Curt

Have you watched the Sabres for the past 10 years???

I think it’s because they feel this is someone who has truly touched their life in some way

This is a thread for random things. Its the one thread that can’t be derailed. That is interesting about the Muslim faith and pork. I didn’t know that.

They do that all the time actually with younger players.

It’s more or less equivalent, no?

They do have farm systems. They have “junior” teams for different age groups. They work with these kids to develop as players. It’s a farm system.

It would never never happen because owner have teams that are worth a certain amount. If the team is relegated, the value o the franchise would drop significantly. They don’t want to risk that for no reason, and they are the ones who would need to vote on and approve such an incredibly drastic change. There is just no incentive.

I agree on Samuelsson. I feel confident that he will play NHL games because he is big (6’4” 220) strong, mean, and has NHL bloodlines. He will probably be at least a good AHL player that spends some time as a 5th/6th/7th/8th D on some teams. No doubt he will be good in the corners and in front of the net, but I question his upside. I think that his skating/mobility will in large part determine how impactful he can be at the NHL level. Will he be nimble enough to defend in space? Or will he be a pillar that gets consistently beat be quick players? I think Samuelsson is an interesting contrast to Ryan Johnson. Also a mostly defensive defenseman, but in a much more modern mold. Johnson is not big (6’1” 175), but is a feisty guy. He is a very good skater and puck handler. He should develop into a very good defender in space who can also use his quick feet and hands to evade an aggressive forecheck, although not as good in the corners and net front as a Samuelsson type. I just think it’s interesting. These two guys drafted in back to back years, in the same range, by the same organization, both defensive defensemen in college, but with completely different skill sets. It’s like new school vs old school defensive Dmen.

Yeah, I could see that being true. I don’t twitter, and I am very rarely tempted to start.

I don’t feel that way.

Chad does have some contacts in the organization. He gets media credentials. He does sometimes get information that outsiders do not.

How many teams in the league have a 4th line made up of guys who are producing 10 goals and 30 points? Almost no players produce that while getting 4th line minutes.

I would not expect players to look at them much. I would expect coaches and management to look at them and use them to evaluate players and come up with game plans. I expect players to do what the coaches tell them.

I liked Bruno Mars at the SB a couple years back.

PSL???

Interesting. People generally like Montreal quite a bit. It does have a lot of good cultural stuff. (art, music, shows, sports, dining, nightlife). I’ve never found it especially dirty or unwelcoming, apart from the language barrier, when I’ve been. People often say that it has a very European feel to it. But I’m also not a big city person, so while I’ve been several times because I’ve lived relatively close by, I don’t go often and won’t carry on about how amazing it is. I’ve never been to Quebec City, but have also heard nice things about it.

Probably not a good idea to use TOI dependent numbers that you gathered yourself to make player evaluations then, if they are going to be so inaccurate. Jokiharju and Pilut have had PK numbers just as good as Risto/McCabe this season. Montour’s have been outstanding, better than anyone’s. This could be due to facing PP2 units instead of PP1 though, and trying to draw conclusions from such small sample sizes is problematic anyway. So I don’t know if any of it means much anyway.

What didn’t you like? The places that Ogre is talking about are far from Montreal, but I’m still interested.

One thing Sabres related about this that has disappointed me thus far is their inaction in building up their “analytics” department. This is one avenue where Pegula could use his extra bucks to the organization’s benefit. I was hoping (still hope) that Krueger coming on board could spur this on, with him being exposed to similar stuff in the football world. It would be nice if Buffalo could be a team that is quick to make use of this new information that will be available to them, instead of a team that realizes 5 yrs from now that they are very behind the curve.

You think GMs won’t want to make a trade because of the upcoming expansion draft? I’m not really seeing your reasoning on that. I wouldn’t be opposed to Risto, Mittelstadt, and a pick(not a 1st) for a 2C. I guess it depends what you mean by middling though. A stop gap 2C on a 2 year deal would be good, but I would take a bigger, more expensive trade for a good, young, long term 2C too. Those players are hard to get, but there is nothing wrong with Buffalo making that trade if it’s possible. I’m not going to bank on Cozens or Mitts being a high quality 2C before it actually happens.

Agreed. Eichel, Reinhart, Skinner, Olofsson, Asplund, (Mittelstadt or acquired player), (Thompson or acquired player) Dahlin, Jokiharju, (Risto or Montour, whoever isn’t traded)

Haha, we had a saying as teens. If it’s from Malone........leave it alone.

Haha, we had a saying as teens. If it’s from Malone........leave it alone.

To complement what Brawndo said: When I became a fan, Hasek in a goathead jersey was the Buffalo Sabres to me.

South of the border. Went to school in Ellenburg NY. Parents later moved to Mooers. My uncle lives in North Bangor. Meme and Pepe in Churubusco, if you are familiar. I’m very familiar with the crazy hillbilly/hippy mixture and bonfire party shenanigans in the Adirondack wild. That’s my youth.