This idea is really picking up steam again. It's been a long time since it totally flopped, so this time around should definitely be different.
- TheSabresTaco

we don't have the wingers IMO

that can change in a month of course

bring in hoffman, connolly, and donskoi, and you can give it a shot if olofsson or nylander works out

if we are rolling with sheary, okposo, sobotka and wilson as our middle 6 wingers, OH MY

This idea is really picking up steam again. It's been a long time since it totally flopped, so this time around should definitely be different.
- TheSabresTaco

You seem to know it all:

Could of phail lousley's coaching style may have held Sam back? Maybe his system or the players young age and small frame?

Bedlam !
- SABRES 89

I had 3 martinis today, lots of olives

we don't have the wingers IMO

that can change in a month of course

bring in hoffman, connolly, and donskoi, and you can give it a shot if olofsson or nylander works out

if we are rolling with sheary, okposo, sobotka and wilson as our middle 6 wingers, OH MY
- homiedclown

Sheary deserves a 2nd chance as a 3LW and maybe 2LW from time to time. He is a guy that fluctuates with Center play and welllllll....

This idea is really picking up steam again. It's been a long time since it totally flopped, so this time around should definitely be different.
- TheSabresTaco

P Ham totally shot it down which was funny. On the one hand, a last time they tried it, he was playing with Pouliot and Griffith on his wings. But at the same time, he doesn't look comfortable there to me at all. It's telling that when Eichel got hurt, they didn't even try him back at center. I certainly wouldn't bank on it working. In retrospect, it would have been useful if they tried it when Eichel went down. They could have gone

Skinner-Reinhart-Pominville
Sheary-Mitts-Erod

Or whatever. Could have given us a glimpse at whether it would work. I certainly wouldn't count on it, plus our RWs without him suck

P Ham totally shot it down which was funny. On the one hand, a last time they tried it, he was playing with Pouliot and Griffith on his wings. But at the same time, he doesn't look comfortable there to me at all. It's telling that when Eichel got hurt, they didn't even try him back at center. I certainly wouldn't bank on it working. In retrospect, it would have been useful if they tried it when Eichel went down. They could have gone

Skinner-Reinhart-Pominville
Sheary-Mitts-Erod

Or whatever. Could have given us a glimpse at whether it would work. I certainly wouldn't count on it, plus our RWs without him suck
- jcragcrumple

The problem is the Sam at center idea is that if you bank on it working and it fails. You are in the same spot you were last year with Sobotka at 3C. 4C Larry. That does you no good

I like what Simmonds used to be. But he's a negative impact player. You can find 'snarl and grit' for the impact Simmonds gives you for much, much less than 3-4M. Joonas Donskoi for example. This guy has a GAR of 11.20. For a guy who gives you 30-40 points, that's insanely impressive, and would be loads more beneficial to the Sabres than a guy who used to be awesome but is now a leech. Don't we have enough leeches? Donskoi is the guy you give 3-4M to. Not Simmonds.

This is my own original take and was not influenced by any other poster.
- RhinoFan

Donskoi is a Pommer-lite in his prime.

Smart, can score, defensively sound

He’d be a perfect target

The problem is the Sam at center idea is that if you bank on it working and it fails. You are in the same spot you were last year with Sobotka at 3C. 4C Larry. That does you no good
- Sabretooth9

Plus with Reinhart carving out a nice 65 point season at RW, I wonder how excited he would be to switch to center in a contract year. If it fails, it tanks his next contract

Donskoi is a Pommer-lite in his prime.

Smart, can score, defensively sound

He’d be a perfect target
- sbroads24

I worry 10-12 other franchises will feel the same, driving price way up.

Donskoi is a Pommer-lite in his prime.

Smart, can score, defensively sound

He’d be a perfect target
- sbroads24

So not quite a legend, just a very compelling story?

So not quite a legend, just a very compelling story?
- Der Kaiser

Donskoi would be (frank)in tight, son

So not quite a legend, just a very compelling story?
- Der Kaiser

Pominville lacked a lot of effort and desperation in the corners in the offensive zone. The only truly time you saw him hustle and battled was when he was with jack echl and scoring goals.

I would pass on bringing him back.

Pominville lacked a lot of effort and desperation in the corners in the offensive zone. The only truly time you saw him hustle and battled was when he was with jack echl and scoring goals.

I would pass on bringing him back.
- Sabretooth9

Let him hold the water bottles.

Pominville lacked a lot of effort and desperation in the corners in the offensive zone. The only truly time you saw him hustle and battled was when he was with jack echl and scoring goals.

I would pass on bringing him back.
- Sabretooth9

HEY NICE NAME BRO

Let him hold the water bottles.
- jochfr

1 yr. 1 million. 1.5 at most.

HEY NICE NAME BRO
- Sabre_Tooth

Shots FIRED

Shots FIRED
- Hatboro_Swords

Dots ADMIRED

Dots ADMIRED
- jochfr

Jesus, could you be any whiter?

So not quite a legend, just a very compelling story?
- Der Kaiser

Pretty much

Plus with Reinhart carving out a nice 65 point season at RW, I wonder how excited he would be to switch to center in a contract year. If it fails, it tanks his next contract
- jcragcrumple

That might hurt Sam's feelings, but would be good for the Sabres management.

Jesus, could you be any whiter?
- Wetbandit1

Herpes ACQUIRED!

Herpes ACQUIRED!
- jochfr

Medication REQUIRED!

Pominville lacked a lot of effort and desperation in the corners in the offensive zone. The only truly time you saw him hustle and battled was when he was with jack echl and scoring goals.

I would pass on bringing him back.
- Sabretooth9

I'd definitely rather have a guy hustle in the corners then be the 4th leading goal scorer on the team.

We have plenty of goal scorers, not enough try hard guys?

That might hurt Sam's feelings, but would be good for the Sabres management.
- Boss34

If it works. And if it works, it won't hurt his feelings either. But at this stage of the game, it probably makes more sense to play him at RW where you know you'll get solid production, versus center where you could generously call his previous stints "underwhelming"

...........