French Collection

I’m not on the Tuch for Captain train. He should be a part of the leadership group. I’d like to see KO get it and see who the successor will be over the next year or three.

I think Tuch is a 55 point player. His main assets are work ethic, speed and size. His shot is average and he doesn’t have magic hands. The energy he has about being a Sabre is what you need in a leadership group. If he was tickled to come to a bottom feeding franchise, the future will make him have a permanent smile.

I’m sure there is a picture of him wearing Leafs pyjamas as a kid. Show that to Dubas, retain 50% and have the Coyotes be a third party retaining another 50% and Leafs nation will plan the parade.

I would have done it. If the chemistry was not working, you retain 50% and move him ASAP. If he wasn’t helping much and not worth an extension you move him at the deadline.

I see a parallel to Peterka’s year and keep in mind Kulich is a year younger than JJP was. The Czech boys in Rochester will help the transition as well. I see the Q (Cape Breton) as option #2 if he isn’t ready for the AHL. He could work on his English , get a feel for the smaller ice surface and be a go to guy in that league. I would only send him back to Czechia if he was lonely. Playing against men would help him develop too but I think this kid wants to be in N.Am.

The Habs may do OK on that deal, potentially moving him at the deadline for another asset.

You called it, I was not as worried. One game knockout seems to always produce an upset.

I am not into gambling but I would put a bit on the Sabres there. I guess I would have to subscribe to a gambling site to make that bet.

Canada struggled at times vs Switzerland, they will need to be better vs Czechia. We get another look at Kulich and Suchanek. Rivals Sweden and Finland meet in the other semi final. This might be Rosen and Sjodin’s last game, I think the Finns are a bit stronger.

I didn’t stay up but I just read the report. That is an upset, the Czechs said that they learned a lot from losing to Latvia and they were hungry for this one. I thought the USA had the best team, you never know in this type of format. Good for Kulich, the Sabres will be happy. Suchanek will be on the Sabres prospect team, he may be one to watch since Levi and Portillo won’t be there.

Good kill by Latvia but Sweden scores later. They look uninspired. A good chance by Rosen, looks better today.

I wonder if Kjell Dahlin is a relative of Rasmus.

I have had enough with JAGs. I don’t think they need Motte. Krebs, Quinn and Peterka still have some growing to do but they have nothing to prove at the AHL level except scoring championships and the Calder Cup. If Sheahan and Bjork beat these guys for spots at camp, then KA needs to reassess and deal with that. These young guns won’t come in and be all stars but they have a higher ceiling than JAGs. They have some skills that are better than many current NHLers, plus an upside.

Listened to Marty and Duffer on Sabres Live today. They have the same questions that we have here about who plays centre. Marty rhymed off Thompson, Krebs and Cozens and was unsure of 4C. He doesn’t feel Zemgus or Asplund should play there. He says Sheahan can do it but only if Quinn and Peterka don’t make the team. He did not mention Mittelstadt. Duffer floated the idea of going after Stastny but that it would be unlikely for him to come. Maybe I am on hopium here but would like to see Asplund given a real shot at it. Another option for me would be to try and get Krebs to embrace that role and also provide more offence than a guy like Larry did.

We like watching Alone, pushing themselves to the limit. I love the creativity in building shelters and the ability to get food.

Coaches say the same thing about parents. Every little decision is under a microscope and debated.

I’m a little disappointed in Rosen, he only got 11:00 last night and no points. His coach must feel the same way because he was on a better line and getting more ice time at the start of the tournament. There is still time for him to turn it around, Sweden should get at least two more games. He is 19, this is the year for him to show something at this tournament. Kulich has had some good moments. He is 18 and the Czechs only have one good line so opponents have shut them down. The USA is a great team and he will be challenged on every shift. The PP is their only chance to score IMO and Kulich is one of the keys on their unit.

I’m not an expert in the education field but from my perspective teacher’s roles have changed a lot. They used to be the ones that had the knowledge and would pass it on to the kids. Now, technology allows everyone to have the knowledge at their fingertips so the teachers IMHO, don’t have as much respect. As I have aged I find the changes comes faster. 40 years ago the methods used in my trade were the same as 20-30 years before that. Technology provided equipment and tools to make the work physically easier and safer. Over the years newer technologies, newer procedures and regulated training came at a faster pace and produced more of a streamlined, cookie cutter approach to getting the work done. I find there used to be more thinking and creativity involved, which got people in trouble sometimes, but led to more job satisfaction. Anyway, enough ranting, gotta get these kids off of my lawn.

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.