thewookie1

If they had to trade for him it would be a different story, they may just have to dish out money to him and suddenly they might have a team.

I want Stamkos anywhere but Toronto, I like when Toronto suffers. I'm hoping he ends up in Calgary to be honest, I'm not all that interested in acquiring him based on his price and our present prospects coming up. Technically both were IFS for Winnipeg, there was no assurance that Myers or Stafford would reawaken. Bogosian before his injury problems was rather effective and when he returns I'd guess he'd still be. As for Kane, did we overpay, probably; but unlike Stafford he's the right age for this group.

And I turned 23 last Saturday. ;)

Larsson's shot at the end was disheartening to say the least. At least Eichel gave us some hope though. I'm still willing to give them until Game #25 before I start honestly expecting consistent results. I certainly hope Kane's injury is minor They are certainly a better team than the last two years, but their goaltending leaves much to be desired. In regards to the HNIC thing with the Ducks, I've heard that Anaheim may trade Anderson.

I'm usually defenders of Weber and Gionta but I'm downright had enough of this. Weber was better last year and 3 years ago then he is now, he looks slower, can't hit the broadside of a barn on a pass more than 5 feet away and left poor McCabe out to dry on the 1st goal. He's supposed to be a vet akin to Gorges, at least we know he'll rarely make a dumb error with a youngster with him. But Carlo back in for Weber, he needs rest..... Gionta needs to be on the 3rd or 4th line until mid-season, just like last year he's started really slow and looks incapable of keeping up. Hopefully by December he'll be moving again and looking ok again. Someone throw a rope to Girgs, he's in a canyon and he can't get out. The poor guy couldn't buy a goal. Eichel and Reinhart looked great, loved Eichel's backcheck and shove after the play. Reinhart's play seems to only be slowly getting better and better which is a great sign. That pass..... thing of beauty. Johnson was Swiss cheese after the 1st period. Risto was inconsistent but that is to be expected by a young Dman. Montreal received a gift or two by the refs but we also have to finish our chances.

Hear me out, I think Girgensons should be paired with Kane rather than Eichel. Kane's disallowed goal and good goal were both greatly brought about by Girgs. When Girgs was with Eichel and Kane their line has played better. I think it has to do with Kane and Girgs playing a similar style thus being able to predict the other. Both of them love to just run into the fray and try to get the puck to pop out, and both seem able to get it when it does pop out. Eichel isn't a wrecking ball thus his style of digging the puck out differs slightly, not to mention Eichel is sort of unpredictable. Eichel should be paired with Moulson, Moulson won't win you a game on his own, or rush the D, but he doesn't rely on predicting his linemates. He gets to the net, and understands with Eichel type players that you should just expect the unexpected and be ready to cash in. My idea's lines Kane-Girgensons-Reinhart 1a Bull Rush McGinn-O'Reilly-Gionta 1b Old Faithful Moulson-Eichel-Ennis 1c Skill with the closer Foligno-Legwand/Larsson-Deslauries The Other Guys

He may already be, however he would need to send Lieuwen down in order to free up the space thus meaning he may have to work out a way to pick him up after tonight's game so we have a back up

While I would say his play has improved slightly, he still makes the dumbest of mistakes and misses his target more than he hits them.

Furious at the multiple non-calls but the game was certainly entertaining. They didn't lose by anything short of a scramble and a rookie lapse. Reinhart had his coming out game, had a goal and nearly another two along with that godly pass to ROR. Until Gionta shakes off the rust from his injury I dont understand why he's playing on the 2nd line or on PP at the moment either. Kane-Eichel-Foligno/Girgs worked far better.

McDavid is certainly dying for their sins, so they have that part right....

Like the team I've been working on acquiring better players for the seasons ahead. :)

Eichel has teammates McDavid has fellow Oiler players Buffalo is built to be a Team of Players while Edmonton is a bunch of Players which are a Team. Eichel's performance is insulated from the overall team's performance, if he has an off game he won't have the additional pressure of knowing he lost the game solely because he wasn't great for a night McDavid very likely feels the weight of the Oilers season rests on his ability to quickly become a superstar Eichel's linemates are known hard-workers and defensively responsible just in case he screws up allowing him to take a few chances here and there McDavid is his line's defensive foward and has multiple "lazier" players around him thus making him hesitant to try anything For instance Eichel will try the move on the opposing Dman knowing if he screws it up, Girgensons/Kane/Moulson/practically anyone on the team, will do their damnedest to cover up the hole, McDavid has to rely on Yakopov to cover for him..... Eichel has Moulson, Gionta, Gorges, and Legwand to give him advice (Multi-time 30 goal scorer, hard worker and grew up with Tavares in a sense, a 50 goal scorer/American captain of Canadiens, Gutsy D-man whose Gionta's right hand man, and a guy with 1000+ gms and 600+ pts) McDavid has Ference, Letestu, and Purcell (Aside from Ference being a good character, I highly doubt the other two can help more than our 3 others) (30+ players)

