DarthEbriate

For sure. I am long on record saying don't trade for Kane for any reason. If he wants to be 2RW next season, he can sign a super Buffalo-friendly 3-year deal and help them win the multiple Cups. But no assets to be given away for him. Toews... as a rental... yeah, I think he'd be a decent fit given this team's needs and how the season is unfurling. But Toews has to approve the deal and I'm betting he wants to go to a "contender". I'm not giving up a 1st nor our top prospects for a rental of him, which is what Chicago would be asking. His rental is not in the team's timeline.

Tage is improving in his own zone, but that's the next stage of progression. Winning d-zone faceoffs so that we have fewer 3rd periods like last night, better defensive positioning and taking away space intuitively. We need to remember that Tage is only 100 games into playing center at the NHL level... even middling defense will turn him into a an absolute stud 1st/2nd liner tandem with Cozens.

Mitts + VO to Chicago for Toews + Kane straight up. Chicago gets to continue their rush to the bottom, but 1.5 seasons of a 2nd line. And Mitts is still an RFA and could still pop. And Chicago could still re-sign both of them in the offseason. Of course, we'd need to find new folks to complain about.

UPL and GM Sheevyn knew the score from the beginning of the season when they had discussions after signing Comrie. UPL needs playing time and lots of it, and he'll get that in Rochester where he's the #1. He's playing really soundly the last few games, but he's still #3 on the depth chart. In Buffalo, Anderson is still the guy (meaning: if you have a must-win game, he's in). Comrie has played 3 1/3 games with Samuelsson on the ice and needs to show what he can do. Now, if Comrie returns and the D is healthy and Comrie scuffles for 3 weeks while UPL starts consistently controlling the AHL and stacking wins (say .915+ with the Amerks D), then maybe switch things up at the All-Star Break.

It is a little odd that other teams aren't using their starter against the highest-scoring team in the league. I think the other starting goalies are just scared.

Now. Don't look back. Boston slaughtered Florida tonight so the Sabres take over 4th in the division.

VO didn't get a chance, just popped it out. Otherwise we've got more VO complaints that all he does is add insurance goals. UPL was fantastic. This team really misses Power's calm on the blue line.

Entertainment. A little spike in the heartbeats per minute. All good for a Monday evening.

Jost with a poor decision on that icing, then UPL can't see it for the screen. Alright... now get 2 ENG to put this on ice.

A penalty shot is so much better than a PK there... won't get tired, get some rest, and UPL just ate Marchessault alive.

Remember the Death Star! It only needs one shot to kill the comeback.

The Sabres still do need a center that can win some defensive zone draws. And Marchessault is thinking he's Tage from the dot. He is not. His shot is weak. UPL is anticipating and getting big and square. And... he doesn't seem to be leaning forward which was a major problem last year (defeating the purpose of being tall).

Sooooo.... the refs are only going to call Delay of Game from here on out.

Lovely! And no rebound.

We're just letting them stay close so we can add some empty-netters.

Excellent timeout, great chance by Tuch, and then a major guffaw. Well, the Sabres were waking up. Now stay away, get the response goal, and put the Knights to sleep.

And it's a good thing, as the Sabres are just tossing the puck away in their own zone rather than skating it out.

UPL's got the deflectors on. Double front.

It's been a couple weeks since the kid line looked great. It might be time to let JJP get a suite rest for a night as a refresh. And maybe Quinn for a game next week.

UPL K to the 6th power on that one. K^6

That's one hell of a Pilut!

Wooohooo! Tage will learn patience.

Skinnnnnnnnnerrrrrrr!

Looks like we're going to have to shell Hill into a sub-.900 save percentage in the first period tonight. SchieB das Fenster den FuB. <Exasperated sigh> Shoot at his foot! Always draft a Lechyshyn in any EA NHL franchise rookie draft.

Hopefully, Leinonen starts putting it together this season and next in the Liiga and gets onto Finland's 2024 squad. But it isn't promising since Finland's presumable starter Kokko is also only 18 years old.