DarthEbriate

Good opening shift.

There is value to a good tough guy, but Geertsen is not that guy. Perhaps if Geertsen had gotten into a fight in one of the Sabres' losses they would have won instead> Dunne is the only "dress vs. tough teams" guy they would need on the roster because of all the other folks listed up thread. For the record. DesLauriers skated 6:24 in that PHI-MTL game. DesLauriers is 34 years old, has played almost 800 NHL games, and although he's slower now -- he still good enough speed to get around the ice and make tons of hits (now over 2000 in his career). And when DLo wants to go no one laughs at him. He's an NHL player (not a great one, but still effective in small doses). Geertsen is a bottom six AHLer.

You want Ellis back? You also have to take Quinn and you need to retain on Kyrou. We'll make the handoff in pre-game.

He's been a stabilizing influence to their entire bottom 6 since his debut.

Peak Hasek didn't appear until a playoff game in his age 28 season. (Not that he wasn't good earlier, but at that point he went ascended saiyan goalie.)

It's a pretty rough punishment for Doan's penalty or for Tuch shooting wide of the net on the 3-on-1 rush. They've been the best and most consistent line for the season (ever since Benson came back into the lineup). They're 5-1-4 since that line came together -- and have still picked up points with Benson back out of the lineup.

Dunne was the better player all preseason (and is the better AHL player, too). If anyone should've been the enforcer type to make the team, it should have been Dunne. And, except maybe his first game this year where he was a bit slow and took a bad penalty, he's been OK. That said, Greenway's return takes him out of the lineup as soon as the NHL guys return. He's behind Greenway, Malenstyn, Kozak, Krebs, and Danforth for 4th line minutes. Then, it's a matter of: if Ruff is dead set on Geertsen, then he's the 13/14th forward (depending on 3 goalies) and Dunne gets to go reprise his top-6 role with the Amerks. And if Ruff can be convinced to let his Geertsen go, then Dunne can be 14: but you'll eventually have to waive Kozak or Malenstyn who both bring a ton more to the ice in terms of PK and speed, or to make a trade.

Beat St Louis tomorrow -- then waive him after the 30 days -- and they're second in line to claim him (for NHL). They then ride their own Goalie Hydra for awhile -- until they waive Hofer. Sabres then put in a claim for Hofer in a couple weeks. Rinse and repeat.

If you aren't going to give him St. Louis and the motivation of "You shouldn't have a waived me. Look at your crap goaltending now" then I don't know when he will play with the 3-headed monster. Goalie Hydra! Question: Has Ellis been practicing since he twinged his back?

I'm a big fan of Kozak and have been since he flat-out stonewalled Rempe in the WHL. I still think at the moment he's a 13 -- perfect to fill in up-and-down the lineup in the bottom 9. By the trade deadline this season, though, he could be a legitimate 4C who can still float up the lineup. He could make Krebs expendable. He's got to get the FO% up while he's on this 2-year contract. Kozak's biggest issue thus far has been staying healthy (even in the AHL).

I thought maybe Marino was older and had been with Pitt as a 7 or something (like Ruhwedel) and maybe Vanecek was older and had been Washington's backup... but they are not. But at least four in Sergachev, Maata, Schmidt, and Cole. Their entire backend.

And if Ratzlaff comes up, how does Leinonen get his necessary starts to keep developing -- swapping to Jacksonville? Or Ellis for that matter (who has now played in 1 game since 10/4 when he got 20 minutes of the final preseason game for STL and who never went to IR for his back tightness, so presumably he's fully healthy)? Tonight: an early battle for first place in the North as the Amerks host Syracuse.

Only to the Bruins thus far.

Flyer-Habs, Bruins-Isles also both went to OT. No ground being gained on anyone in the early games.

Quinn... Quinn, mah bukee, you disappoint me.

Oh... oh, Quinn...

11 for Utah fell asleep after the faceoff win. McLeod turned it into yet another great Vejmelka save. And ... there it goes again.

I'm sure the speed difference between these teams won't be apparent in 3-on-3.

McBain now 9/9 on faceoffs for Utah.

This is where getting that 3C who is an elite FO guy can be helpful. Power getting outhustled, outworked, outstrengthed... by... 5'9" 178# Kailer Yamamoto

Waved off immediately. Lucky. Horrible follow-up shift to the Sabres' goal though.

Utah can't challenge it. Good goal.

Yup.

Österized with the bank shot.

Muel, you've gotta hold that shot until the screen gets there.