dudacek

Remember how Ralph kinda reignited Girgensons game last year and saved Lazar’s career? There is the potential there for Rieder and Eakin. I can see them joining Z at times on a forechecking line of terriers. Surprising to me, but they collectively scored nearly 50 goals (on different times, obviously) in 2015. I would not be surprised if Ralph holds them up as hounds in front of Cozens, Casey, Thompson and Asplund and says “play that hard and with that much detail and you can play every night.”

Separate from your point, which I completely agree with, but inspired by your lineup chart: don’t forget about Tobias Reider. I expect he is penciled in right now in the starting 12. I think he has been handpicked to be on the first PK unit which will keep him in the lineup most nights. He’s kinda like Eakin in the sense that he’s in a bad patch but he’s got a history of being trusted defensively and can score 10-15 goals. He even got 48 Selke votes one year.

Separate from your point, which I completely agree with, but inspired by your lineup chart: don’t forget about Tobias Reider. I expect he is penciled in right now in the starting 12. I think he has been handpicked to be on the first PK unit which will keep him in the lineup most nights. He’s kinda like Eakin in the sense that he’s coming off a bad patch, but he’s got a history of being trusted defensively and can score 10-15 goals and 30 points. He actually got 48 Selke votes one year. Remember how Ralph kind of resurrected Girgensons game last year? Rieder (and Eakin) approach the game with the same kinda mindset as Z. I can see scenarios where they are used as a line of terriers to hound the puck. The year Zemgus had 15 goals, Rieder had 13 and Eakin 19. Unlike Zemgus, the other two have hit those numbers multiple times. Be interesting to see if Ralph can re-ignite their games. I suspect Ralph will use them as hounds and tell Cozens, Thompson, Asplund and Mittelstadt that when they are as detailed and hustle as much as those three (and, I guess Lazar as well) they will be in the lineup.

Ralph did an interview with Duff where Duff alluded to the coach having sat down with Skinner to hash things out (my words) and then I don’t think he ever revisited it. Tease.

I’ve always thought Sam could benefit from being more assertive; playing with Jack, he tailors his game to be what Jack needs. But playing either of them with the Shearys of this world wastes his biggest talents and Jacks. Playing with Skinner and Staal will force him to handle the puck more, but they are good enough to take advantage.

Korpisalo’s $2.8 million contract looks mighty attractive right now. It also wonder if that means it might take more than we want to spend to acquire it. I mean Devon Toews just went for more than double the cost of Nate Schmidt.

Vegas is still $1 over. It would have to be pretty much a hockey trade, with the Sabres retaining a bit on Hutton.

Can’t see any world where Olofsson signs a bridge for more than Kubalik. He just got 3.7.

Montour and Hutton for Fleury and picks?

Guess we can’t afford him, especially if we’re moving for a goalie, but that is a bargain gift-wrapped in gold ribbon. Also, if that is the price for a good defenceman, I don’t want to be trading Risto or Montour.

So freaking glad that Botterill did not get a chance to screw up this fantastic opportunity the flat cap provided.

That's the one I'm talking about. Love it.

Wow Hall is first class! The stuff he is saying about Buffalo needs to clipped and replayed every time somebody cuts down the city and the team and the way they are perceived.

You know, the more I think about the forwards, the bigger my smile gets. The 1st line (VO/Jack/Sam) was pretty damn good already and swapping Sam for Taylor makes it even better on paper. I suspect Girgensons/Eakin/Okposo won't be a thing, but if it is we may lose more defensively than we gain offensively I'd rather have Thompson/Cozens than Sheary/Vesey, but that's all projection. We had more bodies last year. But the 2nd line has gone from Skinner/Mojo/Vlad to Skinner/Staal/Sam. Not only is that a ridiculous upgrade, it's the best non-Eichel line the Sabres have iced since Vanek/Roy/Pominville a decade ago.

Come on man, Risto is not a franchise... What? That's the other Rasmus?

Yes

Absolutely. What's the competition? Okposo, Moulson, Leino, Ehrhoff...(although they technically traded for Ehrhoff's rights before signing him.)

I'm glad it looks like there is no spot for Casey on this team. It's good for his development and it makes trading him easier. But I would love it if he took a step and enabled a Tage/Casey/Cozens 4th line.

It's weird. Considering where we were in the summer, I had pretty much resigned myself to the same tandem; too many other moves had to happen first. But then they happened and I want more.

Interesting. Why? My love for Sam should be pretty well-known on here, but Hall is the more talented, more productive player.

It's a tough one. Locking up Sam could cost them an opportunity to lock up Hall. Failing to lock up Sam and we risk 3 of our top 6 (Staal being the other) walking. Personally, I'd go for term, but only if that saves us on AAV. Five years, low 30s would be ideal if Adams can pull it off.

It certainly could be. By all accounts Eakin was bad last year. Some things to consider on the other side of the coin that Sabres Twitter didn't tell you: Eakin has scored at least 27 points in 6 of the past 8 years (counting his 40-point pace in the lockout). Johan Larsson's best season is 18 points. Eakin has 16 or more goals 4 times. Larsson's best season is 10. Larsson is pretty slow. Eakin is pretty fast with a puck hound mentality. Last year was the first time Eakin failed to register 100 shots on goal. Larsson has never hit 100. Larsson was a 14-minute per game player on a bad Buffalo team. Eakin averaged 15 on a good Vegas team and 17 on a good Dallas team. Eakin is a 49.5 career Corsi on 50.8 D-zone starts. Larsson is a 46.2 Corsi on 66.8 D-Zone starts. Eakin has played in 50 playoff games, including a Stanley Cup final. He topped 17 minutes a game in 4 of his 5 playoff runs. Larsson has not seen the playoffs. Historically, Larsson is a very good defensive centre who plays a strong shot suppression game, brings nothing on offence and has spent his career trapped on bad teams. Historically, Eakin is a textbook two-way 3C who plays a puck pressure game and has spent his career playing in big games with good teams. I didn't really watch Eakin last year. I liked him on Vegas when they went to the finals and in my viewings a few years earlier on Dallas. He approached the game like Girgensons and had better hands. I like Larry despite his limitations in skating and offence, and thought he was superb in his role. The Sabres clearly wanted a different package from their 3C. I don't think what Krueger asked of Larry last year will be asked of anyone this year. Fingers crossed Eakin can bounce back and deliver what they're looking for.

From the above interview, it sounds like Hall will be with Jack to start and frequently throughout the year.

If we listen to Ralph and Kevyn, the lines will be dictated by primarily by creating the most favourable matchups. Their composition might be dictated on what Thompson and Cozens can bring.

I think we're all in agreement that Hutton was bad last year. Ullmark was fine, however and is young enough to get better. Merzlikins, Keumper and Raanta all make in the low $4s. Fleury is $7. Korpisalo is $2.8. They can sign their three RFAs right now under the cap. But they can't do that and add a good goalie without sending a player out. The option of taking on a contract dump is out. We'll have to get more creative than that.