French Collection

Leino had a good series vs the Sabres too.

This guy has trouble cracking Columbus’ lineup. No thanks unless he is a throw in with a better piece. 6’2 205 fits a need but he sounds like a tweener, AHL/NHL this year.

Mule has been bad. It looks like he doesn’t even want the puck, just get rid of it ASAP seems to be his mindset. He’s not using his big body to move people or to win puck battles. Power is not much better, skating like he’s in quicksand and being indecisive.

I haven’t contributed my 2 cents here, I’m so disappointed that I don’t need to be reading negative stuff so I try and stay away for a while. Cozens comments are spot on imo. This team is too soft and others are taking advantage of it. They seem to be building a 4 scoring line team and I have entertained these thoughts myself. The focus has been skill, skill and more skill but this is still a man’s game. DG’s background from the USNTDP has been to go all skill so this probably makes up a big part of his plan. I don’t think the solution is to go out and get a fighter. A guy like Reaves is a liability in today’s game. He has not made the Leafs a foot taller or heavier by his presence. They are still soft and can’t play him because he sucks. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s so fighting was a part of hockey and part of the entertainment package. I enjoyed that hockey but have moved on with the direction of the broader changes in the game. The Sabres need to fill out a roster with more grit. Many have been saying this for a while and I think the Cozens comments are a cry for help. He has dropped the gloves to try and defend and inspire others but he is not the guy to be doing this on a regular basis. I don’t know if it can be done in season but KA must go outside the organization and find bottom six guys with some jam. Recent Cup winners have had plenty of skill but they also had grit. I think if the Sabres had a fourth line of Barclay Goodrow, Myles Wood and Trent Frederic they would provide a heavy forechecking presence and the capability of throwing down to defend teammates. A guy like Goodrow also brings a winning pedigree and can win many draws as well as be an effective PKer. The Rangers wouldn’t part with him as they are thinking Cup this year. These 3 guys are probably not available, affordable or willing to come to Buffalo. You can plug in different names like Hathaway, Colton, Paul, Sissons, Kostin, Lafferty, Jeannot, Clutterbuck, Martinook, Carrier, Foligno and many more. If you can find grit to play on your second or third lines like Sam Bennett, that is a bonus. I don’t think one of these guys is enough to make a big difference, they need at least two and probably three. If they are older then they can be load managed and insert one of Kulich, Rosen and Biro once in a while. Those guys wouldn’t be as timid as they are now, flanked by VO, Jost and KO. I’ve said this in other threads, I love KO the person, but his leadership style doesn’t lead to wins. One guy people have been pointing out for poor play is Mule. That has been evident but his lack of grit disappoints me. His father wasn’t a fighter but he was tough to play against. Power is still young but doesn’t push back. I have wanted him to find a sliver of Pronger DNA and inject that into his veins. He will never be a tough guy but he doesn’t need to be targeted either. Anyway, that is my rant for today. I’m getting close to start scouring the ‘24 draft reports so these guys better start playing soon.

Going to watch because it’s what I have done for a long time. I have avoided looking at draft lists so far and I don’t feel like doing that this year. I was told the playoffs were the goal and that we had the players to do it. Just do it!

Last year I thought that Ovi was going to break Gretzky’s record, no problem. He could have done it with a good season this year and next(40 + 33). He is off to a slow start, on pace for 20 goals. I think he will pick it up but every slump extends the timeline. He is 38 and has kept his scoring touch up until now but Father Time beats everyone. 67 goals behind, 68 to pass Wayne. I see a ***** in the armour and a possibility he falls short. Can he play 2 more seasons at a productive level? If his legs give out does he pack it in so close?

I know, it started out well and then they just start breaking down.

Tampa crushed by Dallas 8-1.

The Matt Ellis of insiders.

