Prediction time: opening night lineup

[Weave]

I wonder if the are giving Zadorov all this time so when he does go back to juniors he will have had the most time playing for the Sabres possible. I wouldn't be surprised if he played a couple regular season games. He can play 10 before his contract starts. At the end of the day playing 25-30mins in london for the majority of the season is the best place for Zadorov this year. Next year, I am all for him being here and being an impact player.

 

Impact? Reign it it Liger. he'll be a raw rook.

[That Aud Smell]

I wonder if the are giving Zadorov all this time so when he does go back to juniors he will have had the most time playing for the Sabres possible. I wouldn't be surprised if he played a couple regular season games. He can play 10 before his contract starts. At the end of the day playing 25-30mins in london for the majority of the season is the best place for Zadorov this year. Next year, I am all for him being here and being an impact player.

 

Liger is in a lather. Youth be praised.***

 

The idea that the Sabres are suddenly going to have a glut of sub-22 year-old defenseman is one that defies history.

 

It sounds like Risto is an exception to the rule. My sense is that Zadorov is 2-3 years (or more) away from making a positive impact at the NHL level.

 

*** There are two bulls standing on a hill overlooking a pasture full of cows. The younger bull, eager, but lacking experience, says to the old bull “Hey, let’s run down there and f@#k ourselves a cow.” The old bull, who has spent season after season in this pasture, turns to the younger bull, chuckles, and replies “Nah, how about we walk down there, and f@#k them all.”

[darksabre]

 

 

Liger is in a lather. Youth be praised.***

 

The idea that the Sabres are suddenly going to have a glut of sub-22 year-old defenseman is one that defies history.

 

It sounds like Risto is an exception to the rule. My sense is that Zadorov is 2-3 years (or more) away from making a positive impact at the NHL level.

 

*** There are two bulls standing on a hill overlooking a pasture full of cows. The younger bull, eager, but lacking experience, says to the old bull “Hey, let’s run down there and f@#k ourselves a cow.” The old bull, who has spent season after season in this pasture, turns to the younger bull, chuckles, and replies “Nah, how about we walk down there, and f@#k them all.”

 

Zadorov will be here sooner than you think. He's genuinely having fun out there, which is the kind of mindset you want a defenseman to have. I get the sense that he will make a great personality in the locker room. He's got some John Scott in him.

[That Aud Smell]

Zadorov will be here sooner than you think. He's genuinely having fun out there, which is the kind of mindset you want a defenseman to have. I get the sense that he will make a great personality in the locker room. He's got some John Scott in him.

 

of course, i hope that turns out to be the case. and i do love liger's expressive mancrushes. it's just that, if history's any indicator (hint: it is), having 2 d-men drafted in 2013 who just roll into the nhl would be unprecedented. (and i'm presuming there that risto makes the big club this year.)

[shrader]

of course, i hope that turns out to be the case. and i do love liger's expressive mancrushes. it's just that, if history's any indicator (hint: it is), having 2 d-men drafted in 2013 who just roll into the nhl would be unprecedented. (and i'm presuming there that risto makes the big club this year.)

 

And it goes beyond that as well. You have those two and then you have Grigorenko and Girgensons. That's 4 kids under 20 that a few are saying will all be on the team this year. This is the right time for a youth movement, but 4 teenagers would really be pushing it.

[Derrico]

So maybe not to start this season but I would guess easily by next our defense could be

Brayden McNabb 6'4" 206lbs - Rasumus Ristolianen 6'4" 210lbs

Nikita Zadorov 6'5" 230lbs - Tyler Myers 6'8" 230lbs

Ehrhoff 6'2" 203lbs - Mark Pysk 6'1" 194lbs

Mike Weber 6'2" 210

 

And they can all skate and pass the puck and half of them like to run sh!t over. Our defense is going to be big and mobile.

 

Don't forget 6'1'' Jake McCabe.

[LGR4GM]

Don't forget 6'1'' 205lbs Jake McCabe.

THATS WHO I FORGOT!!! AHHHH

 

We seriously have a ton of talent on defense... a TON. Jake McCabe has at least another year and from what we have seen of him. That guy is rock solid and a leader. Jake McCabe is a LHS as is McNabb, Zadorov, Ehrhoff, and Weber. Interesting things to consider going forward.

[nfreeman]

I'm willing to skip the debate over whether Risto and Big Z make the team this year, and just assume that they will, and focus on the most important issue: an appropriate nickname.

