Agreed. We need a solid, stable NHL roster which is coming together and then we need to pull a detroit and let our prospects dominate the AHL for 2-3 years before they come in to replace over-priced guys.
- ASU_Sabres14

^this^

Well I guess we have different opinions on what makes a player better. Maybe you love players who rack up points but I value players who make their team and the players around them better. Players that can play well in every zone. I see Mcdavid as a flashy player with a ton of skill but a lot to prove.
- ASU_Sabres14

Please explain

Again I said in 2018-2019. The first season after Kane leaves. Nylander will 100% be on the team by then and I'd put Bailey at 95%

Fasching and Asplund are 50 or 55% bets.
- bluengold12

Ya not arguing with what you said, just outlining what the process should turn into. There are a few prospects right on the bubble so training camp will be used to decide who is ready. It is just such a toss up for very few spots between guys like Bailey Fasching and Nylander. I dont think Asplund will be ready for a while. Fingers crossed he turns into Drury 2.0

I disagree...Fowler is better than we have on this team including Risto at this point. Risto does have more potential though.

Fowler's big down fall was his partner.
- Stripes77

Ristolainen is definitely better than Fowler, Kulikov is debatable, and McCabe is really close (and could be better than Fowler as soon as this year if he takes the next step).

All good. I'm just projecting the line up after Kane leaves. I think if they can move Nylander over to LW and we sign Vesey we will have a great top nine
- bluengold12

i'd have no problem letting nylander play in Rochester the next two seasons if at all possible...the more seasoning these prospects get, the better...asu sabres mentioned Detroit...that's the model for long-term success, imo

Please explain
- Matthews_Auston

He only played 48 games last season. Ya he put up great numbers but can he handle the 82 game grind of a full season? There were obvious spots where the grind took affect on Eichel and I would think it would be the same for Mcdavid and even Matthews.

Why are we still talking about McDavid vs Eichel?

I thought it was who Vesey would be best to play for and he sure as hell isn't going all the way up to Edmonton. Not including cup contenders Chicago or Pittsburgh Vesey has the best chance for minutes, to put up top numbers and grow with an elite center in Buffalo and nowhere else. If he wants to be a retard and sign in a sinking ship in Boston and get berated by his hometown moron fanbase go ahead. If he wants to go with daddy and play on the leafs and not make the playoffs go ahead. But if he wants to get a huge contract and be in a place where he will succeed he should come here.
I can't argue with him if he goes to Chicago or Pittsburgh I'll get it but anywhere else he's a moron
- bluengold12

Please explain

I disagree...Fowler is better than we have on this team including Risto at this point. Risto does have more potential though.

Fowler's big down fall was his partner.
- Stripes77

Agreed, 2017 first for Fowler is something I would do immediately.

Giroux? No guarantee he'd play with him and I believe Eichel will eventually be a better player.
- bluengold12

well why is their a guarantee he will play with Eichel?

Philly could easily tell him he would paly with Giroux just like the sabres can tell him he will play with eichel no?

He only played 48 games last season. Ya he put up great numbers but can he handle the 82 game grind of a full season? There were obvious spots where the grind took affect on Eichel and I would think it would be the same for Mcdavid and even Matthews.
- ASU_Sabres14

McDavid>>>Eichel and Matthews, and sadly it's not close.

we all want playoffs this year but I would rather a 9th place finish with assets to build than a first round exit and knowing you're not getting better.

It's a tight rope to walk.

You want to be good this year but you want to be even better the season after.

There is still a major need on the blue line.

I would rather get Vesey locked in and send the 2017 first for a d-man
- Stripes77

What?
I don't see how that makes any sense...
You'd rather miss the playoffs & pick 14th instead of make the playoffs?
If we lose 1st round like u think, we'd only pick a few spots worse
I'd say making the playoffs far outweighs the draft position
Unless we'd win the lotto, but come on.
Chance of that are like 1% I believe

He only played 48 games last season. Ya he put up great numbers but can he handle the 82 game grind of a full season? There were obvious spots where the grind took affect on Eichel and I would think it would be the same for Mcdavid and even Matthews.
- ASU_Sabres14

McDavid will be best player in the NHL by next year. Eichel is a great player but I don't think you can compare the 2. It's not a slight on Eichel. I love his game but he's no McDavid. Again not a negative just reality.

