Lockout is Over.....2013 Preseason Talk!
- Thread starter TehDoak
- Start date
I could see it going either way on Grigs. On the one hand, it would probably help him to spend some more time with Roy in the Q to develop. On the other hand, center is still weak on this roster, so if he has a really good camp he could make the team because of that. I really wouldn't be surprised to see him on the roster, especially since it'll be a short season.
Bosswally
Registered User
Unofficial training camp, I like it, I also wouldnt be surprised to see this grow as more players trickle back into town
So, we are looking at:
Vanek-Hodgson-Pomniville
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Ott-Kaleta
Ellis-McCormick-Gerbe
Scott
Myers-Sekera
Ehrhoff-Sulzer
Regehr-Leopold
Brennan/Pardy/Weber
Miller
Enroth
Pardy is probably going to be banished to the AHL....though, didn't they close that loophole so he'll still be against the cap, right? Or is that still available this season?
Vanek-Hodgson-Pomniville
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Ott-Kaleta
Ellis-McCormick-Gerbe
Scott
Myers-Sekera
Ehrhoff-Sulzer
Regehr-Leopold
Brennan/Pardy/Weber
Miller
Enroth
Pardy is probably going to be banished to the AHL....though, didn't they close that loophole so he'll still be against the cap, right? Or is that still available this season?
I'm not sure how that would work this year, definitely next year though. I woud like to see Brennan up after his monster half year in Roch.
Uberpecker
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
- 3,600
- 1,731
I dunno. With a talented player like Grigorenko and given the slim likelihood of the Sabres being contenders this season, the player's development should be first priority IMO.
Let's give CoHo the opportunity to show he can be relied upon as a top 6 center. As you said, Van/Pom are the perfect tandem to make a young center look good between them and that applies to Cody just as much. Except for possible injuries, Van-CoHo-Pom and F-E-S seems like a legit top 6 group to me.
Not to get ahead of myself, but if those lines find some real chemistry, who knows, they could do some real damage.
A veteran 3rd line center, think healthy Jochen Hecht or Manny Malhotra to anchor a strong shut down line would be crucial, though.
Even when the team has Hecht and Gaustad playing their best we still could have used more defensive capable forwards. Now we have neither and a young group up front, could be a very entertaining season!
I also don't get the notion that any player over 35 who used to be a really good top 6 forward but no longer is would be great on the 3rd line. We used to call those guys retired but now they're "defensively capable veteran 3rd line centers". It's not just the Sabres board that thinks this but everywhere in general around here.
I also don't get the notion that any player over 35 who used to be a really good top 6 forward but no longer is would be great on the 3rd line. We used to call those guys retired but now they're "defensively capable veteran 3rd line centers". It's not just the Sabres board that thinks this but everywhere in general around here.
I remain skeptical... of those 6 players, there are only 2 that are proven top 6 NHLers (Vanek and Poms). The rest have shown some flashes.
Clock
Registered User
- May 13, 2006
- 22,225
- 73
Yeah. That's a "Well, if all wheels are turning full-blast..." scenarios. I don't expect much this season.
FearTheBeard
Registered User
- Mar 27, 2011
- 3,944
- 0
I'm not as pessimistic as the majority here. In a shortened season anything can happen, I think our chances are much better than if we were playing a full 82. All we have to do is get hot like we did at the tail end of last season and were in the playoffs. If key guys can stay healthy and we get bounce back years from Leino and Vanek, and Miller returns to his second half self I think this team could surprise a lot of people. Yes there are a lot of variables in play, but I'm not ready to right off this season just yet.
sabresfan129103
1-4-6-14
I'll admit that if Leino can get back to a 50 point pace then they could have a legit shot at making it. Him having such an off year(offensive wise) was a big reason they didn't make the playoffs.
I am wondering if Leopold makes it on the opening day roster. He has to have SOME value (even if its just a 3rd) and with TJ's emergence he really could be a spare piece at this point.
Also, am I the only one excited about the potential fun to be had with the Trade deadline happening after April fools day. bwhahahahaha
SackTastic
Registered User
- Mar 25, 2011
- 7,829
- 1,915
I think that's a bit of an overstatement.
A lot of things will have to happen in this sprint for them to get in.
