Just landed in Vancouver (for work) and rode the train from the airport to the downtown area. Coincidentally, I ran into John Van Boxmeer. I noticed his Sabres travelling bag with the name "Van Boxmeer" on it. I think he was startled when I said "hey John, how are you doing"? As most on here would know, Van Boxmeer is the Sabres west coast pro-scout. He lives in L.A. and is responsible for all pro scouting from Denver westwards.
Anyway, I walked and chatted with him for 15 minutes. Below are some of the key takeaways
- He is in Vancouver scouting the Canucks/Preds tonight.
- he just spent 4 days in San Jose scouting the Sharks. Prior to that, he was in Anaheim for a few days. He is off to Edmonton tomorrow to scout the Oilers/Preds game.
- I asked him about when they were going to trade Kane. He just laughed but he said there definitely is a lot of interest in him.
- I asked him what's going on with Reinhart. He said two things - "skating and heart".
- He thinks the last couple of games they might have turned the corner a bit. He insinuated (didn't say names) that some of the young guys on the team might feel a wee bit entitled. He said particularly the non elite guys who are playing in the NHL have to bring it absolutely every shift.
- we talked about Jack's unorthodox stride. He said because his stride is so long, it can be very deceptive.
- I asked him what Jason Botterill was like. He said very smart and very organized. He said there is a "night and day difference" between Botterill and the previous GM. I'll take that as a positive towards Botts and a negative towards Murray.
He was a really nice guy. We are staying in the same hotel so we might meet up for a beer after the game in the hotel bar. However, if he reads this board, he might take a pass.
My first "insider" contribution. Nothing like Homie or 89' but at least it wasn't the hot dog vendor.
In fairness bailey is still hurt.. he not played in Rochester since the original call up. And unlike the 19 yr old he has shown he can score in the ahl. - gordong
I didnt realize he only played 4 games this year. Fair enough, I just do not see the:
This is my nhl spot, take it from me.
It's more like,
Well: rochester is a nice place to play, its near buffalo. I'm still making 600,000 this year to play a game I love.
Location: Ice girls, please, NY Joined: 07.16.2011
Dec 13 @ 6:07 PM ET
im gay for agent cooper
But saying Twin Peaks is the GOAT tv show is a stretch.... top-10 no question but some of those episodes in season 2 were... not good. And the new season had a few stinkers, too.
I DIDNT FINISH IT DO NOT SPOIL IT.
Flight of the Concords my all-time favorite.
- BeadyEyedDouche
If Peaks aired for the first time right now, it would be very, very good but for 1990 it was light-years beyond anything. The Return was so awesomely crazy that I never mind the slower bits, and the last 10 episodes are simply brilliant.
Location: We need a You're an Ass button, NY Joined: 09.07.2006
Dec 13 @ 6:09 PM ET
Just landed in Vancouver (for work) and rode the train from the r" contribution. Nothing like Homie or 89' but at least it wasn't the hot dog vendor. - SabreWest
Just landed in Vancouver (for work) and rode the train from the airport to the downtown area. Coincidentally, I ran into John Van Boxmeer. I noticed his Sabres travelling bag with the name "Van Boxmeer" on it. I think he was startled when I said "hey John, how are you doing"? As most on here would know, Van Boxmeer is the Sabres west coast pro-scout. He lives in L.A. and is responsible for all pro scouting from Denver westwards.
Anyway, I walked and chatted with him for 15 minutes. Below are some of the key takeaways
- He is in Vancouver scouting the Canucks/Preds tonight.
- he just spent 4 days in San Jose scouting the Sharks. Prior to that, he was in Anaheim for a few days. He is off to Edmonton tomorrow to scout the Oilers/Preds game.
- I asked him about when they were going to trade Kane. He just laughed but he said there definitely is a lot of interest in him.
- I asked him what's going on with Reinhart. He said two things - "skating and heart".
- He thinks the last couple of games they might have turned the corner a bit. He insinuated (didn't say names) that some of the young guys on the team might feel a wee bit entitled. He said particularly the non elite guys who are playing in the NHL have to bring it absolutely every shift.
- we talked about Jack's unorthodox stride. He said because his stride is so long, it can be very deceptive.
- I asked him what Jason Botterill was like. He said very smart and very organized. He said there is a "night and day difference" between Botterill and the previous GM. I'll take that as a positive towards Botts and a negative towards Murray.
He was a really nice guy. We are staying in the same hotel so we might meet up for a beer after the game in the hotel bar. However, if he reads this board, he might take a pass.
