ska-T Palmtown

Welp, tonight did it. The sweet release of IDGAF. I wonder how many novels I shall write with all this new found free time?

I am guessing there is a certain level of tongue-in-cheek in this, so I am not picking on it per se. But, it just presents an opportunity to say that sometimes systems are put in place to keep the simplicity of the game from getting out of hand. A decent example, I hope, is a forward in the D zone and there is a scrum for the puck in the corner. The two D are doing their jobs with support from the C and the strong-side winger. Puck pops loose, near the scrum, but definitely free. Simple hockey might compel the weak side winger (or net-front D) to try to get the puck leaving huge gaps in their coverage. The weak side winger needs to understand their role in that defense and hold position trusting the other teammates to do their job, etc etc. Obviously there are 1000 different tiny variations for that scenario which probably include several in which the weak side player should get involved, but generally - no. Why this example? Because it seems like 5 or more times a game a Sabre ends up out of position in our D zone because they are chasing the puck. Tying this back to the actual thread - I have generally seen Bennie in decent position for strong and weak side winger and he has fully intercepted many passes as a result, not to mention being in position tip to harass the puck if it comes near him.

I remember the days of the mad dash to the puck! I am generally opposed to adding any more replay review to any sport, but I do feel for the refs who have to make that hit from behind call in real time. I think you are right that players turn their backs with impunity - and I would suspect some wait until the last second to do so in actual hopes of drawing a penalty. I think there is also something to be said for it maybe being "safer" for the hitting player to continue to make contact instead of tearing up their knee avoiding contact. I was always drawn to intensity of the continuous physical play of hockey vs starty-stoppy football, but watching Patty LaFontaine talk about missing days out of his life due to hitting his head too often really pushes me towards player safety.

See Reinhart, Sam.

Asking for a friend ... do the Sabres have better options when UPL or Levi inevitably get hurt? Like, not being facetious at all - do they?

He is way too good of a skater to a) not know that was how the hit would go down - the guy had his numbers to him since behind the net and b) to avoid it if he wanted to. He sure seems to turn on a dime when the puck is on his stick. That said, suspension seems a tad high, if that is really in the conversation.

I dunno - I think (and we disagree and you are right, this IS actually cool ... if only more people remembered how to disagree and have a civil discourse on points upon which they disagree, but I digress) ...I think Benson is nearly immeasurably better off for having spent a productive year in the NHL - assuming it winds up that way when all is said and done. Being around NHL players and coaches and learning how to be an NHL player is so much better than trying to put up stupid numbers against a bunch of kids. Where I think we might converge is that it is truly a sad state of affairs that the Sabres did not have the NHL roster talent to force Benson back to Juniors. Be it injuries, poor FA acquisitions, or lack of meaningful trades - it is the reality of current Sabres team. By extension, with all things being what they are right now - I would argue it is also better for the team the Sabres have that Benson is in the NHL, both from a) he fits an open role within the top 12 Fs and b) well placed NHL experience >> return to Jrs experience.

I couldn't agree more. Push as hard as you can until math says you cannot make it. Push like hell, fight and scrap. Anything else is embracing the "losing culture" so many seem to think we have. Ice your best 12 Fs, 6 best D, and your best goalie as often as possible.

If one were to have tea leaves and knew how to compel them to reveal their secrets, Benson being able to play as well as he has in the NHL as an 18yr old bodes quite well for future seasons. And if they are a worse team without him, I agree with the Thorned One - sending him away looks like quitting.

@Pimlach who are you calling out tonight for a big game!? 🤣

His skill and drive was evident early on - but it seems like lately he is figuring out where the soft spots on the ice in an NHL defense are. He is either around the puck, hounding the other team, or settling into those little open areas and waiting to pounce. Last night's goal, he squeezes behind the defender and gives him just a little shove to create space, rebound shows up, sick stickhandle - goal. And I would not be surprised if someone told me he had more direct intercepts of passes than the rest of the team combined, like on the Tuch goal. This kid might have been a steal at 9th overall, lol.

I think one of the problems with the youngsters, and others have said similar things - most of them were high draft picks, which means they got by in their respective junior leagues on their abundance of skill. They were quick enough to get to the play before it ended up in the net because they were that much better than most of the competition. Add in the very large point of contention that most of the Sabres youngins "didn't come up the right way through the AHL" - which I generally think is hooey ... but might pause to consider that being in a league with more comparable skills sets might force them to watch a Youtube video or two on where the forwards should be in the O-zone.

With his speech about how much he loved the Sabres throughout the years and the potential backlash from the community against the Darling Bills? No way Terry sells the Sabres unless there is an iron clad agreement in place to keep them in Buffalo.

SOMEONE in the Sabres org somewhere has to have it on DVR ...

Is this finally the type of national embarrassment that spurs action? I won't pretend to know what that action should be - but JFC ... seeing national broadcasters openly mocking your team, if that doesn't make something click somewhere in someone's head? Oy, we really are toast.

I guess when all the Sabres are laying on the ice after tripping over each other there is no one left for the Avs to hit?

I was told multiple times by multiple members of this esteemed council that our problems would go away if we could just hit more ... I DEMAND ANSWERS!

at least i won't be tired tomorrow ...

I actually did notice Murray; he was usually the worst skater on the ice. I mean from a technical standpoint. Watching a Krebs or even shiny new toy Robinson in on the forecheck or playing the harasser in the AZ zone as they were looking to break out, Murray was noticeably less smooth with this skating; forward, backward, and certainly the transitions to and fro. For all his lack of ice time, at least Rosén looked quick out there. I know it is a small sample size ... but has something clicked with VO? He has been solid lately.

It seems rare when Benson has a shift where he is not either stealing the puck or causing a give away with his hustle. Kid knows where to be on the ice as good or better than anyone on the team.

Sabrespacers: Dammit GMKA, get me a big fast forward who bangs around in the corners and makes the other team nervous!! Be cool if he scored a little, too. GMKA: <does that, with decidedly less fanfare and certainly no pomp> Sabrespacers: No. Not that one.

Krebs also looked like a man possessed out there tonight! One fewer boat anchor and he was flying!

There was a big article on ESPN+ a few weeks back. It varies, but the so far a maximum of 5 teams not in playoff positions by American Thanksgiving have made it in any given year.

Seeing the video clip earlier - I remembered how friggin' infectious his smile and enjoyment of the game are! Sabres will be a better team when he is fully back.

I feel like nearly every pass I saw in the first period (did not really watch the second period) from the Sabres that went more than 20 feet was a bad pass. Either off the mark or right into a cluster of Wings around some poor unsuspecting (unaware?) Sabres forward. Maybe a combo of the aforementioned subpar D-men and the Wings savvy vets reading the passes like some of those old school golden books, but the ones aimed at the real young kids.