Curt

Maybe one or both of the hits could have been a penalty, but they were part of a hockey play. Kassian’s response was not a hockey play. It would be considered assault in any other context.

Maybe I am in a minority, but I think Reinhart’s skating is fine now. He isn’t fast, but his skating has noticeably improved over the years. He isn’t the slow, weak skater that he was at 19. Is he a worse skater than ROR, for example? I don’t believe that he is. Additionally, he has visibly improved most areas of his game year over year. His shot for example used to be almost embarrassing for an NHL player. Now he is at the point where he is burying one timers on the PP. I think he is the kind of guy who will continue to put in the work to get better year after year. That’s the kind of guy I want to sign long term.

This might sound strange, but I might prefer to do the opposite. Put Botterill in a role of general overseer, advisor, and CBA/financial guy. Then hire a proven talent evaluator/team builder as the GM.

1) I know what expected goals are. 2) My comment was not about expected goals. It was about the view point you expressed. “They won, so let’s leave any discussion or criticism about how they played to the professionals.” If you don’t agree, it’s fine, but people are here to talk about stuff.

I feel like I don’t know exactly what a charge is. The official rule is super vague and it’s not implemented consistently. I feel like those two hits were around borderline. It also shows me that Kassian can’t take a couple hits without getting pissy and feeling like he needs to punch someone. That’s not really what toughness is to me.

“But Pegula is the owner. Who are we to question his decision making? What do we know about owning a team?” That’s basically the same logic that you are applying to the on ice performance. From my point of view.

Hmm, so UPL is going to Roch just for the week? Interesting. I’m fine with it. He is just 20 and coming off a big surgery. No need to push him too hard.

I totally agree with you on this. I think he is my 3rd guy in the class.

This is not really the point. The point would be an upgrade over Hutton. Most likely neither Ullmark or Georgiev is a 60 game goalie. There are only like 5 of those in the league. It takes 2 guys most of the time. The idea would be for them to split starts, each playing between 35-45 games. And then in like 2021-22, when UPL is ready to be the consistent shallow half of a time share, you can move on from one of Ullmark/Georgiev. I just don’t think it reasonable to continue getting sunk be Hutton’s goaltending much longer, and Ullmark can’t shoulder the load by himself.

He has played at a higher level than UPL. It all depends on the price, doesn’t it?

Detroit 9 Buffalo -3 Bank it.

Yes, I agree about the lack of forward depth. I was just throwing it out there as an idea to improve goaltending, not so much set in stone on the offer. Just trying to give an alternative to the chants to call up Hamburgler.

Because maybe they want decent goaltending until he is ready? UPL has not even played a game in the AHL yet. I don’t think Buffalo should just sit on their hands regarding goaltending until 2021-22. Edit: Oops, I forgot UPL did play one game in Roch last year. Can we bring him up to the Sabres yet?

Here is a speculation. Rangers look like they may move young goalie Alexander Georgiev. Could Buffalo get involved? NYR are rumored to be looking for a forward prospect. Mitts or Thompson in a deal for Georgiev, then send Hutton somewhere for a 7th or whatever? I feel like Ullmark/Georgiev could be a nice potential tandem for a couple years. https://www.yahoo.com/sports/new-york-rangers-reportedly-listening-on-offers-for-goaltender-georgiev-033530203.html

Probably not, but it depends. Are they fighting for a W, or fighting for ping pong balls?

Yup. Make that trade, sign a FA top-6 guy (or trade for another), do something to upgrade over Hutton, and I think this team is in business.

Since the beginning of last season: Detroit, Ottawa, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Anaheim have been worse than Buffalo.

31 yrs old with 7 more years @ $8M. Sadly, no. He has a NTC anyway.

ESPN has a hockey department? It’s got to be like 2 guys, right?

The season age isn’t something that I made up. It’s based on an age cut off date that determines what level players can play at from little kids all the way up through NCAA and CHL. It’s the age listed by the season on hockey reference. And 6 months can make a difference at these young ages. Risto and Dahlin actually have exactly the same ES ppg numbers right now, despite the fact that Risto is getting about 3 mins more ES ice time per game. Dahlin missed 8 games with a concussion. You want me to compare Dahlin to Makar, Girard, Hughes and Heiskenan? Ok. At Dahlin’s age: Makar was at the beginning of his sophomore college season. He was 6ish months from his NHL debut. Dahlin has done more to date. Girard was half way through his rookie season, where he put up 23 points in 73 games. Dahlin has done more to date. Hughes had played in 5 NHL games. He looked pretty good. Dahlin has done more to date. Heiskenan had just finished his rookie year where he put up 33 pts in 82 games. He was really good and finished 4th in Calder voting, behind some guy named Rasmus Dahlin. What exactly Dahlin will do in the future, I can’t be sure, but he is better today than any of those guys were at his age. I don’t know what you want from him.

You guys are a bunch of bundles of fun, really.

Quinn Hughes is not the same age or in the same age year. He is 20 and in his age 20 season.

He is a 19 year old defenseman. How many 19 year old defenseman are even in the NHL? How many are the highest scoring D on their team? Is there even any D in the NHL who was better at 19 than Dahlin is now?

Oh, I wouldn’t be so positive about Hutton. It’s possible that you are right, but he has a history of decent performance as a backup and GM’s are going to looking at more than just this season. He isn’t making too much for someone to take shot on him as their backup for a year. And I think there is no way that they waive Hutton. There is too much respect for him.

I’ll Play. UFAs Forwards Frolik - gone Sheary - gone Vesey - gone Girgensons - gone Sobotka - gone. Larsson - sign for 2-3 yrs @ $2-2.5M Wilson - gone or signed for Roch UFA - Defense and Goalies Nelson - gone or signed for Roch Gilmour - gone or signed for Roch Hammond - gone - UPL to the AHL next year RFA’s Forwards ERod - gone Lazar - gone or signed for Roch Thompson - 2-3 years @ $1-1.25 2-way Mittelstadt - 2-3 years @ $1-1.25 2-way Olofsson - 4-6 years @ $4.5-5.5M Reinhart - 5-8 years $6.5-7.5M RFAs Defense and Goalies Pilut - 2-3 yrs @ $1.25-1.5M 2-way Montour - 4-6 yrs @ $5-6M Johansson - 2-3 yrs @ $1-1.25M 2-way Ullmark - 2-3 yrs @ $1.5-2M, all depends on if Mike Bales likes him. Goalie situation: I actually trust Bales to make decisions about the goaltending position and who should be acquired from outside. I think Hutton is going to be moved and someone new brought in to share time with Ullmark. Where we disagree most is: Larsson - The results ARE there for him. When he is out there Buffalo gets more shots and goals than the opposition. I think he definitely should and will be retained. Olofsson - He is a top-6 sniper. He is going to command more than $4M, I think, especially on a longer term deal. Why screw around with bridging him. Lock him up! Reinhart - I don’t know exactly how management feels about him, but I would sign him long term and I think that would cost $6.5M+.