French Collection

I think his strength is running a PP. Without that he is another Joki, maybe smaller. If he can round out his skills he could be a 4D.

I’ll change my stance to take him at 13 if he is BPA. The Sabres need D, especially RHD, and he is one of those. I enjoy watching him and think he has great potential. The problem I have is that he will never reach his ceiling in Buffalo with Dahlin running PP1 and Power running PP2. If these guys sign for 8 years ASP will only play even strength minutes. You would be turning him into Joki. He is so young that he can round out his game and find a role but I just think he needs to be a PP QB to be effective and he wouldn’t get that chance in Buffalo unless Power’s offensive game doesn’t grow.

I think his goals can be replaced by committee. Quinn will make the biggest jump next year and he will become a more important part of the PP going forward. My guess is 10-12 more from him. JJP will get few more as well, I’m thinking 6-10 more. Greenway had 6, surely he can get 5 more. Mitts is primarily a playmaker but he can get 4-6 more. Krebs can hit double digits. There’s 25-30 goals just from internal growth.

I’ll buy that. Levi level goaltending, better PK and an attitude similar to the end of season run that it’s OK to grind out a 3-2 win can help them hit those numbers. Adding a Graves and another experienced Dman will help a lot too.

I am still hoping he signs but I believe it is a slim chance now. There is no D depth in this organization and he is waiting for what to make his decision? It’s not like the Portillo situation, who was probably intimidated by Levi. Johnson is not going to go somewhere else and be a first pairing guy. He’s probably a 4-6 Dman at best. He’s a bit prickly if he waits until August to announce he is going the UFA route. I know the compensation will be a late second rounder in ‘24 but that piece will be a part of the ROR trade tree. We have an old saying around here, sh*t or get off the pot!

I think it was the second round, by the Lightning. Only 8 President’s Trophy winners have won the Stanley Cup in the almost 40 year history of that award.

I could use the money.

Tonight’s matchups: Can Florida follow up a convincing win in Boston and take the lead at home? Lyon has done his share, career AHLer stands tall. Can the Canes put a stranglehold on the series in Long Island? Fishermen in danger of being blown out to sea. Can the Wild sort out their goaltending to get back on track in St Paul? Stars in line to guide the favourites to a lead. Can the Kings keep the high powered Oilers in check? Royalty refuses to bend the knee to McJesus.

Wasn’t Scheifele called out by Paul Maurice for that in previous playoffs?

That causes a lot of disparity in size at the U16 level where kids get drafted into the CHL. A recent example is Aaron Ekblad. I watched him a lot as a 16-17 year old. He was physically mature and dominated the OHL. He has had a good NHL career so far but doesn’t look like a #1 overall pick.

There’s power in that, hopefully they are well compensated for their efforts. It seems like KA is great at delegating and empowering people. I am sure they would like to run their own show at some point but it would be nice to stay and see where this goes.

The Russians in ‘72 were way better at gamesmanship. Stealing Canada’s food (steaks). Random phone calls during nap times. East German referees. KGB looking types around everywhere.

Quite a bit of talent that will go in the first two rounds of this year’s draft. I find these all star teams take a while to gel and play as a team. That is a big advantage for the USNDTP, their team is together all year. Canada’s guys are playing too much like individuals. Part of it is growing up as the best guy on their teams. I suspect an arena full of NHL scouts and executives makes them want to showcase their skills in their last games of the year. Colby Barlow, a big power forward who scored 46 goals in the OHL this year has not shown me much. Whenever he gets the puck he tries to do it all himself. He’s shown some skill but hasn’t produced. That is probably the coaches biggest challenge, making these guys park their egos at the door and work as a team for the greater good of all.

Canada U18 team is looking better today, but it is vs Germany. 5-0 in the second period. Wood playing well again, scored two goals. Dragicevic went end to end on a PP to score.

If the Sabres get .900 sv% goaltending next year, they will cut their goals against by 24.

He reminds me of Juggernaut.

Yeah, just after I said Grubauer was the difference and that he wants to shove it down Colorado's throat. I think I jinxed him. Sorry fellas. It’s OK, I want the Avs to win. I don’t like the expansion teams making playoffs let alone going deep.

Avs just popped two quick goals to tie it up.

I could see Jack Quinn becoming a right handed version of Kyle Connor. Shots are 17-6 for the Jets.

All the games have some hate on tonight.

If Levi could get to that level the Sabres are set in net.

Hellebuyck is so good.

I thought I heard all of Drury’s players are untouchables.

Jets draw first blood.

Kraken up by 2 on the Avs in the first. These guys are playing well.