Skinner can give you 72 million reasons why that statement isn’t true
- Pegullaville

Dude but you're wrong about Skinner.

Produced before Jack, producing away from Jack.

Slamming doors and looking into the sky every time a play does not work, not trying after a play is broken. Who needs to be in the locker room to see this? Anyone watching TV or at the game can see it. I’m not saying others not performing is all his fault but wearing the C comes with responsibilities. I’ve played with many guys with all the talent in the world but couldn’t lead. He’s on the list. We need a leader then Eichel can just focus on scoring
- lulags

His body language is horrible when things don't go his way

Slamming doors and looking into the sky every time a play does not work, not trying after a play is broken. Who needs to be in the locker room to see this? Anyone watching TV or at the game can see it. I’m not saying others not performing is all his fault but wearing the C comes with responsibilities. I’ve played with many guys with all the talent in the world but couldn’t lead. He’s on the list. We need a leader then Eichel can just focus on scoring
- lulags

Your evidence that's he's not a leader is flimsy at best. The worst part is that you think Skinner or Sam would be some kind of improvement. They don't even get A's, no one thinks they are leaders.

Jack Eichel, Alexander Barkov, Patrick Laine, Andrei Svechnikov, Kakko and Byfield all better then Sam.

Sam is the 5th best forward in his draft class.

Sam isn’t the problem, but having Draisatil would help don’t you think ?

For some reason Eichel is underachieving yet at his worst he is still better then Reinhart’s best.
- Pegullaville

Sam was a bad pick based on a loaded World Jr team Canada performance. We missed out on another elite talent that year.
That being said, he still performs and delivers for us on a more consistent basis than most. He will be a celebrated Sabre at the end of his career.

Hmmmmm....

I’ve been told they don’t matter
I’m confused

Dude but you're wrong about Skinner.

Produced before Jack, producing away from Jack.
- BeadyEyedDouche

He has produced over 60 points twice, once in his rookie season with All-Star Erik Staal, the other last year with Jack.

He has scored 40 goals once, with Jack Eichel


The only difference between Skinner, Paciroetty, and E.Kane is that one of those players has an additional 2 years on their deal and is making $2M more per year then the other two.

He has produced over 60 points twice, once in his rookie season with All-Star Erik Staal, the other last year with Jack.

He has scored 40 goals once, with Jack Eichel


The only difference between Skinner, Paciroetty, and E.Kane is that one of those players has an additional 2 years on their deal and is making $2M more per year then the other two.
- Pegullaville

Well to be fair, only one wants to or is allowed to play in Buffalo

60% of the top 10 in the nhl last year were also top 10 in PP %

20% of the top 10 were also top 10 in PK%


60% of the top 10 were also top 10 in 5v5 CF%

80% of the top 10 were also top 10 in 5v5 GF%


Nobody's saying special teams don't matter, just that there's a stronger correlation between success in the standings and success at 5v5 than there is with special teams.

The PK is tragic, but they are a bottom 5 team 5v5 and the guy who was supposed to be there best defensemen is one of their worst right now. That probably has more to do with their woes than special teams.

He has produced over 60 points twice, once in his rookie season with All-Star Erik Staal, the other last year with Jack.

He has scored 40 goals once, with Jack Eichel


The only difference between Skinner, Paciroetty, and E.Kane is that one of those players has an additional 2 years on their deal and is making $2M more per year then the other two.
- Pegullaville

Skinner has higher goal scoring upside though
And he still produces even when not with top end talent

He’s a good player,
and he isn’t going anywhere

I don’t get why you’re still going on about him

Well to be fair, only one wants to or is allowed to play in Buffalo
- lulags

Kane was in Buffalo, Pacioretty was heavily rumoured to come here before landing in Vegas, heck we could have even throw JVR’s name into the hat too.

All of those guys are top 6 scoring forwards.

Skinner has higher goal scoring upside though
And he still produces even when not with top end talent

He’s a good player,
and he isn’t going anywhere

I don’t get why you’re still going on about him
- jdfitz77

There are all the same, Skinner might be the better 5v5 goal scorer but they all give you 50-60 points and 25-30 goals one way or another.

There are all the same, Skinner might be the better 5v5 goal scorer but they all give you 50-60 points and 25-30 goals one way or another.
- Pegullaville

25-30goals is the floor for Skinner though
He has a much higher goal scoring ceiling than the others

Dude but you're wrong about Skinner.

Produced before Jack, producing away from Jack.
- BeadyEyedDouche

40 goals with jack and would have been close to 50 if he didn’t hurt his ankle with 20 games left. But he’s scored 40 goals in every season before jack too.....oh wait, he never did.

Pominville scored in the teens with jack last year. When he was moved off the line he scored around -2 goals the rest of the season.

