I really like those forward lines, assuming that Thompson and Cozens prove worthy of those roles.
I think this has the potential to be a very well balanced lineup with strong scoring talent on all three top lines.

The defensive pairings make sense to me as well. You're keeping it balanced on each pairing, but I could also see them flipping Jokiharju and Ristolainen to make more of an offensive 2nd pair and defensive 3rd. Either way, no wrong answer there.

Goal is still the clear hole, but nothing you can do there.

Nice job!

Tage Thompson has no business being on the top line

He may not, but he looked very good in Rochester before getting hurt last year, and I've heard he's bulked up quite a bit in the off-season. I think there's a chance he can play there. And I'm a fan of spreading out talent, so if he comes in and looks good in that role I'd absolutely keep him there.

That being said, I've had Olofsson and Thompson flipped when I draw out potential lines.

Tage played 16games in the AHL
So 1- that’s a ridiculously small sample size
And 2- even if it wasn’t, that doesn’t equate to him being worthy of a top line role in the NHL

He can start on line3 s& work his way up...
IF (and it’s a BIG “if”)...
he even makes the roster

I agree, I know it's a small sample size. I definitely see Tage on the top line as much more of a 'would be nice' than a guarantee. But I think it's within the realm of possibility.

I'd imagine gerowrj16 has a similar thought. That's why he's called this 'potential lines' instead of 'opening night projection'.

@gerowrj16
As good as anyone could guess.
Who knows what Krueger will do.
Remember Sobotka on the second line last year.
Maybe he will try to turn Hall into a PK specialist!

@Jdfitz77
@Shootica

It is nice seeing a pleasant conversation between two level headed knowledgeable Sabre fans.
I call you both knowledgeable as I nearly always agree with your points of view.

Actually Tage has played in 27 games in Rochester and has 14 goals and 23 points.
He was also the best Buffalo player in the last prospect challenge last year.
If he has spent the last year bulking up, I could see him picking up garbage goals in front of the net.

Regardless, none of us watch as much hockey as a scout does, so we are mere armatures.

I think we can all agree that jack, Tylor, Sam, Jeff, Eric, Victor and Dylan will be among the top 9 forwards.
Wow 7 forwards who could be dropped in among the top 6, in the '17-'18 season they had only 4 who scored 20 or more goals.
So who will be the last two?
Tage, Casey or Arttu are the most likely candidates.
IMO Zemgus, Kyle or Cody are long shots for permanent top 9 residency, but could move up if there are injuries.

So take your pick and put them where you would like.
It is nice looking at the prospects of a third line that could get more than 20 goals over an 82 game season.

I agree, that's the best looking group of surefire top 9 players we've had in a long time. Even if we don't count Cozens seeing as he hasn't played a minute of NHL hockey.

I think Cody Eakin is a pretty safe lock at 3C so I'd personally include him in that list as well, but I can see how you might disagree. He's not a sexy name, but he's a proven center in this league who has played 3C minutes in recent years. Zemgus isn't really a true center, Casey hasn't shown a reason to give him that role, and I'd bet that they bring Arttu in on the wing if he makes the team.

I have those 8 penciled into the starting top 9, and then the likes of Arttu, Casey, Zemgus, and Tage competing for the last spot.

Love the discussion!

I as well.
I think we agree that Thompson could be among the top 9.
He was the Amerks best player in the playoffs of 2019.
The best Sabre of the 2019 prospect challenge.
The best Amerk for the first month of the season.
If he has bulked up as I said, he will be hard to move and will either make space for his line mates or pick up garbage goals or both.

I know this is crazy but Mittelstadt played third line minutes with third line talent and produced third line points in 2018-'19.
Since we are agreeing the third line talent is much better this year than past years, i would like to see him given a chance as well.
It really does not matter, who will be in the line up, the third line will be significantly better than any time in the past 8 years.

I was excited when Botterill traded for Pominville, Scandella, Wilson, Nolan and Beaulieu.
Huge upgrade on the defense and offense with players who won rings or had Cup experience.
The Hockey Writers predicted the Sabres would make the playoffs.
How did that season turn out? Well we got Dahlin.

Then I was bowled over when we got Skinner.
How did that season turn out? 24 pts in the last 40 games, and we got Cozens.

This past year we add Jokiharju, Miller, Montour for the entire season, Johansson, Lazar, Gilmour, Vesey.
Solidified the defense and added some offense.
How did that season turn out? Six straight losses after the TDL.

This year we add Hall, Staal and Cozens.
How will this season end up?
Well I am the eternal optimist, I hope one out of four we will finally make the playoffs.

Good post sir

Here’s my thing with Tage:
Sure, he’s looked good in 2 very small sample sizes of AHL play
But we saw how utterly horrible he was with the Sabres for like 3/4 of a season
Of course he could’ve gotten better....
but when it comes to him, I’ve gotta see it before I’ll believe it