See it for what ever way you want, this team is still going backwards and it should not be in this position right now. You look at it your way and i'll look at it my way.
- SABRES 89

No! You will see it my way. I will win the internet!

Id have to say they are more in neutral right now. This rebuild could go either way. They cant get much worse
- CaptPantalones

If u trade Miller and vanek now. Get Morrow. Cut Sulzer. Will say ok. If not sinking ship

Haven't heard that before...

Just saying, there's a few of 21 year old millionaires in the nhl. I'm sure they all have partied to some degree.


It's either worth the effort for Boston to work on it or its not. They obviously felt it wasn't. I think they gave up too soon.
- Putzfrau

Unless your Tim Tebow, I think most 21 year olds like to have fun. FWIW I wouldn't have traded him either but I can see why Boston did.

Rangers got as far as the islanders this year.
If your good enough u paly. If your not u go down. The sabres for years dont rush there players no cups. Pittsburgh chicago played there high picks day 1
- hafgod

we got farther than the islanders did?

pitt and chicago played superstar #1/#2 overall kids like crosby, kane, toews, etc. the islanders played picks from #5 overall to late first round kids like nino and bailey and literally ruined them.

Rangers got as far as the islanders this year.
If your good enough u paly. If your not u go down. The sabres for years dont rush there players no cups. Pittsburgh chicago played there high picks day 1
- hafgod

Because they had high picks to play... You're rushing guys who aren't projected to play right way. Well, they are projected to play right away by the guys on here, yes. But not by scouts, GMs, coaches, etc. You can't compare Pysyk to Crosby and Kane.

I think hes that good IMO. Hes got some skill, he was just buried in Vancouver and Nashville. Id like to see what he can do when he plays a full 82 for us.

In regards to Risto, I dont think it changes that much. Im sure hell get every shot to make the team, but im fully expecting the Girgensons treatment
- CaptPantalones

8th pick should play here. Wasting time in finland or rochester is dumb.
Sulzer is what he is we have seen him play. He is on a one year deal so sabres are not invested in him Rebuild lets play kids

Because they had high picks to play... You're rushing guys who aren't projected to play right way. Well, they are projected to play right away by the guys on here, yes. But not by scouts, GMs, coaches, etc. You can't compare Pysyk to Crosby and Kane.
- keptupl8

Give me examples of sabres taking huge steps by palying in ahl. And dont say Vanek beecause the only reason he played there was a lockout.
Pommer might be only one that got good

Because they had high picks to play... You're rushing guys who aren't projected to play right way. Well, they are projected to play right away by the guys on here, yes. But not by scouts, GMs, coaches, etc. You can't compare Pysyk to Crosby and Kane.
- keptupl8

i was told risto nhl ready by gm and scouts

Unless your Tim Tebow, I think most 21 year olds like to have fun. FWIW I wouldn't have traded him either but I can see why Boston did.
- BigStew

Agreed

Because they had high picks to play... You're rushing guys who aren't projected to play right way. Well, they are projected to play right away by the guys on here, yes. But not by scouts, GMs, coaches, etc. You can't compare Pysyk to Crosby and Kane.
- keptupl8

Thank you!! Some here want to throw the young guys to the wolves for the sake of "experience." Its a tough pill to swallow but it doesn't look like we have any elite prospects that can step in right away and contribute.

No harm in moving them along slowly if we're gonna suck anyways.

Because they had high picks to play... You're rushing guys who aren't projected to play right way. Well, they are projected to play right away by the guys on here, yes. But not by scouts, GMs, coaches, etc. You can't compare Pysyk to Crosby and Kane.
- keptupl8

yea people don't realize that high prospects still need to learn the game a lot. jumping from juniors to the NHL is almost impossible.

for example, would you rather have your top pick from this year play 8 minutes a game and be a healthy scratch every other game or play 20 minutes a game in the AHL and dominate opponents? it's a no brainer to me.

Id have to say they are more in neutral right now. This rebuild could go either way. They cant get much worse
- CaptPantalones

I guess we will soon see, doesn't seem like they are looking to add.

Capt, P and myself agreed that a few would be good to grsab yesterday

Matt Cullen
Grabovski
Brunner

to name as couple, does it make it ok because Capt P agreed with me? Clarkson is a bum and in no way worth what he's getting.
- SABRES 89

I don't necessarily mind any of those guys,
But I still don't see why they'd wanna come here?
They'll get comparable $$$ offers from a contender

Also,
I'm cool with guys like Armia, Larsson & Girgensons starting in Rochester this year
No need to rush them
But I do want them in Buffalo by the start of next season
And I think signing guys like u mentioned may prevent that

I'd prefer that we were legit contenders now, but signing those guys just gets us beat in the 1st round, at best

I wanna go with the "youth" bc I think they need to play to develop, and having them stuck in Rochester longer than need be wont help IMO
Don't bring them up before they're ready,
But when they are we need to get them up here

I guess I'm just more concerned about the guys that will be part of the future here,
Than plug-ins that will make us (admittedly) a more respectable team NOW,
But not really get us any closer to winning the cup

If any of that makes sense?

8th pick should play here. Wasting time in finland or rochester is dumb.
Sulzer is what he is we have seen him play. He is on a one year deal so sabres are not invested in him Rebuild lets play kids
- hafgod

yup let the 8th pick play 8 mins a game on the 3rd or 4th line instead of 1st line minutes in the A. that will totally help his development.

christ look what you guys did to myers. the kid had a good rookie season and picked up a ton of bad habits and now looks like he doesnt even know basic defensive fundamentals.

