K-9

Johnson might be realizing the opportunity in Buffalo may not be as certain as it seems. Especially if our scouts, who’ve been watching him all year, question his current NHL readiness. And if KA and Co. have discussed this with him and Brisson, then I suspect they will want to see if other teams agree. I also think KA is gonna go balls to the wall to sign the best FA Dman to pair with Power, thus knocking Joki down to third pair where he belongs, and making Johnson’s opportunity that much narrower in the process.

Have read several posts about the Florida game or the Islander game losses as the big difference makers in not making the playoffs. Well, at the end of February, this Blue Jacket squad kicked our ass, at home, 5-3. I think the team should remember that. Although I think an emotional let down after last night is a real possibility.

Forged from genuine beskar alloy. Nice.

I don’t have the sense that Mitts is a permanent replacement for Tage on the top scoring line. My bigger question is will they keep him at center or play him at wing where his improvement was first realized.

Various videos of him on the bench during games, various Inside the Blue and Gold features, interviews with teammates, and interviews with Granato and Adams over the last year.

Well, he does have another year on his current deal and the team may want to see if his breakout season can be repeated, but given their history with other players and how much they value his intangibles, I’m gonna predict a six year, $27m extension.

His 60 points aside, he’s become a real glue guy on this team and I think that goes a long way with KA and DG.

Scary good or scary bad?

So true. Duffer had someone on weeks ago who said the problem with the Sabres D depth is that other than our top three, nobody else is capable of moving up a level. Injuries often force teams to move guys up a level, but that doesn’t mean they are good enough to raise their level of play up a level. Joker is a third pair D man AT BEST and really doesn’t have any business playing in the top 4.

What’s the record for most own goals in a season?

The key appears to have been getting him on a line without VO. Before he filled in for Tage at center on the top line I would have said playing him at wing was another key, but he is proving me wrong about being able to be an effective centerman.

Seriously, thanks for this. Been several posts about what’s gonna happen when they get a book on Levi. Well, it’s a two way street where goalies compile their own books on shooters as well. Especially smart goalies like Levi.

Kid has to stop those.

Instead of waiving our Johnson, perhaps we should see if other teams are willing to grab our Johnson in a deal.

If he takes longer than four hours to sign, that’s cause for concern.

Might be harder than you think.

So true. And we are going down swinging as opposed to bowing out like wimps as our 6-1-1 over the last eight shows. Not quitting, especially when the odds are stacked against you, is no small thing.

Gossamer. Nice.

Not allowed? Since when? Unless someone can point to the specific water bottle rule that states it cannot be placed upside down, then that ref is just pulling stuff out of his ass.

I was the one up thread who said the “coaching staff” shows no ability to adjust. That was prompted after watching their futility on the second PP in the first period. Carolina’s puck pressure demanded a change in tactics after their first PP opportunity in the game, but we saw the same ineptitude on the second power play as there were open areas to attack and it seemed like they weren’t even looking for them. I said “coaches” because I’m not sure how much of the PP strategy falls on Granato, others on the staff, or both. It was an observation made out of frustration and while I don’t apologize for it, I’m also well aware of and thankful for the good job Granato has done in other areas. That’s not lost on me in the least.

Surprised Vanek isn’t on that list.

I’m just gonna say it: our coaches suck. They show ZERO ability to make adjustments.

WTF. Boosh and Stillman with the assists.

The shooter is the goalie’s man and Devon was correct in assuming that was the biggest threat. Simple as that. Of the 10 goals he’s given up, only one was on a pure snipe that beat him clean and that was the game tying goal tonight. I think his shakiest moment so far was the gaping five hole on Detroit’s first shootout goal. Had me worried for a minute.