Projected Opening Day Roster

[shrader]

If MacArthur can step up this season, topping the 20 goal mark, he might suddenly make himself a tradable commodity. Along with Roy and Stafford, he would be the easiest to move out of that group. Well, ok, Vanek is probably the easiest to move in terms of there being interested parties, but not so much in regards to finding equal return.

[LabattBlue]

Sure, Darcy could trade Roy in a heart beat! But would the return you would get for Roy be any better than a 20 something (25?) year old center who plays both ends of the ice, is never hurt, and is nearly a point a game player? The one center on the team capable of playing on the top two lines who can actually be counted on to be in the lineup 80+ games a year? Trade away our best player at probably our weakest position? He and Vanek are the only two I WOULDN'T trade! Sure, he has his warts. He's not 6'4", isn't a big checker, isn't much of a leader, and is prone to whining and the occasional sausage grab. But, he's pretty much quit the diving, and is signed long term for 60% of what the very few top flight centers in this league make. I wish we had two more players exactly like him.

If out of the 5 holdovers from the scoring lines, you don't want to trade Roy or Vanek, that leaves two guys with contracts nobody else wants(Pominville and Connolly) and Stafford. Something has to give if they miss the playoffs again and moving guys off the team who are 3rd and 4th liners or 5-6-7 blueliners is not going to make that much of a difference. Nobody should be untouchable.

[LabattBlue]

They're just hitting their prime (minus Connolly).

Please don't let DR see this. He will fall in love with these guys even more. :lol:

[nfreeman]

This might be a contrarian view, but I'd be fine with Kennedy on the 3rd or 4th line as long as he gets 8-10 minutes per night of ice time. The more talent in the lineup, the better, IMHO, and as someone noted above, he has a good all-around game. If Hecht has a reasonable bounceback year and gets back to 18 goals, 46 points, I'd kinda like to see Kennedy getting 3rd line minutes with him and Grier if Gaustad gets banged up. For that matter, I'd be happy to see Kennedy on the 4th line instead of Paille with Kaleta and Ellis.

[nobody]

This might be a contrarian view, but I'd be fine with Kennedy on the 3rd or 4th line as long as he gets 8-10 minutes per night of ice time. The more talent in the lineup, the better, IMHO, and as someone noted above, he has a good all-around game. If Hecht has a reasonable bounceback year and gets back to 18 goals, 46 points, I'd kinda like to see Kennedy getting 3rd line minutes with him and Grier if Gaustad gets banged up. For that matter, I'd be happy to see Kennedy on the 4th line instead of Paille with Kaleta and Ellis.

 

Kennedy with Kaleta and Ellis would make a nice 4th line.

[korab rules]

Kennedy with Kaleta and Ellis would make a nice 4th line.

 

I could live with Kennedy on the 4th line, but it takes away from what a 4th line is supposed to be. His offensive talent and playmaking is wasted with those two on his wings. Sure, any experience is good for him, but he doesn't exactly round out a fearsome crash and bang checking line, now does he?

[nobody]

I could live with Kennedy on the 4th line, but it takes away from what a 4th line is supposed to be. His offensive talent and playmaking is wasted with those two on his wings. Sure, any experience is good for him, but he doesn't exactly round out a fearsome crash and bang checking line, now does he?

 

I think the 3rd line is the checking line. As for scoring; Ellis was better then Max last year and Lindy is expecting Kaleta to step up in the scoring department.

[korab rules]

If out of the 5 holdovers from the scoring lines, you don't want to trade Roy or Vanek, that leaves two guys with contracts nobody else wants(Pominville and Connolly) and Stafford. Something has to give if they miss the playoffs again and moving guys off the team who are 3rd and 4th liners or 5-6-7 blueliners is not going to make that much of a difference. Nobody should be untouchable.

 

 

I agree that things need to be shaken up if they miss the playoffs three years in a row, and the advisability of any deal is dependent on what would be coming back.

 

I don't know that Pominville, a young, former 38 goal scorer locked up for a few more years would be so hard to move.

 

Even Connolly, with only one year left on his deal, might not look too bad to some team desperate for talent, especially if he plays 60+ games this year. I think Stafford is easily moved, and the general would also likely be easy to move if his numbers are similar to last year.

 

I stated previously, I think Darcy could easily move Roy, but like with Vanek, it might be difficult to get similar production back.

 

To sum up my feelings, I don't think Vanek and Roy are the problems. I think our center depth sucked last year, and our second line under achieved. With the youth in our organization, I feel a little better going into this year, so long as F'n Hecht stays on the 3rd line and Tallinder's ass is glued to the bench. What was his +/- last night? Seemed like he was on the ice every time the spleefs scored.

