Fixed
- cabin

How is it shoving itself down it's own throat??

I noticed that Jerry D'Amigo signed yesterday. I believe that concludes all the RFA signings and general fanager has us with 45 signings. Can't we go to 50?

And Tim Schaller thinks he can make the roster? With the forward log jam I'm not so sure about that.
- mhp

Schaller is a good guy and a hard worker.. i think he will go back to roch but be one of the earlier call ups. He appears to be a good depth guy.

I think we need another dman. as it stands now we are not very top heavy on defense and will be forcing some guys into roles they are not really suited for

How is it shoving itself down it's own throat??
- HonkFortheGoose

Wasn't meant to read "itself"


Too early for you ?

Yes, he signed yesterday. Not sure about how many are under contract, but 50 is the max. I think most GMs like to have a bit of a cushion though, so I wouldn't expect to see too much. Plus they have to fill out the Rochester roster some a bit still I think, though some of those signings can be strictly AHL deals which don't count toward the 50.

As for Schaller, I think every guy goes into camp saying that. I mention yesterday when someone else brought it up that he's got a lot of guys he'd have to jump over to make that happen. He'd have to have one hell of a training camp in order to push someone else out.
- HonkFortheGoose

I like Schaller but I agree, it will be tough for him to make the roster. I can see him in Rochester but could be the first forward call up during the season.

Schaller is a good guy and a hard worker.. i think he will go back to roch but be one of the earlier call ups. He appears to be a good depth guy.

I think we need another dman. as it stands now we are not very top heavy on defense and will be forcing some guys into roles they are not really suited for
- IndianaSabresFan

We might get another depth d man but imo I'd let the kids (Pysyk, McCabe) play this year.

Wasn't meant to read "itself"


Too early for you ?
- cabin

yes.. i had a completely different response to her post that i deleted and walked away from

I know we've been concerned a lot about the blue line (and I'm not saying its not a valid concern) But is it safe to say that to at least a small degree, that since your forwards are definitely in better shape, our defense could be a bit better this year because hopefully we will have a more offensive presence and spend more time on that side of the ice?

We might get another depth d man but imo I'd let the kids (Pysyk, McCabe) play this year.
- mhp

yeah i agree with letting them play.. i just dont like them getting top 4 min. which means our top 4 will consist of Bogo, risto, gorges and carlo? ouch, especially when carlo is out half the season

Every time I see her/him I want to vomit.
- mhp

I agree. Courageous my ass !

yes.. i had a completely different response to her post that i deleted and walked away from
- IndianaSabresFan

I understand

I agree. Courageous my ass !
- Pairo11

Hero, or so I am told.


But if you want to find out more about him, you have to watch his reality TV show. So he can make more money...

yeah i agree with letting them play.. i just dont like them getting top 4 min. which means our top 4 will consist of Bogo, risto, gorges and carlo? ouch, especially when carlo is out half the season
- IndianaSabresFan

I think Pysyk will be fine on the 2nd pair getting those minutes. He's more of a stay at home type of guy and his skating is so top notch that he'll have no problem keeping up.

Hopefully the improvement in our forward ranks takes a lot of pressure off the backend as well. Let's not forget about how much of a difference that can make all by itself.

Hey, are we back to hockeybuzz?

I know we've been concerned a lot about the blue line (and I'm not saying its not a valid concern) But is it safe to say that to at least a small degree, that since your forwards are definitely in better shape, our defense could be a bit better this year because hopefully we will have a more offensive presence and spend more time on that side of the ice?
- Havic3814

I would think so. The addition of O'Reilly and Kane should help (people have said they're both good on the back-end, and I'm pretty sure O'Reilly is praised for it).

Kane got 1:46 SH/TOI per game last year, 1:50 the year prior, O'Reilly basically the same last year though only 1:06 the year prior. 2 solid PKers there.

They did lose Stafford though who was always out on the PK I believe, though his TOI there was way down last year.

I'm not sure how good the rookies will be, or if they are mentioned as "big" defensive types. I would think Reinhart is due to all the "Hockey IQ" talk he always gets.


Edit: just realize I took your post in the opposite direction - you mentioned being better in the offensive zone. Sorry to miss that, but my points are still valid too.

Every time I see her/him I want to vomit.
- mhp

Are you talking about Caitlin or Homie?

I would think so. The addition of O'Reilly and Kane should help (people have said they're both good on the back-end, and I'm pretty sure O'Reilly is praised for it).

Kane got 1:46 SH/TOI per game last year, 1:50 the year prior, O'Reilly basically the same last year though only 1:06 the year prior. 2 solid PKers there.

They did lose Stafford though who was always out on the PK I believe, though his TOI there was way down last year.

I'm not sure how good the rookies will be, or if they are mentioned as "big" defensive types. I would think Reinhart is due to all the "Hockey IQ" talk he always gets.
- stashu

I know the analytics folks use the term ad nauseum, but I'm hoping the additions up front lead to a lot better puck possession than we've seen over the past 3 years or so. That will take pressure off the defense, which hopefully equals an improvement by default.

I know the analytics folks use the term ad nauseum, but I'm hoping the additions up front lead to a lot better puck possession than we've seen over the past 3 years or so. That will take pressure off the defense, which hopefully equals an improvement by default.
- buffalofan19

I'm hoping the same thing. Our forwards the last 2 years haven't been very good, so to add in a few guys that are huge improvements should help that along very nicely.

I'd still like a top 4 LHD, but I'd rather they not sell the farm to get one right now either.

yeah i agree with letting them play.. i just dont like them getting top 4 min. which means our top 4 will consist of Bogo, risto, gorges and carlo? ouch, especially when carlo is out half the season
- IndianaSabresFan

I think the big question is Gorges health going into camp. If that's a concern, I would think Murray will get another dman.

Are you talking about Caitlin or Homie?
- Der Kaiser

Who do you think?

I'm hoping the same thing. Our forwards the last 2 years haven't been very good, so to add in a few guys that are huge improvements should help that along very nicely.

I'd still like a top 4 LHD, but I'd rather they not sell the farm to get one right now either.
- HonkFortheGoose

In addition to more talent up front, I suspect it will go a long way to have a coach who actually has a system, rather than a guy who tells the team to dump, chase, and "work hard." We have to believe a system can result in better possession stats, also - and lead to better defensive results by definition

I think the big question is Gorges health going into camp. If that's a concern, I would think Murray will get another dman.
- mhp

Donovan will be interesting to keep an eye on. The one guy that tends to hang out in here that's an Isles fan was upset that they lost him.

Donovan will be interesting to keep an eye on. The one guy that tends to hang out in here that's an Isles fan was upset that they lost him.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree. Donovan might make the team on the 3rd pairing.

In addition to more talent up front, I suspect it will go a long way to have a coach who actually has a system, rather than a guy who tells the team to dump, chase, and "work hard." We have to believe a system can result in better possession stats, also - and lead to better defensive results by definition
- Der Kaiser

That is also a good point.

Hey, are we back to hockeybuzz?
- TheSabresTaco

In addition to more talent up front, I suspect it will go a long way to have a coach who actually has a system, rather than a guy who tells the team to dump, chase, and "work hard." We have to believe a system can result in better possession stats, also - and lead to better defensive results by definition
- Der Kaiser

That's my thoughts going into this season too. The system thing has been missing for a while. Ruffs system was old and moldy.