Well, since I wrote that post I'll reintegrate by saying...the last 2 years were the tear down...demolition, which more than technically does NOT qualify as part of the Rebuild phase. So you are completely wrong, as evidenced by the fact that this is the 1st year these new acquisitions actually wore Blue & Gold...save Bogo and Risto.

Now, further to the point, anyone who expected better results in the first 38 games should have their head examined, period. If you expect that team to be fighting for a playoff spot, you are delusional. Two rookies in their top 6, give me a break...Gionta and Moulson in the top 9...there you go.
Two more years of work to do before we are challenging for success in the playoffs.

We are on target, and on plan. Stay the course recognizing no one hits 100%.
- IonSabres

No, 3 deadlines ago when Pominville was moved was the start of the rebuild.

Acquiring guys like Zadorov, Ristolainen, The Islanders 1st, the St. Louis 1st. we're part of the rebuild. Murray made the choice to remain a bottom dweller for 2014 by returning Nolan and doing little in the offseason.

He made the right choice there. I'm not debating that.

What my issue is, is that we seem to have 80% of this core together and they are in 28th.

It's fair criticism, i personally did not have higher expectations for them this year.

Like the huge jump we made was going from historical bad to normal bad, so as far as individual stats go i still expected them to come up a little short.
- Sabresfan-365

No offnese, but if you are telling me you excepted a 30 point season from Kane I'm gonna have to call you out. Not even I expected this little production so far

On the flip side, I didn't except O'Reilly to be a damn All star

No, 3 deadlines ago when Pominville was moved was the start of the rebuild.

Acquiring guys like Zadorov, Ristolainen, The Islanders 1st, the St. Louis 1st. we're part of the rebuild. Murray made the choice to remain a bottom dweller for 2014 by returning Nolan and doing little in the offseason.

He made the right choice there. I'm not debating that.

What my issue is, is that we seem to have 80% of this core together and they are in 28th.
- sbroads24

In fairness, they just as easily could be 21st right now. The "core" has played well. It's the supporting cast that could use some work.

No offnese, but if you are telling me you excepted a 30 point season from Kane I'm gonna have to call you out. Not even I expected this little production so far

On the flip side, I didn't except O'Reilly to be a damn All star
- sbroads24

No Im saying that it doesn't bother me that he is on pace for that for this season. Individual production in a season like this is not a high priority for me. If this team goes out and adds a top d-man and top 6 forward this off season and he's still producing at that rate next year, now im worried.

In fairness, they just as easily could be 21st right now. The "core" has played well. It's the supporting cast that could use some work.
- Sabresfan-365

If you consider Kane/Bogo/Lehner part of the core, they haven't though
That's where my frustration lies. I saw this coming a mile away when the moves were made.

Well, since I wrote that post I'll reintegrate by saying...the last 2 years were the tear down...demolition, which more than technically does NOT qualify as part of the Rebuild phase. So you are completely wrong, as evidenced by the fact that this is the 1st year these new acquisitions actually wore Blue & Gold...save Bogo and Risto.

Now, further to the point, anyone who expected better results in the first 38 games should have their head examined, period. If you expect that team to be fighting for a playoff spot, you are delusional. Two rookies in their top 6, give me a break...Gionta and Moulson in the top 9...there you go.
Two more years of work to do before we are challenging for success in the playoffs.

We are on target, and on plan. Stay the course recognizing no one hits 100%.
- IonSabres

I would say the last 2 years were finally realizing it took a complete tear down instead of trying to patch work the holes in the roster.

Reiger was so afraid of doing a complete tear down, and Murray had to complete it in a very painful way.

He also had to make sure there were decent veterans willing to put up with losing and still being good mentors for those younger players he was drafting.

Brian Gionta has done a good job at that, he just shouldn't be a key player playing as many minutes as he has.

Matt Moulson was a surprise with how bad he has been playing. I would expect more out of him. His signing is looking like a major bust.

ROR is better than advertised.

Kane is struggling. Kinda surprising but everyone else in the top 6 not named ROR has been struggling. Constant line shuffling and all these new players, building chemistry is going to take a little time. Bylsma still has his work cut out for him.

