Crusader1969

On the bright side, with a loss tomorrow the door is wide open for the Sabres to end up in 26th.

The 2 players I'm most interested to see under a new coach or change in philosophy are Tyler Ennis and Zack Bogosian. Maybe injuries have derailed both players and we will never see them at peak again but I'm not ready to give up on either yet. Along with Byslma does anyone still have a need for Girgensons to return? 4th line centre at best for me and I think I already like E-Rod better.

The Amerks have Baptiste, Karabacek, Cornel, Fasching and Bailey listed as RW for last nights game. Does anyone know the actual lines?

I will say that Toronto is having a good season with a pretty average d corps. Injuries, or a lack of, have had a huge impact on their season.

With Antipin and Guhle coming next season - that's already a good start to turning over the D and creating a defensive core that can skate. Heard that Makar is now being looked at a top 5 pick. I'd still like to get him or Liljegren. And to say they need 3 years isn't right. Hanifin played immediately, Provorov and Werenski both drafted in 2015 spent 1 more year in their program and both have had huge impact in NHL. Chychrun played in rookie year. I'll bet Sergachev plays with MTL next year Liljegren is already playing pro hockey. If you are looking to make a trade - my target is Ryan Ellis from Nashville. The Preds aren't going to be able to protect one of their vet dmen.

Best Sabres can do is finish 10th last. Looking more like somewhere between 5th and 8th. I guess the good news is that Murray should get to take 1st dmen off the board. Will be interesting to see if he wins one of the lottery slots.

New Craig Button draft rankings http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-lots-of-talent-after-patrick-hischier-1.702428 maker now #1 dmen on his list

ill be open to him returning next year if he agrees that he has to simplify his system. I believe this is what Tortorella did this past summer with his coaching style. One thing Tortorella has changed for the Blue Jackets this season is doing away with morning skates. In an interview with NHL.com, Tortorella talked about allowing players to play and not over-coaching them. "(Players) get on the ice and they can't think straight because there's so much information," Tortorella told Tim Campbell. "I think that's one of the biggest adjustments all coaches are making now, including me, is to let them play. Give them a foundation but let them play and get out of their way. "But if it's the same mistake and it is constant and if it's something you can control through laziness and just not the will to play, that's part of my job to lean on them that way. It's ever-changing. We're just trying to go about our business." if Torts can change, Bylsma can too. I hate seeing a coaching carousel. Though the exist interviews with Murray and the team leaders (Eichel, ROR, etc) could doom him.

Yes, Makar didn't go to the WHL to keep his NCAA eligibility. He is committed to UMass. He played last night in his teams 9-1 playoff victory and had a goal and 2 assists. I`ve linked the highlights. You see his explosive first step at the :33 minute mark, his one time slap shot at 3:04 but you must watch his goal at 5:10. http://www.brooksbandits.ca/media-centre/news-archives.html?nID=11135

By the time we get to June, Makar will be a consensus top 10 pick. Already seeing him on some rankings in top 10. Craig Button of TSN has him going 5th. It's unfortunate that he is a late 98 or else he could have played in the under 18 tourney. Last season, that tourney solidified Fabbro and Jost as 1st rounders. They also played in junior A in their draft year.

ive said it before and I'll say it again. Toronto has been good but EXTREMELY fortunate this year. Look at the injuries they've dealt with compared to the Sabres and most every other team. Im still surprised that Babcock is thought as the best coach in the universe but still has his D playing like chickens with their heads cut off in year 2 of him behind the bench.

I'll be completely floored if the Sabres don't draft a Dman with their top pick. Draft the right guy and he can play a major role in 18/19. liljegren's season ended yesterday in a 6-5 loss in Swedish j20 play-offs. He did have 3 assists though. Finished the series with 1G and 4A in 3 games Cale Makar is playing in the AJHL playoffs. 1G 3A in 2 games. Valimaki regular season with Tri-City comes to an end tonight. 19G and 42A, including 1G 1A halfway through tonight's game.

