French Collection

Recency bias makes me change my opinion a little bit during this tournament but I try and avoid the roller coaster rides. Other examples on the optimistic side: Luke Hughes is the best player in his family. High bar but it is hard to say right now. How is Bergmanis not drafted? He hadn’t done much until now. McTavish will be a 1C and captain of the Ducks. Zegras would like to have a chat about 1C.

I recall Reinhart having a muffin of a shot in his first year, he worked at it and really improved. Reinhart is adept at tipping shots and was strong enough to hold his ground. He would also drop back behind the net on the PP and provide another look as a playmaker. I think Krebs may be quicker/faster than Sam but he has some ground to gain in most skills. This is a big year for him to show improvement and see if he can play C at this level.

USA looked awesome last night, forechecking like madmen and playing a great possession game. Sweden couldn’t get anything going and we’re basically playing dump and change to get fresh legs on. This turned out to be fun to watch in the last 5 minutes as Sweden got within 1 goal and kept pressing. US goaltender looked so so, but in his defense, he had not faced any real pressure. Rosen was not a factor but no one really did much from the Swedish side. Sjodin was elevated to play with Lysell on a scoring line but spent most of the game in their own end.

I’ve said it before but stylistically he can be a Doug Gilmour type. All heart, chippy, pass first, 200’ centre. His point ratio may end up similar to Joe Thornton, 1 goal for every 3 assists. I see him as a good 3C who can move up to the top 6 and can play both special teams.

Patrick has had injury trouble since his junior days. Vegas will have more guys on LTIR than the Sabres have making $750K.

Typo from me, it is Suchanek, like the vampire.

I’m sure they were all invited to return. I would say the most common reason for not going is summer preparation to make an NHL team, including avoiding injuries. Their NHL teams would have had a strong opinion on this summer tournament. I read somewhere that McTavish wanted to play at all costs and had to convince Anaheim in order to go. I would think most teams felt that way about their top prospects.

I want to watch the USA vs Sweden game, first real test for each team. Same for Canada vs Finland. They are the top four and they finally get a challenging opponent. The Finns have just found another gear in international tournaments the past 5 years or so.

I go back to the Ryan Kessler comparisons with Cozens. I want him to become that type of player and have a solid career in Buffalo. I would wait another year before locking him up long term.

I think Lehner has issues with that organization as well. Maybe it was just the coach, but there were two stories going around about whether he could play down the stretch last season.

I got the same feeling around Canada Day. There were fewer flags than usual. People did not want to be associated with the protesters was my take on it.

I like the way Kulich plays, he could turn into a real good NHLer. It is very interesting how every team’s boards are so different. I guess it is why I remember Forton saying they make a list of around 120 guys, when there are 244 selected.

My uncle had a Plymouth Fury a bit older than that one. I slept on the back window during a few road trips.

One place I haven’t seen him slotted in is W onThompson’s line. He doesn’t deserve 1st line minutes yet but he may be a future set up man for TT.

Welcome to the 58 club, beat you by a month and a few days. Some days I feel like 68 while others seem like 48. Just do something, keep moving is my mantra.

They can alternate draws depending on who is hot, strong side/weak side, historical data vs opponents. Defensive zone responsibilities could be shared, first one back helps D.

Yes, players that had aged out were allowed to return.

Better than Bjork too. They know him and he must have been a positive influence in his first stint. Probably wanted to play there on his “last” contract.

Rosen with a nice goal, short side writer over the goalie’s shoulder.

Kulich with Czechia and Rosen, Sjodin with Sweden are the only Sabres prospects I am aware of.

I would rather give Comrie a shot than try to revive Murray. Murray has had three lousy seasons and is paid too much, even though the Sabres have cap room. There is upside with Comrie that is starting to show, I want to see him take the net and provide some solid goaltending.

USA has outshot Germany 25-4 in the first. Very dominant, moving the puck well. German goalie is playing well.

Kulich credited with an assist on Czechia’s 2nd goal. He may have scored, as he and Gut were jamming away at the puck in the crease.

She is only interim chair, until November. It may be difficult to implement much change in that timeframe. Hopefully she has some great leadership skills and gets the gig full time.

Kulich is playing RW on the top line for Czechia. He plays the right point on PP1. He generated one nice chance on a rush and had a few decent shot attempts.