mjd1001

I know this may not be a popular opinion, but I would think, if Reinhart still is a bit undersized and not dominant in camp....that he spend some time in Rochester. You can go with Larson centering a line (at least for a half to a full season) on your top 3 lines. Besides that, I wouldn't be looking at any big free agent signings or big trades this offseason. With a maturing D (adding a one year older Psysk to it), Evander Kane, a top pick this year, a much better Larson than last year, maybe Reinhart.....I'm going to be perfectly happy seeing where this team goes with just that. I really don't need, or don't WANT any other big ticket players (yet).

I agree. As of now, the Coyotes are 4 and 23 in their last 27. That is some major league tanking.

It seems has if he has been producing a lot of points lately, for a team that doesn't really score too many goals, so for fun I looked into his stats/game log this year. Now, I am NOT by any means saying we can expect this kind of production out of him based on projecting his stats, as we all know how a few years ago Foligno has a short run where we projected him to be a regular 20-30 goal scorer. But, I wanted to project his stats to see what kind of production the Sabres have been getting out of him lately. He has been with the team, for the most part, since a call-up on Feb 15 vs the Flyers. After that call-up, in his next 10 games, he had 0 goals and 1 assist. He averaged just over 10 minutes of ice time per game. Since game 11 of this most recent stretch until now (a March 7 game against Washington until now), he has played 13 games, 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points.In this stretch, he is averaging over 20 minutes a game, putting him near the very top of ice time per game among forwards. Also of note, for the entire year, he is a positive player (+1 through 35 games...on a team this is a -107 in goal differential.) I'm just wondering where he fits on this team long term. He obviously isn't just a little better when playing with good teammates and getting more ice time, he is a LOT better when getting more ice time. Yet, if you slot him into a 4th line role going forward, how valuable will he be? Gasp to think about this..but if the Sabres do NOT finish 30th, do they do something like Draft Hanifan, go with the Nashville model (D-men of Risto, Zadarov, Bogosian, Pysyk, Hanifan) where they can really REALLY shut down most teams, and you have forward lines centered by Reinhart, Girgensons, Larson.....with some talent on the wing to go with them?

I agree with you. For some reason I was never as big of a fan of ORielly as others are on here. Is he a very good player? Yes...but to me you don't trade for him and give up a lot of assets AND give him an very high salary unless he is the KIND of player you are missing. Don't trade for him just because you think he is good..make sure he fills a hole you have. I'd rather wait and see who develops or see if a more 'top flight' scorer is available....rather than trade for him.

Not much. Is he the best coach in the NHL? Maybe, but I don't see anything special that he does that other coaches can't do. Personally, I'd rather go the route of a younger coach who is thought of pretty highly. Would I take his as coach? Sure, but not at the expense of giving him ANY more power than you would any other coach. If he asks for a lot of control over the roster, or an outrageous salary, I'll pass. I want a GOOD coach with Great players. This is hockey, I don't need to stretch myself out too far with a coach.

I read Nolan said that Ennis won't play this weekend, but MIGHT play Monday. We don't know what this latest injury is, but at this point, wouldn't it make sense, if not to sit him down for the rest of the year, for at least a full week? I know it all depends on the injury, if it is just a bad bruise, once it heals, it heals. But, it just seems like he is turning into, or already is, one of your top 3 players...but the guy gets hurt a lot. To be gained by keeping him in the lineup: Nothing. To be gained by keeping him out: Let him rest up ANY and ALL of the injuries he has or is prone to get....ensure you get to where you want to be soon (guarantee 30th)....force your coach to give ice time to other player he might nornally not give it to (Hodgson, Grigorenko, etc) BTW, anyone know, or have any strong guesses, to what his injury is this time?

Looks like another loss tonight. Since the start of 2015: -31 losses, only 5 wins -shut out 6 times (7 if they don't score soon tonight) -another 14 games where they only scored 1 goal -making that 21 out of 31 games with 1 goal or a shutout -15 out of a possible 62 points, which would be a pace for about 39.5 points for a whole season -an 11 game losing streak, and a 7 game (and counting) losing streak. -From Janualy 12 to Feb 6, they played 11 games and scored a total of 11 goals. I think you almost have to look at the Sabres game next week vs the leafs as a likely win..and 2 points for the Sabres.

