DarthEbriate

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!

The last <mumble mumble> years, Pittsburgh has been one of the many teams that absolutely had another gear that we could not match (or even come close to). But judging by the score and everyone's comments (and a PP goal and flukey goal by two of the best players on the planet), I'm guessing that tonight they do not have that gear as compared to us.

Unable to watch tonight's game, but this is why I'm not moving Ryan Johnson just because Power/Sam/Dahlin are all young. If Johnson becomes good, he pushes the Joker. And that's not a bad thing.

Eakin. We talk about him constantly. Announcers talk about him and his faceoff prowess constantly. Opposition announcers talk about his mullet.

It's on TNT. I'm hit. I can't stay with you. Sorry! (though maybe I'll tune in on the interwebs radio dial)

We're on our way. Blue group, Gold group, all 'Spacers follow me!

I like symmetry. I fancy the Sabres picking 8th, 16th, and 32nd, with an alternate (where VGK squeaks into the playoffs) of 10th, 20th, and 30th.

Huh. It seems like another contender could have been convinced to give up at least a 4th. If all goes according to plan, FLA never even dresses Hagg in a playoff game with Ekblad and Chiarot coming back. Latest out of Florida is Ekblad avoided serious injury. If this were GM JBott, we'd learn tomorrow that Florida flipped Hagg for a 2nd and another 7/8 D-man.

This is why I just stay on Galactic Standard Time to avoid confusion. Normally, this would be the time to hop into the B-Wing and cross the border for a fun Vancouver weekend. Alas, the Sabres came to Seattle this season. So this weekend is on the opposite border and no hockey games. May The Concept Of (Victory) be with you, Sabres! And have fun, 'Spacers.

I'm just listing the picks yet to be made, not comparing Tuch/Krebs to Raddysh/Katchouk.

All these 1sts being moved for rentals (and Hagels)... it's a good time to be a rebuilding squad with the 2023 draft coming up.

Brandon Hagel nets more 1sts (expected late-round, just like VGK) than Eichel. I get the late 1sts for Chicago as they're finally embracing a rebuild a few seasons too late. But, he's under contract for nothing for 3 years... he's the kind of guy you can rebuild around as a top-six option given recent production.

That's the plan. First, Quinn has to stay in the lineup. VO on a fair contract extension (easy because he's an RFA and his own injury this season means he won't break the bank) will still be easily traded when Quinn has supplanted him. But that hasn't happened yet. And removing blockers doesn't force Quinn to beat anyone out for a roster spot. I want that competition for the sweater.

Never? C'mon! Dotson, Cox (to be a backup), Jones (to stay on), Jackson (to return after initially not wanting to even report the prior season), Beebe (as a 5/6), Howard, and then Rison for nothing in-season. Teams that are on the cusp of greatness with an up-and-coming QB find it really easy to attract good players who want to win.

Out of the frying pan and into the Flames. But now the Heritage Classic and its circus, plus only one game in 6 days are firmly in the rearview mirror. Girgs and Miller have had their wake-up skate. The issue tonight is the Flames suffocating defense. (and they're good offensively, too) Gotta stay on the throttle, score first, and get the Flames out of their comforting trap. Try to get this into a higher-scoring affair.

A playoff team who needs a RHD who can man the 2nd PP they should give up a 2nd for the rental of Miller (any veteran they're planning to start the rest of the season and playoffs). If the team just wants playoff depth they shouldn't offer higher than a 3rd. But Chiarot pulling a 1st + 4th + mid-level prospect (but unsigned NCAA contract) means the Sabres could get a 1st + nothing else for Miller with the right buyer.