Season predictions.

[JATMtheJATM]

After a 4 win preseason, how do you feel about the sabres? Where do you think they end up come the conclusion of the regular season?

I say 12th in the east. Much better over last season, but still need work and development. Lehner did not impress me this preseason, but I'm hoping he can get it together. Eichel.. wow. Reinhart did well this preseason as well. So what ya say?

[OpIv37]

Top 6 forwards are playoff caliber. D, depth and goaltending, not so much. They will be competitive and they will be a team that bubble teams and teams looking to improve their position don't want to play, but they will finish on the outside looking in.

[JATMtheJATM]

The D did get thinner once zad was moved. I expect risto to take a massive step forward and pysyk to be steady eddie and be solid as well. Lehner is a wildcard. All the talent in the world, large, and young. Poor season last year and injured, but has the potential to be a very good, top tier kinda goalie if he realizes his potential. But it's a risk. I think they'll be on the bubble too, but like the extreme outside bubble.

[coastal]

they can't play defense and they don't have a goalie.

its going to be a long year.

not as long as Toronto's year... but a long year nonetheless.

and send Reinhart to the Amerks.

[JATMtheJATM]

Reinhart was one of the preseason scoring leaders. No, he's not going anywhere.

[coastal]

Preseason being the operative word.

suprising attitude seeing what the hockey culture you've been immersed in.

[JATMtheJATM]

Preseason being the operative word.

suprising attitude seeing what the hockey culture you've been immersed in.

isnt that what preseason is? a chance to earn a spot on the team? what? being amongst the league leaders isnt earning a spot?

[Dude]

I agree that defense and goal are trouble spots. No better than 12th place.

[coastal]

isnt that what preseason is? a chance to earn a spot on the team? what? being amongst the league leaders isnt earning a spot?
I'm not making a decision on a points leaderboard. Maybe they were giving him all the opportunity in the world so they could evaluate him?

i know that's what I would do.

this isn't a playoff year by the way things look... shelf him. Piss him off. Make him grind it out in the AHL for a year. It certainly isn't going to hurt him.

[JATMtheJATM]

I'm not making a decision on a points leaderboard. Maybe they were giving him all the opportunity in the world so they could evaluate him?

i know that's what I would do.

this isn't a playoff year by the way things look... shelf him. Piss him off. Make him grind it out in the AHL for a year. It certainly isn't going to hurt him.

But why hold someone back that is ready? That makes zero sense. Let him grow with the team, he's earned it. Let him have his bumps and bruises.

[The Jokeman]

But why hold someone back that is ready? That makes zero sense. Let him grow with the team, he's earned it. Let him have his bumps and bruises.

It sounds to me that coastal wants Samson to gain some grit to be a better player. I disagree with it as to me he's a Connolly/Roy type in think he could excel as a PP specialist and eventually a #2 Centerman yet not sure where he fits this year unless we put Zemgus on the 3rd line.

[JATMtheJATM]

It sounds to me that coastal wants Samson to gain some grit to be a better player. I disagree with it as to me he's a Connolly/Roy type in think he could excel as a PP specialist and eventually a #2 Centerman yet not sure where he fits this year unless we put Zemgus on the 3rd line.

That's fine with me. But having a player earn a spot, just to send him down sends the wrong message.

[ckg927]

I'd say no higher than 10th in the conference.

Buffalo will be better, but this team will still have some bumps in the road. And to me, that's fine.

I still see the playoffs as another season or two away.

[gebobs]

Super Bowl!

[coastal]

He's played a few preseason games. What has he earned?

Nothing.

im thinking longterm development... he's 19 and he's not going to be a difference maker this year because of what's in front of him.

Send him down now. He will be monumentally pissed off. Too ***** bad. Take the year and lead the Amerks. Gut it out. Grit it out. Frigin earn it.

next year comes... you have a different hockey player on your hands.

And he would have nothing but mad respect coming from all of his teammates for having to go through it.

[JATMtheJATM]

He's played a few preseason games. What has he earned?

Nothing.

im thinking longterm development... he's 19 and he's not going to be a difference maker this year because of what's in front of him.

Send him down now. He will be monumentally pissed off. Too ***** bad. Take the year and lead the Amerks. Gut it out. Grit it out. Frigin earn it.

next year comes... you have a different hockey player on your hands.

And he would have nothing but mad respect coming from all of his teammates for having to go through it.

That's the whole point of preseason for younger guys... earning a spot. Which he did. Start the year in buffalo, if he's got it, great, if not, no sweat, they send him down. But lets not single the kid out for an arbitrary reason. He earned his spot.

[coastal]

Says who... because he got a handful of points?

and there's nothing arbitrary about what I'm proposing. And the fact that he was drafted 2nd overall.. by rule he's already singled out to become a franchise cornerstone at some point.

challenge him in every way right now... including mentally and on a very personal level.

let him learn.

[JATMtheJATM]

Says who... because he got a handful of points?

and there's nothing arbitrary about what I'm proposing. And the fact that he was drafted 2nd overall.. by rule he's already singled out to become a franchise cornerstone at some point.

challenge him in every way right now... including mentally and on a very personal level.

let him learn.

Exactly. Let him learn by earning a spot. Which he did

[Dr. Lecter]

What's wrong with him learning in the big leagues?

I have no issue with him starting the season here. He can be sent down if needed in the future.

[gebobs]

Reino's staying for now. What's the biggest surprise so far? Can't say I know much about Colaiacovo. The first three lines should produce offense. Any surprises that didn't make the team?

[JATMtheJATM]

Colaiacovo was a highly touted kid who always played.... decent in the NHL. he's a bottom pairing guy. If that. Not bad at what he does.

[Skooby]

I think we outscore our opponents and force other teams to take risks, we we then capitalize on even more. 4th place in the conference, good enough to scare a few clubs into believing our team is getting there. The players themselves admitted it'll take some time but they are working on their game, it'll come together with the talent on our 2 first lines.

Homerish I know but I see growth in place, unity growth.

[coastal]

What's wrong with him learning in the big leagues?

I have no issue with him starting the season here. He can be sent down if needed in the future.
Did you change your mind after watching game 1?

[gebobs]

Did you change your mind after watching game 1?

If were going to send folks down based on tonight's performance, there would a traffic jam on I-90.

[JATMtheJATM]

The sabres actually out shot the sens. That third, the ice was tilted. Kane looked outstanding

[coastal]

If were going to send folks down based on tonight's performance, there would a traffic jam on I-90.what is better for Samson's development... getting 10 min a night playing on a checking line or getting 20+ a night playing all of the big minutes in Rochester and having the responsibility for the success of that team?

Considering he's supposed to be a franchise cornerstone... the answer is pretty blatant to me.

[Mr. Pink]

Didn't watch the game but just based on the guys you have...

Top two lines are good if not great, they can and will carry you to some regular season victories.

Defense is iffy at best and goaltending is about as bad as you can get at the NHL level.

Because the back end is as weak as it is, this team will lose more than it wins but it won't be 50 points of ineptitude. It will be more like 75 points. It will a good year for the young guys to learn and grow together while developing some chemistry in the future. Next offseason the top priority has to be shoring up the back end to make it back to the playoffs.

A great goalie can cover up a lot of flaws unfortunately a great scoring line cannot cover up those flaws. The future is bright as long as something is done to make the netminder better. Either developing someone in your system, trading part of your system for a legit goalie or signing one in FA - least likely method cuz usually good goalies don't hit FA.