Michael Pachla: Buffalo Sabres 2016-17 Individual Stats--December A nucleus for the new core is beginning to take shape

Team needs to win games . Every night its either the goalie sucking or the forwards sucking . The D has no offense and their defense is average. They need to get it together at the same time .

Team needs to win games . Every night its either the goalie sucking or the forwards sucking . The D has no offense and their defense is average. They need to get it together at the same time .
- cabin

good points, cab

good points, cab
- Michael Pachla

Thanks B0os. Happy new year.


Sabres have always seemed to come out the second half of the season as a better team. Lets hope that is the same this season. The first half blows so far.

HBSL roster deadline is 1:00pm today

Just a friendly reminder buzzards.

Michael Pachla: Buffalo Sabres 2016-17 Individual Stats--December
A nucleus for the new core is beginning to take shape
- Michael Pachla

You know, you look at these #'s and the names and once again it begs the question - with so much talent on this roster how can they suck so bad ?

It's the coach and it's the Defense. It's time to try and get that quality D man. But you gotta give to get. I'm thinking Marcus Foligno + would be attractive to some GM. He plays a heavy game. A team could really use him for a deep playoff run.

But you'd have to add more than just Foligno and a pick or picks. Scary stuff.

You see the teams that are making strides such as C-Bus and Tonto and you have to notice they found quality hockey people in Shanahan and Kukoleinen (sp). Isn't he the guy they brought in a few years ago to revamp their roster ?

Their finding guys to fill out their rosters that are contributing nightly. Sam Gagner for Christ's sake ! He looks great ! We've got Derek Grant and Gionta. Need more from the bottom 2 lines (and obviously anything from the D would be a huge help).

#FireDanBylsmaNow.

I've yet to see an example of someone he's "holding back" outside of Girgensons, who actually should be getting a little more of a chance.
- sbroads24

Agreed on him deserving more of a chance but he's not remotely holding him back IMO.

Thanks B0os. Happy new year.


Sabres have always seemed to come out the second half of the season as a better team. Lets hope that is the same this season. The first half blows so far.
- cabin

yeah, happy new year to you as well, cab...

hope you're right

You know, you look at these #'s and the names and once again it begs the question - with so much talent on this roster how can they suck so bad ?

It's the coach and it's the Defense. It's time to try and get that quality D man. But you gotta give to get. I'm thinking Marcus Foligno + would be attractive to some GM. He plays a heavy game. A team could really use him for a deep playoff run.

But you'd have to add more than just Foligno and a pick or picks. Scary stuff.
- Pairo11

New D pairings as seen by yesterdays practice .............

Lines at practice

82 Marcus Foligno - 15 Jack Eichel - 21 Kyle Okposo
9 Evander Kane - 23 Sam Reinhart - 56 Justin Bailey
48 William Carrier - 28 Zemgus Girgensons - 12 Brian Gionta
63 Tyler Ennis - 27 Derek Grant - 26 Matt Moulson

29 Jake McCabe - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
44 Nicolas Deslauriers - 47 Zach Bogosian
41 Justin Falk - 6 Cody Franson

31 Anders Nilsson

Bills going full tank

You know, you look at these #'s and the names and once again it begs the question - with so much talent on this roster how can they suck so bad ?

It's the coach and it's the Defense. It's time to try and get that quality D man. But you gotta give to get. I'm thinking Marcus Foligno + would be attractive to some GM. He plays a heavy game. A team could really use him for a deep playoff run.

But you'd have to add more than just Foligno and a pick or picks. Scary stuff.
- Pairo11

they need to shake things up a bit and it may be something as little as purging some talent from the amerks roster and revamping the lines

You see the teams that are making strides such as C-Bus and Tonto and you have to notice they found quality hockey people in Shanahan and Kukoleinen (sp). Isn't he the guy they brought in a few years ago to revamp their roster ?

Their finding guys to fill out their rosters that are contributing nightly. Sam Gagner for Christ's sake ! He looks great ! We've got Derek Grant and Gionta. Need more from the bottom 2 lines (and obviously anything from the D would be a huge help).

