Roster Speculation part XXIII

[Jim Bob]

I think the Okposo signing and Kulikov trade are huge in terms of what they enable for the remainder of the forwards and defense.

To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the engineer, there is twice as much glass as needed for the fluid inside.

I agree.

It's unrealistic to expect the GM to make 6 to 8 medium to big moves in the off season.

The most disappointing thing to me about this off season has been Ristolainen not getting signed prior to the end of the WCH.

Other than that, Murray has improved the team in the biggest areas of need (W & LHD).

Now let's get Risto signed and let the chips fall where they may.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Since he's talked about Falk and Nelson battling for the 7th D slot, I was assuming it would be 13 F 7 D 2 G.

Why would TM short the roster by one slot though?

Edit - OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's happening...IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!!

 

[Kardi]

How has Reinhart looked so far? He mentioned early in training camp that he had a big summer training. Can you notice the difference?

 

[Djp]

For what it's worth, I think most teams would be in rough shape if their top three D were all out at the same time (Risto-contract, Bogo/Kuli-nursing injuries). It'd be nice if the Sabres had one or two more serviceable backup plans... but that's just an unfortunate situation all around.

EDIT: I think this year will be one where we just barely get by without lacking D depth coming back to bite us. I think any moves we make this year, next offseason and in the 2017 draft will be very defense-centric... at least it should be.

Remember 2011-12 season besides the hit on miller buffalo also has Myers, Ehrhoff, and Regehr injured where at least 2 of the 3 were out. This 6 week period killed the season. Outside of that they played at a ppg pace equal to the top conference teams. Their play during the injury period caused them to miss the playoffs.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Risky long-term defense idea:

- trade the 2017 1st and prospects for a defender. (Bailey is the prime candidate due to his upside, but I'd place Carrier, Asplund, Pu, and Baptiste on the table as well). Fowler is the prime target, as Anaheim is looking to move a contract and add very little salary back. Brodin and Edler might also be available at some point.

- Protect Ristolainen, McCabe, and the new defender in the expansion draft. (Assumption that GMTM is correct in his press conference over the summer, and Bogosian's NMC was not honored).

- Bogosian is selected in the expansion draft.

- Re-sign Kulikov.

- Big game fish again for free agents and sign Shattenkirk.

Fowler/Brodin/Edler - Ristolainen
Kulikov - Shattenkirk

Risky - lots of things not in Buffalo's control. The idea was to create a big, mobile defense that transitioned the puck well. Thoughts?

 

[Jim Bob]

Why would TM short the roster by one slot though?

Edit - OOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's happening...IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!!

Probably to save cap space in the event that they are in the hunt at the TDL and he wants to be a buyer.

 

[hizzoner]

I think the Okposo signing and Kulikov trade are huge in terms of what they enable for the remainder of the forwards and defense.

To the pessimist, the glass is half empty.
To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the engineer, there is twice as much glass as needed for the fluid inside.

I drink out of half of the glass that is full. Much more satisfying....

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Girgensons has only been tested at centre through the whole camp so far. I wonder if Bylsma is set on playing him there? If so, it would send Grant to the AHL and open a spot for Fasching.

Are Larsson and Girgs battling for the #3C spot, or is Girgs just being played at center so that the team can make a final decision regarding his position? Hard to tell what they're planning to do with Girgs.

He could take Foligno's spot on Larsson's line, he could take Larsson's spot, or he can center the 4th line. Any other options? He could take Gio's spot, I guess. The coach and GM have all but said that he's bottom 6 on this team -- for now at least.

Maybe he takes Ennis or Kane's spot in the top 6 later on in the season if one of them really struggle, but I think those two are going to be given a chance to work through any struggles.

 

[OkimLom]

How has Reinhart looked so far? He mentioned early in training camp that he had a big summer training. Can you notice the difference?

He's looked a little quicker. He seems more engaged in the play, still makes the best play more often than not. He's improved slightly, but that's not a bad thing. You can see a difference in his confidence.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Eichel and Reinhart must stay together is all I know, I hope that ROR and Okposo develop chemistry. The third guys on the top 2 lines will be Kane, Ennis or .... um..... Moulson.

I like Ennis/Girgensons/Moulson as a line. That would leave Larsson,Foligno and Fasching. hmm ..... Gionta.

Foligno/Larsson/Gionta

Ennis/Girgensons/Fasching

 

[Fly Boy]

I have been thinking that I would love if they put a claim in whichever defenseman LA puts on waivers between Forbert and Trotman. It appears Trotman was the one waived yesterday and I still hope they put a claim in. He's had a good amount of experience as a 6/7. He's also RH so if need be he can step in for a struggling Franson and allows Nelson to start down to the AHL as well as Falk.

