Speculation: Biggest need for 2015-2016 Sabres

[dkollidas]

Looking at the team, the guys coming up next year, and assuming we get a McEichel, what do you think is the Sabres biggest need for 2015-2016?

I think the biggest 3 are...
1. Starting goalie
2. Top-6 right winger
3. Minute eating defenseman capable of sheltering the younger guys (someone more capable than Gorges).

Your thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[OneBuffalo]

#1 Center. We don't have one until we clinch last. As of right now, we don't have one and need one.

 

[ZeroPT*]

Defensively responsible centre.

Goalies are easy as hell to find

 

[Husko]

Top 4 LHD and it's not even close for me.

A center would be nice, but if worst comes to worse things could be a lot worse than Kane, Reinhart, McEichel, Girgensons, Ennis, and Moulson as our top 6. Same goes for a top-6 scorer.

A 3rd line defensive specialist could be nice, but against things could be a lot worse than Foligno-Larsson-Gionta.

Yeah, we need a goalie, but we'll find one, won't be hard.

Then we get back to my desire for a top-4 LHD. Say we get the real prize, Sekera (or lets use him as a placeholder for that guy we get).

Sekera-Bogosian
Georges-Risto

That's a pretty tasty top 4. Best part about it, though? It lets Zadorov/McCabe/Weber-Pysyk be our third pairing, right where they should be (either because they're developing prospects or because that's the skill level [Weber]).

So yes, absolutely, a top-4 dman.


I'm still on board with a silly high salary contract for Sekera, but making it over 3 years. Some team offers Sekera 30 over 5? Okay, I'll do 30 over 3.

 

[MayDayMayDay]

Looking at the team, the guys coming up next year, and assuming we get a McEichel, what do you think is the Sabres biggest need for 2015-2016?

I think the biggest 3 are...
1. Starting goalie
2. Top-6 right winger
3. Minute eating defenseman capable of sheltering the younger guys (someone more capable than Gorges).

Your thoughts?

I think you've nailed them, right down to order of importance (although I don't think the winger necessarily needs to be a righty. We've got guys on the LW who could transition to/play on the right side as well).

Starting goalie: My first choice would be Niemi. Not opposed to bringing Neuvirth/Enroth back.

Winger: I'd like to see GMTM get aggressive here and make a move for one of JVR or O'Reilly.

Minute eating D-man: I like the silly high, short term Sekera contract idea.

As for a picking up a centerman: while I wouldn't be opposed to Vermette, the guy I'd like to try and kick the tires on (may not be a popular idea) is Vinny Lecavalier. Only got three years left on that deal, proven leader, won a Stanley Cup.

My primary objective this offseason: I want to surround this young core w/ veterans who can both shelter them and teach them how to win hockey games.

 

[Jame]

1. time
2. patience
3. more time and patience

 

[joshjull]

Top 4 lefty dman.

 

[Uberpecker]

Assuming we get McEichel (knock on wood) it's the top 4 LD.
I would have said defensive center, too, but Larsson looks like the real deal and Girgensons does anyway.
Building your d the right way is just the basis for everything else. Scoring wingers will fall in to place one way or another, if your center depth is taken care of (which it looks it will be).

Sekera would be awesome, but I have a feeling we won't get him. One of the young NJD d men could be had, or Gormley from Zona.
BTW., Anyone have quick run down on which top4 dmen will be available in FA?

 

[Zman5778]

1. time
2. patience
3. more time and patience

In the grand scheme of things, this is exactly right.

Being a bit more specific:

1.) Top 4 LHD
2.) Defensively responsible C/W

 

[Beerz]

McEichel

Top 4 Dman

Top 6 Winger

 

[B U F F A L O]

1. Top 4 LD
2. Goalie(s)
3. A new coach

With the additions of McEichel, Reinhart, Larsson and Grigorenko, Im fine with not making large changes to the forwards, outside of possibly shipping out Hodgson. I think Larsson can handle the role of the defensive center we seek; hes proven himself this year, comes cheap, still young and can grow with our core.

Kane-McEichel-Ennis
Moulson-Larsson-Girgensons
Foligno-Reinhart-Gionta
Deslauriers-Grigorenko-Hodgson

FA/trade-Ristolainen
Gorges-Bogosian
Weber-Pysyk
FA

FA/trade
Johnson?

 

[sba]

real coach

 

[Jeremy2020]

A Coach

 

[Der Jaeger]

1. time
2. patience
3. more time and patience

Yep. Exactly why there's no reason to rush to anything. Sabres are headed to a bright future. There's no reason to:

- rush anyone into a role they are not ready for.
- rush anyone into playing in a league they are not ready for (Zadorov-type situation notwithstanding)
- force a trade
- trade anyone who currently has low trade value, but could bring it up.

 

[RoofIt5hole]

1. Top Line Center (hopefully we manage to land McEichel to solve that.)
2. Top Pair LHD. Seekers seems a perfect fit.
3. Top line winger. I'd prefer JVR over ROR. Just because of the contract situation. Not willing to give up assets just to see ROR walk after a year.

If those needs are handled, this team could be significantly better. Playoff bubble team.

Kane - McEichel - JVR
Moulson - Reinhart- Girgs
Foligno - Grigs / Larsson - Ennis

Sekera - Bogo
Zads - Risto
Gorges - Pysyk

Easily a + 20-30 points

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

Not what I really think but could be convinced, because it could be the right thing to do in the long run....

