Neither will be better. Why all the Eichel slander when we know hes been playing injured...
- DirtyDan

Hughes could have a career Similar to Patrick Kane without the awards.

What's the point of keeping this guy if he doesn't want to be here.

Back to trading Jack eichel I see can we please stop .

Pilut didn't want to be shuffled in and out of the lineup, tis why he didn't sign.
- DirtyDan

And why would he? He was playing at a pretty high level his first year. He earned it between roch and Buf for a spot and they still said naw. Instead we’ll keep playing guys like Matt Irwin for synergy

Pilut is still better then Irwin, and not really close. Honestly Irwin is bad, you admit it. Wouldn’t you rather roll the dice on someone you think might be bad, but also might surprise or just continue to roll with the bad you know.
- SDSabre

Borgen, Bryson....We already know Pilut is bad in the NHL for the type of D man he is and isn't killing penalties. Not that Bryson is killing penalties either but Borgen looked pretty good there.

49 games played
1 goal
5 assists
-12

Those 49 games were as a 23-24 year old not an 18yr old rookie. He's not physically built for the NHL game. He's been good against lesser competition and/or on bigger ice surfaces.
- Bufsaints8

It's 46 games not to nit pick, but he's a modern day defensemen who moves the puck well and is really solid and pinching in and making plays in the O zone.

He's absolutely better than Irwin or Davidson

so skinner's daddy talked to the principal about jeff's teacher?
- Michael Pachla

I don’t like when agents have to get involved because those agents represent other players and can most likely sway their decisions. Hockey heaven though, right?

Borgen, Bryson....We already know Pilut is bad in the NHL for the type of D man he is and isn't killing penalties. Not that Bryson is killing penalties either but Borgen looked pretty good there.
- Bufsaints8

No, we don't. You might

Eichel has been here 6 years and for 6 years we have done nothing. We signed Hall and Skinner to play with Eichel and neither do. I'll say it again, 6 years now with Eichel and we have done nothing.

I forget the answer to this - isn't there still a path where he could come back? He would be in our top 4 right now.
- Slump Buster

Don't think so since hes signed in the KHL. Im sure they could allow it but I would see no reason for that to happen.

It's only been 10 years, 9 seasons. Those 2010-11 teams weren't that bad, took the Flyers to 7 and Boston to 6, both teams ended up going to the Cup very soon after. Would be nice to see some playoff hockey

- DirtyDan

maybe more to the point of what i was getting at concerns the utter fragility of this team dating back to darcy's core...save for the tank years when nolan had those nobodies striking fear into tmgm's sinister top-two draft pick plan, this team oozes mr. whipple softness

And why would he? He was playing at a pretty high level his first year. He earned it between roch and Buf for a spot and they still said naw. Instead we’ll keep playing guys like Matt Irwin for synergy
- SDSabre

Pilut is not a good NHL defenseman. You're clinging to the idea that the "next guy" is going to be so much better. He rarely is. In this case we already know. He's played 49 games and probably was good for 2-3 horrible turnovers a night with no offensive production to counter that and zero physical presence.

Pilut is not a good NHL defenseman. You're clinging to the idea that the "next guy" is going to be so much better. He rarely is. In this case we already know. He's played 49 games and probably was good for 2-3 horrible turnovers a night with no offensive production to counter that and zero physical presence.
- Bufsaints8

Are you making things up now to stick up for Matt freaking Irwin? The guy who single handedly lost us a game this year?

I don’t like when agents have to get involved because those agents represent other players and can most likely sway their decisions. Hockey heaven though, right?
- Gr8daygo

i'm with ya

from bettman's standpoint, terry and kim are billionaires who've been sinking money into the team despite huge losses, especially during covid...the nhl is a business
- Michael Pachla

And helping to grow the brand with harbor center. And the combine and on and on. Which again, I give them total credit for! Amazing job with some of those initiatives. Just get them away from the Sabres on ice product. Hire a president and let them do hockey things.

Eichel has been here 6 years and for 6 years we have done nothing. We signed Hall and Skinner to play with Eichel and neither do. I'll say it again, 6 years now with Eichel and we have done nothing.
- SABRES 89

We haven't had a single experienced head coach in that time.. or an experienced management group. Eichel has not been the problem. Adding a couple guys here and there implementing different systems and different types of personnel to fit your own image of a team and this is what we get...

