Hank
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Posts posted by Hank
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1 hour ago, Pimlach said:
Is anything that you don’t like or agree with a narrative?
Players were subtracted to add the players you mentioned. Unless Adams somehow gets a 27 man roster? Picking Jost off of waivers and trading for Robinson (an AHL player) is really not good enough GM work for my liking, but yes, they all replaced players that are worse. Robinson made Jost expandable, Jost made Bjork expandable, Clifton made Clague and Lybushkin expendable. All KA acquisitions.
I think I recall Adams using the “blocker” term in reference to Ulmark and Levi. It’s hard to defend his logic on handling the goaltending at this point since goaltending cost us a playoff berth last year. At least UPL is now proving him right but his goaltending the two prior years were Tokarski, Dell, Anderson, and an AHL level UPL.
Mitts for Byram does not disprove or prove anything after 2 just games. Byram looks good but let’s give this trade time, and for this to be a great trade for the team he must also backfill Mitts. They seem to want the backfill to be Krebs since he is getting a serious look, but maybe he brings in a proven vet for 3C? Assuming he dies, them you can argue the blocker comment is no longer relevant.
This off season let’s see if Adams can up his game with some veteran acquisitions.
I can argue it now because it's a narrative that contradicts facts. Adams acquired veterans mid season to play on the roster, he did not bring up kids. That is the very definition of blocking them. So yes, the "Adams don't want to block the kids" narrative needs to die. At best it's willful ignorance, more likely it's dishonest. That's how I see it, YMMV.
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10 minutes ago, BlowLeafsBlow123 said:
Stephenson would be a perfect add to this roster. They desperately need to insulate the minutes that Thompson and Cozens get, as they're just not up to the task of playing all the hard minutes. However, I'm starting to wonder if Cozens needs to be made into the matchup guy to go against top lines. Perhaps giving him wingers that can help him be that guy is the way to move forward and put a little less scoring expectations on him. He's simply not someone who is going to consistently finish and create high-levels of offense.
The goal should be to create lines that play a specific role. Just some random thoughts on guys and would love to hear some thoughts:
-Skinner needs to be minimized, if not removed from this roster. We cannot go into next year thinking of him as a top 6/top PP guy imo. If they want to start changing the make up of the roster, this is the best place to start that change. He's one of the most frustrating players I've ever watched, especially when he's not burying 30+ per year. I think last season was his absolute peak and it'll be tough sledding from here, which makes it a real shame they couldn't squeak into the playoffs and at least end the drought.
-Greenway should be looked at as a Bottom 6 guy, and preferably on a defensive 4th line and top PK. Imagine him and Girgs as the wings, with a really solid 4th line center. I think that's a line that could really help. Where's prime Johan Larsson when you need him?
-Quinn is one of their top offensive talents and should start getting top offensive minutes, including top PP. Obviously he needs to stay healthy to do so. Hoping this year was simply poor luck and not the beginnings of an injury prone career. I could see a line with Thompson (also needs to get healthy) working well, as Quinn has high hockey IQ to make up for Tage's shortcomings there. I think another top line talent or two is still needed to properly fill out this roster. We need a line that can put fear into the other team. Skinner, Tage and Tuch were good, but teams have figured out how to shut them down and it's been tough for them since about the mid-point of last season. They need players that think the game quicker with Tage and can make better passes. A true top line winger or center is the biggest hole on the roster, again IMO. I have major reservations about Tage and that he can ever get back to the pinnacle we saw last season, as again teams started to figure out how to shut him down rather quickly.
-Make a match up line that can go against top lines while also creating offense. Perhaps this could be Benson Cozens and Tuch. That would be a good mix a speed, forechecking and IQ (Benson). Tuch and Benson are stronger two-way guys and can take pucks away, while Cozens is improving in that regard. I think that line could win their match up on a lot of nights and still put up okay numbers.
-What is Peterka? I've found his game to be supremely frustrating since about the first month or two of the season. He's very much a soft, perimeter player that has very low hockey IQ. He's basically Evander Kane without the physicality and toughness. To me, he might be another piece that can help change the look of the team as trade bait. Thoughts? Perhaps I'm too impatient with him.
-I pose this question to the board...what do you do with your third line for next year? Do they become a secondary offensive line or more of a shutdown type of line? I'm not sure we have the elite level first line that produces enough that you can't have a decent amount of scoring coming from your third line. I think the big question will become ... what is Krebs? Is he a legit top 9 center or not? My gut tells me that he's simply not good enough, but I'll give him a little bit more time to see if something clicks. Otherwise, it might be time to think about moving him in a deal to get some better players in here. Can a Krebs line with Skinner and Peterka provide secondary scoring punch in a diminished role? Not sure I'd be comfortable going in to the season with that in mind.
-Lastly, which prospects do folks see making it next year? It seems very difficult to project at this moment. I think there's a decent chance that Savoie jumps ahead of Kulich and Rosen. He might be that young Danny Briere type that this roster desperately needs. Really hopeful that he can be a center in the NHL.
Good call on Stephenson. Vegas will have some tough decisions this off season.
