Die Hard

My wife asked me if that was appropriate.

Scandella is a really non-descript Defenceman. What is his strength? What does he bring to the team? He looks like a 3rd pairing guy.... or even a 7th.

Ha. Sabres have outplayed the Canadiens.

They’ve outplayed them in the 3rd.

Erod is a good player. His shot is weak though and non-threatening. Too many shots far out, with no rebounds.

Yeah, that most certainly was. It was no look.

Bogo has absolutely no hockey sense. He has no idea what to do with the puck. Ever. He just always throws it along the boards and turns it over. Theres been some good hockey though.... but the amount of stupid mistakes is mind boggling. Body positioning, playing the puck and blocking out.... they’re losing every battle. That’s practically impossible.

Ulmark fighting the puck. He looks so uncomfortable out there. Housley needs to take him out. His inability to play the puck at all is such a detriment.

They're up 3-1 late in the 3rd.

I read that his fortune was mostly committed to charity upon his passing.

I think that’s why Bettman decided to finally give us Dahlin.

That’s kind of where I’m at. Watching him in the prospects tournament and the pre-season games.... he’s giving up the puck a helluva lot.... many egregiously. Bad decisions, careless with the puck, and getting pushed off the puck. And he really hasn’t been threatening at all either playing against the prospects or AHL/NHLers. On the PP when he has some space... he’s looked his best. But he’s hasn’t done anything to make me believe he can successfully play at this level, at the moment.

Is that thing for real?

What a game! I’m encouraged to see all the speed and hustle... particularly on the back-checking. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen through the prospect tourney and pre-season games the back-checking forward breaking up dangerous plays. They seem to be tightening up the ship. That was a toughly fought and tightly contested game. Each team had an equal number of quality scoring changes. I thought Buffalo had a few more... and better quality. But just like Penguins game.... a few quick goals from innocent shots from the point get through and it changes the momentum of the game. I will say..... although they were neutralizing the Leafs attack for the most part.... I just love the way Toronto cycles the puck in the offensive zone... always seem to throw the puck back into the slot for a trailer..... who is always there (sometimes a Defenseman but mostly forwards). Gives so many quality opportunities for a one-timer or a quick-bang-bang play/opportunity. It reminds me of what the Senators always use to do to us... cycle the puck around that always ends up with a player in the high slot with a quality scoring chance. And I wonder why I never see the Sabres do anything that resembles this.... except on the power play. I will say this though.... Dahlin was easily the worst player on the ice last night for Buffalo. He looked S-L-O-W . Having watched him this offseason... I couldn’t help but laugh. Welcome to the big leagues son! I’m not worried at all.... he’s dominated so far and I’m sure he’ll learn from this experience. But it tempers my expectation for him this year... I could see him as a 3rd pairing guy right now. Hutton was amazing. Nothing spectacular.... but just calm, steady. It was the Leafs goalies who were having to make the highlight reel saves. I’ll hold judgment on Skinner. He wasn’t what I was expecting from a ‘goal scorer’. I don’t seem him benefitting from set plays... he’s more like a ‘hair is on fire’ isolation player that ends up in high quality scoring changes... sometimes forcing the issue (not using his teammates)... and for a natural gift goal scorer... he wastes a lot of chances. Too many are non-threatening. I know he scored a goal - and I missed it... but I didn’t like his fit.

I watched the prospects game against the Bruins. I came away extremely impressed with Donato (who I knew nothing about until then). Every time he touched the puck.... he controlled play and was a step faster than anybody else. He’s a very dangerous player. To learn he could have been drafted by the Sabres... is a little disappointing.

Looks like the same roster as game 1 (but adding Ristolainen and Okposo).

Count me in too please!!

I was hoping they’d give Casey a little more to work with. Just to see him showcase a little. I know it’s only pre-season and the lines aren’t fixed yet. But there’s a lot riding on him being the 2C... and that’s a big jump.

He sounds like a douche!

Yes please!

Sheary - Eichel - Reinhart Skinner - Mittelstadt - Okposo Sobotka - Berglund - Thompson Erod - Girgensons/Larrson - Baptiste/Bailey

I dunno. I admire his integrity to follow through and back up his words. No matter the consequences. As a Skins fan, I remember Sean Salisbury on TV a few years ago claiming if the Skins made the playoffs, he’d walk the DMV in his underwear. Well, the Skins made the playoffs and he never honored his wager. Just a blow hard.

My dream scenario is signing Tavares and trading ROR to the Canadiens for their 3rd overall.

Isn’t that an exchange of large, nearly identical contracts (Bogo and his $6 for Rinne and his $7)? How does it free up money for RFAs?

Could anyone expect anything different? :-) When one lives in an extended state of disappointment... it becomes normal to live there. It becomes easier to find ways to remain/feel disappointed. It can be a lot less painful than say, getting your hopes up... only to be let down. That level of pain, especially when it's fresh, can be pretty acute. I'm going to roll with Dahlin being a generational talent. Life is just better like that... for at least the next 2-3 years :-)