Taro T

The author also explicitly states that she painted that at the end of the article.

Yes, in general he is not making major adjustments in game, though he will make them between games (see Boucher being Hagg's partner now, not Dahlin's). And he will refocus them in game to a degree as well- the TB 3rd period was much better played than the 2nd was. Honestly don't know that the lack of adjustments is not by design. He's told all these guys that they can play any situation & is walking that talk IN A YEAR WHEN DEVELOPMENT is at minimum the 1A priority w/ winning either 1B or 2. And even w/in that, he's benched Hayden in crunchtime while Bjork & R2 Rou2 took a shift, so it's not like he can't see the obvious and respond to it w/ guys that won't be here LT. Unless he flat out tells us that he'll coach differently when the priority shifts to what it ALWAYS should be which is winning, we can only assume whether he will or won't make those in game adjustments. This kid expects he will (and will have several months at minimum of actual game play in those situations of all the guys, which is the luxury of what not caring whether you win or lose brings) when he gets there, but you may be right that he won't / can't. Don't believe you are correct though. (And if that take is misguided, that you actually do believe he'll adjust when the focus has changed, then not sure why the handwringing.) He's thrown away at least 2 points & possibly 3 leaving Skinner out at the end of the Loafs game & playing him in OT one of the games (Devils IIRC). But LT, how many points did he gain getting Skinner at least back to a semblance of the good version of himself?

The legal way in the States is via AHL.tv, specifically w/ either the Amerks package ($64.95 for all Amerks games w/ home or away audio) or the full league pass which is something like 2-3x the single team package price. Pretty sure that's the provider in CA as well, but our Canadian friends would know who it is for certain.

Aren't they? It isn't EVOLUTION, it's Perterkalution. 😉

At "only" $65 for the Amerks only package, it's still a pretty decent deal. No commercials is also nice.

No they (1/2 & 1/4 season STHers ) aren't eligible for SabreBucks. So don't expect they will get the Amerks TV. But again, doesn't hurt to ask. They also won't get priority to buy Heritage Classic tix.

But if Tokarski goes down, especially w/ Anderson out, expect much poorer results. (Though the effort will still be there.)

Free for Sabres STHers that did the full season this year. (Not sure about if it's also available to 1/2 season holders or those that deferred. Expe t not, but doesn't hurt to ask.) And the nicknamed is pronounced Oopy.

Will be really interesting to see if he can maintain the elevated play level.

It would also be nice to see what Tuch can do on this squad. They literally may have their entire 1st line out w/ injuries. (And, technically their #1 goalie & 1/2 their top pairing, though still want to see Jokiharju & Dahlin separated when he returns.) Hanging around/ above the NHL 0.500 mark is a nice accomplishment given the entire backstory of this squad though in a small sample size.

And that's the example of where it blew up in his face in that instant, but likely will be better in the long run as Skinner actually believes his coach has faith in him & won't be sulking or overthinking a 1 shift demotion.

That, Cozens having his coming out party last Friday night, & Eakin actually settling in this year gives the spine a bit of resiliency. None of which were givens, but all of which reflect well on the coach. Speaking of Eakin, it's amazing how many guys don't settle into a new roster until their 2nd season.

We'll see when Jokiharju comes back whether Granato gets it or not. But at least for now, Dahlin is playing w/ 1 of the 2 kind of defensive D-men on the roster. (Hagg is an actual defensive D-man, but at this stage of his career, Pysyk pretty much is too.) It's not like there are many options at present.

So, 2 more years. 😉

True. Especially when them reaching their potential can allow them to be more than just a cog in the system. More than a few coaches miss that nuance. Granato doesn't. This is absolutely a development year as evidenced by letting pretty much everybody get time in all situations. Though he isn't an idiot about it, certain lines & pairings get more opportu items in high pressure situations than others, e.g. when their protecting a lead late Miller & Bryson will get 75% of the ice time as in his view they're the best pair he has for that role. But it will be interesting to watch for how & how much that mindset changes when winning is the clear #1 goal & there isn't a 1B goal next season or very late in this season (please let that last 1 not just be wishful thinking).

Don't believe he's young enough that he never needs waivers (& didn't look up his age & when he 1st signed to verify that), so it would be because he'd already gone through waivers and hasn't been back up for 30 days nor enough games. Eventually, if he keeps bouncing back & forth, he'll have to clear them again.

Actually, he showed signs of the sophomore slump in year 2 (pretty sure @Thorny will disagree). And disagree about the continual regression. Since the coaching change, the trajectory has been upwards though there have been fits & starts to it. Still believe being away from Jokiharju helps and Pysyk is his best fit as a partner since at least very early on. Get him a true top 4 that he gels with & watch him take off. Maybe it's Samuelsson, maybe Power, but that guy is out there and once he gains the MOJO back, they'll be able to pair him with whomever. Still expect him to come around & make the 3 year deal look like a poor decision.

Pretty sure the bout w/ cancer is what derailed his HCing train. When others here were calling on him to stay on as HC for this year during last season, wasn't particularly on board mainly because w/ his pedigree & contacts he should've been a HC much sooner & the fact he hadn't aced THAT job interview anywhere in the NHL ever was off putting. But the cancer explains a lot and it's looking more & more that we lucked into a good one. And the same goes for Tokarski. (Lucking in to one that appears to be a Tim Thomas late bloomer that is.) IF Tokarski really is the next Tim Thomas (and it's too early to say he is, but not to hope it isn't just smoke & mirrors) this team should be in the 80's and actually COULD challenge for a playoff spot. Really wish the other goalie were more durable than a 40 yo is expected to be.

Correct on both counts. But find a way to sneak a 7th point the next 5 & again that following stretch and they're right where they'd need to be. (They have a legit shot at 6 in each, but a 7th or 8th point is asking for a lot.) Darn shame they couldn't last 12 more seconds vs the Loafs. That extra point would've been quite helpful. (Thanks, Captain Obvious.)

On the PP, they've typically had him on 1 of the boards which isn't where he belongs. He should be in Reinhart's old spot & where Asplund is now. That's where he'll excel. And excelling there might help with his 5v5 play as his confidence should grow. At 5v5 he has been a JAG. Not sure if that's because that's all he is or if at this point he needs linemates driving play. How long did people around here suggest that Olofsson is strictly a PP goal scoring 1 hit wonder & a JAG elsewhere? But they both came up at fairly comparable stages in their careers. Won't write him off just yet, but his future is murkier than we'd've hoped.

Regardless of the final outcome, Tokarski has to be the 1st 2 stars of the game. 😉

You haven't watched many road games this year, have you? Nor apparently the 1st 14 minutes of 2nd period of the Bolts game.

Sabre PP. 43 calling it fair. (Doubt Pens fans would agree.) 37's Crosby underoos are peaking out of his pants.

NOT the guy that should be getting involved. Wince every time he toys w/ joining a tussle.

Another road game where they get 1 or 2 good periods then run out of gas in the 3rd. Expecting that's from guys having to go harder than they should have to go to battle through not having the matchups they want/need. When they get a bit more talent, they likely won't run out of gas like this.