Edit: Except I now realize he already cleared.

 

[Reddawg]

I have been thinking that I would love if they put a claim in whichever defenseman LA puts on waivers between Forbert and Trotman. It appears Trotman was the one waived yesterday and I still hope they put a claim in. He's had a good amount of experience as a 6/7. He's also RH so if need be he can step in for a struggling Franson and allows Nelson to start down to the AHL as well as Falk.

Edit: Except I now realize he already cleared.

I'm surprised McNabb continues to hang in there with LA, to be honest. He hasn't done much to justify his roster spot as a 6/7...seems like the only reason they keep him up is the likelyhood that they'll lose him if they try to sneak him to Manchester.

 

[Jacob582]

I have been thinking that I would love if they put a claim in whichever defenseman LA puts on waivers between Forbert and Trotman. It appears Trotman was the one waived yesterday and I still hope they put a claim in. He's had a good amount of experience as a 6/7. He's also RH so if need be he can step in for a struggling Franson and allows Nelson to start down to the AHL as well as Falk.

I was thinking that if our injuries are longer term that we should pick up another defenseman. Bartkowski was released today too.

Three things TM doesn't do: draft Russians (oh wait!), extend PTO's for training camp, and claim players off of waivers.

 

[Reddawg]

I was thinking that if our injuries are longer term that we should pick up another defenseman. Bartkowski was released today too.

Three things TM doesn't do: draft Russians (oh wait!), extend PTO's for training camp, and claim players off of waivers.

*cough*nacher

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

So I know I'm getting ahead of myself but I was tinkering with lines for the 2017-18 season and, as expected, there's no room for Tyler Ennis. Hopefully we can get him back to form so we can at least get a 2nd rounder for him.

Kane - O'Reilly - Okposo
Nylander - Eichel - Reinhart
Fasching - Girgensons - Bailey
Foligno - Larsson - Carrier
x Moulson, Deslauriers

 

[EXTRAS]

Any chance Brady Austin makes it as a 7d?

 

[Zip15]

Any chance Brady Austin makes it as a 7d?

Good lord, no. I'd say he's behind just about every defenseman who's played for Buffalo during the preseason. Maybe not Mac Bennett, but everyone else.

 

[Zman5778]

Any chance Brady Austin makes it as a 7d?

Unless he makes some sort of monumental/miraculous leap while playing in Rochester this year, there's no chance.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Assume for a second that Risto is signed and Kulikov/Bogosian are healthy.

Has Nelson done enough to stick on the big club? He's obviously not going to be sitting in the press box as a #7 while he's waiver exempt and could be getting big minutes in Rochester.

Has he done enough to bump Franson upstairs (and Falk to Rochester)? I think he has, but curious to see what others say.

 

[Zip15]

Assume for a second that Risto is signed and Kulikov/Bogosian are healthy.

Has Nelson done enough to stick on the big club? He's obviously not going to be sitting in the press box as a #7 while he's waiver exempt and could be getting big minutes in Rochester.

Has he done enough to bump Franson upstairs (and Falk to Rochester)? I think he has, but curious to see what others say.

To me, the question is simple: what's best for his long-term development as a player? In my opinion, getting big minutes in Rochester, where he can work out the defensive kinks, is preferable. If Fasching gets sent down, though, I could palate the idea of dressing 7 defensemen and deploying Nelson as an offensive specialist in lieu of dressing a plug like Deslauriers.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

This doesn't sound good





http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTHS-CORNER/Nokposo/6/79689

 

[ZZamboni]

This doesn't sound good





http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTHS-CORNER/Nokposo/6/79689

Doesn't sound good = bad bruise that will require he rest his leg for a couple days and a game.

In otherwords, not a big deal.

 

[Woodhouse]

What's the cause for alarm? Bylsma said: “He’s got quite a big bruise, just a slapshot to an area he didn’t have any padding.†That's a pretty common injury and the WGRZ video is just him failing to skate it off as a mere stinger. Following up with a team doctor to make sure there's not more to it seems pretty routine behavior to me.

 

[Zman5778]

Has he done enough to bump Franson upstairs (and Falk to Rochester)? I think he has, but curious to see what others say.

No, he has not. He's been a tire fire in portions of every game. He's also looked great in portions of every game.

He needs to be in Rochester soaking up minutes and getting consistency.

 

[kenfury]

CBJ released Stoll from his PTO. Any interest in seeing him on a 2-way deal to try and hold down the 4C position or do you think we have enough of that in Grant and COR?