Taro T

One thing that doesn't seem to get brought up in these discussions is that this team ISN'T going to be "broken" by a losing streak. (Not a judgment, merely an observation. There's good & bad in that fact.) This team really IS a team in that they all like each other (there aren't cliques within the team) & when something good happens to one they are genuinely happy for him. So while watching this team slide down the standings is crazy frustrating, it isn't something that will carry over into next season should it continue. (Personally, don't expect it will carry on all year, speaking there on a worst case.) It isn't going to splinter these guys. They've demonstrated that coming out of last year's mid-season slump and with coming out of the 8 game streak this year. Building that camaraderie is something Adams wanted for this team. He's accomplished that goal along w/ having the top 6 F spots filled & the top 3 D spots filled and 1 of the goalie spots (though likely the 2nd slot rather than the 1st, would be sweet if Comrie can be the 1, we still haven't seen enough to know). He also has already identifiable candidates to fill 4-5 of the remaining F slots and 1-2 of the D slots. The pieces that remain outstanding are (except the 1G) the ones that SHOULD be easy to find. Not happy that this is another "development" year. Not convinced the 3rd teardown was absolutely necessary. But both were advertised well in advance and they are what they are. Also, hate that Ullmark walked and that every legit candidate to replace him (both before & after he walked) that was pursued except for Comrie fell through. But it is what it is. Personally, am very excited at what next year might/should be. And am enjoying watching the kid line, the big minute D, & Thompson is getting to be worth the price of admission all by himself. They ARE fun to watch. Doubt they get to the playoffs, but do expect they'll put on a good show trying. And the resilience of being able to keep coming back w/ a smile on their faces when they come out for the next game as they do see what they're improving on isn't a bad thing. Were they a bunch of 28 year olds, yep, it would absolutely be a damning indictment; but as a bunch of 22 year olds, it's an asset. MHO, YMMV. (And yes, realize almost none of them are actually 22; but take away 4 or 5 of them & it has to be close to the average age.)

Well considering that's less than 3 weeks away ...

Yes to the bolded. But, though St. Louis was in last place, they'd played several fewer games than the other bottom feeders. They weren't the absolute worst team in the league (even w/ Yeo at the helm). Not saying the Sabres are in last nor close to it & as just stated believe they have a (slim) chance.. Just pointing out that stat about the Blues while true is misleading.

Apparently Comrie was able to do some butterfly in practice for the 1st time since the injury. So, we might have him back sooner than later. He is still officially week to week.

Don't see the issue w/ having Mittelstadt on line 1 as an issue about rewarding 1 good game. See the issue as more being that he's had difficulties being the "driver" on a 2nd line and finally might be getting his game back on the 3rd line & they then put him back up against stiffer competition again (though at least not in the driver's seat). Get his game stepped up before putting him back in a position where he's likely to fail. That said, thought he played well in the 2nd period. Didn't like his game at all in the 1st nor 3rd. Still expect Okposo is the best choice to move there. But would not be opposed to putting Krebs there. Other than his pretty much never shooting, he probably mimics Skinner's game the most closely of anyone on the roster. Plus, he seemed to have chemistry w/ Tuch last year (but who didn't?) in the short time they played together last year.

The real issue w/ Eichel. You'll likely never get 70 games from him in any 1 regular season. The real issue w/ Eichel. You'll likely never get 70 games from him in any 1 regular season.

Why, that would be just DREAMY. To be on NEARLY an 87 point pace 40% of the way through the season. Why, they could miss the playoffs by ONLY a dozen points. And it's NOTHING at all like that embarrassing NHL 0.500 pace that they'd've been on w/ out getting TB & Pittsburgh to OT. It's pretty much the same as and wasaaay closer to that 98 point pace they actually need. 😉

Thought on bench teammate on teammate violence was just a beer league thing. Guess not.

If they were 7-5 vs the top 1/3 of the league they wouldn't be knocking at the door, they'd be IN the playoffs. The door they'd be knocking on is being a true SC contender. There aren't a ton of holes, but there are key ones remaining to be filled.

Young players have fun on the bench & on the ice. Is what it is. The '81 Eulers were literally singing on the bench the whole series as the 14th seeded boys from Alberta were knocking the serious 3rd seeded Habs out of the playoffs in a best if 3. Don't see it as much a "they don't hate losing enough" thing as it is a "they don't have enough talent yet to overcome major adversity" thing. Maturing & bringing in a few judicial pieces would fix that. MHO, YMMV.

Doubt that giving Botterill a "vote of confidence" shortly before canning his arse caused people to question the Pegulas ownership. That happens all the time. Their changing the overriding philosophy of how the planned to reach their goals every 2-3 years - build through FA; no, through a scorched earth tank w/ Regier at the helm; no, Murray & build the Kings East; no, Botterill & the Pens North; no, sack everyone; now THAT probably had something to do w/ outsiders viewing them as confused at best. 😉

🤔 You mean Clague?

Couldn't believe he got away w/ it. Except for the fact it happened in the NHL, still can't really believe it.

Neither was Dahlin's initially. One of the underrated issues working against young D-men - their shots aren't particularly powerful & they're shooting from 60' away.

He did, he did play himself out of a job on Wednesday.

Answer 2 is Kasparaitus. Throwing the puck over the boards w/ no call was in Game 7. But he DID get a stern talking to.

Did you watch that fight? It was NOT a hockey fight. (Not a good one at any rate.)

Why?

Line brawl would've happened for the slash on Anderson. Never would've gotten to the point of the cross check.

No he's not & yes he could. They could easily have one of the kids take a shift or 2 there IF Okposo is showing signs of needing a spell. And if Asplund is the player called in, he can take his spot on PK. He WON'T take Skinner's shift on PP1. That knocks out 3 to 6 shifts from his load right there.

It should be Okposo. MHO.

Not his, mine.

Yeah, but what if the dog had gotten to it 1st? It could've been a tragedy of epic proportions.

YOU got a lollipop? Sheesh, all this kid got was a box making strange whirring noises w/ a return address from Coudersport. Figured it was from PA and was afraid to open it. Gave it to a Bruins "friend" and he hasn't been seen nor heard from since. 😉

If Okposo or Tuch can flip to the other side, that's who should get bumped up IMHO.