Thorny

Norris could get healthy and bounce back. Let me just put that out there. My point merely is that there’s a legitimate concern he’s going to struggle to play games because…he has struggled to play games. The Skinner comp wasn’t a good one, that’s all. “Legitimate concern” is too generous, really. I would not think it more likely he plays a full season I would expect the opposite most likely

He stinks There is other injury history. He’s hurt right now

Had to bring facts back after whiffing on empty net goals

He won’t be as good (he was never going to be) but in many ways the takes are worse now because we’ve seen this pattern replicate multiple times

Do the facts matter? Jeff Skinner had played 579 games out of 622 possible at the time we acquired him. Averaging 76 per 82. He had missed 3 games total the 3 seasons previous, including playing two full 82 game seasons in those 3. Norris had played 233 games out of 363 possible games… an average of 53 per 82. He had never played more than 66 in a season and only managed 60+ once. Comrie, again. the proof is in the pudding. Norris does not play the games - - - “well, it’s not the shoulder this time.” Ok, well, “not the shoulder” has Norris on track to miss, just this season, 60% of the total amount of games skinner missed, his entire career, prior to being traded to buffalo

Ya, I’ll “stay”

And there’s not one post from me calling it out your premise was that he gets ridiculed either way. Not sure what I’m missing

Eye roll all you want, I’m not just ranting or moving goalposts I’ve been talking about this for years. As seen in 2022. the relevant prism right now is building an actual team and the standings results therein. Simply adding talent isn’t the aim anymore, nay, it’s actively harmful if we aren’t adding with regard to the grander context. The proof is in the pudding: we aren’t getting any better drafting high and adding these guys to the lineup. Adams plan failed. Past tense. I can be disappointed the organization appears to potentially be forging him into a more shoot first player, rather than actively having him work on harnessing and developing his stand out skill, one we DESPERATELY need on roster. I’m sorry, does this team have a stellar developmental record? Is the roster not lacking in the area im talking about, suggesting they may have a type? I feel discussion on this is warranted given the documented statistical change in his results the past 2 seasons Hell, half the GDTs are full of “I just want the team to be entertaining.” I’ve said a million times i like the playmaking style. Instead we add Josh Norris. Worst primary assist rate among top 6 players in the nhl Jury is out on Östlund but the statistical trend bears inspection

well you aren’t trying very hard, then “We need to be better” is infinitely more palatable than “we’ve matured through adversity, we don’t give up one goal down” as if thats some sort of f*cking accomplishment no less in year 5 After they said to a man goal this year was playoffs he can get all the way out of here with that jazz

I was speaking population but that’s honestly interesting too haha

Eichel probably the Selke front runner right now, 4th in points, +35 (league lead). Gary Lawless just called him and Barkov the 2 best 2-way centres in the nhl Gotta think lady byng is all but guaranteed with only 6 penalty minutes he is getting mentioned in the hart convo deservedly so. Top 3 nhl C

Watching them move those red lamps around on that floor map at the end was so stressful

I’m exceptionally happy to hear about how the biggest lesson they’ve learned this year after working at it for 5 years is that the games aren’t over when they get down by 1 goal That’s the biggest thing they’ve leaned this year, cap says

We should definitely do that. Östlund timeline This

Damn, that’s too bad - - - we don’t need an “all around” forward. We don’t need a jack of all trades forward, we don’t need a “toolsy” player who can “slot up and down the lineup” we need a playmaker, full stop. I do not care about his shot. I do not need him to utilize his shot more. what do the buffalo sabres think they have figured out? Are they hanging their banner on shooting percentage now? Is that the thing? Every forward we add to the mix can shoot. We get it. We shoot the lights out and no one wracks up any assists and the operation lets us down when we need it the most and on the power play. The sabres have figured out a way to make 5v5 goals for *utterly* non predictive. Build a better forward unit.

Ya Winnipeg is sort of like buffalo and Rochester combined, very suburby. Winnipeg is like 3 times as big as buffalo proper before you add in the whole buffalo surrounding area

Imo misa would be the only fellow who stirs up actual excitement as far as I’m personally concerned, re: another young pick

Dahlin is elite for sure, unless elite is only like top 3? He’s an elite D man if the category gets to 10, even 5 imo tage needs a qualifier. I don’t think he’s an elite 1C, elite goal scorer yes Tuch is good Should be noted Dahlin was here when Adams got here 5 years ago, as was a Thompson. Adams hasn’t acquired a player even close to either. Tuch is his best and he traded a far better player than all players mentioned in this post to get him

Was a joke. But I don’t live in the area. I’d be a nut to obsess over Amerks games when I can barely bring myself to watch the big team

I sure hope so. No im not watching the AHL I’m not clinically insane Is he?

Dude was billed as a playmaker and he’s got more goals than assists both this year and last. PLEASE tell me he’s not just another sniper, shoot first centre. Would legitimately be so disheartening

Exactly lol it always seems like a heroic charge because relative to the rest of the season going 500 for a stretch feels amazing to everyone I love Dahlin but Tage does nothing for me as the lead scoring dog, fwiw

The irony also is that the reason so much was expected of Quinn to start this season was because of stretches he put together, especially late, last year WITH cozens. Let’s not forget what those projections sounded like common denominator isn’t cozens or lack thereof, it’s the focus on ridiculous sample sizes

Anyways I’m trying to finish the Hobbit movies

Ya Eric Comrie hasn’t played a lot of games, but.. sure Norris gets hurt a lot, but Sure counting on replication of career highs across the board is an off the charts gamble, but sure trading Eichel and Reinhart is a complete and colossal mistake, but sure the plan is doomed from the start (and CALLED it, *at* the start) because we won’t win until we actively prioritize winning and we are willingly torpedoing the culture we seek to create, but To the bold, I mean, ya.. - - - sure these games mean diddly jack shite, but