French Collection

I doubt anyone on Washington had good numbers. I still can’t believe they made the playoffs.

Done deal. Kevin Bahl and a top 10 protected 2025 1st round pick.

I don’t think he is a cancer. As others have said, he is popular with teammates. What he is though, is not the solution to the Sabres problems. He is the highest paid forward but not the best player. He is a veteran player but has never worn a letter. He cheats defensively, which sends the wrong message to the young guys. He is difficult to coach because of the unpredictability of his game and the unwillingness to play a complete game. I don’t care if he is bought out this year or next, I think a shake up is needed. If it happens now, how KA uses that cap space will show everyone wha his plan is to move this team forward and to keep his job. If he pulls the trigger and then makes a trade with Tampa to get Cirelli for picks/prospects/Krebs and get a couple of Goodrow types for the bottom 6 that is a net positive. The cap space would allow him a lot of flexibility for this coming year and he needs to do better than Eric Robinson.

I am guessing here but I would think the team handles the hats and shirts. Perhaps the league has a say on what is printed on the swag. I remember a story from some team’s training staff (Habs?) about stocking beer on ice in the dressing room during the third period only to have to remove and hide it when the game went to OT.

Florida support staff is going to be burned out carrying the champagne, beer, Cup Champions paraphernalia back and forth across the continent. I was thinking about them hiding that stuff in an opponents rink. It’s got to be tough logistically to avoid giving the home team bulletin board material.

Buyout Skinner and offer sheet Mitts.

Yeah, I wish he was making half of his $3.6M, that would be much better. He is still the type of player the Sabres need. Wore an A with NYR. Good on the PK too.

Overpaid for his current production. Good faceoff guy. Gritty and will drop the gloves. Two Cups with Tampa. Southern Ontario guy. I would gamble on him, bring him to camp and if he is done waive him. only 4 goals in the regular season but 6 in 16 playoff games.

I agree that more toughness is needed. Watch what you wish for though, Leaf’s got a real tough guy in Reaves, but he can’t play hockey. Plus they are stuck with a three year contract. Jeannot can play 4th line, just depends on the cost to get him.

Even if Levi leads the Sabres to a Cup in a few years, they will regard that as ancient history, especially their fans. Same idea as Thompson ending up with better career numbers than ROR, they got their Cup.

I’ve been on Kawagama Lake, just north of there but never Blackcat.

What’s the name of the lake?

Badinka sounds like a good option at 43. I would take Helenius over Nygaard at 11. Nygaard sounds like a low ceiling high floor prospect. Helenius also play C and had a really good year in Liiga for a U18. I’ve read O’Reilly has skating issues but that can be worked on. There is no questioning his work ethic and he has good size. Being coached by Dale Hunter for a couple more years should get him ready for the pro game.

Gabriel Eliasson was ranked by Daily Faceoff as the most physical player in this draft. He is a LHD from Sweden who should be available in the middle rounds of this draft. 6’7” Dman hates to see an opponent have the puck and will use everything at his disposal to separate them from it. Commited to Michigan, where he should have plenty of time to develop. I want to add grit, toughness and defensive ability to the Sabres and this kid has all of that, plus these skills comes in a huge frame. I haven’t studied him closely so I don’t know his deficiencies but with a mid round pick he would be interesting. He may not lead prospects in any fancy stats but it sounds like re-possession is a strength of his.

I was intrigued by big forward Dean Letourneau, who played prep school this year and is listed from late 1st rounder to mid second rounder. He was measured to be 6’6.5 214 at the combine. The competition he faced is what concerns a lot of scouts in evaluating him. I watched his interview with Flo Hockey. He tries to model his game after TNT due to his size and offensive skill. With Will Smith turning pro with San Jose there was an opening on Boston College for him this coming season. He was committed there but was going to the USHL to develop. He says he interviewed with 25 teams but the Sabres were not one of them.

One of the tabs at the top of the spreadsheet has sources.

Like others here I want them to add a few gritty 4th liners who still have some game. Ryan Lomberg and Nick Cousins are names I have heard thrown around. Keep in mind that a soon to be Stanley Cup champion is dressing Okposo over them.

I agree. They’ve had quite a bit of time already to choose a name. Ownership may want to sell these plain ones and then everyone buys another with the logo next year. And then they do a third jersey in their third year.

I’m in on that. Kid may not be available too low and you should get more than a 4th liner to go from 11 to 23. Probably get a decent 3rd liner maybe even a 3C if you add Rosen and they add a 3rd round pick.

I occasionally use Capfriendly to show Leaf Nation geniuses how it’s impossible for them to sign every UFA, even though they all dream about playing in Toronto.

Benson, Greenway, Cozens, Clifton and Dahlin.

Only if Florida’s bus rolls over on the way to the rink.

This is another reason why I want Levi and Dustin Wolf to be good. It will widen the spectrum of goalie prospects. I am not a fan of the mighty mites on D, teams can have 1 if he is a good puck mover and points generator, but 6’0 is not tiny for a goalie.

My favourite underwear has holes, but is my most comfortable pair.

Kulich will be disappointed in being sent back to Rochester after camp but Seth Appert can have a great heart to heart with him and explain what Lindy wants him to work on. If he follows their direction he could be the first call up and his play will dictate if he should remain on the big club.