French Collection

Glad to hear you’re OK. Working to restore power in Maine, lots of trees down, full foliage, saturated soil and high winds are a recipe for outages.

I think he gets a shot at the top 4 for sure. He brings grit, skating and a history with DG. He comes from a winning organization and will have a greater role in Buffalo. The competition will make Jokiharju step up his game. Henri can be the guy to carry the mail on the third pairing and step up to top 4 when required.

If he can be more consistent and come in around .900 SV% he can help the team and build on some success.

All prospects think they can make the NHL. This kid seems driven, saying he expected to make the Sabres last year. He may force their hand with a good camp.

He will provide leadership with his buddy Okposo. He seemed popular with teammates in Colorado so he should fit in. I hope there is enough gas in the tank for 60+ games. He can be load managed as required. He may play well enough to be a full time guy. His experience with shut down, PK work will benefit the young D core.

According to this Kulich has added 16 pounds. I hope it is all muscle and a lot of it in his legs. https://sabrenoise.com/2023/09/14/buffalo-sabres-2023-prospects-challenge/2/

I find Matthews is injury prone, missing 10-20 games every season. It limits his goal totals. If McJesus is still p****d at Matthews winning the Hart because of 60 goals and wants to score lots then TNT will have to bring his A+ game.

That’s how I remember the last few weeks. They seemed to have tightened up defensively which helped win games and protect Levi from getting shelled.

There is a crazy amount of forward talent here. It is just a short tournament vs peers but I want to see who brings his A game to create some buzz. I’m interested in the defense prospects. There are tons of high end forwards in the system but D depth is lagging. I think Novikov can develop into an NHLer and can’t wait to see how he does in N.Am. Johnson has been stewing for a long time in the NCAA, he could be ready by mid season. Has Lindgren improved? His WHL numbers dropped but maybe his defense has taken a step and he is filling in. The kid could really skate. FA Savoie was a solid Dman in the Q, maybe he can take a step. Ratzlaff is a good goalie, never have enough of those.

According to Leafs fans that trophy will be renamed the Auston Matthews after this year.

It’s a lot to ask of a rookie goalie to carry a team but there is a chance. Most here are hoping playoffs but Conn Smythe and the Cup would cement his status as an all time Sabre. Levi’s stats in the NCAA are way more impressive than Roy’s in the QMJHL. Roy was a very determined individual with a fiery personality and an air of cockiness. Levi is way more calm but is a very determined and confident person.

Bedard would have to be under 30 goals and 60 points for starters. Levi winning 25-30 games with .910 could beat him if the Sabres make the playoffs.

I realize it will cost more down the road but a bridge deal potentially keeps him with the Sabres longer than signing for eight years now. A bridge deal plus 8 years keeps him in the fold for longer.

I think he will be the 3C while Mitts plays wing with Cozens. I believe he will get 30-40 points. I hope his PK skills take a jump forward and he becomes a go to guy on that unit. Sabres Live interview with James Patrick was very honest. He said Krebs thought of himself as a top six player but that the NHL slots you where you belong. Patrick said he needs to embrace his role.

I was hesitant about him coming back but I am OK with one more year. He is all right as a part time 4th liner, I hope he is load managed a bit to keep his energy up. His style of leadership helps these young guys become great people and to come together as a team. I have concerns that he has never won anywhere so how does help get them over the hump. It doesn’t seem like he has the Messier/Toews serious stare down to make guys accountable and fall in line. Erik Johnson has won a Cup while Clifton has been a part of a successful organization so they should provide some of that type of leadership.

It is not that high of a bar to drop goals against by 20 while keeping the offense humming along.

Rochester is not that far away.

He’ll just be finding his stride for the playoffs where he will make a difference.

Bryson top right. Krebs with the sh**kickers on!

Not a splashy move but he will solidify the D corps and add some grit. He is a veteran coming from a winning organization who will provide some leadership to a young team.

Easy for me, I’m not a football fan. I want the Bills to win because of Buffalo but that’s about it. I will jump on the bandwagon during the playoffs.

I doubt he has ever had an NHL fight, he’s not going to start now. Maybe Krebs challenged him to a boxing match.

I agree with all of this. I love Tuch but the Sabres could use Tkachuk more. Dahlin towers over Chabot and that is the largest gap between the two teams. Buffalo, Ottawa and New Jersey should be battling for the Eastern Conference title for many years.

I can’t see how Power can get the same $ as Dahlin. Maybe due to the cap increases? I like the fact the Sabres have two #1 Dmen but one of them will always be ahead of the other. Dahlin will run PP1 and due to his age and experience, will put up better numbers than Power. If Dahlin is putting up 80 points while Power gets 60, I can’t see OP getting $10.5. Other metrics may help him get there and the cap increases may make $10.5 easier to get to but he will be 2nd fiddle to Dahlin. I love Power and think he will be great. I just fail to see him being better than Dahlin in the near future.

That’s a good point. I think this is where the leadership style of Okposo can help. He is a thoughtful, calming presence who speaks about the greater good of the team. He won’t talk Dahlin down to 8x$8.5 but he can help guys see the bigger picture and not squeeze every last penny out of KA. He is a solid NHLPA guy but he also has a lot of common sense.