erickompositör72

Also, Hutton could ostensibly act as a longer leash for Beaulieu. I understand why Housley keeps giving him chances. It's hard to just throw away someone with that natural talent. I know he's a real long-shot for his game to "click," but stranger things have happened in the NHL... (FTR, I'm not betting on him, but just throwing that out there)

I agree with this completely. I guess I'm just hoping our transition game improves and includes more D on the rush. BTW, did I miss something RE:Tennyson? has he been practicing w/ the big club? Last I heard he was on waivers for Rochester assignment...? Is there news that he was called back up? EDIT: nvm, I just reread that he cleared waivers but was not officially sent down..

I think they will actually have the confidence from their goaltender to play Housley's system aggressively. They had to water it down last year- they played scared/overly cautious. They knew they couldn't rely on Lehner. We've talked a lot about certain intangibles (locker room, etc). I think one we didn't mention much was the confidence a solid net-minder will give them.

If Hutton holds his own, we will be fine. Our D last year (and coach's system) was having an identity crisis because the system requires a goaltender who can bail you out every now and then. I expect to see much more scoring from the D for that reason, and more aggressive play. Top line scoring and depth scoring should also improve. W/L will all depend on Hutton, but there is potential.

I think his talent level has been assessed as being at a level where NHL competition will allow him to grow the most. I don't think it'd be impossible that by the end of the season or by next year, he looks like an NHL 2C. It's optimistic, but I don't think it's unrealistic. Our FO is paid to assess talent level and appropriate development courses. I'm guessing they don't see the AHL as the proper development course for him, despite any growing pains he may experience in the NHL.

Why? In 50 years it will be the "rare non-C #9 jersey" ?

Ah good thing I made plans (Bruckner Symphony No. 8 New York Philharmonic! ? )

waive Bailey

Pilut did get beat, but allowed Ullmark to make the initial save. Borgen just watched the rebound sit there and get tapped in. Would have liked to not see Ullmark give up on it, too.

announcer cannot make up his mind between "pee-loot" and "pie-loot"

Nylander can finish

Pilut stepped up and broke up a zone entrance, when even Sabres forwards were already backtracking behind him in the d-zone. Really like his game.

I've crossed the border many times by car, greyhound/megabus, and amtrak (long-distance relationship while living in NYC) If border agents think you are a non-risk, they are the friendliest people. If otherwise- trust me- they are nothing to mess with, and they become all business. They are highly trained and take what they do very seriously.

I actually feel bad for the guy. Who knows what's really going on with him, physically. All I know is that he looked so rusty in the few minutes I saw him on the ice, I can't see him being a positive contributor unless he has 15 games or so to get his act back together. Can he even string that many together? Is there a contract penalty if he retires? Sorry if this has been discussed before, but could it be that he has an ailment and intends on retiring, and this is all just some ploy to avoid incurring that penalty?

I think we need to remember the implications of preseason games. We don't know what the coach's game plan is. And believe it or not, it's perfectly acceptable for a preseason game plan to NOT be "go out and win." It could be "go out and make some mistakes, and learn." It could also be coaches trying players in different situations to find their breaking point. They could still be NHL players, but just being used in roles they're not meant for, to test the waters. Or it could be that we have some serious issues. We have no way of knowing until October.

IMHO Casey has the level of talent and compete that any necessary growth/development can happen best while playing at the NHL level. At worst, he will be significantly better than our worst roster player last year, and I believe he'll improve very rapidly no matter what his level is at the beginning.

No. Cup this year or sell the team. ?

And consider, he hasn't even been participating in camp. He just laced them up and was ready to go. He'll be even better Oct 6

He can try all his tricks during the preseason, see what works, and adjust. AFAIC, let him try that every time he touches the puck in the preseason. Soon enough he'll figure out how to pull that on NHL players

And I don't think he's going to be matched up against the likes of Tavares

I don't think Casey is starting in Roch

His contract is with us, not the Kings. We just loaned him to their AHL affiliate (yes, we are paying Matt Moulson millions of dollars to play with LA's farm team)

I think you can succinctly sum it up like this: Jack is not replaceable.

Having the RJ call is like watching the game with grampa, in the most endearing sense of the word. I want him there until he decides he's done. If we can win a cup in 3-4 years, I'm sure he'll retire. Let's all plan on that! In the meantime, don't take grampa away from me!