Crusader1969

Craigs list: http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-can-t-go-wrong-with-puljujarvi-laine-1.421415 I don't agree with Juolevi over Chychrun. Its kinda like how we saw Lawson Crouse enter top 5 range last year after the WJC. Though Juolevi did show great puck moving skills at the tourney. I completely agree with the top 5 picks. For the Sabres I would love to see them land Laine or Tkachuk. Need a natural goal scorer on the wing to play with Eichel.

Hey, Im an old guy and I have no issues at all how this season is going. I would love for them to be losing 4-3 rather than 2-1 or 3-1 for entertainment value but it is what it is. Lets not forget its about winning Lord Stanley not about contending for the 8th seed. I really don't understand the thought that Bylsma looks lost - he has taken over a team that is historically bad and turned them into a competitive team (game to game) without the benefit of a #1 Goalie.

Maybe its just me but the thing that has most disappointed me is that I don't see a physical game with Girgensons. I could live with the lack of scoring if he was playing a heavy game and causing havoc on the forecheck. Really not sure what is going on with him? We've, you may already know this but Lemmy's funeral is being streamed live on the Motorhead facebook page this evening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSAXVdIj6jY&feature=youtu.be

I agree with Button on this one - I prefer Laine to Puljujarvi. I think he is everything you want in a winger - loved his physical game with NHL shot. Don't sleep on Matthew Tkachuk either. I think either Laine or Tkachuk would be a perfect fit to play wing with Eichel for many years to come. Laine is listed as a LW but shoots right so could easily move to Right Wing Link to Scout based in Finland https://www.hockeyprospect.com/2016-nhl-draft-patrik-laine-jesse-puljujarvi-and-more/

at what point does someone create a reverse standings table again? January 1st and the Sabres are alone in 28th place. Though they are only 4 points out of 20th. My eyes tell me this is a much improved squad but what do the numbers say? through 38 games played 15/16 14/15 Points 34 31 League placing 28th 28th GF 88 76 GA 101 132 Goal differential -13 -56 They are much more competitive game to game but their lack of goal scoring has held them back from much improvement in the standings.

Not calling for a full out tank and I'm not cheering against the Sabres but picking up one of the top 6 prospects who are available for next years draft may be the best thing long term for this team. My goal for Sabres remains the same - pick up 75 points finish 4 or 5th last and maybe get lucky in lottery but dont fall past #6

Will Borgen Sabres 4th Round Pick in 2015 is traveling with Team USA to FInland - pretty impressive for this kid. http://worldjuniors.usahockey.com/news_article/show/591149-u-s-national-junior-team-roster-trimmed-to-24

The Sabres are loaded at C, where exactly is he going to play?

TOP PROSPECTS DECEMBER 2015 (Avg of 4 draft site publications) Matthews, Auston 6'2 194 C L USA 17-Sep-97 ZSC Chychrun, Jakob 6'2 214 D L CAN 31-Mar-98 Sarnia Puljujarvi, Jesse 6'4 203 RW R FIN 7-May-98 Karpat Laine, Patrik 6'4 206 RW R FIN 10-Apr-98 Tappara Tkachuk, Matthew 6'1 194 LW L USA 11-Dec-97 London Nylander, Alexander 6'0 172 RW R SWE 2-Mar-98 Mississauga McLeod, Michael 6'2 187 C R CAN 3-Feb-98 Mississauga Gauthier, Julien 6'4 224 RW R CAN 15-Oct-97 Val d'Or Dubois, Pierre-Luc 6'3 202 LW L CAN 24-Jun-98 Cape Breton Juolevi, Olli 6'2 182 D L FIN 5-May-98 London Sergachyov, Mikhail 6'2 205 D L RUS 25-Jun-98 Windsor Bellows, Kieffer 6'0 195 LW L USA 10-Jun-98 USA NTDP U18 Jost, Tyson 6'0 195 RW L CAN 17-Mar-98 Penticton Fabbro, Dante 6'1 185 D R CAN 20-Jun-97 Penticton Keller, Clayton 5'10 170 C L USA 29-Jul-98 USA NTDP U18 Brown, Logan 6'6 218 C L CAN 5-Mar-98 Windsor McAvoy, Charlie 6'1 211 D R USA 21-Dec-97 Boston University Jones, Max 6'3 200 LW L USA 17-Feb-98 London DeBrincat, Alex 5'7 160 RW R USA 18-Dec-97 Erie Benson, Tyler 6'0 196 LW L CAN 15-Mar-98 Vancouver Clague, Kale 6'0 178 D L CAN 5-Jun-98 Brandon Rubtsov, German 6'1 179 C L RUS 27-Jun-98 Team Russia U18 Steel, Sam 5'11 175 C L CAN 3-Feb-98 Regina Kunin, Luke 6'0 190 C R USA 4-Dec-97 University of Wisconsin Grundström, Carl 6'0 187 LW L SWE 1-Dec-97 MODO Abramov, Vitali 5'9 170 RW L RUS 8-May-98 Gatineau Bean, Jake 6'1 170 D R CAN 9-Jun-98 Calgary Dube, Dillon 5'10 180 C L CAN 20-Jul-98 Kelowna Asplund, Rasmus 5'11 176 C L SWE 3-Dec-97 Farjestad Draft Sets up nice for the Sabres who will be looking for goal scoring wingers or Dman (maybe with a preference to LHD?)

