LGR4GM

Size does not equal grit.

There's no merit to the theory.

Eklund is a "finesse" player in the same way Benson is a "finesse" player.

The dude traded his 1st round pick away 4 years in a row and won 0 playoff series doing it. Hey I heard you booked a ticket on the Titanic but let me show you the Lusitania, it's more unsinkable.

Pass.

The only part of this I agree with is that it will still take several years for Benson to get to his full potential. While goal scoring is important, the Sabres missed the playoffs because they couldn't defend for *****. Benson was one of the best defensive forwards on the team. His primary assist rate went up while his 2nd assist rate went down. I agree with everyone, he needs to shoot more and better. He's 19, if Reinhart taught ppl anything it's that 19yr olds aren't finished NHLers.

The spot wasn't left open for Benson, it was left open for Savoie. I think we're seeing proof that the team knows what it needs and Adams and to a degree Ruff, are not responsive.

Fully agree. Do we bridge him for a year or 2, or just go 6-8yrs considering the history. So 7.5 x 7ish Capwages puts him at 6.6 x 6 as his estimate. I think we'll need to go a bit over that.

I took Ruffs comments about getting to know his players and some guys were different than he thought (paraphrasing here) to be about Cozens 1st and foremost. I think Ruff was like the entire mainstream hockey world where Cozens is a 25g 65pt 2way center with grit. I think that's why he got an A and Ruff was disappointed in what he really was. I'm speculating. I fully agree we're seeing a shift in real time towards Ruff. The press conference has Ruff interject a few times after Adams answered.

He's an RFA. Had the 2nd most points on the team with 68, 3rd for goals at 27, and 2nd for assists at 41. -1.9xgf, not a lot of blocks or hits.

That's like hiring a chief iceberg officer for the white star line on April 15th, 1912.

Culture is not earned, it's built.

Not away from Dahlin. Samuelsson is mediocre and overpaid.

I think it's pretty damning that Pegula can't be bothered to deal with his hockey team because of the NFL draft. Really shows his priorities.

Good news is there's a bunch of talented high motor guys in that 5-10 range. Then there's some that might slide to round 2.

Beane can lead a horse to water, but he cant drown it.

I'll worry about Benson after this team fixes its defense.

You forgot, he's short. But yea, that about covers it.

I disagree.

I wouldn't call 19 games an extra year if CHL development. They are 4 months apart in age. While you're focusing on +/- I'll counter with Bear was first on his team in points by 4, the only guy close to him played 11 more games. Martin is 2nd on his team in points by 13pts. Bear has more goals and more penalty minutes.

Hmm. Bear is a better scorer, idk if he has a better shot. They would be close, both are good. 100% on the skating. My concern with Martin is also skating, particularly doing things at a glide, not in stride. Let's just draft both.

I think Benson's playmaking will get much much better. I actually think if Ruff understood how to use him better, he'd have better season. You want him getting touches, drawing defenders, and then letting his center drive the net. I actually think he should be with McLeod and Tuch over Norris and Thompson. JJP- Norris-Thompson Benson-McLeod-Tuch

If your GM needed a POHO, your gm is *****.