The defense is on the slower side but I am surprised with their play. They do lose the occasional battle that ends up in the back of the net, but all and all they are playing decent and I expect them to get better when Pysyk comes back to the lineup.

Goaltending has been up and down, sometimes great, sometimes terrible. We will see how that Lehner trade works out since we have only seen one period of him.

But this complaining about the roster Murray is building is comical since it is not anywhere near a finished product. So for those people drooling of the prospects that were selected with those picks you have no clue how they are going to turn out. Nobody does. Can you voice your concern? Absolutely, but I can't believe you haven't gotten tired of the same damn thing every single freaking day.

For the Bennett or Reinhart thing, Reinhart has 1 more point in 2 more games played. You're splitting hairs. They are two different types of players, Murray wanted to go the smarter less flashy route. Also Draistail was always going to be viewed differently because he is German (no offense Kaiser).

The one thing I can say about this season that I didn't expect is the lack of scoring. It is something Disco Dan needs to figure out. He has talent, he needs to figure out how to make it work.

No, 3 deadlines ago when Pominville was moved was the start of the rebuild.

Acquiring guys like Zadorov, Ristolainen, The Islanders 1st, the St. Louis 1st. we're part of the rebuild. Murray made the choice to remain a bottom dweller for 2014 by returning Nolan and doing little in the offseason.

He made the right choice there. I'm not debating that.

What my issue is, is that we seem to have 80% of this core together and they are in 28th.
- sbroads24

The entire core was put together this offseason so yes the rebuilding of the demolition is just 38 games in.

If you consider Kane/Bogo/Lehner part of the core, they haven't though
That's where my frustration lies. I saw this coming a mile away when the moves were made.
- sbroads24

Ah, I see.

Personally, I don't see them part of the core but i may have a different definition. My view on goaltending is that in most cases with todays nhl the team makes the goalie (that's where my distaste for the lehner trade lies).

If you look at the Hawks over the years, only a handful of names have been there for all 3 cups. They've moved some pretty significant pieces over that time, none of which you'd consider core players. That's what I think of Lehner, Bogo, Kane.

No Im saying that it doesn't bother me that he is on pace for that for this season. Individual production in a season like this is not a high priority for me. If this team goes out and adds a top d-man and top 6 forward this off season and he's still producing at that rate next year, now im worried.
- Sabresfan-365

I guess I don't understand how some players can produce in a "season like this" and others who are vets are given this no expectation outlook.

Whatever, I'm just sick and tired of being a mediocre city when it comes to sports.

Not ludicrous. Simply a symptom of a fan base enamored with mediocrity.
- buffalofan19

Half the Roster was turned over. Brand new coach , Brand new system. They are slowly developing chemistry, that takes time . They are in every game. They are not being blown out anymore. It takes time. I am really happy with what I see on the ice. There a couple of players that have aged really quickly . Gionta and Moulson . Ennis has had trouble adjusting to everything new and has had bad luck with injuries. Anyone that expected anymore than this must buy a lot of lottery tickets planning on that being what they will retire on.

At least wait till the end of the season to give your criticism and see how we look then . We have a couple of members here that need to start sending out resumes the all the clubs in the NHL as they consider themselves GM material.

No, 3 deadlines ago when Pominville was moved was the start of the rebuild.

Acquiring guys like Zadorov, Ristolainen, The Islanders 1st, the St. Louis 1st. we're part of the rebuild. Murray made the choice to remain a bottom dweller for 2014 by returning Nolan and doing little in the offseason.

He made the right choice there. I'm not debating that.

What my issue is, is that we seem to have 80% of this core together and they are in 28th.
- sbroads24

I, and I think many do as well, consider the previous 2 years as the tear down, not part of the rebuild. The rebuild was put on hold to ensure the Sabres got McEichel.
Once that was accomplished, the Rebuild phase began...June 2015.

You are lumping them together...which is fine. Just understand the difference being argued.

I'm giving GMTM this year and 2 more to complete the Rebuild and become a contender. In that context, I'm perfectly fine with where we are.

