JoeSchmoe

No problem. North of the border here, Hamilton will likely get a team back after relocating to Brantford. Toronto will likely get another team, though it'll probably be another flop. Other than those two teams, I'm not sure where else a team could be successful in Ontario. Maybe Huntsville/Muskoka, though they're probably already split between Barrie and North Bay. Cornwall? Belleville is probably out with an AHL team there.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/ohl-green-lights-aggressive-expansion-plan/ I was just thinking... Is there anywhere in WNY that could support an OHL team? Are Buffalo and Rochester already oversaturated with their pro teams? Would one of the suburbs build a rink big enough and would the community support it?

Just going eye test wise, I've liked Krebs and Malenstyn well enough, but I haven't liked Lafferty. I was really hoping putting some guys together with elite level speed would create scoring chances, but unfortunately this hasn't been the case. Going back to the Bailey/Baptiste days, it never ceases to amaze me how guys with speed but no skill never seem to have the willingness to get the puck into dangerous spots. Girgensons too. They skate it into the opposing team's corner, keep it around the perimeter, lose the puck, and repeat next shift. You can't score if you don't try.

I've said most of what you said in this thread. It's the art vs science. Also, as more data becomes available, the flukiness of shots going in vs being saved tends to work itself out and as you said, the actual GF% is much more telling. Gilbert for his part though has 1 shot attempt and 0 SOG in 6 games. We can do better.

It's a function of expected goals for vs expected goals against. If as you say, he puts them out there against the top lines, it makes sense that they're low. I've never noticed this to be the case, but I haven't really paid attention to it. That's why I was asking.

It's expected goal %... Not expected goals. If they're playing against opposing 4th lines they have just as good an opportunity to be high as anyone. If they're out there shutting down the opposition 1st lines, then what you're saying is right, and they'll be low. That's why I asked about the matchups they're getting.

Here's an update after the west coast swing. Maybe it's a function of playing with Dahlin, but Byram continues to rise. Bryson is falling fast. Quinn and Cozens continue to get back to team mean. Our checking line is sinking. Is this matchup based or is this them not playing well. Lafferty being the worst of the bunch stats wise matches the eye test. As an aside, I haven't seen any of the blazing speed we were promised in the offseason.

We did it! 💪

Still awesome to get the win, but they pulled this out by the skin of their teeth. They need Thompson to really be dominant.

$400!

Awesome!!!!! Tuch again with the stick.

I think it's more likely the CHL now expands further into the US and the USHL takes a back seat... It's just a more established league. As someone who's son just went through it all (and played with and against the top NA kids that are going to be drafted this year and next) I see major red flags for the US program. Here in Canada, elite hockey has an issue that it's only for the upper middle class... But in the US, it's way beyond that. It's almost all UPPER class kids that are at the top levels. The top US minor hockey team budgets are crazy. Most teams don't play in a regular loop, instead they fly to tournaments around NA on the weekends. Many of the US kids my son has met along they way are next level rich. Trust fund kids. Most Canadian AAA teams don't need to drive more than an hour or two to see the best competition. It's still expensive as hell, but a two income household can usually get by and scrape up enough $ to let their kids play AAA. In the US... Not so much.

It's close, but peak Thompson is a bigger game changer than peak Dahlin. I just cracked another beer.

Yeah, he's been great. I thought he'd be another bargain basement fail but that couldn't be further from the truth. We getting veteran leadership plus an effective middle 6 player.

Doing it without their best player is the best part.

I think it was Joe DiBiasi that said Tuch had the best stick in the league. I don't watch enough games outside of the Sabres to know for sure, but he's gotta be one of the best.

Hey guys... You gotta give em credit. That OT was pretty awesome!

I was going to say the same thing.

My son's friend is coming back from BC to the O now too. Tier 2 Junior will never be the same again. USHL will probably take a huge hit as well.

Maybe we can reunite the Stutzle-Peterka line from the world Juniors.

Here's what I see on sabres.com Tage Thompson has missed the past three games with a lower-body injury but has been practicing with the team since Monday. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday morning that Thompson had not been ruled out to play on the road trip. “We’re just taking this a day at a time,” Ruff said. “Hopeful for Friday. If not Friday, you’re looking at Saturday.” Ruff will update the media following the team’s morning skate, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. EST.

The BCHL exodus has started... as predicted. https://www.theprogress.com/sports/chilliwack-chiefs-hit-with-player-departures-following-new-ncaa-rules-7659248

He's had a couple bad games of late, but was definitely a capable NHL goalie last year and the year before (when he almost took the team into the playoffs). The kinks in his game right now might just be from lack of playing time. His saves above expected last year were definitely NHL starting goalie level.

I currently have a boycott where I'm not going to games unless they're in a playoff spot, or the tickets were given to me. My friend actually bought some seats last week without telling me. I insisted on giving him the $$$ for it, so if I do it today, I can do so and stick to the terms of my boycott. Sort of. If they fall out by Dec 3, then maybe I've cheated my protest.

Back in the playoffs. Legitimately.