French Collection

I don’t mind it but I grew up in the kicked garbage can era. He didn’t point anybody out, throwing a blanket over the whole team as being lousy. Using the word compete seems like a common term. Sounds like he has a few VOs who might need to sit. In private he will probably tell each guy what he needs to do better next game but he didn’t throw any individuals under the bus. The Canucks are 2-1, he doesn’t want to go backwards. My impression is that Tocchet struggles with finding positive in every situation and he is not there to coddle the younger players. I may be way off but he strikes me as being more of a Torts than a DG.

I like it the way it is. I could stand less of a crowd on stage but I like the overall vibe.

I think their run is done. The cap has affected their depth. With a healthy lineup they can still do some damage but I can’t see them going all the way without guys like McDonagh, Killorn, Palat, Goodrow, Colton, Maroon etc…

Clifton will look good when Bryson draws back in. Hopefully Mule is not out too long.

3vs3 is something the Sabres should be top of the league at. The talent available is top notch. I was surprised to see Greenway out there, DG must be rewarding his good play or it’s just a display of trust in his ability to shield the puck with his big body and his defensive awareness. He got an assist on the game winner. I love Cozens recognizing he is 1 on 1 with Sheary and taking advantage of a weaker player to go to the net.

Reinhart worked a lot on his shot to go from muffins to average. Reinhart was a bit bigger but would fall every time there was contact. Reinhart has a high hockey IQ as well but I think Benson’s is higher. Reinhart’s net front work on the PP was good as far as tips and rebounds. I find Benson’s grit can categorized as dog on a bone. His ability to steal pucks is something Mark Stone has been really good at and that gave him some Selke consideration.

Nowhere to go but up with Cozens. Krebs will energize that line tonight. I spent a total of 15 minutes in my truck today and heard Whitehorse twice on the radio. Fans will hear it in the rink tonight.

What’s Drew Stafford up to?

Krebs deserves a shot up the lineup. I remember him not being very good on the wing but that was two years ago. They can share faceoff duties depending on strong side/hot hand. Maybe Cozens needs to simplify his game and use his speed to play a north south game on the wing. Krebs has two burners to feed and he can look after the defensive end of things.

Something needs to change in regards to VO, DG scratched him last year and it didn’t seem to help. VO is who he is and can’t change his game so….

It’s like eating an elephant, it seems overwhelming, but it starts with just one bite.

Matthews’ pace dropped by a goal per game. Reporters up here were talking 70+ goals and we’re only two games in. If he had scored tonight they probably would have said Gretzky’s 50 goals in 39 games was about to fall.

Without the goalie issue, they could carry Biro or Rousek and try them on while VO sits. Those guys are better suited as wingers.

I just had a thought about Benson and Quinn together, I think they could be terrific. I don’t know who centres them (Mitts, Cozens, Savoie or Krebs) but they are both so creative that they could score goals in ways we haven’t seen. They have high hockey IQ and play chess compared to most guys playing checkers.

I’m not a fancy stats guy but this does not bode well for VO. I have had him and Bryson as the fall guys for many of the team’s issues for a few years now. He brought down Mitts last year and now he’s doing it to Cozens. I rely on my eyes that the guy doesn’t win any battles or seem to want to battle. Battling includes working hard with or without the puck. DG says he values “compete level” very highly. DG benched him for a reason last year when the games mattered most and I suspect that his eye test was backed up by the in house analytics staff. I wish Quinn was around, this problem would be easier to solve. I am willing to give anyone a shot on Cozens’ wing to see if the situation improves.

I’m disappointed with the Sabres start but it’s not over yet. It’s not fun but I’m not jumping overboard yet. Cup finalist Florida is 0-2. Conference finalist and favourite of many Edmonton is also 0-2. There is time to get on track.

Seems like it over the last few years.

Once he hits his ceiling of 3rd line winger the fans will call him a bust and run him out of town.

Time to ruin someone else’s home opener. These guys have played better on the road and they should want to put forth a better effort. Lou’s crew will try to suffocate them. Avenge the Hudson Fasching soccer goal!

The big contracts used to be to 29 year olds who just had a career season in their first shot at being a UFA.

Thank you.

I broke my arm the day after breaking a mirror, I thought that was weird. If I change seats at home and the Sabres score, I remain in that seat. Didn’t work last night.

I’m disappointed by the effort. The Rangers got a few early breaks and capitalized on them. They played like a wet blanket for the second half of the game, blocking shots like it was game 7 of the conference final. They got a lead and then defended it, pure and simple. They were prepared and it showed. Positives: Greenway, Krebs, Benson, Clifton, Peterka Negatives: Power, Okposo, Thompson, Granato.

Treating this like a playoff game.

JJP draws one, he and Greenway are playing well.