Michael Pachla: Sabres trying to get into the win column. Eichel in beast-mode

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Sabres are struggling but nothing compared to the Oilers. My team is pathetic.

Solid write again.... the problem with secondary scoring is lack of speed in the lineup... we're trying to play this fast style game with people that can't skate very well. Most of them in the bottom 6.

I might add I'm bothered by the Pouliot signing as well.. he brings nothing to the table for the Sabres. Other then keeping one of the kids in Rochester for being here.

Sabres are struggling but nothing compared to the Oilers. My team is pathetic.
- Larsson_fan

Haven't been paying attention to the Oilers recently... What's happening up there Potato?

Solid write again.... the problem with secondary scoring is lack of speed in the lineup... we're trying to play this fast style game with people that can't skate very well. Most of them in the bottom 6.
- gordong

I love pro sports. Nashville goes to the cup,there assistant coach must be great. Phil housley ,first game sends josefson out in shootout,over eichel,really. Last night he puts josefson and pouliot on the ice short handed. We have a lot of bad talent, larsson 3rd center,he couldn't score in a brothel with a billion dollars. Oreilly is a 4-5 million dollar player and 3rd line center on a good team.the sabres hVe a lot of baddddd players,but in buffalo we all think our players are good.
By the way jadon botterill retired from hockey because of concussions. 15 years later he is our gm, there isn't better candidates. We stay away from players with a lot if concussions,but not our gm

Good article Pach but it appears Housley doesn't read this blog or taking your advice - re: putting Reinhart with Eichel again. Pommer seems to be having some success, move him to #2 RW with ROR. Move Bailey down to #3 RW.

Regarding the D, what a mess beyond our top pair although I have to agree, Gorges has played well in his 3rd role pairing. They have to get Tennyson off the second pair. Put Antipin back in. And what's the prognosis on Bogo and Falk? Either of them would be a big upgrade over Tennyson and maybe Beaulieu at this time.

Sabres snap out of it tonight. 3 - 2 win. Kane with another, ROR and Risto.

they'll end up with 85 points, this slow start doesnt change that. Its just really annoying lol

Haven't been payin attention to the Oilers recently... What's happening up there Potato?
- jochfr

This might seem like some bad start hyperbole....but I fear my thoughts that last year was an overachievement may be true.

McDavid isn't scoring, nobody else is getting squat, and Talbot has been bad.

Chiarelli has traded everyplayer that has shown they can produce away from McDavid except Nugent Hopkins.

He failed to improve the defence even knowing Sekeras would Be out till XMas.

If last year was an anomaly perhaps we will having another lotto party.

Haven't been paying attention to the Oilers recently... What's happening up there Potato?
- jochfr

There D Core stinks...with Sekera hurt long term, besides Klefbom and Larsson. They have a D core built out of inexperience young Dmen or 3rd pairing guys

2 pairs made out of Russell, Nurse, Benning, Gryba isnt scaring anyone

(frank)ing Adrian Peterson... wiener killed me today, and the one week they decide not to throw the ball to Ellington...

I love pro sports. Nashville goes to the cup,there assistant coach must be great. Phil housley ,first game sends josefson out in shootout,over eichel,really. Last night he puts josefson and pouliot on the ice short handed. We have a lot of bad talent, larsson 3rd center,he couldn't score in a brothel with a billion dollars. Oreilly is a 4-5 million dollar player and 3rd line center on a good team.the sabres hVe a lot of baddddd players,but in buffalo we all think our players are good.
By the way jadon botterill retired from hockey because of concussions. 15 years later he is our gm, there isn't better candidates. We stay away from players with a lot if concussions,but not our gm
- Buffalo39

By the way you write it looks like you've had your fair share of concussions too...

There D Core stinks...with Sekera hurt long term, besides Klefbom and Larsson. They have a D core built out of inexperience young Dmen or 3rd pairing guys

2 pairs made out of Russell, Nurse, Benning, Gryba isnt scaring anyone
- DDM-Coga

Got it right....neverless, beat it, (frank)face!

Got it right....neverless, beat it, (frank)face!
- Larsson_fan

shouldn't you be rimming it somewhere with your Lovers Iggy and JB

I love pro sports. Nashville goes to the cup,there assistant coach must be great. Phil housley ,first game sends josefson out in shootout,over eichel,really. Last night he puts josefson and pouliot on the ice short handed. We have a lot of bad talent, larsson 3rd center,he couldn't score in a brothel with a billion dollars. Oreilly is a 4-5 million dollar player and 3rd line center on a good team.the sabres hVe a lot of baddddd players,but in buffalo we all think our players are good.
By the way jadon botterill retired from hockey because of concussions. 15 years later he is our gm, there isn't better candidates. We stay away from players with a lot if concussions,but not our gm
- Buffalo39

ROR is an member of the Canadian nataional team for a reason... I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of him, but to each there own. I agree he has not looked good this year, maybe he is just not a good fit for this system..but to say he not talented is a mistake.

