French Collection

A couple of good blocks by the D to keep them in this.

Survived a Bryson shift.

OK, regroup here and play the third like you want it! The Sabres are the faster team but can’t use their speed when hemmed in their zone.

I wonder if he realizes it and asks for load management (scratches).

They are flying out there tonight. Keep the throttle wide open!

I would say Mitts is currently playing like the 2C. Cozens was even moved to TNT’s wing for a few games. I would hope Mitts’ contract comes in around $5.5-6M, but he is playing well and could match or exceed Cozens’ stats. I love Cozens more but Mitts’ season could show him to be a core piece. He is also motivated by his next contract. Even if he is 3C long term, he may be one of the top 6 forwards and probably deserves to get paid like one.

Like many, I’m over VO even though he scored 28 goals last year. Many of us have gone over his weaknesses multiple times, no need to rehash that. Your statement that DG is done with him is accurate. He was scratched down the stretch and now early in the season. His only return path is a team scoring slump or lousy PP. He could slot in and pot a few goals that could keep him around for a few more games. He will still find himself in the doghouse soon after because of all the issues with his game. I am OK with him as the 13th forward, until Quinn comes back. If VO has a good couple of games, he might pop up on someone’s radar as a trade candidate. Don’t expect much for him. He is not complaining yet but if it gets to that point KA needs to move him out. I don’t think he is the type of player who would thrive in the playoffs anyway.

He’ll never catch Nolan Ryan.

I’m happy to see KA willing to cook the books a little bit. This isn’t Kucherov or Stone level cap circumvention but I like that he is willing to bend. He might have to do that cap juggling soon.

Plus, he’s a Melnyk hire, who had no GM experience beforehand. He was a head scout.

Sens to lose a first round pick for their role in the Dadonov trade. https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ottawa-senators-to-forfeit-first-round-pick-as-fallout-from-2021-evgenii-dadonov-trade-1.2029600 I guess they did not inform Vegas that he had a no movement clause and that caused a problem at the trade deadline, where he was moved to Anaheim but the trade was nullified by the league because the Ducks were on his list. You would think a team would look at a player’s contract once they acquired him but I guess the onus was on the Sens disclosing this information.

Let’s get the PP back to last year’s level, starting tonight. The Sabres becoming a special teams nightmare for the opposition can happen.

Always liked McClanahan, hoped he could bring the magic of the Miracle on Ice. Ramsey worked out, he didn’t.

They must be motivated to win this game, .500 with a win. They can get on a roll and assert themselves as an eastern conference contender with a good November. Dahlin will continue his points streak, getting 2. I am curious to see if their better defensive approach continues, giving UPL more support, Levi should be ready to back up. Cozens and Tuch may be held back a bit by VO but I think that line is a factor tonight. Let’s go Buffalo!

It may work out in everyone’s best interest. I think KA is concerned with the Wenatchee situation in the WHL. Benson gets to stick around longer, stretching out that 9 game window. Savoie’s AHL stint is over next week and he can start his 9 game look in Buffalo. Stretching that out a bit can get him close to the Team Canada camp. Does Benson qualify for an AHL conditioning stint now that he was placed on IR?

Mitts’ contract may change the make up of the team. People were saying 4x$5M before the season but it will be more if he keeps his play up to the current level. Paying guys like Girgs, KO and Jost good money might be tough to manage if Casey pushes for Cozens $$. Krebs under team control and ELC guys may become a thing on the 4th line.

Calgary’s start is poor and their two goalies have not played very well. They have 2 time AHL goalie of the year and last year’s AHL MVP Dustin Wolf inthe minors again. Vladar is probably available but I don’t want him.

This is where he can find a niche on the team. If he embraces the 4C role and works hard to be the best at that role, none of the upcoming prospects will move him out of that spot. Benson, Savoie, Kulich, Rosen, Östlund, Wahlberg may all battle for top 9 roles and may not be suited for the 4th line. This is where Rousek or Cederqvist can carve out a role as well if the other prospects are not defensively competent enough for the 4th line. I can see an energy 4th line more than pure shutdown style. An offensive minded rookie could get ice time with Krebs and Rousek/Girgs once KO retires. This would be similar to Krebs’ own apprenticeship. The rookie either outshines the 4th line role, embraces it or moves on. Perhaps none of Savoie, Kulich, Östlund or Wahlberg are suited to play 4C.

I’ve heard guys pronounce UPL’s nickname as Ooh-pee. The Habs/Expos mascot is You-pee.

UPL is important to righting the ship. He is the man right now and Levi will have to play well to get the net back. Long term they could be a tandem. Levi is who I see as a 1A going forward. Comrie is only signed for this year and he has played OK but his durability is an issue. UPL has an opportunity here to lock up a spot in Buffalo and I hope he can do it. He is young enough to find another level, especially if the team plays well in front of him. EJ’s influence will help the goalies. I still do not trust him until he shows some consistency. I was ready to give up on him but KA kept him around which ended up being a good move, for now. I’ll give him this, he wins games. It is not always pretty but he gets more run support than the others.

Wednesday’s game with the Flyers is the Sabres 10th game. DG said at the start of the season that 10 games was the number of games needed for his team to get into a rhythm and have the kinks worked out. A win would put them at .500 with a lot more positive signs. The Flyers started well but are heading in the wrong direction. I am feeling good about the team getting 4 points vs the Flyers.

Murray’s background is scouting and he’s probably not willing to hang around junior hockey barns for the money being offered. Probably some truth to not having tons of friends in the industry, he seemed a bit dour.

My guess is just hanging around his hometown of Shawville Quebec. Didn’t he raise horses? My brother in law dated TM’s sister 45 years ago but I don’t think I can go that route to find information.

I don’t think it will be Savoie because they can keep him in the AHL for another week or so before another decision needs to be made. I can see Stillman or Clague coming up since Clifton has one more game left on his suspension. Bryson will dress based on his play and DG’s glowing comments. I’m not sure about waivers for those two Dmen, I think there is a period (month?) where they can go back and forth without waivers every time.

With Comrie on IR and Coolley sent down there is a roster spot open.