The path of least resistance is to send both Nylander and Thompson down. That way no one gets waived until Larsson gets back.

Coaches are typically conservative at heart.
- jcragcrumple

for as hard as I've been on nylander, I thought his play in the preseason was/is worthy of a spot

The Bills are last in the NFL in WR catches, but Benjamin and Zay Jones say they're committed to being ready when the ball comes their way.
- homiedclown

Scott Wedgewood said he's a number 1 goalie.

for as hard as I've been on nylander, I thought his play in the preseason was/is worthy of a spot
- Michael Pachla

(Pulls the pin on the grenade)

"Gerbe called this last season and I agreed with him. You all get down on prospects too quick. Didn't we learn anything from Samson?"

(Hides for cover)

The Bills are last in the NFL in WR catches, but Benjamin and Zay Jones say they're committed to being ready when the ball comes their way.
- homiedclown

Benjamin is 6/15
Jones is 6/10
Holmes is 5/10

Our QB is our lead rusher.

Zay Jones is the only receiver on the Bills with positive value. (Defensive-adjusted Yards Above Replacement)
DeSean Jackson leads the league with 159 DYAR. Zay Jones has 6. And it gets worse from there.

for as hard as I've been on nylander, I thought his play in the preseason was/is worthy of a spot
- Michael Pachla

I hope you're right.

It all comes down to whether it's actually a camp competition, or does Housley say "it was a good opportunity for him to learn from. Now he knows a little more about what it takes to stick in the NHL"

I want him to have a big game tonight. If he goes out with a bang tonight it will make it tougher to send him down.

I hope you're right.

It all comes down to whether it's actually a camp competition, or does Housley say "it was a good opportunity for him to learn from. Now he knows a little more about what it takes to stick in the NHL"

I want him to have a big game tonight. If he goes out with a bang tonight it will make it tougher to send him down.
- jcragcrumple

They had no problem sending him down early last year.

(Pulls the pin on the grenade)

"Gerbe called this last season and I agreed with him. You all get down on prospects too quick. Didn't we learn anything from Samson?"

(Hides for cover)
- RhinoFan

What we learned is the player dug his own hole and deserved all the criticism directed at him, until he pulled himself out, and gerbe hated him even more.

I hope you're right.

It all comes down to whether it's actually a camp competition, or does Housley say "it was a good opportunity for him to learn from. Now he knows a little more about what it takes to stick in the NHL"

I want him to have a big game tonight. If he goes out with a bang tonight it will make it tougher to send him down.
- jcragcrumple

Very curious to see how things turn out. No question it was competitive, but most of the competition failed to impress (Baptiste, Olofsson, ERod, etc.). I still struggle to see both Thompson and Nylander making the team, but mostly because they are both young, defensively challenged and it forces additional waivers.

Looks like no TV broadcast tonight, sadly. Tavares should be forced to show and sing the national anthems or something.

Very curious to see how things turn out. No question it was competitive, but most of the competition failed to impress (Baptiste, Olofsson, ERod, etc.). I still struggle to see both Thompson and Nylander making the team, but mostly because they are both young, defensively challenged and it forces additional waivers.

Looks like no TV broadcast tonight, sadly. Tavares should be forced to show and sing the national anthems or something.
- Lunaion

Erod sticks. Baptiste or Larsson, when healthy, is waived. Can't believe how many people thought Olofsson would make this lineup.

Nylander and Thompson have showed they can hang, and I'm glad Housley has put them in expanded roles to see if they can hold up. Both of them could go either way for me.

They had no problem sending him down early last year.
- TheSabresTaco

I just think NHL coaches are programmed to be risk adverse.

Keeping Nylander and/or Thompson forces lineup decisions deeper on the roster. Will they actually play 4 rookies to start the year? It would likely mean pushing Erod and Girgs out of the opening day lineup as extras, and Bailey, Larsson and Baptiste all get waived.

Will they do that? Idk, I kind of doubt it. Maybe Nylander and Thompson are battling for one spot, or maybe they're merely placeholders until Eichel and Sheary get back. Never bet against the most conservative posture a coach/GM could make.

What we learned is the player dug his own hole and deserved all the criticism directed at him, until he pulled himself out, and gerbe hated him even more.
- TheSabresTaco

Was nothing but a groin injury and a call up to the AHL before his time.

We got Willie 2.0. Just wait. He's going to be a 50+pt player.

(Pulls the pin on the grenade)

"Gerbe called this last season and I agreed with him. You all get down on prospects too quick. Didn't we learn anything from Samson?"

(Hides for cover)
- RhinoFan

I didn't say anything about him continuing his inspired play into the regular season...just saying that he earned the right to be on the roster opening night

"Filled in admirably?" FFS, he was signed to (frank)ing start.
- TheSabresTaco

That and Lawson played week 1, so this isn’t his “first time suiting up this season”

I hope you're right.

