Player Discussion Does Rodrigues change our depth?

[Jame]

Long-term I would want all three of Rodrigues, Larsson and Girgensons, but there are two factors that impact this. One, is that short-term, I think Moulson, Ennis and possibly Gionta make it very difficult to keep ERod on the roster - you need to lose one of the two, and that is a tall order. Secondly, I don't think Girgensons would be happy on a fourth line, and frankly, if ERod brings this game with consistency, he's a better option that Girgensons in the top 9.

It's not a tall order... Gionta is a UFA, and Ennis/Moulson could be put on waivers and sent to Rochester if the young guys beat them out

No one is happy on the 4th line... tough ****.

 

[old kummelweck]

Gionta is a UFA

Now that I am thinking more about Erod, my guess is maybe this is the guy he is playing out of a contract here.

 

[Deleted member 27798]

I like a bottom 6 of Carrier, Foligno, Rodrigues & Larsson, along with a couple of speedy vets(Gionta maybe for one) going forward for the next few years. Nice combination of speed, physical play, defensive IQ, and some offensive skills.

Girgensons is just so invisible on most nights, I don't know what his future is with the team.

The 4th line for the better part of this season has been a train wreck, and it started with not re-signing Legwand or another vet to anchor the 4th line, and then compounded by the 2 year deal for Des.

 

[Chainshot]

It's nice to turn up something for relatively nothing. At this point, he offers them some flexibility but I don't see him unseating guys like Larsson or Girgensons nor forcing either one out via trade.

 

[Onslow]

It's nice to turn up something for relatively nothing. At this point, he offers them some flexibility but I don't see him unseating guys like Larsson or Girgensons nor forcing either one out via trade.

Yep. He will be a good 4th liner.

Which is fine, since our 4th line has been trash lately.

 

[LaxSabre]

 

[Snippit]

He might have top 6 potential.

 

[Ralonzo]

Dunno about that but he fits the Botterill mold of speedy depth guys with a little scoring knack (Sheary, Guentzel, Rust)

 

[valet]

E-rod could be an important piece of a future deadly 3rd line if he keeps up his level of play

 

[Chainshot]

What are these micro necrobumps?

He's style an entertaining offensive player, don't see him supplanting defensive role players.

 

[Aladyyn]

ERod is currently sitting at 1.89 5on5 P/60. When you compare that to the past 3 seasons of Sabres forwards the only one to surpass that mark is... Jack Eichel, this season.

I always liked him but I sure as hell never expected him to produce this efficiently.

 

[Icicle]

ERod is currently sitting at 1.89 5on5 P/60. When you compare that to the past 3 seasons of Sabres forwards the only one to surpass that mark is... Jack Eichel, this season.

I always liked him but I sure as hell never expected him to produce this efficiently.

Some of us did

 

[Aladyyn]

Some of us did

Yes, I am sure you expected him to put up Mitch Marner numbers on the most offensively challenged team in the NHL. Show me where.

 

[Jame]

Erod definitely makes the LW holes in the top 6 slightly less worrisome.

He’s got a ways to go in terms of a complete game, but his puck skill and speed are needed.

 

[Gabrielor]

I think he’s a winger long term, but he definitely has a spot if he keeps this up.

 

[HaNotsri]

Good middle six option. I like his skating, he twists and turns like few others on our team.

Could be part of a good third line.
Rod-Casey-Okposo would be nice.

 

[flashsabre]

ERod is a player that can play all over the lineup. you can plug him beside any of the top 3 centers and he will fit in nicely. He needs a nice healthy run as he seems to gain confidence and improve the more he plays. You definitely need players like ERod in your lineup in the salary cap era as he is a very useful player who doesn't break the bank.

 

[Chainshot]

Erod definitely makes the LW holes in the top 6 slightly less worrisome.

He’s got a ways to go in terms of a complete game, but his puck skill and speed are needed.

Still would like to see what he could do on Jack's wing - right or left, I don't care.

 

[Chainshot]

Further, some combo of Jack, O'Regan and Rodrigues would be interesting, albeit maddening defensively. If they could figure out a way to not get caved in...

 

[dasaybz]

He just seems like a veteran out there. Really like how smart and responsible he plays and he is certainly creative enough to be effective Really liking his game

 

[Reddawg]

Yes, I am sure you expected him to put up Mitch Marner numbers on the most offensively challenged team in the NHL. Show me where.

I've been advocating for E-Rod in the top six for at least a year. He's one of the best passers on the team, and attaching him to Jack's side can only be good for both of them and the team.

 

[valet]

Further, some combo of Jack, O'Regan and Rodrigues would be interesting, albeit maddening defensively. If they could figure out a way to not get caved in...

I agree with e-rod w jack, but I think we need to pump the brakes on the oreagen talk. Let him earn his spot out of Roch. He's still nothing more than a depth bottom 6er/prospect to me

I do think erod-eichel-larry could be an unusually solid trio tho.

 

[Chainshot]

I agree with e-rod w jack, but I think we need to pump the brakes on the oreagen talk. Let him earn his spot out of Roch. He's still nothing more than a depth bottom 6er/prospect to me

I do think erod-eichel-larry could be an unusually solid trio tho.

Are they binding small rockets to Larsson's skates? O'Regan will get a look next camp. I suppose it depends on if they want to run Eichel out with lesser lights (which they've done most of this season to be honest... I'm looking at the Pom/Pou duo) then they might looks at it as though he can elevate someone. We know they can mesh - ERod and O'Regan even independent of Eichel played well together at times at BU. Perhaps they could use the two with Mittelstadt on a Roy-esque line to eat up third pairings and weaker defensive matchups. There are options.

 

[valet]

Are they binding small rockets to Larsson's skates? O'Regan will get a look next camp. I suppose it depends on if they want to run Eichel out with lesser lights (which they've done most of this season to be honest... I'm looking at the Pom/Pou duo) then they might looks at it as though he can elevate someone. We know they can mesh - ERod and O'Regan even independent of Eichel played well together at times at BU. Perhaps they could use the two with Mittelstadt on a Roy-esque line to eat up third pairings and weaker defensive matchups. There are options.

there are options for sure. just saying you should temper you're expectations w o'regan. he hasn't shown us anything yet. e-rod, on the other hand, has been great for what he brings

TBH nothing I've seen this year tells me that Larsson has lost speed, he's still fast, he can still play with skill, and has the same rattiness he always has to his game. obviously he's better suited as a 4th line center, but where we are now he could bolster an Eichel/e-rod combo with his defense while being able to keep up in the neutral and ozones

 

[Chainshot]

there are options for sure. just saying you should temper you're expectations w o'regan. he hasn't shown us anything yet. e-rod, on the other hand, has been great for what he brings

TBH nothing I've seen this year tells me that Larsson has lost speed, he's still fast, he can still play with skill, and has the same rattiness he always has to his game. obviously he's better suited as a 4th line center, but where we are now he could bolster an Eichel/e-rod combo with his defense while being able to keep up in the neutral and ozones

I've never thought of Larsson as fast. His arm injury hasn't helped his stick skills.

As for O'Regan, in limited views he seems to be further along than Rodrigues was when he "arrived" toward the end of last season.