DarthEbriate

Woooooo! Hino to Krebs to Butcher to goal!

He was touted at the draft for his 200' game, but both he and JJP need to get into the complete game before they get the full-time Sabres sweater. That's why I sign a VO to an extension (or another veteran who's got more jam...) but I need Quinn/JJP to force VO off the roster, not be gifted the spot and then have the team go backwards for a season.

Huglen just scored in the background? (Over Biron's shoulder during the 1st intermission)

The Sabres needed that goal. Things balanced out a bit after the endless string of early turnovers.

Rasmus the Once Middle, Now the Elder!

We're staying safely to the outside. Rangers with good sticks to disrupt just about everything so far.

I see I started up the game at the right time.

Just keep him and his dump-ins away from Okposo.

Skinner passes to himself!

All too easy on that one.

Hey! That Jonsson-Fjallby guy with the flow. He was a Sabre this season!

Saved it, deflected the rebound to safety, and still made it entertaining? Yes, yes, and yes.

Are we hoping Levi wins and gets to enjoy more success or that his team doesn't score and he has to suffer, but may elect to have cash in his pockets ASAP?

I'd argue Bryson is better than Ruhwedel (albeit a skosh smaller) and Ruhwedel's been hanging around as a 7/8D for 10 seasons now, including skating the Stanley Cup once.

Can Torey Krug be effective in the playoffs? I would like to see Bryson add a little more strength to his frame, but it really comes down to the usual things: can he avoid the constant forechecking hits that start out each game/series in the playoffs, can he move the puck quickly to turn those attacking checks into odd-man rushes, can he carry the puck up-ice with speed... and most importantly who is his partner, goalie, and the remainder of the team?

So... Pittsburgh loses Malkin in free agency this offseason, falls apart on the ice, then wins the lottery to draft Bedard -- who goes on to overlap with Crosby for a couple seasons, and then leads the Penguins right back to perennial 100-point campaigns and playoff berths.... "Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row."

If Levi or Portillo comes in and plays 50+ games at .940+ sv% and the backup (UPL) rocks a .910+ sv%... then sure, they're a shoo-in. But otherwise, no. Over an 82-game schedule, this team will not yet surpass Tampa, Florida, Toronto, or Boston next season. They should be in contention for the wild card if the Metro only has three top teams. 2023-2024 though... as Dahlin begins to hit his prime and Power/Muel/Cozens/Quinn/JJP begin to fully realize themselves, and the goalie situation becomes clear... that is where the fun begins.

Probably with Ullmark and his SO prowess.

I don't know... I can imagine quite a bit.

So... in a year or so... Mitts as a 3C/4C who checks, battles, and wins face-offs. And has the talent to be nasty.

He may never lose a game again.

Let's get Tager to put on his OT hat.

Just go take the lead again.

If I'm GM and it's an EA NHL game, I am totally drafting Jagger Firkus in the round before he is expected to go. What a name!