Joe: So question #17 goes with what the narrative for the season seems to be..and that’s how much will the Sabres improve? We already said 20 points should be doable as a team, but for this question, I want to go to the individuals who were here last year and see which one will improve the most?
Chris: This is an interesting question to me because there are a fair number of new faces on the Buffalo roster. Additionally, some familiar faces from last year (namely Bogosian and Gorges) didn’t get a full first season in Buffalo. So we’re really kind of able to start from square one with a lot of these guys. So if we’re just talking about incumbents from last year I think my list starts with Rasmus Ristolainen.
Joe: I totally agree that of all the guys on this roster from last year, Risto has the highest ceiling mostly because he seems to have talent and played well for a teenager. However, he’s still only 20 and I think he needs another year to really come into his own. I think you have to go with Matt Moulson. Moulson scored 30+ goals in 3 straight years with the Islanders because he played with #91. When he came to tankville, his numbers dropped to 24 goals in 121 games. When you go from playing with Tavares to having to play with Cody Hodgson or whoever we rolled out as your centers over that time frame, your numbers are going to dip. Now he’s going to either play with Eichel or O’Reilly at center and that’s an upgrade.
Chris: I thought you wanted them to keep Cody Hodgson?! Kidding aside, I think Moulson is a good target as well. One point of clarification on my pick of Ristolainen; I’m looking at him in terms of big picture, not in terms that he underachieved last year and needs to turn it around. He was thrust into some very difficult situations last year with regard to his defense partners and his deployment. With the improvements made to the blueline, and roster as a whole, I expect to see him put in more situations where he will be able to succeed. If we’re talking about players who may have underachieved, I think Moulson is a good fit.
Joe: Yeah, I mean Moulson has been a proven 30 goal scorer as I wrote, and there’s no way he’s getting only 14 goals again this year. What about Mike Weber? I know…You must be laughing your ass off. He was probably the worst player on this roster last year who is coming back this year. If he gets to becoming average, that’s the biggest improvement since the rebirth of the waterfront…or do you think the horse has left the barn on his game?
Chris: I wouldn’t say he’s completely useless by any stretch. But I don’t know how many games he’ll get into throughout the entire year. Tim Murray added Cody Franson, Carlo Colaiacovo, Mark Pysyk (sort of) and will ideally have a full season of both Josh Gorges and Zach Bogosian. Weber is likely looking at third pair minutes and if Dan Bylsma wants a slightly more offensive lineup, it’s likely that Colaiacovo sees more time than Weber will. For my money, I think if there’s going to be any clubhouse leader for “most improved” it will be a player who will see a lot of time. Moulson and Ristolainen certainly fit that bill. You could even argue that Brian Gionta or Marcus Foligno could be in the conversation, depending on how you frame it. I like looking at Moulson and Ristolainen, though. They’re both expected to play a big role in turning the team around and both will be in a great situation to do so.
Joe: I dont know about Gionta. He was hurt last year, but I think he’s basically your 10-15 goal guy now at his age and he’ll be your #2 center on the penalty kill probably. Foligno? Meh. I feel he’s been the same guy year after year, but maybe it will click this year. However, I do believe Moulson and Risto are your 1A and 1B guys for most improved player.
Chris: Yeah, I think we’ve come to a consensus on that. There’s certainly an opportunity for the rising tide to raise all the ships in Gionta and Foligno’s case. But they won’t likely have the chances to really contribute that Ristolainen or Moulson will.
Question archives:
#20
#19
#18
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
