GASabresIUFAN
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Posts posted by GASabresIUFAN
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My concern is that rebuilds not primarily based on internal players aren't as successful long-term. As of right now our rebuild is only 50% at best based on internal prospects and if Ennis and McCabe don't earn top 2 line roles, then we are down to 30%.
While I'm happy with the roster, i'm concerned that GMTM's rush to accelerate the rebuild may ultimately limit the success of the rebuild. I'm hope I'm wrong.
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My 7-8 players/75% comes from my review of previous successful rebuilds in places like Pitt, Chi and now TB. TB top 6 forwards are all TB developed prospects, plus their top D Hedman. Pitt's first cup team featured Pitt draftees as their top 3 scorers and top 4 D. Chi was much the same.
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Edit: Dup post deleted.
LG I agree with you about Regier and that is my point. We failed to draft and develop prospects to sustain the winning team, thereby forcing the rebuild. In addition Regier's continued failures once in the rebuild to draft and develop players forced GMTM to trade those prospects away plus others to get what he needed to field a decent team. Think about it, once the rebuild began in earnest we had 4 1st rd picks in 2012 & 2013. These 4 guys, 2 centers and 2 D, were supposed to be the cornerstones of the rebuild, but now just 3/4 years later, only 1 is in our top 10 (Risto), 2 were dumped (Grigorenko and Zadorov) and 1 looks like our 4th line center.
Yes we do get credit for drafting Jack and Sam and certainly GMTM did everything in his power to insure we had a chance to get Jack. However, I was trying to point out how few players who we draft actually become better player under our care. This may very well be changing under GMTM. Bailey's growth has been astounding. McCabe has grown as well and it looks like Baptiste is making strides.
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I listed 9 players. 4 are Sabres 1st round picks, 1 is a 2nd round pick. That is 5 of 9. 3 are other teams first round picks and 1 is a second round pick that is the other 4. The oldest of the 1st round picks I mentioned is Ennis from the 2008 draft. The 4 first rounders on Buffalo are from 2013 to now excluding him. In what way does that say we have a development issue?
Ideally most, say 75%, of our top 10 players (top 6 and top 4 d) would be developed by the Sabres. Instead we really have only developed 3 players (Risto, Ennis and McCabe). Anyone could have drafted and inserted Sam and Jack into the lineup as neither played any games in our minor league system. For a small market team like the Sabres, developing players is the key to long term success. Regier's failure to draft and develop players, especially at center, lead to this team's downfall. GMTM has traded away siginifcant prospects to try to accelerate the rebuild, and so far I don't have a huge problem with it. However, at some point that has to stop if this team is going to be a long-term success.
However, my point is if Regier's drafting development system had worked, the rebuild that we have just gone thrpugh may never had been necessary.
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I was wondering what team USA could have done differently?
I think the solution started on the bench. Torts should never return as a Team USA national team. We need a modern coach who coaches modern hockey like DD or Jon Cooper.
The next change needs to be made in management and their player selection philosophy. There should be a bias toward youth and away from guys simply because of experience if the younger player is better. This would have put Leddy and Krug on the team over the Johnson boys. It also would have sent Backes, Kesler, Dubinsky and Abdelkadar packing and put Okposo, Kessel, and probably Galchenyuk, Atkinson or Tyler Johnson on the team. These changes probably wouldn't have created a championship this time, but it would have put a competitive team on the ice.
The good news is the next big tourney will be anchored by Eichel, Mathews, Johnny Hockey, Larkin and Saad who sadly anchored TNA and not team USA.
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I remember the flyer. It listed our myriad of upcoming draft picks a couple of years ago. I have a copy on my computer and will post it if I can find it. Granted many if these picks were traded away by GMTM for Kane, Bogosian, ROR and Lehner.
Other then ROR, the jury is still out on the other big time trades. Also GMTM has also traded away in those trades and others most of Regiers top picks with the exception of Ennis, Big Z, McCabe and Risto from 2008 to 2013.
2008 12th overall - Myers (gone)
2009 13th overall - Kassian - traded for Hodgson by Regier, Hodgson bought out by GMTM
2010 23rd overall - Pysyk - traded for Kulikov
2011 13th overall - Armia (gone)
2012 12th overall - Girgorenko (gone)
2013 16th overall - Zadorov (gone)
2013 35th overall - Compher (gone)
Also 2014 31st overall - Lemieux (gone)
However, do we really miss any of these players except maybe Compher? Amazingly our prospect pool, especially at forward and in goal, is still very full and our roster looks to be 4 lines deep. Only D (beyond Guhle and Borgen) and arguably centers looks thin from a prospect standpoint.
One other note: LG, you listed 9 players, but sadly only 4 of those 1st rounders were Sabres picks with a 5th a 2nd rd picks. Doesn't really say much for our prospect development.
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I think Risto's defensive short comings are part of the reason, and maybe the chief reason, his deal isn't done.
The comparisons to Risto seem to me to be Vatanen and Lindholm of Ana. Vatanen, 25, signed a 4 yr 20 mill deal this off-season. He has put up back to back 37+ pt seasons while being a + player. Lindholm, 22, has 3 full NHL seasons under his belt while averaging 30+ pts and a +20. Lindholm has also yet to sign.
Frankly, I can't see why Risto is worth more then Vatanen, who is a better defensive player, just as good on the offensive side and has more success in the NHL. I'm not paying Risto more simply because he is younger. Risto is also inferior to Lindholm at this point in their careers. Lindholm is nearly as good offensively, but is lightyears better in his own zone. I have a sinking feeling that Lindholm and Risto's agents are playing chicken with each other in an attempt to use the other's contract as leverage for their own clients.
If I were Murray, I'd offer a deal very similar to Vatanen. I think this is a fair compromise. Obviously Risto and his agent think he is worth more. I'm not sure if it's years or $ or both, but with training camp underway it's time for this deal to get done the longer this drags on is bad for both Risto and the Sabres.
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Ennis was the guy who was expected to make the jump last year with the additions of Jack, Sam and ROR. Obviously his injury cut that short. However he did have 3 goals and 8 assists in 23 games. That equates to 39 points over an 82 game schedule so he wasn't to far under his pt scoring from the last couple years. The problem was the only 3 goals. An 11 goal pace for a 2 time 20 goal scorer isn't adequate.
While I'd like to get him to a 60 pt season, at this point in his recovery, I just hope he gets back to being a 46 pt guy with 20 goals. If he does that I'd give him the comeback player award and count my blessings.
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I'll go with McCabe. 25 points on the season and first pair minutes by the all star break
I think GMTM thinks this as well. It's one of the reasons he was given a 3 year contract and Pysyk was traded. If this happens, his 1.6 mill deal for 3 years will be one of the biggest bargains in the NHL.
I've been unhappy with the Lehner trade since it took place and I think it is time to stop. I am picking Lehner is the most likely breakout candidate. I think he got injured last year because the concussion didn't allow him to stay fit and that resulted in the ankle injury. I think after this offseason where he was able to workout and focus and get in shape, he should be much better than anything we have seen. Lehner is going to be good.
I still think GMTM overpaid for him, but such is life. However. the .924 save % when overweight and on a bum ankle also gives me hope that he can become a very good No. 1.
I wonder who the "Other" was that someone voted for? Cody Franson?
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I still think it's Risto
Why? What would you consider a even further breakout for him? I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but I hope this year's improvement by Risto is in our zone.
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Ristolainen was last year's breakout star. We all thought he was good and although his analytics still aren't great, especially in the second half, he continues to develop into a real legit Norris quality D. However his 21 pt improvement was a real eye opener.
I wonder who this year's player will be? I started this topic because the first player that came to mind was Okposo after reading today's article in TBN. After all how many 28 year olds have career years? The funny thing is I think Kyle has another level. I think he is capable of scoring 30 and adding 50 assists. Granted he played with Tavares, but there is something about matching him up with an improving Eichel that makes me think he can get to that level.
Other candidates:
McCabe: 14 pts on his rookie year is a good start, but i think he has 30 pt potential
Foligno: his scoring has improved incrementally each season, why can't he break out like his brother did?
Larsson: Scored 16 pts in 39 games in 2014-5 so the potential is there.
Jack and Sam: were our 2nd and 3rd leading scorers, but how far are they from their ceiling? 30-40 pts, more?
Big Z: In the right situation, shouldn't he be able to get to 45 pts?
Ennis: we all thought he'd breakout last year but injuries stopped that. Why shouldn't a healthy Ennis recapture those expectations?
Lehner: Playing on a bum ankle Lehner had a .924 save %. How good can a lighter faster healthy Lehner be?EDIT: I fixed the Poll and added Ennis and Girgensons since I mentioned them in this post but forgot to add them to the poll.
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I hope the ratings are good in Canada because almost no one in the US will be watching with USA and TNA out of the tourney.
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We need some scoring on that 4th line or at least scoring potential. I'm with Dudacek,Carrier gets a look and Nelson is here out of necessity unless they sign a Russell Orlov type. Not expecting that to happen.
You don't think a 4th line of Moulson Girgensons and Bailey would have some scoring potential?
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This Matthews vs Eichel argument is interesting, but maybe missing the broader point. Jack is our player and he fits here like a glove. I've watched him play in the tourney and pre-tourney games and this last one was his best. I love his hard work on both sides of the ice and don't think McDavid or Matthews will ever play that complete a game. Our Jack is Modano and IMHO an improved version of Toews. Think ROR with higher upside scoring in a year or two and look what ROR is doing in the World Cup. If Jack's peek is scoring 35 goals adds 40 assists and leads us to two Cups who cares what Matthews and McDavid develop into except during these type of events. How great will it be to have two top lines that can score 70-75 goals while playing keep away from the opposition?
