buffalosabresnow: 2017-18 Impressions and Questions

Showing posts with label 2017-18 Impressions and Questions. Show all posts

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--C, Kyle Criscuolo

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 6-6-2018

Center--Kyle Criscuolo
DOB: May 5, 1992 (Age, 26)
Draft: Undrafted
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: July 1, 2017, 2yr./$1.3 million (two-way)
Final year of contract: 2018-19

2017-18 Stats: 9 games played | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -4 | 8:01 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 9 games | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -4 | 8:01 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Sabres GM Jason Botterill fortified his AHL team this off season and Criscuolo is a big part of that. The speedy center with plenty of hockey smarts finished his first full season with 41 points (17+24) in 76 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins (DET) and should bring that (and hopefully more) to the Amerks this season.

What we wrote mid-season: Another player signed more for the Amerks than Buffalo. 'Criso' was also the beneficiary injuries to the Sabres roster and ended up playing in eight games for Buffalo. He failed to register a point but is playing very well for Rochester.

Impressions on his play this year: "Crisco" is a fast, heady player who lacks ideal NHL size (5'8" 170 lbs.) but has proven to be effective in the AHL. Not much to say about his nine-game stint in Buffalo which also was his first taste of the NHL in two full pro seasons. In Rochester he scored 34 points (15+19) in 51 games and is signed through next season. Should injuries hit the Sabres forward ranks again, perhaps he'll get another short stint but until then, he's needed in Rochester to help the Amerks.

Questions moving forward: Should he get the call sometime next season, will he get his first NHL goal or point?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--RW, Hudson Fasching

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 6-5-2018

Right Wing--Hudson Fasching
DOB: July 28, 1995 (Age, 22)
Draft: 2013, 4th round (118th-overall)
How acquired: Trade with LA Kings, March 4, 2014
Last contract signed: March 21, 2016, 3 yr./$4.05 million (w/bonuses)
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 5 games played | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -1 | 9:42 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 22 games | 1 goal | 2 assists | 3 points | even | 10:36 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Made the team out of camp last season, but was injured. Has a good shot of making the Sabres once again albeit because of his skating, probably in a bottom-six role.

What we wrote mid-season: Is the latest prospect to get the call to Buffalo and like many who've been called up only to be sent down, Fasching impressed the first couple games but then regressed to the point where he's been a healthy scratch. The work they're doing in Rochester seems to be working in some aspects. As mentioned, Rodrigues continued to produce at the NHL-level and Fasching, although point-less so far, looks like a better, faster player this year in Buffalo as opposed to last season. But, he has to produce if he wants to stay in the lineup.

Impressions on his play this year: Fasching was a part of Tim Murray's first trade in Buffalo as the first-time GM seemed to put an emphasis on "heavies." In three seasons the 6'3" 205 lb. winger has gotten tastes of the NHL but has been unable to stick with the Sabres. He seems to do what nearly every prospect has done for the past few seasons--make and impression the first game or two then fade into oblivion.

Fasching has a great net front presence and is hard on the forecheck, but lacks NHL speed. He's said to have been working on that the past few off seasons and word is that there has been some progress, albeit minimal. At 22 yrs. old, Fasching's upside is diminishing and so may the Sabres patience with him.

GM Jason Botterill has no ties to Fasching and the big powerforward doesn't look like his type of player to begin with. As an RFA who's no longer waiver-exempt there are questions as to whether or not he'll be a Sabre next season.

Questions moving forward: How much upside does he have? Can he improve a bit more on his skating? Can he get to those dirty areas and produce more? Can he do so at the NHL-level for more than a game or two? Is any remaining upside worthy of a contract spot? Will he be part of a trade? Or will he simply not be qualified and allowed to walk?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--RW, Matt Moulson

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 6-4-2018

Right Wing--Matt Moulson
DOB: November 1, 1983 (Age, 34)
Draft: 2003, 9th round (263rd-overall, PIT)
How acquired: FA, 2014
Last contract signed: July 1, 2014, 5yr./$25 million
Final year of contract: 2018-19

