Giving up on Lioneater, with his upside, after these last 2 seasons of suck, would be a mistake
- feetontheair22

send him to rochester to play with bailey and carrier then


we are down 3 top 6 players, and our 3rd line center moving forward is taking 1 face off a game and playing less than 12 minutes

If he can't score goals...regardless of a so called system.
- cabin

He scored his fair share last year, but yea that's kind of my point. He got worse when the team got better. It could just be a down year but either way moving him imo doesnt make sense, at least for now.

He scored his fair share last year, but yea that's kind of my point. He got worse when the team got better. It could just be a down year but either way moving him imo doesnt make sense, at least for now.
- Sabresfan-365

Agreed. Been a lot of movement but still. Have puck on stick, shoot puck towards an OPEN spot on net.

I'm not sure who's been paired where over the last couple weeks, or if those numbers you posted are season-long or recent, but nearly half of Larsson's points have come in his last 7 games. 4 points in 7, 6 others in 54 games.

If Larsson is able to keep it up, then I'd be more impressed. For now though, it's too small of a sample size to think that it's how he'll be. It's also late in a contract year.
- stashu

Agreed. My point isn't that Larsson is a world beater, because he obviously isn't.

My point is that it's possible to produce in a defensive role, which Larsson has done recently

send him to rochester to play with bailey and carrier then


we are down 3 top 6 players, and our 3rd line center moving forward is taking 1 face off a game and playing less than 12 minutes
- homiedclown

Wouldn't he have to go through waivers?

Agreed. My point isn't that Larsson is a world beater, because he obviously isn't.

My point is that it's possible to produce in a defensive role, which Larsson has done recently
- sbroads24

Key word there...

He's on a hot line right now for sure, people have been talking up Foligno's game for a couple weeks now - I'm not so sure it was any kind of sudden lightbulb moment of playing with Larsson that has made him better, but IMO would seem a bit more flattering towards Larsson that he's getting opportunities due to Foligno's better play.

Hoping this isn't just a typical Sabres theme playing out - contract time, players with expiring contracts coming on strong, get paid too much, return to bad form after contract.

People want Girgensons in the top 6 and we wonder why this team stinks and can't make the playoffs, he should be no place near the top 6.

Key word there...

He's on a hot line right now for sure, people have been talking up Foligno's game for a couple weeks now - I'm not so sure it was any kind of sudden lightbulb moment of playing with Larsson that has made him better, but IMO would seem a bit more flattering towards Larsson that he's getting opportunities due to Foligno's better play.

Hoping this isn't just a typical Sabres theme playing out - contract time, players with expiring contracts coming on strong, get paid too much, return to bad form after contract.
- stashu

Larsson looked good last year too when he was brought back up. It's possible this is all contract year stuff and if that's the case they have to be careful not to overpay. Already have close to 10 mil dedicated to 2 bottom 6 players..

Larsson looked good last year too when he was brought back up. It's possible this is all contract year stuff and if that's the case they have to be careful not to overpay. Already have close to 10 mil dedicated to 2 bottom 6 players..
- Sabresfan-365

Not sure if he can be bridged to another RFA year (either Larsson or Foligno), but a short 2-year, low $ deal for each would be nice - to gauge whether this is a fluke or not

Not sure if he can be bridged to another RFA year (either Larsson or Foligno), but a short 2-year, low $ deal for each would be nice - to gauge whether this is a fluke or not
- stashu

If you give Larsson 2 years i think it still takes him to RFA. Rule is 7 years or age of 27

If you give Larsson 2 years i think it still takes him to RFA. Rule is 7 years or age of 27
- Sabresfan-365

That would work then, end of 17/18 would be his 6th season and he would be 26 in the offseason that year.

Foligno wouldn't work though as he'd be finishing his 7th season and would be 27

People want Girgensons in the top 6 and we wonder why this team stinks and can't make the playoffs, he should be no place near the top 6.
- SABRES 89

post more

Key word there...

He's on a hot line right now for sure, people have been talking up Foligno's game for a couple weeks now - I'm not so sure it was any kind of sudden lightbulb moment of playing with Larsson that has made him better, but IMO would seem a bit more flattering towards Larsson that he's getting opportunities due to Foligno's better play.

