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One last thought: This is why teams want centers over wingers. Centers can shift over to the wing and shift back to center; it seems like this is the way Tage operates best- moving back and forth. I think the change in responsibilities sharpens his focus. And having Norris (maybe eventually) and McCleod, and Kozak and Krebs and Östlund all ready to play C, but filling in at wing if need be, makes the team stronger. If one of the center spine has a rough game, you and push him out to the wing and take the pressure off; there are other centers that can step in.

Is Dunne waiver exempt? Don't forget Metsa is up with the Sabres now too.

Don’t harsh my vibe. Outstanding.

They're kind of where Kozak was last year: You know they're gonna be roster regulars, but right now they're tweeners. I as especially impressed by the work Östlund put in last night on a checking line that chipped in offensively. And Kozak looked great at 3C. He's really starting to control play out there.

But they're gonna need several rosters spots soon.

On the other hand, do you want Östlund and Rosén riding the pine if everyone else is healthy and they have to be scratched? Would it be better to give them reps in Rochester? I'm not making any implications either way, just asking the question. Thought the same. Can they maintain that level of fight every game? I hope. Wasn't that the game where Dahlin said, "This is the way we play every night from now on" or words to that effect?

Shavers again showed some potential. He at least got separation regularly.

I’m not sure how many times you can spam a GDT with anti Kevyn Adams rhetoric before you get put on everyone’s ignore list. We all hate him. Terry doesn’t. End of story.

Thought the same. Can they maintain that level of fight every game? I hope.

Rosen and Östlund are playing pretty good as well. I hope they stay in the line up.

Between the Detroit game, last night and the Bills game, I'm giddy. Now don't harsh my vibe by stubbing your toe on the Calgary Flames. There might be a paper move just for roster gymnastics.

Ruff on wgr talked about how good Thompson has played the last few games and that if he keeps that up, when Norris comes back, they will play Norris at 2c and Thompson as 1c. He also said Zucker may play tomorrow, Norris and then Benson will be the next back but aren't ready yet.

But ask yourself why is there this deadline? If you are trying to move UPL haste only makes waste. Take the time to get the most value for him. If you need a roster spot you can waive Geertsen first.

Elliotte Friedman said UPLs deal is at par with a backup salary. Hardly a deal buster.

Of course, but how is he still around when he can’t even get on the ice when they’re down 15 forwards?

Davis seemed like he was pivotal when he was in. His connection with Josh gave me Cole Beasley vibes- the reliable guy who ran the route predictably and caught the ball when targeted. Previously he was the Deep Threat Guy. Possibly he's in a new role now?

If no takers with retention, waive UPL and send him to Rochester when the roster gets tight. If he there's no interest with retention, no one is going to snap him up off waivers. And if they do, waive bye bye to his whole salary for this year and the next three years. I want to say "What was Kevyn thinking???" But we all know what he was thinking. He was looking back at losing Ullmark and didn't want that to happen again.

I don’t need Terry to sell. I need him to stop Jerry Jonesing the team. Step back and let a qualified hockey guy make the decisions on building the front office

Lose him. Don't care.

It’s kind of funny to read these projected lineup changes when you realize that Geertsen still hidden away on the roster.

Kozak is never going down again. Mark it. The other two, as long as they're waiver exempt, will have to out of necessity. Doesn't mean they haven't earned it. Their day is coming though. Deal UPL to open up a spot for one of them.

I like him. Now

No stat is perfect, but if I had to pick my favorite stat to evaluate goalies, its not gaa, its not save percentage, but I'd lean toward goals saved above average. So far this year in Goals saved above average: Lyon: +0.91 Ellis: +1.24 UPL: -2.15 (all of last season he was a -2.53) Small sample size. Not a 'perfect' stat. But at this point, if there were any 'takers' for UPL, I'd move him.

The "hate", at least from me, was just because of how bad last year was. I say this with all honesty ...I think he may have been the very worst forward in the league last year that got regular minutes. When you have a year like that, you have a LOT to prove going forward. This year I think he's been better than last year, but he's still not 'good'. As a matter of fact, he has had some good games but those are the exception. This year I'd say he's had 3-4 actual good games, another 2-3 where you really didn't notice him at all, and the rest have been bad just like last year (little offense generation, bad mistakes in the defensive zone/neutra zone, etc.) Again, for me hes not at the 'you got to get him out of the lineup, he's killing you!' place that he was last year...so thats good, but I still need to see more.

I got to see about 2/3 of the game on the Oilers broadcast (but somehow missed most of the Sabres goals - lol). I’m delighted with the win and strength of the team’s play. I couldn’t shake or escape the sense that Edmonton mostly looked like dog sh1t out there. Just not a lot of juice or jump. Even if that’s accurate, the fact is that the Sabres put a whoopin’ on a team having a bad night. Which is good! Ellis looked great. Absorbent! Call him ShamWow.