2017-18 Stats: 14 games played | 0 goals | 0 assists | 0 points | -9 | 10:17 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 297 games | 46 goals | 77 assists | 123 points | -37 | 14:15 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Forward Matt Moulson has had a rough go of it for the better part of his three seasons in Buffalo as he's not been able to regain his 30-goal form from his time with the NY Islanders. Moulson's first season in Buffalo was promising as he totaled 41 points (13+28) on Buffalo's top line for an offensively inept Sabres team. However he's had trouble in the two seasons since. In 2015-16, under Bylsma, he fell down the depth chart in large part due to improper off-season conditioning. He came back in much better shape, and with a renewed desire last season, but was relegated to powerplay specialist status as 11 of his 14 goals came with the man advantage.

He has two years left on his contract with a $5 million cap-hit. Buying him out would have been impractical this season but next year may be a different story. Moulson is a great guy, who even took rookie Jack Eichel into his home to help him adjust. However, the speed of the game may have passed him by.

What we wrote mid-season: Individual goal-droughts cost Sam Reinhart and Kyle Okposo regular spots in the top-six and an 0'fer on the season cost Matt Moulson a spot on an NHL team as the Sabres waived him and he's presently playing for the Ontario (California) Reign of the American Hockey League.

As mentioned, the 34 yr. old Moulson was waived by the Sabres. In 14 games he failed to register a point and was a minus-9 despite Housley giving him ample opportunity to succeed.

Impressions on his play this year: 14 games, 0 goals, 0 assist, 0 points, -9, 10:17 ATOI. Not much more needs to be said on his play. The bigger question revolves around what they will do with him and the final year of his contract.

From everything written and said about him, Moulson seems like a great guy, but with the game passing him by in a big way he looks done in the NHL. The Sabres have treated him as respectfully as they possibly could with him falling behind and out of the league and it's presumed they'll continue to do so. The options for the final year of his deal include buying him out, keeping him and waiving him again or trading him to a team that needs to get to the salary floor. Actual salary for Moulson this season is $2 million with a $1 million bonus. A team in need can claim a $5 million cap hit while only dishing out $2 million in post-bonus salary in a trade for Moulson. And they could possibly land a lower round pick in the process for doing so.

Questions moving forward: Is there a team out there willing to make that trade?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Zach Bogosian

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 6-2-2018

Defenseman--Zach Bogosian
DOB: July 15, 1990 (Age, 27)
Draft: 2008, third-overall, Atlanta Thrashers
How acquired: Acquired in a trade with Winnipeg, February 11, 2015
Last contract signed: July 29, 2013, 7yrs./$36 million
Final year of contract: 2019-20

2017-18 Stats: 18 games played | 0 goals | 1 assist | 1 point | -9 | 19:09 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 159 games | 9 goals | 34 assists | 43 points | -44 | 21:46 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Bogosian got off to a tepid start in Buffalo after the trade with former head coach Ted Nolan skating him over 26 minutes/game. The following season with a new coach in Dan Bylsma, Bogosian settled in on the second-pairing with rookie Jake McCabe and at times were the best pairing on the ice.

Last year didn't go as well for Bogosian as put up abysmal numbers in another injury-shortened season scoring a career-low two goals and equaling a career-low in points with 11. He missed 26 games while suffering knee and rib injuries and it took a while for him to get up to game-speed. Although Bogosian is only 27 yrs. old, his rambunctious play over the course of 534 NHL games is beginning to take it's toll and he still has a skill-set that can be put to good use.

"Last year and the year before I felt like I was handcuffed back there," said Bogosian. "I don't think I got a chance to play my game in the way I know I can play and I'm just looking forward to a new start and play my game which is jumping up into the play.”

With a good training camp and, of course, barring injury, Bogosian should get the opportunity to use his skating and skill in a top-four role.

What we wrote mid-season: The 27 yr. old Bogosian was injured to start the season. And in other news, the sun rose today. After a rather poor season last year under a different coach, there was much anticipation involved in Bogosian playing under a coach like [Phil] Housley who's system is predicated on an offensively involved d-corps. Bogosian has the speed, and the shot to be effective, but we've only seen him in eight games this year beginning on Dec. 1. During that time the Sabres went 2-3-3 which, sadly, is one of their better stretches of the season. With him and McCabe in the middle-pairing, the rest of the defense falls into place.

