it's a shame they gave the kids nothing in net to reward their play this season
- homiedclown

Not like good free agents are gonna come here right now
What would u have done?

If Tage doesn’t pan out they got Quinn, Rosen, Poltapov, Kisakov waiting in the wings.

I’m worried about what the plan is down the middle.

Ideally Mitts is a 3C and Cozens develops into a 2C eventually (he could be a 1C but I think odds favour 2C)
- Pegullaville

I think in the future Mitts could be moved to the wing if needed, hes very skilled offensively and having a a guy that can take face-offs when a centreman gets kicked out is always nice.

His presence with Cozens on L2 would also bump Bjork down to L3 with Ruotsalainen and Asplund.

The pieces just fit better with him on board

Skinner-mitts-Olofsson
JJ-Cozens-Tage
Bjork-Ruotsalainen-Asplund
Pominstroza-Great28-poso
- Hank Balling

No love for your boy Murray?

You can’t compete for the number 1 pick with solid goal tending.
- c1067

Shane Wright >>>>>>>> finishing around .500 maybe

They said that was a big thing with Olofsson's offseason workout program was this summer working on his upper body strength so he doesn't get manhandled
- Buff36

It seems obvious just by looking at Olofsson that he's in outstanding shape.

I see no reason why Peterka shouldn't be a Sabre this season.

He and Cozensons together are fast as (frank) and fun to watch. JJ has an NHL body. He's ready.

Young, but ready
- Hank Balling

As Lunaion pointed out, it's going to be interesting to see how Peterka's contract plays into the Sabres decision making re: him being on the Sabres or Amerks.

I see no reason why Peterka shouldn't be a Sabre this season.

He and Cozensons together are fast as (frank) and fun to watch. JJ has an NHL body. He's ready.

Young, but ready
- Hank Balling

I see several.

He's 19 and hasn't played in North America. Roch might be the best place for him to develop, and that's really the only part that should matter. There really is no downside to starting in Roch.

1 pre-season game against mixed levels of competition isn't a lot to base a decision off of.

His contract can slide. If you're going to start him in the NHL, you don't want to do it as a trial. You want him up for the season. In that sense, they can hurt themselves by making the wrong call here.

Fortunately, we get to see more first.

There's a lot of Love/Hate for Tage on the board. He will be 24 just after the season starts and is either going to show or fold. With that kind of size I hope he shows in a big way (pun intended). Use the size to your advantage and bust some heads if needed. He's never going to be an elite skater but if used right could definitely scare some people from going into the corners. If he folds, next man up and see what happens. I'm non-committal either way. I just want some fun hockey to watch.
- toohipgottago

Hes such a pwssy though. Has some decent hands and a nice shot(can't hit the side of barn though) just has never been able to put it together at this level and I blame his mentality.

Can't be 6'6 playing like your 5'6.

I see several.

He's 19 and hasn't played in North America. Roch might be the best place for him to develop, and that's really the only part that should matter. There really is no downside to starting in Roch.

1 pre-season game against mixed levels of competition isn't a lot to base a decision off of.

His contract can slide. If you're going to start him in the NHL, you don't want to do it as a trial. You want him up for the season. In that sense, they can hurt themselves by making the wrong call here.

Fortunately, we get to see more first.
- Lunaion

We don’t need Peterka (or any other kid) exposed to all the losing we are gonna do this season

Giving them more development time in the minors (or wherever) is a much better idea than bringing them into this mess of a season we are about to have

No love for your boy Murray?
- kingcong39

Peterka has leapfrogged him imo but I will say he showed a huge burst of speed late in the 3rd

I mean if Mitts took a step, Skinner goes back to form, Olofsson improves EV play, that’s a legit 2nd line …..banking on even 2/3 happening is optimistic
- sbroads24

3 very big if's. Will be interesting to watch, but it would take wild levels of optimism to think it will be a good first line....if it even stays together.

I see several.

He's 19 and hasn't played in North America. Roch might be the best place for him to develop, and that's really the only part that should matter. There really is no downside to starting in Roch.

1 pre-season game against mixed levels of competition isn't a lot to base a decision off of.

His contract can slide. If you're going to start him in the NHL, you don't want to do it as a trial. You want him up for the season. In that sense, they can hurt themselves by making the wrong call here.

Fortunately, we get to see more first.
- Lunaion

Is the fact that his contract can slide really a big deal?