I agree it’s not easy to trade in season until the deadline. There are some guys available that could help. They probably don’t have huge impacts but every little bit helps. Hanifin pushes Joki and Mule down the depth chart, gets rid of Bryson and sends RyJo back to Rochester. Tanev doesn’t have offensive potential like Hanifin but he has way more in the tank than EJ. It’s too late now but a big push might have got Varlamov to sign with Buffalo in the summer or a sweet package may have landed Saros. KA didn’t want to block Levi/UPL.

Don’t hear him complaining, AHL+ skills, 2x NHL minimum to sit pretty in the press box.

3 first rounders +, that’s an NHL star package. Comparable to the Eichel deal.

My wife and son met him at a hotel last winter. He seemed to be sour about having a chat and taking a picture with minor hockey players.

No one is doing that in the OHL this year. Quentin Musty D+1 first rounder, 28 points in 15 games, is almost as hot. Shane Wright wasn’t putting up Savoie comparable numbers in the OHL last year after his return. It was his D+1 year as well.

I know many are aware of how the Amerks prospects are performing ytd and of Savoie’s explosive return to the WHL. Here’s how a few others are doing. Mats Lindgren D Red Deer Rebels WHL 18 points in 22 games Ethan Miedema LW Kingston Frontenacs OHL 17 points in 25 games Viljami Marjala F TPS Liiga 17 points in 27 games Vsevolod Komarov D Quebec Remparts QMJHL 16 points in 21 games Norwin Panocha D Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL 10 points in 26 games Scott Ratzlaff G Seattle Thunderbirds 3.07 GAA .898 SV%. He had a rough start but seems to be returning to form. Full list https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/53/buffalo-sabres/in-the-system

On one of our trips to the east coast we stopped unannounced to a farm in Windsor, NS. It was Howard Dill’s, who was famous for growing some of the largest pumpkins in the world. Our reason for stopping was because his property had Long Pond, the supposed birthplace of hockey, according to the Puck Stops Here. A really nice man, gave us a tour of the pond, showed us some of his hockey card collection and gave us some pumpkin seeds. Great day.

Did you grow your own this year? We had a good crop.

I can attest to the value of a pre shot routine in golf. It provides comfort and brings the up coming shot into focus instead of thinking about coulda, shoulda, woulda.

Tough matchup but this team has been following up losses with wins so that is what I am going with. Comrie doesn’t fill me with confidence but then none of the goalies do. Cozens turns the corner and pots one tonight. Benson continues his upward trajectory. Dahlin crushes Kotkaniemi and gets 2 helpers. Skinner revenge game, none of his passes cause turnovers.

True. I’m also getting tired of KA saying he’s not doing his job if he is not “in the conversation” on every available player. There are different levels of “in the conversation”. He is in love with his prospects and protects TP’s cap space in order to pay them. I don’t know which vets are available but identifying someone that you need and then offering a solid package can pry a lot of “untouchables” loose. The eye test gang and a strong analytics team should be able to find a few role players around the league. Inside the TSN production staff’s pants.

He is making it impossible for Team Canada to ignore him for the WJHC. He wasn’t even invited to camp last year and that has probably put a truck sized chip on his shoulder. The international challenge and having him compete with his peers will be great to watch. The exceptional 16 and 17 year olds make appearances but this is mainly a 19 year old tournament.

8x$5M extension.

That is the reason old time PBP guys learned how to be descriptive and draw in the audience. My father in law listened to Foster Hewitt on the radio and had his Beehive hockey photos on the kitchen table to follow the play. We are never going back to those days but broadcasters should keep in mind that some people are on the radio, listening on the internet or visually challenged.

Personally it was shooting my best ever round of golf, 5 under 67, to lead the men’s open championship after the first round at my home course. Finished 4th, a personal best. My first NHL game was a great memory, the buildup was a 4 hour car ride followed by a 12 hour train ride to Toronto. First time in a subway, Maple Leaf Gardens and my uncle gave me a drink at the hotel.

Not a bad position if there was only 1 Blues player on the ice.