I look at our forward core of Jack, Sam, ROR, Okposo and soon Nylander and see the Blackhawks from a few years ago. Now if we can get McCabe and Risto to become what Keith and Seabrook are and we'll really have something.
Also the Finns hate the Russians with a passion. They will give it their all to beat them. They will love ruining another big event for the Russians.
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Quick is better than Bishop.
Schneider is better than both. Second best goalie in hockey.
I agree. Why wasn't he playing?
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Here is the good news from USA hockey's failure. This generation of players and coaches mostly won't be on the next major team. In 2-4 years Eichel, Mathews, Johnny Hockey, Gibson, Saad, Trocheck, Seth Jones, Werenski, Hanafin and Justin Faulk should all be on the team. Why Faulk wasn't on it this time, I have no idea.
We'll finally get rid of guys like Dubinsky, Adbelkader, Kesler, the Johnson boys, Backes etc. Frankly none of these guys should have been on the team this time. Also we can finally be rid of Torts. Hoepfully they'll hire DD or Cooper. I think we have moved on from bang first score later kind of hockey.
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We need to hire Goose to teach Jack and his mates how to win a draw.
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Because of his age this may be Evan's best and last chance to make the Sabres. A year from now Fasching, Baptiste and Nylander may be NHL ready a long with Carrier and Bailey. Where does that leave Rodrigues at that point?
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Sure some people would rather see nothing of Nilsson, or Franson or Moulson this year.
But realistically, the Sabres are going into the season with 20 spots on their 23-man roster basically decided. It's just a matter of who plays with who and where.
So the question is, who is going to use the next few weeks to force their way onto the roster?
I agree. The openings right now seem like 2 depth D and a 3rd/4th line RW.
I can't see the team sacrificing the opportunity for Bailey, Baptiste, Carrier, Fasching to get meaningful playing time in Rochester even if they are ready to make the 23-man roster (and I think some of them are).
I think Bailey blows everyone away in camp and wins the 3rd line RW job and he gets 15 minutes per night in Buffalo. I don't think he has anything left to prove in Roch. I agree on the rest plus Nylander. All need more pro experience before making the jump to Buffalo. Carrier may be the closest, but he is kind of the 6th (or maybe 7th) man on the LW totem pole behind Kane, Ennis, Foligno, Moulson, Deslauriers and maybe Nylander.
The position battle in camp that should be the most interesting is to see if Nelson can beat out Franson for the 3rd line RD. His speed and skill was evident last season and we could certainly use it. I think he has a real chance, but his lack of pro experience and Franson's contract could work against him.
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The formation of this team is part of what crippled Team USA. Like I said the other day, the next few Olympic tournaments will be fun for us Americans.
Especially when you consider that more then half of this team is USA. Eichel, Johnny Hockey and Saad are better then most of the guys on Team USA.
There was a post on Twitter showing what a Team NA would have looked like for the 87 Canada Cup. Scary. Highlights include Yzerman, Lemieux, and LaFontaine in the middle, Robitialle, Neely, Muller, Tocchet amongst others on the wings. Suter, Stevens, Housley and Duchesne on D with Roy, Barasso and Hextall in net.
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I'd love to go. Maybe I'll get up there sometime this winter. If i do i'll certainly give you a buzz.
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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.
I've mentioned in a couple of threads that I thought the Sabres could get to 230 goals this season, but at least you now you are the only one who seems to be thinking along the same lines or even interested in discussing it.
Nice of team USA to lay a huge goose egg. Torts and the USA Hockey brain trust should be embarrased. Now I have to find something else to watch.
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I agree with your assessment of Carrier. I actually think he plays Foligno's role much more effectively. I don't agree on Baptiste though. He seemed weak to me last year. I seem to remember him being a healthy scratch quite a few times. Carriers +14 vs Baptiste's -3 seems in line with how they looked to me on ice. I'll be interested to see how he does in the A this year. We both agree that Fasching and Bailey have the better shot. I've been getting all giddy thinking about all that live hockey. Are you close enough for Amerks hockey?
Baptiste is the only Sabre who came to play tonight. 3 goals.
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Which non-retired jersey numbers has the best history. I'm going to nominate "6", "10" and "30"
6, includes Schoenfeld and Housley; while 10 includes Ramsay and Hawerchuk. 30 includes Miller, Barrasso and Desjardins.
Thoughts?
Which Sabre has a Breakout Season?
in The Aud Club
Posted
I think he is a dark horse to make the team as the 13th forward. For a local guy, 26, who has been kicking around the minors this would be awesome. Once on the roster who knows what he can develop into. He certainly has good hands.