For the last 2 years, he's been paid like a top 15 center.

His first year here (for at least the first half of it) he was playing like one.

He didn't last year, and hasnt this year.
- sbroads24

I guess I define Franchise Center differently than you may.
That tag to me is higher than #1 Center is all.
Hence why I called out the Franchise descriptor.

82pts minimum and a playoff birth. At that pay, you need to get your team to the post season even if you have to do it single handedly.
- RhinoFan

I have a feeling you're going to be disappointed then. Even mcjesus can't single handedly make the oilers good

Weather forecast just took a turn for the worse for Friday. Expect a game cancellation notice at noon today. #OneBuffalo #DillyDilly
- Buffalo--Sabres

???

Weather Channel still shows snow showers at about 18 degrees. Same as it's been all week, and that's actually warmer than it's been all week.

I have a feeling you're going to be disappointed then. Even mcjesus can't single handedly make the oilers good
- jcragcrumple

I hear ya, but McJesus has gotten them back in playoff contention...they're a long way off but 6-4 in their last 10 and almost back to .500.

I just think the great players can pull a bad team up from the bottom, Jack hasn't done that yet and I still believe him to be a great player.

He can " SEE" the game very well from the press box
- SABRES 89

we make crappy goalies look like all stars

I hear ya, but McJesus has gotten them back in playoff contention...they're a long way off but 6-4 in their last 10 and almost back to .500.

I just think the great players can pull a bad team up from the bottom, Jack hasn't done that yet and I still believe him to be a great player.
- RhinoFan

Well to some extent he has. Hes beem the primary assist on all 3 of Gus's goals this year, and pretty similar for Pominville. Imagine if he had real wingers...

we make crappy goalies look like all stars
- homiedclown

Halak didn't look that great in net. We just couldn't score for crap.

???

Weather Channel still shows snow showers at about 18 degrees. Same as it's been all week, and that's actually warmer than it's been all week.
- buffalofan19

I'd say 99% chance game gets moved to KBC. If the snow band moves a few miles north, OP could be getting 10-20" and wind chill will be sub zero - which people cant sit in for 4 hours.

Well to some extent he has. Hes beem the primary assist on all 3 of Gus's goals this year, and pretty similar for Pominville. Imagine if he had real wingers...
- jcragcrumple

Even just competent wingers would do. Josh Bailey, I think, is a good example. He's a skilled player, has great speed, but he finally got to play with JT for a season...48pts in 37 games. It isn't that he's bad and just leeching here, but a solid winger can be made into an All Star by the play of a great centerman. I don't see Jack as JT yet, but the kid has the talent to get there...and we sorely need him to.

I'd say 99% chance game gets moved to KBC. If the snow band moves a few miles north, OP could be getting 10-20" and wind chill will be sub zero - which people cant sit in for 4 hours.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I did the first time around. Granted I had more whiskey in the system from the previous night than most, and full PPE for artic conditions. It helped weed out all the Crosby baby blue jersey wearing humpers.

How did we look without him on Monday?

How did we look last night with him back in the lineup?

I think it’s hilarious how the pack mentality decides to focus on certain players.

Last nights game was not lost by ROR, or Lenner, or Scandella.

Nolan Kane and Sam all had beauties and time, and all three of them choked. Well, no, Nolan didn’t choke, he just SUCKS. (I wasn’t sure he was going to even successfully carry the puck into the O-zone on his breakaway.)

We need to score more goals. That’s the beginning and the end.
- Der Kaiser

Yes but those players actually have skill and make more than 3m a year. They can be blamed.

Those who make under 3 million are blameless for their lack of production because you can't expect players who make less than 3 million to play at - or above - an NHL level


Or so I've been told

He's the biggest disappointment on this team this year, he's lost.
- SABRES 89

Ristolainen has been putrid. I just don't understand playing someone 25+ minutes a night when he breaks down so frequently in his own zone. Like a deer in the headlights.

Yes but those players actually have skill and make more than 3m a year. They can be blamed.

Those who make under 3 million are blameless for their lack of production because you can't expect players who make less than 3 million to play at - or above - an NHL level


Or so I've been told
- jcragcrumple

if you expect jordan nolan to be a difference maker and win games, your crazy


risto, ror, scandella, eichel, kane, pommer, reinhart, okposo, lehner

that is your core


when teams are good their core is good

when teams are bad, look at the top half of the roster


if this team was 9th in the east, you can say a tweak here or there may be the difference between 9th and 8th at the end of the year


when you are dead last, you have big problems


denial is not just a river in Egypt

Ristolainen has been putrid. I just don't understand playing someone 25+ minutes a night when he breaks down so frequently in his own zone. Like a deer in the headlights.
- doppelthat

Because the rest of them are worse?

Ristolainen has been putrid. I just don't understand playing someone 25+ minutes a night when he breaks down so frequently in his own zone. Like a deer in the headlights.
- doppelthat

he looks like myers in year 3


let him do his thing and push the play the other way and have someone else stay home

Because the rest of them are worse?
- jochfr

I think mccabe and scandella are playing mush better than risto this season

if you expect jordan nolan to be a difference maker and win games, your crazy


risto, ror, scandella, eichel, kane, pommer, reinhart, okposo, lehner

that is your core


when teams are good their core is good

when teams are bad, look at the top half of the roster


if this team was 9th in the east, you can say a tweak here or there may be the difference between 9th and 8th at the end of the year


when you are dead last, you have big problems


denial is not just a river in Egypt
- homiedclown

The core is ROR, Eichel and Risto.

The rest are gone, or should be gone

I'd say 99% chance game gets moved to KBC. If the snow band moves a few miles north, OP could be getting 10-20" and wind chill will be sub zero - which people cant sit in for 4 hours.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Lol people are going to ask for a refund for sure

Granted I had more whiskey in the system from the previous night than most.
- 51_Killer

following

I figured you were one that did not spit
- homiedclown

Hell no that's good protein

Lol people are going to ask for a refund for sure
- GERBE!!!75PTS

pussies

He can " SEE" the game very well from the Players Lounge
- SABRES 89

Fixed

serious question

is this team better off for the next 5 years having kane at 7 to 7.5 mil per or ror at 7.5 per for the next 5 years

serious question

is this team better off for the next 5 years having kane at 7 to 7.5 mil per or ror at 7.5 per for the next 5 years
- homiedclown

Kane all day everyday, and twice on Sunday.