2016-'17 Lineup

[Doohicksie]

For Reinhart to be a center we would have to make a trade for a winger, for instance Girgs for Duclair or else we'd have a strong middle with mostly mediocrity on the wings.

 

I understand Duclair isn't having as good a year this year as he did last year.  I don't care; he's shown he has the skill we need.

[Huckleberry]

I think we spend too much time fixated on line numbers. I know some have suggest ditching 1-2-3 entirely and instead having a top line, a middle six, and a bottom line. But even that I don't think is a good way to go about it because there's still going to be angst over who is the "top". I also think numbering lines gets people all riled up with things like "Kane isn't a 3rd liner!" and whatnot. To me, especially with Pittsburgh winning the Cup wit the combos they had...there is a top-9 and a 4th line. That's it. Everything within that top-9 should be flexible and able to be moved around based on play/need/chemistry without any annoyance amongst us fans. Would also allow us to discuss Samson at center without "You don't draft a 3rd line center #2 overall!" spoiling the conversation. After all, Phil Kessel was on Pittsburgh's "3rd line" even though he was better than all of the other wingers. Fit and chemistry dictated it, and it wasn't meant in any kind of derogatory sense. 

 

This is why I want Samson as a 3C and larsson as 4C.   But Larsson I want on our 2PP and getting 10 + minutes though.

And I want Lindy back because he roles out 3 lines like no coach in the NHL can.

[dudacek]

Good centres make good wingers far more often than the other way around.

Nylander, Carrier, Fasching, Baptiste, Girgensons, Bailey...I don't have a problem picturing two or three joining Okposo, Kane, Foligno and perhaps Ennis in a future top nine.

If not, middle six wingers are among the easiest assets to acquire.

[OhMyDahlin]

Just stopped in to see what the conversation was about...quickly noticed people still have no respect for Evander Kane's game, although he's our most consistent scorer in the last dozen games.

I'd hate to see him get traded, but if he does I hope he explodes and kills the Sabres every time they play.

He's been the best player on the ice for the Sabres in the month of December, yet the fans (and Bylsma) want him playing with scrubs on the 3rd line? Lol, what a joke.

*Happy New Year.

EDIT: And not only that, but fans/Bylsma want Foligno and Moulson, a 4th liner and a power-play specialist who ONLY contributes on the power-play, to be in the top-6!?!  :doh:  :wallbash:  :sick:

I'd like to propose a healthy forward lineup based on a few factors:

 

1) Sam's comfort level at center. Sammy has not had a great sophomore season but he does look more comfortable when playing the pivot. 

 

2) Smart Gio complementing forceful Kane. On more than one occasion Kane forced a bullet pass to Gio in the neutral zone. For any other player, it would have been caught in feet or deflected into a turnover. Gio simply opened up his stick and one-touched it to the off wing. I think these two are perfect complements to one another and Kane has a respect for Gio's game which can go a long way for his commitment and battle.

 

3) Giving Lars some top line minutes. There is little doubt that Lars is one of our best and most consistent players on the ice. His skill is often as evident as his ability to play a two-way game. Putting him with some high-end talent could see him take another step.

 

Note: We are one forward short of serious playoff contender. (Vesey :( )

 

 

Larsson - O'Reilly - Moulson

Foligno - Eichel - Okposo

Kane - Reinhart - Gionta

Girgensons - Grant - Carrier

 

 

Thoughts? What are the negatives?

 

Sorry if this isn't where wishful lineups should go.

Larsson and Moulson on the top line, Kane (and Reinhart) on the 3rd line...this is a joke, right?

Edited December 29, 2016 by Dank Dangleson

[Doohicksie]

Larsson and Moulson on the top line, Kane (and Reinhart) on the 3rd line...this is a joke, right?

 

No, it's an honest attempt to produce three "top lines" (at least from my viewing of it).

If it makes you feel better, Move 1 or 2 down to 3, and move 3 up to fill the void.

[inkman]

Just stopped in to see what the conversation was about...quickly noticed people still have no respect for Evander Kane's game, although he's our most consistent scorer in the last dozen games.

 

I'd hate to see him get traded, but if he does I hope he explodes and kills the Sabres every time they play.

