I'm with you. I don't get it. I don't think he's hurting that line to be honest. I'd love to see him be a bit more "visible" if you will 5v5 right now, but he's still figuring things out, as a rookie, facing the top defensive pairings of the other team more often than not.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think he's largely invisible at even strength. That's hurting the line imo. Everyone has the scouting report on him now.

Only 2 points count.
- jochfr

If you don't count the things he's good at, he's clearly bad

2018-19 5 on 5

Eichel 29.4 on ice Scoring chances per 60

2019-20

Eichel 24.7 on ice scoring chances per 60 (which is 8th on the team btw)

Not having Skinner+ Olofsson is having a rather large effect

I think he's largely invisible at even strength. That's hurting the line imo. Everyone has the scouting report on him now.
- Lunaion

The thing that got him to the show was his shot, nothing else. He's an average skater, an average passer, and he's not overly physical. They need to figure out how to get him the puck in space so he can use his shot.

2018-19 5 on 5

Eichel 29.4 on ice Scoring chances per 60

2019-20

Eichel 24.7 on ice scoring chances per 60 (which is 8th on the team btw)

Not having Skinner+ Olofsson is having a rather large effect
- sbroads24

They've moved Skinner up with him when they need a goal. They'll be fine there.

They've moved Skinner up with him when they need a goal. They'll be fine there.
- buffalofan19

Agreed they will be fine.

But Oloffsson needs to be off that line for right now

Agreed they will be fine.

But Oloffsson needs to be off that line for right now
- sbroads24

I get why people would think that, but I think you let him play through it. Like I said, the only thing that keeps him here is because he's a lethal shooter, which means he needs to puck in space. I don't see anywhere else he is going to get that other than Eichel's line. If you take him off that line, you might as well put him in the pressbox because he's going to be next to useless, unless you treat him like Marc-Andre Bergeron and staple his ass to the bench until a powerplay.

The thing that got him to the show was his shot, nothing else. He's an average skater, an average passer, and he's not overly physical. They need to figure out how to get him the puck in space so he can use his shot.
- buffalofan19

I think its mostly on him to adjust. This team has few soft, perimeter players who are significantly more effective when they play a little more physical and get to the net. If he can't do that, he's a bottom 6 PP specialist.

Speaking of.

He has one assist in his last 7 games and doesn’t have a goal with the goalie in the net this year.

His offense has returned to very, very average
- sbroads24

Does he have to be better?

Sure. Just having points doesn’t win hockey games. Being really good 5 on 5 does.

Hell, being good 5 on 5 gets you to the PP in the first place.

I’m also not bashing Eichel either
- sbroads24

I'm inclined to let Olofsson find his way. I have faith he will, and I think he's more than pulling his own weight as it is

This isn't directed at you, but we are talking about a rookie who has 9 points in 11 games. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills
- jcragcrumple

Yeah, I don't he can sustain that, and that's okay. He hasn't scored in 4 games, but it's not like he's supposed to score every other game. He's not going to be a 40 goal scorer this year.

This fanbase seems unable to enjoy good players because they aren't great, but loves to defend bad players for simply not being awful. You would think from these posts Olofsson and Sobotka had each other's stat lines.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- SabresFaninIndiana

I've run 100 simulations, and the Sabres didn't win the lottery once!!!

I'm inclined to let Olofsson find his way. I have faith he will, and I think he's more than pulling his own weight as it is
- jcragcrumple

It’s not really a hot take that a rookie who has 0 EV goals in 17 career games should maybe be bumped off the most important line for a bit. Keep him on PP1

Now I feel like I’m taking crazy pills

so one bad game and we suck again. bench goaloffson, Kurger sucks and Jack is not a 10 Million dollar player. Am I doing this right?

It’s not really a hot take that a rookie who has 0 EV goals in 17 career games should maybe be bumped off the most important line for a bit. Keep him on PP1

Now I feel like I’m taking crazy pills
- sbroads24

That's not going to last.

Bumping Skinner to L1 means over investing in a single like Housley did last year and that sucked. Olofsson will find his way.

Until then, we'll just have to settle for Eichel being only slightly better than a point-per-game, and our rookie is only leading the rookie scoring race by a point or two

That's not going to last.

Bumping Skinner to L1 means over investing in a single like Housley did last year and that sucked. Olofsson will find his way.

Until then, we'll just have to settle for Eichel being only slightly better than a point-per-game, and our rookie is only leading the rookie scoring race by a point or two
- jcragcrumple

Jack + Skinner > Jack + Sam

Jack + Skinner > Jack + Sam
- Lunaion

So put Reinhart on L2?

So put Reinhart on L2?
- jcragcrumple

I would.

That's not going to last.

Bumping Skinner to L1 means over investing in a single like Housley did last year and that sucked. Olofsson will find his way.

Until then, we'll just have to settle for Eichel being only slightly better than a point-per-game, and our rookie is only leading the rookie scoring race by a point or two
- jcragcrumple

But it is lasting and he’s not shooting.

He has 8 total 5 on 5 shots dude. 8. That’s 11 less than Sobotka.

He’s been god awful 5 on 5 and it’s hurting Eichel.

There’s legit no other way around it

People had unrealistic expectations for Olofsson. I kept saying all offseason, don't just gift him a top line role, and don't expect more than 30-35 points. Second or third liner with 1st PP time, and maybe 18-20 goals or so. Those were ambitious but realistic expectations.

So I'm really pleased that he was able to come out of the gate and have a hot start. It's all the crazy talk about comparisons to Panarin (which other than their age being the same are laughable), and talk of 30+30 that is the problem. The kid is a rookie and will play like one. He isn't an elite NHL first line wing after 11 games, but it's not on him you expect that.
- matty12345

I was told you can put any 2 bodies on the top line with jack and they will get points 5 on 5

Agreed they will be fine.

But Oloffsson needs to be off that line for right now
- sbroads24

skinner-eichel-sheary
olofsson-johansson-reinhart
vesey-casey-sobotka/tage

I was told you can put any 2 bodies on the top line with jack and they will get points 5 on 5
- homiedclown

When the alternatives for now are better I’d switch them up.

So did Jordan Nolan.

And Rob Johnson has a Super Bowl ring.
- buffalofan19

No Conn Smythe fo Nolan
No Super Bowl MVP for Johnson

Just sayin

Jack + Skinner > Jack + Sam
- Lunaion

if you want jack to get goals, play him with sam

if you want jack to get assists play him with skinner


sam and jeff are 2 different players, one is an all around play maker the other is a goal scorer

sam did have more points then skinner last season

When the alternatives for now are better I’d switch them up.
- sbroads24

there is lots of options

sad thing is the line I like the most 5 on 5 is johansson's line and he has the worst of the bunch in sobotka on a wing


then again the lines can remain the same, we win 7-2 tonight and all lines get 5 on 5 goals and we will have nothing to b!tch about until the bills only win by 6 points on sunday