PerreaultForever

idk, he's scored some points played some games for Tampa, just think he'd slot in for Mitts and allow for a little more line continuity. But whatever, moot point.

This is true, and this is the preferred option. I hate to bring up the Bruins again but how they developed McAvoy was the right way. They paired him with their best stay at home veteran, sat him out when he struggled first 2 years and eased him into more and more minutes and now he's the complete package. But, since we didn't do that, the question becomes is it too late? Normally, at 21, I'd say no, still time to step him back, coach a lot, reduce his responsibilities and re-develop him properly. But, in the case of this team can we do that without further ruining the next wave of young D men coming (like Power). We can't step everybody back and we don't really have a solid partner. Pysyk has been a better option but not really a great option, so IFF we could get a good deal for Dahlin I'd consider moving him and letting someone else go through that while we focus on the next group and do them properly. IF we can't get a good return get a better partner for him. Not sure who but that's what's needed. If not, he will become the sacrificial lamb. It's a shame we rushed him.

Can you say much ado about nothing? 🙂 Still wondering why they didn't grab Barre Boulet for Mitts' spot but they have a plan............

I might change my mind as things unfold but I want to see Murray-Cozens-Okposo for longer this season and if it keeps jelling perhaps keep that line together next year. A sort of checking line with some scoring potential. Cozens and Murray also serving as the 4th forwards, front of the net guys on PP 1 and 2 respectively. A lot depends on what Mitts plays like when he returns. Will he be good? Or just a placeholder for Krebs? idk but not convinced he's the real deal yet based just on end of last year. Wait and see. Don't care what happens to R2. So something similar to: Asplund-Thompson-Olofsson Skinner-Mitts-Tuch Murray-Cozens-Okposo Peterka*-Girgensens-Quinn* *(to start, eased in, and then moved up the roster if/when their play demands it) Bjork is the spare whatever, and I'd add 1 or 2 Hayden types for a tougher look when/if needed. Not sure who. Usually not that hard to find. In general I believe more in line chemistry and identity than all the scorers on a top line etc. How players mesh together is the big thing for me personally.

Briere has a shot. GM has to be fluent in French. That's an absolute in this case. They're not cost cutting though. They, unlike us, have acknowledged it's too much for just 1 GM and thus they created a new upper spot for Gorton. (sort of like if we'd been smart enough to hire Dudley above Adams :))

meanwhile, Jake DeBrusk has apparently asked for a trade out of Beantown.

Maybe, and that is true for Tage as well (but thankfully Granato found another way to use his size and skills) but from what Murray has said he has come to realize his size is his geatest asset and he has tried to change his game. He knows at this point he won't make the NHL playing like his junior days so I think he can be coached and molded. He's not going to become some one man wrecking crew or anything, but if he has success using his size he might take to it and start to relish the role. I think there is a place for him on this team.

See I think we are seeing the same thing, he delays and thinks about what to do. Hesitates. You feel it's overthinking too many things, I feel he's slow to think it through and decide. It may very well be both or a combination of the two, but in either case, he hasn't been taught properly to just act/do.

I'm going to go one step further and say I'd like to see Murray stay up with the big club on that line. Murray is still a work in progress but he adds a dimension this team lacks and that was our best line tonight. Give him more time to adjust and jell, teach him a little more aggressiveness and we might just have an unexpected piece added. Once again I am even more convinced that Dahlin is mentally slow. When under pressure he gets confused, hesitates and that's the end of that. Team failed to recognize this flaw and developed him poorly. He needs to make quick instinctive plays and not have to think. Needs a huge step backwards or he will be flawed forever. and Jokiharju isn't much better. Cane we get a Tanev somewhere? We need that.

That's a good question. I don't think anybody good. Best you're going to be able to do right now is some cast off like Murray. Possibly there will be a salary dump goalie closer to deadline if some team wants to add but can't due to cap space but at that time what's the point?

