7+6=13

He's absolutely not ready nor should he be - that was my point for responding. NB said he wasn't quite sure if he's ready. The discussion that he could, might, or that it's even being discussed is proof (IMO) that this is a team not ready for expectations. We're in year 2 of a rebuild and we have to get to a point where we're not lead by teenagers and early 20 year olds - in terms of on ice production. That can't happen right now - so that's why I got involved in the thread. We need to stop expecting first drop to final buzzer solid play. That is not who we are. There were posters "expecting" playoff contention.

You're not sure if Olofsson is quite ready for 2nd line duties?

I'm not sure that answers the leadership part but there's no doubt they're on a different level. I do think there's an element of truth to the thought that Eichel would be better on either of those teams - and both would be worse on ours.

Who cares about excuse. What's the reason is the better question.

This is to be expected. We're still a team grossly under talented and our best talent is too young to lead. That's why all that playoff talk was head shaking to me. We're better and we're going to get better - but this is not a team that should be expected to play at a high level from the opening drop to the final buzzer. That's not who we are from a roster perspective.

I often think Girgensons looks good and I've rarely questioned his effort. The problem is he just doesn't produce. He's had plenty of consistent playing time in the NHL so the question has been answered. He should be better than the player he was after the 2015 season and built up on it - but he isn't.

McCabe is a liability. I cannot believe how he's regressed every year since having a promising start. IMO, he's the worst Sabre and I don't think it's close.

I did too. I thought Rochester could have really used him.

Finally our organization is getting healthy. This is another step towards that process. Players without NHL talent being moved on from.

No doubt - excellent post.

Not sure why I typed 27. I think his 5v5 is likely why he didn't get a long term deal. I don't see Sam as a featured player and I don't mind paying a role player that does his best work around the net.

I watched replays of all of Sam's goals from last year. I tallied each of them on what type of goal they were. 7 - Tips from outside shots 13 - In front of the net (only 2 were more than 1 foot from the crease). 1 was about 3 feet and the other 5 feet and both backhands. 2 - Wrist shots - 1 from about 10 feet and the other from about 20 feet that squeaked through the pads. 2 - Empty net (they only showed 24 but he had 27) It's pretty amazing the amount of work he does down low. It's something good teams need and I found a new respect for him after finding that video. His tip work is incredible and he's got the best hands on the team around the net - without knowing how the newcomers do.

Could you send to me also?

It's possible Eichel was just acting how he thought he was supposed to. He was paraded around town as the savior of a franchise. It could be that a 19-20-21 year old was trying desperately to play the part of losing is unacceptable now that I'm here.

I'm an optimistic fan - you have me beat by a country mile. Hey maybe you're right and we're in the playoffs this year. I can't get there.

I like your optimism. I think we're better but we lost scoring in ROR and Kane. Skinner and Sheary mitigate those losses and are better fits. I think we can win 10 more games and possibly a bit more if we convert a few of those OT losses to wins if we get better goaltending. I'd be pleasantly surprised if we became a .500 team but I imagine we'd fall short of that. I'd consider 35-37-10 a good season. We have a ways to go but we have a lot of assets and cap room. I think we're a playoff contender in 2019 and ready to make some noise in 2020.

... this year

Patently false. I get what we've been through and it can beat you down and remove hope. I totally understand/respect those that want to reserve judgment (still love the team) but want results before they get excited. However to say that we've had young players like this before is incorrect.

My point was this year shouldn't be the show me year. It's unreasonable to expect more than a small step forward this year and to attach the future to it.

I'm not sure what show me first even means? Our potential for hope is in teenagers, early 20 year olds, 3 first round picks next year and nearly 30 mil and 50 mil in cap space the next two years. If you're not excited about the state of the Sabres then you are holding yourself hostage to the past. The situation we're in comes around only a few times in a sports fans life. Let go, enjoy the team being built and realize that unless something catastrophic happens we're going to be good. It's only a question of will it be good enough to win the cup.

Welcome to Sabrespace

We haven't had a player like Eichel since Lafontaine, IMO. We are finally in a position to build around him with massive amounts of cap next year and the year after. The future couldn't be brighter.

Perfectly said!

I believe he's going to have a huge year statistically.