Impressions on his play this year: There are two numbers above that Sabres fans are keying on when it comes to Bogosian--18 games played this year and 2019-20, the final year of his contract.

Bogosian didn't have much opportunity to play his game this season as he was injured for nearly all of it. At least he had a good look at a highly disappointing Sabres season from afar. "As a group we need to find our consistency," he told the gathered media at locker cleanout, "every single day when you come to work you've got to understand that. To win in this league you have to be consistent."

When he was asked about teammate Ryan O'Reilly's comment about losing being acceptable, Bogosian said, "I wasn't in the room a whole, whole lot but I think as a professional athlete, a competitive person you try not to let those thoughts get into your mind. But when you're in an environment where we were losing quite a bit, it's tough to pull yourself out.

"As a group we have to do it together."

And that includes him being on the ice.

Bogosian underwent season-ending hip surgery in January and should be a full go for the start of the season. A number we also should be looking at is his ATOI which, as mentioned was up to 26 minutes/game at one point. He and McCabe could still be a solid tandem and with the addition of Rasmus Dahlin, the could end up being the team's third pairing. Which is a good thing for him and the team. That is...

Questions moving forward: How much time will he miss this season? If his ice-time and 200' responsibility is pared back, will he stay relatively healthy? How much of an affect will his season-ending hip surgery have on his health? Would the Sabres consider buying him out this year? Can Housley finally get enough time with him to bring out his skating and shot? How much of a leader can he be on the ice and in the locker room to help this mix of players develop consistency?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Bogosian's locker cleanout via sabres.com:

Friday, June 1, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Alexander Nylander

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-31-2018

Forward--Alexander Nylander
DOB: March 2, 1998 (Age, 20)
Draft: 2016, eighth-overall
How acquired: Drafted by Buffalo
Last contract signed: July 15, 2016, 3yr./$5.325 million (2yr. entry-level slide)
Final year of contract: 2020-21

2017-18 Stats: 3 games played | 1 goal | 0 assists | -3 | 12:52 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 7 games | 1 goal | 1 assist | -5 | 12:33 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: His showing in the first Prospects Challenge game this year may have punched his ticket to Rochester. Not that it was bad by any means, but the highly skilled winger failed to supremely impress and had an injury ta boot. Another year with the Amerks, or at least a start there, while adjusting to his increased bulk, is a good thing despite what he and others might think.

What we wrote mid-season: N/A

Impressions on his play this year: Nylander didn't make much of an impression during his three games in Buffalo, although he had a real nice tip for his first-ever NHL goal. With the way he's been struggling and/or slow to unleash his talents in Rochester, this could be a big miss for the organization. Former GM Tim Murray and his scouts passed on NHL-ready defenseman Mikhail Sergachev at the 2016 NHL Draft opting to add speed and skill on the wing. "I think after the Pittsburgh (Penguins) win you hear people talking about speed and that’s what we’ve been trying to do the past couple of years," said Murray post-draft, "and we don’t have enough of it yet. We’ve made great strides and to get a guy like him that we think is a top six forward, just fit into our blueprint.”

Nylander's struggles begin with his style of play which is mostly an east/west, perimeter game. In junior and in international junior tournaments he was able to find or create open space with relative ease which allowed him to unleash a wicked shot. But as he transitioned to the pros as an 18 yr. old, he found that space hard to come by and he's not the type of player that can will his way to open space. One of his biggest obstacles in Rochester was his smaller size and he bulked up last season to handle the rigors of the pro game. Unfortunately for him, he suffered an injury in the off season that kept him out until mid-November.

Confidence is the key with him and he just doesn't have it, at least on a semi-consistent basis. Two years and 116 AHL games should have given him a good idea as to what he needs to do to be successful and playing on teams that are much better than the one he played for in his rookie season will also help. He won't carry the load but is the type of player that can be a brilliant addition to a collection of existing talent and that's why it's still too early to give up on him.

