dudacek

Coaches really started moving away from it over the last decade or so when the number crunchers showed that the average save percentage in the 2nd game for a goalie playing back-to-back was something like 10 points lower than than the first game.

Johnson is in the mold of Bryson or Jokiharju - not particularly big or offensive, but very smooth and capable. He might ultimately be better in his own zone than either. He is a fantastic skater, whose biggest strengths are defending the rush, evading the forecheck and moving the puck out of his zone. His numbers are solid - 10 points in 15 games - and he reads the play well, but he won’t be a big points producer in the NHL. He looked good winning gold in last year’s WJC and is a key member of a very good Minnesota blueline. Despite the fact he’s a college junior, he is also a baby. He turned 20 in late July and is only two months younger than Jack Quinn and last I heard, still has some filling out to do. Adams recently told WGR that he still has to refine what kind of player he is going to be. In answer to your question, it doesn’t look like he is either disappointing, or exceeding expectations given his age and where he was picked. Logic dictates the Jake McCabe path; he’s in a similar situation and is a similar level prospect. That means he signs at the end of his college season, possibly gets a look in Buffalo, and hopefully joins the Amerks for a playoff run. He’ll probably need at least next year in the AHL, and if that goes well, fights for a spot in Buffalo the following year. Personally, I see his ceiling as a reliable, smooth 2nd-pair guy in a Henrik Tallinder role, - obviously without Hank’s length, and with his elite feet as his calling card. Not a slam-dunk he gets there.

That was the most NHL Brett Murray has resembled AHL Brett Murray. He had a presence. If you don’t allow shooters time to pick their spots Toker will hold his own. He tracks well, battles and controls his rebounds. He just shows way too much space when they get ckean looks. I swear I have seen Jeff Skinner make more good passes in 10 games with Thompson than he did all season with Eichel. 16 NHL players have 10 goals. Tage is one of them. It feels like every one of his goals was earned. Cody Eakin’s best game as a Sabre? His been solid all season, but a few times this year Kyle has reminded me of how good a player he was before he came to Buffalo, I think he’s been my favourite player this year. Wasnt the best night for the other two pairs, but Bryson and Jokiharju looked good. Henri has been an asset. Habs folded up their tents when the Sabres scored their 3rd. It was a noticeable contrast to the way the Sabres haven’t really done that. Montreal looks really bad in their own zone. What’s happened to Jeff Petry? Needed that one.

Wonder what Karmanos thinks of Murray? Should know him very well and must have been intimately involved 8n the discussions leading up to the Pens picking him over Fleury.

So you have this kinda power? I have no idea why Krebs, not Peterka got an assist on the Jankowski goal. Nasty game. Hit all the minor league stereotypes.

What amazed me tonight is how a guy that long could stick handle in close quarters the way he could. The way he handles, protects and strips pucks this year has been eye-opening. The talent was always there, the game is just finally starting to click. He’s kinda mirroring the Danny Briere development path, isn’t he?

And people don't get a chance to enjoy a blowout Bills victory every week either. When have I ever made a comment about you?

We have to play Aaron Dell. Every name interests me. Also, Elliotte really digging deep to uncover this scoop, eh? 😆

I think people who choose to make that decision their focus in the context of Josh Allen’s performance are also choosing to make themselves miserable. You can speak for yourself whether or not that applies to you. @SwampD gets it.

I have no idea where either player will settle, but if ceiling is based on talent, Mitts has a higher ceiling than Krebs.

Is the aim to play perfectly, or to win the game? If it is to win the game, than that interception was clearly acceptable, because they reached their goal. Easily. If it is to play perfectly, then it is no wonder watching football makes people crazy.

They also pointedly pursued the Russian junior league as an under-scouted venue and publicly said so. Obviously there was a greater body of work studied, but Rosen's spot on their draft chart was cemented through his performance in Texas where he put up 7 goals in 8 games against best 17-year-olds in the world.

No. It was unquestionably bad. Mistakes are inevitable. They have be minimized or overcome. I don't think people know what unacceptable means.

Rosen would be the other guy that's a possibility. it would be a surprise and an big disappointment if he's not there. Peterka is also eligible, though I'm not sure if the Sabres would release him given his value to the Amerks. Kisakov and Poltapov were not named to the Russian team, not sure if the coaching change mentioned up-thread will affect the roster. Bloom and Nadeau might be having great years, but it would be shocking if they are on Team Canada's radar.

And ^^^ Their record and their play overall is entirely where we expected it to be. But there is a floor in terms of enduring the valleys, and we're nearing it.

That is the most Donnie has strayed from his base all season.

Little surprised they haven't listed anyone year-to-year. Might as well cover all your bases.

I know this is a mistake to post, but nothing Josh did last night was 'unacceptable.' The guy threw 4 touchdowns and led his team to 31 points. He missed 5 throws all night, and at least 2 of them were thrown away on purpose. His team won going away. What I find hard to accept is the degree of angst and over-analysis that follows any sign of a misstep, and it only seems to accelerate the closer the team gets to the ultimate goal. He's a special must-watch athlete, objectively one of the best Bills fans have ever had the opportunity to cheer for. Have a beer, sit back and let yourself enjoy what he does.

Guess he got found?

There's no room for career .921 goalies on the Buffalo Sabres.

But he’s quadrupled his SHL production in fewer games! OK, it’s from 1 point to 4, but still! Personally, I don’t get why a 160-pound 18-year-old is playing bottom six minutes in a men’s league, but I guess the fact that he’s there at that age and size says something about his talent level. He’s certainly been electric against his peers.

I doubt he'd be interested, but I'd also offer Rask huge money on a short-term deal. He's exactly what this team needs.

I'd take Ullmark back before I'd take Holtby or Koskinen. I'd make the Bruins retain though. 😁

Cozens Quinn Krebs and Levi on a powerhouse Team Canada last year was a beautiful thing. Hope we can get a repeat from Power.

For those who haven't been paying too much attention, that was Utica's first loss all year. Started the season with a record 13-0 run.