mjd1001

This team is on a pace for under 160 goals for the year. I've said it before and I'll say it again and again, I WANT to win, but I'll take losing as long as I'm entertained..score some goals. The LEAFS, who the Sabres had a year or two headstart on the rebuild...are averaging more than a goal extra per game. Sure, Eichel will help, but I don't know if getting him back will make this team exciting to watch.

It is hard to predict things game to game in the NHL, but I agree with your point. There is another way of looking at where the team stands now. To make the playoffs, a reasonable goal would be to reach 95 points..which is about 1.16 points per game. That is where things stand right now. In the Eastern Conference, anyone with 15 points or more is in a current playoff position...anyone with under 15 isn't. (its 13 points in the west right now) Right now, the Sabres have 13 points in 13 games. To be on 'pace' for 95 points, they would need 15 points through 13 games. So, they are currently 2 points off the pace for 95 points.

I have warmed up a bit to Peters and Rivet on the show...I still think some of what they say is a little hard to listen to, but I'm ok with the show overall. I just think the show would be better with a professional media person running it. Slyvester was pretty good at it....the show was even better when Matt Coller was one of the guys on it to keep it on track. They really need one of the WGR guys to 'moderate' this show. Even if it is one of the younger/weekend guys...one of the daily producers...have them as part of a show to try to keep it a tad more professional and reduce the ammount of time dedicated to 'locker room talk' and stories of how things were 'back in the day when we played'.

I don't think coaching in a (the) problem. It is also too small of a sample size. Lets get to 15-20 games, then we'll have enough info to start to make a judgement. If I had to pick between coaching and the players which is a bigger weakness, I'd say the players talent. At its best, this roster 2-3 years from now should be a top 10 team...but i'm not its elite. A lot depends on how good Eichel and Sam turn out to be. If this team is going to be elite, Eichel has to be clearly a top 5 offensive talent, and Sam must be a all-star level player.

In my original post I stated it was a discussion I had before the first game was every played. It has NOTHING to do with panic at all, not even close....it is a general thought/question about how people think this team will be identified as going forward. Isn't that was discussions forums are for?

What should he do? No major moves for now. This team is not winning the cup this year...play what you have and give it time to see who steps up when the opportunity presents itself. Of course, if there is a trade out there that you really love and is a steal, make it...but do NOT force anything.

I have been thinking about this all summer....what do you think the identity of this team will be going forward? I can't think of what it will be compared to other successful teams? -Speed teams. Teams like the Flames, Hawks (to a certain extent), Montreal. Tampa. There are teams that have a LOT of speed through a large part of their lineup. The Sabres have a few fast players (Eichel, Ennis, Kane) but they don't play fast as a team, and can't skate with the elite speed teams. -Physical teams. L.A. San Jose. Teams that will punish you and wear you down. I really don't see the Sabres being this type of team. Even the guys who do hit (or fight) don't do it often or consistent enough..and there aren't many of them. -Skilled teams. Maybe not the fastest..but highly skilled..from playmakers on offense to D-men that are great at moving the puck. Think Pittsburgh here. Is this Sabres team going to be an elite, top 5 skilled team? Maybe, but I don't see it yet. -Shut down D teams. L.A. is another example..but maybe the best example has been Boston in recent years. Some of the best Defensive forwards..and an Elite guy on D. You have O'Rielly on the Sabres..but I don't see many other players filling this role. So, when or if the Sabres become good (if they become a top 5-6 team year after year), what will this roster turn into in terms of their identity? I can't seem to pick one.

Okposo out...Eichel out...O'Rielly maybe out for the opener...vs a team with Carey Price...their #1 player out. Around the league....Crosby (the best, if not one of the best...and the face of the NHL) out....all before the first game. I know some of this stuff is unrelated....but does it seem like when watching sports these days injuries and games missed are just too big of a part of it?

A lot of speculation on the timing of this injury....so that is up in the air. HOWEVER lets say he was out to January...I would MUCH rather he not be rushed back. I'll take a star player being out an extra MONTH if he comes back healthy...what I hate is when someone is out for a long period of time...then comes back but we hear he isn't playing 100% for the rest of the year.

I don't know much about Grant, or even have an opinion on him yet, he is so new with the team. Grigorenko? Unless the coaches and management are dead set on getting rid of him, or think he will never become much, I don't see the rush to get rid of him. Last year, he LOOKED to be a really hard working guy and pretty good in his own end and back-checking..and for the analytical types...I think his numbers backed up him being the best, or in the top 3 Defensive forwards on the entire team. If he even scores 10-15 goals a year eventually AND remains a top tier defensive forward, I don't see why you wouldn't LOVE to have that guy on your team. I know after 2 years ago, many of us were looking forward to him becoming a 20-25 goal, 60 point player...but if he isn't that...that doesn't mean the Sabres should be shopping him every chance they get.

Im hoping for at least 30 - 40 more goals scored this season....I dont care from who on the team they come from. I just want to feel this team is never out of a game, and I wan to feel I'm confident to see a few goals everygame. A loss is bad, but a shutout loss makes me feel I wasted my time watching the game.

Biron is pretty good. I like the show overall (the concept of it) and I do listen to it because it is mostly about the Sabres....but having an all ex-player host model that they do now..I'm not a fan of. If you are going to have ex players be on the show, great...but how about someone else to balance that? I lived it when Matt C was on the show, but he is now in Minny.

There is the NYC/Boston thing...but after living in Boston for 5+ years, I always got the impression that Montreal was as big as, or a bigger rival, than the Rangers. Diff division.

Besides Boston, closest team to home? There are TONS of flghts or trains he can take to easly get back, and it is only a 3 hour or so drive? If being close to home but NOT for the Bruins was his priority, this was the best.

I really have no strong feelings myself where he will go, but from reading every article I could find out there about this in the last 48 hours, and watching a few interviews/listening to the radio, I don't hear anyone saying Pittsburgh or Toronto, so I would guess they are not likely. The feeling I do get it this: Chicago 30%, Buffalo 20%, Boston 20%, New Jersey 20%, Pitt, Toronto, Rangers (and everyone else combined) 10%. I don't see this guy scoring over 20 goals though, UNLESS he is healthy all year and plays 1st line PP time with guys like Kane or Hall. Other than that I see 12-16 goals at most.

That was me, and I 100% stand by my comment. My wife lived and grew up in NY city (for over 30 years) and I have spent a lot of time there. In my life (for my job) I also lived in Boston, very close to Miami, and Charlotte. We have relatives in Chicago that we visit often (a few time spending a full week there). I just don't see many positives that NY city offers that you can't find in other cities...and I see things in other Cities that NY city doesn't offer. It is an opinion, but NY city is no where NEAR the greatest city in this country to me (let alone the World).

I think it just isn't the thing for some people. When lived outside of Boston, I had to travel to NYC for work a few times a year. I got to know the city better (a LOT better) when I met my eventual wife there, and we visited there frequently after she moved away and her parents still lived in Queens. I can say, without a doubt, I really really dislike the city. Crowded, smells bad, overpriced...and I'm not just talking Manhattan, but all the boroughs. 90% (or more) of what you can find in NY City you can find in other places, often for a lot less cost and for a lot less aggravation. I have no desire to really ever go to or visit there ever again. Its just not for me.

I'm OK with Sal and Coller. The morning show I can listen to, and I like Hamiltons segments. But as many others on this board, Shopp and the Bulldog I have a problem with, I hardly listen to them anymore. Too many times I tune in at 3pm on the ride home, and I hear stories about ANYTHING except for sports for the entire first segment. I understand shows these days want to mix things up...but that afternoon show has taken "off topic" too far.

I'm OK with him still on this team. Do I like the stuff he is doing? No. But if he IS still going to be in the NHL with SOME team and getting paid, I'm OK with the Sabres being it. With that said, I think it is about time the NHL (or Sabres) come down with a 10 game suspension on him (WITHOUT PAY). Money is valuable to just about everyone but it seems REALLY important to Kane, lets see the league take that step.

I'm not sure you can get him on a 2 year deal at the $ as low as you have listed, it might be a bit higher. As for what role does he have with this team? I have really NO Idea. -He could be a winger on a top-2 line...someone who (if he buys into the system) is a physical, good skating, get the puck out of the corner 15-20 goal guy. -He could be a guy who doesn't adjust to a 'system' and needs to get traded to a team that runs less of a 'system' and become a decent #2 center there putting in 15-20 goals. -He could be a bottom 6 winger or center on this team, playing less minutes than he has in the past and putting up 5-10 goals a year. I could really see any of those. So, if he is traded, so be it. If he isn't traded, great, lets hope for the best and cheer for the guy.

I keep going back to the same thing with this guy...just how good is he? Nobody really knows, and anything is a guess. But I have to wonder....this year or next, how much better off are they with him in the lineup vs Bailey? Or Carrier? What is everyone expecting out of him? 15-20 goals out of him if he is a top 6 guy....and he may not be a liability in the D-zone, but he would still have a lot to learn about the NHL game? I'm not sure that is all that much better than what you will get with one of the guys who were down on the farm last year. The more I think about this, the only thing I can come up with is that Murray has a deal on the table (that isn't going away), or maybe a FEW deals that involve bringing in a D-man to the Sabres but the Sabres have to give up a Fasching, Carrier, or Bailey. If Vesey signs he will be OK with making that deal (basically getting a 'free' replacement for Forward depth), but without Vesey, he'll stand his ground and go into the year with what they have.

I don't know...if there was a way for the Sabres to retain a lot of salary..maybe

A lot of what is on these boards is speculation, but, while I want the Sabres to sign him, I'd want it just like i'd want them to sign ANY Player that is seemed-to-be considered at mid 1st round talent. HOWEVER, did anyone ever go back a few years and look at most of the forwards drafted in the middle of the first round? A lot of players not in the NHL anymore...some career AHLers, and a LOT Of 3rd and 4th line players. So if it doesn't cost you anything to sign him..sure, it would be great for what he MIGHT become, but if part of signing him is a promise of power play time and top 6 line time...I'm not sure if I even want that.

Just for fun, I thought I'd look back at drafts over they last 10-15 years and see what players were taken at 8. To be fair, I got a list of players taken with picks 7, 8, and 9 to get an idea how they turn out. I'm not sure if anyone has posted this yet, but I haven't seen it as of now: Forwards: Nazem Kadri, Scott Glennie, Colin Wilson, Josh Bailey, Logan Couture, Kyle Okposo, Peter Mueller, James Sheppard, Mikkel Boedker, Jakub Voracek, Zach Hamill, Jeff Skinner, Alexander Burmistrov, MIkael Granlund, Mark Scheifele, Sean Couturier, Bo Horvat, William Nylander, Nikolaj Ehlers, Timo Meier D-men: Jared Cowen, Dougie Hamilton, Jacob Trouba, Derrick Pouliot, Matthew Dumba, Darnell Nurse, Rasmus Ristolainen, Haydn Fleury, Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski,

I have the same thought/fear. From all that I have read, listened to, remember hearing on Canadian radio stations about him before Buffalo was even in the mix..etc...is that this is a kid who MIGHT, EVENTUALLY touch 30 goals in a year for a max ceiling...it is likely he'd be a 18-24 goal guy....but there is also a chance he might be just a decent 10-15 goal a year 3rd line guy. Those exact words were not spoken by anyone I heard or read in any order, but that is the strong impression I get from putting everything I've heard about him together over the last year. So, what does that make him? I guess talent-wise what you would expect from a mid 1st round to early 2nd round guy (many of which don't stick around in the NHL that long). So do I want the Sabres to sign him? Sure, if for only the chance he ends up being that 20-30 goal guy. But I think it is a better chance he ends up being just an average-to-good 3rd line talent.