Johnny DangerFace

Speculation or source?

What's the bad calls? I saw a PI on Watkins not called and roughing the passer flag picked up against us

I wish we would punt on 1st down

Vikings won't simply give in that easily

Why wouldn't the 15 yard penalty at the 10 be a safety? It would be very interesting lol

I'm still on record of not liking hogan one bit

(put this together as a good point of reference for the lurkers out there and for those looking towards the future) No one is enjoying hockey time, which is a shame. But for those of you who aren't in tune with our future as much as some of us (for the lurkers out there), here is what you have to hang you hopes on. This team is devoid of talent right now, with only a handful of guys that you actually want on a contending team. Rebuilding is risky business, as it doesn't work out often because a lot of luck is involved. So sometimes teams get stuck in "long rebuilds" because their young guys just never turn into players you can build around. Luckily for the sabres, we aren't just depending on a few high draft picks, we will have prospects coming from every angle in a few years. Here are the sources of talent for this franchise... The 4 Big Name Defenders Ristolainen, Zadorov, Pysyk, and McCabe This is a crucial part of our future success. Building a defensive core that has a strong physical presence, can move the puck, and help put up some points is not an easy thing to do. It has been a long time since teams have had to fear getting hit as the cross the blueline when they play against the Sabres. Hopefully these guys can change that. When will I see them? Ristolainen and Pysyk should both finish this season in Buffalo, while McCabe and Zadorov have a chance to transition full time to the NHL next year The Forgotten Two Grigorenko & Armia Our first rounders in 2011 and 2012 have both been written off as busts in there extremely short careers. But at the “old age” of 21 & 20, things are just beginning for these two. This is Grigorenko’s first year starting in the AHL, and this is Armia’s first healthy year in the AHL. And things are getting off on the right foot as both are establishing their presence in Rochester’s first three games. If we are going to get scoring help in the next couple of years, it will be from these two. If you want an accelerated rebuild, root for these two. When will I see them? I’m not sure when we will finally see Grigorenko called up, but if they both continue to play as they can, both will be in the NHL by the end of next year. The Superstars Reinhart & Unknown BUF 2015 1st Rounder You don’t select someone in the top 3, unless you hope they are going to be stars you can build around. What else needs to be said, these are two players that you don’t hope become franchise players (like a Grigorenko or Armia), but instead you expect them to be franchise players. When will I see them? Both of these players will start next season on the sabres, then we’ll see if they deserve to stick around past their 9 game tryout. The College Kids Fasching, Compher, and Hurley. We traded Sekera for Compher, we traded Mcnabb and draft picks for Fasching, and Hurley was the youngest kid in the 2013 draft. Both Fasching and Compher had exceptional standout freshman seasons and exceeded their draft expectations while elevating their stock big time. When will I see them? Who knows, while Fasching and Compher are sophomores, and Hurley is a freshman, it all depends on when they leave college. It isn’t uncommon to see players leave college after their second or third season (McCabe), so we’ll have to wait and see. But It's expected that Fasching will turn Pro in either 2015 or 2016. The 5 OHLers Baptiste, Bailey, Lemieux, Cornel, & Karabacek Nothing is more satisfying than watching a 2nd or 3rd round pick enjoy a post-draft breakout season. This happened last year when Baptiste scored 45 goals in 65 games (89 total points). Meanwhile Bailey might be breaking out this year with 8 goals in 8 games. Let’s hope Lemieux, Cornel, and Karabacek can experience the same. When will I see them? Bailey and Baptiste become AHL eligible in 2015, while Lemiuex, Cornel, and Karabacek won’t see any professional hockey until 2016. It’s likely all of these players will need at least one or two years in Rochester. The Swedes Ullmark, Possler, Johansson, & Oloffson Both Possler and Ullmark enjoyed true break out seasons last year, as Ullmark had one of the best seasons for a goalie, and Possler was on a high scoring pace until he suffered a serious injury. Neither have been off to the best start this season, but it is still early. If any of the swedes can make it to the NHL, it’ll be a huge help, especially if our goalie of the future is there. When will I see them? It’s going to be a few years. While Johansson (big goalie with the 61st overall pick last year) and Oloffson certainly have a few more years over in in Sweden, Ullmark and Possler could make the jump to North America as soon as next year. The Wildcards Carrier, Larsson, Kea, Petersen, Makarov, NYI 2015 1st, STL 2015 1st, BUF 2015 2nd, NYI 2015 2nd These are the players (not including those draft picks), that you don’t count on, but it should would help to have them succeed. From the undrafted like Makarov to the players who dropped on draft day like Carrier. When will I see them? I threw in the draft picks as we aren’t sure when they will be, but this section accounts for all the talent that will be steadily be entering our pro system over the next 5 years. Some of these players like Carrier, Larsson, Kea, and Makarov have already turned pro, while other’s we won’t see in a sabre uniform until 2020!

