French Collection

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.

They can’t recall who said it but they heard that Buffalo was looking to deal TNT for a 5th or a 3rd rounder a few years ago. It was a rumour they have no facts about. They go on to talk about how TNT is coming into Matthews’ class as a goal scorer.

Toronto media trying to stir up Buffalo fans.

Olofsson really needs to bear down at 5v5. He is not winning any battles and struggles to get the puck out along the wall. PP2 has not been used a lot and he has not been a factor there. He still has the good shot but there are fewer opportunities to use it and he brings little else.

Well, Fantilli had his best game to date and was a factor in Canada’s win. I guess he is an excellent prospect after all. He needs to keep that going.

I’ve heard that throughout the tournament from TSN.

Kulich wins it in OT for Czechia with a nice drive to the net. They advance to gold medal game. Player of the game for Kulich.

Östlund with a secondary assist on the only goal so far.

He just passed Lafreniere on their depth chart. 😃

0-0 after 1, both teams had a PP that didn’t look impressive.

Great shift by Kulich, wasn’t affected by the stinger. Drove to the net, got a nice tip on a point shot and then covered for the Dman when he pinched.

Kulich blocks a shot on the PK, stung him.

Östlund has been noticeable on his shifts today, flying out there and confidently handling the puck.