Ruckus007
where to?
Which? A fully functional Hodgson and Ennis are pretty similar and, at least IMO, Grigorenko could have a future at wing.
Roster Speculation 2015-16 Pt. III
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Which? A fully functional Hodgson and Ennis are pretty similar and, at least IMO, Grigorenko could have a future at wing.
stokes84
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stokes84
Registered User
There's only 13 FWs that are expected to be on the roster so far -
Moulson-Eichel-Ennis
Kane-Girgensons-Reinhart
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers-McCormick-Hodgson
Grigorenko
Kaleta might be back, but McCormick might not be. Either way, as it stands, there's no pressure for Murray to make a decision on Grigorenko or Hodgson based on the other player being around. I don't mind waiting for one to prove himself next season.
Moulson-Eichel-Ennis
Kane-Girgensons-Reinhart
Foligno-Larsson-Gionta
Deslauriers-McCormick-Hodgson
Grigorenko
Kaleta might be back, but McCormick might not be. Either way, as it stands, there's no pressure for Murray to make a decision on Grigorenko or Hodgson based on the other player being around. I don't mind waiting for one to prove himself next season.
Sabretooth
Registered User
I'm still not a huge ennis fan, but at this point in time he's not in the same conversation as Hodgson and Grigs. And I still like both Hodgson and Grigs.
Ennis has grown every year, and even though its just one tournament I was impressed by his play at the world championships this year. He looks to be on a path at being an impact player, while Hodgson and Grigs both still need some "ifs" that need to happen.
stokes84
Registered User
The pressure is from bypassing the buyout opportunity because you want to keep him around to play 7 mins/game as a 4RW. You have to envision him getting at least 15 mins a game, minimum 3rd line play to justify keeping.
Rhett4
Buffalo Selects Jack
Do we all see Ennis at RW this year? Seems like we have a lot of natural LW like Matty and Kane or LW/Cs like Larsson and Girgs.
Meh I don't see the urgency to dump him. He's got 4 more years on his deal and this team is a few years out from competing. In the two seasons previous to this one he was .65 ppg. So roughly a 50 point player. I'm willing to bet last year was the outlier. Get him some better linemates, and a coach that has a clue how to use and motivate him properly and I think he'll bounce back. However if he's bought out it won't really bother me, it's not a large cap hit and the money could be used to pursue free agents.
Push Dr Tracksuit
Gerstmann 3:16
- Jun 9, 2012
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There's no reason to even bring up his future as a 4th liner because he can't and shouldn't make this team as a fourth liner. If he's not bought out one of the reasons will not be because he can play 7 minutes on the fourth line. If Hodgson sticks around its because someone thinks he can be relied on to get to 20 goals on primarily PP minutes and soft o-zone starts.
Push Dr Tracksuit
Gerstmann 3:16
- Jun 9, 2012
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some people still see a primarily offensive player who hasn't been especially impressive or consistent offensively
he's certainly higher on my list than Hodgson or Grigorenko
haseoke39
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Jacob582
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Why sit down with WGR now? It seems like they wanted to get out a controlled message on particular players........for motivational purposes ??
Husko
Registered User
I'd rather buy out Hodgson in 3 years when we need the cap space and pay for it then than take on a cap hit, albeit a small one, for the next bazillion years.
Husko
Registered User
Rhett4
Buffalo Selects Jack
I think if Girgenson's plays a top-six role down the line, then it's likely at LW. With that said, I see him at C for the immediate future, allowing for a guy like Reinhart to start on the wing.
I always thought Ennis played LW before the conversion attempt at C, but I would be pleased to him at RW. We're thinner on the right side.
Rhett4
Buffalo Selects Jack
Yeah, just an "on the record" private chat. Despite them saying that, I'm sure a few things were added to "off the record" throughout.
Djp
Registered User
That won't gain much...
He is owed $5.5M his last year which means about $3.66M over 2 yrs. a better move would be to retain his salart and trade him.
Also at this time it would be the time to trade him and possibly Moukson and Ennis with all having 1 yr left and all likely gone after the season.
Matt Ress
Don't sleep on me
Moulson always gets a pass and I understand what TM said about him being part of the core now but, I've always had doubts about his long term viability.
Obviously. What other purpose was there?
Hodgson was given 12 million reasons to have the best offseason of his life
Husko
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FamilyGuy716
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Sabretip
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Two items that really shouldn't be revelations. I fully expect Reinhart, short of falling on his face in camp, to be in the top 6 in Buffalo next season.
If Zadorov sticks, it seems McCabe becomes the # 1 in Rochester next year.
There was no need to - Bylsma gushed over Larsson in his hiring P.C. so we know how impressed he was with the player. And Murray noted how much improvement Larsson showed at the end of the season.
I do think the mention of Grigorenko and the numbers game is a foreshadowing of the obvious - that he may get dealt more because of the depth at center than any reflection of his potential.
His agent when first traded to Buffalo was Ritch Winter.
Bob McKenzie, who often has strong reads of things like this, feels Murray was just being coy with the media and that the Sabres have already decided to buy Hodgson out.
http://www.tsn.ca/radio/toronto-105...on-likely-to-be-bought-out-by-sabres-1.305827
I tend to agree - even if Hodgson becomes Eric Heiden this offseason in his skating, he's still a terrible defensive player and too much of a perimeter player to fit Murray's desired M.O. It was obvious last season that Murray wasn't planning the future around him from what I heard and read him say.
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