thewookie1

Frankly I’d blame it more on Skinner than Thompson for their line’s difficulties. Thompson is fighting it but he’s engaged and working with Okposo on the walls and trying to play defensively sound although he seems confused as to what he should do with it in his own zone. Skinner has looked disinterested in joining in on Okposo’s simpler scheme and has been giving the puck away at a ridiculous rate. In one of the two prior games Okposo and Thompson kicked ass for a shift along the walls and exhausted the other team and began cycling out to which Skinner promptly lost control and let the other team get it. I kind of wonder if he just can’t play within structure; even very basic structures and that’s why Brind’Amour made him available when he was hired in Carolina. Skinner thrives on chaos and creates chaos; Okposo definitely does not create chaos. Thompson takes great advantage of chaos but seems far less hampered by some structure. If we want to win, we need the ability to rein in the chaos when we need to and I almost wonder if Skinner just can’t do that.

No I meant the image's source; I recognize the source but don't remember the name lol

Housley had no edge either. There are defenseman out there with little to no edge. They are rarer than forwards but they do exist. I do think once he gets older he'll be slightly more "gritty" but I doubt he'll ever be considered a physical player. Quinn Hughes would fit this mold rather well and Makar is only slightly more mean spirited.

One agitation about the current standings system This season has truly been odd for us between our solid 5v5 stats, low goal differential and the fact we have 21 out of 23 wins in regulation. We're in 4th in RWs in the Atlantic Division. So frankly this year would look a lot different if we had some PP goals and few more OT Losses versus regulation losses. That doesn't mean it makes this season any less annoying but it is rather interesting to look at.

Which source is that; I remember seeing it before but I can't remember what it was.

I do agree with that, players' personalities don't drastically change. Power is very unlikely to ever be a physical presence but I don't really see that as a detriment as long as he grows up in to a solid skating defenseman. Not all of the defense have to have a sharp edge to them.

Botts was the one who bridged Reinhart, I can't exactly go after Adams for giving another 1 year deal during COVID and under Krueger's "guidance"

Thompson is fighting through both physical and mental issues it seems. However he does continue to shoot which is a good thing. Skinner, besides one early opportunity has looked awful since the All-Star break. He's thrown the puck around like a drunken sailor and has lost the puck a myriad of time after Thompson and Okposo had worked hard to retain possession. Kyle's old lol

Well after PLD tanked a shift in CBJ, I knew all that I needed about him.

Jacob Bryson is the greatest sub defenseman I can remember. As a spot starter he looks great with great movement, good angling, effective overall. As soon as he plays 5 or so games in a row he turns back into a pumpkin.

Power needs to go to a shooting school over the summer like Dahlin did after Krueger. Power has zero confidence in his shot and it shows far more this year because teams have figured it out. If he gained some mass and upgrades his shot he’ll look worlds better than he is now since not only will he be better but other teams will have to respect the shot. Power also needs to learn how to use his body more to protect the net but I highly doubt he’ll ever be a physical defender, it’s just not in his personality. There’s a particular quirk with some defensemen where they desire physical play. Dahlin is certainly one of them; he definitely has a dirtiness to his game. He’s not a classic big body in front of the net but he loves to grind people out on the boards with no hesitation.

Kevyn Adams was on WGR at 5pm Sounded disappointed in how this season has gone and did say he’ll be looking for trades that are more helpful for now and the future. So it sounds like he’s done kicking the ball down the road. They asked him about what he think went wrong and while he started with the typical learning curve lingo he said that he’ll put that off to the side and could talk 2 hours about what else went wrong and the good news was he refused to claim injuries ruined them. Outright stated Mitts has 2 years of RFA left as well as isn’t being shopped whatsoever. He’s talked about him as with most players but isn’t seeking out to move him. Also thrashed much of the rumors about the Sabres that are being discussed online. I honestly think Adams has a very similar approach to how I think. We are both very cautious with a fear of outright losing a trade. Additionally we both had hoped the team would keep growing naturally with tweaks around the edges. As such, like me, I’d imagine he’s very discontent over this season and annoyed by the lack of good starts and special teams play. My main theory as to Granato’s retention is more related to a combo of many previous firings as well as Granato’s brother getting cancer near Christmas. Buffalo is already a less than beloved place to go; you have treat your coaches and players well if you want to hire new guys. Teams that win consistently can get away with far more questionable behavior than a team in a 12 year drought. I’d guess next year we’ll have all new assistants and possibly a new head coach if Brind’Amour shakes loose. Adams stated he’s very good friends with Peca which would say his departure wasn’t a dirty one and that it was far more likely that Peca wanted to go learn from an experienced head coach versus a first timer like Granato. That’s what I garnered from the interview as I drove home from work

Not really he'd be more sheltered on the 3rd pair but his 1st Overall status would put him in the NHL rather soon.

Jesus, not only is it a bad look for that guy who said it but how did Laine see it?

Well I wouldn’t trade Dahlin since I doubt we can get a better player. Makar isn’t available for instance. Tuch to me is also untouchable due to a combination of his play style and genuine passion for the team. Obviously I’d trade him for McDavid but you get the idea. Id be very unlikely to trade Cozens, Thompson or Power.

Barring McDavid, I wouldn't trade Tuch so its good to hear that. Kulich is a little interesting but he is a high tier prospect and it'd make sense we wouldn't trade him for futures or lesser presents. GIrgs is one of my favorite players so I don't exactly disagree with Pegula here.

I know its a typo but its too funny not to comment on

Brind’Amour wouldn’t choose to leave Carolina as much as Carolina might lowball him. In that situation we’d have an opportunity to get him.

I just can’t root for Boston; hate their team, their city and their fans

Clifton started looking awful but since about Game 25/30 has been a very solid 3rd pairing guy with some physicality. I'd hope they don't go to Boston as I can't root for Boston.

Well us Buffalo people wouldnt

They'd move them to Hamilton

I wonder if we could retain 3 mil on Skinner and trade him to Vancouver for Garland and DiGuiseppe(just some random guy with at 750k) It would certainly be an all-in move for a Vancouver team on fire and upgrades their offensive output. Garland clean up the cap issues but is at least a bit more 2 way capable

Probably a bit of both. Let’s say 3 or 4 teams call on Mitts with moderately good offers. Adams then decides to see if he can find something more appealing. By Seeing if a team offered a RHD who’d be a legit Top 4 and could complete a pair stylistically with Dahlin or Power. He’d rather keep him in my opinion but there are greater needs and Mitts agent may want far more than we deem fit for him.

For me trading Mitts only makes sense if you are targeting another specific center or defenseman. A good example I had was Eriksson Ek whom would make sense time and salary wise for the team and bring Selke level two-way play. Mitts would get to go home as well. I agree about trading Skinner; the issue being does he even want to leave? Additionally this would be a trade you are almost assured to take hit from both offensively and for at least the remaining years of his contract. Can we move Skinner somewhere besides Toronto and Detroit where he'd torch us like he does to Montreal? If we were to retain 3mil on his contract would more teams be interested in at very least being friendly with the trade return? Effectively in my opinion we cannot afford to pay Mitts 7mil plus for 7 years as it effectively traps us at the end of next season due to Quinn and Peterka