I'd like to see them commit to a heavy, truculent, powerful bottom 6:

Wilson-Larry-Okposo
Girgs-Sobotka-Elie
Lazar
- jcragcrumple

That's awful.

I really hope you're kidding

Because the Sabres lose nothing if he gets his 9 games.

After game 9 and you send him back. You don’t burn a year of his contract and have the full 3 year ELC.
- Sabretooth9

I disagree. There's a psychological element that you have to account for as well, and keeping him around for even those few games and then sending him back could be a bit damaging from a psychological standpoint.

Also, just because they "can" and it wouldn't cause contract issues, doesn't mean they "should."

That's awful.

I really hope you're kidding
- Powerslave

Very much so

If I had my way, 0 of those players would be on the team

I disagree. There's a psychological element that you have to account for as well, and keeping him around for even those few games and then sending him back could be a bit damaging from a psychological standpoint.

Also, just because they "can" and it wouldn't cause contract issues, doesn't mean they "should."
- HonkFortheGoose

Or it could give him a taste of what it's like playing in the NHL, and give him an idea of what he needs to improve on to be here full time.

Sabres’ new motto on dressing room wall to match Ralph Krueger’s philosophy: “Play Connected.”
Said Evan Rodrigues: “You’re going to be able to make plays without looking. You’re going to know where guys are at all times. There’s going to be no question on what we’re doing. ...
“It’s going to be plain and simple. We’re going to play fast and play aggressive.”
The Play Connected logo has the words atop a triangle of crossed swords with Sabres crest at bottom. (No pictures allowed to be taken in dressing room.)


From John Vogl

Or it could give him a taste of what it's like playing in the NHL, and give him an idea of what he needs to improve on to be here full time.
- adambuffalo

This.
If he cries in the corner upon being sent back, give him a participation trophy, then start the trade calls ... he isn't who we thought he was, lol!

Cozens isn't eligible for the AHL next year. Another reason to hate CHL players.
- Lunaion

this is a conversation after we have seen a few pre season games

Sabres’ new motto on dressing room wall to match Ralph Krueger’s philosophy: “Play Connected.”
Said Evan Rodrigues: “You’re going to be able to make plays without looking. You’re going to know where guys are at all times. There’s going to be no question on what we’re doing. ...
“It’s going to be plain and simple. We’re going to play fast and play aggressive.”
The Play Connected logo has the words atop a triangle of crossed swords with Sabres crest at bottom. (No pictures allowed to be taken in dressing room.)


From John Vogl
- adambuffalo

Risto should excel in this system, that is 90% of what he does anyway

Sabres’ new motto on dressing room wall to match Ralph Krueger’s philosophy: “Play Connected.”
Said Evan Rodrigues: “You’re going to be able to make plays without looking. You’re going to know where guys are at all times. There’s going to be no question on what we’re doing. ...
“It’s going to be plain and simple. We’re going to play fast and play aggressive.”
The Play Connected logo has the words atop a triangle of crossed swords with Sabres crest at bottom. (No pictures allowed to be taken in dressing room.)


From John Vogl
- adambuffalo

Krueger spoke at the world economic forum. Coincidence?!?!!

Risto should excel in this system, that is 90% of what he does anyway
- IonSabres

I wish people would stop trying to force him into the lineup already as well. My understanding of him (based on scouting reports pre-draft) was that he's going to need a few years before he'd be able to make the jump to the NHL.
- HonkFortheGoose

No, those were ALL wrong.
Gerbe's scouting report has him being dumber than an empty box of rocks.
I doubt he even knows he has been drafted yet.

No, those were ALL wrong.
Gerbe's scouting report has him being dumber than an empty box of rocks.
I doubt he even knows he has been drafted yet.
- IonSabres

It’s more of a language barrier. You now because he’s from the Yukon.

Or it could give him a taste of what it's like playing in the NHL, and give him an idea of what he needs to improve on to be here full time.
- adambuffalo

In general, the kid needs to bulk up a bit. A stiff breeze off the lake would knock him over right now.

