Paestch or Weber

[sabrebraves]

Would you rather have Paestch or Mike Weber start the year in Buffalo? I've seen quite a few different points of view on this subject lately, but I think that Weber is ready to start the year in Buffalo, as he went +12 in 16 games last year. Paetsch was a +3 in 59 games, but I really thought he struggled at times. I also think that Weber plays a lot more physical than Paetsch, which is a specific team need.

[pigpen65]

I'm still a big fan of Nathan Paetsch and am hoping for a bounce back year.

[jlpubarch]

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEBER

no question...

[Blofan4life]

Weber needs to be in Portland. Still too young and he only played 16 games. It would way to hard for him to go from 16 to 82. He needs to start in Portland and come up when needed to get about 40-50 games. I personally would take neither and think we need another veteran defender in here.

[anEinherjer]

Let Weber marinate as long as possible in the Sabres' excellent AHL stew.

It may be too late for Paetsch but I don't believe so.

[comericatigers]

Webber.

[camelcowboy]

Weber, We need his size

[Buffalo87]

Weber, no doubt. I'm all for giving prospects time to let them develop and not rushing them, but Weber is clearly ready. There isn't all that much upside to Weber's game so I don't see a real benefit to leaving him in the AHL if he's truly Buffalo's best option as the last dman.

[TommyV26]

Weber... we need 1 more basher on this team and he might be "young and stupid enough" to do it. He has already mastered throwing his body around and he is getting better at playing D, so now its time to let Lindy help him fine tune his D.

[Max61]

Weber brings more physicality that the sabres d needs.

[buffjoe]

Why even bother asking the question? I'm pretty sure Paetsch is on a one-way contract and would have to be paid 800,000 and clear waivers if sent down. Weber wouldn't. So do the math.

[sabrebraves]

Why even bother asking the question? I'm pretty sure Paetsch is on a one-way contract and would have to be paid 800,000 and clear waivers if sent down. Weber wouldn't. So do the math.

He can still be on the roster like Andrew Peters constantly is and be a healthy scratch most of the time.

[skoorah720]

I would say sign Teppo and let Weber go back down to the minors for part of the year and if he tears it up down there bring him up. Also I'm sure someone will get hurt and allow him to be put into that role.

Tallinder/Lydman
Rivet/Spacek
Sekera/Numminen
Paetsch

[SHINEdown30]

Weber we need a physical defensemen. I'd give Paetsch one more year. he sucked last year, pratt was better.......that wasn't saying much.

[SabresFan220]

Paetsch deserves his chance to prove he's a top 6 defenseman, and I think Darcy and Lindy plan to give him that opportunity. If Paetsch fails to improve his game from last season and just doesn't have it then Weber is the obvious choice to take the spot. He's paid his dues sitting in the #7 role behind guys like Kalinin. This is Paetsch's make or break season, he either earns a top 6 spot on this team or gets traded to begin his role of journeyman 7th defenseman.

That said I still support bringing Numminen back even in a limited playing role. At his age he won't be expected to play a ton of games or a lot of minutes a night, but his leadership and experience would be invaluable to Sekera I think. It also allows Weber to stay in Portland until an injury forces a call up.

[polgard]

Weber really did not look out of place during his time in Buffalo. He really played well being teamed up with Sekera. I would hate to ruin his confidence by sending him down to the farm to start the season. Think of what he could learn by playing a whole season up in Buffalo. But he is still young. Maybe he could build on his leadership skills by starting with Portland. It's a tough call.

[3LH]

Yes I agree - very tough call as to whether Weber starts up with the Sabres or with Portland. A lot will depend on how he performs in camp and preseason. But it's a good thing to have these young guys competing for spots.

[buffjoe]

It's not a complicated issue. If the Sabres sign another D-man Weber goes to Portland. Case closed. Since he can move freely between Portland and Buffalo he's the first to go no matter how he performs in pre-season.

[Bay Side]

All i can say is let them battle it out in training camp....May the best man win, worst comes to worst...Weber starts in the AHL for a bit!!

[FrankyScott]

Weber!!

[foster]

Teppo, then rotate Weber in on a regular basis to give him experience, but give him lots of time in the minors to get his minutes.

Paetsch is in a make it or break it position. This is his season or he'll be leapfrogged by the new guys and float in the inbetween world. I think Nathan has the tools - just might be a victim of circumstances.

Keep in mind we also have Funk in the minors too who looks to be a solid future NHL'er in another season or two.

[noocllez]

I'm still a big fan of Nathan Paetsch and am hoping for a bounce back year.

same

[SabresFan220]

On the contrary, I don't believe Mike Funk or Mike Card have shown anything to be even considered NHL defensemen. They both look more like career AHLers to me, but I'd like to be wrong. Otherwise I've really been hoping we could package one of them in a trade because we have so many young defensemen coming. Let someone else deal with their untapped "potential."

[pigpen65]

On the contrary, I don't believe Mike Funk or Mike Card have shown anything to be even considered NHL defensemen. They both look more like career AHLers to me, but I'd like to be wrong. Otherwise I've really been hoping we could package one of them in a trade because we have so many young defensemen coming. Let someone else deal with their untapped "potential."

Funk's last stint was actually pretty encouraging. I think it was for like 3 games towards the end of the year. i don't know what's he's done in Rochester, but i actually thought he looked pretty good for the Sabs last time.