That's an understatment

I think they have the best blue line in the NHL

But they couldn't score in the ECFs

They need a goal scorer on their team to really make waves
- Stripes77

Leafs can score in bunches yet watched the 2nd round and beyond from their living room couch while Boston, St.Louis, NYI, and Carolina moved on. We need a strong team from top to bottom, paying a winger (the least most important position in hockey) $9M a year who isn’t elite makes it harder to fill out down the middle, on the defense, and in goal.

Stop comparing Buffalo contracts to Vegas. Just..grow up. It’s kindof like saying, you could work at a Wendy’s in Fallujah, or in Seattle. Educate yourself.
- jimmy mcnaulty

I see we have been visited by Mr Knowledge hi self. Self-proclaimed know if all.
Wake-up!
Lol.

Welcome, you have been lurking way too long!

Leafs can score in bunches yet watched the 2nd round and beyond from their living room couch while Boston, St.Louis, NYI, and Carolina moved on. We need a strong team from top to bottom, paying a winger (the least most important position in hockey) $9M a year who isn’t elite makes it harder to fill out down the middle, on the defense, and in goal.
- Pegullaville

He's an elite goal scorer

You're worrying about the wrong contracts

It's the Okposo's, the Bogosian's, the Scandella's, the Sobotka's of this team that make this team bad

Not a 40 goal scoring winger (the first 40 goal scorer this team has found to play with Eichel and play well with him)

Sam played 50% of the season away from Eichel and finished with more points then Skinner. He proved he was capable of driving his own line. He grades well defensively. Might not score 40 goals but he’s a better hockey player.
- Pegullaville

I never understand why people argue that Sam can drive his own line, when we never had a respectable second line. If you look at his 5v5 production away from Jack, it simply isn't there. It was 8 points.

It is wrong. That argument needs to die. I don’t know ya but you’re my boy Stripes!
- jimmy mcnaulty

I cant believe Im gonna say this but I kinda miss Beady

I see we have been visited by Mr Knowledge hi self. Self-proclaimed know if all.
Wake-up!
Lol.

Welcome, you have been lurking way too long!
- IonSabres

Jimmy should fit right in

He's an elite goal scorer

You're worrying about the wrong contracts

It's the Okposo's, the Bogosian's, the Scandella's, the Sobotka's of this team that make this team bad

Not a 40 goal scoring winger (the first 40 goal scorer this team has found to play with Eichel and play well with him)
- Stripes77

As someone who argues about anything, trying to cut down a guy who came in and scored 40 goals is just asinine IMO.

Skinner was one of the leagues leaders in takeaways.

He’s bad in his own zone, but he’s far from one dimensional.

Patrik Laine is one dimensional

I never understand why people argue that Sam can drive his own line, when we never had a respectable second line. If you look at his 5v5 production away from Jack, it simply isn't there. It was 8 points.
- Lunaion

He needs to do that to earn his next contract imo. If he can't be a 60-65 point winger without Eichel, you trade him next off-season. Unless he's a 75 point winger with Eichel

I never understand why people argue that Sam can drive his own line, when we never had a respectable second line. If you look at his 5v5 production away from Jack, it simply isn't there. It was 8 points.
- Lunaion

Eh. He’s almost there.

It comes down to teammates too.

I’ve become a believer in him

As someone who argues about anything, trying to cut down a guy who came in and scored 40 goals is just asinine IMO.

Skinner was one of the leagues leaders in takeaways.

He’s bad in his own zone, but he’s far from one dimensional.

Patrik Laine is one dimensional
- OneKaneOneCup

I'd prefer his contract to be at $8 million, but I am not about to let him walk away for $9 million.

I am still hoping all of these reports are just put out their by his agent to try to drive up his price.

We all were shocked with the contract Botts got Sam to sign, maybe we will be surprised and it's $7.5 million per year.

But I want to keep him even if its $9 million per

I never understand why people argue that Sam can drive his own line, when we never had a respectable second line. If you look at his 5v5 production away from Jack, it simply isn't there. It was 8 points.
- Lunaion

https://www.diebytheblade...-sam-reinhart-jack-eichel

heres the rebuttal with lots of stats

He needs to do that to earn his next contract imo. If he can't be a 60-65 point winger without Eichel, you trade him next off-season. Unless he's a 75 point winger with Eichel
- jcragcrumple

I agree. It looked like he was going to, but just when the second line started to look decent, they put him back up with Jack.

I see we have been visited by Mr Knowledge hi self. Self-proclaimed know if all.
Wake-up!
Lol.

