Why do you value individual development over team improvement? That's a bizarre mindset.
- washedup20

Last year was a "development " year coming off a 75 point season.

Playing mitts and developing him for the this season and the future was important.

He could be a 60+ point player for Sabres this season.

This is going to be Casey's 7th season in the NHL and the Sabres are still trying to figure out who he is.

Last year was a "development " year coming off a 75 point season.

Playing mitts and developing him for the this season and the future was important.

He could be a 60+ point player for Sabres this season.
- Boss34

He could be at some point in time, Duchene is.

Tatar in, VO out would have been a massive improvement.
- Lunaion

wait til we get Cole Eiserman next summer

The conversation in context is about this offseason and upcoming season.

We all know the prosepcts are good prospects. They shouldn't be used as a defense of Adams for this lackluster offseason and inevitable disappointment of a season were embarking on
- sbroads24

Maybe let's play the games before we head towards the place bridge? A successful season for this team is making the playoffs, they were literally 2 points away from doing that this year. If key players can be better they can easily get that. Top 3 in scoring with a young team is a good thing, get some better defense and goaltending and we're fine. The future, and the immediate future, are much better than the last few years.

This is going to be Casey's 7th season in the NHL and the Sabres are still trying to figure out who he is.
- washedup20

Thanks Botts

Thanks Botts
- Zschalberg

Agreed, he was rushed. The last 2 seasons with his end of the year runs he should've been moved.

He could be at some point in time, Duchene is.
- washedup20

Duchene may not have wanted to play in buffalo

Mitts put up more points then duchene last year.

How is this an upgrade?

Agreed, he was rushed. The last 2 seasons with his end of the year runs he should've been moved.
- washedup20

I'll bet you $10 mitts has more points then matt duchene this season.

I'll bet you $10 mitts has more points then matt duchene this season.
- Boss34

You already ran away from a real bet, take your peasant bet elsewhere.

To win a cup you need depth and elite talent.

So yes, I think they are more valuable in the grand scheme of things.

Let’s revisit this in 2-3 years and see if I’m right
- Swedish_Jesus

When they are NHL ready who would you compare them to?

You already ran away from a real bet, take your peasant bet elsewhere.
- washedup20

Why be such an assh*le?

Good riddance

Agreed, he was rushed. The last 2 seasons with his end of the year runs he should've been moved.
- washedup20

I was excited for Mitts when we got him and he came up way too early for sure. I will say I think he's finally coming into his own these past 2 years and played very well down the stretch this year. This is his make or break season and he knows it. With the prospect backup behind him he's going to need to play like he did at the end of last season all year to keep his spot.

I do think he has the hands and eyes to be an effective offensive player in the league and his hustle and skating are much better than previous years. A mittlestadt breakout year would be great for playoff chances.

I was excited for Mitts when we got him and he came up way too early for sure. I will say I think he's finally coming into his own these past 2 years and played very well down the stretch this year. This is his make or break season and he knows it. With the prospect backup behind him he's going to need to play like he did at the end of last season all year to keep his spot.

I do think he has the hands and eyes to be an effective offensive player in the league and his hustle and skating are much better than previous years. A mittlestadt breakout year would be great for playoff chances.
- Zschalberg

Good post.

Do you see him at 3c?

Tage
Cozens
Mitts

Maybe let's play the games before we head towards the place bridge? A successful season for this team is making the playoffs, they were literally 2 points away from doing that this year. If key players can be better they can easily get that. Top 3 in scoring with a young team is a good thing, get some better defense and goaltending and we're fine. The future, and the immediate future, are much better than the last few years.
- Zschalberg

They were two points out with limited injuries and a scoring run that started to regress to end the year.

I pray I’m wrong but I see a 85-90 point season coming unless Levi is historic for a rookie.

Would we know what we have in mitts, if duchene played his minutes last year.

Good ole snickerdoodle looked good, I'm excited for his development.

Dueshe would have blocked him in a development year
- Boss34

Why he might be playing on Cozens wing, and Duchene is better on the Dot and has a better 200ft game than Mitts.

When they are NHL ready who would you compare them to?
- washedup20

Some comps I saw looking through the draft profiles for Savoie are Barzal and Point, but take that with a big grain of salt. From what I've seen of them especially in the tournament is that Savoie is the more polished player and more ready to play against real competition, Benson needs some seasoning. Savoie is smaller but he doesn't play small, he goes into corners and to the net even going against larger players. I really think he is a guy who would benefit from AHL time but I'm hoping he can make a few games in the NHL on a tryout, if only to get him into the lineup and see the speed and size of a real NHL game

Why he might be playing on Cozens wing, and Duchene is better on the Dot and has a better 200ft game than Mitts.
- Buff36

I didnt realize mitts had 2 more points then duchene last season.

Gotta disagree with you, good development year for the homegrown players including mitts, quinn and peterka.

They were two points out with limited injuries and a scoring run that started to regress to end the year.

I pray I’m wrong but I see a 85-90 point season coming unless Levi is historic for a rookie.
- sbroads24

people forget all the teams below us in the standings also got better aside from maybe washington

Duchene may not have wanted to play in buffalo

Mitts put up more points then duchene last year.

How is this an upgrade?
- Boss34

Mitts played 11 more games than Duchene
Duchene finished a positive player
Duchene 52.9% on the Dot, actually was a bad year for him.
Mitts 46.2% Career Avg. On the Dot, oh and he was a Negative player even with that point total.

They were two points out with limited injuries and a scoring run that started to regress to end the year.

I pray I’m wrong but I see a 85-90 point season coming unless Levi is historic for a rookie.
- sbroads24

They also got a sh!t ton of help from the teams around them falling apart themselves.

Good post.

Do you see him at 3c?

Tage
Cozens
Mitts
- Boss34

For this year I don't think they have anyone better, the alternatives are rookies or guys like Jost. He's got the offensive ability to be productive on that line but I think it's going to really matter what linemates he has. I remember a game I went to last year, believe it was either Carolina or LA, that he was with Oloffson and maybe Jost and he just looked like the only guy on his line who had any idea where to be offensively. He was flying while his linemates were gliding. When Tage was out and he moved up the roster I think you saw that he really benefits from quality linemates, like most players do.

If he's their 3C next year and his linemates are guys who can score like Kulich or Quinn or Skinner I think he could have a great year. Greenway might be one of them for him this year just to add some size though, so we'll see if Donny really can unlock him

Mitts played 11 more games than Duchene
Duchene finished a positive player
Duchene 52.9% on the Dot, actually was a bad year for him.
Mitts 46.2% Career Avg. On the Dot, oh and he was a Negative player even with that point total.
- Buff36

Good post 👊

I didnt realize mitts had 2 more points then duchene last season.

Gotta disagree with you, good development year for the homegrown players including mitts, quinn and peterka.
- Boss34

Mitts played 11 more games than Duchene
Edit: didn't see you post☝️

For this year I don't think they have anyone better, the alternatives are rookies or guys like Jost. He's got the offensive ability to be productive on that line but I think it's going to really matter what linemates he has. I remember a game I went to last year, believe it was either Carolina or LA, that he was with Oloffson and maybe Jost and he just looked like the only guy on his line who had any idea where to be offensively. He was flying while his linemates were gliding. When Tage was out and he moved up the roster I think you saw that he really benefits from quality linemates, like most players do.

If he's their 3C next year and his linemates are guys who can score like Kulich or Quinn or Skinner I think he could have a great year. Greenway might be one of them for him this year just to add some size though, so we'll see if Donny really can unlock him
- Zschalberg

Mitts + VO + X. Recipe for success.