2013 Sabres Development Camp, July 10-12

[Trettioåtta]

An 18 year old would rather stay near his friends and family and develop a game against much harder competition and this is a bad thing?

 

Some of you must sleep like babies if you spend the whole of your day this paranoid about Europe.

 

There have been about 3 Russian players who could play in the NHL and have opted for the KHL and suddenly every European player is a flight risk?

 

I always thought Cherry was a xenophobic crack pot (albeit an amusing one) but maybe he is more reflective of North American opinions than I thought :P

[Sabre Dance]

That's because part of the board / Sabres fan base is starting to succumb and accept the rebuilding process, and/or DR's "plan."

 

I would say it's less of "succumbing" and "accepting" as it is "there's nothing I can do about it so I may as well sit back and shut up". So I will.

[LGR4GM]

Europeans have to be 18 to play in the AHL. You want a 17 year old in the NHL?

 

PTR

Well then I guess it is a good thing that Ristolainen has a late 1994 b-day meaning he is already 18 and will be turning 19 on Nov 27

 

Which of Myers-Tallinder, Ehrhoff-Sulzer, Weber-McBain/Pysyk sits so that Risto gets playing time?

Serious question? McBain, Sulzer or more likely the injured Tallinder. I would guess Hank is good for maybe 50-60games this season. Also I think we see a preseason trade.

 

don't most of thous leagues only have out clauses for playing on NHL teams? I viewed the comment as if I don't make the sabres I have to go back to my Finnish team because of my contract. I didn't see it as if I get sent to Rochester I am taking my puck and going home..... Am I completely misreading the situation?

Probably but I am not really worried. It doesn't matter if he plays this year or next as long as his development is not rushed.

 

Okay. Then, what was even the point of taking on McBain, and paying his salary?

 

Furthermore, what was the point of re-signing Sulzer?

 

Even further, an already developing prospect in Pysyk/Ruhwedel sits so a different prospect in Risto plays?

 

Sorry, it all doesn't add up.

Agreed, we have far to many defenders for far to few slots. My guess is we see another trade before the beginning of the year. Also I think Tallinder's injury issues and not knowing how Pysyk, Ristolainen, and Sulzer will look makes darcy hedge his bets.

[thewookie1]

Sulzer has been great when with Erhroff, that is why we resigned him.

McBain was brough on to take back some salary and to take a shot in the dark with his skill.

Tallinder was brought back to help Myers and bring a vet into the D corps.

 

Of the prospects we have, who do think can be Tallinder's heir to the throne of helping Myers

[Marvelo]

Joel Armia had a commitment to play ONE more season in Finland, yet it's been two years. Nobody freaked out when his one-year commitment turned into two years, did they? Whether Risto plays in the AHL or SM-liiga for a year or two means nothing. It really doesn't matter. This isn't him saying "play me or lose me."

 

And if this is really how Risto feels and not about his contract, then this is completely Buffalo's fault for not being thorough in the pre-draft process. Or they just don't care, which is the more likely case because why should they? They don't care if they have to stash a player overseas for one or two years while he develops... The AHL isn't the only way to enter the NHL.

 

Forgive the rant, but here goes:

 

I'm not happy with the way Ratso has declared Buffalo or bust. If he doesn't make the big team, he says he has a contract in Finland and he'll play there. Armia too had a prior commitment to his homeland.

 

What happened to the good soldier? Shoot me down but I don't like the way these European players think. Unless they're a shining superstar, they should be told what to do by us, be in our system first. WE should tell THEM where to go and what to do in order to develop in the way we want them to develop. And have an allegience to us first and forget about the home country. You are a professional now. You are a Buffalo Sabre now and you should bleed Sabre blue. I don't give a rat's ass about their prior commitments. They should be our property and we should ship 'em to Rochester or the WHL or whatever we want, not have to wait, 2-3 years for them to finally decide they're ready.

 

This sort of thing intensifies the feeling that Ratso doesn't want to come here. I saw how overjoyed he was when his name was called as our #1 draft choice. He's pushing us around already and unless he has it his own way, he goes home, 5,000 miles away. A safe and comfortable distance from the grind and control of professional daily development.

 

It also gives me the feeling the Buffalo Sabres are a bunch of beggars willing to be kicked around by 18 year olds. Weak management, poor choices.

[bunomatic]

Forgive the rant, but here goes:

 

I'm not happy with the way Ratso has declared Buffalo or bust. If he doesn't make the big team, he says he has a contract in Finland and he'll play there. Armia too had a prior commitment to his homeland.