Questions moving forward: Can he get bulk up into that 190-195 lb. range (again) and still maintain his skill-level at that size? Will he go into camp knowing that a spot on the NHL roster is not a given? Will he accept another season in Rochester as a way of continuing his development? Or will he play out of character and do whatever's necessary knowing that there's a spot on Jack Eichel's left wing for the taking? Is he on a long development curve? A late bloomer? Or a first-round bust?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--G, Linus Ullmark

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-29-2018

Goalie--Linus Ullmark
DOB: July 31, 1993 (Age, 24)
Draft: 2012, sixth round (163rd overall)
How acquired: Drafted by Buffalo
Last contract signed: June 13, 2017, 2yrs./$1.5 million
Final year of contract: 2018-19

2017-18 Stats: 5 games played | 3 starts | 1-2-0 record | 2.00 GAA | .935 Sv% | 0 shutouts

Buffalo Career Stats: 26 games | 24 starts | 9-13-2 record | 2.25 GAA | .917 Sv% | 0 shutouts

What we wrote preseason: Ullmark got peppered last season in net for the Amerks but he weathered it rather nicely. One of the cool things about bringing in Johnson was that Ullmark can spend another season in Rochester fine-tuning his pro game while being the No. 1 and in a year or two, if he develops properly, we could be looking at the Sabres next starting goalie.

What we wrote mid-season: N/A

Impressions on his play this year: Ullmark was nothing short of brilliant in his first Buffalo start this season turning away 44 of 45 Columbus Blue Jackets shots as the Sabres stopped a five-game winless streak (0-4-1) back on January 11. It was Buffalo's last game before their bye-week and Ullmark got the call.

The 6'4" 221 lb. Ludnvik, Sweden native has been developing nicely ever since coming to North America and that includes being thrown into the fire very early in the 2015-16 season when an injury felled Buffalo's starter, Robin Lehner. While in Rochester the last two seasons Ullmark has been facing a ton of rubber and he's learned that he cannot stop everything and that there are many times when a crucial save can help produce a positive outcome in a high-scoring game.

Ullmark was called up mid-March and was pegged for plenty of starts to finish the Sabres season. However, he suffered a concussion at practice on March 30. He rejoined the Amerks playing in two of the final three regular season games and started all three playoff losses to the Syracuse Crunch. His numbers for that series had him with a 5.50 GAA and .800 Sv%.

Questions moving forward: What happened in the playoffs? Was it the team? Or was it lingering concussion issues? How will he fare as a starter or 1A/B in his first full NHL season? Do teams have enough tape to figure him out? Can he maintain his child-like joy of playing the game of hockey?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Josh Gorges

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-28-2018

Defenseman--Josh Gorges
DOB: August 14, 1984 (Age, 33)
Draft: Undrafted
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: January 1, 2014, 6yrs./$23.4 million
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 34 games played | 0 goals | 2 assists | 2 points | -4 | 14:56 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 223 games | 3 goals | 23 assists | 26 points | -42 | 19:25 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Gorges was part of a veteran trio that Murray brought in on July 1, 2014 to help guide the youngins through what was about to become a very difficult transition.

As a defensive defenseman with some sandpaper to his game, Gorges was a good compliment to young defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen through those years. Although he struggled to keep pace with the best the opposition had to offer as a top-pairing defenseman, he held his own and was especially adept on the penalty kill. In Buffalo's first season out of the basement, the Sabres finished ninth in the league on the kill with a 82.6% success rate.

Gorges slowly moved down the depth-chart last season, and rightfully so, as the speed of the game began to pass him by. At 33 yrs. old and with a lot of wear and tear on his body after playing years as a rugged defenseman, playing on the third-pairing while also playing key minutes short-handed was an ideal situation for him. He's always been dependable but the game has changed and with Botterill bringing in three mobile defenseman who are more to what Housley is looking for, Gorges looks to be the odd man out.
What we wrote mid-season: At one point during an extremely rough stretch, the Sabres needed a solid, defensive-defenseman like Gorges just to settle down the entire d-corps. It started in San Jose' as the Sabres were coming off back-to-back drubbings only three games into the season and Gorges got the job done. Of all the players who've played 15 games or more this season, he's is the only player on the positive side of the plus/minus rating (plus-1.) Gorges the consummate good soldier and will probably be acquired by a playoff team for depth. It would be great to see him hoist the Stanley Cup.