I don't expect much for a few years... there is a long term plan that is coming into place with the right "types" of core players.
But the current roster... is kind of a big dumb mess.
There really isn't an experienced #1, #2, or #3 center on the roster
Defensive minded forwards are almost Non existent
Inexperienced top 6
Mishmash bottom 6
Our blueline should be pretty good... if we can ever figure out what the pairings will be...
flyingpig
Pay the Troll Toll
I am not ready to have the calming experience of Leo lost for Brennan yet. As productive as he has been in Rochester, I seem to read often that his defensive game still needs tons of work, even at the AHL. They are very different players.
Although McNabb has struggled, I still see a need for his game before that of Brennan right now.
struckbyaparkedcar
Guilty of Being Right
They should trade Leopold so Ruff stops playing him. Guy has no business being anywhere near the team lead in TOI over the past few seasons and yet...
And I'm with Jame about being worried about the lack of defensive prowess on the roster. Gerbe prolly won't be ready for camp due to spinal surgery so that leaves Ott, Pominville Kaleta and... Matt Ellis? Drew Stafford? Marcus Foligno? Cody Hodgson is gonna have to remember why he won all those "best defensive forward" awards in junior. Hopefully Grigo sticks and Hodgson settles in as at least a somewhat capable defensive forward (between Ott and Pommers) so we can at least roll:
Leino-Grigo-Vanek
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Ott-Hodgson-Pominville
...yeah, Leo for a checking forward prolly needs to happen...
And I'm with Jame about being worried about the lack of defensive prowess on the roster. Gerbe prolly won't be ready for camp due to spinal surgery so that leaves Ott, Pominville Kaleta and... Matt Ellis? Drew Stafford? Marcus Foligno? Cody Hodgson is gonna have to remember why he won all those "best defensive forward" awards in junior. Hopefully Grigo sticks and Hodgson settles in as at least a somewhat capable defensive forward (between Ott and Pommers) so we can at least roll:
Leino-Grigo-Vanek
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Ott-Hodgson-Pominville
...yeah, Leo for a checking forward prolly needs to happen...
You 'read often' from the same two yappers who can't seem to get through a day without beating on Brennan's supposed lack of defense. Actual, knowledgable, hockey people don't see it that way. Either way you slice it, McNabb has regressed for some reason. Brennan has to be in Buffalo, he won't pass through waivers. Doubtful McNabb and Brennan are in Buffalo though. Interesting choices sure to come.
La Cosa Nostra
Caporegime
- Jun 25, 2009
- 14,111
- 2,379
Stafford with a 30 goal and 2 20+ goal seasons is definitely a legit top 6 forward. The other 3, not so much, though I think Ennis scores ~40 points this year.
**** that. Jonny Oduya got a 2nd AND 3rd at the deadline. That's my baseline for any deal around Leo, who's far better than Oduya.
I say hold Leopold until you can get the best possible assets for him, which will always be the trade deadline. I'm not selling low on a guy just to make room for TJ freaking Brennan.
Who are these people, and can we rescind such a status if they think TJB is good in his own zone?
Uberpecker
Registered User
- Mar 3, 2011
- 3,600
- 1,731
More potential than accomplishment, for sure.
Then again, isn't this a prototypical situation for young high potential players to step up and show in which mold they're cast?
Canucks fans have been raving about CoHo having first line potential/being captain material for years, now it would be nice if he could show some of it.
It's not like I expect much of this current team result-wise (except maybe a good pick
), but seeing some of the young players living up to the challenge and taking major steps forward is something I actually do want (and expect) to see.Lack of defensive prowess on the forward corps is definitely a problem, though.
HockeyH3aven
Registered User
In all honesty, I just haven't seen anything from CoHo that would make me think he's a good offensive player.
Hopefully he's like a center version of Jason Pominville. You check the stat sheet at the end of the year and hes got 30 goals and 70 points.
Hopefully he's like a center version of Jason Pominville. You check the stat sheet at the end of the year and hes got 30 goals and 70 points.
44 points as a rookie center isn't anything to sneeze at. I do question his upside, and don't think of him as anymore than a 2C who'll play a solid game in all throw zones, but that's fine with me.