I think this whole thing is part business, part legacy, and part personal. Business: -Buying Sabres gives him a far easier route to buying the Bills -Bills make a ton of money, Sabres will lose money but nothing back breaking -Diverification of his assets -Brings him into direct contact with other wealthy individuals he may not of met before Personal -Sabres were his favorite team/ Bills are practically a bonus -He seems to be a genuine type of guy and fan thus wants the team to not only stay but thrive -Sabres/Bills have some of the most loyal fans in their respective sports, why wouldn't you want that behind you -He and his wife may honestly like the idea of helping revitalize a Rust Belt City next to her home city Legacy -Wants to be remembered for something great (Fracking has a negative image presently)

He's a wookiee

I think RJ is more shell shocked than anything when it comes to Eichel. He just instantly wows us, partially because he's great and partially because we've had too little of that for the past two years. Honestly aside from a few highlight reel goals involving Girgs and Ennis what has RJ got to get all giddy over?

Great game, its these types of games I've certainly missed; where we always seemed in control or at very least neutral. Eichel's goal was spectacular, when the puck was sitting there I was thinking, I wish a dman was there and then within a blink Eichel had it, out muscled a guy and came down and made a beautiful shot just inside the far post. Moulson and O'Reilly helped one another getting their firsts of the season. Risto looked big and played big including that nice goal. Weber is better as a 3rd pairing guy for certain. Franson + Gorges would make a high end D-man, sadly they are two different players.

Was that against SJ or am I thinking the year prior? Maybe Toronto? Either way it was mid to late November I believe.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of their core is traded regardless. McDavid will need a bigger winger or he'll be eventually pummeled in the playoffs. He may outmaneuver his attacker 99.9% of the time, but that one that does hit could be catastrophic. For example Crosby's concussions. Drasaitl possibly could be that guy, but then they'll have quite the one dimensional second line with Yakopov-RNH-Eberle. Might I trade 1 for 1 of the group, sure, but come playoff time straight up I'd take the Sabres 5 over the Oilers 5. Since our 5 are far better built for the grind of the playoffs. Also, young defense wise we certainly have had a better result thus far. Risto>Nurse Shultz is better offensively, but less physical than Bogosian Other comparisons would be out of my knowledge to give.

The bolded part is horse hockey, Edmonton has been at it for years trying to rebuild and while it is true they lacked D and a goalie, their largest problem wasn't that, it was their sheer lack of vets to teach the kids, and all their earlier picks were practically clones. Reinhart doesn't match up with Eichel while RNH, Hall, Eberle, and Yakopov + Gagne are extremely similar in body type and style. The first two can play in their own zone though. Our new core has far more variety and will actually play in the defensive end. We have at least 1 vs their 0 young, high end D-men. (In comparison to the Oilers in Year 3) Did I like the Zadorov deal, not so much, but we still have Pysyk, McCabe, and Guhle. To say we are completely bare on D prospects is like saying a glass of water is empty when its still half full.

I second this

Ghosts of who I wonder. Also it seems as if Rob Ray is a better interviewer/personality while Andrew Peters sounded not half bad as a color man. Ironic they have the other's seemingly better spot. In regards to the Eichel interview, I love the quote mentioned by LGR. I also liked how he mentioned that his family rooted for us to lose the lottery. Remember, Eichel may have gone back to college had he been drafted by Arizona.

After 45 seconds, the effect is no more different than that of a missed penalty that would of stopped play.

The challenge was a travesty due to it being not in anyway effecting the goal. They definitely need to change it with time in mind. If the offside doesn't directly cause the goal then it shouldn't be baring on the play's result. The 3rd period though was fun to watch and made the whole game worth it. After the disallowed goal, Kane made the hilarious play on the forecheck when he literally stiff armed a D-man off the puck and took it behind the net and nearly scored again.

Wild, damn impressive with the video + new audio LET'S GO BUFFALO! Its almost time boys and girls for the Sabres enter the next phase, the next chapter if you will. Our first opponent happens to be our GMs former employer, so let's thank them by giving them all expenses paid pucks behind their goalie. I heard that's a solid way to show your appreciation.

Honestly I get the feeling we may destroy Ottawa in the 1st game then look average against Tampa. Remember unlike Ottawa our team has a huge chip on its shoulder, the crowd will be into it and thus triggering the offense to light it up.