he's not playing poorly either.

He's playing exactly like I thought he would for stretches of the season. He doesn't look lost, but he also doesn't look quite like he knows what to do some of the time. The rigorous schedule is wearing on him right now. He's trying to figure out what to do in order to be effective yet not wear himself too thin either.

You can see flashes of what he'll be capable of in each game once he puts it all together (and I have faith he will). It's just going to take time. It's why Murray didn't just rest on his laurels and went after O'Reilly. He's able to provide insulation to the kid and remove a bit of pressure. It's one of the areas that Edmonton hasn't done at all along the way which is why they're still in last place even with 4 1st overall picks on their team.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agreed, same with Reinhart.

And he's been criticized (rightfully so) the entire time.
- sbroads24

He really just needs to simplify his game and stop trying to do everything on his own. It's the same stuff we see Eichel doing at times out there.

Use your teammates. it's pretty simple. It's excusable for Eichel, since he's barely 19 years old. Ennis should know better by now.

Schaller sent down..would someone else be coming up? or was he an extra when kane came back?

Agreed, same with Reinhart.
- sbroads24

I think another issue that the two of them have is familiarity with their line mates. Bylsma hasn't helped this a whole lot with juggling things around.

They both process the game very quickly and they're used to their line mates being in certain spots, but it's just not happening right now. The other guys seem to have trouble getting to the areas of the ice that are open and that Reinhart and Eichel are expecting them to go.

It's why you constantly see passes to the middle of nowhere. The rest of the guys need to learn to get to those open areas.

Xfactor bcz when we cant breakout or our pp is having trouble gaining the zone ennis excells at that.
- joshs

Our PP is fine without him. ROR and Reinhart seem more like the X Factors on our PP.

Can I borrow your crystal ball? I'd like to see if I'm ever going to win the lottery.
- HonkFortheGoose

Crystal ball? Did you honestly just say that? What did I say concerning the future that I'd have a crystal ball for? If your gonna TRY and insult someone use some logic

Oh keyboard warrior i love people like you. And for one he is fully recovered.I didn't say he wasn't. It could re-detach. His surgery was succesful and has no side affects if thats what you mean.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

I don't know if you know this, but we are able to transplant retinas with our current medical technology. And in order to transplant them, they must first be detached. 20 years ago a detached retina was a problem, now it is a surgery covered by your insurance. My nephew needs both of his retinas transplanted, which is why I know.

Schaller sent down..would someone else be coming up? or was he an extra when kane came back?
- yen6d1

Dunno maybe Ennis good to go?

Dunno maybe Ennis good to go?
- Jammerz04

He's been an extra forward and has been sitting most nights. Maybe they figured it was better for him to go back and play top minutes in Rochester instead of wasting him in the press box here.

You didnt like that ennis moulson girgenson line last year?
- joshs

Your overrating that line. The only reason it did any good is because that's all we had in terms of players. See how well Moulson and Girgensons are doing this year? That whole line is 2nd-3rd liners. They aren't that good. Aside from Girgs no one out of the 3 are legitimate top 6 players. Legitimate meaning could be a top 6 player on virtually every NHL team.

I don't know if you know this, but we are able to transplant retinas with our current medical technology. And in order to transplant them, they must first be detached. 20 years ago a detached retina was a problem, now it is a surgery covered by your insurance. My nephew needs both of his retinas transplanted, which is why I know.
- SabresPanacea

I know that he is fine now, but it has become an issue for guys like Pronger, Macinnis, Berard. They had issues afterwards like blind spots and bluriness that ended their careers.

Top 6? Your dreaming. On a bad team like we were the last two seasons yah ofcourse but on a good team with two solid lines? Nope. Brad Boyes would've been a top 6 the last two seasons. He's 2nd liner at best. I know that falls into top 6 but your also suggesting he is a 1st liner with that phrase which he isn't.

