French Collection

I just looked, it’s actually 18 months. Levi will be the same age when he plays his first playoff game. Schmid has played 61 AHL games between the USHL and the NHL. That is not very much pro experience.

A bunch of teams made deadline moves that were supposed to put them over the top. Rangers added Tarasenko too. Boston was already good and added Bertuzzi and Orlov. Florida didn’t add. I don’t think Carolina added much. Same with Seattle. Dallas kept the same lineup. Chemistry is more important than I might realize but tough to judge unless you are an insider. Maybe KA is on the right track.

But he wants to be in Buffalo, he can be our pyjama guy. Give him the C. I kid. Don’t want him.

A 4/5 Dman with term would be a good move, much better than a guy who needs 2-3 years of development. Another move I would consider is moving back to get another pick if the guy they want is gone or if they think their guy will be around later. Detroit has 18,41,42,43 Chicago has 20,35,44,52,56 Trade them 13 for their first rounder and a second.

He did sign, before he had played a game for Sutter. 100+ point player gets 55 points while Tkachuk gets even better with his ex-teammates. He is older but can certainly flourish again with a different coach.

We’re getting to the time of year when draft lists get finalized. I want to see where the Dmen rank, I think the Sabres have a shot at all of them. This isn’t a year where there are Dmen solidly in the top 10. Sandin-Pellikka’s stock probably rose with a strong U18 tournament. Reinbacher would be my choice, I think a team may take him earlier than Buffalo, like the Wings did with Seider a few years ago. Gulyalev I have not seen but I will watch a few videos of him before the draft. Simashev sounds like a Mule type Dman with some offensive upside. Bonk could end up in the second round but he will get a lot more views as London is looking like an OHL finalist and have a shot at the Memorial Cup. Dragicevic did not impress me at the U18s. There were a few good plays but he didn’t dominate vs his peers. A point per game Dman in the WHL but his defensive game is weak. Molendyk is getting extra views in the playoffs but I haven’t read too much about him. Price was OK at the U18s. Lindstein played well for Sweden at the U18s. Willander also looked good for Sweden. There will be lots of options for a Dman in the 2nd round. It would be awesome for the Sabres scouts to luck out on other teams passing a guy they want like the Kulich pick last year.

I’m not an expert but I think it is a more recent trend and will become even more popular with McJesus leading the flock. Gretzky wasn’t known for his skating and didn’t use the cross overs much. Many of his breakaways were due to cheating in the defensive zone and his IQ putting him in the right positions. McDavid crosses over to beat guys wide and then cut to the net which Gretzky never did. Gretzky didn’t go to net net much on the rush, he slowed the play down to let guys join and then dish off to the best option.

A few players said they would not return if Sutter remained. I didn’t hear any specific names but I wouldn’t be surprised if Huberdeau was one of them after having a bad season by his standards. A new GM and coach may keep their roster in tow or make a major shake up. We will have to wait and see who is hired nd what kind of teams they like.

Kids can be released from their KHL clubs. I don’t expect this to happen with Poltapov but it can be done. https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-ivan-miroshnichenko-khl-avangard-terminate-contract Miroshnichenko was the kid who had cancer last winter and his draft stock dropped from top 10 to getting taken 20th. He played 20+ games in the KHL this season.

Östlund is better than Nylander so if this happens he better get a darn good Dman. Östlund may be ready to challenge for a a spot on the Sabres when KA is ready to move on from someone like Krebs. He could also be the 3C to force Krebs to 4C.

Tampa learned their lesson chasing the President’s trophy and getting swept by Columbus. They throttled back and won two Cups plus another final.

I think we all agree that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is horrible on many fronts. It’s unfortunate kids like this weren’t able to play U20 or U18 World tournaments.

Panthers/Leafs tickets going on sale, Panthers restrict sale to US residents only. Good for them to try and get Cat fans only. Leafs fans will pay anything on the secondary market for tickets, so expect some Leaf blowers.

Montgomery may get the Adams, Bergeron may get the Selke and Ullmark may get the Vezina. The team won the President’s Trophy but it is still feels like a failed season.

This obviously came from ownership as Treliving has been gone for two weeks. I think they are on the hook for $8M so they had to swallow that first. The mutiny against Sutter won out.

Thanks, I like it.

I am OK with him staying in Sweden one more year. He has only been playing second division over there so he needs to play SHL before coming over. The AHL grind would wear him down physically, he’s still kind of small at 163 lbs. Get some Swedish meatballs into him then come over. He is only 19 and some more time at home won’t hurt him. He is in line for a big role on their WJ team playing in front of a home crowd.

You never what kind of performance Levi would have put up.

Komarov with an assist on the OT winner as Quebec takes a 2-0 lead in their series vs Gatineau.

I picked Florida in 7 over the Bruins but also Colorado to repeat so I’m out.

LHD

It’s a huge upset but Florida finished strong and one year ago they were the best team in the regular season, winning the President’s Trophy.

KA have to pull a Gerry Meehan move?

The kid played a full season in the KHL at 19 and half a season last year. He doesn’t turn 20 until July.

The clips I’ve seen of Neuchev show a highly skilled player. Good skater, puck handler and shooter.