Impressions on his play this year: He never got traded and probably will never be on a Stanley Cup-winning team, but were he to hang up his skates this year, Gorges will be able to look back on a long career of 783 regular season and 68 playoff games. Not bad for an undrafted free agent.

Gorges is a free agent once again and for many in Buffalo, the end of his contract couldn't have come soon enough. It was a difficult season for him and an extremely difficult four seasons since being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the summer of 2014. At locker cleanout he told the gathered media. "Throughout the course of this year, especially, it was get to the end of the year, and then when that's done, get away from everything hockey," he said with a smile, "spend some time with my family, get back home and try not to think about hockey at all."

Despite the difficult season for him where he was used very little on a last place team, Gorges remained the consummate professional and still held true to what he was told years ago. "To play in this league is a privilege," he said, "it's not a right, you don't deserve to play here, it's a privilege. Take every day because you don't know when it could be your last."

Questions moving forward: Will an NHL team find a spot for him?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Gorges locker cleanout video via sabres.com:

Monday, May 28, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Justin Falk

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-27-2018

Defenseman--Justin Falk
DOB: October 11, 1988 (Age, 29)
Draft: 2007, 4th round (110th-overall,) MIN
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: February 5, 2017, 1yr./$650,000
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 46 games played | 1 goal | 1 assist | 2 points | -16 | 16:05 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 98 games | 1 goal | 9 assists | 10 points | -19 | 14:49 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Lost in the need to upgrade the defense was the really solid play of Falk last season. The stay-at-home d-man with decent wheels will more than likely be anchoring the defense in Rochester to help steady a group that will have many new faces.

What we wrote mid-season: Falk, like Gorges, is more of a defensive defenseman and props to him for earning a spot on the Sabres roster. Prior to signing in Buffalo the 6'5" 223 lb. Falk had bounced from team to team and from league to league, but last year an opportunity came and he impressed. He continued on with a strong training camp but was injured and in 17 games since his return, Falk has done yeoman's work in a third-pairing role. Not sure what the future holds for him as the Sabres (hopefully) add more speed and skill to the back-end, but he'll always be reliable in his own zone.

Impressions on his play this year: Lo and behold, Falk did not see Rochester this season. As mentioned above he had a good camp, was injured and when he came back forged himself a spot on the third pairing. Despite what looks like a horrid minus-16 plus/minus, Falk had his moments which of a run-in with Evander Kane at practice as the Sabres were falling fast towards last place in the league.

"Shut the [expletive] up, you selfish [expletive],” yelled Falk at Kane after the star left-winger reportedly told Falk to watch his stick during a drill. Although it may be akin to former Sabres forward Paul Gaustad yelling at reporters not to step on the Sabres logo in the dressing room, a little anger and fight on a rather droll Sabres team was a welcome sight.

In another era Falk's size and willingness to physically clash with anyone on the opposition would be a be a welcome addition in a third-pairing/reserve role and he does skate rather well for a big player. However, with all due respect to him and his gritty, clear-the-crease-type game, if he's on Buffalo's third pairing this coming season the defense isn't anywhere near where it needs to be.

Questions moving forward: Can he continue to forge out an NHL career or will he be a tweener who can mentor the youngins on defense at the AHL level? Is another one-year, $650,000 contract in Buffalo on the horizon? Or will it be somewhere else?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Seth Griffith

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-26-2018

Forward--Seth Griffith
DOB: January 4, 1993 (Age, 25)
Draft: 2012 fifth-round (131st,) BOS
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: July 1, 2017, 1yr./$650,000
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 21 games played | 2 goals | 1 assist | 3 points | -6 | 10:34 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 21 games | 2 goals | 1 assist | 3 points | -6 | 10:34 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Another player signed by Botterill to bolster the Amerks. Griffith as proven he can score at the AHL-level with 202 points (66+136) in 203 games but that prowess hasn't transferred to the NHL yet (six goals, 10 assists in 56 games.)

