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Let's not forget that Thompson is also very fast when skating in straight. Not so deft on his feet in the corners, but he has gotten better along the walls and behind the net. So long as he can envision the play ahead of time, I can see him feeding ***** the walls in the D zone and catching up in the offensive zone to make the play. I think he has that capability now, again, so long as he doesn't panic and can "see" the play ahead of time. The thing is, like anything new, he'll have to be exposed to those situations to get comfortable with them and get rid of the panic. What we're looking for is that, the comfort in those situations, and the overall physical and mental ability to perform competently in those situations.

You're not the first person to raise this as a concern. I don't understand it. Between Phil, Eichel and Skinner pointing it out and going over it on the ice, and the assistant coaches sitting Tage down in front of video, showing them "tape" of Samson making his breakout passes, I think it'd be pretty clear to him what he needs to do. I don't think Thompson is unteachable, or unwilling to learn new roles Does he lack the skill to make the breakout pass, or understand it? I think his development so far shows us a kid who is worth the time and effort to try and get him there. On Mitts, if they're giving Samson his own line, I'd prefer to see he and Mitts together. Not sure I am confident in Sheary as the other wing, but that's what he's there for. He'd be that line's equivalent of Skinner.

He didn't floss the night before? Public flatulence? Referred to a lady as "ma'am"?

Youse guys must look like this green guy.

You should delete the recordings of the games from November and watch the ones from late December and this year.

Eichel brings it in, passes to Thompson who shoots it, and Skinner puts in the rebound.

I think the current conversation is right on the money: the forwards are going to have to learn how to play against a heavy game. What JBots is seeing is who can do that and who can not.

I'm not concerned by small guys. It's a combination of factors. In the case of Pilut, his small size is only an issue if he gets hit. I think he plays a great game with the right partner, but we've seen him taken off his game with the wrong one (Dahlin). I think he needs more experience in heavy NHL games to get a taste for it and for us to see how he responds to that environment. I'm perfectly willing to not be concerned, but I need to see more of him first.

I think that list makes sense, except Angry Larry. I think he manages just fine. I would be far more worried about Mitts and Pilut. Dahlin evades every big check, so he's fine. I don't think Mitts does and he's one of the guys who concerns me the most during a heavy game. He, Sheary and Pilut. ERod can take the hit, but I think during a heavy game he seems to stretch out as far as possible to poke/stick check. Pominville still plays a soft game, but I have seen him lay a few solid hits this season, which surprised me.

I think we can expect at least 7 years.

So I was wondering to myself after the game what is it that was different about last night's effort versus the effort in Boston. We had Zegmus and Hutton, I think those were the only roster changes. Different look to some of the lines. What I did notice early on, and I noted it by saying in this thread something like "mid-season road game for NJ", was that NJ was not hitting the Sabres. The difference in the physical game between Boston and NJ is very stark - Boston brings the heavy. Something I noticed lately, after the 10 game streak, is that when a team brings the heavy against the Sabres - the forwards crumble. Our D can handle it, I think, because we don't get blown-out, but our forwards can't. That has to be "the book" on this team and I think last night's game was a pretty good test against that.

Are we triggered?

There are websites for that.

Nice to see Grier as a coach.

Hey! Maybe it was the skills contest on Sunday. Like, maybe that was a proper practice!

What a period of Sabres hockey. What if...what if we're emerging from the valley?

Tage Thompson, engage beast mode!

Five goals in one period.

Yay, Pilut!

Pilut or Samson?

Anyone want to talk about Phil's player usage right now?

Yay team! A shorty! A shorty! They scored a shorty!