French Collection

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.

Rosen going head to head vs Kulich on their first shifts.

I hope KA is still in touch with Suchanek. He has a .935 SV% in 5 WJ games.

Tage is having a fantastic season. Just think, he could be 2 or 3 seasons away from his peak. KA looks like a genius for signing him to the new contract. I can’t believe he is doing this for $1.4 M while already having the extension. Many guys “breakout” just before being extended and then plateau or fall off. I am wondering how much Tuch is helping him? Some may feel that Tuch is riding TNT’s coattails but Tuch is doing some great things as well. He has 80 points in 86 games as a Sabre. These guys are the most dynamic pair since Lafontaine and Mogilny. I don’t think Tuch is on that level on his own but he is really good and brings some great intangibles to the team.

Correct on the Matthews season. He won the Hart because of goals, McDavid didn’t explode to nearly 2 pt/g like he did the previous season and the current one. Also, some people wanted a change from McJesus winning it every year. I think McDavid’s goal scoring this year is a result of last year’s votes. Too bad Tage is doing his thing in the same season.

Building block games. Getting confidence by coming back against the Bruins and Caps in their buildings is huge. I am still upset I drove to Ottawa to watch that one, I was pumped for a big win.

If Russia had been in the WJs we might have seen Komarov. I kind of doubt it because they don’t often take CHL guys and 18 year olds. I would like to get some views on him vs his peers. He and Spacek are in the Q, Spacek’s offensive numbers are better.