Michael Pachla: Building the 2018-19 Buffalo Sabres roster--The Fourth Line

Glad you don't have Larsson in the top 12. I think you could easily flip Sobotka and Girgs. Sobotka is very good on the draws. As well, Mitts might be moving to 3C instead of 2C to start the season - or perhaps they put Berglund in as 2C with Mitts on the wing.

Overall this starting line-up is much better than the garbage we have seen at the beginning of the last few seasons.

Go Sabres Go!

Now I'm sad

Now I'm sad
- jcragcrumple

Agreed, I would much rather see ERod over Zemgus

Agreed, I would much rather see ERod over Zemgus
- jzabawa

I havent' seen e-rod do anything this preseason to warrant a spot yet...and i'm a big fan of his...

that said, it could still play out that way as a lot can happen in the next week-and-a-half

I have nothing intelligent to add to the conversation.

I havent' seen e-rod do anything this preseason to warrant a spot yet...and i'm a big fan of his...

that said, it could still play out that way as a lot can happen in the next week-and-a-half
- Michael Pachla

He had that awesome assist on McCabe's goal where he flew around the net, circled to the point and fed McCabe.

Never gonna get that from ZG

He had that awesome assist on McCabe's goal where he flew around the net, circled to the point and fed McCabe.

Never gonna get that from ZG
- jcragcrumple

with sheary questionable for the opener at this point and Asplund probably heading to Rochester, e-rod will be in the lineup, probably on the third line

Is Josh Allen better than Varone?

Is Josh Allen better than Varone?
- ImThatGuy

really?

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Erod/Sheary-Berglund-Thompson
Erod/Sheary-Mitts-Okposo
Bailey-Sobotka-Pominville
Wilson, Girgensons as extras

Scandella-Risto
Dahlin-McCabe
Pilut-Bogosian
Beaulieu

Waive/trade: Larsson, Baptiste

If Nylander tears up the AHL his first 15-20 games call him up and find a trade partner for Girgensons. CJ Smith has impressed as well but not enough spots.

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Erod/Sheary-Berglund-Thompson
Erod/Sheary-Mitts-Okposo
Bailey-Sobotka-Pominville
Wilson, Girgensons as extras

Scandella-Risto
Dahlin-McCabe
Pilut-Bogosian
Beaulieu

Waive/trade: Larsson, Baptiste

If Nylander tears up the AHL his first 15-20 games call him up and find a trade partner for Girgensons. CJ Smith has impressed as well but not enough spots.
- Pegullaville

I like this much better because you have Thompson in the top 6 (selfish fantasy hockey desires)

Didn't see the official stat line until later, but how did he only end up with 195 yards passing? Seemed like a lot more than that. Then again, when you only have to throw it 22 times...
- buffalofan19

his receivers dropped an extra 60+ yards of passing

Is Josh Allen better than Varone?
- ImThatGuy

Nelson approves

Nelson approves
- washedup20

am late to this...what's up with the nelson stuff?

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Erod/Sheary-Berglund-Thompson
Erod/Sheary-Mitts-Okposo
Bailey-Sobotka-Pominville
Wilson, Girgensons as extras

Scandella-Risto
Dahlin-McCabe
Pilut-Bogosian
Beaulieu

Waive/trade: Larsson, Baptiste

If Nylander tears up the AHL his first 15-20 games call him up and find a trade partner for Girgensons. CJ Smith has impressed as well but not enough spots.
- Pegullaville

I think this is the year where they can call up Nylander/Smith when there's an injury to a top 9 LW and Thompson on RW, instead of sliding ERod, Girgs, Wilson, etc. up in the lineup.

I like to lick stamps

Is Josh Allen better than Varone?
- ImThatGuy

Varone wasn't ready, I watched the tape.

I like to lick stamps
- jochfr

Stamps are auto-stick now, so hey, you keep doing you.

Nice job on these blogs Pachla, always a fun reeeeeed. As excited as I am for this season, the vets on this team bother me.

This years roster is difficult to choose with a lot of equally average players, which is an improvement from the last few seasons.

Housley and Botts haven’t really explained the direction of this seasons system they plan on implementing. Depending on that, some players would make a lot more sense, with the exception of Larsson.

I am in favor of sending the kids to Rochavhacha instead of playing 4th line roles in Buffalo.

Girgs, Pominville, Sheary, Blow-U and Bogo will ride the injury bus to free money all season, book it.




Nelson texted me this morning that Dahlin is sour that Allen is getting a ton of media coverage.

am late to this...what's up with the nelson stuff?
- Michael Pachla

We threw you in to early, it’s obvious your clearly confused. These mistakes shouldn’t happen, you’re not learning from them.

Nelson says: YOURE NOT READY

It would be nice to shelter Mittelstadt until he’s mentally ready. Can Peterman play center?

It would be nice to shelter Mittelstadt until he’s mentally ready. Can Peterman play center?
- sbroads24

Duh, Mittelstadt is going to hold a clipboard until he's ready. That's why we kept Girgensons, our furniture captain, and Johan "I wish I was half the player Jochen Hecht was" Larsson.

He's simply not ready and we have 6 games of tape from last season.

Nice job on these blogs Pachla, always a fun reeeeeed. As excited as I am for this season, the vets on this team bother me.

This years roster is difficult to choose with a lot of equally average players, which is an improvement from the last few seasons.

Housley and Botts haven’t really explained the direction of this seasons system they plan on implementing. Depending on that, some players would make a lot more sense, with the exception of Larsson.

I am in favor of sending the kids to Rochavhacha instead of playing 4th line roles in Buffalo.

Girgs, Pominville, Sheary, Blow-U and Bogo will ride the injury bus to free money all season, book it.




Nelson texted me this morning that Dahlin is sour that Allen is getting a ton of media coverage.
- washedup20

thx for reeding

Best to Okposo.

He obviously had some terrible things happen to him in his past that came flooding back after the concussion.

He sounds like he's still sorting through that stuff, and it doesn't sound like the concussion helped. I'm honestly surprised he didn't just take last year off to figure some stuff out