nfreeman

There are a number of guys who have shown enough flashes such that they are contenders to be legit 2nd pair NHL defensemen by the 2nd half of this season. I am including McCabe, Bogo and Pilut in that group, along with Dahlin of course and Guhle too if you like. The top 3 are, come HOHW, going to be Dahlin, Scandy and Ristolainen. I think Dahlin is going to be great and a major force by the 2nd half. Ristolainen and Scandy will be #2 and #3. Those are 2 legit good NHL defensemen in those slots. The other guys are going to compete to participate in, and for ranking in, the rotation. They need someone like Guhle or Pilut to break out, or a big bounceback from McCabe or Bogo, or really a couple of those guys to come through. And Flagg is right that every team has guys in similar situations. But it’s also true that every year there are a number of teams that take a leap. A lot could happen if they get good goaltending.

I’m right there with you sir. Flagg’s soul has been eaten by the White Walkers. Dahlin will have to save him.

This probably won’t happen until the 2nd half of the season if at all, but I’d sure like to see Olofsson opposite Eichel on the PP getting fed for the one-timer.

Well, pls forgive the obvious statement, but I don’t think anyone would say no to adding a good player at any position — but the question can’t really be answered without knowing what the price is.

I completely agree that these tweets reflect poorly on Vogl and Graham. Buuuuuuuuttt...this is yet more evidence that Harrington is as big a DB in person as he appears to be on social media and at the Sabres' pressers.

MillerVaive -- you should post more often.

Taro’s is in eastern NYS, not WNY. So unfortunately no wings.

Speaking of Sabrespace nicknames:

If they haven't signed a deal yet, it means they're pretty far apart, yes?

Holy mackerel this last exchange has me psyched for the season to start. We all agree the D is going to be greatly improved, innit?

Wasn't that a bar fight though? Assuming it was, that's an entirely different kettle of fish from domestic violence.

I’m not gonna pretend I wasn’t hoping for de Haan or someone like that as a proven addition to the top 4. But I think they think they got what they needed in Dahlin, his ripple effect on the rotation, improved health from McCabe and perhaps Bogo, Pilut, and development from Guhle, Nelson and perhaps Beaulieu.

My son failed his driver's license road test today. Not a big deal, but it means I need to keep driving him to his summer job at a golf course -- which means a continuation of 5:15 AM wakeups four times per week (including Saturdays!). 12 days until he re-takes the test. I need a nap.

Yeah baby! Dahlin is going to come out like Superman. He's going to make everyone better. And the goaltending will be either much better or much, much better.

I assume you think McCabe is the weak link in the proposed scenario? I.e. Dahlin-Scandy becoming the top pair isn't implausible, right? I think McCabe is going to have a good bounceback year, and will contribute more than Bogo, Nelson, Beaulieu and Guhle, and probably Pilut. If that's right, he could seize that #4 slot.

But what if, by New Year's, the top pair is Scandella and Dahlin? If McCabe could earn the #4 slot in that scenario, suddenly the top 4 looks pretty good.

I have for a while now thought of Jimbo as an entitled jerk in his youth who has, with age and great personal loss, learned humility and become a pretty good guy.

I do not think JBot will give Reino a long-term deal, but he might, and if he does, I will be observing both Reino and JBot with a gimlet eye from then on.

Welcome Imlach!

From the Athletic:

My wife and I just finished "Dark" on Netflix. Recommended. It's sort of a German version of "Stranger Things," albeit a bit...darker. Beautiful scenery of the German countryside and very well done.

I'm harboring some hope that DOR can become a decent NHL player.

Taken much too soon. Godspeed Ray.

She's not a "victim" if it isn't true. To be clear: it's certainly quite possible that she is telling the truth and that McCoy is involved. If so, he's a dirtbag and should be prosecuted and kicked off the Bills immediately. But I see no need to pretend that it's not possible that she's fabricating. It also strains reality to say that McCoy hasn't denied it, or that the attorney hasn't walked back her initial statements.

Of course the facts aren’t in. But there are certainly plenty of indications that she could be fabricating, including McCoy’s immediate and firm denial, the attorney’s walk-back and the fact that she’s squatting in his house. And there were 2 accusers in the Dareus case.