K-9

Pulling their goalie lit a fire under them. That and Torts threatening various player family members.

He had an amazing game nonetheless.

Classic Granato.

Correction: Cooley only let in six.

Cooley only letting in seven to this point of the game tonight. Things are looking up for him.

Remember that save. Well done, Oopie.

Lack of sand is not the problem tonight though.

Phuckin brutal. Looking nothing like the team we saw on Sunday. Full credit to Philly for out hustling Sabres to every puck. Every. Puck. Get outworked, get your butt kicked. Simple as that.

Philly simply wants it more.

Cooley sucks.

5’10” (actually 5’9.75”) and 170lbs. is his official weight from the combine, which is his official weight. The Sabres website management is remiss in not updating the numbers.

It’s not a question of him being too good for juniors and I agree playing 20 minutes a night is a plus, regardless. The problem is that juniors isn’t good enough for him.

Me, too. But for whatever reason, these guys seem to sleepwalk into games before they wake up and start playing.

Nice problem to have.

The history of prospects ruined or not ruined has ZERO bearing on the Benson situation. If the Sabres send him back, fine. He can play and dominate against lesser competition and have a blast doing it. But it won’t help him adjust to the NHL in the least. If he needs to be anywhere, it’s in the AHL but a stupid rule negates that possibility and what’s truly best for a young player’s development, which is all that should matter, can’t even be considered. There is ZERO evidence that Benson is currently being “ruined.” None at all. The coaching situation in Wenatchee is of no concern to me and I’m sure Sommer is a great coach as you said. But please, tell me what he’s gonna teach Benson that Granato and Co. can’t? What razor is best for beginner shavers? What skin care product is best for acne? I’ll tell you what he can’t teach and that is how to adjust to the speed of the pro game. Only one way to learn that.

I’d also add that Biro is much more responsible on the D end of things whereas Rosen and Kulich are still learning that aspect of the game to say the least.

I look for them to turn it up on offense. But the D is missing its best 1T DT, it’s best LB, and its best CB. That is three best players at each level of the defense. Not making any excuses, but … We need to be up at least two possessions in the 4th qtrs of games, forcing opposing offenses to be one dimensional, and letting our pass rush do its thing, which is the one thing our defense does best. Dorsey needs to go balls to the wall early and often. As for the Douglas acquisition, it’s a good hedge against Tre White’s questionable availability next season as well as a move to help this season. I think we will be glad to have him.

It’s not. As I’ve said previously and as Peterka attested to last week, the biggest adjustment for young players to make when first entering the league is to the sheer speed of the game compared to juniors. And the only thing to improve that is to play against it, both in practice and in games. It’s great that they can go back and dominate on a level they’ve already graduated from, but it won’t help them make the necessary adjustment to the much faster NHL game. Unfortunately the CHL rule governing their eligibility to remain with the Sabres as well as the numbers game we have at forward currently, will most likely dictate the return to juniors. But I’m glad KA and Co. seem to be scheming to maximize their time and exposure to NHL level competition in the meantime.

The CHL rule preventing them from playing in the A is hurting their development the most. Playing another season in the WHL won’t do a damn thing to further their development as players.

Yeah, that’s why he might wanna leave, but it’s simply not up to him. Denver would be crazy to even consider it, unless a team offered a king’s ransom in a trade. I’m talking a combination of multiple first round picks and current starting players. He’s a 1st team All Pro at a premium position on his rookie deal and I don’t see any team paying the price to get him in a trade.

Why would Denver trade a 1st team All Pro CB still on his rookie deal?

It’s K-6, same as my older brother.

But not as good as Oopie, which is what the team calls him.