He has all the talent in the world, and I wouldn't doubt the kid. I am rooting for him as well, and hopefully he can become a hometown favorite.

He's going full-Baptiste

If Murray wants to bring in "his guy," can anyone argue this mess of a season is a good time to do it? If the answer is no, then nolan should stay

If you look at what the guy is going to do, there is nothing that makes having an MD required. Would having an MD have benefits? Sure. Does his JD have benefits as well? Of course. Lots of things to get upset with, this isn't one of them. If you cannot understand the reasoning behind this guy, and only want to believe a doctor could do this and it's Obama's fault, then that's fair.

haha don't even start. Thread title and OP say just that :P

Could we experiment with foligno at center again and have a kaleta - foligno - deslauriers 4th line of the future?

Okay, its no secret that most of our future core is in the prospect system, and is going to be drafted next summer. But who do you want on this team as part of our future team and what role do you see them having? For me it is: Girgensons Myers Deslauriers - A bottom six tough grinder Foligno - if he can cut down on the turnovers, he can be a good bottom six guy and provide depth scoring Kaleta - if he can play smart, he is an effective grinder. Hodgson, Ennis, and Stewart are bubble guys for me. They all have some major weaknesses, but could be solid top 6 guys if they can put it together. Flynn, mccormick, meszaros, mitchell, benoit, and weber just aren't talented enough Stafford is stafford Gionta, gorges, moulson are going to be old

I would agree with that. I would rank it Fasching the most likely, then compher, and then hurley. But if compher steps it up this year again, then you never know.

Just to let everyone know, I watched the amerks today instead of the sabres and it was great. Rochester can pass the puck. Grigs and Armia are looking great thus far, and carrier is having a nice quiet start to his pro career. But anyways, if you have the chance, watch that team instead of this eam, its actually enjoyable.

Okay let's think (Some of the following will be wrong lol) The Big Guns Currently in the AHL Grigorenko Armia Larsson Carrier Pysyk McCabe Kea (ECHL for now) AHL bound in 2015 Reinhart Zadorov Baptiste Bailey Compher (if he leaves college early) Fasching (if he leaves college early) Possler? Ullmark? AHL bound in 2016 Lemieux Hurley (if he leaves college early) Cornel Karabacek

pretty sure no one enjoys watching the sabres get killed or lose to the bruins

Well they can speak properly. Ray is like an illiterate narrator.

He's a professional that adds nothing insightful to the broadcast. He also can't talk. I like my commentators to be able to talk. It's the minimum requirement. He falls short "Job job job job gigaranko needs to do better"

NO........please let that RIP

Man has grigs (and armia) really improved since last season. If those two can make it, this rebuild will be a lot more smooth hopefully

Grigs with a beautiful goal

Tank, you are the worst at that lol! I'm so serious

I have always understood your idea of not wanting an owner that meddles with decision making. I agree. But I just fail to see any evidence, I say a new trial