It all comes down to whether it's actually a camp competition, or does Housley say "it was a good opportunity for him to learn from. Now he knows a little more about what it takes to stick in the NHL"

I want him to have a big game tonight. If he goes out with a bang tonight it will make it tougher to send him down.
- jcragcrumple

i'm staying in here and now...he's having an impressive camp...will that carry over into the regular season?

I don't know

I didn't say anything about him continuing his inspired play into the regular season...just saying that he earned the right to be on the roster opening night
- Michael Pachla

You'll come around

I just think NHL coaches are programmed to be risk adverse.

Keeping Nylander and/or Thompson forces lineup decisions deeper on the roster. Will they actually play 4 rookies to start the year? It would likely mean pushing Erod and Girgs out of the opening day lineup as extras, and Bailey, Larsson and Baptiste all get waived.

Will they do that? Idk, I kind of doubt it. Maybe Nylander and Thompson are battling for one spot, or maybe they're merely placeholders until Eichel and Sheary get back. Never bet against the most conservative posture a coach/GM could make.
- jcragcrumple

Botterill will not keep a single player that isn't 100% ready. It's not a charade. If they're here, they deserve to be here, plain as that.

Was nothing but a groin injury and a call up to the AHL before his time.

We got Willie 2.0. Just wait. He's going to be a 50+pt player.
- RhinoFan

That was about Reinhart, not Nylander.

You'll come around
- RhinoFan

never gave up on him..always pointed out he was one of the most, if not the most, skilled players in his draft while also pointing out he's still very young...

never gave up on him..always pointed out he was one of the most, if not the most, skilled players in his draft while also pointing out he's still very young...
- Michael Pachla

I think you and I were talking about how neither of us wanted him, despite his obvious skills because of his perimeter play.

Botterill will not keep a single player that isn't 100% ready. It's not a charade. If they're here, they deserve to be here, plain as that.
- TheSabresTaco

That's kind of coachspeak imo, though. Is Larsson ready to be here? (I don't mean injury-wise) Is Wilson ready? Is Girgensons? How about Bailey or Baptiste? Will they ever be ready? I guess what I'm saying is, if you aren't that good, are you ever ready?

The players we're talking about - Nylander, Mittelstadt and Thompson have the highest ceiling. What they probably need is experience

I'm not saying they're ready to play 100% flawless hockey, but let's be honest, you're never gonna get that from a Larsson, Bailey, Baptiste or Girgensons either

That's kind of coachspeak imo, though. Is Larsson ready to be here? (I don't mean injury-wise) Is Wilson ready? Is Girgensons? How about Bailey or Baptiste? Will they ever be ready? I guess what I'm saying is, if you aren't that good, are you ever ready?

The players we're talking about - Nylander, Mittelstadt and Thompson have the highest ceiling. What they probably need is experience

I'm not saying they're ready to play 100% flawless hockey, but let's be honest, you're never gonna get that from a Larsson, Bailey, Baptiste or Girgensons either
- jcragcrumple

Cmon. Coach speak. It's Jason Botterill speak and his record speaks for himself. Yes, the players are developed enough to play in the NHL, despite their (or lack of) skill sets. Everyone here is physically able to play a role in the NHL.

Experience- Can, and is by design, be obtained by playing against physically mature professionals in the AHL. I'm not advocating those specific players go to the AHL, just a general comment.

Cmon. Coach speak. It's Jason Botterill speak and his record speaks for himself. Yes, the players are developed enough to play in the NHL, despite their (or lack of) skill sets. Everyone here is physically able to play a role in the NHL.

Experience- Can, and is by design, be obtained by playing against physically mature professionals in the AHL. I'm not advocating those specific players go to the AHL, just a general comment.
- TheSabresTaco

Larsson had 4 goals in 80 games, and was a -32 while "contributing" significantly to the 22nd ranked PK

His role was to be a warm body. He is not ready.

I don't generally like cross-sport analogies, but this reminds me philosophically of McDermott's decision to start Peterman. It allows the entire process to be delayed, while simultaneously being able to say "yes, this sucks, but look at the shiny toy in the corner. He's coming soon!"

These guys have to take their lumps eventually. I'd rather this year be the learning year for these guys, rather than delaying it another.

Any other purpose to this year is merely delaying progression. Would I be shocked to see a line of Wilson-Larsson-Girgs while Mitts plays with Sobotka and Pominville? No, but it's the wrong call

I think you and I were talking about how neither of us wanted him, despite his obvious skills because of his perimeter play.
- TheSabresTaco

pretty sure we both liked sergachev

(Pulls the pin on the grenade)

"Gerbe called this last season and I agreed with him. You all get down on prospects too quick. Didn't we learn anything from Samson?"

(Hides for cover)
- RhinoFan

Been wondering where he was so I could tell him.

If Ho-Sang is on the move, lets land him.