 

Fire and Ice

Iron Curtain

Shake and Bake

Bagels and Lox

Polar Bears

Finn-Russian with Love

Like Pronger and Niedermayer, but better

[SabresBillsFan]

Buffalo's Defense on paper going forward looks pretty darn good. Now with a 1st and 4 seconds next year time to boost up the offense even more.

[That Aud Smell]

I'm willing to skip the debate over whether Risto and Big Z make the team this year, and just assume that they will, and focus on the most important issue: an appropriate nickname.

 

Fire and Ice

Iron Curtain

Shake and Bake

Bagels and Lox

Polar Bears

Finn-Russian with Love

Like Pronger and Niedermayer, but better

 

Shock and Awe

[darksabre]

I'm willing to skip the debate over whether Risto and Big Z make the team this year, and just assume that they will, and focus on the most important issue: an appropriate nickname.

 

Fire and Ice

Iron Curtain

Shake and Bake

Bagels and Lox

Polar Bears

Finn-Russian with Love

Like Pronger and Niedermayer, but better

 

Goldilocks and the Russian Bear

[chileanseabass]

Flash Bang

[waldo]

I'm willing to skip the debate over whether Risto and Big Z make the team this year, and just assume that they will, and focus on the most important issue: an appropriate nickname.

 

Fire and Ice

Iron Curtain

Shake and Bake

Bagels and Lox

Polar Bears

Finn-Russian with Love

Like Pronger and Niedermayer, but better

 

The Finns hate the Russians. ! lol

[North Buffalo]

Can we just ban the next person to suggest Grigorenko go to the minors? I don't mean to be an ass, but seriously, this is absurd.

Did I hit a nerve... Of course this is hyperbole, but I am not seeing him at that level yet. Yes, he has sick hands, but it is his lack of jump on the ice that drives me up the wall. We will see... make him a winger?

[LGR4GM]

I like shock and awe.

 

Other options,

Death and destruction

Decapitate and dismember

 

[North Buffalo]

I like shock and awe.

 

Other options,

Death and destruction

Decapitate and dismember

Crush, Kill, Destroy oh yea!

[LGR4GM]

The bash brothers

[Robviously]

The bash brothers

[Weave]

Interesting twiiter sequence from Paul Hamilton:

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17172m

Regier said this summer Grigorenko is staying in Buff and not going back to junior. Rolston said today that's not true, he has an opp to

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17173m

make the team.

Ennis back at center = Grigo back in Quebec?

[Koomkie]

Interesting twiiter sequence from Paul Hamilton:

 

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17172m

Regier said this summer Grigorenko is staying in Buff and not going back to junior. Rolston said today that's not true, he has an opp to

 

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17173m

make the team.

 

Ennis back at center = Grigo back in Quebec?

 

as much as i would like him here working out and learning how to freakin skate. i think it may be best to send him down. im torn. his vision and creativity look great. but he is just weak on his skates. afraid he may get crushed

[dudacek]

Grigorenko showed his skill and his vision tonight.

But he's still not ready.

But going back to the Q might be worse for him than part-time play up here.

 

If Tropp and Foligno are out long-term that might have made roster decisions easier.

It will make the team worse though. Both are looking good.

[inkman]

Interesting twiiter sequence from Paul Hamilton:

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17172m

Regier said this summer Grigorenko is staying in Buff and not going back to junior. Rolston said today that's not true, he has an opp to

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham17173m

make the team.

Ennis back at center = Grigo back in Quebec?

If Grigs goes back, my faith may be restored in this organization.

[SabresBillsFan]

 

If Grigs goes back, my faith may be restored in this organization.

 

I don't think Grigs deserves a spot on this team yet. It's a stupid rule that's in place because he really needs AHL rather than Qmjhl. But it's obvious he's not ready!

[Robviously]

Guess we can scratch Tropp off the list for Opening Night.

 

Because the Sabres are just goddamn awesome.

[SabresBillsFan]

Guess we can scratch Tropp off the list for Opening Night.

 

Because the Sabres are just goddamn awesome.

 

Well they said there would be suffering! Grigs not getting better since last season. Kevin Porter still on the roster. It's the same ###### squad like last year with all new coaches. Ristolainen needs more time in minors. We need more quality players up front in the next two drafts. The real question is Vanek and Miller getting traded this season. Losing Vanek would be a big big lost. I think Cody's numbers would drop significantly with Vanek gone. Should be an interesting season.