I wouldn't be surprised if next year we still go with 3 A's, Kyle, Cozens and Tuch. Then the following year Cozens, Tuch, Power, and one of Tuch/Cozens will be captain going forward depending on who claims it/earns it.

I suppose that's why Florida has him on the wing right? 🙂

Oh I heard it, and I hear you, and I believe it's true, and I want it to be true, BUT I also know in this day and age athletes get coached by agents and they say the right thing and I'm skeptical of everything with the Sabres at this point so I simply want to see it. When I see him on the ice, how he plays, how he reacts, how he interacts, then I will feel that I know for sure if it's real or not. I think it will be.

Well, we haven't had ANY leadership with that old group (or at least any GOOD leadership) so I get that people want to latch onto anything even this small. I'm not on the Tuch bandwagon yet, but there is cause for hope there. If he is the local boy who wants to bleed blue and gold for real well then that is something we've missed and will go a long way and hopefully become infectious. In a few years I would not be surprised (or disappointed) if our letters were on the jerseys of Tuch, Cozens and Power.

Krakheads have trouble scoring, but they are a gritty tenacious and relentless bunch that will give us trouble with their style of play. Goaltending is definitely their edge so if we get one of our stinker games from our goalies we will lose, if our goalie has a good game it's an even match with a full contrast of hockey styles for your dining and dancing pleasure. toss up.

Not going to argue with either of these positions but that was not THEIR plan (unless they were idiots and simply assumed they'd re-sign Ullmark). The failure to bring in a decent goalie for this year was imo a clear indication that they were prepared to write off this year and the only thing that mattered was the rebuild/reset/whatever, basically moving on from Eichel etc. That's all that mattered to THEM. If they actually had wanted to try to win now there were many many goalie options better than the way we went. So I simply don't want to change course mid plan. We have those prospects, we have picks, don't trade them away for a stop gap goalie measure now with some silly notion that we can challenge for the playoffs this year. We won't, even with a goalie.

Of course, but it'll just be interesting to see. Plus I wouldn't say "can't make an expansion team" as they clearly drafted extra D men and simply have too many. Trade deadline capital. Borgen will be part of that team going forward. The style they play will be hard for us to play against.

Offensively yes, but not as a whole. Our D will be ahead of theirs next year when we add Power and Samuelson. Goaltending remains to be seen 🙂

and exactly what we need.

No, but I'd keep him in the line up and just waive Caggula myself. Hayden's not great, but he fits into a bottom line better imo. I did too. I kind of like Murray on his wing for now too. Opens up a little more ice for Dylan and makes that line a bigger force. I think the Murray-Cozens-Okposo combo is a much better line than Cagguila-Cozens-Hinostroza was. We might see Borgen(and be annoyed). Made his season debut tonight and looked pretty good. Detroit and us are about the same imo. Neither will make the playoffs.

Well their rebuild seems to be on an accelerated curve so likely not good but they are speed oriented and we are better with that than physical tough checking so it's not impossible. Going to require a hot goalie game though like in Pittsburgh. Is Detroit now, perhaps what we are hoping to become next year? I suspect that's the hope/plan.

Well, Ottawa's been looking to unload Murray for a while so when we needed a contract to get up to the cap floor wouldn't that one have made more sense than Boychuk, if we had any interest in another goalie at all that is, which clearly they didn't. Personally don't think they will spend any extra money here on out at all.

Also shows you how much difference a great goalie can make. They are missing many key people from that team and some of their kids have taken the not that unusual step backwards.

That's what I've been noticing about Skinner too. More and more it looks like his big season was just luck. He doesn't aim his shots or pick his spots at all. Just turn and fire like a blind man. Useless. Mildly satisfying to see we are not that worst they are (or Arizona maybe). Best moment had to be Tage giving him the stare down after the goal following the hit. Enjoyed that. nice to win for a change. Even if they lost, more than we won.

trade them Skinner for Murray straight up. (no move clause I know, but if he'd agree). Only 2 years of a bad contract that way and a (slim) possibility of a reclamation cause goalies are weird and you never know. I know it won't happen.