French Collection

I just tried and got it right. It’s fun, I’ll add it to my morning brain work of Wordle,, Quordle, Octordle and Sudoku.

I could live with that, not sure if I would extend him though.

He’s got a poker face when discussing how much he loves Toronto imo. He doesn’t seem like the type who embraces being under the magnifying glass. Plus someone with more cap space than Toronto could give him the max, with less tax.

I knew he was a good Dman but I looked him up, 685 points in 904 games. He could score.

I think Sean Malone has only played one game but he is not in the category of player you are looking for.

The guy that comes to mind when I think of transformation from offense to two way force is Steve Yzerman. Bowman took over the Wings when StevieY was 28 and told him it was nice to score 50 goals and 100+ points but in order to win championships you need to shut down opponents as well as score. He never scored at his previous levels again but was a point per game 200’ C who went on to help his team win 3 Cups. VO is no Yzerman but I guess it can be done if the player commits to it. A few scoring veteran players hang on for a few extra years by becoming 4th line pests (Corey Perry) or more defensive roles (Staal, Stastny).

Pre injury Quinn is one of the guys I could see having a significant increase this year. You are right that his 14 goals is not a deal breaker. If Quinn can manage to be back for 30 games he can score 10 goals. Whoever replaces him on the roster (Rousek?) should put a few in up to that point. The team has lost 2 goals from Asplund, 2 goals from Hinestroza and 1 from Pilut. I expect offensive growth from JJP, Krebs, Greenway and Power. With decent health I think their offense remains close to the 280-300 goal range.

I guess size and draft pedigree matter. Wolf has more experience and has better numbers than Wallstedt and Askarov. Levi will just use this as fuel.

Something no one talks about is if he stays all year the Sabres May walk him to UFA. I don’t see an extension coming. If he plays decently and injuries keep him in the top 9, the Sabres might keep him for the playoff run. My guess is they will not be a seller at the deadline. It is not like losing Briere and Drury but it depends on how they are sitting at the deadline as far as depth and standings.

Interesting that you left out Vegas where the ownership always pursues the big fish.

Tell his friend that a lot of fans want him out too. He will be playing for another contract so he may have a decent start and increase his trade value. I still think KA will have to retain salary as most teams have no room.

Sprinting may break me.

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.