darksabre

I find myself saying "no don't do that" out loud a lot when I watch Jack. He makes puzzling choices. I don't know if he's just trying to do too much or what, but I wish he'd simplify things a bit sometimes.

I think we did talk about it. I met him at a book signing in Buffalo and I probably posted about that. Got my picture with him. We were both wearing cowboy boots. :flirt:

He doesn't shoot nearly enough from the slot for my tastes. He makes the moves to get there, but then doesn't generate anything. He's always looking for a perfect shot or something. Which is frustrating. He's talented enough to just get it on net for rebound ops, but he doesn't do it. It always seems like his linemates are looking for those rebound ops. He also still has a habit of making soft plays at bad times. Situations where he should be bearing down on the puck to make goddamn sure it clears the defensive zone, or stays in deep in the o-zone to extend zone time. For someone who guarantees that we can even get into the o-zone, and then drives a lot of the possession there, he needs to be doing more to make sure that time spent is resulting in a scoring chance. Because a lot of times it just results in a seemingly avoidable turnover. I still think his stick is too long.

His style of play annoys me which is why I struggle to get to that level of enjoyment with him where I would be super pissed if he was traded. There are guys out there in the league who I love to watch. I don't really enjoy Eichel very much, despite his point production.

You must like Jack more than I do. He's good, but he's just another pro athlete to me. Word.

A lot of that looks like it's pulled straight from his book. Which I HIGHLY recommend. He and Joanie tour the continent giving presentations about mental health issues. They're good people. Buy his book.

I don't want to trade him though. He's a point per game player on the lowest scoring team in the league that gives up close to the most goals against in the league. He's certainly not where I would be looking to make a change. But my god is the rest of this team just not getting it done. And there's an argument to be made for the futility of having a star player and nothing else.

For me, it's all about the return. I could go either way.

Right. It's about getting the right mix of guys around Jack and filling out the bottom of the roster. As things sit, we're in bad shape. We have Reinhart who seems to have chemistry with both Eichel and O'Reilly, which is wonderful. But he can't be on two lines at one time. So we need more guys who gel with Jack. Which is going to take time and some trial and error. Jack is good, but he'll be really special if we can ever get him with the right guys. Kinda like how Kane is a perfect fit for San Jose. He was good here, but he's perfect there. There have to be some guys who are a perfect fit for Jack. The question is, does it ever happen while he's a Sabre?

Right, that's basically it. You can't say you wouldn't trade him. No one can really say that. I don't want to go back to having no one at center. I don't want to be Ottawa destroying its fanbase by trading their best player. But... Sure, but we sold the house to take a crack at either. We could easily not have gotten Eichel or McDavid...

Tanking to get Eichel was also kind of a mystery box. He's obviously talented, but I think we're still trying to figure out what exactly Eichel is and how he fits on this team.

And yet, here we are. It didn't sink them, did it? Darcy won a lot of trades. For whatever that was worth.

The Bruins traded Seguin to Dallas, and one of those teams is in the playoffs and the other isn't... Of course, the Habs traded Subban to Nashville and one of those teams is in the playoffs and the other isn't... Do we have our guy in Jack? Does it matter? Ask the Islanders. Ask the Stars. Ask the Canucks. Ask Minnesota. Ask Ottawa. Ask San Jose. It's all kind of a crapshoot isn't it?

I have no allegiance to any player on this team. You put enough good stuff in the wheelbarrow and I'll trade anyone.

This might be my biggest concern re: Housley. Antipin has looked fine and should be playing every game at this point.

Stepan should get a helmet that fits better

Interval training then

Which is fine if the player retires, gets traded, etc. But you don't change your number years in to your time with a team. You just don't. Which is why I hate Simonick's number games. Nolan and Guhle showed up and that's about it.

It's only 12oz for one rep though...

Nolan didn't seem like he wanted to fight him.

We're just not doing enough to win tonight. These goals are coming from really soft defensive play.

I have no idea how Keller didn't score there.

Do you understand that those scenarios are completely different?

I bet he got pinched by his cup. That can hurt.

I think Sabres PR would care. Fans spend money to wear the name and number of their favorite player. If you don't see why making thousands of jerseys obsolete overnight would be douchey then I can't help you.