French Collection

I may try and go for a game or two

He is more mature and it is his time to give it a go. The other guys mentioned could use more time to develop. Kulich could force his way into the l8neup by season’s end by taking another step in the AHL.

They should have extende Lupul, Clarkson and Robidas.

Music to my ears.

This is probably his last chance at a cup of coffee with the Sabres. In a pinch he is probably ahead of the Russians and Rosen as a W. A rash of injuries could get him a stint if Rousek and Kulich are up. They could go Murray instead but could elect to give him his chance as a “long” time employee. Next year Benson, Savoie, Rosen, Östlund and maybe Wahlberg are ahead of him. Neuchev and Kisakov could take a step as well.

Definitely a dark horse. He doesn’t turn 21 until the end of December. Another full year in the AHL to develop won’t hurt. I like guys like this that make it. He could replace Jost as 13F next year. Small part of the game but how is he on faceoffs?

Overpay for sure. Now they sign him to save face and stay in the arms race with the Leafs (Reaves) and Bruins (Lucic). I like tough hockey but those guys will end up being liabilities, especially Reaves for three years. They would’ve been better to keep Schenn as a shut down D who can drop the mitts.

As a French Canadian, I approve of this rant.

Hawerchuk. This guy was an under appreciated player around the league. Housley was Quinn Hughes with even less defense.

I don’t hate him, he is just the weakest link. You NO my answer.

I do not like VO’s game but I am willing to give him a shot while Quinn is out. Someone might beat him out at camp and I would be good with that. The only thing I like is his goal scoring and the associated song. He scored 28 goals but the 50 odd games in which he didn’t score were painful to watch. His effort to backcheck is low, he doesn’t forecheck well, he doesn’t work the wall very well, his passing is below average and he can’t get the puck over the blue line in the D zone. His compete level is the lowest on the team, probably why DG benched him to end the season. He is a PP shooter and can do that well but he lacks creativity on the PP when the shot isn’t there. He is basically one half of Ovie on the PP, just stand in your spot and fire pucks. I doubt he will channel Yzerman and find his defensive game at 27-28. Unless he has a great season he will probably not be extended so he will probably be moved at the deadline after Quinn returns. I don’t think Kulich is ready but that is the guy who will take over VO’s spot eventually. Kulich is already as big as VO, he just needs to adjust to NHL speed and processing. Bonus, he can play W and C.

I thought he would get around 25 goals this year. JJP should get more opportunities and be full of confidence from his success at the World Championships. He also should be putting on a few pounds of muscle over the summer.

Just not having Bryson on the ice should cut down on about 10 goals against. There’s probably an analytical tracking for that but my guess is probably in the ballpark. The other part of the equation is replacing him with someone better, which is happening.

He had a hard time finding employment before this broke.

This is a post Covid ranking so some leagues didn’t even play or had a limited schedule. The USHL had a few top CHL guys like Savoie play there during Covid. I think the USHL has closed the gap with the CHL. Those 4 leagues (OHL, WHL, USHL and QMJHL) are all doing a good job of developing NHL talent. The Q is weakest at pumping out NHL prospects but has won more than its fair share of Memorial Cups lately.

That’s the depth I’m hoping for. Guys like Mitts, Savoie, Kulich and Wahlberg that can C/W are huge assets to depth. They can move up and down the lineup at different positions. They also provide different faceoff options for the coaches to deploy.

That’s what I’m thinking. Krebs’ apprenticeship with KO and Girgs is about making him a 200’ C. He may be ready in another year to be the veteran that takes those two under his wings. He still has some good offensive instincts to mesh with some high end talent. Benson’s defensive abilities and Savoie’s speed will help their adjustment to the 2-way game. A 4th line of Östlund between Kulich and Wahlberg could provide some secondary scoring. As we have all said, not all of these guys will make it and there isn’t room for all of them either.

Karlsson moving could open up a spot for him on the Sharks is my guess. I’ve heard some talk of him going to Arizona but that probably doesn’t appeal to many guys.

I have watched some OJHL games. I think it is between the USHL an NAHL. I don’t know if it has produced as many NCAA recruits as the NAHL because it is mainly Canadian players. The “OJ” is also a popular league for guys still trying to get into the OHL, so it is not as much of a stepping stone to the NCAA as the BCHL and AJHL.

Nonstop rain is keeping me from cutting the grass. Tomorrow is another day.

I doubt either of them sticks with the Sabres this year, but they look like impact players when they do break in. Savoie was drafted as a C but seems to play some wing at the junior level. He may end up as a RW in the NHL. Maybe they break in on an ICE line with Krebs as the C. Savoie is faster and has a better shot while Benson’s playmaking and stick handling look elite. I am looking forward to Savoie and Benson teaming up for Canada at the World Juniors.

Teams are tight against the salary cap, maybe he is waiting to “help” someone out. My mind keeps coming back to a Pacioretty or Marleau like move, where the other team gives you a draft pick just to take a salary on a useable player. I think they still move VO and possibly Joki. I think Bryson clears waivers due to his salary. KA has been extremely conservative with weaponizing that cap space. My guess is he doesn’t want to block the young guys and/or upset the chemistry with a disgruntled guy.

That would be nice. Russians may still be dropping and they could scoop a 10-15 talent later. I have to admit I already looked at some early ‘24 lists.

I am still hoping for a trade involving VO. I am tired of watching him not compete, which is a buzzword KA and DG use a lot. I know they would be giving up his 28 goals but I am ready to move on. The injury to Quinn further decreases Buffalo’s ability to score, but he will return sometime in the second half. Increased defensive awareness with the acquisitions of Clifton and EJ will help the goal differential. I am still hoping for a veteran partner for Levi but just Levi alone will help the goaltending. UPL/Comrie getting around .900 in sv% would be a step in the right direction if KA doesn’t make a move. Fingers crossed on that. I expect JJP and Krebs to take a step forward, scoring wise, which would help offset the loss of Quinn. Krebs is not a goal scorer but his elevated play would set up more goals. Greenway scoring a few will help the offense remain potent. Without an NHLer returned for VO, Jost, Rousek, Savoie and Kulich could all help by rotating in and contributing a bit until one of them steps up and claims a spot. If a guy like Rousek pots 10 goals but is a plus at 5v5 that is a step in the right direction. A Kulich audition on PP2 could yield Olofsson like results. There are many possibilities for forward lines but I see DG keeping the TNT line intact. I see Mitts moving to the second line with Cozens and a rotation of Savoie, Kulich and Rousek to try and find a fit. Savoie gets his 9 game look and could mesh Krebs and Greenway anchoring the third line get one of those 3 guys auditioning for a spot. I think Rousek settles in to that role with one of those Jost could be moved up from 4C to try out on wing but I like him more on the 4th line and 13F. If VO could return a veteran 4C that would make a solid 4th line with KO and Girgs. I believe KA will have to retain some salary on VO, which isn’t a big deal.

He can approach it that way if he feels like he can make more money. My important factor as a fan is that he is still under team control after the deal. I don’t want to see a Matthews type of scenario. I may be wrong but I feel like Power will never put up the points Dahlin does because Rasmus is better at PP1. Because of that I think his earning potential is lower than Dahlin. The cap will be higher so he may end up with more $$ but I see Dahlin as the benchmark for the next few deals. I know Power’s value is more than just points but KA would use that in negotiations. Dahlin scores 80 points a year while you are a 65 point guy. We pay him $10M and you want $12M?