 

What happened to the good soldier? Shoot me down but I don't like the way these European players think. Unless they're a shining superstar, they should be told what to do by us, be in our system first. WE should tell THEM where to go and what to do in order to develop in the way we want them to develop. And have an allegience to us first and forget about the home country. You are a professional now. You are a Buffalo Sabre now and you should bleed Sabre blue. I don't give a rat's ass about their prior commitments. They should be our property and we should ship 'em to Rochester or the WHL or whatever we want, not have to wait, 2-3 years for them to finally decide they're ready.

 

This sort of thing intensifies the feeling that Ratso doesn't want to come here. I saw how overjoyed he was when his name was called as our #1 draft choice. He's pushing us around already and unless he has it his own way, he goes home, 5,000 miles away. A safe and comfortable distance from the grind and control of professional daily development.

 

It also gives me the feeling the Buffalo Sabres are a bunch of beggars willing to be kicked around by 18 year olds. Weak management, poor choices.

 

If thats the case and he's not a team first sort of guy include him in a trade package. He's a commodity. An asset. A chip. Everyone in this game knows where they stand. But I don't think he's that sort. I think he simply had a prior commitment that he's honoring and everyone is going all chicken little. Give it time. It'll play out.

[Marvelo]

If thats the case and he's not a team first sort of guy include him in a trade package. He's a commodity. An asset. A chip. Everyone in this game knows where they stand. But I don't think he's that sort. I think he simply had a prior commitment that he's honoring and everyone is going all chicken little. Give it time. It'll play out.

 

Bla. I'm sick of waiting!

[bunomatic]

Bla. I'm sick of waiting!

 

Me too. I went into this rebuild reluctantly but now I'm all in. I want to see this done right and I want to see a better on ice product. How it plays out is anybodies guess. This year will be tough but hopefully it'll get better soon.

[Marvelo]

Me too. I went into this rebuild reluctantly but now I'm all in. I want to see this done right and I want to see a better on ice product. How it plays out is anybodies guess. This year will be tough but hopefully it'll get better soon.

 

Guys like Girgensons seem to be the way to go. He's a good soldier...does what he's told. And he's developing well. He doesn't bolt off thousands of miles and take his teddy bear home. Darcy has made too many mistakes; not only talent wise but character-wise especially with many of these players. Yes, he has done much that's wrong. Now that he's gone back to drafting Euros after a long absence, he's had numerous failures. And Ratso doesn't seem like he's getting a good start here.

 

It doesn't help that Pegula's as soft as a grape.

[bunomatic]

Guys like Girgensons seem to be the way to go. He's a good soldier...does what he's told. And he's developing well. He doesn't bolt off thousands of miles and take his teddy bear home. Darcy has made too many mistakes; not only talent wise but character-wise especially with many of these players. Yes, he has done much that's wrong. Now that he's gone back to drafting Euros after a long absence, he's had numerous failures. And Ratso doesn't seem like he's getting a good start here.

 

It doesn't help that Pegula's as soft as a grape.

 

We need more players in the mold of Zemgus. I liked his interview that was posted here. Guy does what it takes. Works hard. Says all the right things. This guy is a leader and hopefully we find and draft more guys with his character.

[26CornerBlitz]

7/11/13 - Jake McCabe WGR interview: http://podcast.wgr550.com/wgr2/4065703.mp3

[Trettioåtta]

So players should only honor commitments to the NHL? Enroth was drafted by a KHL team. Therefore surely he should have gone wherever te KHL team wanted him to for his development?

 

It is a free market. And should be. How many of you moved 5000 miles away from your homes when you were 18 because one company told you to?

[26CornerBlitz]

:angel: @DaveDavisHockey

Nichushkin signing instantly with the Stars & Ristolainen declaring "Sabres or Finland" must be giving Kevin Devine a headache right now.

[dudacek]

Looks like we need some clarity on the Risto situation.

But if he does have a contract in Finland, and he has no contract here, how does the question of being a good soldier enter into the equation? Isn't it about the contract?

[Trettioåtta]

SM liiga is a better league than the AHL. Night and day better. The AHL is one of the worst highly known professional leagues in the world. Why would you want his development slowed on NA soil when he could play men in Finland?

 

Surely North Amercans are not this xenophobic? This is beyond a joke. He is not a slave. He is a paid professional. It is your job to make him want to go there. Not his duty. He is a sportsman and not a soilder. He has as much aligience to Buffalo as Enroth does to Moscow

 

Why does it matter if he spends another year in Finland?

[bunomatic]

SM liiga is a better league than the AHL. Night and day better. The AHL is one of the worst highly known professional leagues in the world. Why would you want his development slowed on NA soil when he could play men in Finland?

 

Surely North Amercans are not this xenophobic? This is beyond a joke. He is not a slave. He is a paid professional. It is your job to make him want to go there. Not his duty. He is a sportsman and not a soilder. He has as much aligience to Buffalo as Enroth does to Moscow

 

Why does it matter if he spends another year in Finland?

