Baker had a nice write up on the tourney

http://www.sabresprospect...traverse-city-roster.html
- homiedclown

Good find Homie

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/philip_varone/

Varone is a pass first center

quote from the write up

"Talent Analysis

Scouts are divided about Varone. Some say that, despite his small stature, he is slick and skilled enough to be a top-six playmaker in the NHL, with a Daniel Briere-like ability to elevate his game when it matters most. Others say that Varone is destined to top out as an AHL scorer."
- homiedclown

Hmm, like the write up says there isn't really much room for him at the moment. Possibly at third line center if we move Ennis back to wing. Ott-Varone-Leino? Is there any other candidates for third line center? Is Porter going to be our third line center or is he going to be our fourth line center going into the season?

Good find Homie
- cabin

http://buffalosabresnow.blogspot.com/

Hmm, like the write up says there isn't really much room for him at the moment. Possibly at third line center if we move Ennis back to wing. Ott-Varone-Leino? Is there any other candidates for third line center? Is Porter going to be our third line center or is he going to be our fourth line center going into the season?
- bsabres716

Larsson, Girgen are the best bets

unless they try foligno at center again or move flynn back to center

I think Flynn would be a great 3rd line center if given 2 wingers that can fly and play average D

I think McNabb's future with this team is only as a third pairing guy. He would need to improve drastically to fit in with our future plans. If we expect Ristolainen and Zadorov to at least meet our lowest expectations, and we also expect Myers to not get any worse, then our top four is some combination of Myers, Ehrhoff, Zadorov, Ristolainen (possibly Pysyk if one of those four cannot or ceases to be a top four defenseman).

Edit: That is not for this coming season by the way, I mean this for when we are a competitor down the road. McNabb could possibly steal a top four spot this season, but I find that difficult seeing that Myers, Ehrhoff, and probably Tallinder are locks for three of those four spots. He would have to beat out Sulzer, Weber, Pysyk, and McBain to claim that spot. With Pysyk's surprisingly smooth transition to the NHL, Weber's slow but steady improvement, and McBain's potential I find it hard that McNabb finds a spot on the Sabres' roster this season.
- bsabres716

I just met McNabb on Saturday. Seemed like a good guy. Hope he makes the team

I'd trade McBain and a second rounder for Daniel Winnick or Devante Smith-Pelley.

Ummm no.

this is the player I am most excited about that the sabres draft this year

Larsson, Girgen are the best bets

unless they try foligno at center again or move flynn back to center

I think Flynn would be a great 3rd line center if given 2 wingers that can fly and play average D
- homiedclown

Well then I guess the third line center spot is for whomever Rolston deems to be most NHL ready. I think that ends up being between Larsson and Girgenson, but I have never seen Flynn play center, so I cannot comment on that.

im sure YOU would trade for Smith pelly ... but why wouldnt they just get something for free

I just met McNabb on Saturday. Seemed like a good guy. Hope he makes the team
- sbroads24

his opportunities are limited long term on this team.. i think he needs to really show something this or next season or he becomes trade bait. he has the chance to be a good bottom pairing guy in the future.

im sure YOU would trade for Smith pelly ... but why wouldnt they just get something for free
- nightmare3020

this needs more banana!!!

this is the player I am most excited about that the sabres draft this year
- homiedclown

i have heard this from several people.. why was he not taken earlier?

his opportunities are limited long term on this team.. i think he needs to really show something this or next season or he becomes trade bait. he has the chance to be a good bottom pairing guy in the future.
- SabresFaninIndiana

between mcbain and mcnabb, I only see 1 with the organization 12 months from now

i have heard this from several people.. why was he not taken earlier?
- SabresFaninIndiana

euro

I am sure the wings were crying when darcy plucked him

this needs more banana!!!
- homiedclown

apple... i cant view youtube where i am

euro

I am sure the wings were crying when darcy plucked him
- homiedclown

i knew he was euro, but i didn't think it was a big of a concern for noncommies..

