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Like what? "Trade me or I'll keep playing like s**t?"

They're also in save the season mode. It has to be either Johnson (has played plenty on the right side in the NHL and college already) or Jones for now. Sadly, there will probably be plenty of time for Novikov and Komarov to get their "here's a glimpse of NHL speed" look by mid-December.

Who's idea was it? Because I would have suggested it to Ras. He has to get his head right. Now where does Tage need to go?

You can kind of tell Dahlin’s heart hasn’t been in it this season and that is perfectly understandable. He needs to be with his fiancé and given the issues with the Sabres, his absence will open opportunities for others to step up or prove they need to go (see Power).

It could also be Zac Jones if they’re looking for offense. He has 13 assists in 11 GP so far. The Russians aren’t ready.

Good for him. Some things are more important than hockey. This is one of them. Thought he started the season well, even though his teammates (other than Lyon and 1 or 2 others) didn't, but he hasn't been "right" on the ice for at least the last 2 weeks. Let him be with his fiance and help her deal with what she's dealing with and then when his head is back where for his job it needs to be then come back and lead this team to a miraculous playoff run. Expect people will keep them in their prayers and thoughts and hopefully that spiritual or psychic energy help them. Does this mean the team learned from Ullmark's problems dealing with his dad's death and from Lehner's personal demons he ended up dealing with pretty much on his own while he was here? Here's to hoping.

Metsa will probably be called up, but I wouldn’t mind if Novikov or Komarov were given a look.

Absolutely. I’ve said that if he is being bothered being away from his fiancé the he needs to be with her and not playing. Family first.

I mentioned the 70% --- It was on the Blues broadcast last night. I think it was 68.something% to 31 and change. But it wasn't at the end of the game, so the Sabres may have recovered a bit, although they still were losing puck battles clean through until the end.

Well, the theory was that UPL got the start against St. Louis over Ellis because of his strong play against Washington. That theory holds up. If he starts again over Lyon and Ellis, then you are correct that the theory that he's starting because of strong play goes out the window. I think of Ellis making two saves against good players on breakaways in the Detroit game, whereas with UPL, if it's a breakaway or 2 on 1, you know the puck will be in the back of the net. I want to believe that UPL still has room to grow and improve, as many goalies don't peak until late 20's or even early 30's, or that he'll find the game he had for 2 months a couple of seasons ago, but the more I see, the more I doubt. I understand the sentiment on this board that UPL letting in a soft goal, or failing to make a big save when needed, deflates the entire team, which makes progress and success much more difficult. It didn't happen against Washington (playing hard and coming back to win after giving up 2 early goals), but seemed to happen against St. Louis last night. UPL aside, missing open nets, hitting goal posts and crossbars, and helping a subpar goalie look great by shooting it into his glove or pad instead of over the pad or glove can also deflate a team. Regardless of what caused it, the lack of wind in the Sabres sails last night was very apparent. Maybe just too many injuries left an experienced and disjoined lineup? All of the above?

Assuming her coming here isn't an option due to her treatment, etc That would have to be really rough on anyone and I can understand why he hasn't been all there. I wonder if he brought this up or the team told him to go back to be with her from seeing him struggling mentally day to day.

Right now, he ISN'T locked in. But personally don't believe that's due to him not considering it to be a part of his job. Believe it's because he NEEDS those around him to believe in him and talk him up and if they don't, well he doesn't seem to have that internally. Shortly after he got the starters job the very 1st time, he mentioned in an interview that he plays his best when he knows the net is his and his teammates know it's his as well. That seemed like such an odd thing to say, but then you watch him play and it seems to track with his best play. But, also, right now they aren't in a position where they're going to, even if they wanted to, tell him he's the man and give him the bulk of the starts over Lyon. It's why this kid would've given him the start against the Mammoth; he'd just had a great OT and though he only faced 3 shots in the SO (and there were only 4 attempted shots out of the 5 chances) he got credit for 5 saves and EVERYBODY was talking about how great he'd played. (Even though he hadn't played great until 60 minutes had passed.) So, he MIGHT've had that external support that he needs to get into his head in a good way. But then, watched the Utes jump up and take it to the Sabres out of the gate and expect now that it would've blown up in their faces had they let him get that start. But, still, expect that was their best chance to get him back to the January '23 UPL we saw back then. Maybe he can get back to that level on another team. But really doubt he can do it here with where things currently stand. Lyon is the starter and Ellis and Levi are bearing down on him for the backup job. Nothing is going to get handed to him anytime soon and doubt he has the ability to simply go out and take it either.

I hope Rasmus and his fiancée can enjoy as much time together as they may. He should take all the time he needs to reset. On the hockey side... I blame Bryson! (And good thing they've got a 1OA and 4OA defenseman ready to just take over those 25+ minute nights and PP time and 60-point campaigns.)

I appreciate the wishful thinking but we all know that’s not happening. What happened the last time Dahlin missed time?

I've nearly abandoned all rock and pop except for circumstances where I need mindless background music. If I seek out something to listen to for pleasure in the broad category of "rock", lately it's usually The Sword. Mostly listening to classical and jazz these days, primarily classical, which I've loved since being a wee lad. It is far more engaging and interesting than a lot of the tired, repetitive rock, pop, etc. genres. Right now, I am listening to this gem...

I have two tickets that I can't use in sec 202. If you'd like them--and more importantly, if you can help me figure out Ticketmaster's system for transferring tickets, they're yours, free of charge. First response from someone who knows how to transfer the tickets gets them. Please don't respond if you're going to resell. EDIT I also am making them available on other platforms...

Don't worry, Forton and Adams know they need more defensemen and will draft some more this year. Gotta add another 2-3rhd and a random lhd.

yep. same.

Amerks (7-4-0-0) back at it against the baby Pens (8-2-1-0) at home tonight, who have the most points in the Eastern Conference. I didn’t realize they were short a forward on Wednesday due to the Sabres call ups and were down to ten forwards mid-game when Savage went out with an injury. Metsa ended up alternating shifts as a forward. Matteo Costantini has been called up from Jacksonville (Drafted in 2020, Round 5). No announcement on who gets the crease tonight. Amerks play next in Hershey on Sunday.

I was surprised he started the regular season. However, as @thewookie1 said so well, Dahlin likely choose to try and play through it. His fiancé' likely encouraged him to give it a go. Can't blame him for the choice, don't blame her, either, obviously - it's the kind of thing any strong-willed, young couple would choose to do. Domestic concerns are going to distract Rasmus from now on. The key will be accepting that dimension and learning to live with it, which is a challenge for a young man. Eventually he will find a balance.

Going home and retire probably mentally tired of the Sabres BS as well

Absolutely better to blow the whole thing. No may and maybe about it Jarmo i guess is open to interpretation

.01% chance they keep playing him in the hopes he "finds his game".

He has to go It almost felt like last night was trying to showcase him for a trade, you know, and that really failed honestly. Lindy has no faith in him, that you can tell by his usage the last games of the year. And he isn't even KA's goalie, that's Levi. Yes KA gave him the extension, but that doesn't matter. The solution to me is simple....Georgiev is traded, released, sent to KHL, loaned to finish league, I don't care. Then UPL goes on waivers, not a team would take that contract, and he can go down and be Levi's back up. Then you run Lyon and Ellis up here, and if something happens to either one of them, you give Levi one more shot, and if that doesn't work, you then have UPL in the minors that could be called upon, its the only option. Seattle had Grubauer in the minors, Jack Cambell has been in the minors, Villie Husso, and on an on, this is not some out of the blue thing

I can think of a reason why...