Also man we have ZERO need for Fowler. Our defense has been superb. We need wingers for Eichel. Ennis, Moulson and Gionta don't cut it. Okposo is one guy who comes to mind. Yakupov, Eberle, Silferberg, Hudler and Voracek would all be sick pickups.
- Jammerz04

Hudler woudl be? He is going to be 32 and a UFA coming off a fantasy land season that he will never repeat two years ago while this year he is on pace for his normal yearly production which would be 50 points.

Unless he is on a steal of a short term contract, no thanks, unless you believe that 30 goal 40 assist miracle last year can ever be repeated.

He's been an extra forward and has been sitting most nights. Maybe they figured it was better for him to go back and play top minutes in Rochester instead of wasting him in the press box here.
- HonkFortheGoose

Looks like that's the case, someone on twitter mentioned he may be moved back up before the road trip saturday

Hudler woudl be? He is going to be 32 and a UFA coming off a fantasy land season that he will never repeat two years ago while this year he is on pace for his normal yearly production which would be 50 points.

Unless he is on a steal of a short term contract, no thanks, unless you believe that 30 goal 40 assist miracle last year can ever be repeated.
- kingcong39

Well obviously I mean that... I'm not resigning him to anything over 3 years and 4.5 mill.

If you look at the past 10 non-strike seasons, 74-79 points gets you a top 5 pick. I think the Sabres are in a position with the draft in Buffalo, the combine and the prospects game ect. to want to another high pick to showcase. I'm not feeling an all out tank, but a "try hard but fall short season". Why else would they play Gionta as much (1st line, power play and to start 3 x 3 overtime), keep playing the "cold" goalie and switch lines constantly? Another top flight player too put with Eichel, would help us for years to come. Byslma is signed for the next 5 years and is a company man, un like Ted who did everything possible (understandably) to ruin the "re-build-plan" last season. With last years precidence already noted, I wouldn't be suprised if the Sabres try to finish lower and reap the benefits of one more high pick. Much better than finishing 1 spot outside the palyoff's. Eichel is certainly worth the pain of last season.

Sabres season ticket holder

There's gonna be a Pysyk joke every time I post now
- CaptainRivet

How dare you be positive about this team !

Oh keyboard warrior i love people like you. And for one he is fully recovered.I didn't say he wasn't. It could re-detach. His surgery was succesful and has no side affects if thats what you mean.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Oh wow no sense warrior, I love people like you. Don't think before you speak/type. You said if he can see. Which is directly related to him being fully recovered or not. Guys on pace for 66 points not bad for a guy who can't see...

I know that he is fine now, but it has become an issue for guys like Pronger, Macinnis, Berard. They had issues afterwards like blind spots and bluriness that ended their careers.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

That is a good point. I don't know how good your vision is afterwards and it is not 100% success rate. But I do think medical technology has advanced to the point where not going after a player because of a retina issue seems silly.

If you look at the past 10 non-strike seasons, 74-79 points gets you a top 5 pick. I think the Sabres are in a position with the draft in Buffalo, the combine and the prospects game ect. to want to another high pick to showcase. I'm not feeling an all out tank, but a "try hard but fall short season". Why else would they play Gionta as much (1st line, power play and to start 3 x 3 overtime), keep playing the "cold" goalie and switch lines constantly? Another top flight player too put with Eichel, would help us for years to come. Byslma is signed for the next 5 years and is a company man, un like Ted who did everything possible (understandably) to ruin the "re-build-plan" last season. With last years precidence already noted, I wouldn't be suprised if the Sabres try to finish lower and reap the benefits of one more high pick. Much better than finishing 1 spot outside the palyoff's. Eichel is certainly worth the pain of last season.

Sabres season ticket holder
- Boss34

Post more, reed less.

