[Trade] Avs trade McGinn, O'Reilly to the Sabres for Compher, Zadorov, Grigorenko, & 31st OA

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Just wanted to post some mock lines for the Sabres going forward:

Kane-Eichel-O'Reilly
Moulson-Reinhart-Ennis
McGinn-Girgensons-Hodgson
McCormick-Legwand-Kaleta

Bogosian-Gorges
Ristolainen-Weber
Meszaros-Benoit

Lehner-Johnson

Clearly they still need better depth on defense, and the goaltending is questionable, but those top two lines are downright lethal and their third line isn't shabby at all.

[killer_carlson]

Their 4th line gets the job done as a 4th as well.

It's their blueline depth that's a question, but if they can patch that up, they are a playoff team in my opinion.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Their 4th line gets the job done as a 4th as well.

I don't know about that. That really looks like quite a ####ty 4th line IMO. Kaleta & McCormick are massive liabilities at playing hockey, and Legwand's close to being over the hill.

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Just wanted to post some mock lines for the Sabres going forward:

Kane-Eichel-O'Reilly
Moulson-Reinhart-Ennis
McGinn-Girgensons-Hodgson
McCormick-Legwand-Kaleta

Bogosian-Gorges
Ristolainen-Weber
Meszaros-Benoit

Lehner-Johnson

Clearly they still need better depth on defense, and the goaltending is questionable, but those top two lines are downright lethal and their third line isn't shabby at all.

That defense is almost Oilers bad.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by mdubz

That defense is almost Oilers bad.

Pretty much. Bogosian's decent and Ristolainen has good potential, but the others are rather no good.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I don't know about this deal. ROR has always been really good, but never great.

He's one of the absolute upper echelon of best defensive forwards in the league, and he scored 28 goals the year before last. If things pan out, he could genuinely be Eichel's Hossa or Kesler.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Just wanted to post some mock lines for the Sabres going forward:

Kane-Eichel-O'Reilly
Moulson-Reinhart-Ennis
McGinn-Girgensons-Hodgson
McCormick-Legwand-Kaleta

Bogosian-Gorges
Ristolainen-Weber
Meszaros-Benoit

Lehner-Johnson

Clearly they still need better depth on defense, and the goaltending is questionable, but those top two lines are downright lethal and their third line isn't shabby at all.

Looks like they will be tanking for the #1 pick again next season.

[OutOfTheCube]

Originally Posted by Fire

Looks like they will be tanking for the #1 pick again next season.

Ugh really, are you actually this dumb?

He straight up forgot a number of solid bottom 9 guys like Gionta, Deslauriers, Larsson, and Foligno. Meszaros and Benoit are UFA's and almost assuredly not coming back, to be replaced with either promising players that have been developing inside the organization (McCabe, Pysyk) or via free agency.

Like really, we just traded draft picks and prospects for established, sought after veteran players and pieces and you tink they're tanking. Great job establishing you know next to nothing about the sport.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Ugh really, are you actually this dumb?

He straight up forgot a number of solid bottom 9 guys like Gionta, Deslauriers, Larsson, and Foligno. Meszaros and Benoit are UFA's and almost assuredly not coming back, to be replaced with either promising players that have been developing inside the organization (McCabe, Pysyk) or via free agency.

Like really, we just traded draft picks and prospects for established, sought after veteran players and pieces and you tink they're tanking. Great job establishing you know next to nothing about the sport.

I wouldn't be shocked if the Sabres make the playoffs this year.

There is a lot of balance throughout the roster. Not sold on Lehner Johnson, but that will have to sort itself out.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

Ugh really, are you actually this dumb?

He straight up forgot a number of solid bottom 9 guys like Gionta, Deslauriers, Larsson, and Foligno. Meszaros and Benoit are UFA's and almost assuredly not coming back, to be replaced with either promising players that have been developing inside the organization (McCabe, Pysyk) or via free agency.

Like really, we just traded draft picks and prospects for established, sought after veteran players and pieces and you tink they're tanking. Great job establishing you know next to nothing about the sport.

So more of the same dump that made your GM furious when he lost his tank this year?

