DarthEbriate

Given Benson's arrival and barring any trades, I hold out hope that we'll see this lineup for at least 1 game in January. Not gritty, but proven pair combos (Quinn-Cozens, Skinner-TNT, Mitts-anyone) while Quinn gets back up to speed (and maybe jumpstarts Cozens). Skinner - TNT - Tuch Peterka - Mitts - Greenway Benson - Cozens - Quinn Girgensons - Krebs - Rousek

Beat me to it.

I still believe that if GMTM had been capable of human interaction, the team he was assembling would have made the playoffs. Sure, the coach probably needs to be able to tell him to move on from a couple knuckleheads, but the team's construction looks decent in hindsight with another couple decent drafts (particularly if you negate that McNabb for D-Lo/Fasching trade because you already have Foligno and Carrier). But then Botts came in and went completely anti-grit, rather than filling out the remaining roster holes. I won't listen to it (I've heard a few ATWs and don't really need too much more of their time), so thank you @Pimlach for the recap. I do want to speak to these two items above. Yes. Power needs a Tallinder, and preferably a Tallinder with some snarl. Honestly, this could be EJ, but it means you need to be willing to play Power fewer minutes. Like 18 minutes (including his PP time). And with a D-corp as young as they have, it means your one of your other pairs needs to be the rock... which means Muel/Dahlin and Muel needs to also be a rock-solid veteran which he isn't this year. Skinner. I said it a couple years ago now, but I still believe that Skinner is going to be gone when this team is good. Possibly in order for this team to be good. It's like when Carolina drafted Svechnikov and said... yup, Skinner's a 2-3W and now we've got Svech. Adios, Jeff! Not only is Svechnikov better, but he also is willing to get physical to provide himself space. If Skinner was Angry/Pest Skinner every game, he'd be amazing. But he only plays that way once every couple weeks. And not great on the PP or defensively, as been covered exhaustively. I think you buyout the final 2 years of his contract because Quinn/Benson/other will be taking his playing time. This doesn't address the bottom 6 issues though.

Defensively sound. And add in the willingness to step into any scrum and protect any and all of your teammates. Maybe throw a tone-setting check once in awhile.

The issues is, nearly all the league is still in contention, or loves their guys who actually do those things. No one who can make the playoffs is going to give up their soul players this early in season unless you significantly overpay.

Good forecheck during the line change by Okposo. And you know what it was... it was a body contact. He confronted them, no hard checks, but actual body checks. The Sabres even briefly won possession of the puck. Even if you're making poor decisions with the puck lately, you can still skate hard and bang some dudes.

Joining for a bit of the 2nd before football. So -- did they at least start out with some hop and gumption? And again it makes no sense. A couple weeks ago, hanging onto a 1-goal lead late, HCDG trusted Rousek out on the ice. So when Girgs, and now Greenway are out -- two of the most responsible (if not the only) defensive forwards on the roster... why is Rosen still up instead of the older Rousek? No one in your bottom 6 should be out on the ice late in the game at this point. I'd only trust Tuch, Mitts, and Benson. You know... if they ever get a lead.

Dang it. I'm back in. (Dinner was tasty.) But I do want to consider one thing. I wonder what Adams would do if Pegula actually gave an ultimatum of, "You will make the playoffs in 2024-25 or you and Granato are both fired." (Unfortunately, I think it's too late to give such an ultimatum for this season because opposing teams are still in contention and Tage/Quinn really need to be in the lineup.) I'm guessing UPL and Comrie wouldn't be the goalies, VO and KO would be moved post-haste, etc.

Dinner time! I'm out. Catch the 'Space on the flip side.

Well, that was a terrible effort. And it really does look like the message is lost. Tuch, Skinner, Mitts... nothing. The under-22 crowd? Nothing. The goalie making a big save? The vets throwing a heavy check? The vets showing some passion? Nothing. This really is a game where you could say the coach has lost the team. And once you get there, there's only one natural next step. And a new coach might make some demands that would refresh the roster for next season.

All too easy.

That was really pretty. And after an icing. Kind of wish our team would do things like that.

It's interesting to see the Sabres play the Canes (and Pens) as those are the teams where the Sabres leadership comes from (Adams played in NC, Karmanos helped draft the core that is this current Canes roster). But both those teams have coaches who demand defensive pressure. No haste. Well-defended, but no haste. Kotchetkov is a very good goalie and the Canes' likely future #1. He's also the 2019 BUF 2nd round pick they receivied in the trade for Skinner.

Hurricanes announcers: "Excellent first period." I'm guessing Ray is saying: "Good period (except for that one brief spot where they got outworked, outskated, didn't create their own puck luck, got outshot by 2, and didn't play defense)." You can't go into Carolina and not skate hard.

Goal against on a lost faceoff in... the offensive zone? Their wingers fired as soon as the draw was won. Double damn.

Got a dead tree today. Tonight: lights and hockey. Maybe add some ornaments if I'm feeling frisky.

Intensify the forward batteries! I don't want anything as many pucks to get through to our net.

Unless you're a Wenatchee fan with an inaugural season that could be pretty awesome.

Bring him up! He's ready.

Is AHL.com correct? The Amerks are being outshot 13-0 in the 3rd? Levi rocking 32/33 saves thus far.

XXXI. My sister was driving us home after the game and we drove home through downtown (as opposed to how we'd normally go along the river). The street was lit up for the holidays. Folks were laughing, dancing, and singing. Many horns were honking. All with a gentle snowfall and night-pink sky. It was a positive culmination (this was before it got too late and the bars let out; we were kids at the time) of knowing for the entire season that we had been ascending step-by-step for 4 straight years and this year we were hands-down the best all-around team in the league. We were going to win that game... and we did. And the drive home was a bit surreal and dreamlike.

Dahlin stayed down low, the other forward didn't drop back to help. Puck past Power and... all too easy. I think I'll take a break for the evening.

Hmmm. Outshooting 2:1, outscored 1.5:1. That's not going to cut it.

Greenway's pretty strong.

Young Ben... off the faceoff. Now that's a goal I've not seen in a long time.