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Something I find interesting. From Elliotte Friedman on Friday: “Luukkonen has asked to play more.” “You know, Luukkonen wanted to play more.” While I don’t have a problem with a guy wanting the crease, it’s weird to me that Friedman reported this while talking about the Sabres. Why is the player’s agent squawking to the media about playing time? What’s the motive? It’s just weird to me.

Greenway has a stupid contract for what he provides and on top of that they need to manage his playing time because of injury risks related to a hernia. Dump Greenway or figure out the tenders. Östlund has earned his playing time, as has Kozak. Waiving Dunne is fine, but I don’t see the benefit of Greenway over him.

0-0-6

He better watch himself around Lindy

Let’s not forget, UPL fighting for his job > UPL who is named starter.

This isn’t directed at you, but there’s a whole lot more Tim Connolly supporters now than he ever had when he was playing here. Kyle Connor called him a power forward last night and I couldn’t square that with the fact he’s a bean pole. Maybe he’s got the jam, but he definitely looks thin out there.

Something something west coast road trips something something bonding. Was it last season or the year before that we were great on the road but couldn’t win at home? Give me a 3-1-2 record or better. I want to believe!

Was it last year we swept a western Canada road trip?

That’s what I would do. I’m not sure why Pi used Nov 1 for his analysis since both UPL & Ellis had their first starts of the season a week prior. Taking out that week prior conveniently wipes out a UPL loss in Toronto and Ellis’s first win against Detroit. Just use the season: UPL has seven starts, 4-3-1, 178 saves and .899% Ellis has six starts, 4-2-0, 168 saves and .898% So I disagree with the OP’s assertion that it’s clearly UPL’s crease. However, it is best case scenario for the Sabres that UPL figures it out (my opinion is he won’t). Ellis is an unknown commodity and I want to find out more. He should continue to get starts as frequently as UPL does.

They won 3-2...?

From what I've seen, Ellis has the most upside. He had one bad game which has skewed his numbers in the wrong direction, but he has otherwise played quite well, and the entire team was a disaster in that one game. It's possible that his back injury is a factor in him playing less than he otherwise would be playing, as Lindy alluded to in an interview. Lyon was terrific to start the season, but he's come back down to earth. UPL seems to be the same UPL that we know. I have not seen him steal a game or be THE difference in a game this season. He gives up the goals he's supposed to give up, and on occasion a goal that he shouldn't, which is often a backbreaker for the team. Ellis gives up the goals he's supposed to give up, but also makes a couple key stops a game that maybe he's not expected to (like stopping multiple breakaways against Detroit). I'd like to see more of that upside. A big save in a key moment can really inspire a team, whereas letting in a bad goal can deflate a team.

Thank you! I saw this yesterday but the color was off and it looked like A-A-Ron was wearing blue.

Ah that was it. Well, he made his money.

Ellis seems to make a big save ur two all the time to keep a take in reach - upl is often giving up a stinker even if playing well. That would be a big decision factor for me

He was OC but got demoted to tight ends coach after a season when a new head coach was hired.

Was he even an OC or just some line coach? Nah, it's Pitt. I know that the OLY games got us used to TLAs because USA, but it's PITT.

Also, Mularkey wasn't fired. He quit on the team and signed as Miami's OC.

Good question. I see shades of 2005-06 here. I don't think the team will have the same success, but I do think Ruff is getting more out of less, which is exactly his main skill.

I'd rather keep Ellis and ship one of Lyon or UPL. I think an Ellis/Levi situation might be good in the future.

Wild assertion. Stats are literally numbers representing how the players performed on the ice 🤦

Samuelsson is play at a first pairing level. I would rather have Tage and Norris playing as centers. I don't care which is first or second line center. I consider Tuch more of a second line forward but acceptable playing on the first line. Benson is capable of playing as a first line forward. He will get better.

I mean, you didn't even list like 90% of the stats or what they do. There's a fundamental misunderstanding and a deliberate downplaying of what stats are for, by you.

I thought that Buffalo kept up with Minnesota. They had scoring chances but couldn't capitalize. At the end of the game, the Sabres forced it on offense that made them vulnerable on defense. From a skating and pace perspective, I thought they played the way they needed to.

Minnesota loss? I think I watched a different game 😉 Yup, speed and pace, that's their forte. They have to not get sloppy or carried away doing it though absolutely. Maintain structure. What veteran leaders we have have to keep them in check if and when they swerve away from that. I hope there's enough of that now but I don't think there actually is.