[korab rules]

I think the 3rd line is the checking line. As for scoring; Ellis was better then Max last year and Lindy is expecting Kaleta to step up in the scoring department.

 

 

Then what is our 4th line supposed to be? Expecting offensive production from the likes of Kaleta is a bit far fetched. If he crashes the net often enough, a few will go in, sure, but expecting more than 8 goals from the guy is unrealistic. My understanding was that the 4th line was a 5-8 minute a night change of pace energy line that would hit everything that moved and give the scoring lines and 3rd shut down line a blow.

 

If Darcy wants his 4th line to score, then he had better cut ellis, mair, kaleta, mccormack, etc and play Kennedy Gerbe and whoever. Which gets back to option 3 above. Not that I am advocating for it, but it is a way to get your most talented players on the ice.

[todzilla]

Of the "top 6" Sabres forwards, how many crack the top six of bulk of playoff teams in the league. Vanek for sure and a healthy Connoly for most. Roy and Pommer on some, maybe half. And I doubt Clack Mc. and Stafford make very many. Looking at these guys as the top forwards of the future doesn't fill me with Stanley Cup dreams. We need to find out of Kennedy and Gerbe can be the other guys in this nucleus sooner than later. I'd like to see them on a line with Ellis or Kaleta and see what happens. I hope McArthurs strong camp will carry over to a consistent season and Stafford will make the leap to a 30+ goal scoring power forward, but I'm not holding my breath. Can't wait for the season to start though.

[carpandean]

Roy ... on some, maybe half.

I think that you'd be surprised how many he would make. Even if it's at left wing, not center, the guy has a ton of talent. In fact, he'd probably make most teams with roughly a 50/50 split of center and winger, depending on where the team is thinner.

[korab rules]

When are they required to reduce the roster to 23? Would be nice to see who they are going to keep up. For that matter, is there an available list of who is in camp and whether their contracts are one way or two?

[X. Benedict]

This might be a contrarian view, but I'd be fine with Kennedy on the 3rd or 4th line as long as he gets 8-10 minutes per night of ice time. The more talent in the lineup, the better, IMHO, and as someone noted above, he has a good all-around game. If Hecht has a reasonable bounceback year and gets back to 18 goals, 46 points, I'd kinda like to see Kennedy getting 3rd line minutes with him and Grier if Gaustad gets banged up. For that matter, I'd be happy to see Kennedy on the 4th line instead of Paille with Kaleta and Ellis.

 

I really think Kennedy is going to be able to play every line and every unit.

I he might not be the best 1st and 4th line option - but he'll be able to float up and down lines as needed,

like Ellis but with much better skating, vision, and hands.

[inkman]

When are they required to reduce the roster to 23? Would be nice to see who they are going to keep up. For that matter, is there an available list of who is in camp and whether their contracts are one way or two?

I think you'll see the usual suspects with the possiblity of Kennedy and myers making the team. I'd be shocked if anyone else made it.

[billsrcursed]

Then what is our 4th line supposed to be? Expecting offensive production from the likes of Kaleta is a bit far fetched. If he crashes the net often enough, a few will go in, sure, but expecting more than 8 goals from the guy is unrealistic. My understanding was that the 4th line was a 5-8 minute a night change of pace energy line that would hit everything that moved and give the scoring lines and 3rd shut down line a blow.

 

If Darcy wants his 4th line to score, then he had better cut ellis, mair, kaleta, mccormack, etc and play Kennedy Gerbe and whoever. Which gets back to option 3 above. Not that I am advocating for it, but it is a way to get your most talented players on the ice.

 

Kaleta may surprise you this year if a guy like Kennedy plays on his line. He showed glimpses last year of being in the right place at the right time on the offensive side.

 

I know most think of him as a hitter, but he also earned some time on the PK and seems to have a very good grasp of his role in the NHL, seems to understand the game. I like his potential, as long as he can stay healthy. With his game, though, that may prove hard to accomplish (staying healthy).

 

But ya, 8-10 goals is probably realistic...

[nfreeman]

Then what is our 4th line supposed to be? Expecting offensive production from the likes of Kaleta is a bit far fetched. If he crashes the net often enough, a few will go in, sure, but expecting more than 8 goals from the guy is unrealistic. My understanding was that the 4th line was a 5-8 minute a night change of pace energy line that would hit everything that moved and give the scoring lines and 3rd shut down line a blow.

 

If Darcy wants his 4th line to score, then he had better cut ellis, mair, kaleta, mccormack, etc and play Kennedy Gerbe and whoever. Which gets back to option 3 above. Not that I am advocating for it, but it is a way to get your most talented players on the ice.

