Broken Ankles

Good points. Then what is the reason for Casey Middelstadt being measured on a different scale than Nylander? They are drafted in the same #8 position in the first round, so arguably similar skill/projected talent. They are about the same age (Nylander one draft year ahead and about 7 months older). Its not like Casey blew him away in camp. His play has been below average, and he is playing a more difficult and demanding position (Center) than Nylander could play (RW). Yet Casey is with the big club and Alex in the AHL. Why does he not get, or deserve the same protection? The only thing I keep coming back to is Alex was drafted by TM and Casey by JB.

While he is not listed as C or playing in the D zone, is Sam not the making the plays of a true C in the O-zone? He was behind the net, creating chances and scoring opportunities which is what has been missing on our 2nd line. Call him C or RW but I’m onboard him moving to his own line. I’m also keeping Tage at RW when Jack returns. Casey scored but overall did not impress. Struggled mightily on a few occasions to get the puck out of his zone. Ready for Vlad to slide to 3C and Casey to learn how to ride a bus for a few months.

Agreed. Pilut has proved his worth since his call up. A recent analysis on Sabres D-men below. My eye test says the same. For those who believe you must have a pick, player and a prospect to get something in return, Pilut may make Scandella and Guehle expendable come trade deadline. https://apple.news/AkEbDGfPKSm- I would also add that Smith has not been great but better than Elie in a much smaller sample size. So not a complete washout.

I like the move to keep Linus, but why can’t you reevaluate the other forward lines. Just because you got a much needed home win against Florida with superior play by your first line (shocking), does not excuse the poor play by other forwards. Maybe the injury to Jack is precluding any other moves until he returns. Bovada has the Bruins as -220 on the Moneyline. At home, and their injuries are not what they were when we beat them earlier in December this game has the signs of going sideways. Especially without Captain Jack. If they somehow win, it would display the mettle and growth of a team that can compete down the stretch. Fingers crossed.

Agree completely on #1. I don’t know if Sam or Skinner are either but I need to trust Jason. 2. Possible middle 6 on entry level will be Nylander, Oloffsson, Asplund, Casey (on a bridge deal -no way he gets anything close to more than two year extension) and the hopefully one of two first rounders from this year hit. And maybe a diamond in the rough like Peker. Samuelsson and Pilut on ELC for D. Although I expect a UFA to be signed in 2020 if they part with Bogo and Scandella to play top pairing minutes with Dahlin. 3. Linus is under control for 2 more? More experience and a controllable salary. unreasonable to think Hutton cannot give you this in his last year @ age 35?

It’s obvious you cannot win a Cup with players on large AAV’s. See Pittsburgh 2017 salary of Leteng, Sidney, Kessel, and Malkin. They had an average of $8.3m for their top 4. The timeline is not Jack, it’s Rasmus. I expect at least one of the first rounders this year to contribute top 6 minutes on the 2020/21 team. By then Rasmus will have established himself as a dominate force on defense. And if Rasmus gets a $12m deal for 2021 so be it. Based on an estimated $90m cap, you will have plenty of room for Skinner, Jack, Dahlin and TBD (Sam?). Bottom line, this year it’s important to take a step, not win the Cup. Concede this year to TB and Toronto. Continued progress next year. It’s just 3.5 years removed from the most egregious and reckless attempt to mortgage the future by an incompetent GM. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

I agree. He also stole $4m from the Pegula family last year. He is an opponent in the Eastern conference and took 2 points from us yesterday. He is the enemy. I wish no ill or good will. I owe nothing more than ambivalence.

I don't think I said he was. In fact I only suggested that Eberle might push down someone from FL1 to FL2. Ladd might in fact be a third liner. And if so it only strengthens my original point regarding that the middle 6 comparison. B/c Ladd at .5 PPG would be superior to any FL2 or FL3 the Sabres have at this point. Who would you rather start on FL3? Ladd/Filppula/Sang or Tage/Vlad/Pommers. Just saying its not "minor league".

