is he a solid 3/4?...or more like a decent second-pairing with some offense to his game?

personally, I have always thought Franson was overrated

big thing for me is, why the rush?
- Michael Pachla

Because there is no point to rush but Murray might not. I say play the kids in camp and maybe make a trade after camp or put in a waiver claim.

Go get your big splash in free agency next year. Seabrook, Yandle, Buff, Goligoski, Nikitin, Giordano, Russell could be available.

Because there is no point to rush but Murray might not. I say play the kids in camp and maybe make a trade after camp or put in a waiver claim.

Go get your big splash in free agency next year. Seabrook, Yandle, Buff, Goligoski, Nikitin, Giordano, Russell could be available.
- mhp

And maybe 1 of those will be available come July 1st.

Because there is no point to rush but Murray might not. I say play the kids in camp and maybe make a trade after camp or put in a waiver claim.

Go get your big splash in free agency next year. Seabrook, Yandle, Buff, Goligoski, Nikitin, Giordano, Russell could be available.
- mhp

agreed...

been a sabres fan for a long time, another year ain't gonna kill me...plus, methinks McCabe will be making a very strong impression next year, regardless where he ends up playing this year

While I believe Pysyk will be a good 3/4 do you really want to just place him there?

I feel he will be there eventually but that was exactly why I wanted a guy like Oduya for 2-3 years.
- Stripes77

Pysyk played the left side in Rochester and has the ability to do it here. I would think either him or Risto could start the season on the left.

Risto-Bogo
Gorges-Pysyk
Carlo-McCabe
Weber

I also think Donovan will surprise some at camp.

And maybe 1 of those will be available come July 1st.
- Stripes77

I'd rather pay big money to one of those then sign Franson for 3 years or more at 5.

agreed...

been a sabres fan for a long time, another year ain't gonna kill me...plus, methinks McCabe will be making a very strong impression next year, regardless where he ends up playing this year
- Michael Pachla

Who knows, maybe we get a guy on waivers or make a trade with one of the cap strapped teams. I say play the kids, it's their time.

Not any slower than Gorges, Weber, Rudy, Bog, plus his first outlet pass is better, he's bigger, he hits more and is better on the PP than any of the those 4.
- turbo044

He's slower than all 4

Pysyk played the left side in Rochester and has the ability to do it here. I would think either him or Risto could start the season on the left.

Risto-Bogo
Gorges-Pysyk
Carlo-McCabe
Weber

I also think Donovan will surprise some at camp.
- mhp

I don't like the idea of have a kid play his off side. Sounds like you're asking for a regression out of Risto if you do that. Gorges is coming off an injury where the recovery is not guaranteed. There are too many question marks for my liking.

I'd rather pay big money to one of those then sign Franson for 3 years or more at 5.
- mhp

A 3 year deal will not hurt no matter how much you pay him (in reason of course)

The only way you get a top guy like you mentioned is to trade for him. With Oduya choosing less money to play for Dallas is still shows Buffalo has a lot of work to do when it comes to attracting free agents.

I don't like the idea of have a kid play his off side. Sounds like you're asking for a regression out of Risto if you do that. Gorges is coming off an injury where the recovery is not guaranteed. There are too many question marks for my liking.
- Stripes77

Being that Pysyk played all season in Rochester on his offside, it's probably not a stretch to ask him to do it at the NHL level. Being that one of his biggest attributes is his hockey sense, I think he'd be fine.

Pysyk played the left side in Rochester and has the ability to do it here. I would think either him or Risto could start the season on the left.

Risto-Bogo
Gorges-Pysyk
Carlo-McCabe
Weber

I also think Donovan will surprise some at camp.
- mhp

That's a lot of uncertainty is the top 7:

Risto-Bog = young but fine
Gorges - knee??
Pysyk - ready for top 4 minutes??
Carlo-McCabe - both question marks
Weber - well basically he's Weber.

Add a solid 3-4 dman, hope Gorges recovers, and have Carlo as your 7 or let McCabe further develop in Rochester.

I not 100% sold on Cody, but, I would be shocked if one or two dmen aren't added by training camp

Being that Pysyk played all season in Rochester on his offside, it's probably not a stretch to ask him to do it at the NHL level. Being that one of his biggest attributes is his hockey sense, I think he'd be fine.
- HonkFortheGoose

Playing it in the AHL is one thing. Let's not act like he is a grizzled NHL veteran here. Sure his situation is different than most, and I know how you feel about him, but I am not ready to make him a top 4 guy just yet.

That's a lot of uncertainty is the top 7:

Risto-Bog = young but fine
Gorges - knee??
Pysyk - ready for top 4 minutes??
Carlo-McCabe - both question marks
Weber - well basically he's Weber.

Add a solid 3-4 dman, hope Gorges recovers, and have Carlo as your 7 or let McCabe further develop in Rochester.

I not 100% sold on Cody, but, I would be shocked if one or two dmen aren't added by training camp
- turbo044

You're right, lots of uncertainty. As is presently, Lehner could get killed and Murray is probably not done. But since we're not a playoff team yet, next year might be a good year for the kids to play.

Moving Psysk to LD like someone mentioned before then signing Franson for 3 yrs 15 mill wouldn't be a bad thing.
- SABRES 89

No, thank you.
Franson is just not good!

Playing it in the AHL is one thing. Let's not act like he is a grizzled NHL veteran here. Sure his situation is different than most, and I know how you feel about him, but I am not ready to make him a top 4 guy just yet.
- Stripes77

It's not an ideal situation. Would I prefer to ease him in? Absolutely, but I don't think that's gonna happen at this point. Being that I didn't expect to make the playoffs this year, I wouldn't hate just getting the young guys the experience in general. If that means Pysyk has to be in the top 4, then so be it. I'd rather have him there than some throw away guy that's no better than Mike Weber to be honest.

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- Stripes77[Mayweather] feels being beat by a woman for once," Rousey said. "I'd like to see you pretend to not know who I am now."

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It's not an ideal situation. Would I prefer to ease him in? Absolutely, but I don't think that's gonna happen at this point. Being that I didn't expect to make the playoffs this year, I wouldn't hate just getting the young guys the experience in general. If that means Pysyk has to be in the top 4, then so be it. I'd rather have him there than some throw away guy that's no better than Mike Weber to be honest.
- HonkFortheGoose

So you're saying Franson is no better than Mike Weber?

No, thank you.
Franson is just not good!
- Sabresfan88

Elaborate

So you're saying Franson is no better than Mike Weber?
- Stripes77

Forget about Mike Weber.
Franson is absolutely NOT worth $5 Mill a year!
I would sign him for 2-3 years, $3 Mill a year. That is it.

Elaborate
- turbo044

I don't need to elaborate!!!
Why do you think he is not signed yet?

I don't need to elaborate!!!
Why do you think he is not signed yet?
- Sabresfan88

Oduya signed yesterday...so you're saying he isn't good either because it took so long?

That argument needs work

- jochfr

for some reason, billie jean king/bobby riggs popped into my head

Oduya signed yesterday...so you're saying he isn't good either because it took so long?

That argument needs work
- Stripes77

What????
Oduya had offers sitting for a while!
Nobody wants Franson.
He is NOT GOOD!!
He is toooo slow, gets beat by faster guys left and right!

So you're saying Franson is no better than Mike Weber?
- Stripes77

Not exactly. But signing him wouldn't really help the idea of Pysyk or Risto having to play on their offside. I guess I don't see the point in paying a guy a lot of money when he's really not fixing the problem. Does that make more sense?