You certainly have a reasonable take on the 4th line. I guess I think it doesn't need to be all or nothing. A 4th line of Kennedy-Kaleta-Ellis can do a bit of everything -- play 8+ minutes per game, forecheck well, be hard to play against and contribute a bit of scoring. I don't think Kennedy's development would be hindered by playing in that kind of situation and I'd rather see that 4th line most nights than Ellis-Kaleta-McCormick.

 

I really think Kennedy is going to be able to play every line and every unit.

I he might not be the best 1st and 4th line option - but he'll be able to float up and down lines as needed,

like Ellis but with much better skating, vision, and hands.

I agree. Kind of a big "except for" with the Ellis comparison though.

 

I think you'll see the usual suspects with the possiblity of Kennedy and myers making the team. I'd be shocked if anyone else made it.

I agree. Also, I think they are going to take the full 9 games with Myers to make up their minds.

[X. Benedict]

You certainly have a reasonable take on the 4th line. I guess I think it doesn't need to be all or nothing. A 4th line of Kennedy-Kaleta-Ellis can do a bit of everything -- play 8+ minutes per game, forecheck well, be hard to play against and contribute a bit of scoring. I don't think Kennedy's development would be hindered by playing in that kind of situation and I'd rather see that 4th line most nights than Ellis-Kaleta-McCormick.

 

 

I agree. Kind of a big "except for" with the Ellis comparison though.

 

 

Gotta like Ellis's motor. The guy drives to net. He'll have a spot. No slight on him intended. :lol:

[shrader]

You're only going to get one or the other with Kennedy and Myers (unless they unload someone). There's only so many roster spots to go around.

[Sabres09]

Myers,Kennedy, Gerbe....Two outa Three should make this team on opening night. The talent and energy 2 or all 3 would bring to the lineup is something that the sabres need this year! They cant just continue with the same lineup that has missed the playoffs.

 

Myers & Kennedy make this team....Kennedy on 4th line. Myers as number 6 deffensman to start.

 

Gerbe has to eat his words form earlier in training camp and is going back to portland....

 

My .02$

[deluca67]

Myers,Kennedy, Gerbe....Two outa Three should make this team on opening night. The talent and energy 2 or all 3 would bring to the lineup is something that the sabres need this year! They cant just continue with the same lineup that has missed the playoffs.

 

Myers & Kennedy make this team....Kennedy on 4th line. Myers as number 6 deffensman to start.

 

Gerbe has to eat his words form earlier in training camp and is going back to portland....

 

My .02$

That is the plan.

[inkman]

Myers & Kennedy make this team....Kennedy on 4th line. Myers as number 6 deffensman to start.

I hate everything about that. Limited minutes, no chance to create offense, not physical enough for that line.

[deluca67]

I agree. Also, I think they are going to take the full 9 games with Myers to make up their minds.

They should already know what their plans for Myers are. If they need additional games at this point there is a problem. It is as we spoke of earlier in the preseason. If Myers isn't a Sabre for the entire season it will have more to do with Tallinder's pay than Myers play.

 

Too much is made of the opening day roster. With injuries and Lindy's need to juggle lineups at the first sign of trouble it's safe to say that the lineup for game 10 may look a lot different than it does on opening night. As long as Miller and Vanek are healthy for opening night I'm happy. Keeping Miller healthy and Vanek are the two top priorities this season if playoff hockey is to return to Buffalo.

[Barnabov]

When are they required to reduce the roster to 23? Would be nice to see who they are going to keep up. For that matter, is there an available list of who is in camp and whether their contracts are one way or two?

 

 

I think by tomorrow early afternoon (Wednesday 2 pm) is when rosters have to be finalized. It took a lot of searching to find that out - finally saw it listed on another team's board so don't even know if it's accurate. You'd think that the NHL might publish something like this but I sure couldn't find it if they did - ditto for Sabres news - nada about the roster finalization deadline unless it was buried somewhere.

 

As for contracts, best thing I could recommend would the nhlnumbers.com web site - not sure if it shows 2 way status but gives a lot of info. The NHLPA web site used to have a bit more info on contract status but not anymore from the looks of it.

[LabattBlue]

I hate everything about that. Limited minutes, no chance to create offense, not physical enough for that line.

:thumbsup:

[LabattBlue]

I think by tomorrow early afternoon (Wednesday 2 pm) is when rosters have to be finalized. It took a lot of searching to find that out - finally saw it listed on another team's board so don't even know if it's accurate.

I found this, but it is less vague than what you have already posted.

 

http://buffalonews.typepad.com/sabres/