If you look at the past 10 non-strike seasons, 74-79 points gets you a top 5 pick. I think the Sabres are in a position with the draft in Buffalo, the combine and the prospects game ect. to want to another high pick to showcase. I'm not feeling an all out tank, but a "try hard but fall short season". Why else would they play Gionta as much (1st line, power play and to start 3 x 3 overtime), keep playing the "cold" goalie and switch lines constantly? Another top flight player too put with Eichel, would help us for years to come. Byslma is signed for the next 5 years and is a company man, un like Ted who did everything possible (understandably) to ruin the "re-build-plan" last season. With last years precidence already noted, I wouldn't be suprised if the Sabres try to finish lower and reap the benefits of one more high pick. Much better than finishing 1 spot outside the palyoff's. Eichel is certainly worth the pain of last season.

Sabres season ticket holder
- Boss34

Interesting take on it.

We are 3pts out of 30th and 6pts out of a wildcard playoff spot. Lets look at it
again after New Years.

And welcome to the land of misfits.

Well obviously I mean that... I'm not resigning him to anything over 3 years and 4.5 mill.
- Jammerz04

I'm not sure I would go after him at all.

There's likely going to be at least one team that is going to think they can recreate what happened last season, and will be willing to pay for it.

Let somebody else make that mistake.

I'd rather wait until the following offseason and make a big run at Jamie Benn while hoping and praying Dallas cannot resign him. I say that as the team does not have to go all in after this season.

If you look at the past 10 non-strike seasons, 74-79 points gets you a top 5 pick. I think the Sabres are in a position with the draft in Buffalo, the combine and the prospects game ect. to want to another high pick to showcase. I'm not feeling an all out tank, but a "try hard but fall short season". Why else would they play Gionta as much (1st line, power play and to start 3 x 3 overtime), keep playing the "cold" goalie and switch lines constantly? Another top flight player too put with Eichel, would help us for years to come. Byslma is signed for the next 5 years and is a company man, un like Ted who did everything possible (understandably) to ruin the "re-build-plan" last season. With last years precidence already noted, I wouldn't be suprised if the Sabres try to finish lower and reap the benefits of one more high pick. Much better than finishing 1 spot outside the palyoff's. Eichel is certainly worth the pain of last season.

Sabres season ticket holder
- Boss34

The goal is playoffs that's straight from Murray. Gionta gets played because we really have no other RW with Ennis out. Reinhart and ROR have great chemistry so no need to change that. What I'd do is put Girgs with Eichel and Moulson and either put Gionta somewhere in the pressbox or on waivers. Try hard to get someone to take Moulson because we have a lot of good RFA contracts coming up.

The goal is playoffs that's straight from Murray. Gionta gets played because we really have no other RW with Ennis out. Reinhart and ROR have great chemistry so no need to change that. What I'd do is put Girgs with Eichel and Moulson and either put Gionta somewhere in the pressbox or on waivers. Try hard to get someone to take Moulson because we have a lot of good RFA contracts coming up.
- Jammerz04

Moving Moulson isn't going to be easy. Nor do I think he's an issue currently.

Both Moulson and Gionta bring a lot to the team that doesn't show up on the score sheet nightly. I know that you can get players to do those same things cheaper, however we didn't have that option last year. It's not like free agents were busting down Murray's door wanting to play here.

Gionta only has 1 year left after this one. Moulson has more than that, but moving him would be tricky has he has an modified NTC. It's hard to get the teams the players are willing to go to to be willing to bite in those situations, and your return is generally not as good since you're so limited.

The goal is playoffs that's straight from Murray.
- Jammerz04

Gionta gets played because we really have no other RW with Ennis out. Reinhart and ROR have great chemistry so no need to change that. What I'd do is put Girgs with Eichel and Moulson and either put Gionta somewhere in the pressbox or on waivers. Try hard to get someone to take Moulson because we have a lot of good RFA contracts coming up.

Sometimes people in leadership roles do not always speak the truth

Sometimes people in leadership roles do not always speak the truth
- Boss34

Like we are not looking to trade Tyler Myers?