I'm guessing the Salaries are going to very VERY reasonable. Maybe a couple hundred dollars a game to close to $1000 for the best players? Figure more of a salary structure like the Indoor Lacrosse league (Bandits) started out with.....less like the WNBA. It won't be a full time career for the girls, but just something where they can see where it goes in the future. $15,000 per player, split up amont how many games? 20? It'll be interesting. 4 teams is a bit low.....but you dont want too many or have them spread apart too much. Maybe, Maybe if it works out....a second 4 team division.....Detroit....Minneapolis....Chicago...St. Louis??

Ryan Miller Last year with Sabres, .923 save percentage With Blues: .903 This year with Canucks: .913 Jonas Enroth Last year with Sabres: .911 This year with Sabres: .903 This year with Stars: .873 Neuvirth This year with Sabres: .918 With Isles: .882 Anders Lindback With Sabres this year: .926 With Stars: .875 Why is it with just about everyone they try, the goalies are playing better for the Sabres than anywhere else? And the difference in numbers is pretty dramatic in most cases, not just a case of simply 'seeing more shots'?

Interesting to read everyones thoughts. I forgot totally about Toews. As I said on the original topic, I might lean toward Crosby, but I think that is because I have been 'conditioned' to think he is because that is what all the 'experts' say. Some of those 'experts' are starting to say that Toews might actually be overtaking Crosby though. With my eyes from what I see as a casual fan, I would fear Ovechkin and Stamkos more...and Ovechkin probably tops that list. It just seems to me that this year, you can be playing the Caps and outplaying them, then out of no-where Ovechkin goes and scores a couple and you lose. Malkin is interesting. His points/production aren't too far off from Crosby on the same team...but I hear just about EVERY year that the Pens have a better record when Malkin plays and Crosby is hurt than the other way around, so that is certainly something that goes for Malkin and against Crosby.

It seems when you watch the NHL on national shows, and certainly when you watch or listen to anything out of Canada (Hockey night in canada, 590 the Fan on the radio), most people still say Sydney Crosby is the best player overall in the league by a lot. Now, I'm not saying that is or isn't true, but I want to present some arguments why he might not be compared to a few other players, and hear some thoughts form other people. Do you still think Crosby is the best? Or as of right now, would you pick someone else? The case against Crosby (just making it not because I think he isn't the best, but I have to make the case against what seems conventional wisdom) -He only has 1 100+ point season and No 40+ goal seasons in the last 5 years. Some of that may be due to injury/games missed, but if you can't play because you are injured, that still makes you less valuable. -In the NHL, he has one cup win, now in his 10th season. He has played with other great players (Malkin is a league MVP) and several high draft picks (many in the top 5 overall). In that one cup win, they had to beat Ovechkins Capitals in 7 games, and several games (2 or 3 of the 4 wins) had Pittsburgh scoring the winning goals on shot deflections. They won, but it was not decisive at all. -He is a player that over the last 4 years has averaged 32 goals per 82 games. For his career, it is 39. He has a ton of assists, but, once again, when you play on the PP with Malkin and with several other high draft picks, you will pick up some extra assists each year. The Case for Stamkos: -Except for his rookie year he is a consistent guy who is at (or on pace) for 90-110 points, year after year almost without fail. -He scores goals. Asssts are great, but there is only 1 goal for every 2 assist, making goals more valuable. He scores 53 per 82 games over the past 4 seasons. -He has played with some very good players, but not always with several top picks in their prime, like Crosby has. -I honestly don't know how good his overall D-game is, but I have listed to SEVERAL experts say he puts the effort into backchecking that is very noticable and he always works hard, without taking any shifts off. The Case for Ovechkin: -We know about his D-game that has been criticized, but most people who watch him say he is much better this year with more effort. Even with his lapses, he brings a physical presence and a 'pest' presence that few other top players bring. +/-, which he as been criticized for...he is a + player for 7 years of his career, and + overall for his career. -Goals. Hardest thing to do in the NHL. Scoring almost 52 per 82 games for his career. 5 50+ goal seasons and likely a 6th this year. Adjusted stats (for era) one of the top goal scorers in NHL history) -He is a clutch player scoring. He does not disappear in the playoffs. In 58 games he has 31 goals and 30 assists. That is a 82 game pace of 44 goals and 43 assists, against playoff teams. -He might be the only player in the NHL that at times is unstoppable,when he wants to be. Crosby can be taken off his game (see how frustrated he gets when shadowed by a really good checker, like against Columbus.) Ovechkin, however, still has the ability to score 1 on 2, and even though you know that one-timer is coming on the Power play, few teams, if any, can stop it. You can throw John Tavares or one of a couple other forwards into the mix also. But here is my question....Crosby...Stamkos...Ovechkin...Tavares......if you were a coach of an NHL team, which of those players...right now at this point of their career...would scare you the most to face? Who do you want to avoid in a playoff series? If you were to face a team like Detroit of Boston in the Playoffs (a team without a top 5 player at forward now) which of the above players would you LEAST like to see on a team like that...that you have to face?

