I want to win!
Now... Keep the damn momentum going and put the league on notice that the Buffalo Sabres are going to be a legit force this year... not in 3 years.
Here's the thing... they can.
Paul Martin, D - what better way to help our franchise defensemen (Risto) adapt to his new coach's system than by adding a vet defensemen who has played in it for the past 4 years? Martin's strengh is his hockey IQ. Trolling the Penguins boards, there aren't many who aren't dismissing the void that is going to be created by his departure. Their loss is out gain and he becomes the second guy of our top pairing.
Johnny Oduya, D - he may be on the decline, but he's as versatile of a defensemen as there is in the NHL with a boatload of playoff experience and 2 Stanely Cups to his resume. He can play the shut down defensemen role or the puck moving role. Pair him with Bogosian, someone who he's played with earlier in his career, and watch as our top two pairs of defensemen are soldified.
Justin Williams, RW - 3 Stanely Cups and a Conn Smythe are what you paying for. RW is arguably the weakest position the team and throwing him into this mix immediately adds depth and options to a forwards group that is already becoming pretty dynamic. If there's a hockey player out there that's built for the post season... this is the guy. I would put him on the right side of Jack Eichel with Zemgus on the left. The added forward depth this signing creates also allows Murray to do the right thing by sending Reinhart to Rochester for the year.
Anders Lindback, G - everyone needs a backup goalie and that's what Anders is. Everyone will know that is what he is, including Robin. That is the proper way to structure goalie depth in the NHL. Goalies by nature are headcases, so you have to set the stage of one being "the man" while also setting the expectation of what comes along with that role. Anders is not a threat, has similar size and being a fellow countrymen perhaps helps to create a sense of synergy betwente two net minders.
Here's how I would line things up opening day...
Kane - ROR - Ennis
Zemgus - Eichel - Williams
McGinn - Larson - Moulson
Foligno - Legwand- Gionta
Martin - Risto
Oduya - Bogosian
Gorges - Pysyk
Lehner
Lindback
None of this sets the team at cap risk and adds a tremendous amount of vet experience to the mix of young and uber young talent this team is going to put on the ice next year. If Blysma can mesh them altogether and find a way to get them into the post season... the Sabres would be a team I don't think anyone would relish playing.
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Originally Posted by JATMtheJATM
