All I know as a Sabre's fan, is that I'm very much so looking forward to a time where the Sabres, and Leafs are contenders in the east. Playoff series between the two teams will be awesome.

If the lightning lose first round does it increase the chances of Stamkos not signing with them? You'd have to think it does.

All I know as a Sabre's fan, is that I'm very much so looking forward to a time where the Sabres, and Leafs are contenders in the east. Playoff series between the two teams will be awesome.
- tomt8391

Indeed.

Any kind of new rivalry for us would be welcomed. Buffalo has the brightest future so i can see them being public enemy #1.. sens and habs are trending downwards and detroit was never really a rival.. theyre too boring to be.

If the lightning lose first round does it increase the chances of Stamkos not signing with them? You'd have to think it does.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

He's a leaf already

Indeed.

Any kind of new rivalry for us would be welcomed. Buffalo has the brightest future so i can see them being public enemy #1.. sens and habs are trending downwards and detroit was never really a rival.. theyre too boring to be.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm glad both teams smartened up, and realized what needed to be done in order to have the best chance at long term success. Both teams were very similar for a while, in that they were never bad enough for a top pick, but never good enough to be a legit contender (with the exception of a few random seasons here and there). I don't know if people remember how bad the Blackhawks, Capitals, and Penguins were before they had a string of top picks. Now they're considered model franchises. I realize that it isn't all about high draft picks (EDM), but they certainly help.

Every year the Leafs do NOT win the lottery, increases their chances of winning it the NEXT year. Im not great at quad equations and random variables and all that but Toronto will have to win the first eventually. Ask Dubas. This years 20% chance is actually higher than 20% BECAUSE they have not won past draws.
- marklaprise

All I know as a Sabre's fan, is that I'm very much so looking forward to a time where the Sabres, and Leafs are contenders in the east. Playoff series between the two teams will be awesome.
- tomt8391

Sounds like fun, the other part I don't care about. (Jk )

Rivalries, meaningful games, playoffs.

If the lightning lose first round does it increase the chances of Stamkos not signing with them? You'd have to think it does.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

agreed unless the issue is money and it causes tampa to open the vaults a bit more

Goaltending, followed by defense, are the big what-ifs. I think our forward group is promising, certainly enough options (particularly if we sign Vesey and Stamkos) to produce.

Zaitsev on D could make things interesting too. Plus Dermott may be ready to challenge for a spot along with Nielsen, Loov, etc.
- gravyface

Nielsen looked acceptable on Friday night. Not much flair, but he was in position, and took the body well on a couple plays. I don't think we're going to see that WHL scoring flair during his pro career.

Valiev was horrible. If he plays like that all the time, he won't be able to hold a job with the Marlies.

Percy was pretty much invisible. Looked like a career AHLer.

dupe

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that.. its definitly possible and maybe even likely, but i wouldnt say minimum..

We dont know what the lineup next season will look like yet.. but if it includes Stamkos, Marner, Matthews, Zaitsev, and Brown then i think they can challenge for a spot. Especially if they upgrade goaltending.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

More likely a Buffalo type season, like someone else said here.

All I know as a Sabre's fan, is that I'm very much so looking forward to a time where the Sabres, and Leafs are contenders in the east. Playoff series between the two teams will be awesome.
- tomt8391

It would be fun for sure.

Nielsen looked acceptable on Friday night. Not much flair, but he was in position, and took the body well on a couple plays. I don't think we're going to see that WHL scoring flair during his pro career.

Valiev was horrible. If he plays like that all the time, he won't be able to hold a job with the Marlies.

Percy was pretty much invisible. Looked like a career AHLer.
- Aetherial

First game back in th ahl for valiev, maybe he was adjusting back to the speed of the ahl ect. He looked very promising in his stint with the leafs and the games I've seen of him this year he's looked good.

More likely a Buffalo type season, like someone else said here.
- Aetherial

Maybe..

I know the Sabres have Eichel and hes going to be a game breaker.. but i think the Leafs have more depth up front.

ROR, jack, sam, evander..

JVR, nazem, william, mitch..

Pretty comparable so far... but its the other guys who'll make a difference.. Kane really disappointed this year too. Risto = Rielly... gards = bogo... If the leafs land Stamkos and/or matthews then i think they'll be the clear favourites..

I wouldn't be so quick to assume that.. its definitly possible and maybe even likely, but i wouldnt say minimum..

We dont know what the lineup next season will look like yet.. but if it includes Stamkos, Marner, Matthews, Zaitsev, and Brown then i think they can challenge for a spot. Especially if they upgrade goaltending.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Only 1 player is NHL proven - so we'll see. I believe Lou when he says "expect more pain"

Clearly Will Smith wouldn't be dead right now if he was carrying his own gun so he could pose a threat to the guy who shot him and his wife.

dupe
- Aetherial

There's a delete button

@jonassiegel: Lou Lamoriello says Stephane Robidas's career could be over. Says he doesn't know whether Robidas or Joffrey Lupul will play next season.


Holy moly, lupul already being ruled out for next year.

Clearly Will Smith wouldn't be dead right now if he was carrying his own gun so he could pose a threat to the guy who shot him and his wife.
- Aetherial

Im not surprised thAt that would be someone's take.

Maybe..

I know the Sabres have Eichel and hes going to be a game breaker.. but i think the Leafs have more depth up front.

ROR, jack, sam, evander..

JVR, nazem, william, mitch..

Pretty comparable so far... but its the other guys who'll make a difference.. Kane really disappointed this year too. Risto = Rielly... gards = bogo... If the leafs land Stamkos and/or matthews then i think they'll be the clear favourites..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Buffalo is quite ahead of us in the rebuild.

We are similar in that our defense and goaltending are big questions.

@jonassiegel: Lou Lamoriello says Stephane Robidas's career could be over. Says he doesn't know whether Robidas or Joffrey Lupul will play next season.


Holy moly, lupul already being ruled out for next year.
- burn

Kind of surprised about Lupul.

Kind of surprised about Lupul.
- Aetherial

Really thought he had a solid start

Only 1 player is NHL proven - so we'll see. I believe Lou when he says "expect more pain"
- Garnie

Did he say that recently?

Matthews will be NHL ready no doubt about that.. Brown looked really good while up.. Zaitsev we'll see but i cant see him not being an upgrade over Marincin/Corrado.. Mitch might have some growing pains, but he'll be okay.

Maybe..

I know the Sabres have Eichel and hes going to be a game breaker.. but i think the Leafs have more depth up front.

ROR, jack, sam, evander..

JVR, nazem, william, mitch..

Pretty comparable so far... but its the other guys who'll make a difference.. Kane really disappointed this year too. Risto = Rielly... gards = bogo... If the leafs land Stamkos and/or matthews then i think they'll be the clear favourites..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I agree with all of that except Risto = Reilly. I like Morgan Reilly, and it may be homerish of me to say, but I feel Risto has more upside that Reilly. I see Reilly maxing out as a really good top four, but Risto has top 5 D-Manin the league potential. Again, IMO.

Buffalo is quite ahead of us in the rebuild.

We are similar in that our defense and goaltending are big questions.
- Aetherial

Kane put up 35pts this season.. thats pretty lousy.. Kadri > ROR imo.. Eichel theres no comparable, but if Nylander played a full season his pts total would be nearly the same.. Marner we can assume would be similar to Reinhart.. buffalo doesnt have the farm TO does..