GASabresIUFAN

That answers the 4th line question. So who are Eakin’s wingers?

So he is ready to leave as soon as Jack elevates his numbers.

So with Z out for the season, who are the candidates to replace him? Part of the answer has to come what KA and RK envisioned his role this season. He skated about 13:30 minutes per game for about the last 4 years. However, he scored double figures In goals last season for the first time in 5 years. Did KA envision a bigger role for Z this season with 3rd line minutes with Eakin as his center to try to improve secondary scoring or was it back to the 4th line minutes with Lazar or Sheahan as his center? Candidates (I’m assuming that VO is now the 2nd line RW) 1. Mittelstadt - This could be the opportunity he needs to earn his way back into the lineup. Playmaking ability could help Eakin regain his scoring touch. 2. Lazar - With Sheahan ability to play center Lazar could easily be moved to LW. Effort guy who has the talent to give at least what Z gave us last season. 3. Rieder - Maybe the most likely candidate. KA signed him to help the PK. This is a way to insure he is in the lineup every night. 4. Sheahan -Z’s injury likely means he gets signed to an NHL deal for added depth. LW/C could easily be moved to LW with Lazar at center. Has posted similar numbers to Z. 5. Asplund - Another LW/C looking for an opportunity. 6. Thompson - looked good in scrimmage. If management wants Cozens at RW in the lineup, do they move Thompson to LW? 7. Routsalainen - see Mitts Others CJ Smith? 3rd line - ????? Eakin Cozens/Okposo 4th line - ????? Lazar/Sheahan Okposo/Cozens

You should re-post a link to last year’s part 1 letter.

Frankly, this may be moot. Z’s injury changes things. They expected some secondary goals from Z and now Cozens maybe one of the better candidates to add that secondary scoring.

I’m sorry for big Z. Next man up. Increased opportunity for Sheahan, Rieder, and others.

You may be right. Canada as a team faced adversity for the first time and crumbled. However I expected Cozens to step up when faced with that adversity and he didn’t, thus creating my concerns. None of this has changed my longterm view of him as a player, but it raised doubts as to his readiness this year. Risto and his Golden Goal occurred after he was already playing in the A and before his NHL call up. He was a man among boys in that tourney and in the A. I don’t think it will harm Cozens to start in the A

In a normal season, absolutely give him a chance. But in this compressed season where the Sabres need to take a step forward, I’d rather start him in the AHL and if he plays well there then call him up. I’m assuming the WHL doesn’t play.

This season is a 56 game playoff for the Sabres. Yes I may be over reacting to one game, but he didn’t react well to his first real challenge. I’m concerned he isn’t ready for the physical challenge that is the NHL and don’t want to go down the Mitts road again.

I’m not sure it’s even a good idea to even give him the tryout. I hate taking young skill players and dumping on the 4th line.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/letter-bills-mafia-pt-ii-140120658.html Dion Dawkin's letter to the Bills fans. A must read.

With the compressed schedule, I'm not sure this is the season to experiment. The Sabres need to get off to a good start to build momentum. Forcing someone your not sure is ready into the lineup could hurt those chances to start well.

I'm downgrading Cozens based on his play tonight. He was challenged for the first time this tourney and disappeared. That doesn't bode well for being NHL ready. Obviously that opinion can change when we see him and camp, but as of right now, I'd say he isn't ready. Also I don't want to force him into the lineup. We harmed Mitts and Grigorenko by doing that. I'd hate to make that mistake again. With Mitts, Thompson and Routsalainen making favorable first impressions in camp, maybe the better plan is to go with them.

He had a great tournament until the biggest game of his young life. He played on the perimeter to much and seemed to be missing the aggression he exhibited earlier in the tourney against weaker opponents. Now we are asking him to be that power forward in the biggest toughest league in the world. My honest assessment is that like Mitts before him, he isn't physically ready for the NHL. He honestly looks like he needs 15-20 lbs more to play his game in the NHL. ' That may not mean he won’t be effective in another role, but I'm thinking he would be better off developing another year away from the NHL.

Still hard to believe we won that game. That said USA was the better team most of the night. I guess 19 1st rd picks creates pressure but not necessarily results. Are we sure Cozens is ready?

HOF finalists Jared Allen, defensive end – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers Ronde Barber, cornerback/safety – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Boselli, tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve) LeRoy Butler, safety – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers Alan Faneca, guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals Torry Holt, wide receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars Calvin Johnson, wide receiver – 2007-15 Detroit Lions John Lynch, safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos Peyton Manning, quarterback – 1998-2011 Indianapolis Colts, 2012-15 Denver Broncos Clay Matthews Jr., linebacker – 1978-93 Cleveland Browns, 1994-96 Atlanta Falcons Sam Mills, linebacker – 1986-94 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers Richard Seymour, defensive end/defensive tackle – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-12 Oakland Raiders Zach Thomas, linebacker – 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys Reggie Wayne, wide receiver – 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts Charles Woodson, cornerback/safety – 1998-2005, 2013-15 Oakland Raiders; 2006-12 Green Bay Packers I think there are 5 guys who are going to be selected in Thomas, Calvin Johnson, Woodson, Manning and Boselli. Others?

Brackets are set by order of finish the year before. USA will be top seed in group A and Canada group B. Finland to group B and Russia to group A. The rest I’m not 100% sure .

Cozens should have been Canada’s C tonight.

Zegras was right that Canada hadn’t really been challenged all tourney, until tonight.

Wow. Zegras or Knight MVP? Knight was the player of this game, but Zegras was the USA engine.

Empty net.

This game is getting more tense by the second.

This is going to be a long 10 minutes

US needs more sustained offense to work this clock off.

Canada turning it up.