Taro T

Darn shame Jost's stick broke on that one. (Not positive it was broken, maybe he just lost it, but it looked weird when the equipment guy was handed it after the goal.)

They're only 11 points ahead of the Sabres. They legitimately might fall out of the playoff picture if they don't start playing hockey. Since playing the Sabres down in TB, they are 1-3-2 including that game. And that one win was due to a 50+ save shutout by Vasilevskiy in Detroit. They got spanked by the Swamp Cats, the Pens, and the Sabres and lost in OT to the Sabres and Pens. They have been awful the past 2 weeks. Hopefully it keeps up.

Tried getting a "how much did they pay you" chant going, but guess it was too long.

Peterka has been getting chances for about 5 games now. He's actually played pretty well in general in 2 of the past 3 games. Realize Granato will be reluctant to sit him but he's also NEVER benched Olofsson and Hinostroza is scoring goals since being brought back up (that will likely not be long lived, but as long as it is it's tough to sit him too.) Greenway will be in the lineup. Something has to give Monday. And sitting Petera for a game or 2 will not be considered a demotion by management, they'll consider it a teaching moment. That Krebs and Quinn came back much better after sitting a short bit will be used as justification should it happen. And truly doubt they'd consider that "blocking" JJ.

Don't believe the refs were calling it differently for each team, but bot refs were calling VERY different games. 30, the older ref, was calling the game the way refs typically do. He tended to make most of the calls against the Bolts, but called a couple against the Sabres too. His calls, you could at least say "yeah, that was a penalty." 46, the one who got to ref because it was "Kids Day" at the rink, was calling anytime a player fell down a trip on the opponent. Worked against te Sabres for at least 2 imaginary tirps, but it worked in the Sabres favor once. He was truly awful.

Probably correct. But when the Thompson line took to the ice at the end of the 1st looking to sneak a lead before the period ended, Granato put Olofsson out on the ice with the 2 regulars from that line. Expect it's goning to be mainly either just Vinnie sitting or him and Peterka rotating shoulc everybody be healthy. Granato loves him some VO.

Hoping he succeeds at that part of his plan. (The rest, not so much.)

Sabres have been 31st for a while. Was curious who was worse. As others have said, get good goaltending & the PK will become adequate.

Lyubushkin is back on the bench.

Lyubushkin's hand still being looked at in the tunnel but he hasn't gone to the dressing room. So hopefully just a bruise.

Which is why he almost certainly ends up an Amerk next year and gets only a handful of games at the NHL level unless he simply forces his way onto the Sabres.

That was sooooooooo last century. ;)

The Bolts are bringing the Christmas weather we had when they were supposed to be here with them. Only got about 4" of snow but it is a very heavy snow. We missed winter this year, so we're getting it in March it seems.

For whatever reason, the networks like making unlikeable football players and coaches into color commentators/ halftime desk guys. There's a long list: Harrison, Bruschi, Rex Ryan, Collinsworth, etc. Just to name a few. Is there any other player less likeable than Brady? He was a shoo in.

Absolutely believe that all things being equal, he'd rather the Sabres make the playoffs than don't. The kicker is, he was never going to sacrifice a chunk of where this team will be at down the road to attempt to insure the team gets into the playoffs this year, especially considering how precarious their position is - they are 1 of 7 teams battling for the rights to face either the Bruins or the Canes. And then should a minor miracle happen, the winner of either the Bolts Loafs or the Rags Devils. Even if he gave up all 3 of last year's picks this team would be a Dahlin and a goalie injury away from not being good enough to be 1 of the 2 sacrificial lambs. Adams improved the team today and for next year too in all likelihood, and all at the cost of their likely worst 2nd round pick, a 5th next year, and a F that is 4 years out if he can even break through the logjam at F.

Great question. Would guess: Skinner - Thompson - Tuch Mittelstadt - Cozens - Quinn Greenway - Krebs - Olofsson/Peterka Girgensons - Jost - Okposo w/ Vinnie and JJ/Vic as the spares. Though depending upon opponent could see Vinnie getting in instead of the other 2. Personally would have Vinnie in the top 12, but doubt Granato agrees.

In the mid-80's Potsdam State had a very good basketball team - they won the Div III national championship once or twice. Pretty sure one of those years Clarkson didin't win a game. When they played it was literally the best and worst teams in the nation playing each other. Was usually way too busy drinking to watch the hockey team on weekends, no way was this kid going to a bouncyball game but did wath a bit of one on TV. It was pretty bad.

Let's put it this way, when you said you'd gone to SLU was going to say (jokingly) that you'd never come across as a spoiled rich girl. ;)

Colorado?

And most of them go to Potsdam State. ;)

To the bolded, if it were strictly about merit for just next season and not part of a plan for moving forward for the next dozen or so years, expect they would. But last year, Quinn and Peterka were tearing up the AHL and both only got a cup of coffee in the NHL last year in their D+2 year. Still believe that was to get their ELC's to slide a 2nd year. Until Savoie &/or Kulich play a 10th game in the NHL next year will not expect them to do so. (And again, based upon what Adams says about them moving forward, might change that expectation, but am not ready to do so now.)

Won't be surprised if Olofsson is moved. Considering Mittelstadt is 5th in the pecking order this year amongst F's and only Quinn of the guys that are here now has a chance of supplanting him next year, minus making a big trade for a F would be very surprised if he's not a Sabre next year. (Now, might he get moved in the 2 seasons after that, very possibly. But don't see it happening before next off-season at the earliest.)

Don't expect he's done. Expect he moves back home based upon the ages of his kids and that his new house should be completed.

If Savoie is clearly one of the top 9, no way he goes back to Juniors. If he's borderline 12/13, expect the extra year of having him under control and also the extra year of him on a cheap deal will win out on the +/- pros and cons evaluation of where to have him playing turns the tide to sending him back. Could very well be wrong about that and hearing Adams speak later this month could very well turn that evaluation/expectation.

Durn it, we never get good duels around here anymore.