My first "insider" contribution. Nothing like Homie or 89' but at least it wasn't the hot dog vendor. - SabreWest
Ok, that makes more sense
But a lot of the guys on Rochester u mentioned will never spend significant time here
Quite a few career AHLers u mentioned
Also,
Idk how u could definitely say that “player x” is on J Botts’ list but “player y” isn’t
He said he’d need a full year to properly evaluate the players throughout the organization
And who YOU like/don’t like isn’t necessarily that same as him - jdfitz77
I'm pretty sure jbotts has been scouting and watching theses guys before this year. Especially the ahl guys. He's been a multiple ahl championship winning ahl gm.
My opinions probably differ :
I heard he was pretty high on reinhart and erod.
I like erod alot , silent sam doesn't do it for me
I'm pretty sure jbotts has been scouting and watching theses guys before this year. Especially the ahl guys. He's been a multiple ahl championship winning ahl gm.
My opinions probably differ :
I heard he was pretty high on reinhart and erod.
I like erod alot , silent sam doesn't do it for me - Boss34
I’m not saying he hasn’t seen these guys before
But now that he’s here,
I’d guess he will do a much more thorough evaluation
Attitude, work out habits, how hard they practice, etc
These are things he’d never know when he was with the Pens
Just landed in Vancouver (for work) and rode the train from the airport to the downtown area. Coincidentally, I ran into John Van Boxmeer. I noticed his Sabres travelling bag with the name "Van Boxmeer" on it. I think he was startled when I said "hey John, how are you doing"? As most on here would know, Van Boxmeer is the Sabres west coast pro-scout. He lives in L.A. and is responsible for all pro scouting from Denver westwards.
Anyway, I walked and chatted with him for 15 minutes. Below are some of the key takeaways
- He is in Vancouver scouting the Canucks/Preds tonight.
- he just spent 4 days in San Jose scouting the Sharks. Prior to that, he was in Anaheim for a few days. He is off to Edmonton tomorrow to scout the Oilers/Preds game.
- I asked him about when they were going to trade Kane. He just laughed but he said there definitely is a lot of interest in him.
- I asked him what's going on with Reinhart. He said two things - "skating and heart".
- He thinks the last couple of games they might have turned the corner a bit. He insinuated (didn't say names) that some of the young guys on the team might feel a wee bit entitled. He said particularly the non elite guys who are playing in the NHL have to bring it absolutely every shift.
- we talked about Jack's unorthodox stride. He said because his stride is so long, it can be very deceptive.
- I asked him what Jason Botterill was like. He said very smart and very organized. He said there is a "night and day difference" between Botterill and the previous GM. I'll take that as a positive towards Botts and a negative towards Murray.
He was a really nice guy. We are staying in the same hotel so we might meet up for a beer after the game in the hotel bar. However, if he reads this board, he might take a pass.
My first "insider" contribution. Nothing like Homie or 89' but at least it wasn't the hot dog vendor. - SabreWest
How dare he say reinhart lacks " skating and heart"
Agreed . They haven't made any special feelings towards them . Let them go.
Make an impression or move on. - cabin
But when these guys have been brought up in the past...
are they being told to “make an impression” playing on the 4th line
Or are they being told to “not screw up & play a simple game”
Idk...
but i could certainly see them being instructed to keep it simple & not cost us a goal
U act like Bailey is never gonna be anything bc he’s played “40 games” here
1) he’s been almost exclusively on the 4th line, so idk how many goals u should really expect?
2) lots of guys have improved after the 40 game point. He hasn’t even played a full season here yet.
I get it, u don’t like him
But I’d say you’re writing him off way too soon - jdfitz77
I do like him, he's a really nice guy. He needs to start showing something. He'll be 23 in july.
You love all the prospects. Eventually prospects are no longer worth a spot in the organization.
Location: We need a You're an Ass button, NY Joined: 09.07.2006
Dec 13 @ 6:24 PM ET
But when these guys have been brought up in the past...
are they being told to “make an impression” playing on the 4th line
Or are they being told to “not screw up & play a simple game”
Idk...
but i could certainly see them being instructed to keep it simple & not cost us a goal - jdfitz77
Or they could say " show me what makes you special" Tough call on which road to choose.
But when these guys have been brought up in the past...
are they being told to “make an impression” playing on the 4th line
Or are they being told to “not screw up & play a simple game”
Idk...
but i could certainly see them being instructed to keep it simple & not cost us a goal - jdfitz77
That's how I feel about Baptiste and that highlight reel goal from Eichel last year. Will he ever be given that chance?
