LabattBlue

Went to the 3 on 3 today. - Sat in the same section as Sabres FO staff/coaches. Pegula and Murray were sitting together. - Teams were alternating ends, so I sat at one end instead of at center ice. - Once again, I was impressed by Willman's skill. I'd like to know what his downside is as a 5th round pick? - Compher really impressive. Not only hustling, but had at least two nice goals while down at my end. I'm disappointed that he won't be at training camp along with Fasching, and the other college players. - Zadorov once again looks like he is skating in cement. I know this is partially because of his size, but I am really interested in seeing him when live bullets start flying in September. That being said, this 3 on 3 is tailor made for speedy skill guys. - If Reinhart's main goal this season is to put on weight and get stronger, I'd rather have him here than in the WHL. Also, allow him to play in the WJC. Even if it means playing limited minutes, give him some PP time, play him with two-way wingers, and let him work on the little things in his first season. - Some really nice glove saves by Ullmark and Liewen. - I'm hoping Girgenson's offensive game makes a jump this year. Clearly he has all the other tools needed to be a top 6 forward. Size, speed, hustle, solld defensive player... - Either McCabe plays with big shoulder pads, or he is bigger than I thought. - Risto has game. Nothing more to say.

The snobs that run the British Open who insist that its championship be referred to on the coverage as "The Open". F*** that. Growing up it was always the British Open. How come I don't remember the 4 majors being referred to as the Masters, US Open, PGA Championship & "The Open". Speaking of golf snobs, the tools that run the Masters and Augusta who nit pick to the point of dictating how many commercials per hour the networks can run during coverage of its precious tournament.

I know Paul Hamilton repeats his same opinions on the air twice a day(morning and afternoon shows) for months on end, thinks the Sabres can only keep Ennis or Hodgson. He refers to them as the "same player", which I never understand what he means, and he never gets challenged on it by the hosts. I disagree, and if Hodgson can make a successful and permanent transition to wing, I think they both have a place on the Sabres...at least for the next 2-3 years

I was at the scrimmage last night, but sitting only 10 rows up(friend's son wanted to be down low) which made it hard to see the entire rink. My observations(not proclaiming that players will be superstars or busts based on one scrimmage)... - Grigorenko at this point entering his 3rd camp should dominate. Instead he was hardly noticeable against players who for the most part is older than, has more skill, and is more physically developed. - Armia? Still waiting for a sign that he has a better chance as a top 6 NHL forward versus a guy who will end up back overseas in a couple of years. - Late round 2014 pick Willman was pretty impressive for a high schooler going up against players with junior, college and pro experience. - Risto looks ready for a full time NHL role. - Zadorov looks really slow. I want to see him in preseason game action with speedy forwards coming at him. He seems like a player who is going to have to be positionally sound all the time, because he doesn't have the foot speed to allow him to recover from being out of position. - Lot of speed on the wings in the coming years with Bailey, Baptiste & others. - Didn't notice Compher much. - Reinhart made one nice backhand pass entering the offensive zone. Didn't see much else. - Ullmark was the best of the 4 goalies. - Catenacci had several good chances in the second, but came away with nothing to show for it. - A little disappointed that the majority of goals(I think 4 out of 6) were scored by guys without a contract just there as tryout(filler) guys. - A lot of positives on Carrier here, but I must have missed it(like I said my seat location was not ideal). - I know the 3 on 3 isn't real hockey, but I want to go down there on Friday and focus on the skill levels. - I could swear they said prior to the start that their would be a shootout afterwards, but either they had a change of plans, or I misheard the PA announcement.

Short and to the point. :lol: :lol:

...and folks think the Buffalo media is bad. WOW!

Yes I agree.

I don't see any way the Islanders finish last short of season ending injuries the first week of the season to Tavares, Okposo & Halak.

If their last 3 drafts are as good as you say, wouldn't the better compliment be the superstar? They will also have the Islanders and Blues picks either way to further complement the prospect pool.

I'm surprised there has been no mention of Connolly across the league. I thought for sure he would try and make a "comeback" this year. Even as a Plan B, go over to Europe for a couple of years, pad the bank account, and play in a league that might be better suited for his style of play.

I'd take my chances with #1 overall. Three "great" 1st rounders? How do you come to this conclusion?

I agree that the stable of prospects "should" be great(keep in mind that if they hit on 40-50% of the players you listed, they will be lucky), but what would you rather have...a chance at a "superstar" as a reward for another year of sucking or a below average team finishing 5-10 spots from the bottom?

I know it's Bucky, and therefore, this will be chalked up by many as nonsense, they own the team and have a right to be involved blah blah blah, but what the heck is going on at Sabres offices at FNC... "It has come to my attention that Kim Pegula has taken a more aggressive role in daily operations of the Sabres over the past year. Apparently, she’s not just making sure First Niagara Center looks spiffy for events, as it appeared when she arrived. She’s not making personnel moves or breaking down the power play, but I’m told she has a seat in hockey meetings and therefore has a say in hockey-related matters. If you’re shaking your head over that nugget, you are not alone.". http://www.buffalone...regier-20140706 I can't wait for the Kim Pegula vs. Tim Murray showdown. LOL

The tank is 50% done(1 season down, 1 to go)... IMO, the Sabres aren't going to move far from the 30th when next spring rolls around, but if by chance TN works a miracle and the Sabres end up somewhere along the lines of 5-10 from the bottom, I will be disappointed. Even if they finish 3 or 4 from the bottom, my guess is teams aren't going to move out of the top two draft spots. What are your thoughts on missing out on Eichel or McDavid because of a run to nowhere(still missing the playoffs).

My dad took me to at least a couple of AHL games when Trottier was a Bison. I thought for sure as a naive 10 year old, that Trottier would become a superstar for the Sabres when they came into existance.

:ph34r:

As long as they all choose teams other than the Islanders, I wish them all the best. :rolleyes:

To think at one time the Sens blueline looked so promising with Chara, Redden, Volchenkov, Phillips, and Mezsaros.

I would think that coaching vacancies will be filled by the time development camp rolls around in two weeks.

You mean all the teams that finished 20+ points ahead of them last year when we had Miller in goal? With or without Ehrhoff, it's going to take more than magic to make that jump.

I agree. Even if they sign another 5-6-7 vet blueliner, the combination of youth/mediocrity on the blueline, and average to below average goaltending, will lead to being VERY competitive for 29th or 30th place in the standings. Who are we going to leapfrog?

McCormick is a decent penalty killer, a guy who will play the body, a fighter who will go with just about anyone, and a decent skater. I would take him over Scott or Ellis any day of the week. For the 2nd season in a row where it may become a challenge to drag myself to the FNC come January, February & March, his style of play is a welcome addition.

Not big enough! ;)

I know that some of the Sabres moves would not have been made if they were closer to the cap or ready to contend, but for where they are today, and to be in a good position for the coming years in terms of draft, player development, and be a playoff contender in 15-16, IMO TM did a pretty damn good job between the draft and his first FA/offseason.

Sylvester is awful(the stupid non-stop laugh), and Peters is just embarrassing. The loyalty to these two clowns by Ted Black is mind boggling.