To your last question, I hope Savoie, Kulich and Rosen all start in Rochester. I hope Östlund is there too.
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2 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:
Is Devon Levi all forgotten and forgiven?
You're well aware of my love for 6K. I'm not happy with how the year started. But, even with my 6K bias, I can see the argument that Levi earned a shot with his play at the end of Last year and being the best college goalie two years running. It didn't work out, and that sucks. It's not what I would have done, but I can see the argument for giving him a shot.
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34 minutes ago, Scottysabres said:
I get it, I am as equally disappointed and frustrated at the results as the rest of the fan base is. But in Adams and Granato's case, after having 3 full seasons of watching what they are attempting to do, listening to what they are saying at the podiums, and starting to see some net results based on those, I am honestly more confident now than I have been in a long time that Pegula has found the right people for the job.
Ya, it sucks it took this long, and sometimes I irrationally respond emotionally to the time it's taking, but I won't deny the organization is on the right path, because in my opinion at least, they are.
Meh, hope is not for everyone, but I choose hope over misery....so go firth Pegula, Adams, Granato, build us a winner, because in my eyes, things are looking up. That's really all I got.
Well said. Draft and develop. People like the draft, but are irrationally impatient with the develop.
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12 minutes ago, Thorny said:
That we haven’t made the playoffs
Also “not blocking the kids” isn’t a narrative it was a statement from the GM lol
Yes, he said it. So what? He's still blocking the kids. He brought in four players without subtracting any. He didn't promote any kids who haven't earned it. Those who don't like him latch onto those words and throw them out there. Again. And again. And again. Despite the fact that it's not true. It's a lie. It's dishonest. It's a narrative. But feel free to keep breaking sticks on that mutilated corpse of a horse.
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29 minutes ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:
He is not eligible for the playoff now, but can sign and play out the regular season with any team.
Not sure why it would be a good idea, but also not sure why it would be a bad idea.
I think the Sabres should and likely will call up players from Rochester at some point to give them a taste so long as it does not hinder a playoff push in Rochester.
That's interesting, I did not know this.
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1 minute ago, Doohickie said:
Interesting: The Sabres top two goal scorers: Benched.
Is this not the accountability that many posters were clamoring for?
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1 minute ago, Sabres Fan in NS said:
How about our #1 ?
6K played like his pants were on fire .. again.
Damn right he did!
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Does adding Greenway, Robinson, Jost and Clifton to the roster the last two years while subtracting no one not disprove this whole "don't want to block the kids" narrative?
Does the Mitts for Byram trade not disprove a couple other narratives?
Are there any narratives left?
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Byram is a very good player. He was stuck behind the best defenceman in the world in Colorado, there's no shame in that.
Not only do I think he'll excell on the top pair playing next to Dahlin, Dahlin will be better playing with a talent like Byram.
Byram's arrival also appropriately slots Mule, improving another pair.
Adams improved next years team with this trade.
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Since February 15th the Preds are 10-0-1.
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6K is a pretty good goalie.
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Penalty kill, forecheck, keep the puck in the other teams end while the scoring lines are resting on the bench, pot the occasional goal. This is the role of a fourth liner. Girgs is good in this role, he is not the reason for this teams struggles, I have no problem with him coming back next year.
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I love afternoon hockey!
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3 hours ago, Thorny said:
Speaking of experience, I would love a safety net backup we could set our watch to behind UPL. at least, relative to Comrie and Levi
if it’s Levi they have to be SURE sure
Askarov will be backing up Saros next year. I think Lankinen would be the perfect backup for 6K. 28, Finnish, most importantly a solid goalie for 25-30 games in a backup role.
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Dumba to Tampa.
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4 minutes ago, Thorny said:
Winnipeg’s ticket sales have been very poor and with such a small building we need to fill it on a consistent basis. There’s smoke to the rumor in the sense that, I’ve been at the arena lately, and it’s a bit of a shell of what it was
But it’s been better since the new year and I think the fans are starting to actually believe they are good
everyone was calling for a rebuild before the season.
Bettman recently threw some water on the fire but he reiterated attendance needs to improve
Wow! I'm surprised, you guys have such a good team, in a Canadian market, I just assumed the arena would be sold out consistently.
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1 hour ago, Thorny said:
I’m not interested in setting up the excuses before the season even starts, no offence. It’s year 5.
Byram is a good player, right? Did he have a NMC? That it’s “most” players is a myth. That deal alone proves the good players are there: it just also proves what I was saying that you have to pay to get them
Adams is responsible for fielding a playoff team next season. I don’t care about nmcs. It’s a league relative competition
im tired of living in an even more undesired location than buffalo and watching them make the playoffs every year. There are threats of relocation and they are adding Tyler Toffoli at the deadline. We haven’t made it once since they returned to the league
i might watch the jets come back, make the playoffs a bunch, and bump off to a new town again before the sabres get back to the playoffs lol
come on. Just make the playoffs
I don’t know him and I wouldn’t put it past the organization to try
Seriously? I haven't seen anything about this, what's going on?