The only difference is you'll have a top line this year. Kane-Eichel-O'Reilly. Even Crosby couldn't take the Pens to the playoffs in his first year. Let's say your top line adds about 70 goals to your league worst total of 161 last year, Thats 231. But then you have to minus roughly 20 (guessing thats what you crappy top line scored last year?) so You're around 210. Not good enough.

Sabres will be better but no chance at the playoffs. I will take Bolts, Habs, Pens, Caps, Islanders, Wings, Jackets, Rangers easily over the Sabres. Then teams like Panthers/Sens/Flyers are likely ahead too. Bruins being a total wild card if Bergeron/Krejci/Rask can carry them.

Sabres will be in the Leafs, Canes, Devils group. And no Lehner will not be that much better the what Enroth provided them with last year.

[FireGilbert]

The Sabres were massive tankers but today that changed. If it was possible to win the draft they are the winners.

They will be greatly improved this season but 54 points is a big hole to dig yourself out of and even a great improvement will see them closer to 1st overall than the playoffs. Buffalo will continue to rise however and with a group of centremen equal to or better than Calgary they have a very bright future.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

To correct,

Kane-Eichel-Ennis
Moulson-O'Reilly-Reinhart
McGinn-Girgensons-Gionta
Foligno-Legwand-???????
Larsson/Deslauriers

Bogosian-Gorges
Ristolainen-Weber
Pysyk

Lehner-Johnson

Realistically they need an entire top pairing and a right winger. I suspect they're buying out Hodgson. Once they do that there's a metric ton of cap space to fit a couple of guys (10M+). Not that there's much available. Mike Green? Barrett Jackman?

[Imported_Aussie]

Sabres are now a low bubble team. If they made the playoffs, it would be only a minor shock, but I expect them to be outside again. However, some additions on D and Lehner playing up to potential and they look good. Might take them another year, but they are definitely on the way up now. I would expect O'Reilly starts as #1 centre until Eichel takes it away, then Reinhart is likely converted to RW. I think the forward group is set for next season, but D needs a ton of work

[devo22]

forward group looks really good now, well done. Blueline still needs a lot of work.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by devo22

forward group looks really good now, well done. Blueline still needs a lot of work.

Well, the top line C hasn't played an NHL game yet. The #1 overall pick (which Eichel would be in almost any other year) doesn't always light the league on fire right away. Remember Stamkos's first year? Who knows if the kid takes a bit to get his sea legs. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a future bona fide first line NHL center, I just don't know if he'll be one before Christmas.

That said, the bottom 6 looks outstanding in terms of ability to outscore other teams' depth players. That's going to be an area of strength, I think. Any GM would be giddy to have Girgensons in their bottom 6.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Well, the top line C hasn't played an NHL game yet. The #1 overall pick (which Eichel would be in almost any other year) doesn't always light the league on fire right away. Remember Stamkos's first year? Who knows if the kid takes a bit to get his sea legs. Don't get me wrong, I think that's a future bona fide first line NHL center, I just don't know if he'll be one before Christmas.

yeah but Stamkos was horribly mismanaged by Barry Melrose. Once Melrose was gone, Stamkos finished his rookie season on a PPG pace I believe. But anyway, even if Eichel needs some time to adjust, they now have the center depth to cover for that. O'Reilly, Girgensons and even Legwand can easily carry the load while Eichel settles in, no problem.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Or Reinhart goes to C while Eichel figures it out on the wing for a while. No, they should be fine, I'm just saying that there is a legitimate question mark and it's at #1 C, arguably the second most important position on the team after starting goalie.

[CliffFletcher]

Great move to pick up O'Reilly. They can shield Eichel until he's ready to assume the #1 centre role, and then move O'Reilly back into a 2nd line centre. Who doesn't want a 55-60 point player who's one of the top defensive forwards in the game as a #2 C? O'Reilly will also help with leadership. Reinhart can play wing with O'Reilly, which has the makings of a great 2nd line

[jeffman]

I think Eichel will be ready for the nhl already although not immediately as a #1 C. He has already played against men in college and the WHC and has faced tougher competition than mcdavid

[Roof-Daddy]

Sabres have some scary center depth going forward.