1. Keep Nolan (ugh.)
2. Send Reinhart to AHL
3. Let McEichel simmer in the college or minors (another ugh, could be convinced this one staying).
4. Zadorov to AHL
5. Pysyk in NHL
6. Sign 1 year deals to fill in roster...1 or 2 dmen, couple forwards.
7. If not traded, Grigs on the wing.
8. Sign two journeymen goalies.

The reason I say this is because of all the post back and forth about Reinhart/Grigs and comparable players and where they were and their 19 year production, and 20 year, etc.....

I'm not sure throwing all these 18-20 year olds into the fire will be best. There are just too many of them. Letting Reinhart and McEichel develop a bit more will probably pay dividends in the future, as will Zadorov. Opens up room for Grigs, and lets us go one more year with a top pick.

Use 15-16 as a complete testing ground, see what we have, let them play against men and learn how to play against them.

Again, I want to win, and this is not my first choice but I could be persuaded.

That formula will also let guys like Fasching, Baptiste, etc develope

 

[kenfury]

Agree with everyone else. A second pairing, defensively responsible, LHD and a 3rd line checking C/LW. Both for the same reason, take some of the hard minutes away from the kids.

I'm still thinking Bickell/Oduya would be a nice fit.

 

[EichHart]

Biggest need is McEichel. Everything else will fall into place with the amount of cap space, tradable assets, and a owner willing to spend that we have.

 

[yahhockey]

Ditto. A forward like McEichel is just what the doctor ordered. Certainly there are some positions that could be improved but with the team unlikely to win a Cup in the next two seasons there's no rush to fill those holes. Lets watch our group of under 25s develop for a year or two then decide who fits where and which holes need to be filled via trade or free agency.

I'll be cheering for the team from game one and hoping for some sort of miraculous run into the playoffs but realistically that is unlikely to happen. Addressing current needs is short-sighted and negatively impacts the team's 2016 draft position. Either you let the team simmer for a season or two or you go nuts and adds another F, D and competent G in the upcoming off-season. Taking the middle road by making minor tweaks may mean a few extra wins which also means less odds to win the lottery and drafting 10-13 instead of 7-10.

 

[kp2575]

Not what I really think but could be convinced, because it could be the right thing to do in the long run....

1. Keep Nolan (ugh.)
2. Send Reinhart to AHL
3. Let McEichel simmer in the college or minors (another ugh, could be convinced this one staying).
4. Zadorov to AHL
5. Pysyk in NHL
6. Sign 1 year deals to fill in roster...1 or 2 dmen, couple forwards.
7. If not traded, Grigs on the wing.
8. Sign two journeymen goalies.

The reason I say this is because of all the post back and forth about Reinhart/Grigs and comparable players and where they were and their 19 year production, and 20 year, etc.....

I'm not sure throwing all these 18-20 year olds into the fire will be best. There are just too many of them. Letting Reinhart and McEichel develop a bit more will probably pay dividends in the future, as will Zadorov. Opens up room for Grigs, and lets us go one more year with a top pick.

Use 15-16 as a complete testing ground, see what we have, let them play against men and learn how to play against them.

Again, I want to win, and this is not my first choice but I could be persuaded.

That formula will also let guys like Fasching, Baptiste, etc develope

I hate to say it but that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I mean watching it might be the worst thing in the world but in the grand scheme of things it might not be.

 

[kenfury]

Biggest need is McEichel. Everything else will fall into place with the amount of cap space, tradable assets, and a owner willing to spend that we have.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. While strong stars will make or break a team you still need proper development and supporting cast to make sure your high draft picks pan out. Look at Edmonton as an example of great start with no help. For that matter the Penguins. Best player in Sid yet because of a lack of help the are fighting for a playoff spot about two weeks later than they should be. Compare that to Boston or LA. Boston traded away their top picks in Kessel and Seguin and still went on strong runs due to depth. LA has Doughtey (which is a differnece maker) but so for as top 5 picks thats it. Brown was 11th, Kopitar 13th, Schenn at 5 helped via trade. However the rest were good drafts and a strong system (Slava Voynov #32, Toffoli #47, Quick #72, etc..)

I'm not saying stars dont matter but a strong 2nd and 3rd line go a long way to making a competitive team. They cant all be stars.

 

[Robert]

Goal tender.... You know, he's a player that mirrors a quarterback in football.... In fact, the Sabres need two..

 

[VaporTrail]

I guess the question should be asked...Are we trying to make the playoffs next year ?

 

[ZeroPT*]

Goal tender.... You know, he's a player that mirrors a quarterback in football.... In fact, the Sabres need two..

That is so false. QB's in football are literally the hub of the team. You can't win without an elite QB. You can win without a star goalie. Furthermore, goalies are so stupidly easy to acquire, I mean, the Islanders traded a mid pick for a 36 win goalie. It's a need for sure but the #1 need? No. There are so many more glaring needs.

 

[Zman5778]

I guess the question should be asked...Are we trying to make the playoffs next year ?

I think the answer is: "We're going to ice the best team we can and try to win as many games as possible". In other words: "We're not tanking anymore. Let's hope the kids are as good as we want them to be"