DarthEbriate

Now that Luukkonen is starting his rehab stint (which has been known as the plan for the last month since he missed most of training camp and all but one period of preseason) -- it reopens the questions around the number of goalies they have under contract. Ellis has gotten 0 games -- Lyon has been great, but now your backup goaltender hasn't played in over 2 weeks -- and his next game will be his NHL debut and first ever on the ice with these defensemen. It's small potatoes, but it also has impacts with future trades/GM interactions, because STL had him lined up for a heavy workload and development with their AHL starting gig. If they get the chance to re-claim him, you've shafted him a month of development. They're likely less worried that you claimed him and more concerned that you're wasting his time. GMs are a small group and they're seeing you waste assets. Agents see this, too. Ellis' agent is increasing his Buffalo tax for any other future clients. Georgiev has gotten 1 game -- because he didn't report to Rochester immediately. Leinonen has gotten 1 game, because Georgiev didn't report to ROC immediately. Levi has only 2 GP, which makes sense because they were both back-to-backs thus far, but now you're also impacting his development time because Luukkonen has to get reps to resume his #1 (or #2 behind Lyon) status with Buffalo. Ratzlaff has played 1 game with Jacksonville, but now will likely have his workload cut while Luukkonen is in ROC, which presumably would force Leinonen down to the ECHL. This all goes back to: Why did the preseason goalie signing (whoever it was) get a contract instead of a PTO? If it's an Adams Tax, then you call someone else. (Or hire a real GM.) With a light slate to start the season in Rochester, why not let Levi be the backup in Buffalo? Maybe shuffle him once so he gets opening night with the Amerks and a free start in there, but otherwise get his GP in Buffalo until Luukkonen is fully healthy and proven ready to go. Why bother to claim Ellis?

For #10, the 2022 NJ 5th (134OA) became RHD Vsevolod Komarov

We know it's Bryson. It's always about Bryson. 😇 Luukkonen as expected. He still needs a preseason. I would like to see what they have in Ellis before just waiving him back for St. Louis to claim. We checked him out of the library and never even opened the cover.

As long as Adams is GM, we're on the Power timeline. Just wait until he's 25. Then we'll all see! The issues are -- there are great young offensive defensemen everywhere these days, just draft one for yourself. Power will never get the point production to increase his trade value or justify his contract unless Dahlin is hurt. As we saw last season, when Dahlin is out, Power doesn't exactly elevate his game. He doesn't have intensity.

Except Adams would've convinced ownership that Suzuki and Slafovsky aren't important components of the team and should be traded, and the goaltending is much too stable.

He'd be more useful if they made it to more shootouts. But alas, he and Geertsen are both fully at passenger status.

Hmmm... Elysian Great Pumpkin as I turn my attention fully to the Mariners? (Not a Mariners fan per se, but it'd be nice for many local folks to be happy. Though if they win, local punks will scare my pups with many fireworks. Punks.)

Solid bottom-sixer who knows his role.

Dahlin's shot blocked. Would rather see them work it to the sides and down low rather than just relying on a point shot... but alas. The better team won. Mostly good effort, though.

He always seems to have slow starts after breaks, whether the beginning of the season, coming back from injury, or after a 4 nations faceoff. But he can be streaky great for long stretches.

Tagebacca's been known to rip peoples' arms off.

When, though?

Manufacture better mask clasps. Because if I'm KOZAK! If I'm a goalie with a 3-2 lead in game 7 of the Final and the opposition goalie is pulled, 15 seconds to go... I'm faking the mask damage for a cheap whistle.

Once, during a line change on the fly. Not every single entry regardless of situation.

I think he's starting to prove he'd be claimed on waivers.

It took a few seasons, but one year Reinhart returned with a slapshot capable of beating a goalie. The good thing for Benson is he's always going to be around the nets so he doesn't need a cannon, just an average shot.

I was thinking he could get 15-50-65 and replace JJP's complete production. But if he gets the requisite PP time, I might need to raise expectations. He sees things most other players on this team don't see. Just need guys to go to the slot and keep their stick ready to shoot.

Manhattan is the former. Perfect brandy Manhattan is the latter. Very few know it, but it's a lovely drink. And you can go maraschino or emphasize the dry with an olive.

Martinez also a tasty cocktail.

I'd even mix Rossi with rye. Or with a dry Rossi and a brandy.

Yup. If you're gonna do anything, go do it. No. The Habs built a really solid squad. Dare I say it, they can go from bottom-feeders to make the playoffs, to win the division this season.

But that guy is not Geertsen. No one cares that the Sabres have a guy who can't play at this level. Xhekaj can play. Tom Wilson can play. Noesen can play. They just also happen to be willing to take liberties. If someone takes a cheapshot, you want everyone on the ice addressing him. And after they jump him initially, you can have a staged fight from Kesselring, Greenway, Zucker, maybe Doan, etc. Because so far, we've seen nothing from Geertsen to believe that he's willing to take liberties toward the opposition. And he couldn't skate well enough to catch up to them anyway.

The Habs are fast and very talented. Demidov has a release. Kapanen is big and goes to the front of the net... what we dream Wahlberg could be. These two teams will be fun to watch for the next 5 years. Metsa for Slafkovsky was a good trade.

Östlund. Throw a few wild punches, then go for the turtle hug and let the linemen jump in. It'll be fine.

Maybe he gives them some sort of placebo effect. But yes, against Florida it was meaningless because it was a close game they were trying to get back into. Where he could be of use is in Rochester so Mrtka doesn't have to take cheapshots from guys 5 years older than him just because he's tall.