I was watching a bit of the Jets game today, the commentators made it seem a lock that Trouba is protected. Myers, even with his favourable contract is the big question. I'll assume they expose him and his injury troubles. I think Garrison is a UFA? Could be wrong

Contact the Nashville preds about Ryan Ellis Currently if preds want to protect all 4 top dmen - subban, josi, ekholm and Ellis. They can only protect 4 forwards. - Johansen, Forsberg, Neal and Arvidsson Leaving - Fisher, Wilson, Jarnkrok and Smit unprotected. A lot will depend on where they think there top 2 prospects are Dante Fabbro and Samuel Gerard who are both top 4 potential They also have Carrier and doughertry playing in the AHL Maybe Sabres can get them to trade Ellis allowing preds to protect 3D and 7F. Rather than 8 skaters. What would it cost? A young winger not named Nylander and a draft pick? Thoughts?

Yes, his younger brother is a very exciting prospect. He's in the 2019 draft I think, which is crazy. Vegas gets the same odds as the 3rd last place team but is in lottery, pick isn't guaranteed 99% sure this is correct Here is a name you will see rocketing up the draft rankings. Nick Suzuki from Owen Sound (OHL). Started th year last first or 2nd rounder - now seeing him as a late lottery pick. Smaller kid 5'11 180 lbs but has been on fire. With 1 game to go is currently 4th in OHL scoring.

Crazy amount of injuries this season. Hopefully we get Leafs fortunes next year and basically have a full squad all year long. I say keep Austin and Nelson up for the remainder of the year.

Who are these players we could use right now?

The only way the Sabres draft Foote is if they trade back onto the mid to late first round. He isn't a lottery pick (1-14) IMHO

. Totally disagree, it's coming but was never a team that would be a bubble playoff team this season

The man in the last two years or so has brought in Kane, ROR, Okposo and basically gave up nothing at this point for them. Maybe one of the draft picks he traded away becomes a player but at this point not one has. He devised a plan to bring us Eichel and Reinhart. He has 3 of the top ranked prospects outside of the NHL in Pu, Nylander, Asplund His 2nd round pick in 2015 is looking like he is going to be a key member of the team in a year or two He brought in a goalie that is among the league leaders in Sv% and has played behind a flawed and injury plagued d corps I honestly can't think of anyone who I'd rather have in charge to fix the defence. Please don't bring up pysyk and McNabb - neither of them or anything more than a bottom pair player on a good team.

Im sorry but I can not allow anyone to classify the McNabb or Pysyk trades as bad trades! how did McNabb do last night? oh right he was a healthy scratch...... again!! Also, shouldn't we wait on Fasching before making judgement?? As for the Pysyk trade, He is 5th out of 6 regular dmen on the Panthers in TOI at even strength. Is he an analytics darling? yes. but is he trusted by his coaches?? watch the leafs first goal - 1 min into the video.

. Way too early grade this trade. Give it another 3-4 years. At this point none of those prospects have done a thing in the NHL and Lehner has been better than either of those two backups.

Looks like Borgen is returning to St.Cloud for at least another year.. Coach Bob Motzko said Will Borgen (Sabres), Judd Peterson (Sabres), Mikey Eyssimont (L.A.) and Jimmy Schuldt (free agent) plan to return 4 @SCSUHUSKIES_MH next season

If he is similar to Zaitsev we shouldn't be thinking a depth Dman to help out Rochester. Sounds like someone who can help out the Sabres next season. Im not sure why size seems to keep coming up. Id love to look back the the 2015 draft page and see some of the remarks about Mitch Marner. Erik Karlsson 6' 0 190lbs Shane Ghostisbehere 5'11 180ilbs

I apologize if there is already a thread re college Free agents. Here is a scouting report about that he guy bob Mckenzie said that the Sabres are on the short list for: Gavin Bayreuther, Defence, St. Lawrence Saints, Senior (6’1″ 194 lbs), Shoots Left A cousin of Ben Lovejoy of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bayreuther has put up impressive offensive numbers throughout his college career. In 27 games this year he has eight goals and 27 points. He has an outstanding slap shot, with excellent power and accuracy. He shows the ability to be a power play quarterback with solid puckhandling skill, good vision, and strong passing ability. Bayreuther is also a very good skater showing good speed and the agility to walk the line and open up shooting and passing lanes. He was given offers last year, but opted to return to school. He has added strength which has helped him along the boards and in his own end of the ice. Bayreuther could still use a bit of time in the AHL and to get even stronger though.