between mcbain and mcnabb, I only see 1 with the organization 12 months from now
- homiedclown

McBain was Carolina's Myers this year. He has done well in the past and had an off year where he came into camp unprepared. He plays close to the same game as Myers but isn't 6'7". He has the ability to be a strong puck moving defenseman, but also has the potential to just be a powerplay specialist. He could be handy with a stay at home player. I think it'd be interesting to pair him with Weber. Probably would either turn out great or a complete catastrophe.

i knew he was euro, but i didn't think it was a big of a concern for noncommies..
- SabresFaninIndiana

http://hfboards.hockeysfu.../showthread.php?t=1139681

McBain was Carolina's Myers this year. He has done well in the past and had an off year where he came into camp unprepared. He plays close to the same game as Myers but isn't 6'7". He has the abilit to be a strong puck moving defenseman, but also has the potential to just be a powerplay specialist. He could be handy with a stay at home player. I think it'd be interesting to pair him with Weber. Probably would either turn out great or a complete catastrophe.
- bsabres716

Yeah I figure McBain plays with either Weber or Pysyk on the 5/6 group

Yeah I figure McBain plays with either Weber or Pysyk on the 5/6 group
- homiedclown

If Myers is paired with Tallinder then I'm rather eager to find out who is going to play with Ehrhoff. The problem is that no one other than Myers and Ehrhoff are ready for first pairing minutes. Maybe they brought back Tallinder just for veteran presence and support for Myers and other young defesneman. Then Ehrhoff and Myers would be back together and it could possibly look like:

Ehrhoff-Myers
McBain-Weber
Tallinder-Pysyk
Sulzer

Sabres opening night lineup

Vanek Hodgson Stafford
Foligno Ennis Leino
Ott Grigorenko Flynn
Girgensons Porter Kaleta
Scott

Ehrhoff Myers
Tallinder Ristolainen
Weber Pysyk
Sulzer McBain

This team really needs help at C. If they brought in Grabovski on a 1 year deal they would be a much deeper team. I also think Ristolainen gets 9 games. With their depth on D I see no reason to use up a year of his deal when the team likely won't be competing for anything this season.

Sabres opening night lineup

Vanek Hodgson Stafford
Foligno Ennis Leino
Ott Grigorenko Flynn
Girgensons Porter Kaleta
Scott

Ehrhoff Myers
Tallinder Ristolainen
Weber Pysyk
Sulzer McBain

This team really needs help at C. If they brought in Grabovski on a 1 year deal they would be a much deeper team. I also think Ristolainen gets 9 games. With their depth on D I see no reason to use up a year of his deal when the team likely won't be competing for anything this season.
- jetsfan26

Hmm I feel like Girgensons will at least be on the third line or they'll just keep him in Rochester.

Hmm I feel like Girgensons will at least be on the third line or they'll just keep him in Rochester.
- bsabres716

We seem to hae a lot of players that really can be switched all over the place. Gonna have to evaluate the whole roster on a weekly basis. not playing well , sit a game or 2.

We seem to hae a lot of players that really can be switched all over the place. Gonna have to evaluate the whole roster on a weekly basis. not playing well , sit a game or 2.
- cabin

Well I think whoever they deem not to be ready will go back to rochester. If Girgensons isn't ready he'll remain in Rochester and be one of the primary injury call-ups. I think if they keep Ennis at center then that keeps both Larsson and Girgensons in Rochester. I think it'd be much more beneficial for certain players I.E. Girgorenko playing 82 games for the sabres and certain players I.E. Girgensons, etc. playing 82 games in Rochester instead of both of them getting 40 games each in Buffalo and spending the other half in the press box.

between mcbain and mcnabb, I only see 1 with the organization 12 months from now
- homiedclown

McNabb should be able to make the jump now, if he can't, move him before teams figure out he's a 6-7 guy like Brennan