GDT: Chicago @ Buffalo, 1:00 pm est, 12/19/2015

[Stoner]

I just have 2 devils :devil: :devil:

 

http://www.instagram.com/p/_hgzQxK0RG/

And I was too big a to get even a little Sabres logo somewhere.

[dudacek]

I didn't see him as a junior, and I'm entirely confident in your assessment.

 

But I cannot see the Sabres' top 2 centers being anyone other than ROR or Eichel -- and Reino looks like he's going to be good enough so that he has to play on the top 2 lines.  So I think he'll have to play wing.

 

I'm reasonably confident that you don't want to unload ROR or Eichel to make room for Reino.

 

Am I missing something?

No. One of three is likely going to move to the wing and as long as Bylsma is here, you are probably right.

But I'm not sure why it's automatically Samson.

 

Reinhart between Kane and Eichel might be amazing.

[Stoner]

I want to clean up something. I was wrong about the little girl's pronunciation of "perilous." She nailed it. Sorry kiddo.

[Doohicksie]

I love their chemistry but I hope the long term plan is for each of them to enter separate lines.

Having them as center one and two, who could complain about that? But looking at how difficult it is to create chemistry with players I could see them together from here on out. Who knows

 

They're not quite half a season into playing together (and they haven't been linemates that whole time).  So it's kind of premature to keep them together on a permanent basis.  I think of Detroit with Zetterberg and Datsyuk, both centers, but they have played together on the same line in the past (and still do on the powerplay, 3v3, etc.)  Here's the beauty of it though:  We've got Eichel, too.  Realistically, we have 3 #1 centers.  I would give Kane/Eichel/Ennis a chance to gel; it seems like they're starting to get some good looks and with their speed they could be a deadly line.  But if it isn't happening after 10-20 games, maybe you move Reinhart to #2 center and put Eichel on ROR's wing.  The problems we have right now are so different than in the past.  We have the talent for the top two lines in house; maybe add a piece or two if the chemistry isn't working, but the overall talent level is there.  Then simply tweak and hone until the mix is just right.

I know it's hard to stay patient with the lack of wins, but the signs are there.

This is going to be a good team.

 

This.  All of it.

[Taro T]

No. One of three is likely going to move to the wing and as long as Bylsma is here, you are probably right.

But I'm not sure why it's automatically Samson.

Reinhart between Kane and Eichel might be amazing.

Possibly. But TM is on record as saying the projection for Eichel is # 1 center - nothing else.

 

I'd expect LT O'Reilly slides to wing on one of the 2 Wunderkinds lines primarily & C's the 3rd line on rare occasion when matchups dictate that.

[Doohicksie]

A little out of whack though? An embarrassment of riches? Is O'Reilly merely a checking line center? He's an awesome two-way, three-zone, all-situation player, but is he more than a third liner? Is Girgensons just your energy line guy? Does DD even think in terms of that old-fashioned four-line setup? Could one of those centers be trade bait?

 

I'd like to see something on my desk in the morning. Thanks.

 

Three #1 lines and a checking/energy line.  Nothing wrong with that.  I can also see ROR, Reinhart and Eichel moving around, alternating on the wing so that all three of them stay in the top 6.  Or at some point, something happens with one of those guys (trade/free agency).

I didn't see him as a junior, and I'm entirely confident in your assessment.

 

But I cannot see the Sabres' top 2 centers being anyone other than ROR or Eichel -- and Reino looks like he's going to be good enough so that he has to play on the top 2 lines.  So I think he'll have to play wing.

 

I'm reasonably confident that you don't want to unload ROR or Eichel to make room for Reino.

 

Am I missing something?

 

I think if Jack doesn't live up to he perceived potential and his line doesn't click, they swap Sam and Jack and take the pressure off Jack as far as being a top center.  If Sam excels as a center, then you give him a line on a permanent basis.  If Eichel develops and can handle centering a top line as well.  Then you have to decide whether have three top lines or if you pick one of ROR/Eich/Sam to move to wing.

 

As it is, I think Samson on ROR's wing is a brilliant combination and wouldn't touch it, except to give Jack a chance to play wing with ROR for a while.  And if you do that and Sam does great at center, you've got to figure out what pieces go where to maximize the team's performance.

