Season predictions.

[JATMtheJATM]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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

[coastal]

Re: Season predictions.

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]

Re: Season predictions.

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.