Michael Pachla: December quick hits--the forwards

Ferst

I think it's time to either move Sam to drive the second line with Skinner, or get a better center.

Simple fix, or short term fix, is to move Sam down.

-Where have you gone, Mr. Skinner, Sabreland turns it's lonely eyes to you

What's that you say, Mr. Botterill?
Jumpin jeffy's left and gone away
Hey hey hey


Well done, Pach. That was some primo post-Christmas content

All this team needs is a #2 center, I know it's easier said then done, However Botts has to find a way to get a proven & productive #2 center in here. Use whatever assist you have. First round picks are crap shoots outside of the top 5 usually.

Package first rounder picks, Mitts, Risto and any prospects that you need to get the job done. Enough franking around. Get it done Botts.

Holy poop!
Move Reinhart?!
Are you out of your...

I said the same a week ago and was hung till nearly dead, drawn and quartered for suggesting it.

I stand by it, welcome to the club.

Holy poop!
Move Reinhart?!
Are you out of your...

I said the same a week ago and was hung till nearly dead, drawn and quartered for suggesting it.

I stand by it, welcome to the club.
- IonSabres

He does not skate fast enough to drive play. That is the only reason I really don't think it would work.

All this team needs is a #2 center, I know it's easier said then done, However Botts has to find a way to get a proven & productive #2 center in here. Use whatever assist you have. First round picks are crap shoots outside of the top 5 usually.

Package first rounder picks, Mitts, Risto and any prospects that you need to get the job done. Enough franking around. Get it done Botts.
- hehateme

Well, ALL is in a 2RW, a 3RW and a 1RhD? Then yes, that is all

He does not skate fast enough to drive play. That is the only reason I really don't think it would work.
- hehateme

I'd move him out, and yes they would need to back fill.
Not to get rid of him, but leverage his value to get something of greater value..a 2C that can help increase the productivity of the 2C, 2LW and 2RW as well.

I'd move him out, and yes they would need to back fill.
Not to get rid of him, but leverage his value to get something of greater value..a 2C that can help increase the productivity of the 2C, 2LW and 2RW as well.
- IonSabres

I think they like Sam, I don't think you need to move him out. You have other assets that you can move before Sam. first round picks, Risto, Mitts, Tage, Scandella, Miller, A ton of other prospects. Plus I think the Sabres are going to have a ton of cap room next year to go out and get a winger.

Fix the #2 center now, It would be a shame to waste this year, we are right there in the standings. need that #2 center.

What's that you say, Mr. Botterill?
Jumpin jeffy's left and gone away
Hey hey hey


Well done, Pach. That was some primo post-Christmas content
- jcragcrumple

thx...much appreciated

All this team needs is a #2 center, I know it's easier said then done, However Botts has to find a way to get a proven & productive #2 center in here. Use whatever assist you have. First round picks are crap shoots outside of the top 5 usually.

Package first rounder picks, Mitts, Risto and any prospects that you need to get the job done. Enough franking around. Get it done Botts.
- hehateme

for as much as I love skunk on the wing, they should seriously consider dropping that weight on him...put him between skinner and Johansson...it can't be any worse than what we've seen the past six weeks or so

for as much as I love skunk on the wing, they should seriously consider dropping that weight on him...put him between skinner and Johansson...it can't be any worse than what we've seen the past six weeks or so
- Michael Pachla

I am game for anything to improve this team. I just don't think Skunk skates fast enough to drive play. But your right, can't be any worse then what they have been doing..

All this team needs is a #2 center, I know it's easier said then done, However Botts has to find a way to get a proven & productive #2 center in here. Use whatever assist you have. First round picks are crap shoots outside of the top 5 usually.

Package first rounder picks, Mitts, Risto and any prospects that you need to get the job done. Enough franking around. Get it done Botts.
- hehateme

I remember wishing last year for Scandella to put together a good stretch of games to raise his trade value, then dump him. He's been playing well this year, and imo, this is that stretch we were waiting for. If we can get Gally from Pittsburgh, why not give it a shot.

