French Collection

Good for Sova, he had a good Prospects Camp.

I like that the prospects have shown well. KA is patiently running a draft and develop program and it is bearing fruit at the prospect level. Last year’s Amerks run was helped by prospects as well. They seem poised to have a nice influx of young talent to stay competitive at the AHL level. The pipeline is built and starting to fill up. The Sabres are one of the youngest teams in the NHL and have some great talent developing and waiting for their time. Over the next few years there should be a few prospects ready to break into the NHL, putting pressure on the existing roster. Good players will have to be moved to make room and the returns should fill gaps and areas of weakness. Not all of these guys will make it but there should be at least 4 or 5 that will have an impact on the Sabres. I think there is enough talent to continue having balanced scoring lines on the Sabres. Whether guys like Savoie, Kulich, Rosen, Cederqvist, Kozak, Rousek or Kisakov play on the top 6 or bottom 6 they seem to have some skills sets that can lead to scoring.. Other forwards that could have an NHL future are Östlund, Neuchev, Nadeau, Bloom, Weissbach, Poltapov etc… I think we are done with JAGs. The defense is young and looks good but the pipeline could use a few RHD. There is no rush to get prospects to the Sabres. I find Novikov intriguing, he could be similar to Samuelsson. I will feel better when Levi and Portillo sign. This will mean the weakest position has some solid prospects in the pipeline. I think this team will play meaningful games in the spring and will improve next year. The pipeline should give this team staying power. There is always optimism at this time of year but I think KA has built something good and sustainable.

Exactly, he signed for 5 years for that reason. I don’t think he enjoys the scrutiny of the Toronto media, even though they fawn all over him for his regular season exploits. Most Leafs fans think he’s going to automatically re-sign, who in their right doesn’t want to play for them?

The NHLPA probably doesn’t like it but the Avs management and his teammates are happy. They can contend for a while now and when the cap goes up they can extend Byram, Newhook and whoever else becomes a core piece.

Matthews will definitely want to get paid. He skipped junior and NCAA to play in the Swiss league and make money as a 17 year old. $400K if I recall. This is my opinion, but he always gives off a bit of a selfish vibe. Maybe it is because of his shooting ability but I can’t understand how a C gets more goals than assists when they hand out 2A for every goal. Tavares will get his Leafs pyjamas in a knot when they have to buy him out or trade him in order to give Matthews the $15M he will ask for.

Was he with Jarvis all year? My guess is Kozak did not get any PP time so that is a big part of the scoring difference. Kozak was 16 until the mid point of the season, I would think it took him a while to get used to the new league, he only played 5 games in his Bantam draft year. I am very excited that he turned out as well as he did for a 7th rounder. I can’t see why they would send him back to the CHL. He’s played there for parts of 4 years.

Milquetoast is more like it.

Where was the Karmanos interview?

Outshot Sens 41-19. Speed was the key in this game, the Sens just didn’t have the horsepower. Kozak is a keeper. 3rd line role but led the team in goals. He played both special teams and won a ton of draws. I think he is ready for the pro game, the only thing he will get in the WHL is honing his offense. Sova is a LHD but the Sabres should get this guy. He plays a solid two way game. He should have a good year in Erie. Rousek, Rosen and Kulich were great. Rosen has speed and skill and even had a key shot block. Rousek plays a fast and smart game. Kulich looks good at C and played a 200’ game. We didn’t get to see his shot but he was very good in many aspects. Savoie was good this game. He plays as advertised. He won some draws as well. Lindgren can really skate and wants to attack. He could score 75 points+ in the WHL this year. Weissbach was really good on 5v5 and special teams, he will be a big part of the Amerks offense. I would sign Suchanek as a depth goalie who could develop into something nice. Stu Barnes coaches him in the WHL.

Kodak and Cederqvist have been good together. 6-3 Sabres

Savoie from Kisakov on the PP. What a snipe.

Nice rush by Kisakov and Savoie with a good finish.

Suchanek with some nice saves. Savoie and Weissbach on the PK had a nice rush.

Good work by Cederqvist to feed Kodak for the tap in.

Yes! Rosen, Rousek and Kulich have been really good.

I like Suchanek but he is battling the puck. Sabres have so much speed.

Nice play by Kisakov, Weissbach has been good every game.

I’m pleased with the prospect team so far. There are some really skilled forwards. Östlund and Nadeau would have bolstered this lineup. I think they need to sign another goalie, Suchanek would be my choice. Even if Levi and Portillo sign, there is room for another prospect. I would like to see Novikov over here soon. He sounds like a solid Dman in the KHL, too bad he is LHD. A few more D in the pipeline would be nice. Kozak is good and getting good reviews from the coaches and media. He could become the Sabres 4C.

2-0 Buffalo Sabres

Devils are sore losers, losers nonetheless.

Kulich was back helping the D on his last shift, seems aware of responsibility. He was on PK as well.

Great play by Weissbach.

Rousek with another good play, Rosens pots the rebound. 5-2 Sabres

I like the way the D have been playing. Komarov is solid. Good for Sova, he was probably close to being drafted. Sabres should keep close tabs on him in Erie.

I get what you are saying, Hughes is way better than Weber. I get it. However, Hughes is a great skater and is a pure offensive Dman. That is why he is a first pairing Dman. I definitely want him or a pair of him QBing my PP. He is not very good defensively, physically weak and I wouldn’t want him or two of him killing a penalty. I obviously don’t want 6 Webers but I want a variety of skill sets, role guys who are better at certain things who can play that role well. I also think 2022 Weber would be a way better skater than than Weber 1.0. He may only get 9-12 minutes for my team where Hughes will get 25.