dudacek

i thought I detected something from Adams in his no comment to Marek this morning. Disappointing, but organizationally it works to sign Portillo this year and Devon next. Unfortunate we will have to listen to the Chicken Littles bleat another year about him bolting.

Always good not to anoint anyone until they prove themselves, but I think that part about “not always translating” needs some context. No player in the past 25 years of Buffalo Sabres system has ever come close to what Jack Quinn is doing in his D2 year in the AHL. None are close in their D3 years. This is his competition projected over 82 games: Jack Quinn D2 55 goals 121 points Drew Stafford D3 53 goals 106 points Luke Adam D3 42 goals 89 points Derek Roy D3 32 goals 82 points Jason Pominville D3 42 goals 80 points JJ Peterka D2 31 goals 81 points Tyler Ennis D2 27 goals 77 points Thomas Vanek D2 46 goals 75 points Zack Kassian D3 41 goals 71 points Mikhail Grigorenko D3 27 goals 69 points Casey Mittelstadt D3 21 goals 57 points I think the point is, he has no comparables. He’s literally ahead of the 2nd best D2 player by nearly 45 points. I think it should also be said that no Sabre D2 prospect has ever put up close to a point a game in the AHL and failed to become a good NHL player. Even counting players a year older, 6 of the 8 players to pace for even half of what he’s pacing translated into good NHLers.

People get way too zeroed in on the starting 12. The Sabres will have used at least 22 forwards this year, 15 of them likely in at least 40 games. There should be no qualms with counting JJ as the 12th or 13th guy. Look how much action Eakin got in that role this year.

Agree with this. Pretty sure this is legally no different than the Sabres agreeing on deal today with Rosen effective when his Swedish deal ends, but it does smell funny.

Not that I’m aware. Think it’s pure speculation based on the state of the Jets.

Still haven’t figured out why so many are high on Jankowski He’s just as JAGy as Eakin or Hayden.

If I have reason to believe Hellebuyck is happy to join us, the pick isn’t costing us Wright, Slavkovsky, Nemec, or Cooley, then absolutely. He’s among the best goalies in hockey and should continue to be for another 6-8 years. He helps us now and down the road, we will have the cap space to re-sign him and the type of up and coming team that he should be happy to play for.

In the NHL, you score, you get paid. I would surprised if you could find an arbitration-eligible player who has produced as much as Victor has the past 3 years who signed for less than $4 million per, especially with term. You can find many who got more. Victor has averaged close to 24 goals and 54 points per 82 games over his career. He had 14 points in his first 14 games this year, and 11 in his past 15. And he had 10 in 30 in between. Does the middle 30 represent a red flag, or an opportunity to sign him for less than what he’s worth?

He does need to get physically stronger. He’s also putting up 3 points every 2 games in a league where the competition is as big and tough as the competition in the NHL. If he’s 1/3 as effective in the NHL, he’s still a 40-point scorer. Im not sure people realize how productive he’s been.

Cozens with transition game and abrasiveness, Krebs with the passing, Quinn the finisher. All three pushing the pace, possessing multiple tools, and in possession of top 6 talent. Elements of pretty special line there in the future.

I’m not sure you can ignore the fact that the Lightning have been just as much about offensive depth and elite goaltending as they have about star power. And I’m perfectly comfortable with the possibility of Cozens and Dahlin matching Toews and Keith. Kane is the element we don’t have. Main point of your post is spot on.

It feels like a lifetime since the Sabres felt like this: management that gets it; players that earn it; And four of the most memorable games of the past decade within weeks of each other. The Eichel return. The outdoor game. The Chicago comeback. And then last night. I literally choked up in the ceremony. The game was everything hockey is meant to be. The epilogue a rare collision of joy and peace. It’s been a long time since everything just felt right about being a Sabresfan. Its been flickering all season; this sense that the seeds are there and something worthwhile is growing, something worth cultivating, something worth investing hope and awakening dulled passions. Thank you Kevyn Adams for giving me my team back.

I thought it back in October as well: Eakin looks like an NHL player with KO and Z. Not “good” but not “why is he dressed?”, like he does with Bjork and Hayden.

I think there’s a bit of chicken-or-egg to this. Players like Kopitar, O’Reilly and Bergeron attained superstar status by winning the cup; it’s why people regard them as highly as they do. The best example of this would be Johnathan Toews.

Josie don't come around here no more so I doubt she sees this, but more outstanding work. Hope someone adopts this as their avatar

I know, the post was supposed to be saying that views are coloured by what Dahlin seemed to be 2 years ago, when what is more relevant is what he will be 2 years from now. As far as Tuch goes, might be a great captain. Might also just be a great guy. The two aren’t the same. I think the culture shift started with Granato/Adams and I am starting to think they understand and value culture enough that I should trust their choice.

I wonder how much of this comes from your perception of the polite deferential 19-year-old Dahlin rather than the competitive, confident 23-year-old Dahlin. Undoubtedly there is a transition happening. You can see he is definitely taking charge on the ice and to listen to those around the team that is also happening on the bench and in the room. From his own mouth, this is the first year he has started to assert the real him.

Wednesday’s episode with Marty Wilford is a must-listen, particularly towards the end. Listening to the genuine excitement Marty has for his players -both their skill and their character - is infectious. I think the culture shift we’re feeling is real.

Not sure where the official cutoff for U20 is, but Quinn was 20 a few weeks prior to the start of the AHL season. JJ (and Holtz)is 4 months younger, not turning 20 until January. Quinn may not qualify.

Anderson has been a good guy and good enough to win. Each of which has obscured the fact that he hasn’t been actually good. We need better and the idea that Adams wants him back is troubling if the intention is to make UPL his running mate. We need more.

I agree fully with both points. Don’t sell JJ short as being that guy right now. His game style fits. And prospects who put up point-a-game point totals in the AHL are typically deemed ready for the jump.

I’m pretty sure the reason there is no captain now is because Adams wants a player(s) to emerge from the young core. One will be named when they are convinced one has.

Just to clarify: Under contract: Tage Mitts Cozens Skinner Tuch VO Asplund Okposo Girgs Krebs Bjork UFA: Eakin Hinostroza Hayden Caggiula So there are technically NHL 4 spots open next year, 5 if you are like me and think Bjork is vulnerable. Peterka would rank behind Quinn and ahead of R2 and Murray in the race for those spots. Of course his position will change based on what other moves they make, but right now he is on the team.

I’d say this is fair. It is interesting how much more often Ras moves the puck to Casey then he did to Krebs. Seems like there is a greater trust factor there. But the threat of a healthy Vic complementing Tage, and Dahlin getting to choose when and how seems like the best option.

Hard judge. Pretty sure Mitts first game replacing Krebs on the top PP was Friday against Washington. PP has gone 3/7 since.