Michael Pachla: A tough Friday night for Buffalo and Rochester

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Michael Pachla: A tough Friday night for Buffalo and Rochester
- Michael Pachla

They didn't have their legs last night. McCabe and Grigorenko both made strong cases for making the roster. There will be no tank.

They didn't have their legs last night. McCabe and Grigorenko both made strong cases for making the roster. There will be no tank.
- SabresPanacea

Not intentionally, but the lack of depth is still evident. The team is much improved but not unlike the Canes, they're a major injury away from finding themselves at or near the bottom again. The unpredictability of this team does make it intriguing though.

They didn't have their legs last night. McCabe and Grigorenko both made strong cases for making the roster. there will be no tank.
- SabresPanacea

Not intentionally, but the lack of depth is still evident. The team is much improved but not unlike the Canes, they're a major injury away from finding themselves at or near the bottom again. The unpredictability of this team does make it intriguing though.
- Sabresfan-365

^this^

- gerbe75pts

The tank was putting Matt D'Agostini on the first line. Will they be bad? Yes. Are they intentionally hardcore tanking? Hell no.

The tank was putting Matt D'Agostini on the first line. Will they be bad? Yes. Are they intentionally hardcore tanking? Hell no.
- CaptainRivet

That overtime game against the bruins where he torched chara still has me laughing though

They didn't have their legs last night. McCabe and Grigorenko both made strong cases for making the roster. There will be no tank.
- SabresPanacea

Still would like to see both in Rochester. First reason is just because i'm a season ticket holder for Rochester and would love to watch them both. Second because I believe McCabe still needs some seasoning to gain consistency and Grigorenko needs FIRST line minutes and time on the power play. I would like to see him thrive in the AHL before going up to the big club. I understand he has worked very hard this offseason and has done well but I still think he should go back. I also think it will be good for Armia if Grigo goes down. I have watched him and I believe he has a lot of work to do before going to buffalo

The tank was putting Matt D'Agostini on the first line. Will they be bad? Yes. Are they intentionally hardcore tanking? Hell no.
- CaptainRivet

You know you will suck when have 35 year old Gionta on your top line .

he would be 3rd or 4th line on other teams right now .. he is not the same player he was ..

Not intentionally, but the lack of depth is still evident. The team is much improved but not unlike the Canes, they're a major injury away from finding themselves at or near the bottom again. The unpredictability of this team does make it intriguing though.
- Sabresfan-365

They have depth, IMO - in that they have a number of second and third liners. What they lack is top-end talent. We're the anti-Penguins this year... Probably next year too.

Still would like to see both in Rochester. First reason is just because i'm a season ticket holder for Rochester and would love to watch them both. Second because I believe McCabe still needs some seasoning to gain consistency and Grigorenko needs FIRST line minutes and time on the power play. I would like to see him thrive in the AHL before going up to the big club. I understand he has worked very hard this offseason and has done well but I still think he should go back. I also think it will be good for Armia if Grigo goes down. I have watched him and I believe he has a lot of work to do before going to buffalo
- Sabres2397

McCabe will be here full time after Weber is moved for a 6th rounder at the deadline.

You know you will suck when have 35 year old Gionta on your top line .

he would be 3rd or 4th line on other teams right now .. he is not the same player he was ..
- gerbe75pts

He's not on our top line. He is on the 2nd /3rd line to start the season.

As far as depth goes, with the emergence of Grigorenko, we have more than people think. This is an NHL team this year

They have depth, IMO - in that they have a number of second and third liners. What they lack is top-end talent. We're the anti-Penguins this year... Probably next year too.
- nfph

That's what i was getting at.

If a 3rd liner goes down, he can be replaced with someone of relative skill. But if someone like Moulson or Ennis gets hurt(and lets be honest neither is really "top end" talent), it'll be pretty tough for them to get someone to replace what's already considered to be a weak top-3/top-6

That's what i was getting at.

If a 3rd liner goes down, he can be replaced with someone of relative skill. But if someone like Moulson or Ennis gets hurt(and lets be honest neither is really "top end" talent), it'll be pretty tough for them to get someone to replace what's already considered to be a weak top-3/top-6
- Sabresfan-365

Same could be said for any top liner though.

And this is where Grigo's inprovment comes into play.

Same could be said for any top liner though.

And this is where Grigo's inprovment comes into play.
- sbroads24

Except most teams (well competitive for a playoff spot anyways) employ more than one 1st liner.

The current top 6 is barely a top 6 as is, if they get a major injury it'll be hard to make up for that production long term.

As for Grigorenko, keep in mind it's only pre season. Even though I expect it to translate to a good year in both the AHL/NHL, I don't expect him to fill in for Moulson or Ennis and be able to shoulder that load for an extended period of time, not this early in his career anyways.

He's not on our top line. He is on the 2nd /3rd line to start the season.

As far as depth goes, with the emergence of Grigorenko, we have more than people think. This is an NHL team this year
- sbroads24

I would still start him in the AHL ... we have to stop (frank)ing around with this kid

now i'm scared if he starts to suck we send him down and losses all confidence

You know you will suck when have 35 year old Gionta on your top line .

he would be 3rd or 4th line on other teams right now .. he is not the same player he was ..
- gerbe75pts

He won't be on the first line Giz.

Except most teams (well competitive for a playoff spot anyways) employ more than one 1st liner.

The current top 6 is barely a top 6 as is, if they get a major injury it'll be hard to make up for that production long term.

As for Grigorenko, keep in mind it's only pre season. Even though I expect it to translate to a good year in both the AHL/NHL, I don't expect him to fill in for Moulson or Ennis and be able to shoulder that load for an extended period of time, not this early in his career anyways.
- Sabresfan-365

We don't have any 1st liners, that's kind of my point though. Ennis getting hurt won't change much IMO, we have 3-4 guys that are decent top 6 players, a guy in Stewart that could be great if motivated and looks motivated, a decent set of 3rd liners in Gionta and Girgensons, and about 5 guys capable of playing a 4 the line role in the NHL. Having someone like Gointa move up because of injury is better than someone like D'Agostini moving up because of injury

He won't be on the first line Giz.
- mhp

He should not be on 1st or 2nd .. but he will

He should not be on 1st or 2nd .. but he will


- gerbe75pts

Moulson/Ennis/Stafford
Hodgson/Girgensons/Stewart
Foligno/Mitchell/Gionta
Flynn/McCormick/Delauriers/Schaller

This is before Grigorenko comes up full time

He should not be on 1st or 2nd .. but he will


- gerbe75pts

He won't be, he'll be on the 3rd line.

Don't worry, be happy. Life is short.

Bah, been posting on the other thread, but I'll bring it up here:

Will Nolan name the letter-receivers before the weekend is over?

THE TRUTH is hitting waivers!!! Gotta get him!