Maybe from the bottom six. But keep this in mind. They are missing Eberle and Ladd from the line up posted here. Below is a comparison of lines using today's Daily face off. It completes the narrative so many have been complaining about. The Sabres line # 2 and 3 cannot compare to that of the Islanders (or most teams), and the Sabres Line #1 is usually dominates their opponents. We could argue that Eberle might bolster the first lines point, but it would also push one of the other starters down and improve their second line's even more so. Its obvious that having those elite players are vital to the success of the team, but depth cannot be underscored, so to speak. production.

It would be. But more likely he is pulled from net with an Incomplete start.

Yes, and fixed the second thought.

Why pay $8.5m to a second line RW when you have him paired with Kevin McAllister aka The Child Center? The lack of production from Pommers, Sheary, KO and Tage is that they don’t have good Centermen like Jack to dominate and control the play. Adding Mark Stone will provide instant secondary scoring. Spend 5-6M on an adult 2C and the production will follow.

Our next NHL Commisioner ?

I’m fairly confident that your attendance had nothing to do with result, but 0-16 might require a ban on you seeing your beloved. And $450 for three seats in St. Louis when they struggling surprises me. I agree we need a call up. Elie to Roch should happen by Saturday. Give the writers for the News and the fans something to talk about. I think CJ, Oloffsson and Nylander are destined for a spot sooner or later. Give one or two a shot and see if they click.

Or..

If they don’t win tonight it will be followed by the ‘airing of the grievances’.

None for me. Production has fallen fast the last three years. Plus he will be 36 in June. For me it’s Staal (33) or Kevin Hayes as 2019 UFA centers. I’m also not in favor of trading any of the first-round picks to dump salary or trade for a second line center. Look at the Ryan Kessler trade for the Anaheim ducks. They basically gave up Two first round draft picks and a prospect in Bonino for two years of Term on a cap friendly 5mill/year deal. Thank you no. I think Staal can be had for five or less on a short term deal with no risk and no loss of draft selections.

That's what we all said about the trade with the Islanders for Vanek. Of course there is one glaring difference. Namely that mirror cracking, black cat crossing, indoor umbrella opening, salt shaker tipping, jinxed of a GM we fired. So, yeah, we got this.

For those of not on Twitter do tell. Recognizing this is hearsay.

Except his decision to keep Casey on the bench a few games ago......he is struggling and I thought would not see OT last night either.

Bergeron, Chara and Debrusk still out. Shut down the first line and this team is not that good. And while Krejci is a great 2C, but he's no Patrice centering the first.

LW C RW Forwards BRAD MARCHAND Rating: 84.0#5 LW DAVID KREJCI Rating: 75.8#44 C DAVID PASTRNAK Rating: 85.1#2 RW FL1 Rating Rating: 81.68#3 FL1 JOAKIM NORDSTROM Rating: 69.1#133 LW COLBY CAVE Rating: 72.4#97 C DAVID BACKES Rating: 72.1#75 RW FL2 Rating Rating: 71.18#31 FL2 RYAN DONATO Rating: 74.2#61 LW JAKOB FORSBACKA KARLSSON Rating: 72.8#84 C DANTON HEINEN Rating: 73.4#51 RW FL3 Rating Rating: 73.46#6 FL3 SEAN KURALY Rating: 69.1#175 LW NOEL ACCIARI Rating: 69.2#174 C CHRIS WAGNER Rating: 67.8#120 RW FL4 Rating Rating: 68.70#31 FL4 DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS Defense TOREY KRUG Rating: 80.9#2 LD BRANDON CARLO Rating: 71.1#74 RD DL1 Rating Rating: 75.98#12 DL1 MATT GRZELCYK Rating: 72.4#67 LD CHARLIE MCAVOY Rating: 76.8#20 RD DL2 Rating Rating: 74.60#14 DL2 JOHN MOORE Rating: 71.9#75 LD STEVE KAMPFER Rating: 70.3#88 RD DL3 Rating Rating: 71.09#20 DL3

Implied he did not want be traded. Did not outright say he had firsthand knowledge. I had not heard about this SNAFU with his list of teams not being submitted on time.

What’s he going to do about it if he does?

Elliott Friedman reported on HNC intermission that Berglund did not submit his paperwork for a modified no trade in time allowing the Blues to trade him before he did and after his full no trade expired on June 30th. So it’s quite possible this has been an ongoing battle since the summer.