As for injuries, if Eichel misses 30 games this year are you going to brand him as being injury prone?

That best friend thing needs to stop.

They are friends...

Eichel is 3 and a half years younger.

They didn't play on any youth teams together, they weren't in the same grade ever.

They are friends who train together, but it's not like they were having sleep overs at age 10 because Jack was 6 or 7 at the time.
- Stripes77

I don't know why you're getting so defensive Lol but if you ask anybody they have a Bromance ... Just ask John Buccigross Talks about it all the time

McDavid>>>Eichel and Matthews, and sadly it's not close.
- ImThatGuy

This ^^^^^

well why is their a guarantee he will play with Eichel?

Philly could easily tell him he would paly with Giroux just like the sabres can tell him he will play with eichel no?
- rinaldo

IMO Vesey will be making a huge mistake if he chooses Boston. That team is ready to collapse on itself. Its core is 30+ years old with maybe a year left in the tank.

All other places mentioned, Chi, Tor, Buf, Pit make sense.

I don't know why you're getting so defensive Lol but if you ask anybody they have a Bromance ... Just ask John Buccigross Talks about it all the time
- GERBE!!!75PTS

Just like if Spurgeon is traded here, Ennis would have to stay?

IMO Vesey will be making a huge mistake if he chooses Boston. That team is ready to collapse on itself. Its core is 30+ years old with maybe a year left in the tank.

All other places mentioned, Chi, Tor, Buf, Pit make sense.
- ImThatGuy

Think of it from your point of view. I assume you are born in Buffalo. Wouldn't you love to play for your hometown team? I know I would. You can't fault the kid for playing in his hometown. Don't know how anyone could criticize him for that.

You want in on the bet too? I'd love to get rid of that flashing avitar
- bluengold12

Definitely, I was the first to say I'd take that bet

IMO Vesey will be making a huge mistake if he chooses Boston. That team is ready to collapse on itself. Its core is 30+ years old with maybe a year left in the tank.

All other places mentioned, Chi, Tor, Buf, Pit make sense.
- ImThatGuy

Chicago makes no sense

Ristolainen is definitely better than Fowler, Kulikov is debatable, and McCabe is really close (and could be better than Fowler as soon as this year if he takes the next step).
- chilliard77

Definitley is a big stretch.

Risto is going to be good probably very good but he is not this world class player yet

Just like if Spurgeon is traded here, Ennis would have to stay?
- ImThatGuy

Why do you think Tim traded for him ? If Jack Eichel was not on the team he would've never made that trade

What?
I don't see how that makes any sense...
You'd rather miss the playoffs & pick 14th instead of make the playoffs?
If we lose 1st round like u think, we'd only pick a few spots worse
I'd say making the playoffs far outweighs the draft position
Unless we'd win the lotto, but come on.
Chance of that are like 1% I believe
- jdfitz77

No I would rather let the players develop and miss the playoffs then send all of our assets out to build a team that just makes the playoffs...

I want a contending team.

Think of it from your point of view. I assume you are born in Buffalo. Wouldn't you love to play for your hometown team? I know I would. You can't fault the kid for playing in his hometown. Don't know how anyone could criticize him for that.
- Matthews_Auston

For me, yes it would be cool, but for how long if I knew the team was on the downswing.


I would have to really look hard at it, If i knew that its best players were closer to retirement than they are to their prime

Definitley is a big stretch.

Risto is going to be good probably very good but he is not this world class player yet
- Stripes77

I'd take both kulikov and Risto over fowler.

2nd or 3rd
- sbroads24

Nylander will be on the team minimum the year after Kane leaves I'd bet before it actually