French Collection

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?

I believe in the goal differential being a good indicator. Whether a team is offense or defense first, a positive goal differential usually means wins.

This is what I’m getting at. You are saying their prospect pool is better because they have Bedard. If their entire pool gets 2000 points in their careers while the Sabres pool gets 3000 theirs is still better because they have Bedard? It’s a pool of players and the Sabres depth is as good or better than anyone else’s. Having a Bedard is great to bring people out of their seats but I’m at a point where 3 scoring lines give you a better chance of winning. McDavid can score 150 points in a season but the team can’t go far in the playoffs due to lack of depth and goaltending.

They wouldn’t give him up for Eichel so I think they slightly overvalue their guys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySjUgBSA80g

Benson is also good defensively, Datsyuk was a great 200’ player. I just want Benson to end up better than most of that draft class, so the team can win and elevate their reputation.

I know your point is star power but since we don’t have Bedard I am looking at the big picture. Let’s say Bedard has a great HOF career and ends up with 1300 points. Benson has a decent career as a top 6 winger and ends up at 650 points. Kulich and Savoie may be a notch below and end up between 400-500 points. None of these guys were elite but contributed more than Bedard. Those three may end up as a solid second line for a few years. Bedard is a crown jewel but it takes a team to win. We’ll see how Chicago builds around him. We know how Edmonton has done with 2 of the top players in the world.

A smarter, more mobile Zadorov would be nice to have.

Exactly. Junior and University team busses are rolling through here in the summer, being used by soccer and baseball teams and others.

Kind of like the game, one guy does not make a team, or a pool. I don’t know much about Chicago’s pool but Buffalo’s has some high end guys across multiple positions.

They trust DG and like what he has done and is building towards. DG is loyal to his staff and wanted them kept around. I agree with @Taro Tthat the special teams coaching could use some help or replacement. I was hoping to see Quinn on PP1 to bring another good shooter in plus his puck handling and passing ability would add a few layers of options. I’m not a fan of TNT and VO just standing around waiting to be fed. That is one look they can use but really lacks creativity.

Good interview. I like when he says he brings a hard nosed game and likes to shut down plays.

I don’t have OCD but like a tidy home. Helped my oldest move a while back and the two cats left behind the equivalent of two more in hair under the furniture. Tough to keep my mouth shut but I don’t want to get a hairball.

TNT is definitely in the top 10 centres as far as offensive play. His defensive game needs work and his faceoff skills. I would say he is in the group around 7-12 depending on how effectiveness is measured. Guys like Bergeron, Barkov and Kopitar can’t score like Tage but bring other facets of the position that make them highly valued. TNT may not need to be as good defensively because his skating, size, reach and stick handling have him keep the puck longer than most. Being on the positive side of the possession game is a good form of defense.