Randall Flagg

Asplund best forechecker since Kane?

Damn, I think I missed the Dahlin thing

Yeah these guys are crazy lenient on calling zone entries lol. Man, Irwin

From 2017-2020 I hated roster projections that would slot all 3 of those players in, they were all so young and hadn't shown anything, and I always thought that doing something like that just gives you a tank line that can't handle anything and destroys the psyche of its members. I would always try to put together hypothetical offseason moves that would keep the best single player of several, and surround them with NHL vets and stuff. plus, in those years, I was on a desperate "we need to win right this second and start building from there" kick, and didn't think unproven kids fit that mold. But if they can keep looking like this against teams like WSH and not just the Devils/Rags, that's my 3rd line next year too. The good vets would of course remain high priority. But we wouldn't need 3 more to push those guys to Rochester. Asplund really exploded. His previous stints all looked from invisible to miserable until this one, and he's everywhere with an absolutely killer forecheck now, and he has some hands too.

I hope I can be forgiven for not giving him the benefit of the doubt on those at this point haha. He reeeeeeeeally likes to cut it close

These guys are better at playing in the o-zone at ES for some reason right now lol One thing that may not hold up to scrutiny - it seems like Dahlin/Joki are getting most of their time on the ice with Reinhart/Mitts lines. This is cool, it actually gets all our offensive guys together. For years Jack would be on the ice with Risto and McCabe, or Risto and Gorges, or whatever our shutdown pair was. It never made sense. Jack's defense was so bad that the "shutdown pair", which was never great at that, couldn't overcome it, and their offense wasn't particularly helpful. At least when your Dahlins play with your offensive players, things can happen more often

Pretty sure he and Jack are the only cogs on this PP that matter, and it really needs both of them, not just 1. He won't even get a shot to try this because of the sorry state of the unit sans Jack That probably wasn't offside, refs just don't like if you're janky about the entry

This game is a constant battle between the overwhelming urge to shut it off when Irwin flanks Eakin down the ice, and excitement to see what 74-37-72 can do their next turn

Dahlin is suddenly unbelievable with the puck

Asplund might be an above-average 4th liner on a good team already, and could be getting better

Linesmen have been goofy tonight. The Skinner high sticking, he was so far offside and they let it go. They really didn't want to blow that one just now dead, even though it was measured in feet. And they missed a bad one on the caps too earlier, nothing happened after it though. I definitely prefer them to do it this way and assume onsides, but these ones are some of the worst you'll see

Mitts will be the best-tasting crow I've had since Josh Allen

To the thread topic/discussion, I'm not sure if Sam is a center or not. But I do agree with your first thing there, and definitely think that Sam is our best neutral zone player not named Eichel (who is only the best because of how good he is at transition, but he doesn't have the awareness and consistency with positioning and passing to teammates in the same region)

Changing my mind on this one, if he wants to test the market, simply hire someone to do hypnosis and direct him to sign a contract

Even with a lost season, this spring has opportunity to be more useful than the last few we've squandered. Imagine a spring where, after the monkey gets off their back (18Ls), Mitts and Tage not only continue to look like they are getting better, but start producing as well Joki and Dahlin recover from their rough starts and continue their progression where they left off Bryson emerges from his brief swoon and continues to develop his unique skillset while being remarkably poised, Kyle gets his jump back from last year, Rochester players like Fogarty and Asplund bring energy when they are called upon Linus solidifies his status as a good starting goalie and one who can actually win shootouts (dude is balling) Things will feel a lot better than they have been the last few Marches and Aprils, that's for sure. This might be happening, it certainly has been for the last week or two. Let's beat up on the Devils, and then try to take down one of the big teams.

I'd like to see Bryson in OT.

Bryson off that faceoff....nice

The Rags are effin fast. They're making us play fast, and we're doing it the best we have all year

Hall is such an idiiot. Nice!!

Mitts and Tage might yet win me over

The refs are really bad at offside sometimes, Yeah yeah i know it's a tough call to make in real time. The rangers skater brought that puck in between his feet, which means he had to have been onside Sabres with some crisp passing, nice to see. Bryson is so nifty with the puck

No

Onside, dumb challenge

I like Laughton as well. I'd love to get him, trade for another middle six C, and have Eichel - Laughton - real middle six C - Lazar/Zemgus, with Cozens and Mitts in the mix to give us lots of freedom

Damn. That guy looks good.