K-9

If he has a camp and preseason like Benson, then he will most likely make the big club. Benson was just that much better than others in our bottom six last fall, that he couldn’t be ignored. He was remarkably consistent; from the first rookie scrimmage to the last preseason game, he showed the same high hockey IQ and tenacity on the ice. Benson was the better player than Savoie coming out of juniors, too. It would be a surprise to me if Savoie has the same success, but if he stays healthy, which he hasn’t been for either of his two camps so far, he certainly has a chance as the current talent level in the bottom six doesn’t set that high of a bar.

Imo, he would have to have an eye popping camp to be considered for the big club. Lindy would most likely prefer to add a gritty vet or two as well, but that depends on his and KA’s ability to find and sign one. Anyway, I think it’s best to add Savoie to the prospect stew in the A and let them all cook together a while longer.

How can the Bruins not be thinking of last year when, after going up 3-1 in their series vs. Florida, they returned to Boston with a chance to clinch the series in game 5 and lose in overtime? Tonight was a carbon copy. If they lose game 6 in Toronto, I think they’ll be too uptight to win a game seven. All the pressure is on the Bruins.

It’s not the D system in Rochester, it’s the Dmen themselves. They aren’t very good in their own end and when opponents send two or three forecheckers to attack them, they tend to lose their poise, panic, and not see and take the easier play out. And it isn’t just the young guys, it’s the vets, too. Davies and Prow were the worst pair on the ice yesterday.

They should be giving fans $22 per game.

Great point. He’s had some outstanding moments in the A, but it’s readily apparent that he still has a lot to work on in his game. I’m not convinced that he doesn’t need another year with the Amerks.

Just to be clear, I gave ya the awesome emoji for the fact you and your kid had a good time, regardless of the outcome. Creating great memories is always a winner. And yeah, the inability to win key D zone faceoffs has been an issue all year. Because the Amerks’ D men just aren’t very good in their own zone and winning those faceoffs is crucial for them to have any chance to succeed more often than not.

Do we need to check if Jack Browning regularly attended frat parties at school?

I don’t know how much more of Davies I can stand watching. He needs to score the game winner to get out of my doghouse.

Jobst ties it at 3!

Seems every time I look up, the Crunch have another quality chance.

Crunch never should have had the opportunity for the offensive zone faceoff that they scored on late in the period. Refs letting them get away with all sorts of crap. Playoff hockey my a.s.s. The achilles heal of the Amerks all season has been their D zone play, especially by their defensemen, who too often have trouble making the simple outlet.

Mersch on the PP puts the good guys up 1 zip.

Yep. I’m far more worried about the Chiefs defense than some skinny guy who can run a straight line real fast in shorts with nobody in front of him.

Earned is the operative word. They had little chance without Levi last night. He was spectacular.

Great point about how real life events have an impact on players’ lives. I’m convinced that having new infants definitely had an impact on Tuch and Tage this season.

Yes, all of them.

This may shed some light on the fall of Troy:

Apparently Allen already does if you believe the reports.

I have no complaints whatsoever. Bishop is gonna be a day one starter imo. I’m shocked Troy Franklin wasn’t taken by anyone in the 2nd.

Could only catch the 3rd and all I can say is I’m glad Levi is on our side. Thought Östlund looked good, too. But the Amerks once again showed their season long propensity to have problems in their own end. Duffer made the point that one of the reasons the Amerks win so many one goal games is because they don’t score empty net goals. Their play in the D zone, especially the inability to win key faceoffs consistently, are the biggest reasons for that imo.

I wouldn’t be that upset, but I’m thinking it’s gonna be Troy Franklin. Somebody over on the TBD site posted a bunch of advanced analytic stats and Franklin is elite in these areas. Up there with the top three in this draft. But Beane is hard to read at times, so who knows. I suspect he has a bunch of prospects with the same grade, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he trades down again.