Give me examples of sabres taking huge steps by palying in ahl. And dont say Vanek beecause the only reason he played there was a lockout.
Pommer might be only one that got good
- hafgod

More than half the roster grew up in Rochester/Portland. That didn't hurt them at all.

How many teams who pick around 10-30 every year play their drafted rookies right away the next year? None. How did it help Grigorenko to jump right into the league?

Thank you!! Some here want to throw the young guys to the wolves for the sake of "experience." Its a tough pill to swallow but it doesn't look like we have any elite prospects that can step in right away and contribute.

No harm in moving them along slowly if we're gonna suck anyways.
- dacks

How slow 3 years great. There is limited talent on the team. Does anyone watch them play. 2nd worst team in regulation....... Give me sabres that have become nhl stars by palying in rochester since Darcy been here.
Miller and pommer only ones I can think of 15 years of not rushing players

It's not striving to lose, and it's not "only in Buffalo." The only in Buffalo comments are garbage and never true. It's not about striving to lose at all. It's a strategy that franchises utilize all the time.

You don't go out and grab a couple flavors of the week to help this year. Free agency day contracts are always inflated. Either too many years, too much money, unwarranted NMC/NTCs or combinations of all 3. Those signings tie up money and roster spots, making it tough to get the guy you really want when the opportunity presents itself.

Then I'll say something about patience, and you'll say something about 40+ years of losing. Then you'll say something about people attacking you. Then one of us must not watch the games. Then one of us isn't a real fan. And then blah, blah, blah....
- keptupl8

This, all day long.

$5 mil for Filppula, a guy that's exceeded 40 points once? That's a Leino contract if I ever saw one.

I think Sulzer is here to be the #7/8 defenseman
I think Ristolainen starts in Rochester
And our opening night defense looks like this:
Ehrhoff-Myers
Weber-McBain/Pysyk
McNabb-Pysyk/McBain
Sulzer

Ruhwedel also starts in Rochester
That way, he & Ristolainen both get big minutes down there
And it gives McNabb, Pysyk & McBain a look to see if we want them as part of the future or not?
We're going to have to make some decisions on defense in the next year or two bc McCabe, Zadorov, Ristolainen & Ruhwedel (and possibly Leduc) will all be pushing for a roster spot & playing time
- jdfitz77

Good post. I agree with just about all of it.

How slow 3 years great. There is limited talent on the team. Does anyone watch them play. 2nd worst team in regulation....... Give me sabres that have become nhl stars by palying in rochester since Darcy been here.
Miller and pommer only ones I can think of 15 years of not rushing players
- hafgod

More than half the roster grew up in Rochester/Portland. That didn't hurt them at all.

How many teams who pick around 10-30 every year play their drafted rookies right away the next year? None. How did it help Grigorenko to jump right into the league?
- keptupl8

not sure I will let u know this year. How does it help beating up on lesser talented players. Corey tropp does not blow knee if not stuck in dregs of ahl

8th pick should play here. Wasting time in finland or rochester is dumb.
Sulzer is what he is we have seen him play. He is on a one year deal so sabres are not invested in him Rebuild lets play kids
- hafgod

If this were a forward, I may be inclined to agree with you. But for a young defenseman, and with our numbers back there, the best thing for a young kid in his first season in NA is to go play likely top 4 minutes in Rochester. Grow some chemistry with 1 or both of Ruhweidel and McNabb and learn from a vet like Bagnall

i was told risto nhl ready by gm and scouts
- hafgod

It was said that he could be ready, not that he's a sure thing.

I don't see where he is a difference maker on our roster. I don't see our roster as a positive learning experience for a young defenseman.

Good post. I agree with just about all of it.
- BuffaloHardHat

yuk
Ehrhoff Weber
Myers Pyszyk
Mcnabb Risto
Ruhweidel

not sure I will let u know this year. How does it help beating up on lesser talented players. Corey tropp does not blow knee if not stuck in dregs of ahl
- hafgod

because the prospects are playing as much as possible down there. they play over 20 minutes a game, every game, 76 games a year. that's how a player develops and becomes better. by playing and building their confidence.

not by playing every other game as a healthy scratch and when they do play, play less than 8 minutes a game, or getting their confidence destroyed so they're afraid to shoot or pass the puck.

I don't necessarily mind any of those guys,
But I still don't see why they'd wanna come here?
They'll get comparable $$$ offers from a contender

Also,
I'm cool with guys like Armia, Larsson & Girgensons starting in Rochester this year
No need to rush them
But I do want them in Buffalo by the start of next season
And I think signing guys like u mentioned may prevent that

I'd prefer that we were legit contenders now, but signing those guys just gets us beat in the 1st round, at best

I wanna go with the "youth" bc I think they need to play to develop, and having them stuck in Rochester longer than need be wont help IMO
Don't bring them up before they're ready,
But when they are we need to get them up here

I guess I'm just more concerned about the guys that will be part of the future here,
Than plug-ins that will make us (admittedly) a more respectable team NOW,
But not really get us any closer to winning the cup

If any of that makes sense?
- jdfitz77

Can't compete in the division we are in with a team full of kids.