WildCard Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 So, who has the better season? Does Larsson become some sort of Hedman out in that barren wasteland they call home? Does Lucic provide the muscle and confidence to a locker room that plays like despondent children? Or do the Sabres climb back into April hockey, with Okposo and a healthy Ennis adding some much needed depth scoring, along with Kulikov providing a nice partner for Risto and Lehner staying healthy? Personally, and this might shock some of you, but I'm going with the Sabres on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Depends on our great unknown, Robin Lehner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildCard Posted July 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Depends on our great unknown, Robin Lehner. I actually think Edmonton is much more unknown than we are. The play of Larsson, Lucic and Eberle could be huge factors Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorny Posted July 23, 2016 Report Share Posted July 23, 2016 Depends on our great unknown, Robin Lehner. Agreed. If Lehner stays healthy, I'll say we easily finish ahead of them. If not, it'll be closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Agreed. If Lehner stays healthy, I'll say we easily finish ahead of them. If not, it'll be closer. Or if he's any good. We still don't even know that yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7+6=13 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 We're the more talented team - slightly at the top but especially at the middle and ends of our starting lineups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorny Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Or if he's any good. We still don't even know that yet. True, but I think our team is good enough that even with consistent average-to-good goaltending we'll finish well ahead of the Oilers. And I have no doubt Lehner can provide average goaltending at the bare minimum. The issue with him is the ability to do so consistently (Health). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eleven Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 True, but I think our team is good enough that even with consistent average-to-good goaltending we'll finish well ahead of the Oilers. And I have no doubt Lehner can provide average goaltending at the bare minimum. The issue with him is the ability to do so consistently (Health). I do. I'm not saying he can't, and I'm not saying he can. But I have not seen enough to tell one way or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7+6=13 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I do. I'm not saying he can't, and I'm not saying he can. But I have not seen enough to tell one way or the other. He only had a couple bad games - the others were average to very good, IMO. I think he's shown the ability to be average for sure and flashes of being very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3putt Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 IMHO, he has the ability to be at a minimum serviceable. The question for me is can he play 60 to 65 games? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 This topic makes me cry like the old Indian in the littering PSA from the 70s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 This topic makes me cry like the old Indian in the littering PSA from the 70s. Mr. T? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASabreFan Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Mr. T? Hmmmm. I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7+6=13 Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) IMHO, he has the ability to be at a minimum serviceable. The question for me is can he play 60 to 65 games? I never totally understood the injury concern. He had a concussion - so that's really not a concern in terms of reoccurring. The obvious ankle injury is a concern but if we understand it better - he came back too soon and the ankle never fully healed. After surgery and plenty of time to heal, it should be fine. I guess I'm just not ready to say he's injury prone (not that you did) because of an injury he suffered and fought through. If anything I'm more inclined to say the Sabres should have let it fully heal before allowing him to come back. Edited July 24, 2016 by 7+6=13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Hmmmm. I don't get it.Hes too young, your too old... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3putt Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 I never totally understood the injury concern. He had a concussion - so that's really not a concern in terms of reoccurring. The obvious ankle injury is a concern but if we understand it better - he came back too soon and the ankle never fully healed. After surgery and plenty of time to heal, it should be fine. I guess I'm just not ready to say he's injury prone (not that you did) because of an injury he suffered and fought through. If anything I'm more inclined to say the Sabres should have let it fully heal before allowing him to come back. I am not saying he is injury prone but that fact is he has missed considerable time for various reasons over the past 2 seasons. Bad run of luck? I hope so, but I hope it ends. And once you have a serious concussion you are more susceptible to increased symptomology in the event you suffer another. It takes longer to recover. It is the same concern I have with Ennis, who by the nature of his play and size could take a big hit at anytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 (edited) I worry about high ankle sprains. I've had two ACL surgeries, been scoped once, and wore an external fixator. Google image that! A high ankle sprain was the hardest injury to come back from. I never did, entirely. Sample size of one. I'd be interested in the views of physicians. Edited July 24, 2016 by N'eo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3putt Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 The greatest aaaba shortstop I ever saw was derailed by a high ankle sprain. Went to the U but was never the same and he never played short again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 The Oil will still struggle in the west. I like the Sabres chances to make the playoffs this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunomatic Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 The greatest aaaba shortstop I ever saw was derailed by a high ankle sprain. Went to the U but was never the same and he never played short again. The ankle high strain really fukced me up :wacko: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyldnwoody44 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I think the oilers will be within 5 points of the Sabres come season end. As for the ankle sprain, the syndosmodic ligament in the upper ankle is the main culprit and plays a huge part in stability, the blood flow to the sprain is not the same as the rest of the joint (bone, etc) it also depends on what grade sprain it was. Healing time for that particular ligament is usually 6 months on average, but is easily compromised in the next year or so after the initial injury. It's not a career ender, but for a goaltender it does raise some questions going forward. In this case a break would have been better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7+6=13 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I think the oilers will be within 5 points of the Sabres come season end. As for the ankle sprain, the syndosmodic ligament in the upper ankle is the main culprit and plays a huge part in stability, the blood flow to the sprain is not the same as the rest of the joint (bone, etc) it also depends on what grade sprain it was. Healing time for that particular ligament is usually 6 months on average, but is easily compromised in the next year or so after the initial injury. It's not a career ender, but for a goaltender it does raise some questions going forward. In this case a break would have been better. Good information. I'd imagine having the best doctors/surgeons in the world available at the very least helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darksabre Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Hmmmm. I don't get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Buffalo Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) The ankle high strain really fukced me up :wacko:Had one too delayed for 4 months skating, but skating, swimming and biking got me over it pretty well. Best advice is get to pt took a while to get my confidence back but not been a problem in years. Edited July 25, 2016 by North Buffalo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabills Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Or if he's any good. We still don't even know that yet. When he was in there he was good to very good, in my opinion. Just can't have him missing 40+ games again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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