I really wanted them to go all out for a d-man but if vesey signs Id have to give TM an A+on the off season. That'd make 3 top 6 forwards(well 2 + 1 future one) added to the team and all you surrendered was one of your 4 third rounders. That's pretty damn good.
- Sabresfan-365

I would too. It's been solid

I would too. It's been solid
- sbroads24

I feel the same.
GMTM is the man.

I don't think I have ever seen a guy on his elc sign a contract before his elc expires
- Stripes77

Ekblad, Barkov

So taking Vesey, Nash, Fowler, and any other player the Sabres have been connected to that currently are not a Sabre, what do you think the chances are of the Sabres making the playoffs?

If Lehner is healthy for most or all of the season I would say the Sabres have about a 75% chance of making the playoffs. If Lehner is injured half the season or more I think it drops to about a 25% chance. A lot riding on a goalie who has been hurt the last 2 years, but what we did see from him last year, I was impressed.

Tried to search it and didn't find anything...Is Ennis back up to snuff at this point? Is he going to be at training camp or be ready to start the year?

Tried to search it and didn't find anything...Is Ennis back up to snuff at this point? Is he going to be at training camp or be ready to start the year?
- RhinoFan

I think he was pretty much ready at the end of last year, they just decided to keep him out the last couple game. From what I remember he was in full contact practices and getting back into shape. If Ennis stays a Sabre this year I think you will see a player that racks up about 45-50 points. 22 goals 25 assists is my prediction. The kid had one bad year, he has skill and put in the right position he can be an effective player.
https://www.nhl.com/video...16/t-277350912/c-43433503

I think he was pretty much ready at the end of last year, they just decided to keep him out the last couple game. From what I remember he was in full contact practices and getting back into shape. If Ennis stays a Sabre this year I think you will see a player that racks up about 45-50 points. 22 goals 25 assists is my prediction. The kid had one bad year, he has skill and put in the right position he can be an effective player.
- doppelthat

That's if he stays healthy!
And, that's a big IF.
Right now, he is one hit away from retirement.

That's if he stays healthy!
And, that's a big IF.
Right now, he is one hit away from retirement.
- Sabresfan88

you could say that about any player

you could say that about any player
- doppelthat

No, not really.
Ennis is a damage goods right now.
2 major concussions in less than a month!!!

That's if he stays healthy!
And, that's a big IF.
Right now, he is one hit away from retirement.
- Sabresfan88

If this were Ennis's 3rd or 4th concussion I would be worried, but he doesn't have a terrible injury history. He's had two major injuries in his career, last years concussion, and high ankle sprain. "One hit from retirement" is redundant, anyone could be one hit from retirement. I think Ennis should be able to make a full recovery.

If this were Ennis's 3rd or 4th concussion I would be worried, but he doesn't have a terrible injury history. He's had two major injuries in his career, last years concussion, and high ankle sprain. "One hit from retirement" is redundant, anyone could be one hit from retirement. I think Ennis should be able to make a full recovery.
- chilliard77

It's not just concussions, it's his back as well.

No, not really.
Ennis is a damage goods right now.
2 major concussions in less than a month!!!
- Sabresfan88

Yes, but there is no reason he can't come back better, look at Loui Eriksson or Letang

Yes, but there is no reason he can't come back better, look at Loui Eriksson or Letang
- doppelthat

OK, fine!!!
All I said is that one hit could end his NHL carrier, and it's true!
Now, interpret this however you would like!

It's not just concussions, it's his back as well.
- SABRES 89

When did that start?

Tried to search it and didn't find anything...Is Ennis back up to snuff at this point? Is he going to be at training camp or be ready to start the year?
- RhinoFan

He was cleared at the end of last season. He practiced full contact for the last couple weeks.

Edit: late.

OK, fine!!!
All I said is that one hit could end his NHL carrier, and it's true!
Now, interpret this however you would like!
- Sabresfan88

I agree, one hit could end his career. But at the same time, tons of NHL players have had concussions, probably many more than we will ever know. Concussions are a major reason for concern and they are dangerous but I still think there is reason to believe he will come back to his form from 2-3 years ago. Only time will tell.

I agree, one hit could end his career. But at the same time, tons of NHL players have had concussions, probably many more than we will ever know. Concussions are a major reason for concern and they are dangerous but I still think there is reason to believe he will come back to his form from 2-3 years ago. Only time will tell.
- doppelthat

There was a time that Ennis was an semi-important part of this team.
Right now, that seems like a century ago.
If he stays, gets traded, or whatever.....it does not matter anymore.

There was a time that Ennis was an semi-important part of this team.
Right now, that seems like a century ago.
If he stays, gets traded, or whatever.....it does not matter anymore.
- Sabresfan88

The only reason it seems like so long ago, one whole year ago he was the leading scorer, is because there was so much turnover last year.

So taking Vesey, Nash, Fowler, and any other player the Sabres have been connected to that currently are not a Sabre, what do you think the chances are of the Sabres making the playoffs?

If Lehner is healthy for most or all of the season I would say the Sabres have about a 75% chance of making the playoffs. If Lehner is injured half the season or more I think it drops to about a 25% chance. A lot riding on a goalie who has been hurt the last 2 years, but what we did see from him last year, I was impressed.
- doppelthat

I dont want to Homer out here….and I dont remember the exact quote. But something like if we won a game more per month last year, we would have made the playoffs, makes me very hopeful for this year. Especially considering how bad we were in 14-15.
People can come over to our board and crap all over us all they want, but we made a huge improvement from the year GMTM took over to last year and I only think we need to get a little bit better to make the playoffs this year. Okposso alone should help with that. I dont see us as a particularly threatening playoff team. But we could be in another year or two when Jack and Sam get used to the playoffs, as well as a few of our rochester guys maturing in to bottom 6 NHL players.

When did that start?
- chilliard77

I believe when he got blasted into the boards last year, either same time as one of his concussions or just when he got hit low.

There was a time that Ennis was an semi-important part of this team.
Right now, that seems like a century ago.
If he stays, gets traded, or whatever.....it does not matter anymore.
- Sabresfan88

I'll take an additional 20-ish/50-ish on this team any day.
he sounded like he was chomping at the bit to come back at the end of the season last year.
I hope he comes back healthy and understands Bylsma's game plan. I cant imagine he would be downright terrible if all those things happen.
He knows how to score goals. He just looked lost this year any time he was on the ice, as limited as it was.

I believe when he got blasted into the boards last year, either same time as one of his concussions or just when he got hit low.
- SABRES 89

Is that just a back injury though or does he have a chronically bad back?

I dont want to Homer out here….and I dont remember the exact quote. But something like if we won a game more per month last year, we would have made the playoffs, makes me very hopeful for this year. Especially considering how bad we were in 14-15.
People can come over to our board and crap all over us all they want, but we made a huge improvement from the year GMTM took over to last year and I only think we need to get a little bit better to make the playoffs this year. Okposso alone should help with that. I dont see us as a particularly threatening playoff team. But we could be in another year or two when Jack and Sam get used to the playoffs, as well as a few of our rochester guys maturing in to bottom 6 NHL players.
- seedy

Growth alone gets us into the playoffs this year. Okposo is just insurance that we do.

Is that just a back injury though or does he have a chronically bad back?
- seedy

An injury could very easily lead to chronic problem though. I believe it happened in the Washington game when he got crunched from behind into the boards by Ovie. The Sabres called it a "lower body" at the time.

For now we should move on from Vesey and not worry as of now what he does. If we get him great if not we move on.
- SABRES 89

You can't really move on until you find out what's going on with him