Confirmed with Link: CJ Smith signs 2 yr 1.4mil deal with Sabres

[KeyserSoze81]

Loved CJ Smith in both the AHL and NHL last year.

If Botts was willing to gift a spot to Tage Thompson last year, we should be all be penciling in CJ Smith and Olofsson this year. Olofsson slides in the top 6 RW, CJ Smith as middle 6 LW. Then bounce Sheary to his off wing (where he has played sparingly):

Skinner-Eichel-Olofsson
Vesey-ERod-Reinhart
CJ Smith-Middlestadt-Sheary
Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo

We still really need a second line center.

 

[Tsyolin]

Probably because none of the dead weight has been removed yet.

CJ is plenty good enough that he will get the minutes over any of the dead weight here.

 

[Rastin]

Good, Good. He should be a quality middle 6 winger for us. Which is why I don't understand the Vesey acquisition. Can any of our LW's play their off-wing well?

 

[OkimLom]

Good, Good. He should be a quality middle 6 winger for us. Which is why I don't understand the Vesey acquisition. Can any of our LW's play their off-wing well?

There are a total of 4 Middle 6 wingers.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Loved CJ Smith in both the AHL and NHL last year.

If Botts was willing to gift a spot to Tage Thompson last year, we should be all be penciling in CJ Smith and Olofsson this year. Olofsson slides in the top 6 RW, CJ Smith as middle 6 LW. Then bounce Sheary to his off wing (where he has played sparingly):

Skinner-Eichel-Olofsson
Vesey-ERod-Reinhart
CJ Smith-Middlestadt-Sheary
Girgensons-Larsson-Okposo

We still really need a second line center.

Can Rodrigues be a 50 point 2nd line center with Reinhart? It's possible.

 

[Snippit]

Can Rodrigues be a 50 point 2nd line center with Reinhart? It's possible.

It’s not just about how many points you put up. How would ERod stack up against other team’s 2C’s? Probably not that well.

 

[Aladyyn]

It’s not just about how many points you put up. How would ERod stack up against other team’s 2C’s? Probably not that well.

You'd probably be surprised.

 

[Rastin]

There are a total of 4 Middle 6 wingers.

Yeah, but most of the Sabres that can legitimately play a middle six role are all LW. Hence the question.

 

[Snippit]

You'd probably be surprised.

I like the guy but he’s better in a depth role. Relying on him for primary scoring is asking for trouble.

 

[Aladyyn]

I like the guy but he’s better in a depth role. Relying on him for primary scoring is asking for trouble.

How do you know?

 

[Fjordy]

Good

 

[Snippit]

How do you know?

Limitations in his skill set. The quality of 2C’s we’re up against in our own conference. His tendency to try and do too much.

What makes you think he’s the solution at 2C?

 

[Aladyyn]

Limitations in his skill set. The quality of 2C’s we’re up against in our own conference. His tendency to try and do too much.

What makes you think he’s the solution at 2C?

I don't think he's the solution, I do think trying him out in that role with good linemates is worthwhile.

 

[Tatre]

Nice, rooting for this guy to finally get a real chance

 

[Snippit]

I don't think he's the solution, I do think trying him out in that role with good linemates is worthwhile.

Couldn’t hurt to try of course.

Good wingers are in short supply unfortunately.

 

[NEcoli]

CJ is plenty good enough that he will get the minutes over any of the dead weight here.

I agree that he should, but you could've said the same thing last year. Management has given no indication that they know who their good players are. They played Sobotka over him last year.

 

[Tsyolin]

I agree that he should, but you could've said the same thing last year. Management has given no indication that they know who their good players are. They played Sobotka over him last year.

I wouldn't say so, beyond the fact that Housley was the coach. CJ got pretty valuable development time in Rochester, and was also able to move between teams freely. Now they'd have to waive him and that's just not going to happen.

 

[joshjull]

Its a one way deal

Correction

 

[BuffaloGooner]

The worst thing EA Sports ever did was make millions of people not understand waiver eligibility. I see so many people still think two way deals don’t require waivers while one ways do.

Also, CJ should make the big club but we have a logjam of mediocrity in his way.

 

[NEcoli]

I wouldn't say so, beyond the fact that Housley was the coach. CJ got pretty valuable development time in Rochester, and was also able to move between teams freely. Now they'd have to waive him and that's just not going to happen.

I hope you're right. As it stands, if they keep Smith up, they'd have to waive some veterans (Sobotka, Girgensons), or send down the GM's prized prospect (Thompson), which I'll believe when I see.

 

[Chainshot]

I hope you're right. As it stands, if they keep Smith up, they'd have to waive some veterans (Sobotka, Girgensons), or send down the GM's prized prospect (Thompson), which I'll believe when I see.

Lets hope he's wise enough to let go of Sobotka and that a player needing development time is given it if they are so needing it. We can hope he's learned from his mistakes, right?

 

[Husko]

I wonder if his offensive competence and supposed defensive acumen could make him a good partner for Mitts. A sort of Jochen Hecht with Briere type role.

 

[jc17]

The worst thing EA Sports ever did was make millions of people not understand waiver eligibility. I see so many people still think two way deals don’t require waivers while one ways do.

Also, CJ should make the big club but we have a logjam of mediocrity in his way.

I'm just hoping the mediocrity in his way last year was phil's choice and botterill was letting the coach die with his own decisions.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I wonder if his offensive competence and supposed defensive acumen could make him a good partner for Mitts. A sort of Jochen Hecht with Briere type role.

Barring a 2C addition to the roster, I've been thinking Smith-Mittelstadt-Reinhart.