Welcome to mailbag#3! I still have plenty of questions in my inbox that I want to answer, so if you don't see yours here, there is a good chance it will be posted next week.
Name: lolmandude
Do you think Terry Pegula is a long time solution for the ownership situation in Buffalo?
I think he'll be here for a good amount of time. From seeing what he has done, he has improved the atmosphere and helped bring in the right players. Basically, all Buffalo has to do now is win. I can see him being here for awhile.
Name: WendelClark82
Should the NHL adopt Hybrid Icing and only let the lead forechecker beat out the icing if he is ahead of the defence by the time each reaches the faceoff dots?
Yes. I'm a fan of they hybrid icing and I think player safety is an issue that needs to be improved. Whatever can be done to limit the amount of injuries, I'm for it. It can be scary watching two players skate at full speed to the puck on a potential icing. All it takes is one slip or chip in the ice for a player to go down and crashing into the boards, and that's not something we need.
Name: Kyle
I'd like to know what your thoughts are on McNabb in terms of fantasy hockey relevance. If there is a season, does he play this year or stay in the AHL? If he does play, call it a 48 game schedule, what is realistic numbers for him and what do you see out of him long term?
First off, he has to earn a permanent spot in order to be considered for fantasy leagues, and I'm not planning on seeing that happen just yet. I think he will have to wait until next season, or possibly the one after, to earn a full time spot. Let's say that he does play this year on a permanent basis - I still don't see him helping out much in fantasy leagues. As much as I like McNabb, his fantasy value is not very high. The only two Sabres defensemen I would take our Myers and Ehrhoff.
Name: Enzomatic
I would like to know what you think possible line combinations will look like (offense and defense) next year. (October 2013)
Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Ott-Tropp
Gerbe-Grigorenko-Kaleta
Myers - Ehrhoff
Leopold- Sekera
McNabb - Weber/Brennan/Sulzer
I'm not entirely confident these will be the exact lines, and it's hard to tell who the Sabres will re-sign with the lockout. I'm not sure Buffalo will re-sign Regehr, or possibly Leopold. We have plenty of defenseman looking to earn a spot.
Name: PSchott
Who do you think on this roster would be the best players to wear the "C" and 2 "A's" and why?
I think someone who wears the "C" should be speaking up in the locker room and leading the team. Jason Pominville is a great, consistent player, but I'm not sure that he is speaking up when things aren't going well. However, the captaincy should go to a franchise player. Tyler Myers comes to mind for me.
"C" - Tyler Myers
"A" - Thomas Vanek
"A" - Jason Pominville
Name: Kevin
How long do you think Ryan Miller will be in Buffalo? What is more possible, a trade or an extension for him?
Miller's contract is up after next season, and he has Jhonas Enroth and David Leggio behind him. I don't see Buffalo trading him. Although his play hasn't been very good, either has the team. We know how well he is capable of playing and I think we'll see that again before his contract expires, leading to an extension.
Name: manbear
Grigorenko has put together an impressive season in the Q. However it seems like he is the big fish in a small pond. Is it detrimental to his development to be skating with a junior club instead of in Rochester?
Not in my mind. As long as he is playing and getting experience. Yes, I would rather have him be in Rochester, but he's doing well in the Q.
Name: Beezer79'er
With all of the Bobby Ryan trade rumors swirling around back in July, do you think the Sabres still have an offer on the table after the lockout ends?
That would be nice, wouldn't it? I think Ryan would be an important piece that Buffalo needs. Plus, a trade for him could clear some space for a couple prospects to earn a permanent spot.
Name: James Schaab
Im a huge Sabres fan, and miller has been even sketchier each year, so do you think that it is time to trade for one or maybe even lose out to draft one?
Thanks
I'm never going to root for a team to lose out. Even if they did, there is no guarantee that drafting a goalie in the 1st round will lead to success. The Sabres have one of the best goalies in the league despite his sloppy performances over the past couple of years. I stated earlier that I think Buffalo will re-sign him. The Sabres also have options for what to do with Enroth and Leggio.
Name: Jon
What do you think the Sabres need to improve on going into the next season (when ever that is). Have we added enough players to improve or is there more we need to do?
The only other piece I would try to add at this point is Bobby Ryan. The Sabres already worked on the physical aspect and all that's left is that one player. Even without him, I think the Sabres have improved. I expect much better seasons from Cody Hodgson and Ville Leino, which would be huge.
I'm not going to post the question form on here just yet, simply because I have so many in the inbox. You can PM me anything that you do want to ask, though. Mailbag #4 will be posted next Monday on Christmas Eve.
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