nfreeman

I see hustle and signs of a good hockey IQ, but I also see signs of not being able to understand, at the NHL level, when a play is there to be made as opposed to when the defender is almost certain to prevent the play and turn it into a turnover going the other way. I also have concerns about his hands not being skilled enough to make the plays that his brain tells him to try, or skilled enough to develop into a guy who can shoot and score when the situation indicates. Generally I agree though with keeping him in Buffalo and seeing whether he can bring his game up to NHL speed and execution. He's already done so at the AHL level. I don't think they'd get much for Krebs in trade at this point. Totally agree on VO. He's flawed but he brings a lot to the table, including the most precious commodity in the game. He could easily score 35 this year and they have him under contract for next year at a good number. The only reason to trade him this year or next summer is a very compelling package coming back -- not a low 1st-rounder from a playoff team.

Holy mackerel that is awesome. What a great surprise reveal at the end!

Mule is absolutely a difference-maker. His D zone play is really good, but I think there’s a psychological component too. I was reminded tonight of an interview I heard a couple of years ago with I think Seth Appert, in which Appert raved about Mule — both his game and his leadership. He said Mule was captain material. I think he calms everybody down and he inspires them. I predicted before the season that Cozens would beat Mitts out for the #2 C slot, and I thought Cozens’ line was much better tonight, so it looked like Cozens was firmly taking the upper hand in the competition — but then I checked the box score and Mitts and VO both had more ice time than Cozens and JJP. (Interestingly, Quinn had more than any of them and was 3rd among forwards in ice time.) I don’t think Mitts and VO can be on the same line. They are both way too lacking in O-zone possession game.

So he's a C, 5'11", 187 lbs. He's 24 and turns 25 in March. He's from what looks like a suburb of Edmonton, was drafted #10 overall in 2016, then played his one season of college hockey (at U-ND, with 35 pts in 33 games), then played 4 full seasons with Colorado (including 40 playoff games, in which he had 10 pts; his playoff ice time was up and down in Colorado but in his last season there he played just under 16 min per game in 10 playoff games), then was traded to Minny at the deadline in his 5th season in Colorado. That trade to Minny was last season. He played in all 6 of their playoff games last year, had zero points in 11:36 per game of ice time, and they seem to have not liked what they saw in 21 RS games and 6 playoff games last year plus 12 RS games this year. I hope this doesn't mean Zemgus is out long term.

Jost in in the last year of his contract, which is $2.25MM cash, $2MM cap hit. He's a UFA after this season. I'd guess they think he's a better depth forward than Bjork and thus an easy if inconsequential upgrade.

Deck chairs, Titanic, etc.

But what is a “$30 lower bowl ticket?” I don’t think there are $30 face value tickets in the lower bowl of any NFL stadium.

I haven't loved the Dahlin-Power pairing. It seems like it's taken playmaking opportunity away from Dahlin.

When it rains it pours.

Lindy and the Devils have now won 11 in a row.

I have 4 sports teams that I care about. They have collectively lost their last 12 games.

I thought DG's post-game presser was spot-on, as was Fairburn's description in the Athletic: They didn't want it bad enough and they got dominated at home by a crappy team. It's happened too many times already this season, and we're only 16 games in. That's a leadership and character issue. Torts would have peeled the paint the locker room during and after that game, usually with results. I wish I felt confident DG would get results here. They haven't earned any optimism. Last night was a disgrace. This team is dying for a guy like Gare -- preferably a few of them.

And anyone reading this gem might have the same reaction to your post. Stop criticizing other posters, or keep quiet.

Back to the PP: I noticed that against Boston, VO was restored to his rightful spot in the right circle on PP1. I think he should stay there.

No longer combined with an old weather thread! Enjoy!

I think they will come out and play hard. I just wish I felt more confident that they will find their scoring mojo.

I think both have been fine. If someone cranks a one-timer on the PP after a good cross-ice pass and Comrie makes the save but gives up a rebound, it's not on him if someone sticks back the rebound for a goal. That's on the D.

IMHO the biggest need is to get better and more consistent production out of Mitts, Cozens, Skinner, Tuch and KO. Those are supposed to be the core forwards who deliver when needed, and in this losing streak they have failed to do so.

I get the concern about Comrie, and the numbers are what they are, but I haven't been too concerned about the goals he's given up, with the notable exception of the GWG vs Tampa, which IIRC was a pretty soft one with about 6 min left. It's not really fair to expect him to beat a real cup contender like the teams the Sabres have been playing if they only give him 1 or 2 goals in support.

Gut-wrenching, freakish loss that raises questions about JA's crunch-time ability to focus and execute, and the same for the coaches. Also: Justin Jefferson might be the best player in the NFL right now. Holy mackerel.

It ain’t the PP, and it ain’t the D injuries. It’s that TT is the only guy who is scoring. They need quite a bit more from skinner, Tuch, Mitts, Cozens and KO. Otherwise the losing will continue.

Don't you love it when Buffalo sports enters nuclear winter?

I guess I think Power-Dahlin smacks of desperation, unless they really trust the other pairs to hold up their end for 33 minutes. That doesn’t seem wise.

I think there’s a reasonable possibility that Quinn-Cozens-JJP could work very well together and be highly entertaining.

Does that mean you want the charity wager?