DarthEbriate

Working up the trade value!

I want the Blackhawks version of Paul Hamilton to ask them after the game: "Did you take the Sabres lightly? Did you not respect the game tonight?"

Remember one of UPL's victories over the Hawks is probably the one where TNT broke his stick on his shot, turned back toward the bench, and the puck hit the backboards, then caromed off the goalie's skate and in.

Several minutes behind now. Quinn... thanks to Zucker crossing the face of the goalie. Luukkonen: 3 on 17 is bad. Soderblom: 8 on 26 is... also bad.

But... Son of Ben... probably needs to be playing instead of being the 3rd broadcaster.

Was making dinner... Muel-PO!

14 years of Post-Traumatic Sabres Disorder

Power guilty of a soft pass in his own zone. Get it out, or pass it hard. Don't mess around inside your blue line.

Bah! Good rebound goal. Muel couldn't find it fast enough, but that's how pucks bounce. It was contested, just got turned the wrong way.

Byram sneaks in. BB-4 for Four (on the season)! Ray actually makes a good point: Tuch didn't baby that pass, which the Sabres are guilty of way too many times each game. You're playing with the best in the world. Pass it with mustard. Make a sandwich.

They didn't do a drop pass!

Glad Zucker's shoulder also looks better again, in addition to the new 'stache, and assumedly some regained weight. Sir, so good to see you fully functional again!

Great feed, Quinn (Solo). Don't get cocky! Zucker, sweet.

Hypothetically, if TNT remains at center, and TNT-Tuch remains a tandem (and Doan). And Benson-Norris both get healthy and stay healthy... who "completes" a Benson-Norris line? Someone to win board battles....

Wooo! TNT and Tuch look so much better when they're moving their feet and going to the net. (Like that Skinner season.)

The way that puck was spinning, and given Luukkonen's puck-luck and losing sight of it, Tuch probably saved a goal.

Did Malenstyn tweak something last game? I'm surprised with his speed that he's the first one sitting.

Yes, if you waive Kozak at this point, he won't make it to Rochester. Heck, he wouldn't make it past Edmonton. They could use a player like him in their bottom six.

I’ve got Bib Fortona ready to go. Dey wanna wanga?

And to the topic of the post: I don't keep either long term. As long as I can keep Dahlin, I'm good. I have my 1D/PP1, franchise guy who can compete for Norris' and can take over games. Moving Power can get me 3 building blocks (1st rounder, player, + something). Moving Byram, who is fine as a complimentary piece to Dahlin but to no one else... might get me a 1st or a player. Either way, I can rebuild my D-corp for balance and get a 3rd pair guy who is a PP QB, get a forward, and picks. Now, if losing Tuch causes Dahlin to say, "Enough!" --- then I go with Power over Byram. But that's worst-case scenario.

Easy. Quinn Hughes is UFA in 2027. Dougie Hamilton is UFA in 2028. Trade Dougie Hamilton in 2027 and sign Quinn to a good deal. Upgrade and get younger. Let the Hughes triumvirate (unless there are more coming) be their inexpensive core (by production) for the next 5 seasons. It requires Jack Hughes to stay healthy, but the talent is there at 1C and 1D.

Yes, and it's fortunate for him he found a team willing to give him the 2-way deal this season. I still think it's odd that he got 2 years when Ruff only has 1 remaining on his contract, but whatever. I don't fault Geertsen for anything except maybe playing too nice. It's not his fault that when he tried to mix it up and start something the opponents pointed to the scoreboard and said, "We're not taking any penalties." Geertsen could've forced the issue (he obviously tried to and got a misconduct for it), but maybe he could've shut up and then gone in with his elbows up later and started a ruckus that way. But... he never seemed to play over the line, or even on the edge. For me, Dunne is next (and Rochester could use him). I'd say he's 85% likely to clear waivers. Zucker --> Greenway bumps down to 4W --> Dunne is out Benson --> Rosén down Norris --> Östlund down Danforth --> new 13 since Kozak has been good (or in for Quinn or any underperforming/low-effort forward)

And he's got an NHL contract for next season, too.

Exactly. Plus, in between they saved their season in the 3rd period vs. Detroit and then had a dominant win against big bad McDavid & Draisaitl. They're safe from change until at least an eight-game losing streak.

It made sense in preseason when it was obvious that Dunne was 3x the player Geertsen was. Though the Amerks would much rather have Dunne in their top 6 than Geertsen as a 4W with less upside than Jagger Joshua.