I don't think he is making much of a difference for us here. I'd let him go play though.

He is getting very sheltered shifts and doesn't play ant PK time. Ristolainen on the other hand is already clearly our 2nd best defensemen, he's going to be great
- sbroads24

I think you're underselling the effect he's had on Ristolainen though. You're making it seem like Ristolainen is the reason that Zadorov is playing well and I think it's actually a bit the other way around. I think they both feed off of each other, so it's not really fair to give Risto accolades and say that Zadorov is just benefitting from playing with Risto.

Hey 19, but I'm afraid they are capable of being the 26th overall team, and that is bad. Also, I appreciate your comment very much, but I would erase it. We cannot undermind the trust between teams managent and its fans.

I think you're underselling the effect he's had on Ristolainen though. You're making it seem like Ristolainen is the reason that Zadorov is playing well and I think it's actually a bit the other way around. I think they both feed off of each other, so it's not really fair to give Risto accolades and say that Zadorov is just benefitting from playing with Risto.
- HonkFortheGoose

It could very well the case that both of their styles of play compliment each other very well, which is why they're together in the first place. I really don't think one is upholding the other. It reminds me of 2007-2008 and Weber and Sekera looked really good when paired together down the stretch at the end of the year. Hopefully, this pair lasts a lot longer.

I think you're underselling the effect he's had on Ristolainen though. You're making it seem like Ristolainen is the reason that Zadorov is playing well and I think it's actually a bit the other way around. I think they both feed off of each other, so it's not really fair to give Risto accolades and say that Zadorov is just benefitting from playing with Risto.
- HonkFortheGoose

They both are being sheltered. But Risto will play on the PK and 1st PP unit. Zadarov isn't. Which I'm all for by the way, I like the way they are being handled.

Elbow makes no head contact. If you're going to just a hysterical fanboy fine, have at it. Gionta skates into the hit with his head down. Shoulder makes incidental contact with the head. That's not a head shot. I have no problem with a 2 minute call there. But you guys whining about head shots and hearings, man up. It's a contact sport. Gionta got rocked, played it up a little and that's the game. I don't see anything egregious.
- DoubleDown

Head shot.

Get over it.

It could very well the case that both of their styles of play compliment each other very well, which is why they're together in the first place. I really don't think one is upholding the other. It reminds me of 2007-2008 and Weber and Sekera looked really good when paired together down the stretch at the end of the year. Hopefully, this pair lasts a lot longer.
- buffalofan19

I think it's safe to assume they will

I ended up at Bada Bing on Chippewa last night/early this morning. Apparently Tim Murray is a regular there. The guy is as straightforward when he drinks as he is when he's in front of the media.

All I can say is if there was any doubt the intention for this team was to tank and get one of McDavid or Eichel, and there really never should have been in the first place, he erased it.
- buffalofan19

So the Tank is for real?

Hey 19, but I'm afraid they are capable of being the 26th overall team, and that is bad. Also, I appreciate your comment very much, but I would erase it. We cannot undermind the trust between teams managent and its fans.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I said it was the intent, not that it was definitely going to happen. However, I do not think this team is deep enough to maintain this pace, and that they will fall back to 30th. The goaltending is looking really, really good right now, and I don't think it will maintain this pace. And they're also very young defensively, they will start to struggle again, especially against desperate teams trying to earn playoff spots.

And as far as his comment goes, it was more of a "read between the lines" thing, not anything he came out and explicitly said.

It's not a joke at all. We have the #1 ranked prospect pool in all of hockey, with cap room and 3 1st round draft picks coming up.
- sbroads24

It is a joke. We already had top prospects. We chose to let good vets go without bringing in comparable players. Remember everyone saying Van should blow it up like buffalo? They didn't and now they are a contender. If murray is the talent evaluator many feel he is, then he didnt really need to go 100% into the tanking abyss.

They both are being sheltered. But Risto will play on the PK and 1st PP unit. Zadarov isn't. Which I'm all for by the way, I like the way they are being handled.
- sbroads24

I think they're bringing them both along they way they need to at this point. The games have bee much more tolerable to watch lately. Even before they went on the winning streak. Sheltered or not, Zadorov is a +5 right now on a team that's in the bottom 3 of the league. Risto is slowly digging his way out of the hole he was put in having to play on pairings with guys like Weber, Meszaros, and Beniot. I'm really hoping they turn into our Keith & Seabrook.

It is a joke. We already had top prospects. We chose to let good vets go without bringing in comparable players. Remember everyone saying Van should blow it up like buffalo? They didn't and now they are a contender. If murray is the talent evaluator many feel he is, then he didnt really need to go 100% into the tanking abyss.
- Khymlev13

Vancouver is a playoff contender. They are not a Cup contender. Vancouver is also scoring at a most likely unsustainable pace over 82 games. They're going to fade a bit.

