The one concern I have with Tim Murray is when it comes to Samson Reinhart. TM's comments about players are normally laconic and somewhat dispassionate. When he speaks about Samson he seems to belie that his hopes and expectations run very deep. This was his first ever draft pick as a GM, and for some odd reason he seems to want us to know that. Samson is bulked up considerable from a year ago. From reports that I hear he is also faster. If we add size & speed to his tremendous hockey IQ then he may, indeed, be NHL ready. It also helps that he is not being considered for 1C or 2C. There will be a lot of line experimentation, and I think that could carry on for much of the season. I do not really think it matters for this team what lines gel until we get to around New Years. This season is not about winning, but about developing a winning attitude, and with so many 25 and under players, there is a great need to find out who clicks with who. Samson? He could be 3C; he could be on the wing; he could be in Rochester. I think the most likely answer is that we'll see a bit of all three. If you asked me three months ago I would have said I hope he's an Amerk for much of the season; he definitely should be part of the future in Buffalo, so if he is physically ready I now hope he gets serious ice time in the NHL. Other players to watch: Gus Girgensons, (name means something like "lion killer"), & Johan Larsson - both can play the pivot and both could be important 3rd/4th line contributors for a SC contending team. Can either of them be top six forwards? Marcus Foligno - never going to be better than a power forward, but that's important to a winning team. Marcus is at an age when he needs to have a "show-us" season. William Carrier - LW (part of the STL booty for Miller/Ott). He is going to be, most likely, skating on the top line for the Amerks. And, the Amerks could be the most-improved AHL team this year. He is still extremely young, but I expect he could have a bit of a break-out season. Any of these players could be dealt since the team has too much young talent for one NHL roster. The draft will be in Buffalo in '16, so it is not out of the question that TM may try to add more high picks, (they already have 11 picks). Mark Pysyk is likely to play regularly for the Sabres all season. Jake McCabe could be the first call-up for any D injuries, but I still think he's at least one more season away. I have tix, so far, for the Sabres at NAS, CO, & BOS. It is an oddly giddy feeling that I'm getting for a team that I expect will finish 20-23 in the league.
For about 14 players, we could expect a lot of "screwing around" with lineup changes throughout the 2015-16 season. Normally this is frustrating and indicative of an indecisive coach. For the Sabres, I believe that it's indicative of an extremely young team that needs some time together, but where there is just about zero pressure.
Genius! Knock the living S! outta of every fan; reduce the fan base to sniveling slugs that root for their team to lose. Reduce any expectation down to absolute zero. Then, make a couple of moves that indicate the coming season will not suck that bad, and you have a delirious fan base. Genius!
I'll take that as a compliment, skinny. Thanks. Although I am not sure it's impressive to know much about this team.
Jack Eichel was worth the price of admission last night in St. Paul. He showed a very nifty move to get the puck past the NZ. He made the Wilds' decent d-man Spurgeon look like he belongs in the NCAA. Unfortunately, he actually belongs in the NHL and had an equally nifty move to remove the puck from Jack's possession. That resulted in a 1-0 MN lead in the first. Nice chemistry could be developing between Jack and his landlord, Matt Moulson. His feed to Matt was the game equalizer in the third. A bit later he showed why there's all the fuss about him. Nice breakaway while the Wild were on the PP, (nice feed from Cody Franson), then wait, wait, wait for the G to give an opening and fire the GW SH G in the net! The Sabres Win! The Saaabbbrrrrrres wiiiinnnnnn! (My best Dick Jeanrette imitation.)
Buffalo hasn't retired #9, whats up w/ #41. interesting choice. http://gfycat.com/AngryUnimportantGrayfox
Eich must have great parents. For a superstar, he is very down to earth and humble. He was given #41 in camp, and he won't ask for a number until he's "made the team". He will make the Sabres, and he'll wear #15.
As for 15, that's what he donned on draft-day. I do not think #9 was especially important to him as I think that just happened to be the number given him at BU. He is a genuinely humble guy. As for #9, I think Evander Kane will sport that. I don't think Eich wants any attention to himself other than what he does on the ice. Alternatively, he may wish to avoid the inevitable comparisons to the Great Derek Roy if he wore #9.
lol, good point. was he wearing #15 at the draft because thats the draft year? i know this is a total non issue Im just curious.
Yeah, 15 is short for 2015. Jack, (my nephew), is all about hockey; the NHL is what he has lived for since he was about four. He has maturity on all the other things well beyond his years. As for the NHL, I think he may be the most NHL-ready draftee for the entire millennium to date. I am not saying he'll be the best player drafted in the past 15 years, (hell, he is likely - over their careers - be the second best player drafted in 2015). But his combination of size, strength, skating, and knowledge of the game, going with a maturity that isn't allowing the fuss to get to his head, is better than anyone I can remember since, well since forever. He is ready to step in and contribute meaningfully immediately with very few, (not zero), rookie mistakes.
