SabresBaltimore

I hadn't considered the possibility that Kesserling was close enough for them not to call someone up from Rochester, especially since he only started skating again yesterday. I still think they'll have to call someone up from Rochester for tomorrow night, even if they send him back sooner than later.

I think we make a move now to let us call up a 7th defender, then Kesserling becomes easy. Defender goes back to Rochester, Kesserling goes in and Byrson is now the 7th defender instead of a callup. I just don't think it's practical to only carry 6 defenders for very long, especially with all the injuries we've already had this year.

Norris returned last night with a hell of a game, and to make room they sent their 7th defender. But their about to go on a 6 game road trip and won't have the luxury of a quick trip down the 90 if you suddenly need to dress another defender. To further complicate things, Kesserling is skating. No timeline on when he returns, but they will need to make a spot for him when he does. If you call up a 7th defender this becomes easy to deal with. Last night they kicked the can down the road another day, but can they afford to go on this trip without a 7th defender? It seems like they have to make another roster move before leaving for Philly tomorrow. The easy answer is Östlund. Not because he's the right choice, but because he's waiver exempt. I think he's justified staying up, and the other options don't bring what he has added to the roster. I think he's slotted into Kulich's expected role fairly well. They have 3 goalies. That's the obvious cause we've been dealing with all season. Do they waive Ellis and just move on? St Louis will grab him right back (if someone else doesn't). Do you try to trade one? Have they been trying to trade one? A trade isn't likely to just happen by tomorrow night unless they have been close on a move. If they waive Lyon I'd think he'd get claimed by someone, possibly just as a rental like what happened to Reimer last year. The other options are Dunne or Kozak, but both would need to clear waivers. I think Dunne has a better chance to clear than Kozak, but maybe I'm overvaluing Kozak or undervaluing Dunne with how well he's played for us this season. Personally I'd dress either Kozak or Dunne over Greenway, but I don't see that happening. They seem to like Greenway more than I do. I think his contract makes him hard to move. I'd probably waive Dunne (though I'd prefer to waive Greenway, but the Sabres won't do that) What's your move?

It sounds like no one was waived today So maybe Metsa was sent down?

FWIW, I was paying for ESPN+ sometimes with and sometimes without Disney/Hulu bundled in, but now I have ESPN Unlimited as part of my Verizon FIOS package. It was a bit a pain to do, but I had to enable it, but since I was already paying for ESPN I now get unlimited too, so I'm suddenly saving on hockey (and lacrosse) this season. But if you don't already pay for ESPN it's moot and you're probably better doing select or unlimited on the side depending on your preference. For hockey specifically I get TNT, NHLN and Monument Sports, to cover all the national/blackouts for games here in Maryland from my cable package, and it's been one of the main reasons I still pay for cable. Because TNT would require HBO, I don't think there is a way to stream just NHLN. You basically have to get streaming "cable" and then I think Monument Sports has a streaming app that isn't worth it for the 2-3 Caps games we play each year

If Zucker returns tonight, who gets benched? Presumably they send Metsa back for the roster spot..but a forward still needs to sit for Zucker. What would your lines be? I almost wonder if you just run it back even if Zucker can go and see how the lines do again tonight. I can't see them doing this again (but it should would be great if they did)

Any updates on Benson? Last I saw I thought Lindy said he could play during the road trip (which didn't happen). Did he have a setback? I didn't have Norris returnin before Benson on my bingo card.. Good to see Zucker is at least over whatever made him so sick.

we have 13 forwards not counting Kozak, 7 defenders and 3 goalies. That's 23. They need to make a spot if Kozak plays.

Guys can practice while on IR. Just because they lined up that way in practice doesn't mean he's on the roster. He was put on IR. They had to put Zucker on IR before Tuesdays game just to call up Östlund. So they either need to send someone back down or (I hope) waive Geersten.

They really need to give Ellis another start, this seemed like the perfect spot. But I think UPL played well enough on Sat to earn the start tonight.