I am game for anything to improve this team. I just don't think Skunk skates fast enough to drive play. But your right, can't be any worse then what they have been doing..
- hehateme

he has nhl skating ability and a super-high hockey IQ...as of late, whether it's true or not, i'm under the impression that he's relying way too much on jack...skunk is up for a new contract and imo, it's time to see what he can do on his own line...

my bet is that he can handle it

I am game for anything to improve this team. I just don't think Skunk skates fast enough to drive play. But your right, can't be any worse then what they have been doing..
- hehateme

I'm fairly confident the days of the organization thinking Reinhart's a center are over. Besides, if you move him to center, then Sheary or Okposo would play 1RW which is barftastic.

JB just needs to do his job finally and get a center

In fairly confident the days of the organization thinking Reinhart's a center are over. Besides, if you move him to center, then Sheary or Okposo would play 1RW which is barftastic.

JB just needs to do his job finally and get a center
- jcragcrumple

easier said than done, but not impossible...but, is there one available and, at what cost...methinks botts won't pay an exorbitant, in-season price for one...players of that caliber are usually traded in the off season

easier said than done, but not impossible...but, is there one available and, at what cost...methinks botts won't pay an exorbitant, in-season price for one...players of that caliber are usually traded in the off season
- Michael Pachla

Yeah. I think JB is pretty much done with this roster until the offseason. We’ll wait and see if he can improve the team then.

easier said than done, but not impossible...but, is there one available and, at what cost...methinks botts won't pay an exorbitant, in-season price for one...players of that caliber are usually traded in the off season
- Michael Pachla

They mostly happen in the summer, mostly. If the bet is "Will JB do something meaningful," then I would bet no. If the question is "Should JB do something meaningful," then the answer is and has been yes for 18 months.

Converting another winger to center won't help imo

They mostly happen in the summer, mostly. If the bet is "Will JB do something meaningful," then I would bet no. If the question is "Should JB do something meaningful," then the answer is and has been yes for 18 months.

Converting another winger to center won't help imo
- jcragcrumple

won't argue that...it's a complete departure from my previous stance on skunk, but he was drafted as a center and he'll be surrounded by two very good players in skinner and Johansson with the latter getting back to the position where he's played his (almost) entire career...they really have no choice because I highly doubt the center everyone wants is available, and if so, it' will be way too expensive for botts' tastes...

just my 2 cents

for as much as I love skunk on the wing, they should seriously consider dropping that weight on him...put him between skinner and Johansson...it can't be any worse than what we've seen the past six weeks or so
- Michael Pachla

Good post.

Interesting post about the careers of Briere and Drury post 2007. Drury was a complete tire fire, Briere was his usual offensive self but struggled mightily defensively.

https://twitter.com/ntrid.../1210586030061051909?s=21
- Pegullaville

I found the replies to the tweet above equally as interesting...

won't argue that...it's a complete departure from my previous stance on skunk, but he was drafted as a center and he'll be surrounded by two very good players in skinner and Johansson with the latter getting back to the position where he's played his (almost) entire career...they really have no choice because I highly doubt the center everyone wants is available, and if so, it' will be way too expensive for botts' tastes...

just my 2 cents
- Michael Pachla

I think that ship sailed awhile ago. Plus Krueger loves the Eichel + Samson synergy

for as much as I love skunk on the wing, they should seriously consider dropping that weight on him...put him between skinner and Johansson...it can't be any worse than what we've seen the past six weeks or so
- Michael Pachla

Put him as the 2nd line Center and leave him there, for good and bad, for the rest of the season. Don't try it for 4 games with bums or for part of a game, give it a real try for an extended period, i.e. the rest of the season.

It'll work or it won't, but either way, at least they'll know.

I think that ship sailed awhile ago. Plus Krueger loves the Eichel + Samson synergy
- jcragcrumple

imo, he's not getting the most he can out of sam...life's easy with jack at center, especially with the way he's been playing this year...quit babying skunk...let him man up