It is a joke. We already had top prospects. We chose to let good vets go without bringing in comparable players. Remember everyone saying Van should blow it up like buffalo? They didn't and now they are a contender. If murray is the talent evaluator many feel he is, then he didnt really need to go 100% into the tanking abyss.
- Khymlev13

Maybe you think it is.

As far as Vancouver, right now they are good, contender is a strong word.

Not to mention the twins are approaching their late 30's, Bieksa is getting old, Hamhuis is 30 or 31, Miller is 34, Vrbata is in his 30's.

They will inevitably have to rebuild fairly soon. Sorry but I don't want to be just relevant for a year or two. I want a strong team for 10+ years.

Was jesus a hipster?

I think they're bringing them both along they way they need to at this point. The games have bee much more tolerable to watch lately. Even before they went on the winning streak. Sheltered or not, Zadorov is a +5 right now on a team that's in the bottom 3 of the league. Risto is slowly digging his way out of the hole he was put in having to play on pairings with guys like Weber, Meszaros, and Beniot. I'm really hoping they turn into our Keith & Seabrook.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yup and I have to give Nolan some credit for that. It should be tempting to play them more but he doesn't want a bad game or two ruining their confidence.

It is a joke. We already had top prospects. We chose to let good vets go without bringing in comparable players. Remember everyone saying Van should blow it up like buffalo? They didn't and now they are a contender. If murray is the talent evaluator many feel he is, then he didnt really need to go 100% into the tanking abyss.
- Khymlev13

How exactly do you propose they could have done something different? Murray was given a team that had already been torn down by 3/4. You can't exactly change the course of the ship that late in the game. Not to mention that Vancouver has the Sedins. Nobody on our current roster is their equivalent, or even close to being their equivalent. Was there some savior in the FA market that we all didn't realize was there and would make us good again?

Surprised he has a hearing over this but it was a headshot. One game is my guess.

Was jesus a hipster?
- hunglikeapuck

O.H, Original Hipster

It is a joke. We already had top prospects. We chose to let good vets go without bringing in comparable players. Remember everyone saying Van should blow it up like buffalo? They didn't and now they are a contender. If murray is the talent evaluator many feel he is, then he didnt really need to go 100% into the tanking abyss.
- Khymlev13

Yea you are right he should have let Miller walk for nothing. That would have worked out well....

For anyone who is bored this Kentucky/Lousiville game is fierce. 3 brawls, coach fight, brutal hits.

If the Sabres miss out on McDavid or Eichel and draft Hanifin, do we trade Myers for a winger?

I'll hang up and listen.

If the Sabres miss out on McDavid or Eichel and draft Hanifin, do we trade Myers for a winger?

I'll hang up and listen.
- mhp

Trade Myers and the 3rd overall pick for the 1st overall. McDavid. BAM. Picking third is not an option F THAT

Trade Myers and the 3rd overall pick for the 1st overall. McDavid. BAM. Picking third is not an option F THAT
- Cheeseballin

No one is trading McDavid or Eichel for anything IMO

How exactly do you propose they could have done something different? Murray was given a team that had already been torn down by 3/4. You can't exactly change the course of the ship that late in the game. Not to mention that Vancouver has the Sedins. Nobody on our current roster is their equivalent, or even close to being their equivalent. Was there some savior in the FA market that we all didn't realize was there and would make us good again?
- HonkFortheGoose

Depends on how far back you go. First off, miller would have stayed if we showed even a hint of competing. 3 yr deal and we have a more than capable goalie. Second, we could have traded a low 1st and/or prospects for an NHL player that another team was willing to move. Based on the cap of many teams there would have been options there. I'm not talking older players either. E.Kane, Eberle, B.Schenn. There wouldn't be a shortage of interest if we offer up some of our youth. The strategy they chose was to only acquire picks/prospects. That makes the rebuild take 2-3 extra years. If we don't get a top 2 in this draft we'll be lucky to make the playoffs by 2018

No one is trading McDavid or Eichel for anything IMO
- sbroads24

Never say Never. Probably not though

Depends on how far back you go. First off, miller would have stayed if we showed even a hint of competing. 3 yr deal and we have a more than capable goalie. Second, we could have traded a low 1st and/or prospects for an NHL player that another team was willing to move. Based on the cap of many teams there would have been options there. I'm not talking older players either. E.Kane, Eberle, B.Schenn. There wouldn't be a shortage of interest if we offer up some of our youth. The strategy they chose was to only acquire picks/prospects. That makes the rebuild take 2-3 extra years. If we don't get a top 2 in this draft we'll be lucky to make the playoffs by 2018
- Khymlev13

Run to 8th place here we come!