Crusader1969

I think that's where things get really exciting. The top 6 that you have plus guys like Carrier, Pu, Baptiste, Bailey, Asplund all have a year or two NHL experience and fill out the ranks of the 3rd and 4th liners. Though maybe you have to trade 1 or 2 in order to get that top line winger or maybe one of them fill that role. Now you are real contenders and now you can probably withstand an injury or two. Unfortunately, we are still talking 2018/19 at the earliest.

I know he isn't popular here but Kane was very good tonight. Girgensons on the other hand.....

2 more points for Pu in a 3-2ot win vs rival Windsor. Pissed cause I messed up recording the game. Currently 4th in OHL scoring. Good chance that 4 out of 5 top OHL scorers go to the WJC, so he has a real chance to win the scoring race since (for some reason) he isn't being considered for Team Canada

When it comes to scoring wingers I don't think size matters.

How could you possibly know what this team would be like with a healthy Eichel?

How's that working for them? They are probably the leagues biggest disappointment Wrong thread

Hope you don`t think that I think they are not sucking right now, I just don`t understand how you expect anything different with all the injuries. Are you saying you think things won`t improve when they get their guys back?

I don`t think any of those young players are tapped to be in the future top 6 players. They are going to be very good 3rd and 4th liners who provide excellent depth one day. Here is the top 6 eventually in my mind Nylander, Eichel, Samson Empty, ROR, Okposo maybe one of them step up to fill the ``empty`but I dont think they do. If i was to guess who in the organization could become a top 6 winger -I`ll say Cliff Pu. If he keeps up the pace of approximately 2 points per game in the OHL and you look at guys who have been able to score at that pace, you are looking at a list of bonafide NHLers and usually top 6 talent. I agree with your assement of vets who are on my contender. I think they all will be gone before that time happens. Maybe Bogosian could have a role. Still think he is a good 2nd pair dman. Kulikov probably wont be around past this season but I would have no issue with him on the team. Its not time to dump guys like Kane, Ennis and such. they have little value if they aren`t scoring or playing. Moulson is playing and kind of scoring so get what you can for him. Put Kane on a line with Eichel (when he comes back) build him up as much as you can then trade him too.

Keep us up to date on Hischier, he is ranked 1 here but usually falls out of the top 5. Specifically his skating, it seems he has an all round game but does his speed stand out? Thanks,

Plus the TB roster is loaded with guys with NHL and play-off experience. Further, lets not pretend it's 1 injury alone. The team has been decimated, also they were doing ok before the loss of ROR. Lets play this forward 3 or 4 years and see what happens if the Sabres lose Eichel for an extended time. When guys like Pu, Carrier, Baptiste, Bailey, Nylander, Guhle, Fitzgerald, Fasching, Borgen and Asplund have a couple of years experience. The Rebuild is in its infancy, sucks its not going as fast as you may have hoped but its still on track. They aren`t going to blow it up in order to have a valiant push to get 8th, no matter how much we bitch. out of curiosity, what players are you disappointed in specifically?

Im sure there will be people upset with the timing of me posting this but its for information only. The Sabres will have a 1st rounder this spring so may as well know who is out there. Im still sticking with my prediction that they draft between 10 and 14. Though if the injuries continue to pile up..... https://www.mckeenshockey.com/prospects-blog/mckeens-2017-top-30-nhl-draft-rankings-nov-2016-swiss/ I believe that McKeens had Laine as the #1 pick last season, so I definitely have a lot of respect for them.

That's where we disagree completely, the broader question is how do we become a cup contender? This season means very little to me, the Sabres are still in their rebuild and its going to take a lot of patience. Also, I think Eichel and ROR coming back does solve the scoring on the 3rd line as guys slide back down to their proper spots in the line-up. They were supposed to "tread water" till Eichel returned and they were doing that until ROR got hurt. I also don't think that at full strength they are near the bottom of the league. They are probably somewhere in the middle, ready to fight for the wildcard but not good enough to get there. Most -certainly not deep enough to withstand the injuries they have. I have no issue of bidding adieu to Girgensons.

I think you are making my point, he is producing and should be traded while he has some value. You want to trade assets that are not part of your future plans when you can get something for them, not when they are scoring 8 goals in the entire season. They've built Moulson up probably as far as they can. Now trade him for an asset and get rid of that contract! I get it though, it would be nice for the Sabres to contend for a play-off spot this year, they still might if they can get back Jack and ROR stay healthy. Though, Im still in the camp where development is more important that winning at the moment. Is Matt Moulson on the roster when this team is a contender?