 

He's been the best player on the ice for the Sabres in the month of December, yet the fans (and Bylsma) want him playing with scrubs on the 3rd line? Lol, what a joke.

 

*Happy New Year.

 

EDIT: And not only that, but fans/Bylsma want Foligno and Moulson, a 4th liner and a power-play specialist who ONLY contributes on the power-play, to be in the top-6!?! :doh: :wallbash: :sick:

 

Larsson and Moulson on the top line, Kane (and Reinhart) on the 3rd line...this is a joke, right?

Hey Evander!!

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Hey Evander!!

 

:w00t:

 

Inky,

 

Your awesomeness, especially the calves, never cease to amaze.

[Randall Flagg]

Good to see Gorges put in the worst possible place for him to succeed again, on the top pair, with Risto, who by eye test and every statistical measure gets worse with a broken-footed anchor attached to his ankle.

 

You've got to be kidding me.

[TrueBlueGED]

Justin Bailey has been recalled. Sucks that it took Carrier's injury for this to happen and not, ya know, Deslauriers' general awfulness. Hopefully he gets a real chance with Jack or Samson.

[Brawndo]

Justin Bailey has been recalled. Sucks that it took Carrier's injury for this to happen and not, ya know, Deslauriers' general awfulness. Hopefully he gets a real chance with Jack or Samson.

Should be on Jack's Wing and Baptiste should replace D Lo

[Marions Piazza]

I understand Duclair isn't having as good a year this year as he did last year.  I don't care; he's shown he has the skill we need.

Right, so we wouldn't be able to get Duclair for the above proposed idea of Girgensons. 

[Brawndo]

This won't go over well ... Justin Bailey is practicing with Derek Grant and Nick Deslauriers. #Sabres

 

WTF DAN?????

[darksabre]

LOL Bylsma. What a turd.

[WildCard]

I'm confused, out of all theves DD has made, this seems the most logical

[darksabre]

Bailey is the second highest scorer on the Amerks. You don't plug him into the 4th line. That's simply not where he goes.

[WildCard]

Bailey is the second highest scorer on the Amerks. You don't plug him into the 4th line. That's simply not where he goes.

Being the 2nd highest scorer on that team isn't saying a lot. Where else is he supposed to play?

[Taro T]

Being the 2nd highest scorer on that team isn't saying a lot. Where else is he supposed to play?

On wing for either Eichel or Reinhart. Slide Moulson to 4th line & PP duty & keep Girgensons on whichever of the 2 "scoring" lines that Bailey isn't on.

[bob_sauve28]

Duffers report:

 

https://mobile.twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/814949843315597312/video/1

[TrueBlueGED]

John Vogl ‏@BuffNewsVogl  9m9 minutes ago

Sabres' lines:

Foligno-Eichel-Okposo

Kane-Reinhart-Bailey

Carrier-Girgensons-Gionta

Moulson-Grant-Ennis

 

John Vogl ‏@BuffNewsVogl  8m8 minutes ago

Sabres' defense:

McCabe-Ristolainen

Deslauriers-Bogosian

Falk-Franson

Deslauriers used to be a D-man. He's just holding spot till callup.

 

 

Amazing how it takes injuries for Bylsma's lines to make sense, but I'll take it.

[Weave]

Does anyone else have an involuntary twitch when they see Grant in these lineups, or is it just me?

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Does anyone else have an involuntary twitch when they see Grant in these lineups, or is it just me?

 

I really think he is this season's Matt Ellis, as in Derek Grant  the Matt Ellis of the 2016/17 Buffalo Sabres ... wrong thread (?).

[Brawndo]

Larsson has a dislocated elbow and wrist and is still hospitalized in Boston.

 

Long term injury.

[Rasmus_]

Looks like its make or break time for Zemgus.

[dudacek]

Does anyone else have an involuntary twitch when they see Grant in these lineups, or is it just me?

A PK specialist on the worst PK in the NHL?

A forward who is now past 70 NHL games without a goal (must be approaching some kind of record for forwards)?

 

Why would that bother you?

[Rasmus_]

A PK specialist on the worst PK in the NHL?

A forward who is now past 70 NHL games without a goal (must be approaching some kind of record for forwards)?

 

Why would that bother you?

 

I sense some sarcasm somewhere in this post.  Maybe, I'm just reading into things.   :unsure: