Mike Augello: Surveying the Atlantic - Buffalo Sabres, Leafs rookies take on Sens

Hyman for Captain

Buffalo goaltending worse than last year's - so again projected bottom 5 finish.

Buffalo goaltending worse than last year's - so again projected bottom 5 finish.

No. Still could be bottom 5 but goaltending won't be worse. Zero chance of that.

I think buffalo is this year's surprise team. Not because of their goalie...but because eichel mittldestadt up front and the big addition on the blue line.

The qew rivalry is finally going to get some meat to it.

No. Still could be bottom 5 but goaltending won't be worse. Zero chance of that.
- cjp2112

Your starter is a career backup.....

It worked out horribly for Carolina and Darling.

Oh my Dahlin,
Oh my Dahlin,
Oh my Dahlin Clementine,
You are lost now as a Sabre,
Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

Prediction, the Leafs have two 40 goal centers this year. First time a team has done it in years, since the 90's I think.


40-40-80 season for Tavares because Marner is going to have a monster year.


40-30-70 for Matthews. Gotta stay healthy.


Kadri down to 20+ to make that possible.

Hudson Ekynuik signed a deal with the Marlies

A 3rd round pick in 2016 and 6 foot 5 center

Has increased points every year...might be a sneaky pickup for the Leafs.

Buffalo goaltending worse than last year's - so again projected bottom 5 finish.
- plantheparade

Hutton had a good year. There wasn't really a lot available out there for long term solutions in goal.

I think buffalo is this year's surprise team. Not because of their goalie...but because eichel mittldestadt up front and the big addition on the blue line.

The qew rivalry is finally going to get some meat to it.
- mykokes

I don't think it would make much sense for them long-term but if Buffalo had Pekka Rinne in goal this year they would be a much tougher matchup.

Your starter is a career backup.....

It worked out horribly for Carolina and Darling.
- Santo_44

Way to name one example...

That aside, ever heard of Linus Ullmark? And even without him, I'll take a career backup over Lehner. He was brutal and it wasn't all the defense. It was a ton of bad goals. 1-2 per game. Often more. Can't move laterally at all, positionally unsound, can't find loose pucks, can't track the puck through traffic. And then there's any breakaway or shootout... I'd prefer orange cone in net. But he's big...

Hyman for Captain
- plantheparade

One good head butt and he’s history.

Way to name one example...

That aside, ever heard of Linus Ullmark? And even without him, I'll take a career backup over Lehner. He was brutal and it wasn't all the defense. It was a ton of bad goals. 1-2 per game. Often more. Can't move laterally at all, positionally unsound, can't find loose pucks, can't track the puck through traffic. And then there's any breakaway or shootout... I'd prefer orange cone in net. But he's big...
- cjp2112

The 25 year old who had one really good season in the minors?

The Leafs have a better version in Garret Sparks and we barely take him seriously to ever be impactful

I think buffalo is this year's surprise team. Not because of their goalie...but because eichel mittldestadt up front and the big addition on the blue line.

The qew rivalry is finally going to get some meat to it.
- mykokes

Every year Buffalo and Edmonton are annointed as the surprise package going into the season right from the beginning of the GMTM days. I'll believe it when under it.

Such a poorly managed organization from the top down

Way to name one example...

That aside, ever heard of Linus Ullmark? And even without him, I'll take a career backup over Lehner. He was brutal and it wasn't all the defense. It was a ton of bad goals. 1-2 per game. Often more. Can't move laterally at all, positionally unsound, can't find loose pucks, can't track the puck through traffic. And then there's any breakaway or shootout... I'd prefer orange cone in net. But he's big...
- cjp2112

Agrees that the Sabres goaltending will be better. Lehner was brutal, for all the reasons above as well as the fact that he seemed to let his emotions affect his play. Islanders needed someone I guess but the Sabres are better off. Overall it seems like Botterill made moves to change the culture and give the team a true fresh start.

Hyman for Captain
- plantheparade

You just want to validate your purchase

Hyman for Captain
- plantheparade

All hail captain Buster!

Every year Buffalo and Edmonton are annointed as the surprise package going into the season right from the beginning of the GMTM days. I'll believe it when under it.

Such a poorly managed organization from the top down
- walshyleafsfan

Yeah and Edmonton did go to the conference final's. I'm not saying buffalo will do it the following season...I just see them in it this season because they have been poopty so long. I got Winnipeg right last season.

Way to name one example...

That aside, ever heard of Linus Ullmark? And even without him, I'll take a career backup over Lehner. He was brutal and it wasn't all the defense. It was a ton of bad goals. 1-2 per game. Often more. Can't move laterally at all, positionally unsound, can't find loose pucks, can't track the puck through traffic. And then there's any breakaway or shootout... I'd prefer orange cone in net. But he's big...
- cjp2112

I'm the furthest thing from a Lehner supporter. I've never liked him and couldn't understand why Buffalo would trade for him, especially a 1st round pick.

But Hutton is a marginal upgrade, at best.

Yeah and Edmonton did go to the conference final's. I'm not saying buffalo will do it the following season...I just see them in it this season because they have been poopty so long. I got Winnipeg right last season.
- mykokes

Did they? I thought the Ducks beat them in the 2nd round.

Did they? I thought the Ducks beat them in the 2nd round.
- GreatGigInTheSky

My bad. Game 7 loss in the 2nd round.

Leafs rookies should've had 3 goals already.

I took French for 9 years, yet I don’t understand a single (frank)ing word.

where is the game being broadcast?