Pilut is still better then Irwin, and not really close. Honestly Irwin is bad, you admit it. Wouldn’t you rather roll the dice on someone you think might be bad, but also might surprise or just continue to roll with the bad you know.
- SDSabre

I forgot about pilut. With McCabe going down, I’d be begging him to come back. I rather see what Pilut has vs. Miller or monte or Irwin on their off hand..

Dahlin. Monte
Pilut. Miller.
Bryson. Joker.

That’d be interesting to watch.

And helping to grow the brand with harbor center. And the combine and on and on. Which again, I give them total credit for! Amazing job with some of those initiatives. Just get them away from the Sabres on ice product. Hire a president and let them do hockey things.
- Gr8daygo

i think they have been with ralph in control...think of it...they have a $63m, 40-goal scorer in the pressbox...it's got to be driving them crazy to watching that investment sit...that gives me and indication that they've stepped back and deferred to ralph on this one...

we're witnessing a bold strategy

We haven't had a single experienced head coach in that time.. or an experienced management group. Eichel has not been the problem. Adding a couple guys here and there implementing different systems and different types of personnel to fit your own image of a team and this is what we get...
- DirtyDan

Your telling me things I already know and this group of Adams and Krueger aren't going anytime soon so keeping Eichel just to say we have him makes no sense, he's going to want out and it doesn't matter if Pegula won't let it happen.

Are you making things up now to stick up for Matt freaking Irwin? The guy who single handedly lost us a game this year?
- sbroads24

I'm not sticking up for Irwin. That's my opinion on Pilut. I don't mind Irwin given they probably hoped he would only have to play a handful of games. Neither one of us would ever sign the guy to be a regular. He does bring a physical presence that is missing with no Risto. He's fine as a depth guy. Sucks we need him as a regular for the foreseeable future.

My thoughts are the only thing he may be “teaching” the kids are to be professional maybe? He’s certainly not teaching them how to play hockey.
- SDSabre

Yes, and I see both sides of the argument.

If irwin is just absolutely useless, than by all means play a 4th round Rochester guy.

But, his experience has to be a positive.
Our defense is really young for the most part

Dahlin
Joker
Bryson

To bring in another no name no experience guy....

I'd go with the nhl experience.

As I've said before, I agree with almost everything ralph has done this far.

Skinner situation
Olo with jack 5 x 5
Girgs extension

Maybe I'm wrong, respectfully just a fun discussion though.

Pilut is not a good NHL defenseman. You're clinging to the idea that the "next guy" is going to be so much better. He rarely is. In this case we already know. He's played 49 games and probably was good for 2-3 horrible turnovers a night with no offensive production to counter that and zero physical presence.
- Bufsaints8

Not really. I’m of the mindset that they wouldn’t be worse the Irwin. Because in most cases they wouldnt

I’d be shocked if Ullmark is not one of the 3 stars of the week

49 games played
1 goal
5 assists
-12

Those 49 games were as a 23-24 year old not an 18yr old rookie. He's not physically built for the NHL game. He's been good against lesser competition and/or on bigger ice surfaces.
- Bufsaints8

I think you are missing what broads is saying.

Pilut Is better than hughes from Vancouver 🤔

Yes, and I see both sides of the argument.

If irwin is just absolutely useless, than by all means play a 4th round Rochester guy.

But, his experience has to be a positive.
Our defense is really young for the most part

Dahlin
Joker
Bryson

To bring in another no name no experience guy....

I'd go with the nhl experience.

As I've said before, I agree with almost everything ralph has done this far.

Skinner situation
Olo with jack 5 x 5
Girgs extension

Maybe I'm wrong, respectfully just a fun discussion though.
- Boss34

You can be the teacher 10/15 games a year and during practice. Anything more and I’m trying something else. That’s how I see it.

i think they have been with ralph in control...think of it...they have a $63m, 40-goal scorer in the pressbox...it's got to be driving them crazy to watching that investment sit...that gives me and indication that they've stepped back and deferred to ralph on this one...

we're witnessing a bold strategy
- Michael Pachla

If that’s the case. Then Ralph just needs to go. I’ve been advocating for the bump to president for him and adding a real coach. But I have a feeling now, if you did that Ralph would still stuff skinner in the press box over riding his coach. Ralph needs to go. Fire up the billboard machine.