You think there's any way this roster competes for a playoff spot?

All other points aside, I'm just curious.
- RhinoFan

I think we can, however we are probably in the best division in the league (Central is right there too). That makes it harder.

Buccigross did pick us to make it, so there's one positive.

Also,

Sabres' leadership group:
Captain - Jack Eichel
Alternate captains - Jake McCabe, Marcus Johansson

I think we can, however we are probably in the best division in the league (Central is right there too). That makes it harder.

Buccigross did pick us to make it, so there's one positive.

Also,

Sabres' leadership group:
Captain - Jack Eichel
Alternate captains - Jake McCabe, Marcus Johansson
- adambuffalo

for Buffalo to make it they need three players to pull through.. Olaf, Johansson and Fatbutt

You would think Sobotka on the 2nd line would dampen the enthusiasm and lower the StubHub prices for the home opener...

Can't argue with that. Slight improvements with Mojo and Vesey. We'll see if Joker is impactful yet.
- RhinoFan

And Miller?
Dahlin, Eichel, Rhino step up their game too I hope.

So, the season's over? Cool.

Where did we finish?
- Powerslave

Not saying it's over.

Saying we limited our chances by not icing the best lineup we could. That's all. After this much losing, I think we should be going for it.

I think we can, however we are probably in the best division in the league (Central is right there too). That makes it harder.

Buccigross did pick us to make it, so there's one positive.

Also,

Sabres' leadership group:
Captain - Jack Eichel
Alternate captains - Jake McCabe, Marcus Johansson
- adambuffalo

Okposo's out as an alternate

It begins...

Makes more sense then. I just can't see it, but maybe that's just the decade of losing talking.

I get it though. If we can win with this lineup, it's valid point that the bottom6 shouldn't effect that drastically and to complain so much is probably nauseating.

I suppose it's better than arguing about Risto's value around the league though.
- RhinoFan

it's really getting there. I just want to see everything in action before people line up at the bridge. Have modest expectations, yeah, but the continual versions of "I'm ready for 2020 draft" is obnoxious.

You would think Sobotka on the 2nd line would dampen the enthusiasm and lower the StubHub prices for the home opener...
- buffalofan19

Him there means Sabres physically can't win. It's science, really.

And Miller?
Dahlin, Eichel, Rhino step up their game too I hope.
- jochfr

You're right with Miller. He's looked very good. Pleasant surprise in preseason.

it's really getting there. I just want to see everything in action before people line up at the bridge. Have modest expectations, yeah, but the continual versions of "I'm ready for 2020 draft" is obnoxious.
- TheSabresTaco

Hopefully we roll Pitt tomorrow, I'll guzzle down a few quarts of the Kool Aid and we'll be planning the parade by Sunday. I got my fingees crossed.

Not saying it's over.

Saying we limited our chances by not icing the best lineup we could. That's all. After this much losing, I think we should be going for it.
- RhinoFan

This org considers all skills equally. If "best lineup" means Tage and Casey play on the PK instead of Larsson and Girgensons, that's an opinion that might not win out. Their offensive potential is weighted with other guys that have a 200' game, with less scoring skills.

Sorry, but that's the way it is, and I agree with it, to a point.

Hopefully we roll Pitt tomorrow, I'll guzzle down a few quarts of the Kool Aid and we'll be planning the parade by Sunday. I got my fingees crossed.
- RhinoFan

I'm not even drinking koolaid. I'd sure like to. But it's unfair to judge anything prior to Game 1.

Hopefully we roll Pitt tomorrow, I'll guzzle down a few quarts of the Kool Aid and we'll be planning the parade by Sunday. I got my fingees crossed.
- RhinoFan

Was it two years ago we looked pretty good in the home opener and everyone was calling for the playoffs.. then we drafted dahlin that year

A RoY candidate season where he gets 30+35 is realistically what we need. If you want to dream big on any player, it's him.
- jcragcrumple

As much as I love Goalofsson, this is a tough ask.

I think 18G 13A would be a pretty good rookie year. 20+20 would be stellar. Anything over 50 feels like too much to ask. Jack had 56 in his rookie year and Reinhart had 42. Vanek had 48. Anything in the 40's seems like a great season.