Future Considerations Top 100 http://futureconsiderations.ca/fcs-december-ranking-for-2016-nhl-draft/

Eichel`s biggest issue is that he hasn`t found chemistry with any of the wingers on this team yet. he is on pace for 25 goals and plays on PP2 and and Gionta as a winger. Think he is doing just fine. I would think the transition from playing once or twice a week in college to 3 to 4 times is effecting him as well. we are starting to see why GMTM was so upset on lottery night. I love Eichel and he will be a star in this league for a long time - he just isn`t Connor McDavid.

Heard it here first - the Oilers will not get the first pick in next years draft as they will finish 3rd in the Pacific and make the play-offs.

No im suggesting Chychrun falls out of the top 5 and could go as 6th overall. Hanifin was thought most of the season last year as the 3rd pick overall about this time last year and dropped to 5th. No reason Chychrun couldn`t fall as well.

Place in the standings does not matter to me at all. Im looking for this team to finish with around 75-80 points which would be a big improvement over the last 2 seasons (currently on pace for 70) There is still a long way to go before this team can be considered a Play-off contender. Good news is that they are set at center (1 to 3)and have a stud D in Risto. Finishing in the bottom 5 and picking up a winger (Tkachuk, Puljujarvi, Laine, Nylander) or a LHD (Chychrun) to pair with Risto may not be the worst thing for this team long term. Eichel`s biggest issue is that he hasn`t found chemistry with any of the wingers on this team yet. he is on pace for 25 goals and plays on PP2 and and Gionta as a winger. Think he is doing just fine. I would think the transition from playing once or twice a week in college to 3 to 4 times is effecting him as well.

At this rate the Sabres may be trading down to pick up Chychrun. Recently, I`ve seen him on most draft boards around 5th overall. Below Matthews of course, Tkachuk and the 2 Finns. The way Nylander is playing he may pass his as well. Of course will have a much better idea of the seedings after the Word Juniors.

Hat Trick for Cornel last night. http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2015/11/27/eric-cornel-hat-trick-leads-peterborough-petes-to-fifth-straight-win

wow what a great problem to have - Sabres jump from 8th to 1st via the lottery. Matthews is the pick though.

even with decent to good Goal-tending this team should probably end up bottom 5 / 6. That would probably mean they end with 75-80 points. I know I will not be disappointed at all by this. Before this team is truly ready to be a up contender they still need to find someone to pair with Risto and Mike Weber will be providing veteran leadership in Rochester.

initial Craigs List: http://www.tsn.ca/auston-matthews-is-just-that-good-1.358947

Where do the Sabres finish: (12th) Eastern Conference Finals: (NYI v TB) Western Conference Finals: (CHI v ANA) Stanley Cup Finals: (ANA V NYI) Stanley Cup Winners: (Anaheim) Rocket Richard Trophy: (Kessel) Hart Trophy: (Crosby) Vezina Trophy: (Price) Norris (defenseman): (Doughty) Jack Adams (coach): (Mclellan) Calder Trophy: (McDavid) Bonus: Who will be the biggest name moved during the season? RNH Bonus: How many Buffalo Sabres participate in the All Star Game? 1 (Girgesnsons) Bonus: Biggest bounce back season by any player? (Phil Kessel)

Time to pick up the phone to Doug Armstrong. The Blues have $68.8 million committed to 20 players. Id be interested in Gunnarsson who is an UFA after this season. Might be a cheap stop-gap.

If anyone is interested (or just bored) the Oilers will stream their prospect game at 8:30 today on their website

I wouldn't be surprised if the Sabres are the ones who offered the "deal" that Oduya is sitting on. If so, and if the Black Hawks can't clear the cap space to re-sign him - problem solved. If its not Oduya - I'd still like them to be patient and wait for more teams to enter "cap-hell". With 4 second rounders next year the Sabres would be in great shape to pry loose a the Defeceman they want. Hawks already in Cap Hell Rangers, Canadians, Canucks, Blues, Wild, Bruins could find themselves desperate soon.

Id look at Montreal. They still need to sign RFA's Galchenyuk and Tinordi to sign and already have $63 million committed to 19 players. Emelin is a physical Lhanded D man that could play on the 2nd pair. Signed through the 2017-18 season.

he is exactly what this team needs in 2015!!! he looks pretty good still - wonder if he has one year in him? :)