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Buffalo Sabres Morning News: Reinhart’s Shift, The Plan, and Team Notebook

By Richard Spalding

Oct 20, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; againstnd goaltender Robin Lehner (40) defend against Vancouver Canucks forward Loui Eriksson (21) bsduring the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; againstnd goaltender Robin Lehner (40) defend against Vancouver Canucks forward Loui Eriksson (21) bsduring the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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We get you caught up with Buffalo Sabres news and opinion pieces around the web!

The Buffalo Sabres are about to resume their 2016-17 campaign after a curious hiatus – not that anyone is complaining, but four days off this early in the season is not the norm.

Check back in with us a bit later in the morning, as we will get our game day coverage and Fan Chatter post up as soon as possible!

For now, though, here is some essential reading for any Sabres fan!

Is It Time To Start Questioning The Plan? (Die By The Blade)

This fan piece over at Die By The Blade may be a few days old, but it brings up some valid arguments regarding just how well GM Tim Murray’s rebuild of the Sabres is going.  Of course, it is easy to argue that the Sabres are still technically in the rebuilding process, and that it is still a bit early to critique the result.  Still, you cannot argue with statements such as this:

"He signed Cody Franson to be a 2nd or 3rd paring defender despite the fact he’s only had a positive Corsi number once in his career (in spite of consistently positive offensive zone starts). Franson typically made up for that in the past with offensive production–but he is trending in the wrong direction there, and looks like he is stuck in cement that gets thicker with each game. . ."

"We have hung on to Nicolas Deslauriers despite the fact that he is not just a bad possession player–but one of the worst in the league. What he brings to the table–I have no idea."

Remember – it’s a fan piece, so don’t go over there guns a’blazing.  But if you’re looking for an interesting discussion, the folks over at DBTB are always willing to oblige!

Sabres Hope Reinhart Line Takes Center Stage (The Buffalo News)

As you may have guessed from the title, the Buffalo Sabres are moving Reinhart to center for tonight’s game.  He will skate alongside Tyler Ennis and Johan Larsson, because in the words of Dan Bylsma

"We’re looking for Sam to anchor a line and be that guy in the middle.  I like the way he skated today just playing center. He was skating up and down the ice, skating with speed. I think that’s something he’s going to have to bring to make that line effective."

As most of you know, Samson was drafted as a center but has enjoyed most of his success playing on the wing alongside Jack Eichel.  Even though Reinhart logged many minutes playing center before he teamed up with Eichel, he does admit that transitioning back to center requires some effort:

"From a skating standpoint, you’re kind of keeping your speed up more.  It’s not as much stopping and starting. It’s more trying to keep your speed up through the middle of the ice as opposed to being on the wall and trying to get going when the puck gets to you. It’s a little bit different and forces you to keep moving your feet."

Reinhart has come out slowly, so maybe this shift will be just what the doctor ordered to help him cure the sophomore slump.

Sabres Notebook (The Buffalo News)

Finally, here’s a glimpse at how Buffalo’s D-pairings will be altered in preparation of tonight’s game, how the Sabres are faring in the faceoff circle, and how Jack Eichel is progressing as he tries to deal with that high ankle sprain.

Next: Anders Nilsson To Get Start For Sabres In Philly

Our Buffalo Sabres game day coverage will be up soon – be sure to check back in with us!  Go Sabres!

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