I'm not even drinking koolaid. I'd sure like to. But it's unfair to judge anything prior to Game 1.
- TheSabresTaco

i think you really need like a 5-10 game look see before we can call anything.

i think you really need like a 5-10 game look see before we can call anything.
- SabresFaninIndiana

For sure.

As much as I love Goalofsson, this is a tough ask.

I think 18G 13A would be a pretty good rookie year. 20+20 would be stellar. Anything over 50 feels like too much to ask. Jack had 56 in his rookie year and Reinhart had 42. Vanek had 48. Anything in the 40's seems like a great season.
- matty12345

although i agree with your sentiment.. everyone of those players you listed either had to pretty much do it themselves or in Vaneks case was on the 3rd line.. of all listed Olaf has the best opportunity to succeed, but i still doubt he breaks 40

although i agree with your sentiment.. everyone of those players you listed either had to pretty much do it themselves or in Vaneks case was on the 3rd line.. of all listed Olaf has the best opportunity to succeed, but i still doubt he breaks 40
- SabresFaninIndiana

Keep in mind he is on the first line...for game 1. That could last all of a period. If he plays an entire season on the first PP and with Jack, he is going to get 20 assists by accident. But again, ask Sheary or Pominville about the difference between being on Jack's wing or being on Erod or Mittelstadt's wing.

As much as I love Goalofsson, this is a tough ask.

I think 18G 13A would be a pretty good rookie year. 20+20 would be stellar. Anything over 50 feels like too much to ask. Jack had 56 in his rookie year and Reinhart had 42. Vanek had 48. Anything in the 40's seems like a great season.
- matty12345

Yup it is. We haven't had an unexpected breakout player in a good long while though

Myers
Ennis to a lesser extent at the end of that one playoff season when he was called up

None of those guys you mentioned were 24 years old either

Show me the ones who say great things about Housley
- Powerslave

Anyone want to join a free ESPN fantasy hockey league?

This org considers all skills equally. If "best lineup" means Tage and Casey play on the PK instead of Larsson and Girgensons, that's an opinion that might not win out. Their offensive potential is weighted with other guys that have a 200' game, with less scoring skills.

Sorry, but that's the way it is, and I agree with it, to a point.
- TheSabresTaco

I get it. Can't have a team full of defensive liabilities for the sake of a few goals.

To me E-Rod is a 200ft player, Sobotka is a 5ft player. It's not about offensive potential but simply a no brainer there. I think that might apply more to Tage.

Not saying it's over.

Saying we limited our chances by not icing the best lineup we could. That's all. After this much losing, I think we should be going for it.
- RhinoFan

Ok, but that's a fan's opinion, not the team's.

Everyone b!tches, and rightly so, that we rushed Mitts and TT.

But you're ready to give 9 minutes a game to guys who aren't ready, instead of allowing them to play 17-20 minutes a night in the minors and becoming the best pros they can be for the big club going forward?

I'm not even drinking koolaid. I'd sure like to. But it's unfair to judge anything prior to Game 1.
- TheSabresTaco

Oh, no wasn't implying you were. It did sound that way after rereading. I need to see some good hockey and I'll cheer up. I lost my tail it seems.

although i agree with your sentiment.. everyone of those players you listed either had to pretty much do it themselves or in Vaneks case was on the 3rd line.. of all listed Olaf has the best opportunity to succeed, but i still doubt he breaks 40
- SabresFaninIndiana

I also feel like Olaf isn't a rookie. Vanek entered the league as a 21 year old. Reinhart was 20. Eichel was 19. Olaf will be 24, which is the same age as Panarin. I'm not saying that Olaf will put up the same stats as Panarin (who put up 30+47), but I don't think it is that far out of the question. Panarin played with Kane and Artem Anisiov. Are Eichel and Reinhart better than them? I'd say no, but I feel like the quality is still there.


*Disclaimer* - I may be off by +/- a year... Numbers confuse me.

Edit - Same age as Panarin WAS when he entered the league