Well, considering what this team will look like moving forward, we have some probably guaranteed knowns and some big problems needing to be addressed.

On the offense top 6:

1. Eichel
2. Reinhart
3. Okposo
4. RoR
5. Kane (maybe)
6. Ennis for now, Nylander for later, or ?

Bottom six: we have more than enough for a decade.

Defense;
1.Risto 2. ?
3. McCabe 3.?
4. 5. 6. Nelson, Ghule, trades, UFAs, future picks.
Franson, Kulikov, Bogo, and Gorges let's face it, they won't be here on a contending team.

So, we have a clear defensive problem when it comes to top 4 cup contention caliber players. Do we pull the trigger now or continue to float for a while and see how things play out? Shattenkirk or Linholm talks should open up with an offer of Nylander and our 1st. Landing one of them would give us 3 solid top 4 defensmen, and if Ghule can work his way into being a #4 next year we should be fine.

Could we afford to take the hit to our top 6 though? Who will replace Ennis and possibly Kane in the long run, Ennis is not going to cut it on a S.C. contending team, and Kane seems like he's becoming a real injury prone player too.

Ive changed my tune and come around to the split pairings thing you mentioned in the off season. If you go after another righty (of that caliber) you could go

McCabe-Risto

Kulikov-New guy


spread the ice time, give one pair the extra o-zone time and the other the heavy d minutes against top lines?
- Sabresfan-365

A top 4 without Josh Gorges is ridiculous according to Dan Bylsma

Still excited:

This team with Kane and Yeichel healthy...even just Yeichel...is a playoff team IMO. We lack depth, we have a couple of pilon defenders...but most teams do as well. I think we could really go on a tear after Christmas.

Disco still sucks

Still excited:

This team with Kane and Yeichel healthy...even just Yeichel...is a playoff team IMO. We lack depth, we have a couple of pilon defenders...but most teams do as well. I think we could really go on a tear after Christmas.

Disco still sucks
- RhinoFan

If there's a guy on Minnesota looking for his first career goal I'm sure he'll get it tomorrow

Well, considering what this team will look like moving forward, we have some probably guaranteed knowns and some big problems needing to be addressed.

On the offense top 6:

1. Eichel
2. Reinhart
3. Okposo
4. RoR
5. Kane (maybe)
6. Ennis for now, Nylander for later, or ?

Bottom six: we have more than enough for a decade.

Defense;
1.Risto 2. ?
3. McCabe 3.?
4. 5. 6. Nelson, Ghule, trades, UFAs, future picks.
Franson, Kulikov, Bogo, and Gorges let's face it, they won't be here on a contending team.

So, we have a clear defensive problem when it comes to top 4 cup contention caliber players. Do we pull the trigger now or continue to float for a while and see how things play out? Shattenkirk or Linholm talks should open up with an offer of Nylander and our 1st. Landing one of them would give us 3 solid top 4 defensmen, and if Ghule can work his way into being a #4 next year we should be fine.

Could we afford to take the hit to our top 6 though? Who will replace Ennis and possibly Kane in the long run, Ennis is not going to cut it on a S.C. contending team, and Kane seems like he's becoming a real injury prone player too.
- sskkoo1

Bottom 6 could use some speed.

As for the D i say let it ride. Worst case put the high pick you get in play and see whats out there.

I absolutely think you can take the hit in the top 6. a) wingers are easier to find b) The Centres we have can make wingers look better than they are. They dont have to be elite, they just have to not suck and be ready for the pass.

A top 4 without Josh Gorges is ridiculous according to Dan Bylsma
- mattmoulson

While there's a good chance there may be no effect whatsoever, I find the notion of hiring a head coach who for most of his career was a grinder in the old era to coach a young team laughable.

Summed up: This team is bad.
- CaptainRivet

Pretty much so we're behind a year now

Top 10 in the draft 16-17

In the hunt for the playoffs 17-18

Playoffs - 18-19

Contender for the cup 19-20

If there's a guy on Minnesota looking for his first career goal I'm sure he'll get it tomorrow
- mattmoulson

Devan Dubnyk

Still excited:

This team with Kane and Yeichel healthy...even just Yeichel...is a playoff team IMO. We lack depth, we have a couple of pilon defenders...but most teams do as well. I think we could really go on a tear after Christmas.

Disco still sucks
- RhinoFan

playoffs?


playoffs?


did you watch the last 25 minutes of the game?


you could add ovi and stamkos and it's an 8th seed at best right now

Pretty much so we're behind a year now

Top 10 in the draft in the draft 16-17

In the hunt for the playoffs 17-18

Playoffs - 18-19

Contender for the cup 19-20
- GERBE!!!75PTS

I think they are behind more than a year


goalie big ?
number 2 and #3 d men, big ?
ennis big ?


maybe if vesey signed we would be a year away

right now they are not built to sustain multiple runs where they compete

While there's a good chance there may be no effect whatsoever, I find the notion of hiring a head coach who for most of his career was a grinder in the old era to coach a young team laughable.
- Sabresfan-365

Travis Green, Rick Tocchet or John Torchetti please

Bottom 6 could use some speed.

