Problem is are team defense is brutal and has been for the past couple years now...
- Smittyx36

I agree with you
As far as the defense goes,
The Flames should be in selling mode by the deadline
Get me Giordano

Then in the offseason, both Chicago & Vancouver are in cap hell...
I doubt we'd be able to pull something off for Seabrook,
But maybe Hjalmarsson, Bieksa or Hamhuis could all be had

Then next year our defense could look like:
Ehrhoff-Bieksa
Giordano-Myers
McNabb-Weber/Sulzer

Gets us much more balance on the backend instead of having 5 "offensive" minded guys out there on a nightly basis

Guys that are saying a good 2nd line would do wonders, We need to worry about team defense before we get to secondary scoring.

I have yet to watch a game this year and say wow this defense looks pretty good. Its actually been wow this defense is the worst i have ever seen as a sabres fan.
- Smittyx36

I just figured that was the unspoken given.

I don't think anything more can be said about how pitiful it is. That specific problem is painfully apparent.

However, since a majority of the defenses problem lately is clearing the zone, a coaching change could maybe push the defense out from being terrible into being just average. With miller I could live with an average defense that isn't overly stupid.

That would be the easiest change. The biggest change would be making trades for a legit top line player or two
- GilPerreault11

What exactly is wrong with our top line? It's producing just fine.

Defense is the issue. Not scoring. We're 9th in goals for. 28th in goals against.

We have changed players year in and year out. Year in and year out we do not have success. Still one thing remains constant. The guy behind the bench.
- ImThatGuy

Agreed. Even if it isn't ruffs fault its not like he hasn't had his chances.... Change is good.

I agree with you
As far as the defense goes,
The Flames should be in selling mode by the deadline
Get me Giordano

Then in the offseason, both Chicago & Vancouver are in cap hell...
I doubt we'd be able to pull something off for Seabrook,
But maybe Hjalmarsson, Bieksa or Hamhuis could all be had

Then next year our defense could look like:
Ehrhoff-Bieksa
Giordano-Myers
McNabb-Weber/Sulzer

Gets us much more balance on the backend instead of having 5 "offensive" minded guys out there on a nightly basis
- jdfitz77

Giordano is -6 in 9 games this year. We have enough Dmen that look like that.

I just figured that was the unspoken given.

I don't think anything more can be said about how pitiful it is. That specific problem is painfully apparent.

However, since a majority of the defenses problem lately is clearing the zone, a coaching change could maybe push the defense out from being terrible into being just average. With miller I could live with an average defense that isn't overly stupid.
- Putzfrau

Would you agree that the this current teams defense is the worst in franchise history??? I have only been watching since the 90's but I honestly cant remember seeing them struggle so much with getting it out of the zone and setting up a good rush. Its pathetic

I'd really really dislike losing a first in this years draft
- Putzfrau

I'm always pretty up on the draft
There's said to be about 11guys this year that would all get drafted in the top3 most years...
All will challenge for an immediate roster spot
So missing the playoffs this year is likely to get you a player that will help sooner than later

Giordano is -6 in 9 games this year. We have enough Dmen that look like that.
- HonkFortheGoose

yeah giordano sucks.
bieska is alright but vancouver probably rightfully so thinks they can go back to the cup, so i don't see why in god's name they'd trade him.

What exactly is wrong with our top line? It's producing just fine.

Defense is the issue. Not scoring. We're 9th in goals for. 28th in goals against.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't think anyone is criticizing the top line, but after that there is nothing.

IMO the only one who should realistically be on a second line is ennis. As much as I like foligno his hands are like lead and stafford is obviously garbage. Grebe is borderline useless on a second line. Certain combinations of foligno/Leino/ennis/grigo I can live with, but there's nothing there i feel super confident with.

yeah giordano sucks.
bieska is alright but vancouver probably rightfully so thinks they can go back to the cup, so i don't see why in god's name they'd trade him.
- FIREonICE

If they move Bieksa it won't be until after the season is over or if they're out of the race, and I don't see that happening.

I don't think anyone is criticizing the top line, but after that there is nothing.

IMO the only one who should realistically be on a second line is ennis. As much as I like foligno his hands are like lead and stafford is obviously garbage. Grebe is borderline useless on a second line. Certain combinations of foligno/Leino/ennis/grigo I can live with, but there's nothing there i feel super confident with.
- Putzfrau

The post was that we need to get legit top line players.

