Richards is most likely getting bought out. He's back to being not producing after his got start. I can't imagine they keep a 35 year old 50 point player for that money
- sbroads24

Brad Richards is one of the many players Reinhart is compared to. (Hides)

p.s. along with Ron Francis and Adam Oates

Brad Richards is one of the many players Reinhart is compared to. (Hides)
- GilPerreault11

Richards was great for over a decade in the NHL and won a cup.

I don't know what you have against Reinhart but he's becoming the consensus top pick as expected.

I really hate doing this and this particular line up is a few years away but for fun I decided to put together a line up of what our lines could look like in 2 or so years.. Minus FA's or 2015 pick or Isles pick. I gave us Reinhart because it was too tempting.. This just being prospects and young guys it shows we obviously have the depth.. I think if the guys on here max out at their potential this could be a really solid line up. Again this was just for fun.

Ennis Reinhart Grigorenko
Fashing Girgensons Armia
Larsson Compher Baptiste
Deslauriers Flynn Varone

Possibly throw in Hodgson or Foligino as well

Myers Ristolainen
Zadorov McCabe
Pysyk Ehrhoff or
Ruhwedel

I think we will either trade or sign or maybe even draft a top line winger in a year or so, so obviously this is subject to change but pretty much the entire offense line up is new in this scenario which lets be honest is probably a good thing..
- bluengold12

Good post. I don't think you're too far off although it is a bit difficult to predict what any roster will look like in 2 years. Just my opine but I just have this feeling Ennis, Foligno, Ehrhoff and Hodgson won't be here and that's part of Murray's makeover of the club his way.

Richards was great for over a decade in the NHL and won a cup.

I don't know what you have against Reinhart but he's becoming the consensus top pick as expected.
- sbroads24

I wouldn't say great and Reinhart is the consensus Sabres' fans top pick but not necessarily the rest of the hockey world. Reinhart has been compared to Ron Francis and Adam Oates as well. Nice, nice players and if Reinhart is the best player in this year's draft then take him, but I'm not infatuated with him yet. Skating is not top notch, he isn't a goal scorer but setup center. I want to take a closer look at Bennett.

I wouldn't say great and Reinhart is the consensus Sabres' fans top pick but not necessarily the rest of the hockey world. Reinhart has been compared to Ron Francis and Adam Oates as well. Nice, nice players and if Reinhart is the best player in this year's draft then take him, but I'm not infatuated with him yet. Skating is not top notch, he isn't a goal scorer but setup center. I want to take a closer look at Bennett.
- GilPerreault11

I would say Richards was as close to great as you can be for the meat of his career.

Bennett looks awesome. Problem I have with him is that he's not a total game changer, or able to control play like Reinhart can.

IMO Bennett from what I have seen is like a Jaime Benn type player, hybrid wing/center that is tenacious and a good skater. I just don't think he will be elite offensively

I would say Richards was as close to great as you can be for the meat of his career.

Bennett looks awesome. Problem I have with him is that he's not a total game changer, or able to control play like Reinhart can.

IMO Bennett from what I have seen is like a Jaime Benn type player, hybrid wing/center that is tenacious and a good skater. I just don't think he will be elite offensively
- sbroads24

I'm not gonna pretend to know, so I'll ask.. Bennett seems to have blossomed this year. Is there more development coming? Could he turn into a game changer? Has Reinhart topped out?

I wouldn't say great and Reinhart is the consensus Sabres' fans top pick but not necessarily the rest of the hockey world. Reinhart has been compared to Ron Francis and Adam Oates as well. Nice, nice players and if Reinhart is the best player in this year's draft then take him, but I'm not infatuated with him yet. Skating is not top notch, he isn't a goal scorer but setup center. I want to take a closer look at Bennett.
- GilPerreault11

During the World Jr's, against better competition Reinhart didn't really stick out?

We have to be careful here, Jonathan Drouin hasn't lit things up this year in the minors? He had a ton of hype before the draft last year? That's why I love the trades like Fashing moving forward!

During the World Jr's, against better competition Reinhart didn't really stick out?

We have to be careful here, Jonathan Drouin hasn't lit things up this year in the minors? He had a ton of hype before the draft last year?
- Irish 14

I haven't seen him play so I won't judge. 2 years down the road will be the real player. Can be said for all the players picked in later rounds that ended up being diamonds.

During the World Jr's, against better competition Reinhart didn't really stick out?

We have to be careful here, Jonathan Drouin hasn't lit things up this year in the minors? He had a ton of hype before the draft last year? That's why I love the trades like Fashing moving forward!
- Irish 14

Drouin has 108 pts in 46 games.....

Reinhart had 5 pts in 7 games in the world juniors and he has 17 points in 6gp in the playoffs.

