Taro T

Ftfy.

Have no issue w/ you. But the mythical DeLuca 0.500 is ####. When there are all of ~4 teams (and likely fewer) in each conference on the bubble in the last 2 weeks of the year & the mythical DeLuca 0.500 gets at least a quarter & sometimes 1/2 of its predictions wrong, it's pretty friggin' worthless. The Sabres are going to have to be significantly better than a DeLuca 0.500 this year to make the playoffs. It means nothing.

20 teams over 10 years were on the wrong side of the playoff cutoff (either good or bad) than what was predicted by the mythical DeLuca 0.500. It being wrong twice on average every year is really bad predictatively.

There were 7 ####ing teams in 10 years that were below the mythical DeLuca 0.500 that made the playoffs. 13 got to it and yet still missed. (Doesn't count the 70 game season, the DeLuca 0.500 is even less useful if that's included.) Considering it only matters if teams are close to being in the playoffs, that's a horrible track record.

WRONG.

With an R^2 of 0.135. That ranks right up there with average psychiatric theories of causation. 😉

It would. Especially if they used the '83 vintage equipment. Make everybody play in what was available in '83 and the modern guys wouldn't have a prayer. There was a reason there were very few butterfly goalies back prior to the end of the '80's & the '90's. The leg pads didn't have risers in the knees, nor did they lace up really loosely up high to accommodate the knee/lower thigh not having the pad stay stationary relative to the goalies leg. Not only that but there was still a LOT of unblocked net when goalies were "in position." The behemoths that roam the creases today would be toast as shooters picked corners. Geoff Sanderson was a monster coming down the wing with his slapshot when he 1st came into the league but was nowhere near as effective by the time the "dead puck" era began. And btw, though Garrett won the MVP that day, he was an injury replacement and was a fulltime backup. King Richard was supposed to be Vancouver's ASG representative.

Same at ~600' 20 or so minutes east of Ra-cha-cha.

If yesterday's practice lines are an indication, then the top line is back together but EVERYTHING else (including all 3 D pairs) is jumbled still.

Could see them (particularly Rousek) getting mid-season callups, but doubt they're on the roster on opening night. If Savoie didn't have to go back to Junior if he doesn't make the team, doubt he'd be there opening night either; but he does, so unless he's really out of his element in the preseason, he'll likely get that shot. Kulich is an interesting cat & likely forces a look on the big club at some point. Waivers become a factor for the 2 you mentioned, but would be mildly surprised if anybody claimed them at roster cutdown. They are both small (Weissbach is downright tiny) and they aren't tearing up the AHL THAT badly that somebody really will want to steal them.

Well, considering they're all dead it would be like watching the Monty Python skit of the soccer game between a bunch of gynecologists and a society of Long John Silver impersonators.

Which is why we MIGHT see 1 rookie on the opening night roster. If Savoie earns a 9 game tryout or Kulich forces his way onto the roster, 1 will be in Buffalo on opening night. And that likely requires Okposo deciding to move on. Expecting we do see 1 rookie, but not both. And not expecting Roysek or others to make the roster out of camp either. (Extremely outside chance Levi starts the year in Buffalo. But wouldn't have any money on it.)

Not only that, but all those guys from the '83 AS teams are in their 60's & 70's; well the ones that haven't passed away are in their 60's & 70's. The Golden Golfers PROBABLY would beat those guys who were among the best in the world in '83. But expect it would be close. 😉

Touche.

Considering he was one of the guys that tried to save WNSA before it was bought & killed by the owners of WGR, he'll always be fondly remembered. He wasn't the best. But he was good at his job and a decent human being. Haven't listened to GR much since most all meetings went to virtual & don't spend much time in the car anymore, but it will be strange tuning in in the morning & not hearing him. Good luck in retirement, Mr. Simon. You're one of the good guys.

To the bolded, yes. This kid has "it." And, as stated earlier, absolutely want to see him get a game or 2 this year. They need to stop playing Anderson (1-4 in his last 5 starts; and yes, he was fantastic against Dallas in the 1st period, but was downright bad in 3 of those losses), find out what they have in Comrie and then get a peak at Levi when he becomes available. And then based on what they see, either stand pat w/ UPL & Comrie to start or find a bridge guy this summer for 1-2 seasons. IF they need him, could see Levi ready by Christmas. If they can let him fully cook in the AHL fine, but expect they're going to find he'll be this year's Quinn. Too good for the AHL & will be serviceable in general & spectacular at times in the show. And would not be at all surprised if his serviceable is as good as at least 1 of UPL or Comrie.

Football is SO much better on TV than in person. The exact opposite of hockey.

Hmm, isn't the one thing the Loafs annually lack come playoff time a scoring winger that isn't great in his own end? Surely THAT addition would get them past the 1st round. 😵‍💫 Hope they give up a #### ton to get him.

What, he didn't throw Cozens in too? What a true "fan."

Granato just can't help himself. He loves him some Jokiharju. At this point, sure, why not. They have to get a 2nd pairing that works when having to go against the other teams' top lines.

3 dead at MSU. The shooter was cornered around midnight and killed himself. If you're inclined to do so, say a prayer for the others he wounded.

No offense, but wgaf about what the people on this board think of him? As long as Granato, Adams, & Bales understand the situation, he & we will be fine. And there's no reason to expect THEY won't get it.

Don't want to see him rushed just because he dominated college either. But would much rather see him get an opportunity to show where he's at & if he's ready, then let him play rather than automatically assigning him to Ra-cha-cha or even lesser places just because 7th round goalies don't play in the NHL at age 21 or 22. How many years of Hasek's prime were wasted in the AHL & behind guys that weren't as good as him at the NHL level because they had the credentials and he was extremely unorthodox. (Nothing could've been done to get him over the pond sooner, but he was the top goalie 5 times in the 3rd best league in world. And he needed Fuhr being out to finally get a legit chance.) In no way is Levi being called a Hasek here. But am pointing out that sometimes guys that aren't prototypical have to wait too friggin' long to get their shot. Find out where he's at ASAP & then keep refining projections based on where he really is at and err on giving him a chance too soon. He seems to have a very good head on his shoulders, getting a chance too soon won't ruin him anymore than getting shellacked by Detroit ruined Miller. And he's been REALLY impressive in the handful of games this kid watched.

But does he have the wherewithal? 😉