I look at it the opposite way. Larry/Gus/X is their top defensive line. It's on the others to take time away from them. I see ERod as their #3 offensive option and #2 defensive. Curious to see how Ralph does it. There's so many defensive liabilities on the team to work around.
- Lunaion

That's some Richard Jauron strategy right there. Those two both happen to be average defensively and horrible offensively. You lose with them on the ice, but because they play some defense, you just lose a bit slower than you would have.

If Sobotka, Larsson, and Girgensons average 14 minutes a night, we lose. Plain and simple. They give up an average amount of goals and score almost none. I'd rather try to win by seeing if CJ smith can score or if Ruotsoleinen is any good and ultimately lose, than to try to lose by a little and lose. Putting those guys out there is admitting you cant win.

The sabres have an entire set of offensive defensemen, two crap goalies, and an amazing first line. Be an offensive team, and if you lose, at least you lost being interesting and trying to win. Play the bottom trio, and you still arent good defensively, and now you can't score either.

Pretending erod is 1 of the top 3 fastest skaters on the Sabres is being a giant homer.


Dudes average. Now hes getting paid, there goes the "value" argument

The lockport duo also suffered from erods lack of hockey sense. Works both ways.

Average small 4th liner with 0 snarl
- Boss34

Average speed? Sir, that insult will not stand. That is a highly treasonous accusation that cannot be tolerated in a civil society

Don't be mad at erod because the living legend doesn't have a roster spot.

Also, how many fights did erod have last year? How many for pominville?

I know you will, but can you piece together a better defensive line? Are you putting MoJo/Mitts/Sam out against OV in the dzone? That's the closest I can come to a better group (unless they start saddling Jack with it), and I still wouldn't do it.
- Lunaion

I would balance the zone starts more evenly across the board. Playing that pair for 14 minutes a night doesn't work. I certainly wouldn't do it again

They can be relied on defensively at key times, and on the PK, but their minutes need to be limited. Scoring is up in the league, the sabres cant play scared

last I checked Marner was a center.
- hehateme

Erod wouldnt be a top 3 center on a playoff team.
Dude is small and has very little scoring touch.

Now he's getting paid 2 million.

Kinda a p*ssy that adds zero grit
- Boss34

which is why we need another center so he isn't

Oh lord, I will lose my mind if the twins play as much as last year. I dont see it happening. Over relying on those guys plus Sobotka and Scandella is what got Housley fired
- jcragcrumple

What I have to laugh at is the fact that you wanna use zone starts to defend Risto but for some reason don’t want to include that Larry/Girgs had 80% + D zone starts

They were absolutely fine in the role they played, a heavy defensive one

which is why we need another center so he isn't
- SabresFaninIndiana

Eloquently stated.

What I have to laugh at is the fact that you wanna use zone starts to defend Risto but for some reason don’t want to include that Larry/Girgs had 80% + D zone starts

They were absolutely fine in the role they played, a heavy defensive one
- OneKaneOneCup

If gus and Larry put up 30 points, hell 20 points, in their defensive roles, I could see the argument for more o zone starts for them. Starting them in the o zone is a waste of time because they're horrible offensively. Larry can shoot a little bit, but gus has hands of stone. Why would you waste your time doing that?

Risto put up 40 points. I think there's more offensively to give. If gus and Larry have more to give offensively, it's still a terrible ceiling

If they're playing 10 minutes a night, whatever

I cant fathom giving them 3rd line minutes again

If gus and Larry put up 30 points, hell 20 points, in their defensive roles, I could see the argument for more o zone starts for them. Starting them in the o zone is a waste of time because they're horrible offensively. Larry can shoot a little bit, but gus has hands of stone. Why would you waste your time doing that?

Risto put up 40 points. I think there's more offensively to give
- jcragcrumple

And when Girgs got top PP time he scored 15 goals in 60 games.

They took ROR’s heavy D zone starts and did really well with them.

Sobotka’s usuage and ice time were ridiculous. 22/28’s was justified

And when Girgs got top PP time he scored 15 goals in 60 games.

They took ROR’s heavy D zone starts and did really well with them.

Sobotka’s usuage and ice time were ridiculous. 22/28’s was justified
- OneKaneOneCup

The question is whether it will be that way moving forward

You really think larry is going to have a 14 minute ATOI again?

If we're gonna do things like that, why'd Botterill fire Housley?

I would balance the zone starts more evenly across the board. Playing that pair for 14 minutes a night doesn't work. I certainly wouldn't do it again

They can be relied on defensively at key times, and on the PK, but their minutes need to be limited. Scoring is up in the league, the sabres cant play scared
- jcragcrumple

Fair enough. Our zone starts last season were absurdly polarized. Good chance Ralph isn't quite as extreme.

\RANT/

\RANT/
- jochfr

Risto is weak

Risto is weak
- gerbe75pts

Risto is too tall

The question is whether it will be that way moving forward

You really think larry is going to have a 14 minute ATOI again?

If we're gonna do things like that, why'd Botterill fire Housley?
- jcragcrumple

Probably not 14. But 10-12 with PK time is fine.

I think if Erod is the 3C he gets 14-15 with PK time and maybe PP2 with injuries.

What is this, the E-Rod bashing festival today?

Glad it isn't my boy, like last year, wonder who it will be this time next September. I'm banking on Mitts.

Pretending erod is 1 of the top 3 fastest skaters on the Sabres is being a giant homer.


Dudes average. Now hes getting paid, there goes the "value" argument

The lockport duo also suffered from erods lack of hockey sense. Works both ways.

Average small 4th liner with 0 snarl
- Boss34

Lol 2 million is hardly getting paid.

If Okposo comes back healthy I could see him getting 20/30 and have no problem with him getting ice time.
- adambuffalo

I already said he's going to have 25 goals this year and 40+ points if he's used correctly - Meaning PP2 and 3rd line RW.

Rick Carpiniello
@RickCarpiniello
Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by Brian Boucher.

Pretending erod is 1 of the top 3 fastest skaters on the Sabres is being a giant homer.


Dudes average. Now hes getting paid, there goes the "value" argument

The lockport duo also suffered from erods lack of hockey sense. Works both ways.

Average small 4th liner with 0 snarl
- Boss34

ERod is not fast but he isn't slow.

Eichel, Skinner, Dahlin, those are our only skaters that I would consider above mediocre - and they're all phenomenal skaters. Erod isn't bad but he's nothing special.

Those two both happen to be average defensively and horrible offensively.
- matty12345

Pretty much describes the Lockport Twins perfectly.

Calling them a defensive or shut-down line is an insult to players like Todd Marchant.

Rick Carpiniello
@RickCarpiniello
Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by Brian Boucher.
- Stripes77

Too bad it wasn't that pedo Doc Emmerick.

Rick Carpiniello
@RickCarpiniello
Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by Brian Boucher.
- Stripes77

Best news

Rick Carpiniello
@RickCarpiniello
Per impeccable source, Pierre McGuire has been removed from NBC Sports' No. 1 hockey team, to be replaced by Brian Boucher.
- Stripes77

Ahh both aren’t great anyways. It’s a wash

ERod is not fast but he isn't slow.

Eichel, Skinner, Dahlin, those are our only skaters that I would consider above mediocre - and they're all phenomenal skaters. Erod isn't bad but he's nothing special.
- BeadyEyedDouche

He's definitely faster than Dahlin

Not as good of a skater technically, nor does he have the moves, but he is faster.

Supposedly dahlin spent the summer working on his speed though, so we'll see if he improved