French Collection

Bryson with 3.5 more minutes than the next highest Dman Ryan Johnson.

Krebs wearing a A. He was 7 for 11 on draws.

Ratzlaf and Miedema sent back to their CHL clubs. https://x.com/buffalosabres/status/1705666637813129225?s=61&t=j-JSgROoLi4r-nB1w7C01g

The D for this game is interesting, the 3 guys fighting for the 7&8 spots and Ryan Johnson, Metsa, Novikov and Davies. Greenway, Jost, Krebs and JJP are the only NHL forwards.

I have always been leery of bringing him in but the comments about the culture being solid, Kane being mature and motivated have me on the fence. If PK and KA want it to happen, I would give VO lots of opportunity to bump up his numbers, trade him when Kane is ready to sign.

I also think Rousek makes it first due to his age, maturity and more well rounded game. Between Rosen and Kulich, I chose Kulich because he looks physically stronger than Rosen despite being younger.

I don’t think he will suck at camp, he is driven and has the mental makeup to build on his 7 game stint. If he does suck, then KA doesn’t have to trade or waive anybody, Levi goes to Rochester.

Don’t forget Savoie as an option. He may get a conditioning stint in Rochester and then an audition in Buffalo before deciding his future.

DG described him with one word, grit. He should become popular in Buffalo.

During DG’s nterview he mentioned the chemistry between Mitts and Tuch. He may want 3 scoring lines based on those three pairings to create difficult matchups for the opposition. Benson, Kulich and Rosen must be loving these linemates. Savoie is in the stands drooling. I think the D will move around some, there will be injuries and rest periods. Clifton may surprise and mesh well with Dahlin. Mule and EJ would be a shutdown and PK1 unit. Like many I want a better partner for Power but Joki can step up and do this.

I’ll give it a shot.

And a whole bunch of Euros.

Doesn’t hurt to have a look at how Clifton looks with Dahlin. Benson must be giddy. That kid could be feeding TNT in a few years.

Zegras outplayed him in the final game at the World Juniors, otherwise, I take Cozens every time.

From my work stint in the Yukon, this was the 11th picture from the end. The top of this mountain in the Tombstones, has eroded to look like some kind of castle.

Love the red eye on the buffalo. Go Beast!

No to Zegras. He wants TNT/Cozens money. He is flashy and sells tickets but the Sabres already have plenty of offense. It sounds like he doesn’t play defense, PK or win draws, which are areas of need. It seems like he may end up on the wing or 3C in Anaheim, probably a similar situation to Buffalo, so he is not worth the money. Now, if you can get him for VO and a prospect (Östlund)? I might do something like that, see if he fits in and adjust accordingly.

EJ, signing with Buffalo was favourite off season memory. Levi’s nickname is Beast.

I love prospect watching, drafts and junior hockey so that stuff is great for me. The Sabres being a lousy team for so long has made the prospect angle a big part of the wait ‘til next year talk. Becoming a playoff team and contender will take some of the steam out of prospect discussion, as will drafting bottom third for a stretch of time.

They go from the classiest captain in the league to a guy everybody wants to kill. He will lead their decent.

I try and find some positive aspects to this news. He may not need surgery. He will probably remain in Buffalo, under the watchful eye of their medical staff. There is no need to rush him back or ship him back to the WHL. A slow recovery plus a few spaced out NHL games can take him into November, where better decisions can be made.

Quinn’s development will be delayed and he may have broken out to a new level. As you state he is not a core piece to making the playoffs yet. He will be a nice addition upon his return, similar to an offensive acquisition at the deadline.

Possible top 13 forward roster for sometime in 2025, either the end of 24/25 or the start of 25/26. JJP being the only guy not drafted in the 1st round. Skinner Thompson Tuch Quinn Cozens Kulich Benson Mittelstadt Savoie Peterka Krebs Rosen Östlund

Can a team be successful with four scoring lines? Is this what KA and DG are attempting to do? This is what may happen with all of the high end talent the Sabres have amassed. Not every prospect will hit their ceilings but even if half of them become NHLers they will be spread out amongst the four lines. The C spine could be Thompson, Cozens, Mittelstadt and Krebs. Savoie, Kulich, Östlund, Wahlberg are all C prospects. Mitts and the young guys can move to wing but those spots get crowded too. Rosen and Benson are two high end talents that will vie for top 6 wing slots in a few years. Players will have to embrace bottom 6 roles and shine when an injury gives them a chance to move up. A few guys will want to move on for a bigger role and more money when they become UFAs. It is a good problem to have but it will be a fun ride. KA can move high end prospects to fill in gaps plus get more picks so they can keep the conveyor belt of guys on ELCs rolling, because it won’t be cheap to have 3-4 lines of guys that can score. It will be tough for me to not get too attached to some of these forwards as they will need to make room. Guys like JJP, Rosen, Kulich and Savoie may have to become botton 6 wingers. Guys like Skinner will age out and Tuch may get pushed down. Do Poltapov, Neuchev and Kisakov have NHL ceilings? Kozak only gets a spot if they need a traditional 4C and he takes the necessary steps imho. Interesting times to come, playoffs this year will energize everyone.

The Krebs discussion about him embracing a 3-4 C role applies here I think. If Mitts signs and returns to C then 4C is all that is available to these high end C prospects. You need someone to embrace that role or to admit 4C is my ceiling on this team. Kozak may end up being that guy because that probably is his ceiling. Some of these prospects can move to wing, but will be bottom 6 wingers. It will be interesting to see who gets moved and what the returns are. Some of these kids will not want to be a 4C, even on a good team. They will want an opportunity to play middle C and get the salary that role provides.