He is only producing because he is on the PP1. When Eichel and ROR come back he wont have that role and his production will go down the chute. Trade him now to a team desperate for Power Play help, eat a portion of his contract if you have to. I can guarantee, be it later this year or or next, there will be a time when we all wish we traded Moulson and his contract when they had a chance. Btw, Arizona would be a perfect trading partner, they are loaded with prospects.

Maybe this will make you feel better? I would add that if Nylander was in the OHL (with his peers) that his name would be on this list too. TOP SCORING OHL Taylor Raddysh Erie Otters 19 18 27 45 Alex DeBrincat Erie Otters 18 19 21 40 Cliff Pu London Knights 17 13 19 32 Adam Mascherin Kitchener Rangers 18 11 21 32

The goal isn't to be a play-off bubble team it is to build a cup contender. Is Matt Moulson a part of the team when that day comes ? I would say no. I would go even further to say that his contract may actuallly be a hindereance to them when that time comes ( if it isn't a hindereance already) What was Moulsons trade value when we came into this season? I would say pretty close to none. Is he part of PP1 when Eichel and ROR are in the lineup? Again that's a no. So is there a good chance that he again loses all value? I would say yes. Trade him now while you can get something for him. Maybe you can get a piece that will be part of the team when you are a cup contender. You are being shortsighted if you keep him because he is one of the very few producing now. It kinda the logic of sell high - buy low. Don't be caught holding the bag when he again has no value

The only person I would want to see traded ASAP is Matt Moulson - we are near his maximum trade value at the moment, though it take the Sabres eating some salary to make it happen.

I will never forgive the Sabres for 2 meaningless wins last season that moved Sabres from 8th from 6th. So close to having Patrick Laine on the 16/17 roster. Think the Sabres could have used an elite scoring winger? Ugghhhhhh

If you put up close to 2 points a game in OHL and you aren't an overager, there is a good chance you are in NHL the following year. Though typically guys who put up those kind of points are high draft picks.

pu with another 3 point game. 27 in 14 this season. Had 31 all last year.

We just lost a game where the Sabres were clearly the better team while missing 5 regulars. This game should provide confidence not panic, especially coming after 3 tough wins. If Eichel and Kane had both been healthy this year - what games do the lose? Montreal and the first Minny game? Any others?

Another G and A +3 on the night for Cliff. That's 21 points in 12 Games. He had 31 points in over 60 games last year. Murray and his staff look to have found a real steal in the 3rd round of last years draft . I'm going to see the CHL Subway series. Canada v Russia in Hamilton and really disappointed he isn't representing Team Canada OHL. Would have to think he would be at top of the list for injury replacement

ISS top 31 November. https://www.isshockey.com/iss-top-31-november-2016-1/ Owen Tippett already in the top 5 on the ISS list. A little further down the list another prospect that interests me is Eeli Tolvanen Ranked around 8th in most publications. He is a Boston College commit with speed and skill. Has already won the USHL player of the week award twice. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=249730 Im sure most Sabres fans (including me) would like to see them draft out of the top 10. a names to watch is Kailer Yamamoto - small but highly skilled forward and Nico Hishier - Swiss forward playing with Halifax in the Q. Otherwise I don't really see anything too exciting out of the top 10 at this moment (off the ISS list) at the foward position. On Defence there are two prospects that I think are may be of interest. 1) Callan Foote RHD from Kelowna (the D factory) son of Adam Foote - 6'4 and mobile Dman who plays a physical game 2) Nicolas Hague LHD - Mix of size, skill and skating and is a shut down defender playing for Mississauga. Strong desire to carry the puck up the ice. There are a few European D in that area that I am not familiar with at all at this time. Timothy Liljegren is usually ranked 2nd overall but we've often seen the top Dman in October drop into the spring (Hanifan, Chyrchrun and to a greater extent Kylington). So far he has only played 2 games due to injury, so maybe his stock drops if he doesn't play much.

Not sure I've ever seen it done before but can they bring back Guhle from the CHL?

Im sure they would all want it but not all make it their team`s identity - some teams value team toughness (Bruins that won the cup), some teams, like the Kings, are built on size and being able to control the play and are hard of the forecheck. Some, like the Devils of years past want to play defense before all else. Sabres IMO are trying to build a team that has size speed and skill on all 4 forwards lines and are drafting Dman who are primarily good skaters.