Corey Pronman of Hockey Prospectus ranks the Sabres with the 3rd-best prospect group in the league, behind Tampa Bay and... I can't think of team #2, but that's pretty fantastic.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I liken this season to watching a season of middle school sports. Not a whole lot to cheer for other then your teams players to do well and grow. It's not a bad thing. I will just watch games a bit differently then I have in the past. Not a lot of expectations just watching the young bucks grow.

It doesn't look so bad on paper, but they're young, small and defensively weak in the middle and they lack scoring on the wings. Besides Vanek (if he's still here) there won't be real scoring threats.

The D doesn't look bad on paper if Myers and Mcbain get their shit together.

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I see Miller splitting some heavy time with another keeper. If the keeper is somewhat competitive then I see us shipping miller. If that is the case I think we also shop Vanek and stack up on draft picks. Why would we tell people we are shopping them now? We don't tell other teams our hand. We say we want to keep them and drive up the cost. Plus, the more competitive the team is through the season the better stats those players would theoretically have and they would then in turn net a better return. I would want to trade them and get as many first and second rounders as possible. Play the percentages in our favor.

I'm sorry, I just don't take alot of stock in prospects who have never played in this league. Kids who need a few years before they even think about putting on a NHL jersey permanently. Until they prove themselves on that ice, until they show that they can really make a difference..... Then I'll be excited. I'm not getting excited for 16-18 year olds who play a good game with other kids. Grigorenko was a perfect example of that last year. He came into the NHL with a huge fucking attitude and got his ass kicked all over the ice. Maybe that was what he needed. Maybe he'll be more humble now. Who knows but that was a perfect example why I don't get excited by what they do else where. I hate to bring it up again, but Myers is another perfect fucking example of people having these huge expectations of a player and they fall flat on their face.

Don't get me wrong, there is definitely potential but that's all it is right now.

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Everyone was a prospect at one point. I don't see how we can just bypass drafting talent because "they haven't proven anything" Crosby at one point hadn't proven anything. Plus, if we have a shitton of 1st and 2nd rounders then one would think a few of those would pan out. We have a lot of 1st and 2nd rounders and I am sure the percentage of those that reach the NHL and succeed is much better then the latter rounds.

Buying doesn't work out to well. Our best years were when we had the best grown in house via draft and trading for prospects. You pay people for what they are capable of doing. If you constanly pay people for what they have done you will grossly overpay and destroy your cap number, IE Leino, Stafford, Boyes. Buy low and sell high.

All those years of the Rangers buying all the players on the market. What came of that? Nothing.

You don't win in free agency. You add supplementary pieces to help your core players win. If you don't have a core, there's no use for the supplements.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I may have come off like I do not think we should develop our own talent through prospects. I do agree that is the best way to build a team. I just don't get excited, like so many do, over these kids. Since there is so much uncertainty with them at this stage. I also have no faith in the development system for the Sabres righ now. I almost feel like the plan is to do majority of their development in the NHL. The biggest reason why Darcy hired RR was his development skills. Personally, I think that's a really bad idea. I guess Darcy is ok rolling the dice. I just think the Sabres will become a developement team for the rest of the NHL.

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Hey, the Pittsburgh Pirates have come around!

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I'll be honest. Unless it's a Rochester signing, I don't see any more moves being made for the main roster this summer. The roster is full with 13 forwards, 8 defensmen, and 2 goalies. If the Sabres are truly sticking with what they have, I'm pretty sure we can close up shop for free agency watch this summer.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

It better not be. Our forward depth is awful for forwards that are actually a sure thing to play. Brunner, Grabovski, Penner... There's a lot of forward free agents to add to our 2nd/3rd line. All we need is ONE.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Tank it. Tank it real good.

I want a top 3 pick and to build a brick shithouse of winning.

I second that motion, all in favor?

As for...

Darcy isn't worried about the offense right now. He was focused on rebuilding the defense during this off season. He will evaluate the current offense this season and will start the offense rebuild next off season.

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Our offense is going to be funneling guys up and seeing what they can do. It's not going to be pretty but I believe we have a lot of potential already in the system. We will finish in the bottom 5 if we stand pay with what we have. And as mentioned before we could be a top 3 draft pick away from having some serious scoring potential. I think Grigs is one full year off from realizing his potential. Expect a Maxim Afinogenov type year. Flashes of brilliance followed by a several game lull. foligno will go back to what he did when he first got here. That is grind, crack skulls, and let the play come to him. He could have 10-15 gordie Howe hattricks next year. Ennis can and will be a 25-30 goal scorer with 30-40 assists. Leino should come into his own as the ultimate set up man. His drag and ability to carry a puck and let people position themselves for a shot is amongst the best in the league. we all know what Vanner can do. I think Hodge has a huge year for this team. Aside from that we will have guys trying to find their way which is fine. If Pommers is interested in coming back we all know what he can do(free agent next year) if things go swimmingly it could be 1-2 years for playoffs again. I am a realist and think 2-4 is more accurate. This year I won't get all rilled up at the score but pay attention to player development. With our blueline I expect some low scoring games.

I also hope Armia gets a crack at the NHL roster. I feel like he's going to be a top winger in the league, especially with his showing at the WJC this year, second only to RNH in points is pretty neat.

Grigorenko, I hope he works out hard this summer and is ready next year.

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The Russians are a prideful people. Almost to a fault. I am guessing his romping this year really put a hurt on his ego. I expect him to be faster and stronger then last year. I hope his on ice attitude is more 100% every shift. Otter will make Grigs his whipping boy during practice. I have no doubts about that. Otter must realize it is incumbant upon him to push this kid and his raw skill to become as good as he can. I don't think grigs frame fills out until next year

Grigs' frame really isn't the issue. He's around 200 lb. so he has the size to play. His skating is a little weird, though, which hampers his natural ability. Once he gets that resolved, he could be a top player. His effort seemed to be a huge problem as well. It almost seems like once he's down, he stays down. That's a little worrisome, considering this team's penchant for panicking in "losing" situations.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I was talking about man weight. Pack on more muscle

So Darcy basically said that they are done. Vanek and Miller will be here till, at least, training camp. They are stacked with forwards so they don't need anymore and he flat out lied about Gerbe. Saying it was a mutual decision

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