I would guess Olof has benefited by playing with Jack this season

Argument flawed and over

Sam was a bad pick based on a loaded World Jr team Canada performance. We missed out on another elite talent that year.
That being said, he still performs and delivers for us on a more consistent basis than most. He will be a celebrated Sabre at the end of his career.
- lulags

A. He was drafted by GMTM and nobody had the German Gretzky ahead of him

B. Reinharts breakthrough junior performance came after the Sabres drafted him

25-30goals is the floor for Skinner though
He has a much higher goal scoring ceiling than the others
- jdfitz77

Says who ? He has never scored back to back 30 goal seasons. Throw those 4 names in a hat and the only thing that differentiates them is the Center they play with.

I don't get it, there is a lot of people on this board who think Risto blows, but those same people want to trade him for a top 6 player. Well if he blows so much, he isn't getting us a top 6 player.

I still can't believe Garrett hit Rudolph with his own helmet like that.
- BeadyEyedDouche

I know, it could have knocked some sense into him.

Jack Eichel, Alexander Barkov, Patrick Laine, Andrei Svechnikov, Kakko and Byfield all better then Sam.

Sam is the 5th best forward in his draft class.

Sam isn’t the problem, but having Draisatil would help don’t you think ?

For some reason Eichel is underachieving yet at his worst he is still better then Reinhart’s best.
- Pegullaville

You mean prospects with those 2, right?

60% of the top 10 in the nhl last year were also top 10 in PP %

20% of the top 10 were also top 10 in PK%


60% of the top 10 were also top 10 in 5v5 CF%

80% of the top 10 were also top 10 in 5v5 GF%


Nobody's saying special teams don't matter, just that there's a stronger correlation between success in the standings and success at 5v5 than there is with special teams.

The PK is tragic, but they are a bottom 5 team 5v5 and the guy who was supposed to be there best defensemen is one of their worst right now. That probably has more to do with their woes than special teams.
- Sabresfan-365

Ahem

It’s almost like being talented enough to be good 5 on 5 will translate to special teams

Drastically underachieving for the past month yes, for his whole career no.

We can debate whether or not he’s a good leader, which right now he isn’t, but he will be a top 5-10 Center in the NHL for the duration of his contract.
- Pegullaville

Hmmm, that is a bold statement.
Only off the top of my head, he has quite the competition, his challengers are
Old Guards - Crosby, Malkin, Bergeron, Tavares
New Guys - McDavid, Aho, McKinnon , Draisaitl, Barkov, Point, Matthews
Up and comers - Hughes, (Byfield might get there)

That's 13 challengers, he needs to pick up his game to get in the top 8 or 9

Kane was in Buffalo, Pacioretty was heavily rumoured to come here before landing in Vegas, heck we could have even throw JVR’s name into the hat too.

All of those guys are top 6 scoring forwards.
- Pegullaville

Kane was run out of town and the others were “rumored” trades. I can post a rumor that McDavid wants to play in Buffalo. Truth is, Skinner wanted to play in Buffalo after being heavily compensated to do so. I call it the Buffalo tax. We will have to over pay by 10-20% for any top players to even consider Buffalo and that is for the willing which reduces the pool by 80% to begin with.

Hmmm, that is a bold statement.
Only off the top of my head, he has quite the competition, his challengers are
Old Guards - Crosby, Malkin, Bergeron, Tavares
New Guys - McDavid, Aho, McKinnon , Draisaitl, Barkov, Point, Matthews
Up and comers - Hughes, (Byfield might get there)

That's 13 challengers, he needs to pick up his game to get in the top 8 or 9
- IonSabres

Eichel has a another 6 and 3/4 seasons left on this deal. How long are these “Old Guards” going to play at an elite level ? Also he is clearly behind McDavid, Mackinnon, and Barkov but other then that he can be in the same convo with the rest

A. He was drafted by GMTM and nobody had the German Gretzky ahead of him

B. Reinharts breakthrough junior performance came after the Sabres drafted him
- turbo044

U18 WJC but I see your point if referring to U20 post draft as he was really good on that team as well and wasn’t he the Captain?

I don't get it, there is a lot of people on this board who think Risto blows, but those same people want to trade him for a top 6 player. Well if he blows so much, he isn't getting us a top 6 player.
- Buff36

Nope, not 1:1 he's not. Not even that big, strong, tough, physical, offensive powerhous! , 1st Pairing, minute chewing RhD is getting the Sabres a Top 6 Forward.
You are correct.

That is why he needs to be packaged with another solid player/prospect and probably a pick if some sort.

Just because it can't be done 1:1 should not be an excuse to not get a top 6 Forward.

Eichel has a another 6 and 3/4 seasons left on this deal. How long are these “Old Guards” going to play at an elite level ? Also he is clearly behind McDavid, Mackinnon, and Barkov but other then that he can be in the same convo with the rest
- Pegullaville

Eichel is better than Matthews imo. Put Eichel on that line and TO PP minus Matthews and I bet he produces more.
My beef is clearly with his
Emotions and leadership ability not talent