#FireDanBylsmaNow.
- Pairo11

not sure why people keep putting Gionta and grant in the same sentence... they're worlds apart

You know, you look at these #'s and the names and once again it begs the question - with so much talent on this roster how can they suck so bad ?

It's the coach and it's the Defense. It's time to try and get that quality D man. But you gotta give to get. I'm thinking Marcus Foligno + would be attractive to some GM. He plays a heavy game. A team could really use him for a deep playoff run.

But you'd have to add more than just Foligno and a pick or picks. Scary stuff.
- Pairo11

this is what aggravates me. i think kulikov was option C. he only cost pysyk because he isnt very good. the cost to get a difference maker could be pretty steep, and im not even talking about a top 2.

they need to shake things up a bit and it may be something as little as purging some talent from the amerks roster and revamping the lines
- Michael Pachla

Amerks .. Thats another tire fire.

Other than Baptiste. 25gp 15g 7a 22pts

And Cole Schneider 28gp 14g 20a 34pts

COR 30gp 7g 24a 31pts

not sure why people keep putting Gionta and grant in the same sentence... they're worlds apart
- Michael Pachla

Agreed but, while I like him he doesn't bring much to THIS team. He chips in the occasional goal but he needs to bring more every game.

But thanks !

Amerks .. Thats another tire fire. Other than Baptiste.
- cabin

if baptiste comes up, you'll need someone to move over to the left side unless you send bailey back down, which is something I don't think they should do at this point

New D pairings as seen by yesterdays practice .............

Lines at practice

82 Marcus Foligno - 15 Jack Eichel - 21 Kyle Okposo
9 Evander Kane - 23 Sam Reinhart - 56 Justin Bailey
48 William Carrier - 28 Zemgus Girgensons - 12 Brian Gionta
63 Tyler Ennis - 27 Derek Grant - 26 Matt Moulson

29 Jake McCabe - 55 Rasmus Ristolainen
44 Nicolas Deslauriers - 47 Zach Bogosian
41 Justin Falk - 6 Cody Franson

31 Anders Nilsson
- cabin

Delo was drafted as a defensemen. With Gorges and Kulikov out it was probably just to have full lines...

In other words...

Stink
Stank
Stunk

Amerks .. Thats another tire fire.

Other than Baptiste. 25gp 15g 7a 22pts

And Cole Schneider 28gp 14g 20a 34pts

COR 30gp 7g 24a 31pts
- cabin

bring all three up, send grant down sit d-lo in the press box

this is what aggravates me. i think kulikov was option C. he only cost pysyk because he isnt very good. the cost to get a difference maker could be pretty steep, and im not even talking about a top 2.
- rover16

To get one from Anaheim (for example) it would be expensive.

Not saying it would turn the team around immediately but stabilizing the back end and fixing the penalty kill would be huge. All those OT/shootout losses would have been avoided with one more penalty kill. Generally speaking, of course.

Agreed but, while I like him he doesn't bring much to THIS team. He chips in the occasional goal but he needs to bring more every game.

But thanks !
- Pairo11

for a 37 yr. old third-line winger who's fifth on the team in scoring, I think he's doing fine...there are other fish to fry, imo

Bills going full tank
- GERBE!!!75PTS

If they decline the option on Taylor and he leaves then absolutely they are going full tank mode.

From what I have seen Lynn is their guy (a Whaley yes man) and they are looking at Gus Bradley as their DC. That should fix the D.

I still say stick with Taylor, there isn't anything better but absolutely draft a QB this year and next.

EJ is AWFUL

bring all three up, send grant down sit d-lo in the press box
- Michael Pachla

Those 3 make up their top pt guys . Bailey is 4th.

Roch and Tor are both sucking at 10th and 11th in the AHL standings 1 pt apart.

for a 37 yr. old third-line winger who's fifth on the team in scoring, I think he's doing fine...there are other fish to fry, imo
- Michael Pachla

Gionta has quietly had a good year.

I think he gets more heat because he wears the C.

Derrick Pouliot on the pens could be a decent pick up for not too much. I think he would be a pretty good fit on the Sabres. I would hate to see him go but it seems management has given up on him despite not playing too bad.