If I had a complaint it would be that I really wanted Zadorov on this team...but that wasn't possible if we were to acquire ROR...and add McGinn and the Goalie who is showing signs.
Lehner trade remains to be seen..if only he didn't sprain his ankle trying to snort the white snow in back of the net!

The entire core was put together this offseason so yes the rebuilding of the demolition is just 38 games in.
- Stripes77

Ristolainen has been here
Girgensons has been here
Reinhart was drafted 2 years ago

McNabb is on the TOP PAIR with Doughty
That was a dumb trade
I said it then... It looks the same way now...
We'll see what Fasching becomes though?
- jdfitz77

McNabb is playing more and playing top minutes but lets not act like he is lighting the league on fire.

The Kings blue line has been a mess all year with pair shuffling.

Playing with Doughty is probably going to get McNabb a big raise, but unlike Risto he hasn't done it strictly on his own merit.

Ristolainen has been here
Girgensons has been here
Reinhart was drafted 2 years ago
- sbroads24

Look at the Florida rebuild . This year it is finally kicking in. Your expectations on how long a total rebuild should take are just not realistic.

I guess I don't understand how some players can produce in a "season like this" and others who are vets are given this no expectation outlook.

Whatever, I'm just sick and tired of being a mediocre city when it comes to sports.
- sbroads24

When you look at who is producing vs who isn't it's pretty clear. The "keep at all costs" players (O'Reilly, Risto, Eichel, Reinhart) vs the cap crunch expendables (Kane, Bogo, Moulson, Gionta etc.)

I had a no expectation outlook for the latter group because I don't view them as highly as those who thought he could score 40. Complimentary pieces production is almost always linked to how good the team is on the whole. But Core players get poop done no matter what (unless you tank like it's your day job).

Ristolainen has been here
Girgensons has been here
Reinhart was drafted 2 years ago
- sbroads24

This is Reinharts first year.

ROR came this year, McGinn this year, Kane, this year, Bogo half of last year.

Know who else's first year it is? Dan Bylsma. Yeah a coach with an actual system.

Ristolainen has been here
Girgensons has been here
Reinhart was drafted 2 years ago
- sbroads24

21
21
20

Eichel is 19.

This is Reinharts first year.

ROR came this year, McBain this year, Kane, this year, Bogo half of last year.

Know who else's first year it is? Dan Bylsma. Yeah a coach with an actual system.
- Stripes77

My first hot take of 2016, I think this was their worst move of the off-season and to be honest im not even sure it was Murray's call.

Edit: McBain

My first hot take of 2016, I think this was their worst move of the off-season and to be honest im not even sure it was Murray's call.

Edit: McBain
- Sabresfan-365

Wow...that's what I get after the McNabb/McBain post. My brain won't let me forget the Jamie McBain in Buffalo experiment

This is Reinharts first year.

ROR came this year, McBain this year, Kane, this year, Bogo half of last year.

Know who else's first year it is? Dan Bylsma. Yeah a coach with an actual system.
- Stripes77

Personally, I do think they should have retained a Teddy as the Team Psychologist..."everything is great, just go play pond hockey, get'er done!"

My first hot take of 2016, I think this was their worst move of the off-season and to be honest im not even sure it was Murray's call.

Edit: McBain
- Sabresfan-365

On Bylsma, he needs to find lines that work, most importantly the top 6.

He also needs to (which he just started doing) put Girgensons on Eichel's wing

On Bylsma, he needs to find lines that work, most importantly the top 6.

He also needs to (which he just started doing) put Girgensons on Eichel's wing
- Stripes77

And move Kane back to LW on RORs line...McGinn goes on LW with Eichel and Girgensons!

21
21
20

Eichel is 19.
- ieetbred

Nobody is debating that. This team isn't struggling because the young ones are. They're struggling because the veterans are except O'Reilly. That's the alarming part.

The entire core was put together this offseason so yes the rebuilding of the demolition is just 38 games in.
- Stripes77

So the Oilers shouldn't have any expectations because this is McDavid and Draisiatl's 1st year there as a core ?

I wonder if they will be happy in last

Nobody is debating that. This team isn't struggling because the young ones are. They're struggling because the veterans are except O'Reilly. That's the alarming part.
- buffalofan19

This