Hoping this isn't just a typical Sabres theme playing out - contract time, players with expiring contracts coming on strong, get paid too much, return to bad form after contract.
- stashu

Girgensons and Larsson are similar. Both played some good hockey last year on a horrible team, both have underachieved this year on a better team. Neither should be on a good teams top 6.

What does everyone realistically think Larsson, Foligno, and Girgensons are going to get?

Is Marcus going to get $3M or more? I can't see that.

Is Larsson going to get $2M or more? Can't see that either.

Is Girgensons going to get $3M or more? Don't see that happening.

In the end, they are not going to cost much to keep as a whole, and yes, it would be much more ideal if both Moulson and Gionta were gone with their $9M combined salary next year.

Girgensons and Larsson are similar. Both played some good hockey last year on a horrible team, both have underachieved this year on a better team. Neither should be on a good teams top 6.
- sbroads24

And neither are going to cost what a top 6 player would, so I am not sure what the problem is with keeping both, as neither are going to return much in a trade unless they are part of something much larger going to another team.

Giving up on Lioneater, with his upside, after these last 2 seasons of suck, would be a mistake
- feetontheair22

Why because he has a cool nickname and tries really hard?

I don't need Zemgus in the top 6 but he and Jack seemed to feed off each other quite well. The one thing that hasn't been tried is him and RoR as a 2nd line either. Larsson and Z are very similar players...maybe they end up as a top shutdown line. For a 22 year old kid that's been kicked up, playing a new system with all new linemates. I reserve judgment as to whether he can Crack the top 6. Pretty soon you will have enough forwards to roll 3 lines pretty evenly anyways. Hell play PK instead of PP that's all.

Keep in mind in my mind our offense is not the problem, but rather our defense. I think a lot of our forwards would t as ke a 5-20 point jump if we had a true #1 LHD. I think we're that close, that and time for development.

I don't need Zemgus in the top 6 but he and Jack seemed to feed off each other quite well. The one thing that hasn't been tried is him and RoR as a 2nd line either. Larsson and Z are very similar players...maybe they end up as a top shutdown line. For a 22 year old kid that's been kicked up, playing a new system with all new linemates. I reserve judgment as to whether he can Crack the top 6. Pretty soon you will have enough forwards to roll 3 lines pretty evenly anyways. Hell play PK instead of PP that's all.
- RhinoFan

They played together for all of what 3 games?

If Jack is as good as they say, finding chemistry wont be an issue.

And neither are going to cost what a top 6 player would, so I am not sure what the problem is with keeping both, as neither are going to return much in a trade unless they are part of something much larger going to another team.
- kingcong39

I'd keep both, unless there is a team that thinks 28 could be a future Selke winner, and wants to give us something good for him

They played together for all of what 3 games?

If Jack is as good as they say, finding chemistry wont be an issue.
- ImThatGuy

For sure, everyone seems to play better with Jack...I have no factual backing to say it but I remember more than 3 games with he and Zemgus. Could be wrong I thought they were together when Kane was injured and before Z got hurt himself.

They played together for all of what 3 games?

If Jack is as good as they say, finding chemistry wont be an issue.
- ImThatGuy

Looks like 9 of Girgensons 14 points have come during a 19 game span when he was on a line with Eichel

For sure, everyone seems to play better with Jack...I have no factual backing to say it but I remember more than 3 games with he and Zemgus. Could be wrong I thought they were together when Kane was injured and before Z got hurt himself.
- RhinoFan

This also concerns me. He has been injured for almost 50 games through the first 3 years of his career.

His body is going to break down very quickly at this rate.

I'd keep both, unless there is a team that thinks 28 could be a future Selke winner, and wants to give us something good for him
- sbroads24

IF 28 is a piece of a larger deal that lands me a top 3 d-man. I do not hesitate.

IF 28 is a piece of a larger deal that lands me a top 3 d-man. I do not hesitate.
- ImThatGuy

Or Jordan Eberle

This also concerns me. He has been injured for almost 50 games through the first 3 years of his career.

His body is going to break down very quickly at this rate.
- ImThatGuy

McDavid has missed more in two. Z plays a hard grinding in the corners type game, you could be right though.