I loved the Housley signing, but sometimes you don't have the pieces in place to run a system, good coaches adjust....well he?
Housley also has a grace period because he trying to figure out what he has still. Does the system not work or is it the players not executing the system... I'm of the firm belief that it going to take 20 games to see what this team will look like moving forward...

There is going to be some changes, there has to be, but to question JB already is unwarranted at this point, I think the Pouliot signing was a big mistake at this point but everything else he has done I've got no problem with.

ROR is an member of the Canadian nataional team for a reason... I'm not sure I agree with your assessment of him, but to each there own. I agree he has not looked good this year, maybe he is just not a good fit for this system..but to say he not talented is a mistake.

I loved the Housley signing, but sometimes you don't have the pieces in place to run a system, good coaches adjust....well he?
Housley also has a grace period because he trying to figure out what he has still. Does the system not work or is it the players not executing the system... I'm of the firm belief that it going to take 20 games to see what this team will look like moving forward...

There is going to be some changes, there has to be, but to question JB already is unwarranted at this point, I think the Pouliot signing was a big mistake at this point but everything else he has done I've got no problem with.
- gordong

World Cup? He was an injury replacement, I think the second one too if I remember correctly, and World Champs don't really count bc they will always try to get the best of the best who aren't in the playoffs

What is his story this year? I was shocked to see him have only 1 pt on the season, being a SH one, nothing on 5v5 or PP yet

If Dan Arritt is correct and Housley put Kane back up with Eichel and Pominville it's another blunder. I said it before and I'll say it again and again until it sinks in permanently - Eichel/Kane pairing is not nor has it worked in the past. Move Reinhart up to work on Jacks line.
If your so gung ho on putting Kane up on first line then move Jack to the second line. And we all know Jack is the leader on this team and the best player so that's not going to happen. Stop cramming Kane down Eichels throat.

shouldn't you be rimming it somewhere with your Lovers Iggy and JB
- DDM-Coga

SHouldnt you be (frank)ing off?

SHouldnt you be (frank)ing off?
- Larsson_fan

I've missed you, you greasy old skid

Solid write again.... the problem with secondary scoring is lack of speed in the lineup... we're trying to play this fast style game with people that can't skate very well. Most of them in the bottom 6.

I might add I'm bothered by the Pouliot signing as well.. he brings nothing to the table for the Sabres. Other then keeping one of the kids in Rochester for being here.
- gordong

I’m about done with Pouliot too
Let’s get a Bailey-Reinhart-Baptiste 3rd line going

World Cup? He was an injury replacement, I think the second one too if I remember correctly, and World Champs don't really count bc they will always try to get the best of the best who aren't in the playoffs

What is his story this year? I was shocked to see him have only 1 pt on the season, being a SH one, nothing on 5v5 or PP yet
- DDM-Coga

Anyone not playing with Eichel isn't doing anything.

I’m about done with Pouliot too
Let’s get a Bailey-Reinhart-Baptiste 3rd line going
- jdfitz77

Hopefully before the end of the year we see it.

By the way you write it looks like you've had your fair share of concussions too...
- Wetbandit1

Look at my team!

A.Rodgers
D.Cook
G.Olsen
-huge injuries for me
Plus Elliott suspended again

That’s draft picks from rounds 2-5 all out for me

If Dan Arritt is correct and Housley put Kane back up with Eichel and Pominville it's another blunder. I said it before and I'll say it again and again until it sinks in permanently - Eichel/Kane pairing is not nor has it worked in the past. Move Reinhart up to work on Jacks line.
If your so gung ho on putting Kane up on first line then move Jack to the second line. And we all know Jack is the leader on this team and the best player so that's not going to happen. Stop cramming Kane down Eichels throat.
- Goalieguy43

It absolutely has worked in the past. Short memories around here. Jack's rookie year they started together, it didn't work well, but they were reunited the last few months of that year and played very well together.

They barely played together last year because of the injury and Kane exploding on the 3rd line.

This year Kane has 4 goals playing with Jack. I'm not sure how that's not working and never has worked.

Anyone not playing with Eichel isn't doing anything.
- Wetbandit1

its gotta get going soon, can't have too many guys having 10 game funks all at the same time.

Who was jack playing with last year vs this year, whats the big difference? Ennis couldn't be that big of a deal in that Top 6