Kozak can't play tonight without a corresponding roster move right? Please be the day we FINALLY waive Geersten. Blues lost 6-1 last night and gave Ovi his 900th goal down here in DC. If we can't win this game, even with a depleted roster I dunno. Also tonight is a Goathead night. Go Sabres!

At this point you waive Geersten to activate Kozak from IR, not call someone up from Rochester. Then when the next guy (Zucker presumably) gets back you send one of Dunne, Rosen and Östlund back down.

so, wait forever?

well that frees up 1 slot. Must really be sick if they are going to go at least a week without him. Could they "send" Kulich down to Rochester to free up another slot, or has he played too many NHL games now? I think it's 160, and he's only at 75..so I'd assume they could do a paper transaction to swap a guy?

Really hoping we waive Geersten and possibly put someone on IR to call-up two forwards. But at least waive Geersten and call-up Östlund or maybe Helenius. If Geersten gets another game I feel like this team isn't serious about making the playoffs. He just doesn't contribute enough to keep on the roster

can we call anyone up without first placing 1 or both of them on IR? I know IR in the NHL is different but we can we put them on IR for 1 game? I'm expecting them to have to play Geersten and Bryson (is he active, or maybe he's still on IR?). I'd rather waive Geersten than play him again.

We lost the last game so I'm one and done for making the GDT. I'm torn between riding Lyon and trying Ellis on the road to see what you have there. Don't want UPL to get another game yet. At some point you need to try him again, but I'd give him a home game. Must Win is a bit of an exaggeration, but losing 3 straight is not a good look for a "playoff" team, especially against a reeling Bruins team. We looked awful in the first game against them. We're playing better now. Gotta get it done tonight. Looks like Greenway will make his season debut. I don't love having him at center. I think if they lost faith in Östlund, send Östlund and Dunne back to Rochester. Then call up Helenius to try him out at 3c instead. Go Sabres!

Totally forgot Dunne was up. Good point.

That's a bummer. I also hate how vague they are on injuries and timelines. Hopefully not too many weeks, he's been a pleasant surprise. I'd rather he be in the lineup over Krebs or Malynstyn when he gets back. Maybe even centering the 3rd line with Quinn and Zucker with Krebs/Malynstyn/Greenway as the 4th. Although 3 goalies may make the roster gymnastics tougher if enough guys are healthy and taking up roster spots. I still want to waive Gersteen the first time we have to free up a spot that doesn't just require sending someone (Östlund) back to Rochester. But Östlund is probably going back for Greenway.

The people planning Frozen Frenzy so there is more of a chance there is always some game to be showing

Hmm. Why the hell have been thinking they were in our division? Thanks Agree about the wildcard bit though.

OK, well is probably too strong of a word. They haven't been our biggest issue on defense. That was Dahlin and Byram. I also think they've been improving the more they played together. Timmens was awful in the first period of the Florida game (which is when I think they started pairing) and got benched for a few shifts and moved off of the pair until Bryson got hurt. I think they've been trending in a better direction though.

The 4-4-0 Blue Jackets are in town with a strange 6:45 start time to take on your 4-4-1 Buffalo Sabres. This game is the 4th one to start in tonight's all 32 team Frozen Frenzy on ESPN2. Games start at 6PM ET and stagger every 15 minutes or so until the last game starts at 11 ET. Another division conference game (that could have implications on the wildcard at the end of the season) and ideally the debut of Kesserling. Who will he be partnered with? Power was the pre-season expectation but he seems to be doing well with Timmens atm. Meanwhile Dahlin and Byram got broken up so maybe he slots in with one of them. And what of our 3-headed monster? Who gets the crease? I'd give it to Lyon. Let's Go Buffalo!

Not sure if this warrants a whole thread, but I didn't see ones for Kesserling or Greenway, just Zucker. Feel free to delete/merge this if that's preferred. I was hoping we'd see Kesserling this weekend, but hopefully he can go Tuesday. Can't say I'm say I'm shocked Greenway has no ETA. Guy is always hurt.