Here's why I ask:

If he continues to look the part as he has so far, and they still decide to send him to Rochester, we know there's going to be injuries. Isn't likely that he'll get 10 or more games in as a call up if he continues to play well? Unless you think they should artificially keep him in Rochester even if he deserves more than a 10 game call up.

Peterka has leapfrogged him imo but I will say he showed a huge burst of speed late in the 3rd
- Hank Balling

Who do you take out of the lineup you posted to replace with Murray?

3 very big if's. Will be interesting to watch, but it would take wild levels of optimism to think it will be a good first line....if it even stays together.
- Lunaion

Oh it won't, but it doesn't need to be to surprise us in a good way.

Whoever plays with Skinner does better at EV. He draws a ton of attention. Could be what Olofsson needs to get his shot off

Is the fact that his contract can slide really a big deal?

Here's why I ask:

If he continues to look the part as he has so far, and they still decide to send him to Rochester, we know there's going to be injuries. Isn't likely that he'll get 10 or more games in as a call up if he continues to play well? Unless you think they should artificially keep him in Rochester even if he deserves more than a 10 game call up.
- kingcong39

I think it's a factor, but not a big deal.

I'd start him in Roch, let him play the WJC, then decide what's best from there. It puts him in a great position to succeed....unless he overwhelms the rest of camp.

Who do you take out of the lineup you posted to replace with Murray?
- kingcong39

No one. I'd roll with that and keep Murray, Eakin and Samuelsson as the extras.

It sounds like the Sabres like the idea of a Hagg-Miller pair so between that and the injury to Mattias, doesn't look like he'll make the roster.

I'd also keep Hayden over Eakin as an extra but idk if they can do that and still hit the floor. Haven't looked at it hard enough

No one. I'd roll with that and keep Murray, Eakin and Samuelsson as the extras.

It sounds like the Sabres like the idea of a Hagg-Miller pair so between that and the injury to Mattias, doesn't look like he'll make the roster.

I'd also keep Hayden over Eakin as an extra but idk if they can do that and still hit the floor. Haven't looked at it hard enough
- Hank Balling

Why would we wanna keep Murray &/or Hayden (and Samuelsson especially) in the press box when they could be playing nightly in Rochester?
Doesn’t make much sense to me

Oh it won't, but it doesn't need to be to surprise us in a good way.

Whoever plays with Skinner does better at EV. He draws a ton of attention. Could be what Olofsson needs to get his shot off
- sbroads24

After playing 2 seasons with Eichel and Sam, I can't take that seriously.

I wonder if they'd rather have Peterka playing a major role in Rochester to at least start the year. He may be 'ready' for the NHL but he may not be ready to play real minutes for 82 games. I think you'd rather see him play top line in Rochester, at the very least for 15-20 games.

Why would we wanna keep Murray &/or Hayden (and Samuelsson especially) in the press box when they could be playing nightly in Rochester?
Doesn’t make much sense to me
- jdfitz77

Gotta keep 23 on the roster and guys get dinged up. They'll get in sooner than later.

If Tage doesn’t pan out they got Quinn, Rosen, Poltapov, Kisakov waiting in the wings.

I’m worried about what the plan is down the middle.

Ideally Mitts is a 3C and Cozens develops into a 2C eventually (he could be a 1C but I think odds favour 2C)
- Pegullaville

These guys are minimal 2-3 years down the road if not longer. We don't even know what kind of prospects they are yet.

These guys are minimal 2-3 years down the road if not longer. We don't even know what kind of prospects they are yet.
- ImThatGuy

Tage and Asplund have one year and two years remaining on their deals respectively. Gives those guys time.

Peterka and Quinn should be ready next year for the NHL no doubt.

Skinner isn’t going anywhere.

I think we are fine on the wings, Bjork and Girgensons are also still around

Gotta keep 23 on the roster and guys get dinged up. They'll get in sooner than later.
- Hank Balling

I'm with Fitz on this one. Some of these vets are here specifically to be the extras, so the kids can play in Roch until there's a real opportunity to come up and play.

Sabres coach Don Granato said defenseman Will Butcher pulled him aside and offered to play in as many preseason games as possible.

Butcher skated a game-high 28:15 last night. Granato said his decision making was in midseason form.

https://twitter.com/Jourd.../1443208530396336128?s=19

After playing 2 seasons with Eichel and Sam, I can't take that seriously.
- Lunaion

I think it’s a tad different but point taken.

For whatever reason whoever plays with Skinner has historically had more shots and a better Xg

For example Olofsson last year had a 57% on ice goal share with him - 36% on ice go share without