During the World Jr's, against better competition Reinhart didn't really stick out?

We have to be careful here, Jonathan Drouin hasn't lit things up this year in the minors? He had a ton of hype before the draft last year? That's why I love the trades like Fashing moving forward!
- Irish 14

Were you watching the same World juniors as everyone else? McDavid and Reinhart looked fine ( on the same line ) . Also Drouin has had a great year in Halifax . They probably will be in the Memorial cup again under his leadership

Were you watching the same World juniors as everyone else? McDavid and Reinhart looked fine ( on the same line ) . Also Drouin has had a great year in Halifax . They probably will be in the Memorial cup again under his leadership
- Maximum Signal

I've never understood why when a top 5 pick is sent back to juniors after his draft year people assume that he's going to be a bust.

Gutsy call by Yzerman to send him back but it's definitely paid off and it'll probably make him that much better next year when he's ready to make the jump.

Were you watching the same World juniors as everyone else? McDavid and Reinhart looked fine ( on the same line ) . Also Drouin has had a great year in Halifax . They probably will be in the Memorial cup again under his leadership
- Maximum Signal

Time to go....

I've never understood why when a top 5 pick is sent back to juniors after his draft year people assume that he's going to be a bust.

Gutsy call by Yzerman to send him back but it's definitely paid off and it'll probably make him that much better next year when he's ready to make the jump.
- Sabresfan-365

Not saying anyone is a bust.

It's just amazing how guys on here just look to jump on poop

I've never understood why when a top 5 pick is sent back to juniors after his draft year people assume that he's going to be a bust.

Gutsy call by Yzerman to send him back but it's definitely paid off and it'll probably make him that much better next year when he's ready to make the jump.
- Sabresfan-365

Grigorenko is a bust already too. Same with Armia.

People easily forget not everyone plays in the NHL at 18-19

Not saying anyone is a bust.

It's just amazing how guys on here just look to jump on poop
- Irish 14

That is because you make statements that are just without basis.

That is because you make statements that are just without basis.


- Maximum Signal

Shut the ____ up! How that for basis! You get very old on here.

Grigorenko is a bust already too. Same with Armia.

People easily forget not everyone plays in the NHL at 18-19
- sbroads24

Grigorenko is a bust already too. Same with Armia.

People easily forget not everyone plays in the NHL at 18-19
- sbroads24

Exactly. I know it's the norm these days to see top 5 picks step into the NHL right away but there's something to be said for sending them back for another year to dominate and take on a leadership role.

- Irish 14

I have 2 PS3's in the house at the moment. Have never touched a controller ever

Grigorenko is a bust already too. Same with Armia.

People easily forget not everyone plays in the NHL at 18-19
- sbroads24

Who said Armia was a bust ? Everyone said he would have to be at least 1 year in the AHL to adjust to North American game. Grigorenko is not a bust either just not ready for the NHL . He needs to stay in Rochester with Armia at least first half of next year to build chemistry . You are looking for drama that is not there. Grigorenko never should have been here in the first place . That was because Darcy was too lazy to find a center in the off season.,

Shut the ____ up! How that for basis! You get very old on here.
- Irish 14

You are just very confused and make statements that have no basis at times . You want to put out your agenda that the team needs to be built overnight . It is not going to happen . Good franchises are built through the draft . And Callahan is not the answer . He wants too much money for too long a term . By the time this team is relevant , he won't be !

Who said Armia was a bust ? Everyone said he would have to be at least 1 year in the AHL to adjust to North American game. Grigorenko is not a bust either just not ready for the NHL . He needs to stay in Rochester with Armia at least first half of next year to build chemistry . You are looking for drama that is not there. Grigorenko never should have been here in the first place . That was because Darcy was too lazy to find a center in the off season.,
- Maximum Signal

I don't think it was because of a lack of effort. I'm sure he tried but he's never been one to pull the trigger on a big move (as a buyer).

I don't think it was because of a lack of effort. I'm sure he tried but he's never been one to pull the trigger on a big move (as a buyer).
- Sabresfan-365

He could have signed a free agent and taken the pressure of Grigorenko. Did not even have to make any trade.

Exactly. I know it's the norm these days to see top 5 picks step into the NHL right away but there's something to be said for sending them back for another year to dominate and take on a leadership role.
- Sabresfan-365

Gustav Nyquist

Who said Armia was a bust ? Everyone said he would have to be at least 1 year in the AHL to adjust to North American game. Grigorenko is not a bust either just not ready for the NHL . He needs to stay in Rochester with Armia at least first half of next year to build chemistry . You are looking for drama that is not there. Grigorenko never should have been here in the first place . That was because Darcy was too lazy to find a center in the off season.,
- Maximum Signal

A lot of people are saying Armia isn't going to be a good NHL'er already