Welcome, you have been lurking way too long!
- IonSabres

I come and go..kinda like our best goal scorers. Typically I get booted for trolling all the casual racists and homophobes on the Habs threads..they’re the worst. And I definitely don’t know it all, but I know about income tax, and both the major and nuanced benefits of living in a big city compared to Buffalo..and I can only imagine doing it as a millionaire. I also love Buffalo, love the Sabres, and I really love winning hockey games and scoring sick goals. I’d even be willing to pay the “baller-tax” to get more of each. Cheers Ion

I agree with 99.9% of that you post. I just don’t think we’ll ever see eye to eye on Skinner’s value. I love the player, but he’s terrible defensively and has a career average of 23 assists. He has eclipsed 60 points in a season twice in 8 years. That is not worth “superstar” money.
- Pegullaville

Isn't it 3 in 9 now? And 2 of those 9 were the concussion years, 1 of those 9 was the shortened season after his 1st concussion. Another was when he led the team with 51 points the year after his 2nd concussion.

IF HOCKEY IS IMPORTANT TO HIM!!! Hey buddy, if hockey is important to Skins he’d play for a good team!! Don’t ever slag Jeff for A. Coming here & B. Staying. I don’t care what his motives nor should you, and the arrogance and cluelessness your comment indicates is just laughable. This a grown man, kiddo, making grown man decisions. Should he decide to stick around, he should be celebrated, regardless of why he did it. Should he leave, it would surprise NO ONE..for reasons quite obvious to everyone but you.
- jimmy mcnaulty

So you're saying g you are President of the Buffalo Visitor Bureau?
Got it, you hate being in Buffalo...educate yourself and wake-up!

https://www.diebytheblade.com/2019/2/7/18214602/buffalo-sabres-its-time-to-abandon-the-myth-about-sam-reinhart-jack-eichel

heres the rebuttal with lots of stats
- Der Kaiser

I've read it. Most of the data is the year prior. Sam and RoR looked good together for a stretch.

I'd prefer his contract to be at $8 million, but I am not about to let him walk away for $9 million.

I am still hoping all of these reports are just put out their by his agent to try to drive up his price.

We all were shocked with the contract Botts got Sam to sign, maybe we will be surprised and it's $7.5 million per year.

But I want to keep him even if its $9 million per
- Stripes77

Id prefer him at 3 mil, but the Sabres have 0 leverage

I've read it. Most of the data is the year prior. Sam and RoR looked good together for a stretch.
- Lunaion

Most of the data is from the year prior because that's when he spent most of the time without Eichel.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too, dude.

The data from last year, though less voluminous, is consistent with the data from the prior year. I get that there is a distinction. But there isnt a difference.

So you're saying g you are President of the Buffalo Visitor Bureau?
Got it, you hate being in Buffalo...educate yourself and wake-up!
- IonSabres

It’s apparently a far more nuanced take than you’re capable of dealing with. I, particularly enjoy conversations where one refers to the other by some sort of dolt-ish fake-name, like “Smart-guy” or “Mr Knowledge.” It’s actually a popular writing technique used by all of modern civilization’s most gifted storytellers. Well-played, I should’ve know I was dealing with Thoreau incarnate!

Most of the data is from the year prior because that's when he spent most of the time without Eichel.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too, dude.

The data from last year, though less voluminous, is consistent with the data from the prior year. I get that there is a distinction. But there isnt a difference.
- Der Kaiser

But the conclusion Is he can produce away from Eichel, not drive his own line

Most of the data is from the year prior because that's when he spent most of the time without Eichel.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too, dude.

The data from last year, though less voluminous, is consistent with the data from the prior year. I get that there is a distinction. But there isnt a difference.
- Der Kaiser

Well-said

But the conclusion Is he can produce away from Eichel, not drive his own line
- OneKaneOneCup

Read this part, please:

While he may never be that top-six center he was drafted as back in 2014, he has the ability to drive his own line as a winger in the NHL. He’s had a positive impact on a handful of players that have seen their numbers and scoring chances grow.

Well-said
- jimmy mcnaulty

I don't need your help, Jimmy.

Read this part, please:

While he may never be that top-six center he was drafted as back in 2014, he has the ability to drive his own line as a winger in the NHL. He’s had a positive impact on a handful of players that have seen their numbers and scoring chances grow.
- Der Kaiser

*has the ability* and *has done it* are two entirely different things.

And I just stated I believe he can

I don't need your help, Jimmy.
- Der Kaiser

No you don’t..you’re doing great sweetie, go Sabres.