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL Joined: 03.10.2013
Dec 13 @ 6:25 PM ET
I really disagree with the jack hate. He's pretty relevant and is always noticable. He just isn't mcdavid or matthews. We were promised more as a fan base. Tough expectations to live up too. Eichels entertaining to say the least. Highlight goals ect.
Silent sam really could be a complete bust. His draft status keeps his minutes up. He is completely invisible, to the naked eye and score sheet. Why would you pay him 3 or 4 million? Hope? Nothing stands out, skating, size, hockey iq, passing, goal scoring. - Boss34
Well Sam has in fact produced 40+ pts twice, right? ... albeit on Jack’s wing, so the jury is out on what he can do away from Jack ... that is the strongest part of your hate on Sam.
However, IF he can play RW and produce 40 - 45 away from Jack, then that production is a high-end 3rd or low-end 2nd line player in today’s NHL.
At say $4m, that ain’t terrible.
On to Jack...to be clear, IF you read and understood any of my posts; then you will agree that it ain’t hate as much as it is a strong desire for him to get better at certain aspects of the game to be a top 5 Center like he will be paid for at $10m.
Frankly, I see a ton of parallels in our opinions ... just that it is directed at 2 different players.
Just landed in Vancouver (for work) and rode the train from the airport to the downtown area. Coincidentally, I ran into John Van Boxmeer. I noticed his Sabres travelling bag with the name "Van Boxmeer" on it. I think he was startled when I said "hey John, how are you doing"? As most on here would know, Van Boxmeer is the Sabres west coast pro-scout. He lives in L.A. and is responsible for all pro scouting from Denver westwards.
Anyway, I walked and chatted with him for 15 minutes. Below are some of the key takeaways
- He is in Vancouver scouting the Canucks/Preds tonight.
- he just spent 4 days in San Jose scouting the Sharks. Prior to that, he was in Anaheim for a few days. He is off to Edmonton tomorrow to scout the Oilers/Preds game.
- I asked him about when they were going to trade Kane. He just laughed but he said there definitely is a lot of interest in him.
- I asked him what's going on with Reinhart. He said two things - "skating and heart".
- He thinks the last couple of games they might have turned the corner a bit. He insinuated (didn't say names) that some of the young guys on the team might feel a wee bit entitled. He said particularly the non elite guys who are playing in the NHL have to bring it absolutely every shift.
- we talked about Jack's unorthodox stride. He said because his stride is so long, it can be very deceptive.
- I asked him what Jason Botterill was like. He said very smart and very organized. He said there is a "night and day difference" between Botterill and the previous GM. I'll take that as a positive towards Botts and a negative towards Murray.
He was a really nice guy. We are staying in the same hotel so we might meet up for a beer after the game in the hotel bar. However, if he reads this board, he might take a pass.
My first "insider" contribution. Nothing like Homie or 89' but at least it wasn't the hot dog vendor. - SabreWest
I do like him, he's a really nice guy. He needs to start showing something. He'll be 23 in july. You love all the prospects. Eventually prospects are no longer worth a spot in the organization. - Boss34
That’s not true
I mostly refer to their ceilings bc I’m hopeful...
but there’s been MANY prospects I’ve been on here talking against
Hurley, Brycen Martin, Kasdorf, Karabacek, and Fasching, among others
Guys like Bailey & Baptiste, etc who have done well at the AHL level deserve a legit shot up here to see what they can or can’t become
For me, that means more than 6 games up here at a time playing 8min a night
When playing on the 4th line & most likely being instructed to play a simple game & not screw up
I’d like to see these guys who looked good in the AHL get an extended chance here in the top9
Then I think we can make a better judgement on them
Well Sam has in fact produced 40+ pts twice, right? ... albeit on Jack’s wing, so the jury is out on what he can do away from Jack ... that is the strongest part of your hate on Sam.
However, IF he can play RW and produce 40 - 45 away from Jack, then that production is a high-end 3rd or low-end 2nd line player in today’s NHL.
At say $4m, that ain’t terrible.
On to Jack...to be clear, IF you read and understood any of my posts; then you will agree that it ain’t hate as much as it is a strong desire for him to get better at certain aspects of the game to be a top 5 Center like he will be paid for at $10m.
Frankly, I see a ton of parallels in our opinions ... just that it is directed at 2 different players. - IonSabres
I agree, it's tough being a sabres fan.
With Eichel, I feel like he's about to do something special whenever he's out there. He's exciting and entertaining.
Reinhart is having a really bad year. There is Zero excitement or entertainment to his game.
Being a season ticket holder, it's not just winning, it's entertainment value too