As for the D i say let it ride. Worst case put the high pick you get in play and see whats out there.

I absolutely think you can take the hit in the top 6. a) wingers are easier to find b) The Centres we have can make wingers look better than they are. They dont have to be elite, they just have to not suck and be ready for the pass.
- Sabresfan-365

I thought speed for the bottom six was kind of addressed this year in drafting Asplund and Pu, aren't they speedy guys?

Anyway, I was of the mindset of wait out the defense too, but right now we have two top tier guys in Linholm and Shattenkirk that can be had for a heavy price. But, what else the other better option? Draft a guy this year, hope to get lucky with him, and still have to wait 3-4 years for his development into a top pairing. It might be better to just bite the bullet and pay up now rather than kick the can down the road when we should be a contending team.

I thought speed for the bottom six was kind of addressed this year in drafting Asplund and Pu, aren't they speedy guys?

Anyway, I was of the mindset of wait out the defense too, but right now we have two top tier guys in Linholm and Shattenkirk that can be had for a heavy price. But, what else the other better option? Draft a guy this year, hope to get lucky with him, and still have to wait 3-4 years for his development into a top pairing. It might be better to just bite the bullet and pay up now rather than kick the can down the road when we should be a contending team.
- sskkoo1

Those guys are 3 years away.
There were plenty of players who signed cheap deals.

Murray has a vision that this team has to be big and punishing.
IT gets hammered by speed, which we have seen time and time again.

Those guys are 3 years away.
There were plenty of players who signed cheap deals.

Murray has a vision that this team has to be big and punishing.
IT gets hammered by speed, which we have seen time and time again.
- ImThatGuy

As was evidenced by the first 2 periods last night...this team excels when they are allowed to really lean on the forecheck...

we need a coach who can admit that he made a mistake instead of blaming the players

I think they are behind more than a year


goalie big ?
number 2 and #3 d men, big ?
ennis big ?


maybe if vesey signed we would be a year away

right now they are not built to sustain multiple runs where they compete
- homiedclown

If we're behind more than a year than Tim Murray should be fired I'm sorry

Travis Green, Rick Tocchet or John Torchetti please
- homiedclown

There were/still are other really good options out there. As weird as it sounds my preference would be a guy with no nhl coaching experience at all. Someone who can come in with an open mind, fresh ideas etc. and more importantly forms lines and pairings based on what he sees not based on reputation or what worked on a team 8 years ago.

There were/still are other really good options out there. As weird as it sounds my preference would be a guy with no nhl coaching experience at all. Someone who can come in with an open mind, fresh ideas etc. and more importantly forms lines and pairings based on what he sees not based on reputation or what worked on a team 8 years ago.
- Sabresfan-365

Luke Richardson?

Still excited:

This team with Kane and Yeichel healthy...even just Yeichel...is a playoff team IMO. We lack depth, we have a couple of pilon defenders...but most teams do as well. I think we could really go on a tear after Christmas.

Disco still sucks
- RhinoFan

not even Johnny hockey could save this team right now

I think they are behind more than a year


goalie big ?
number 2 and #3 d men, big ?
ennis big ?


maybe if vesey signed we would be a year away

right now they are not built to sustain multiple runs where they compete
- homiedclown

You can solve a by solving b so im not too worried there. Ennis is whatever at this point.

They're a year away if they haven't fallen in love with certain players carrying large cap hits.

What a bunch of armchair GM's we got in here.

Luke Richardson?
- feetontheair22

Maybe. If it were up to me Id look to the NCAA. we just got beat by one

No, they really weren't. Like at all.
- Sabresfan-365

you don't think the bogo/McCabe pairing worked?...at all?

you don't think the bogo/McCabe pairing worked?...at all?
- Michael Pachla

They had their moments but overall no not really.

Dudes,

Went to the game yesterday. Team is slow. Reinhart and O'Reilly are a shell of themselves from last year. I didn't do research, but it certainly seemed they controlled the puck much more last year than they do this year.

Game was a serious snooze fest. 3 bad goals by Neuvirth. Each scored on initial rush. No sustained pressure. Flyers weren't any better. Felt like I was watching soccer. Then Kuli DeeeeeeStroyed Voracek. Reminded me of Umberger. I was fine with the hit, but it was at an unfortunate time. First sign of life pretty much the entire game. A good team would've got a charge out of it. Not the Sabres though. This team looks worse than last year and the Flyers were not interested in playing that game at all. What a disaster.

PHam, had a great line on the post game show. Said he's seen this movie before in that building. So true and I've purchased tickets for almost everyone of those friggin movies the past 15 years. It was never that bad. Shots were basically tied after two then the Sabres stopped skating past center ice.

Every goal scored was at the same end of the ice! I was as excited as I could be after that 3rd period meltdown because the Sabres would be shooting on that end in OT. No score in OT, then realized goalies switch ends for the shootout! You gotta be poopting me! Only goals scored were on that end of the ice.

Okposo was the best player on the Sabres all night. I like him.

Even Hillary wouldn't have played Bogo in the OT.
- Pairo11

I thought they lost in the shootout?...how did bogo screw that up?