[Thorner]

Possibly. But TM is on record as saying the projection for Eichel is # 1 center - nothing else.

 

I'd expect LT O'Reilly slides to wing on one of the 2 Wunderkinds lines primarily & C's the 3rd line on rare occasion when matchups dictate that.

 

I see it the same way.

 

And if O'Reilly and Sam's chemistry is so much that we can't separate the two, I think we have our second line with ROR on LW and Sam at C. And what a second line that would be. If Eichel is holding down that first line....watch out.

[Weave]

I don't think that having ROR, Eichel, AND Samson all centering lines is going to be good use of all that talent.  There is very little likelihood that we will ever have enough scoring wingers to make that worth doing.

 

I think we will see Samson and ROR on the same line for a long time.

[Randall Flagg]

I'm really sad that there isn't a Sabres game until Saturday.

 

And I just remembered I won't get to watch that one. Damn.

[TrueBlueGED]

I don't think that having ROR, Eichel, AND Samson all centering lines is going to be good use of all that talent. There is very little likelihood that we will ever have enough scoring wingers to make that worth doing.

I definitely agree with this. All three need to be in top-6 scoring roles, and I'm getting to the point where I honestly don't think it matters who is where, especially when it comes to O'Reilly and Samson.

[Weave]

I definitely agree with this. All three need to be in top-6 scoring roles, and I'm getting to the point where I honestly don't think it matters who is where, especially when it comes to O'Reilly and Samson.

 

Either Samson or ROR can easily play the Patrick Sharpe role and play wing when needed or slide over to center when needed.

[Doohicksie]

And next year Eich will be the same way. 

[TrueBlueGED]

And next year Eich will be the same way.

I expect it later this season. Tavares, Stamkos, MacKinnon...they all had the proverbial light bulb turn on in the second half after disappointing early rookie campaigns.

[WildCard]

I expect it later this season. Tavares, Stamkos, MacKinnon...they all had the proverbial light bulb turn on in the second half after disappointing early rookie campaigns.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I honestly don't remember all of those player's rookie campaigns. Slightly MacKinnons

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I honestly don't remember all of those player's rookie campaigns. Slightly MacKinnons

 

You can't remember MacKinnon's rookie season?

 

Was it not just two years ago?

 

Oh, that's right.  I forgot.  You are a college student, no?

[TrueBlueGED]

I'm not disagreeing with you, but I honestly don't remember all of those player's rookie campaigns. Slightly MacKinnons

 

Too lazy to count games played(it can't be that far off), but by this date in their respective rookie years:

 

MacKinnon: 20 points--finished with 63

Stamkos: 13 points--finished with 46

Tavares: 27 points--finished with 54

 

I actually thought Tavares' was more second half heavy than that, but Stamkos and MacKinnon followed the pattern I expect Eichel to follow. I'll be pretty disappointed if he doesn't have a big second half. 

 

It's also worth noting that Tavares had the most ice time, at 18 per game; MacKinnon had 17:20 and Stamkos 14:30. Eichel's currently at 19 per game. I really think less would be more and he'd benefit from a reduction in minutes.

Edited December 21, 2015 by TrueBlueGED

[Huckleberry]

What happened to being strong down the middle? I had envisioned a future of Eichel - Reinhart - O'Reilly - Girgensons.

 

I think in two years it should be, Don't know if we have the prospects to fill out the Question marks.

Doubt Baptiste / Bailey can project as #1 wingers.   But that also might not be needed when you roll out 3 lines.

 

?  Eichel  ?

Kane - RoR - Samson

McGinn- Girgensons - Ennis

Deslauriers - Larsson - Foligno

Edited December 21, 2015 by Huckleberry

[Norcal]

I think Reinhart O'Reilly and McGinn will stay together for a while. Those three are the ones staying after practice and skating together. They are developing chemistry on and off the ice and it shows. Has Eichel made any type of connections like that with a teammate? I'm asking, not sure?

[Doohicksie]

I think Reinhart O'Reilly and McGinn will stay together for a while. Those three are the ones staying after practice and skating together. They are developing chemistry on and off the ice and it shows. Has Eichel made any type of connections like that with a teammate? I'm asking, not sure?

 

I hear he spends a lot of drive time with Matt Moulson.

[woods-racer]

I hear he spends a lot of drive time with Matt Moulson.

 

Ouch.