If we do end up with a top pick who is the best fit in buffalo??? I want a guy thats at least 6' that can do it all lol! Score, hit, pass, lead

Would you agree that the this current teams defense is the worst in franchise history??? I have only been watching since the 90's but I honestly cant remember seeing them struggle so much with getting it out of the zone and setting up a good rush. Its pathetic
- Smittyx36

It's hard to judge since, IMO, the game of hockey has changed a lot over the years. Even in the years since the lookout the game has changed a lot. 2011-2012 was no 2006

The post was that we need to get legit top line players.
- HonkFortheGoose

Maybe he meant top six?

I dunno, I have no problems with our top line. I think vanek is a legit superstar, hodge is doing acceptable and pommers is hard to dislike. Works hard and produces enough so he deserves his spot.

I don't think anyone is criticizing the top line, but after that there is nothing.

IMO the only one who should realistically be on a second line is ennis. As much as I like foligno his hands are like lead and stafford is obviously garbage. Grebe is borderline useless on a second line. Certain combinations of foligno/Leino/ennis/grigo I can live with, but there's nothing there i feel super confident with.
- Putzfrau

The future 2nd line could easily look like this
Ennis Grigs Armia. But that will be 1-2 more years IMO.

It's hard to judge since, IMO, the game of hockey has changed a lot over the years. Even in the years since the lookout the game has changed a lot. 2011-2012 was no 2006
- Putzfrau

Its changed for the worse IMO. 2006 was some of the best hockey I have ever seen.

If we do end up with a top pick who is the best fit in buffalo??? I want a guy thats at least 6' that can do it all lol! Score, hit, pass, lead
- Smittyx36

Since the defense is the worst right now, I'd say Seth Jones. He also has experience playing with one of our other prospect D men and they looked good together, so I would have to say they should go that route.

The future 2nd line could easily look like this
Ennis Grigs Armia. But that will be 1-2 more years IMO.
- Smittyx36

Too small, but lots of speed and lots of talent. Would certainly open up some options with line formation

Maybe he meant top six?

I dunno, I have no problems with our top line. I think vanek is a legit superstar, hodge is doing acceptable and pommers is hard to dislike. Works hard and produces enough so he deserves his spot.
- Putzfrau

The top line is not a problem. He used the term "top line" so that to me indicates he doesn't feel that our #1 line is good enough. Nevermind the fact that they have a combined 49 points in 12/13 games (I say it that way because Vanek missed the one).

We have changed players year in and year out. Year in and year out we do not have success. Still one thing remains constant. The guy behind the bench.
- ImThatGuy

We made changes for D and forwards who are basically average clones on D and forwards. The Sabres have one top line forward (Vanek); Pominville would be a 2nd line forward on most contending teams and Hodgson would be a 2nd/3rd line young center. Foligno wouldn't be a 2nd line winger yet on a contender, Ennis is another 2nd/3rd line tweener, and Stafford is an underachieving 20 goal scorer. A winning team has more than Ehrhoff, Myers,and Sekera as their top three defencemen who are small, medium, and large puck movers.

Its changed for the worse IMO. 2006 was some of the best hockey I have ever seen.
- Smittyx36

I like defensive oriented hockey, but 2006 was a blast.

I also don't think the current incarnation of the bruins would have won poop in 2006 which makes me happy. All comes down to the amount of penalties they are calling... I dunno why they let the game get all caught up and slowed down again

Since the defense is the worst right now, I'd say Seth Jones. He also has experience playing with one of our other prospect D men and they looked good together, so I would have to say they should go that route.
- HonkFortheGoose

Interesting. A year ago no one would have ever said draft D with a top pick. But with us looking so bad on D Its definitely something to look at. We could obviously use either a top forward or d.

I like defensive oriented hockey, but 2006 was a blast.

I also don't think the current incarnation of the bruins would have won poop in 2006 which makes me happy. All comes down to the amount of penalties they are calling... I dunno why they let the game get all caught up and slowed down again
- Putzfrau

I like high scoring, always have. Although watching 90's sabres wasn't bad with oustanding goaltending and guys like ray and barnaby pesting it up lol.

Interesting. A year ago no one would have ever said draft D with a top pick. But with us looking so bad on D Its definitely something to look at. We could obviously use either a top forward or d.
- Smittyx36

I'd always draft the best talent that's available. If it happens to be defense go with that, but this team has so many holes you can't really go wrong.

Interesting. A year ago no one would have ever said draft D with a top pick. But with us looking so bad on D Its definitely something to look at. We could obviously use either a top forward or d.
- Smittyx36

Can we draft a coach?