What we wrote mid-season: Perhaps he was mislabeled when fans (myself included) called him this year's Derek Grant. Griffith scored two goals in 18 games for the Sabres this year while Grant had zero in 40 games for Buffalo last year (we won't talk about his seven goals and 15 points for Anaheim this year.) Griffith was originally signed for Rochester but injuries gave him an opening. He played as well as could be expected in a role that was beyond his talents. He was sent to Rochester after clearing waivers and is a great addition to the Amerks.

Impressions on his play this year: As an AHL/NHL tweener, Griffith played about as expected for both the Amerks and the Sabres. In Rochester he finished fifth on the team in scoring (15 goals 26 assists) despite playing anywhere from 11-20 fewer games than those in front of him. Griffith plays a good all around game but just doesn't seem to have enough speed or NHL skill to get him over the hump and into a steady job with the big club. That said, it's never a bad idea to have a player (or multiple players) like him in the system getting the job done in Rochester while filling in at the NHL-level.

Questions moving forward: Are the Sabres interested in re-signing him for that two-way, AHL/NHL tweener role? With a parade of homegrown youth ready for a shot at the big club, does he feel he'll have an adequate opportunity for NHL playing time in Buffalo? If he's offered a one-way, $650,000 salary, how much does that matter?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--C, Jacob Josefson

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-25-2018

Center--Jacob Josefson
DOB: March 2, 1991 (Age, 27)
Draft: 2009, 1st round (20th-overall,) NJD
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: July 1, 2017, 1yr./$700,000
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 39 games played | 2 goals | 2 assists | 4 points | -4 | 11:23 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 39 games | 2 goals | 2 assists | 4 points | -4 | 11:23 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: A Reinhart move back to center will directly affect Jacob Josefson as it means he's probably in the pressbox.

Josefson was signed by the Sabres in the off season as a depth move by GM Jason Botterill and we're not sure what we have yet in him. The 26 yr. old center was labeled "an enigma" by Amanda Rosko of The Hockey Writers back in November, 2015. She also wrote that he "exhibits a solid skill-set" but lacks "physicality and finish" and Rosko goes on to perpetuate the curious case of Jacob Josefson when she writes, "the mystery continues when a person examines Josefson’s shootout record and ability. When number 16 takes the ice for the Devils, it is almost automatically assumed that he will beat the oppositional goaltender regardless of whom it is when the game goes beyond 65-minutes. He excels and stands out in the skills competition."

The past five seasons Josefson has gone 11/20 (55%) in the shootout and is tops in the league over that period for players with 20 or more shootout attempts. The Sabres were 25th in the league scoring at a 22% rate (6/27) last season.

What we wrote mid-season: He was playing extremely well before being felled by an injury. Things haven't gone as expected for Josefson since being drafted by the New Jersey Devils 20th-overall in 2009 but it looks as if he'll manage to scrap out a long career in a journeyman's role, much like David Legwand did. Josefson was skating with the team last week and Housley listed him as week-to-week but liked what he saw. When he comes back, Josefson will more than likely be the team's fourth-line center.

Impressions on his play this year: The "enigma" moniker stuck with Josefson this season. When he wasn't injured he played well, although not as well as Legwand did, which isn't saying a whole helluva lot. And, true to form, Josefson was on-point in the shootout going 2/3. In all, however, he was overpaid at $700K and his fourth-line/reserve center role will be taken up by a young player this season without losing anything, except in the shootout.

