French Collection

I think Florida is bit weaker this season having lost a top 4 D. We will see what Huberdeau gets Calgary at the deadline and whether Weegar extends there. He has a chance for more minutes there by not being behind Ekblad.

According to Cap Friendly 9 of 32 teams are over the cap limit. Three more teams are within range without a full lineup.

Haven’t heard any other news. He was supposed to be ready for this camp. Must’ve had a setback or a doctor would not provide clearance. Hopefully good for the prospect tournament. A good start in the WHlL will get him a chance at the World Junior Team.

I don’t want Erod either, I don’t think he makes this Sabres team any better. Plus, he would want to be paid according to his one good season.

Savoie will not participate in World Juniors Summer Camp.

I know, right. He doesn’t even seem that good of a player.

Sabres may make the playoffs before Vegas. There must be turmoil in that room with all the churning of players over their short existence. The players know some of them have to go before the season starts just to meet cap compliance.

My TD Bank advisor says the same thing. I hope I am not supporting the Bruins by banking with them.

If a good player shakes loose then you let the competition at camp determine the pecking order. KA must then decide to trade a Bjork/Bryson/Fitzgerald. Hinestroza may have to go. I like the team but you can’t fall in love with all of the players. Adding talent, especially for free, will make the lineup better. If it is a cap dump then they can waive the player or retain half and move him on.

Some UFAs left who want decent money: Kadri, Klingberg, Niederreiter, Kessel. Lots of unsigned RFAs. Quite a few teams tight against the cap. C’mon KA, get some assets by weaponizing that cap. Philly’s first for taking Van Riemsdyk would have been nice, a lottery pick. That is probably why they balked and gave up on Gaudreau. Someone will crack sooner or later, they are that one piece away from winning.

He seems comfortable there as he’s done it in the SHL. He may revolutionize the 1D position if he can do it well. He and Mule seem like such a great fit that I would run with it.

Matt has outperformed him so far but I like Brady more. I think it’s because he has signed long term with the team that drafted him, he wanted to grow with the team, has taken a leadership position and is a big presence in the community.

I think Lindgren may end up as a steal. His skills and numbers are not much below guys from the WHL who went in the first round (Korchinski, Mateychuk, Pickering). I like the Neuchev pick, skill and size. Novikov is another that might become something like Boosh. Mule clone would be great if that is his upside.

This front page news in Canada. It is a black stain on hockey players and Hockey Canada, sexual assault of multiple team members on a girl is serious. The Federal government wants answers because a significant portion of the funding comes from them. There are allegations of a fund set up by Hockey Canada to deal with these issues. The 7 players have video evidence of consent that was provided to London police for the initial investigation. There are dozens of texts between the girl and a player that were turned over as well. It seems like the girl was payed off to make this go away. The NHL is investigating also.

I voted Mitts because it feels like his turn. He is not my favourite player but he has had a bad run lately plus the stunted development years beforehand.

Because KA traded for him I feel the same way.

KA traded for him so he will have more time to carve a role on this team. I am not sure what he will become, he may even be a pesky 4C on a good team. If KA doesn’t make any moves, one of these guys will have to step up and be THE faceoff C. They need someone like Peca to work with them to improve and have one be the go to guy.

I don’t see an ego that will disrupt the team. If he gets a few seasons of quality starts then gets beat out by UPL/Levi/Portillo, I think he could return to the backup role. He says he loves to practice, workout and to be around the guys.

The Vladiator, if Boosh plays a similar style he will become a fan favourite. Opposition players will be hearing footsteps and be off their games when he is on the ice. DG brought up a point that other players may get more physical having Boosh around. This is a skill that will make the Sabres harder to play against.

Yeah, his best hockey is behind him. He is a battler in his own end but doesn’t skate it out or create offense. To use an older term, stay at home defenseman.

“Of course, I like Veenie” Big smile on his face when Hinestroza’s name is mentioned.

He’s good in his own end, blocking shots, clearing the crease and winning puck battles. However, the puck stays in his end a lot.

I agree that the Sabres roster will be filled with genuine NHLers. They are also the youngest roster in the league. Combine that with a deep prospect pool and my confidence in DG coaching them to improve as individuals and as a team has me thinking they are over the hump. This is looking like good times ahead for the Sabres. If Comrie is ready now and UPL takes a step forward I will be ready to think about playoff runs coming up.

Good, the more the merrier. Another viewing of the Sabres prospects plus an opportunity to measure them vs other teams.

I watched them both in the OHL. They were good players. Maybe they just didn’t progress beyond that level. Their hockey IQ held them back when everyone else was as big and fast. Cliff Pu was another guy that was good in the OHL, he could really skate and put up good numbers in London.