French Collection

Crush the Orange! Like other posters above, I want the kid line to get back on track. The Flyers lineup is weak enough that DG can play them vs the weakest links and regain their mojo. Dahlin will not be required to play 30 minutes but he will get a couple of PP points. Let’s go Buffalo!

Maybe Eakin can hold a faceoff camp for the boys. I know the importance of faceoffs has been debated but there is a need to have some improvement there. A clean win on PP or PK means possession, which means plays can be made. A centre ice or neutral zone faceoff is not as important but lead to possession as well. There are links of a chain that can happen from possession of the puck. Maybe there are analytics showing how unimportant they are because of the ebb and flow of turnovers after the draw, but there is no denying the eye test of losing a key draw that leads to a goal or the opposition clearing their zone. My view may be simple but trotting out a guy averaging around 40% vs someone in the mid 50% range is a disadvantage. They will get better with experience, knowing the other C’s, linesman tendencies, strength and technique. One of our young guys could carve out a nice niche by becoming the go to guy.

They beat the Bruins in Boston, that is a pretty good measuring stick and confidence builder. They lost to Ottawa, it happens. The Kraken are having a good season but aren’t exactly the Lightning in playoff mode. Just play hard and let the chips fall where they may. The Sabres can beat anyone.

I think DG would love 4 scoring lines. Any GM/coach would love 4 scoring lines. Paying all the players is an issue, you need a constant flow of skilled guys on ELCs. The talent could be spread out to make the 4th line potent enough to scare other teams. Krebs and Jost seem like capable 3/4 Cs. They are both 1st round picks so their offensive skill is there. Savoie, Kulich, Östlund and Kozak have time to stew.

If he can play near last night’s level on a consistent basis, we can end this thread or change the title to: What is Mitts’’ ceiling? IF

I still see Krebs’ comparable as Doug Gilmour. A smallish, gritty, determined C who will outwork you and compete to the end of the game. Not the 127 point Gilmour but the two way heart and soul playmaker. I think Krebs can be the 3C. 4C is ok as well if Savoie, Kulich or Östlund end up having the talent to be above him in the lineup.

Czechia used Kulich as a winger in the World Juniors. It will depend on how he is groomed in Rochester and how he develops. I see him as a winger, sifting through traffic to get open and firing lasers.

Finally coming down enough to go to bed. What a game!

Dahlin interview was good, he loved the energy of the crowd. He says he is scared to think how loud it would be to win a Cup there.

MAF is staying in the NHL and he just let in 6.

Dahlin was licking his lips with that matchup.

They need to win those games in hand in order to stay in the race. They know it and are doing it. Give Dahlin the Norris, I don’t give a s**t if Karlsson gets 100 points.

Just wow! I was into this game, barely posted. VO, Mitts and Krebs with OT ice time. VO and Mitts have turned a corner? Dahlin was super engaged tonight, 5 points. UPL made the saves when they mattered, another win.

Show me your offense boys!

Being young and playing loose should mean they exceed expectations. They are still underdogs for most of the fanbases in the league and are just beginning to strike fear into opponents. At the start of the season most of us hoped for meaningful games in March and that is where they are heading. If they are 6 or 8 points back with no games in hand, then I will worry. The trade deadline may bring a boost. I hope it is well thought out because I see teams add guys that underperform or don’t fit in every year.

Probably not taking it too well. Exceptional status for OHL as a 15 year old. Multi year #1 ranked prospect for his draft. Great performance as a 16 year old at the U18 tournament. Captained Canada to the U20 gold. I’ve watched him a lot in 3 OHL years and he has never wowed me. He will prove me wrong butI see him as a middle six C who can get 20 goals. He is still very young though.

Probably an urban myth but, good thing he already has kids (3).

If they trade with LA, I hope it is not Clarke coming to Buffalo. I didn’t like his game in the OHL, he produced but seemed to be about himself more than the team. In the offensive zone he was always tapping or waving his stick that he was open. It was annoying because there were often 1 or 2 better options but he wanted the puck. He was doing the same thing for Team Canada at this year’s WJs. He produces but on a team of all stars there are many options. I find him to be weak defensively, like many young D. He reminds me of Tony DeAngelo, with a bit less drama. It is also odd that this was his first invite to Team Canada. He has been one of the top 3-4 RHD for a few years now and he wasn’t invited until this year. Last August they went with 7 LHD when he was pegged as one of the top Dmen in the CHL.

Asplund can play C or W, greater versatility than VH.

UPL and Comrie are likely the tandem next year. Comrie is signed for another year and he hasn’t had a proper look yet. He has stuff to learn from Andy as well. As much as I like NHL calibre depth, I think Hinestroza needs to be waived. He is not part of the future roster. When Joker returns, they gain a RHD, so Fitz can be waived. I think it will be an interesting trade deadline, the Sabres will not be sellers. There may be a hockey trade to improve depth and certain positions but I can’t see a sell off of 3-4 guys.

Kulich had a good showing, making the all star team. He is still young enough to play next year. Suchanek played great game in an game out. Gutsy performance after getting run over. I want KA to pursue him as a FA. Östlund was player of the game for Sweden today. He needs a few years to get stronger and be ready for the North American pro game. Rosen had a few spurts but wasn’t a standout. Halifax/Moncton were great hosts. Gothenburg Sweden next year.

Sabres Live with Marty and Duffer is a daily habit with me.

I’ve read some stuff on the CBA that says the window for signing undrafted CHL guys is closed when their CHL season starts. If they are 20, it sounds like they are UFAs and can play an overage season in the CHL. It gets muddied a bit in Suchanek’s case because he is an import who has been loaned to the CHL club by his Euro team. The Euro team holds his rights as he is undrafted. I am not sure if he could be signed once his CHL season is over, or if the Euro team needs to be paid off.

He could slot into the 3C role at some point but I don’t think his line mates should be VO and Mitts. Jost is stronger defensively for that role right now. VO could benefit from a playmaker like Krebs, he just needs to work harder at 5v5.

Rosen had a nice rush, beating a couple of Dmen and getting a decent scoring chance. A few shots on the PP were not great. I thought Östlund had a good game, he played well at both ends and the coach played him in OT. Kulich was good, he played quite a bit on the perimeter but the winning goal was a drive to the net. He is their trigger man on the PP. Shane Wright asserted himself physically vs the USA, he still lacks high end skill imo. Milic is another undrafted goalie who played well in this tournament. Joshua Roy is a good player, Habs got him in the 5th round. Luke Hughes is a riverboat gambler, similar to his brother Quinn. I didn’t see much D from him. Czechia is the only team to have beaten Canada and they look good. I hope it will be a great gold medal game today.