 

It doesn't. I doubt as an 18 year old he would make much of a difference on a bad team anyways.

[LGR4GM]

Sulzer has been great when with Erhroff, that is why we resigned him.

McBain was brough on to take back some salary and to take a shot in the dark with his skill.

Tallinder was brought back to help Myers and bring a vet into the D corps.

 

Of the prospects we have, who do think can be Tallinder's heir to the throne of helping Myers

Ristolainen, McCabe, Zadorov... all have the potential and skills to be Myers partner.

[26CornerBlitz]

WGRZ feature/interview (Video) with local kid Alex Iafallo: http://www.wgrz.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2538530604001

[LGR4GM]

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/07/ristolainen-says-its-either-buffalo-or-finland-next-season.html

 

At least read the story. It is one freaking quote with no context or anything.

 

- After the Sabres drafted the Finnish defenseman eighth overall last month, they said he had no contractual obligations overseas. Thus, if he didn’t make the Sabres, it appeared the team could develop him in Rochester.

“I think no,” Ristolainen said today at development camp. “I’ve got a contract with my hometown team.”

 

That doesn't sound like he is bolting for anywhere but is simply saying if he doesn't make it he may play another year in Finland. Maybe we should wait to hear more from him on this topic or from anyone with knowledge of the actual situation.

[MattPie]

SM liiga is a better league than the AHL. Night and day better. The AHL is one of the worst highly known professional leagues in the world. Why would you want his development slowed on NA soil when he could play men in Finland?

 

Surely North Amercans are not this xenophobic? This is beyond a joke. He is not a slave. He is a paid professional. It is your job to make him want to go there. Not his duty. He is a sportsman and not a soilder. He has as much aligience to Buffalo as Enroth does to Moscow

 

Why does it matter if he spends another year in Finland?

 

Many feel that there's enough of a difference in style between the Euro leagues and North American hockey that learning over there in a "good" league isn't as useful as learning the NA game here in the AHL. Personally, I see the point but I think it depends largely on the player and how well they adjust to the differences. Some players will change their game when needed, some won't be able to. All things equal, I'd prefer to see the player here, since it's a better indication of how they'll play in the AHL. But that could be perception on my part. Just as many Euro-leaguers can't make the adjustment to the NHL, there are tons of AHL players that can't make that adjustment too. It's be interesting to know if that's a skill issue or game-style issue.

 

I see this, through my rose-colored glasses, as Risto already having a contract to play in Europe next season. That contract likely only has an out clause for the NHL, not the AHL. Contractually, he can't play here for the Amerks. That may a "finer point" that many folks here don't know, so it seems like he's "choosing" or "delivering an ultimatum" when he's really not. Just note the number of people here that were insisting we should buy out Leino (can't buy out a player on IR) and Grigorenko should be in the AHL this year (can't, not old enough).

 

Question: is he even old enough to play in the AHL, or is that covered by him already having a professional contract? If we're talking about Finland vs. Major Junior, it's not even a discussion.

[shrader]

Question: is he even old enough to play in the AHL, or is that covered by him already having a professional contract? If we're talking about Finland vs. Major Junior, it's not even a discussion.

 

He's 9 months younger than Girgensons, who did play in the AHL last year.

[MattPie]

He's 9 months younger than Girgensons, who did play in the AHL last year.

 

But there's some odd reason Girgensons was in the AHL, wasn't there? I guess I'm trying to figure out how age works, since Grigorenko (May 1994) can *not* play in the AHL and Girgensons can (Jan 1994), both aged 19 years.

[shrader]

But there's some odd reason Girgensons was in the AHL, wasn't there? I guess I'm trying to figure out how age works, since Grigorenko (May 1994) can *not* play in the AHL and Girgensons can (Jan 1994), both aged 19 years.

 

That's strictly a CHL thing. If a CHL player is under 20, they cannot go to the AHL during that league's season. Both of the players in question are not in that league.

[LGR4GM]

That's strictly a CHL thing. If a CHL player is under 20, they cannot go to the AHL during that league's season. Both of the players in question are not in that league.

Right and you only need to be 18 to play in the AHL from what I have gathered. SO since Risto is turning 19, he can play.

 

Of course if he has a contract in Finland he obviously can not play but that is not the point here

[MattPie]

Right and you only need to be 18 to play in the AHL from what I have gathered. SO since Risto is turning 19, he can play.

 

Of course if he has a contract in Finland he obviously can not play but that is not the point here

 

Thanks guys. Just so I can put this to bed (in my own head), players sign a contract to play in the CHL I assume? And that contract runs until the season you turn 20? Otherwise there'd be no reason for players to say "screw you, CHL, I'm gone."