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Really?

Considerably more Id say.

Yeah, but Buffalo 😁

Changed the ***** title because this place can't handle the word linchpin.

No and not even close. The lynchpins, such as they are, are all the D not named Dahlin and UPL (or Levi). Until this team proves that it can play defense and has a goalie that can be effective for at least 35-40 games, this team is DOA. Kulich's emergence may help the offense replace JJP, but it does nothing to solve the fundamental flaws of this team under Howdy Doody.

It is somewhat hilarious to me you don't question Cooley or Gunther being in the NHL at their ages or games played but have gone on a literal crusade to put Zach Benson in the AHL this year. before you mention their points, you don't think Zach Benson can match their points in his age 20 season? Ok. Let's find out. And before you come back with nonsense, Gunther had 30pts his 20yr old season when you take out pp points and since Buffalo runs one of the dumbest pp, I'm only looking at even strength scoring. Amazing how incompetent this coaching staff is. Thompson - 448 games Tuch - 536 games Norris - 239 games Zucker - 770 games Benson - 146 games Kulich - 63 games

No pressure, Juri. You got this.

Gunther 22, 148 games Cooley 21, 157 games Keller 27, 601 games Peterka 23, 234 games Hayton 25, 291 games Schmaltz 29, 588 games Looks pretty young and soft, no? Kinda like the Sabres last year?

I have long been an advocate for keeping him and Tage together on a line. If it doesn't work after a while, make the change, but at least start with it. Why? Their production last year: -Tage was one of the best even strength goal scorers in the league last year, with him on the ice, the team scored a goal every 20.3 minutes (pretty good). -However, when Tage and Kulich were on the ice together, the team scored a goal every 12.6 minutes. (and only allowed a goal every 18.5 minutes) -For comparison: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner paired together had the Leafs scoring once every 17.4 minutes. -Draisaitl and McDavid together had the Oilers score once every 13.1 minutes. This also was done with a pretty decent sample size. Over 350 minutes together on the ice even strength. (over 20 games played as primary linemates) Having Tage and Kulich start out together also doesn't have to come with added pressure. They don't have to be the "#1" line. You can position them as just "one of 3 lines" that get rolled out there. Again, I have mentioned it in other posts, the numbers were SO good last year and the eye test had them playing so well together, I at least want to give that pair a shot this year and see how it goes.

Now that looks like the leader of a franchise that is 0 for 14 in making the playoffs under his command😂

Kulich is one part of several. I'd say Norris has just as much on his shoulders.

Call me if you need tickets. #1of9000

If anyone foresees him working his way onto one of the top two lines, it is a very small minority who do. I don't think many people think he will be a prolific scorer either. He's an energy and gritty player. The type of player that you have called that we need more of. What I liked in the clips that were shown on this thread is his willingness to hover around the net. Just maybe a young Zucker type of player who is not afraid to station himself in front of the net?

Well he’s not fat any more and he made it through the year uninjured. 😁

Nothing has changed that opinion.

thought it was gonna be a compare and contrast with the infamous RJ helmet (face shield) trope.

Former coach and GM of the Olean Oilers.

A situation that we should have here but don't.

That's my point. We don't have enough veterans. There is a lack of competition for spots. His spot is guaranteed, as are most spots. That's been part of the problem for years now.

Ya there was. I'm not going to go searching but that's what started me on this path.

Yes he is "fine". I want him to be great. He can be, but the way we do things he might just be "fine".

I think that's true to some extent. I will bet he plays better D there in time but he's there to score goals that's for sure. Their top 6 looks good.