PerreaultForever

The Rangers and Devils did not make it to the final. Florida did. Vegas is big, and play heavy with a solid defensive structure. If that's the model you want to build towards I'm all for it. It'll win.

We can win this game and we sort of have to win this game. If you want to make the playoffs you can accept a loss here or there to a top tier team but you have got to vanquish the opponents that are at or below your level. And they are no better than us right now. maybe worse. Can't afford to not get these points.

This is almost as funny as the Draisaitl to Boston idea from earlier this week. I believe it was DeBrusk, Ullmark, Poitras, Lysell, picks or somebody else as well. It's fun to watch the vultures fly around a corpse. I think the bigger question would be would Calgary (goalie) trade with Edmonton or would the fanbase revolt.

Would he? I think he'd probably just wish he had Miles Wood back.

Sorry, I'm bored with the Mitts thing so I'm letting that go. I think they've asked more from Cozens from the start but it doesn't matter. Is what it is right now. Mitts development absolutely screams that AHL time is a necessary component for most players. Now this Carolina thing has been stated and I suppose it's cause he was there, but so far I don't see the resemblance. Fast yes, but everybody wants to be fast on this NHL. otherwise we don't really play like them at all.

I fully agree Wolf is the real deal. I thought they'd move a goalie before the season started to let him play but they seem to be taking a slower approach. Wolf as their started is inevitable at some point. Obsessed? I suppose, because I think it's a necessary part of the make up of a good team. This idea of all these tops lines is just a theoretical idea and we haven't started winning yet. Get back to me when we do.

and yet, there it is, still a big part of the game whether you like it or not.

Now moving Cozens to wing is an interesting idea that I am in favour of. He's one of our better forwards along the wall and he does have some grit and two way ability so I can definitely see him as a good winger matched with a play maker. Sabres seem set on Greenway on a top line though. Cozens at wing does leave a bottom end weak at center and we're still missing that 3C shutdown guy but the top 2 lines would be pretty dangerous.

I'd take Hagel as well. I'd have signed Hathaway and then Cozens would definitely not have had to fight him. We need toughness on all levels, not just fighting. Tampa's in second place despite having no goalie, so not bad.

I don't think so. You just need to have young goalies in the system who can be called up from the AHL. It's not a big deal but there's no question Wolfe is knocking on the door there and will force his way on to the team at some point.

I think they have worked hard at developing Mitts but have to some extent taken Cozens talent for granted and have expected him to elevate his linemates. Cozens has been asked to do too much at this stage and I think his development suffers as a result. Blackhawks when? Detroit when? Definitely not the Yzerplan. Leafs went all in on speed and scoring. Top down rather than bottom up from the goal out. We can potentially do better than the Leafs because we have 2 top pick D men but the make up of the team and the system has the same flaws overall.

Is it? "Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman believes the move is being made more for injury protection, rather than a possible upcoming trade. Dan Vladar and Jacob Markstrom also are on the Flames' roster. Markstrom missed Wednesday's practice for maintenance."

You're not wrong here, they are pretty clear on their defined identity, which is why I have an issue with it and keep wasting words as if they're going to read this post and change their minds lol. Hence my endless frustration. I feel like I'm watching a railway get constructed and I look ahead and see there's no bridge over the canyon and the owner is just saying will you guys look at this shiny engine we built we are just about ready to head off down the tracks. I see the trainwreck coming. The "identity" we are working with is the Leafs. Has been for ages. It doesn't work. It won't work. It's folly. Copy Tampa, copy Vegas, copy the Bruins, etc. DON'T copy the Laughs.

Never said the second sentence. You putting words in my mouth.

Yes, that's the key, not just STP but also the net front. Without the net front you just risk losing possession or a stoppage after an easy save. Then we lose the face off and it's another 20 seconds off the clock or more. We've had the net front problem for ages though. Even Kreuger recognized it and tried to stick his biggest immovable object in there (Risto) and it worked a little, but in general most of our guys are around the goal but not in tight enough for it to matter.

You like a laugh I see. But is it? If it is, why did so many teams add that to their roster. Why did a top team like Tampa spend so much on Jeannot? I guess they enjoy laughing at the teams below them that don't make the playoffs. Now what really is laughable is the notion that Hathaway is a "top pugilist". I'd agree with you if he took on DesLauriers (a guy we discarded and yet there he is, still wrecking havoc around the league) but Hathaway is a mid level fighter at best. If you can't stand up to him, you have ZERO chance come playoff time. ZERO. Imagine what the Sabres might be like at this point if they actually valued toughness, even a little, and still had guys like DesLauriers or Foligno on the roster. Maybe then Cozens would have been in the line up. Not valuing that at all is incomprehensible. Two laughs and one incomprehensible each. I think that makes us even.

Well yes, arbitration is the most likely route. I just kind of see the possible impasse along these lines. Last year if he was mapping out the Sabres over time KA probably thought I have my 1C (Thompson) locked up on a good long term deal so I'm locking up my 2C with similar term (Cozens) and then if he grows into it Mitts can be my 3C and with that thinking he's probably projecting 4-5 million but since, Mitts has been arguably the best center, definitely second best and now the math goes out the window. idk, we will see what happens. It's all guess work at this point. Partly depends on how much Mitts wants to stay a Sabre. Again, just guess work.

We have a different view of how to structure a team but that's okay. I don't see how this constant evolving will get us to the playoffs but it is what it is.

I'm going to disagree with the STP idea. STP only works if the goalie doesn't know where it's coming from, is late to react to quick movement or can't see it. We're just not strong enough in front of the net and we rely on Dahlin too much. Yes, he's the PP QB but you need to vary things or it gets too predictable. We have to use both points and the bumper. Keep the puck moving but drive the net and get those tips and deflections.

Totally agree but I said a long time ago I didn't think there was much value out there for VO and I got the usual scoffs from (some) people claiming we could move him for first rounder cause "who doesn't want a goal scorer". 10-1 he just falls by the wayside at the end of the year and then maybe somebody like the Sharks gives him a cheap contract or PTO. I wish he had real value, but I really don't think he does. Agreed, but it also depends on how you define "playing well". Putting up AHL points is not an indicator of NHL readiness.

Ya, unless he decides to hold out. Sabres get Nylandered. I can see it happening.

That's the problem imo. There's still too much shuffling and movement all over the roster. I think it's well past time they all had clearly defined roles and positions and barring a massive amount of injuries (where you have no choice but to juggle) they need to be slotted in those spots and expected to do those jobs. If they dont' they get replaced. We have, to this point in time, done Cozens a disservice by giving him too many different linemates and sometimes inferior ones. They seem to have gone to great lengths to helps Mitts find his place, but with Cozens it's almost like they expect him to carry whoever they toss out with him.

Depends how you look at it and what parameters you use.

Nice thought, I'd like it to be true, not sure it is.

My impasse comments were just hypothetical "if" comments. We have no way to know on contract discussions but you can speculate for conversation sake. So IF there is an impasse there could be a scenario. Trade for a goalie? Top 4 D? There are possibilities. The real point for me is we have a lot of offensive players in the system and unless we just squander them somebody will get moved somewhere at some point. Assets are assets.