What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Season?

[WildCard]

With the WC here and training camp around the corner, I'd like to get some optimism going here. So, simple title, simple thread. Have at it!

 

Myself? Besides being in the hunt, I'm looking forward to Ristolainen's development. This is the year he should take a huge step

 

That and Jack potting 40

[Hoss]

It's simple but still mostly interested in the development of Reichel.

Very intrigued by the prospect of adding Okposo and Ennis to the lineup.

[Rasmus_]

First and foremost watching more Jack and Sam.  Then the gelling between Okposo and O'Reilly.  The wild card of wild cards in Kane, and whether or not Nylander makes the team.  

[bob_sauve28]

Ha ha, just can't wait to watch our Sabres again. Love all the new talent but I'd be watching if they were a tire fire, too.

[Eleven]

Honestly, it's the meetup.  I really think that's going to be a lot of fun.

[dudacek]

Lehner

[Randall Flagg]

The afternoon leading up to the first Buffalo Sabres playoff game in six years

[That Aud Smell]

Hope. Change.

 

. . . Wait.

 

My bad.

 

Thought it was November 2008 for a second.

[TrueBlueGED]

Risto. With all the hype of the forwards, our Cup contention status is firmly on his shoulders. I think he takes that next step forward this year, and I'm going to enjoy watching it.

[That Aud Smell]

Analyzing the joy right the funk out of Eichel's game. That's what gets my engine revvin.

 

:ph34r:

[pi2000]

How good Lehner can be if he can stay healthy.

 

Ennis back to full gas.

 

Guys like McCabe, Guhle, Bailey, Reinhart, Risto, taking that next step.    It's critical that these guys keep developing.

[dEnnis the Menace]

The idea of playoff hockey in Buffalo being a real possibility again :)

[nfreeman]

I don't have much new to add here.  In order:

 

1.  Eichel and Reino as sophomores

 

2.  Okposo and Ennis as new scorers on the wings

 

3.  Kane with a major chip on his shoulder

 

4.  Risto with a better partner in Kulikov and another year's experience

 

5.  McCabe as a sophomore

 

6.  Bogo with a healthy camp and start to the year

 

7.  Lehner with a healthy start to the year

 

8.  Zemgus with a chip on his shoulder in a contract year and in his 2nd year with a real NHL coach

 

9.  One of the kids -- likely Nelson, Bailey, Fasching or Nylander -- seizing a spot in the lineup

[Weave]

Hockey with expectations.

[beerme1]

Playoffs and DD showing some coaching savvy along the way. And Jack and Sam and and and and and

[TrueBlueGED]

I know I already posted, but if the World Cup thread is any indication, this place is going to be a zoo. I mean that in all of the good and bad ways :)

[That Aud Smell]

I know I already posted, but if the World Cup thread is any indication, this place is going to be a zoo. I mean that in all of the good and bad ways :)

 

Holy sh1t balls. I know it.

 

What's become of the young turks?

[TrueBlueGED]

Holy sh1t balls. I know it.

 

What's become of the young turks?

You're getting old and can't keep up the passion :p

 

I'm just happy we're going to be yelling about why we're not better (if we're not better enough for the playoffs) rather than whether we should even be trying to win. Bring on the fights! I want at least three bodies flung down stairs at the Sabrespace meetup!

[Thorner]

Holy sh1t balls. I know it.

 

What's become of the young turks?

I think I'm roughly the same age as the crowd arguing against Jack's performance, so I'm noting your generalization. Watch it, pops. :p :beer:

Edited September 9, 2016 by Thorny

[That Aud Smell]

I think I'm roughly the same age as the crowd arguing against Jack's performance, so I'm noting your generalization. Watch it, pops. :P :beer:

 

no, YOU watch it.

 

;)

[Mustache of God]

I'm most looking forward to hearing RJ call Sabres games. Any other hockey broadcast always feels lacking without his voice. That and the expectation of winning and competing for the playoffs. It's been a bad stretch for Buffalo sports the past....decade.

[WildCard]

Holy sh1t balls. I know it.

 

What's become of the young turks?

What are young turks?

You're getting old and can't keep up the passion :p

 

I'm just happy we're going to be yelling about why we're not better (if we're not better enough for the playoffs) rather than whether we should even be trying to win. Bring on the fights! I want at least three bodies flung down stairs at the Sabrespace meetup!

As one of the youngest and the smallest, I do not want this :lol:

[7+6=13]

Seeing Jack Eichel hopefully grow into our superstar is #1 - becoming a playoff team would be fantastic but anything other than Eichel IMO is just trying to think of something different to say.  The greatest thing is there's so many other things to be excited about or at least that spark anticipation. 

 

One of the things I'm looking forward to is how Bylsma performs.  Whether he's the right leader for this team on the rise - is something that should start to show this year.  Last year he had major injuries to deal with, young players where expectations weren't defined,  line mates had to be maneuvered due to not knowing who should play with each other.  This year I believe he should know who to pair with each other and his style of how he wants this team to play should be easier to understand.  I'm looking forward to him being the right guy to move these young talented players forward.

[CallawaySabres]

Hopefully atmosphere in that morgue.....maybe asking for too much though. I think it will take a few more years

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Sabres winning their 42nd game of the season.