Is Nolan a good coach? I don't think we have to over complicate this. In some situations he is, some he isn't. Period. The question then becomes when is he good? He would seem to be a great coach for a team where every player has a similar skill set, with no bad players and no superstars. He seems to want to try to treat everyone equally, no matter what the situation. I think he would be a fine coach for a team like Calgary, or LA, or maybe even Montreal. But, as Buffalo looks to add (and/or integrate) high end talent, I'm not so sure he is a good fit with this team going forward.

I hope so, I'd much rather have Neuvirth than Niemi.

I know that Mike Weber isn't viewed by many people on this board as being important at all, but I had the opportunity to see the Sabres/Caps game from the DC area and listened to the local announcers. The color guy for the Caps said that Mike Weber is a cheap player and disliked around the league by a lot of other players. I just never really took Weber that way, as a cheap player more than anyone else. Does he really have that rep? or is it just the Caps color guy making up something to have something to say?

I probably wouldn't pursue any major free agents this summer. You have some young guys who are ready to step in next year, and others who should be getting better. Without a big splash in free agency, will the team be a top 10 or even 15 team? Probably not. But, I'd rather let the current team grow together with the additions you are likely to have coming (Reinhart, Kane, Pysyk, MAYBE Grigorenko) and some other young guys being a 'year better' (Zadarov, Risto, Girgensons). Let the team get better and grow, I'm looking at this coming year to be an exciting year, but not a great year. I think the following year is where I'll start to have expectations. I wouldn't mind seeing Stewart come back on a decent contract (play top 2 line winger the next year or two, then maybe slot into a 3rd line spot after that), but don't forget you have a LOT of prospects coming to Rochester next year that you hope some will turn out to be good players in 2-3 years. I also kinda liked Neuvirth, I would favor bringing him back as your #1 guy for the next couple years over just about anyone else available...but that is really it. You sign that big Free agent to the 6 year deal and eventually he'll be taking up a spot for the next young guy to come up into.

I don't think its going to happen at all, but I would be more than happy with Lindy back as coach. I think hes a pretty good coach at least, and I like the guy. Seeing how I don't think its a real possibility, I'm in the same place with the Sabres that I have been with the Bills, give me a younger guy, not a retread. Someone with at least the appearance of a lot of energy (if anything, it will make me feel good to see that), someone who at the very least accepts analytics and will make some use of it.

I'll give the Sabres a B+ on the trade deadline. Sure, it would have been great to get a first round pick or two..or an NHL ready prospect, but i think that would be asking for too much. What we hear of Stewart (how good he is) is all over the map...but most of what I hear is he seems 'overated' when you take into consideration his defensive play. All I want out of this team for the next 20 games is to finish in 30th, and no major, long term injuries to the young guys. I do not think they guaranteed themselves 30th, but I think they solidified their chances for it and also almost assured themself of not falling past the Noah Hanifan position in the draft. Good enough for today. Now lets see them not pull any 'positive' surprises on the ice, and HOPE for some Arizona and Edmonton wins.

I'd probably want to cry. This is really the ONLY times the Sabres get a chance to do this. With the fact that they should start to get better and with the changes to the draft lottery next year.. this may be it... EVER. There is likely to be no other chance in any of our lifetimes to 'carry through' on something with only 20 games left and ASSURE yourself of a franchise player. Should the Sabres blow this...they still can (and probably will be) a good team for a while....but for many fans....this will ALWAYS linger. 20 games left. Do WHATEVER it takes. Anything. And there won't be any bad long lasting effects if you do. The Patriots cheated in the NFL, but over the last 5 years for everytime someone complains they cheated, 20 or more people say how great they are. And Pittsburgh..forget about Crosby....go back to the Lemieux draft...that was one of the most historic intentional tank jobs EVER...and you maybe here that 1 time for every 1000 or MORE times you hear how great those teams were or how great Lemieux was a a Penguin. The biggest slap in the face if they don't draft 1st or second will be to the people who maybe weren't 100% on board with this 'tank' thing, but now that they have come this far, they have bought in...saying the 2-3 years might as well be worth SOMETHING.

I would not be happy, but I could DEAL with Hanifin. The problem is...they just might finish behind both Edmonton AND Arizona...then you are talking picking 4th. 4th spot in the draft, you likely aren't getting a player that can help you next year..but one that is a year (or maybe 2) away.

I was looking for others opinions on this topic, how much of a gap do you think there is between picking 1st this year, 2nd, 3rd, and below that. Last year I heard an interview on the radio (Canadian station, not 590 out of Toronto, it was probably an Ottawa or Montreal station as I heard it when driving to Massena, NY) where the hosts were interviewing someone into scouting (may have been an NHL scout on some level) about the difference in talent at the top of this coming draft.) The scout was not saying McDavid, Eichel, or Hannifan will reach the levels of the other players he mentioned. He went on to stress he wasn't even comparing their style of play, but used the examples to show the gap between the top 3 prospects. I remember most of the article because a friend of mine and I talked a lot about it: McDavid would be comparable to a Crosby or a Gretzky, someone who has the potential to win multiple MVPs and possible be known as the best player in the league. Eichel would be comparable to a Malkin or a Messier, someone with the potential to win an MVP (or maybe 2) in their career and not be known as the best player, but a consistent top 5 player. Hannifan would be like a Shea Weber or a Ray Bourque. A potential multiple-time Norris trophy winner, but not someone who can carry their team to the finals year after year (mostly because of position.) He went on to say there are a lot of good players in the draft, but there was a sizeable drop-off after the top 3. Anyone have any thoughts? Would you make similar comparisons (in terms of talent potential, not style)? Or do you think those are way off?

O'Reilly is a very good player, but there is something about him that I'm just not a huge fan of. Unless it was a bargain, and an REAL bargain, I'd rather the Sabres just stay the course with where they are now.

Toronto, as of right now, has 25 games left. If, IF, Toronto would get just 8 of the next 50 points (4 wins 21 losses) which would be very bad for them even...They would end up with 59 points. For the Sabres to tie that number, they would have to get 24 points in the next 27 games. They only have 35 points in the 55 they have played already, and that was with Enroth in net. I really don't think the Sabres will get 24 points from now til the end of the year, and I think there is even less of a chance of the leafs only getting 8 for the rest of the season. Is it possible? Yes, but very, VERY unlikely.

Because it is a message board and that is what is done here. There are thousands of other points brought up on this board that have less to do with the Sabres than if a coach may be helping or hurting a young former first round pick who went from being a 20-25 goal scorer yearly to one that can't even get you 5.

Goalies I have no clue on. I like your D-pairings, but I think McCabe would be best served with another year in Rochester. I have always thought that Ruhwedel may not be a top 4 D-guy, but he would be pretty good as a 5-6 guy (being good at getting the puck up the ice.) I have reservations on whether Reinhart is truly ready next year. Sounds like Tim Murray thinks he will be here, but then I don't think he will/should be leading your #1 line out there (although honestly, the #1 and #2 lines get almost the same ice time, on a good team the #3 line is even close) If they do draft/get Eichel, he is a center to me. Don't even mess with him on wing at all. I want Hodgson to recover, I really do. But I don't see where he fits in here. I'd take Foligno off that 3rd line, and make him fit in someplace with the 4th line (with that bunch that you have there already) Taking his place will be your free agent of choice/trade aquisition/young training camp surprise guy. Bottom line on forward lines for me is this: Don't worry about who is the #1 or #2 or whatever line. For next year, make your top 3 lines all inter-changeable. The 4th line can be your typical checking/banger line, but even they should be good enough to get rolled out there on a regular basis.

I'm stuck on what is up with Hodgson, especially because it is just THIS YEAR his production has fallen. As for his lack of goals, the obvious thing is it is simply his shooting percentage that is down. Is it how Nolan is using him? Is it a coaching issue? Is there an injury that the team knows he has and thinks is minor, but it is bothering him a lot more? My opinion would be he is just a very poor skater. When I watch him play it is ALWAYS like he is just 1/2 second late to be in the position where he needs to be, and it effects his offense and his defense. The problem with that is, the NHL didn't become a much faster league from last year to this year alone. Can a new coach help Hodgson out? The general thinking is Nolan is one of the best players coachs out there. But, as much as I can't see Hodgson turning it around now, this is a guy who was/is about a 25 goal per 82 game guy with the Sabres before this year...on pretty bad Sabres teams at that.