Michael Pachla: Building the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres roster--LHD, Andre Benoit...plus...

Michael Pachla: Building the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres roster--LHD, Andre Benoit...plus...
- Michael Pachla

If we were doing a series called "Dismantling the Buffalo Sabres" Mike Weber would hopefully be the first entry.


Benoit intrigues me, I figured him for the 7 spot. I really can't wait for 2-3 years when this blue line is at it's full potential

If we were doing a series called "Dismantling the Buffalo Sabres" Mike Weber would hopefully be the first entry.


Benoit intrigues me, I figured him for the 7 spot. I really can't wait for 2-3 years when this blue line is at it's full potential
- sbroads24

2-3 years is what it's gonna take...benoit on any team with a good, solid d would be a depth defenseman...on the sabres this season, he should get regular minutes

I'm a little surprised by your decision making in the articles.
Josh Gorges is not a number 1 pairing guy and Benoit is not a number 4. Benoit is a very late bloomer and was not retained by Ottawa or Colorado. He is a third pairing guy.
Thanks for the detailed work anyway.
I like your articles.

2-3 years is what it's gonna take...benoit on any team with a good, solid d would be a depth defenseman...on the sabres this season, he should get regular minutes
- Michael Pachla

Yea he pretty much fills the McBain role of last season. He seems to have been a lot better more recently that McBain has been so hopefully it's an upgrade.

Im figuring 2 years from now we have Myers in his prime, Pysyk with a few seasons under his belt, Risto playing at a high level, McCabe closing in on his prime and Gorges still on the team. If that goes as planned it's a solid group to start competing for the playoffs

Yea he pretty much fills the McBain role of last season. He seems to have been a lot better more recently that McBain has been so hopefully it's an upgrade.

Im figuring 2 years from now we have Myers in his prime, Pysyk with a few seasons under his belt, Risto playing at a high level, McCabe closing in on his prime and Gorges still on the team. If that goes as planned it's a solid group to start competing for the playoffs
- sbroads24

Who's worse, McBain or Weber?

Who's worse, McBain or Weber?
- CaptainRivet

Weber. the reason ? He is still here.

Who's worse, McBain or Weber?
- CaptainRivet

Well one is still a sabre the other isn't, that should answer your question.

Tallinder has a tryout on the Leafs.

both the answer I wanted

Well one is still a sabre the other isn't, that should answer your question.
- jaumiller

Tallinder has a tryout on the Leafs.
- cabin

Why do all the sabres I liked always end up being leafs?

Who's worse, McBain or Weber?
- CaptainRivet

Weber by far. Only reason he's here is because Nolan likes how bad he is at hockey.

McBain could at least chip in a goal.

Weber by far. Only reason he's here is because Nolan likes how bad he is at hockey.

McBain could at least chip in a goal.
- sbroads24

Its really splitting hairs as to who is worse, but Weber was never dumb enough to up end on guy who was beating him to the net and break our goalies leg. Mcbain did that twice.

Why do all the sabres I liked always end up being leafs?
- jaumiller

Stop liking them then. Be like Mr Squirrel and hate them all. then they will never sign with the Leafs.

we will beat you.

(No we won't.)

I have a bias about balancing strengths with defensive pairings - think Adam Foote plus Sandis Ozolinsh (sp) - which would make me favor Pysyk potentially - solid shutdown to go with Risto' offense, or even Mezaros to lend veteran presence to smooth out Risto's growing pains.

But as you said, I know next to squat about Benoit.

we will beat you.

(No we won't.)
- BINGO!

It's all depending on chemistry.

More Canes notables: Sergey Tolchinsky, Victor Rask, Phil Di Giuseppe

I have a bias about balancing strengths with defensive pairings - think Adam Foote plus Sandis Ozolinsh (sp) - which would make me favor Pysyk potentially - solid shutdown to go with Risto' offense, or even Mezaros to lend veteran presence to smooth out Risto's growing pains.

But as you said, I know next to squat about Benoit.
- nfph

I'm with you. Makes sense to me that you put a more offensive guy with a defensive defenseman. Like Myers with Tallinder during his rookie year.

I'm with you. Makes sense to me that you put a more offensive guy with a defensive defenseman. Like Myers with Tallinder during his rookie year.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree with this idea. Having a stay at home defenseman to be with the guy that jumps up is critical. That's why I agree with Gorges with Myers. Gorges knows how to cover and will probably help get the guys on the ice more accountable for when Myers jumps into the play.

I'm a little surprised by your decision making in the articles.
Josh Gorges is not a number 1 pairing guy and Benoit is not a number 4. Benoit is a very late bloomer and was not retained by Ottawa or Colorado. He is a third pairing guy.
Thanks for the detailed work anyway.
I like your articles.
- strongsupporter

I appreciate you taking the time out to read them...


*shrugs*

imo, at this point in time, there are not many options on defense

I have a bias about balancing strengths with defensive pairings - think Adam Foote plus Sandis Ozolinsh (sp) - which would make me favor Pysyk potentially - solid shutdown to go with Risto' offense, or even Mezaros to lend veteran presence to smooth out Risto's growing pains.

But as you said, I know next to squat about Benoit.
- nfph

you are always the voice of reason, cisco...meszaros was my first choice, and still might end up on that second pairing...but, I didn't put him there because....





you'll just have to wait until I get to him

More Canes notables: Sergey Tolchinsky, Victor Rask, Phil Di Giuseppe
- BINGO!

yup...and was a fan of Buffalo landing Alex Nedeljkovic at the draft...seems like he could be a good one too

Yea he pretty much fills the McBain role of last season. He seems to have been a lot better more recently that McBain has been so hopefully it's an upgrade.

Im figuring 2 years from now we have Myers in his prime, Pysyk with a few seasons under his belt, Risto playing at a high level, McCabe closing in on his prime and Gorges still on the team. If that goes as planned it's a solid group to start competing for the playoffs
- sbroads24

Perhaps a 2015 draft pick as well, i'm being overly optimistic but we could be looking at a historically dominant defence group (salary cap era that is)