So, I get that benefit you express there...no doubt I'd rather watch Mojo and Vesey more than Sheary and Sobotka.
But, just more of the same that we have watched for ever it seems like...too many guys playing a level over their optimal level.
so to net it out...
-Sheary should be traded away
-Sobotka should be sent down
-Vesey should be on line 3 (in a perfect world)
-Mojo should be on line 3 (in a perfect world)
-Casey should be sent down until he shows he can play competently
-Thompson I think should be down as well until he transitions into a power forward...not just a tall guys with a (wait for it) ... long stick.

Personally I would have rather seen Asplund in his role of 4C this season rather Larry or Sobotka

Meh, just reinforces this is going to be a tough season to get through unless Magic Man Ralphie-boy has more than a few Rabbits up his ass.
- IonSabres

I'm getting worried for Mitts. I was fully on board the hype train and I'm not leaving without a fight...but some of the defensive zone plays just look lazy. Not a good sign. Nylander stuff and junk.

Olives

Olives
- jochfr

You're a monster!

You guys are leaving out chemistry.

Yes, there is an obvious lack of one more "true" 2nd line player on this team (unless you're counting our new 2LW, Cljeff PuSkins), but I think we're able to spread whatever talent we DO have throughout the lineup a bit more than the last few years.

Can VO handle top line minutes? I sure hope so, because that makes us stronger on lines 2 and 3.

Dropping Skins down (even if it's just temporary) is a good thing. And if it isn't, then I hope Ralph will move VO over to 1RW and drop Sam down.

Secondary scoring WAS added (it remains to be seen exactly how much, but you can realistically pencil Vesey in for 15-20 and MoJo in for 40-45 points, I think), and the D improved w adding Miller.

Some will say Vesey and Pominville are a wash. Not even close. Pominville was about as effective as Larsson was once he was taken off Jack's line.

Finding line combos that might not work on paper (or Xbox 😉), but work on the ice can go a long way.

Or let the tank continue?

Who knows. I always try to stay positive. One of these years, it will work.

You guys are leaving out chemistry.

Yes, there is an obvious lack of one more "true" 2nd line player on this team (unless you're counting our new 2LW, Cljeff PuSkins), but I think we're able to spread whatever talent we DO have throughout the lineup a bit more than the last few years.

Can VO handle top line minutes? I sure hope so, because that makes us stronger on lines 2 and 3.

Dropping Skins down (even if it's just temporary) is a good thing. And if it isn't, then I hope Ralph will move VO over to 1RW and drop Sam down.

Secondary scoring WAS added (it remains to be seen exactly how much, but you can realistically pencil Vesey in for 15-20 and MoJo in for 40-45 points, I think), and the D improved w adding Miller.

Some will say Vesey and Pominville are a wash. Not even close. Pominville was about as effective as Larsson was once he was taken off Jack's line.

Finding line combos that might not work on paper (or Xbox 😉), but work on the ice can go a long way.

Or let the tank continue?

Who knows. I always try to stay positive. One of these years, it will work.
- Powerslave

He'll be fine.

What's the impact on Skinner's goal total though? That's the question in my mind. We'll overall still be in a better place if he gets 30 with Mojo, because Olo will get 20 on the 1st line and PP1 imo. As it was last year, the second line is the biggest question. Will they actually get to play 2nd line minutes? If Skinner is on that line, one would assume so. Will they be effective? Who knows

I'm getting worried for Mitts. I was fully on board the hype train and I'm not leaving without a fight...but some of the defensive zone plays just look lazy. Not a good sign. Nylander stuff and junk.
- RhinoFan

They should have let him stay at Minnesota for another year or two of NCAA action.

VO will probably win rookie of the year he’s just going to light it up

They should have let him stay at Minnesota for another year or two of NCAA action.
- Sabre_Tooth

He had all the power the Sabres had none
So that would have never happened

I'm getting worried for Mitts. I was fully on board the hype train and I'm not leaving without a fight...but some of the defensive zone plays just look lazy. Not a good sign. Nylander stuff and junk.
- RhinoFan

8.4 will be fine when he takes hockey seriously he’s still mad young

my bold take is Lazar will make the starting lineup

and if Kruger really did chat to fans in the bars as part of his homework and diligence (not reason to doubt it) then some of Sobotka Larson and Grigs and Scandella will not be in the starting lineup. else he didn't listen. or he was talking to Leaf fans

my bold take is Lazar will make the starting lineup

and if Kruger really did chat to fans in the bars as part of his homework and diligence (not reason to doubt it) then some of Sobotka Larson and Grigs and Scandella will not be in the starting lineup. else he didn't listen. or he was talking to Leaf fans
- riptheguard

"If you listen to the fans, you end up sitting with them."

-Marv Levy

"If you listen to the fans, you end up sitting with them."

-Marv Levy
- buffalofan19

true dat

He had all the power the Sabres had none
So that would have never happened
- gerbe75pts

Why?

"If you listen to the fans, you end up sitting with them."

-Marv Levy
- buffalofan19

"If you dont listen to the fans, you end up in the Phoenix suburbs fetching Phil Kessel's hotdogs" - Phil Housley

8.4 will be fine when he takes hockey seriously he’s still mad young
- gerbe75pts

Bet

"If you dont listen to the fans, you end up in the Phoenix suburbs fetching Phil Kessel's hotdogs" - Phil Housley
- jcragcrumple

Housley was built for the desert

Housley was built for the desert


- washedup20

Well played indeed

Medical Update: Guy Lafleur
The 68-year-old underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery on Thursday

What if Botts is a genius to hold out from giving up Risto until the start or a little into the season? What if the offers are increasing as teams are a little more desperate for a RD?

Pondering emoji.
- TheSabresTaco

I just think he hasn't had an offer that he wanted to accept. If he had a great offer a month ago he probably would've done it.

I'm upset about a lot of things.

The overall theme to my discontent is that the team is untalented. If they were good I wouldn't need turnover. Similarly, when most teams build their top six, it doesn't include a rookie on the first line, a third line wing at second line center, and no viable candidate for the 6th spot. You can't have three questions in your top six and be good.

But yeah, cherry pick how Lazar isn't any better or whatever to avoid the real issue. Even I have to admit that the bottom 3 aren't going to make or break this team. I just hoped they would use the bottom 3 to hopefully find someone worthy to help the top nine.
- matty12345

One caveat to that first paragraph. Olofsson might be a rookie, but he's 24 yrs old and hss had far more seasoning while playing against pros than most any other rook

Seems to capture the mood in here as the regular season approaches

https://youtu.be/DU6IndADEWI

Why?
- washedup20

You don’t remember his tournament ? And then you had College players leaving left and right

Only reason why he came over because they promised him that he wouldn’t be sent to AHL and be in the starting lineup and he get his bonus

Bet
- washedup20

Yeah you need to stop doing that Saucing with me

One caveat to that first paragraph. Olofsson might be a rookie, but he's 24 yrs old and hss had far more seasoning while playing against pros than most any other rook
- Michael Pachla

Was curious what the age limit was, to win RoY. It's 26.

He's the same age as Risto, who should hit 500 NHL games this season.

They should have let him stay at Minnesota for another year or two of NCAA action.
- Sabre_Tooth

Agreed. I think he was rushed. Looking decent in 6 or whatever games at the end of a poopty season when teams weren't playing that hard against us wasnt exactly the best gauge.