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7 hours ago, North Buffalo said:
Can they waive Skinner and send him to AHl if no one claims him
No, they can not. He has a no movement clause. Not a no trade clause, a no movement clause. He can't be moved.
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3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:
I'm amused you're stating this like it's some revolutionary hard truth we all need to hear. This team stopped being playoff bound in December. In fact there's been 0 signs this team is playoff bound since about game 20.
Jeff Skinner has a full NMC. Maybe one of these days the ppl around here will remember.
Oh, the irony.
2 hours ago, inkman said:Why wouldn’t he waive his NMC or provide a list or however his contract is worded to get out? He likes losing?
Outside of the guys on expiring contracts leaving, I don’t really see any of this happening.
Perhaps it's as simple as his family is happy in Buffalo. Wife likes her friend group, kids like thier schools and friends? I was miserable most of my time in the Army, I sucked it up because it provided security for my family.
58 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:1.) whatever it is you do later in the season, do it in camp. This team seems like they get ready to play toward the end of the year but aren't at the beginning of the schedule.
2.) new Powerplay. Yes, its SLIGHTLY better lately, but they don't move the puck as fast as other teams, they obviously aren't as effective as many other teams. Even if Tage is hurt and he is back to 'himself' next year, that doesn't fix the underlying problem. Get a new assistant coach? make radical changes to how you operate it, but fix it.
3.) Re-sign Zemgus, but get 2 other new guys for the 4th line.
4.) Greenway is playing well this year, Benson looks good "for a rookie"...but you need to add/find a guy who is going to net you 20-25 goals to ADD to what you have now. Quinn needs to come back too, but i'm talking about adding another scorer in addition to him.
5.) Pray for less injuries to key players. Tage NEEDS to get back at least part of the way to his form of the last 2 years (I bring him up again because he is that important).
6.) I don't think it is REQUIRED, but it would be nice to see a guy who can drop the gloves and be good at it. I don't mean someone who is going to go out there looking for it every game. Not someone who is even going to take a fighting major once per week, but someone who CAN do it well, someone WILLING when the situation arises, and someone skilled enough to be a good 4th liner and maybe sub in temporarily on a higher line.
7.) Sign UPL, expect good play from him, but don't be surprised if he regresses slightly from his current form.
I like Z too, but I hope he's replaced by someone better.
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46 minutes ago, USMCSnyper said:
Trenin and Duhaime both to Avs? Damn
This makes me sad.
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Nice to see some of you finally getting on board with something I've been saying for months. Again.
I'll say it again, his contract is structured to be bought out after next season, that's when it will happen.
I'll also say this again, HE HAS A NO MOVEMENT CLAUSE!! HE WONT BE TRADED!!! Before one of you geniuses suggests it, he also can't be waived and sent to Rochester, Because he has a no movement clause!
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1 minute ago, Thorny said:
@Hank what’s the X for here? The bit about KA having a choice, or the bit about our trades prioritizing the future?
I was only about half way through the thread but saw the notification, since you asked I'll skip the rest and answer.
It's been long established I'm a huge fan of Mitts. I'm sad to see him go. I also believe Mitts has been our best forward this year.
I really like Byram. Unlike Clifton, he produced in a top four role on a Stanley cup winning team. Skating, transition, production, he's an upgrade to what we have, and he's just entering his prime. He's skilled enough that Dahlin can play back on the left side with him and slot Mule on the 3rd pair. The concussions give me pause, but his last one was two years ago. He also upgrades PP2.
Regarding the forwards - you predicted a regression in scoring. You were right. While it's certainly possible that last year were "career years" for Tage and Cozens, I think you'd agree that the first half of this year is not an accurate representation of who they'll be going forward, and it's reasonable to expect a positive regression to the mean next year. Our forwards need addressing this off season, but we have our top two centers.
I think the upgrade on D will offset the loss at forward next year and it'll be a net positive.
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On 3/2/2024 at 2:50 PM, ... said:
As predictable as bringing in players who do "want to be here"? I mean, we have 12 years of evidence of the latter type of player and I don't think that parameter is working out so well. Something about the definition of crazy is...
What kind of player wants to be here right now? Likely not one motivated to win because we ain't been winners in a long time. So, how about trying something new, like a conscription model or viewing big-money sports contracts as they really are: volunteer slavery. You, NHL player, are my slave and you're going to play here and do the best you can unless you don't want the benefits of being an NHL slave.
This is an incredibly stupid thing to say. Slavery? Really?
Casey Mittelstadt traded for Bowen Byram
in The Aud Club
Posted
I think it's a great trade for both teams. Mitts is a really good player. Colorado had a hole at 2C since Kadri left, Mitts may be the final piece they needed for a cup run. If Colorado signs him in the summer I think they'll be very happy with him going forward.
As I said up thread, Byram not only upgrades the top pair, he'll make Dahlin a better player. His arrival also moves Mule to a more appropriate pairing making that pair better.
I'm sure most people would consider Draisaitl a top five center in the league, even though he's not the top line center on his own team. I'm not comparing Byram to draisaitl, but he was in a similar situation in so far as both of them were behind generational players.