Why is everyone here always trying to rush these kids into the lineup? Have we not seen how that's not always the best course of action over the last few years?

In general, the kid needs to bulk up a bit. A stiff breeze off the lake would knock him over right now.

Why is everyone here always trying to rush these kids into the lineup? Have we not seen how that's not always the best course of action over the last few years?
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed.

Another year in jr. will do him well.

- homiedclown

How many practices in before Pekar gets him so frustrated that Phatass is in the corner with a couple dozen wings to comfort him?

How many practices in before Pekar gets him so frustrated that Phatass is in the corner with a couple dozen wings to comfort him?
- IonSabres

4

In general, the kid needs to bulk up a bit. A stiff breeze off the lake would knock him over right now.

Why is everyone here always trying to rush these kids into the lineup? Have we not seen how that's not always the best course of action over the last few years?
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree overall with your point, but if he impresses in camp, and in PS, I think he should get a few games if he earned it with his play. It didn't hurt Reinhart

Agreed.

Another year in jr. will do him well.
- Powerslave

I'm good with just seeing how camp and preseason go before I decide where he should play for the most part. But, at this point I'm leaning toward sending him back to Jr.

This would be the first year that he'd be getting top minutes as "the guy" for his Jr team. I feel like his game still has some room to grow there. Plus, everything here has been such a mess for the last however many years. How about we not expose him to that environment unless absolutely necessary right now.

How many practices in before Pekar gets him so frustrated that Phatass is in the corner with a couple dozen wings to comfort him?
- IonSabres

So, we have:

Phatass
Lockport
Skunk
Podracer
Freddy

What other "unofficial nicknames" do we have?

In general, the kid needs to bulk up a bit. A stiff breeze off the lake would knock him over right now.

Why is everyone here always trying to rush these kids into the lineup? Have we not seen how that's not always the best course of action over the last few years?
- HonkFortheGoose

Ya, Botts has already set the stage with his comment about how difficult it is for an 18 year old to make the jump.
I still don't think it is a bad idea to give him a few games just to see the speed of the game, and get a feel for playing against men...
Then send him back with a clear development plan.
I'mm good with the go slow approach.

I'm good with just seeing how camp and preseason go before I decide where he should play for the most part. But, at this point I'm leaning toward sending him back to Jr.

This would be the first year that he'd be getting top minutes as "the guy" for his Jr team. I feel like his game still has some room to grow there. Plus, everything here has been such a mess for the last however many years. How about we not expose him to that environment unless absolutely necessary right now.
- HonkFortheGoose

“If I’m privileged enough to and they want me to play, I believe I’ll be ready for it,” said Cozens. “If not, I’ll go back to Lethbridge and I’ll lead that team there.”

Love that attitude.

So, we have:

Phatass
Lockport
Skunk
Podracer
Freddy

What other "unofficial nicknames" do we have?
- Powerslave

Clank
Jack ECHL
RAWR
Not as good as Laine
Joker
Bamby
Carter the Hut
6K
Disappointment (You'll never guess who this belongs to)

Ya, Botts has already set the stage with his comment about how difficult it is for an 18 year old to make the jump.
I still don't think it is a bad idea to give him a few games just to see the speed of the game, and get a feel for playing against men...
Then send him back with a clear development plan.
I'mm good with the go slow approach.
- IonSabres

I think for the most part he should be able to get a pretty good idea of the speed just from preseason. It's not 100% the same, but it's close enough. Especially depending on what the rosters of the teams playing against them are when he gets some games, which I'm sure he will.

So far, I've liked what he's done, but we have a very small sample size. Do I think what I've seen is enough to say keep him here for 9 and then decide? Eh, not really.

Clank
Jack ECHL
RAWR
Not as good as Laine
Joker
Bamby
Carter the Hut
6K
Disappointment (You'll never guess who this belongs to)
- SDSabre

I think Joker is an official nickname.

Who are Clank and Disappointment?

I think Joker is an official nickname.

Who are Clank and Disappointment?
- Powerslave

disappointment is the entire team