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always innovative and cutting edge at MSG.

Yeah, I'm not denying that Kulich might have some growing to do in his game, and there's a possibility he could take a step back. I'm just saying that I would start there and then make changes if necessary after you see it works or doesn't work. Maybe the coaching staff thinks a key to this team's success is getting good on the power play... And you want Thompson and Norris to play together to develop chemistry that will translate to the power play? I don't know.

Fairburn reporting McLeod added 16 pounds in the off-season

Probably because Ruff isn't that good of a coach and Kulich is 21.

The strategy is apparently no single player, it’s carving 50 off the goals against. So, Lindy?

If Norris is not a play driver, all the more reason I don't want him with Paige. He's a scorer, I don't want him taking any shots away from tage. I'm starting with Kulich. I posted this a few weeks ago but him and tage together were an elite goal scoring combination. Not for a game. Not for a week, but for a quarter of a season they played together. They had better numbers as a combo than Matthews and marner did for the season. Their numbers were even slightly better than McDavid and Draisatl playing together. Now I don't expect them for a full season to necessarily be better than those guys. But if they were that good.... And 20+ games is a decent sample size, I want to try it again and at least see how it goes. If it doesn't work after a while then make a change. But I cannot fathom why they don't want to to keep that combo going after how they played last year. At times they dominated play and their analytics were off the charts.

He did look pretty good out there.... but if he is the savior to me we are a few years away... I agree here... the quickest and easiest way is to literally, have your goalie let in a goal a game less... or .5 or whatever... but improvement in net is absolutely required to turn this around.

You have McLeod and Kulich, who are you putting with Tage? Also Norris isn't a play driver at least imo.

Sounds like I missed a good game. Helenius played 2 games in a row so he knows he is getting a look.

Which is why I'm leaning toward Norris not being on the same line with tage. Tage doesn't need him. Tage creates his own scoring chances and puts his own scoring chances away. He's one of the best in the league at that. If Norris has talent, let Norris's talent Help guys on other lines. In short, other guys need Norris a lot more than Tage does. I'm not saying to put tage out there with a couple ahl-ers, but put him out there with a guy like Benson who will do the dirty work and will help keep the puck out of the defensive zone. Benson does not have anywhere close to a good shot. It doesn't matter if he's out there with tage, he can do everything else on the ice but tage is going to get in position and take the shots.

Shootout/penalty shot specialist. And ideally, you get a goalie who catches right-handed to really mess with the shooter's minds.

Sounds like Helenius needs a Luke Adam Bucket Whack.

Nice one. I'd have said Houser.

I thought Norris looked good. He missed a few good chances. I think Thompson and Norris were still looking for each other rather than knowing where the other guy will be. That will come with time. Norris speed was noticeable. Say what you want about the Sabres but the center spine of Norris, McLeod, Kulich, and Krebs is faster than most. I expect a lot of breakaway chances.

They could actually do something fun with that if they wanted to. Halloween video intro with players dressing up

It's time to put on our gear. It's time to light the light. It's time to get things started on the Sabres show tonight! To introduce our goal scorer, that's what I'm here to do, it really makes me happy to introduce to you ... Mr. Tage Thompson!!!!! Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! It's the most sensational, inspirational, Sabresnational, this is what we call the Sabres Shhhhhhhooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww. (Then have Ray and Biron make a little snide remark to each other like Statler and Waldorf always did.)

Game thoughts: McLeod, Zucker, Helenius were effective at mostly getting pucks up ice and keeping their zone clear. Helenius needs more time but he dominated the shift he got an assist on. Samuelsson looked slow. He had some nice moments but he also got caught and turned pucks over. I think his skating is very average and lacks agility. Personally, Novikov is ever so close to him but not yet... not yet. Dahlin is very good. Bryson shouldn't have a roster spot. Luca Del Bel Belluz mauled him a few teams by being bigger and faster... but hey! We have Leinonen so ... yea. Anyways, Bryson has no spot. Johnson was better than Bryson and I thought showed solid if not exciting play. No goalie notes, they weren't under much pressure. Norris looked okay but Thompson was the driver and star of that line. Benson looked faster and as usual, won battles, made passes, forechecking machine. You can tell teams are shaking off rust and the defense Buffalo iced was bad. Felt the forwards were held back by them, without Dahlin on the ice breakouts and entries seemed hard. The PP is stupid and looks the same. No acknowledgement of why it doesn't work from this team. Finally, there were several instances I thought they could have pushed play but instead reloaded in the neutral zone. Clear message of dropping back.

Helenuis has looked good. I’d say one more year in Rochester than he is up with the Sabres. Him and Mrtka have acquitted themselves nicely this camp. I’d send Mrtka to Seattle and let him dominate the WHL this season. Dont rush these guys.

How often would the Sabres need a closer ? That would constitute finishing chances and scoring goals. They can't hit a soccer net many nights. To be determined.

Like baseball you got a starter, relief, and closer.

Ryan Vinz