French Collection

McLeod, Greenway and Zucker are all middle six calibre players and are developing some chemistry. This is the second line at the moment and their ice time should reflect this.

Jokiharju looks better than Dahlin at the moment. I went with injury, no way he goes from all-star to this level in a few months. He’s not skating properly, barely shooting and his passing has no zip.

Exactly what I was thinking, Kulich can play C.

Back to back so Levi should be in. Columbus is one of the weaker teams but the Sabres need to come in edgy from last night’s result and just play simple hockey. Build an early lead to take the crowd out and have a buffer for the third period, when their energy may sag. The PP better figure it out soon, can’t win without some help.

Yay, a loser point, at least.

Winning will shut them all up.

The Prague games had the same vibe.

Lindy might, Cozens is playing like crap, Quinn can’t seem to get going and Benson hasn’t found his form.

Broke the seal on Blomqvist, let’s go.

My guess would be his pending UFA status is the big motivation for him this season. How many players have had their best seasons in that scenario? Whatever his motivation, a career year from him would definitely help the cause.

DG gets credit for pushing KA to get Greenway but other than PK work he wasn’t very effective last year.

McLeod was also 10/16 on faceoffs.

Well, that was a pleasant surprise. Nice win to turn the tide. 120 years ago they could have challenged the Panthers for the silver chalice.

Levi vs Knight is a World Junior final rematch. Levi should have something to prove as those Panthers took Knight in the 1st round while he was taken in the 7th. Let’s go Buffalo.

Gritty defending Cup champs coming in after a loss to Ottawa to play a soft, beaten down Sabres team. My expectations are really low so they probably pull this one out. Blind squirrel, meet nut.

Nice hit by Malenstyn

PK was nice and aggressive. Gotta get the other half of the special teams going.

Seattle started Grubauer last night, lots of money for a backup. Daccord played like a number one last year but Gru was supposed to be the guy.

I didn’t like that two former Devils dropped the pucks on both days.

$75K of cap space savings with Levi in and Reimer out. Gives KA a bit more wiggle room. In all seriousness, I think Levi is ready for the NHL and I hope UPL responds to the challenge.

Going to Europe next spring. For our one day in France I let my wife decide Paris or not and she did not want to go there. We are doing the beaches of Normandy and Mont St-Michel instead.

Hear, hear. I feel the same way after only two games.

What a lousy weekend. Those games bookended my worst round of golf in 30 years. I am not in a good mood but I will not pile on. I give these guys more time than this but they make it so damn hard to be a fan. The goaltending was good and that is an important building block. They need to win a few to get some confidence and start to play more instinctively. Dahlin needs to get healthy, he can be a difference maker but he looks like 50% out there. I hope JJP and Benson are back for the home opener.

I would put Kulich in and drop Greenway or Zucker to the 4th line. I would also play him on PP2.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen chants will be heard, and he will respond. JJP will keep the Munich vibe going with a PP goal and Cozens will have a good game, channeling his May run in the same building.