Questions moving forward: None as the Stokholm, Sweden native is reported to be returning home on a four-year deal to play for Djurgarden of the Swedish Hockey League

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Justin Bailey

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-22-2018

Forward--Justin Bailey
DOB: July 1, 1995 (Age, 22)
Draft: 2013, 2nd round (52nd-overall)
How acquired: Drafted by Buffalo
Last contract signed: November 2, 2014, 3yrs./$2,682,500 (1 yr. entry-level slide)
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 12 games played | 3 goals | 1 assist | 4 points | -2 | 11:17 ATOI

Buffalo Career Stats: 52 games | 5 goals | 3 assists | 8 points | -4 | 10:56 ATOI

What we wrote preseason: Although only 22 yrs. old, the big powerforward with impressive skating ability he seems to have learned about all he can from the minors with 81 points (43+38) in 122 AHL games.

[Bailey] made an impression on the penalty kill during preseason which is something that helped separate him from other roster-bubble players. It's a change in philosophy short-handed that may have given him an in to the Sabres roster. According to Bailey, the coaches want more aggressiveness on the kill. "I'm a big guy and I have a long reach with my stick," he told the gathered media this weekend, "and one of my best assets is my legs, so whether it's a loose puck or a rebound or anything like that they want us to be going hard and physical at the guy."

He's smart enough to realize that if the PK is his ticket to the big club, than so be it.

What we wrote mid-season: Bailey impressed early in his call-up but faded. He has all the tools which includes size and speed, and he's shown he can score at the AHL-level, but he hasn't been able to do it consistently at the NHL-level. The 22-yr. old Bailey will probably have outgrown the AHL come next season and it's time for him to put up or shut up. Would make for a very interesting addition in a trade for an upper-level player.

Impressions on his play this year: Bailey was drafted as a right winger out of Kitchener in the OHL but was eventually moved to the left side as the Sabres organization found themselves bereft of left wingers. He was also looked at as a potential top-six/top-nine powerforward but as he's plied his trade at the pro level, expectations have been pared back for him as his production-level hasn't hit those parameters.

Bailey has mad speed and at 6'3" 210 lbs. has intimidating size that he uses, somewhat. And there's the rub. He, like Hudson Fasching and Nicholas Baptiste, among others, has the tendency to come on strong when called up but fade a couple games later as they depart from the qualities they were drafted for. Why that's been happening frequently with Sabres players is hard to say. Players have the tendency to show their strengths when called up as they're full of adrenaline, but perhaps it's not all their fault for the drop off. The Sabres of the past five seasons have struggled even when they weren't tanking and perhaps the atmosphere isn't conducive to bringing out the best in their prospects on a consistent basis.

Regardless of the possible reasons above, Bailey needs to get the job done this season. It's assumed that Buffalo will offer him a bridge deal of one maybe two years and direct Bailey's focus in a bottom-six/fourth line defense/penalty kill role. His days as a scoring prospect are waning and he'll need to do something with the big club as he's out of waiver options. That said, he still has a solid set of skills and that speed/quickness will get him to open areas but in order to move up from what looks like a designated defensive role, Bailey will need to produce, something he hasn't done to the fullest as of yet.

Questions moving forward: What kind of term are we looking at? How much will he embrace that defensive role? Can he contribute offensively in that role, say 10 goals 10 assists? Will he use his speed and strength more often? Who's going to guide him at the NHL-level?

Contract info via CapFriendly, stats via sabres.com and hockey reference.com.

Monday, May 21, 2018

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Brendan Guhle

Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Casey Mittelstadt

Impressions of, and questions concerning--RW, Nicholas Baptiste

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Casey Nelson

Impressions of, and questions concerning--F, Jordan Nolan

Impressions of, and questions concerning--G, Chad Johnson

Published by hockeybuzz.com, 5-7-2018

Goalie--Chad Johnson
DOB: June 10, 1986 (Age, 31)
Draft: 2006, 5th round (125th-overall) PIT
How acquired: FA
Last contract signed: July 1, 2017, 1yr./$2.5 million
Final year of contract: 2017-18

2017-18 Stats: 36 games played | 10-16-3 record | 3.55 GAA | .891 Sv % | 0 shutouts

Buffalo Career Stats: 81 games | 32-32-7 record | 2.85 GAA | .907 Sv% | 7 shutouts

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Nathan Beaulieu

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Victor Antipin

Impressions of, and questions concerning--D, Jake McCabe