcragcrumple

I believe reinhart got walloped by Girgensons in the development scrimmage

is McCabe the new whipping boy?
- Michael Pachla

he has gotten worse over the years

first few years, not afraid to make the pass
not afraid to join the rush
never noticed him in his own end, which is a good thing


now lazy passes picked off
doesn't join the rush
out of position in his own end
freezes a lot in his own end


feel free to tell me I am wrong but I thought when he signed the bridge deal, it was going to be so much value as I projected him as a second pair

now he is just another body, like scandella, nelson, hunwick and the former sabre beaulieu

Homi I understand your frustration. Another way of looking at this is that it could be coaching and/or the fact that, besides whoever is playing with Eichel, the other lines threat of scoring is so low that other teams can pressure our D without fear of holding their own D dry.
- sabreadvocate1

not buying that

second line has looked good at times
4th line at times

the d as a whole has gotten better on paper, and in many ways worse on the ice

ummm...have you noticed what's on the fourth line?
- Michael Pachla

How does Sheary get dumped to third line?

The guy is finally having a good stretch.

Are they tanking, because it seems if you play well you get downgraded.

I believe reinhart got walloped by Girgensons in the development scrimmage
- Michael Pachla

Yeah, I remember that. The 9 game try-out that season didn't go much better. He was getting turned into hamburger.

for a 20 yr. old who was basically thrown into a role that he really wasn't ready for, I think he's done well...plus his wingers have been varied with many of them being average at best...
9+11 isn't bad for a kid playing in that situation
- Michael Pachla

I looked at his totals the other night.

I expected him to finish around 15g/15a so it's more or less where he should be in terms of point totals.

I agree he has looked better as the season has gone on, so that's the most important thing. It's the opposite of Tage, unfortunately.

he has gotten worse over the years

first few years, not afraid to make the pass
not afraid to join the rush
never noticed him in his own end, which is a good thing


now lazy passes picked off
doesn't join the rush
out of position in his own end
freezes a lot in his own end


feel free to tell me I am wrong but I thought when he signed the bridge deal, it was going to be so much value as I projected him as a second pair

now he is just another body, like scandella, nelson, hunwick and the former sabre beaulieu
- homiedclown

I blame a lot of this on the instability of pairs, and the fickle attitude Housley has demonstrated for scratching/calling up/waiving guys.

McCabe was good to start the season. Phil tinkers with the guys, no one gets in a rhythm, and everyone is afraid to make a mistake because their scratching is just around the corner

he has gotten worse over the years

first few years, not afraid to make the pass
not afraid to join the rush
never noticed him in his own end, which is a good thing


now lazy passes picked off
doesn't join the rush
out of position in his own end
freezes a lot in his own end


feel free to tell me I am wrong but I thought when he signed the bridge deal, it was going to be so much value as I projected him as a second pair

now he is just another body, like scandella, nelson, hunwick and the former sabre beaulieu
- homiedclown

you aren't wrong

I blame a lot of this on the instability of pairs, and the fickle attitude Housley has demonstrated for scratching/calling up/waiving guys.

McCabe was good to start the season. Phil tinkers with the guys, no one gets in a rhythm, and everyone is afraid to make a mistake because their scratching is just around the corner
- jcragcrumple

Which is why he sucks as a coach. It will never change.

That still shows a trend

It realistically shouldn't matter
- BeadyEyedDouche

what it shows is his answer on why hunwick getting time over nelson was completely unhinged

either hes actually clueless or he lied about it to protect some even more ridiculous real reason why hunwick plays

is McCabe the new whipping boy?
- Michael Pachla

McCabe is far from being a real problem on this team, considering all the trash we have.

I can think of worse 5/6 Dmen.

First Ted Lindsay, now Keith Flint - lead singer from The Prodigy Loved that psycho. Took his own life ... bummer. R.I.P.

Who's next ?
- kritter65

Luke Perry just died !! What the hell...

Which is why he sucks as a coach. It will never change.
- BeadyEyedDouche

It'll change next December with his firing

what it shows is his answer on why hunwick getting time over nelson was completely unhinged

either hes actually clueless or he lied about it to protect some even more ridiculous real reason why hunwick plays
- robz228

Do people still actually think Phillp was a Botterill hire?

It sucks because you're spot-on with all of this. He is full of crap.

Luke Perry just died !! What the hell...
- kritter65

There goes the 90210 reunion

Do people still actually think Phillp was a Botterill hire?

It sucks because you're spot-on with all of this. He is full of crap.
- BeadyEyedDouche

I think so, Housley was a legit candidate. Wasn't like was only getting considered because he was alumni.