Scottysabres

The laxative additive doesn't come flavored?

Take a good look at goalies average NHL regular entry ages. Miller, Hasek, and more than I can list. They get a taste at 23 / 24, but 25 is the average regular entry age. UPL has some time yet, he'll need it to get ready.

Yep.

Sincerely hoping no one additional was infected. Shut it down. It's that simple really. You have players (Washington) known to have broken protocols with at least one infected, you've had several teams now with players testing positive, you have a schedule with multiple games in a 7 day stretch where clearly testing is useless given the time constraints. And this is to mention a few of the hurdles being dealt with. From watching multiple family members go through covid, admittedly with varying degrees of impact, but impact none the less, combined with the larger knowns to date on the apparent inability to truly target how it will affect each individual, the only correct course of action is to shut it down until a more secure way of ensuring safety, both to the players and, to the larger public by means of incidental contact via travel, etc. etc. can be done with greater certainty than they are now. Because the protocols they are working with now clearly are not working with a degree of success satisfactory enough to warrant the sport be played, imho.

As I've said in other threads, I'm a glass half full kind of fan. And even though I am optimistic as every season starts, including the last 10 seasons (ok, the 2 tank years my optimism was misplaced, BUT, it was there 😉 ), panic is most likely the incorrect term, it's more like, like another deep depression of a season, not unlike any of the last 10 seasons. Only, this time, it seems that some of the players on the team are also feeling it. Divisional standing won't mean anything in my opinion. We aren't going to the playoffs because we aren't a playoff caliber team. Ullmark is coming in to his own, a pleasant progression given the teams current circumstances. Hall, Eichel, Skinner have shown 0 signs they are going to up their output, I'm not expecting it to magically materialize anytime soon either, especially with the way Jack is playing, just a complete disappointment with regards to his compete level. Has he finally "checked out" as some are asking? Sure looks that way on the surface. As for Okposo, Staal and some of the D, it shouldn't come as any surprise. If we were to be honest with ourselves as we've watched the team over these past years we should expect the results we are seeing because not much has changed in 5 years or so. The talent may be on the roster on paper, but if it can't muster up the ability to find the fire within themselves to win, then no matter how talented they are that should be enough to remove them from Buffalo, one way or another. The fans of the Buffalo Sabres deserve so much more than the product they are being offered now. And, although I'm a glass half full kind of fan, at some point even I have to relent and admit this team isn't going to fill the other half of my glass. And 10 games is an ample sample size given the 56 game condensed season. Can they turn it around and land a lower playoff spot? Sure, but given their desire to do what is necessary to win, you could just as easily throw a piece of ham at the kitchen ceiling and say "look, pigs can fly". I'm not remotely prepared to lie to myself and say this team has any chance this season given the current cultural atmosphere they are in. Just my humbled opinion is all.

An attempt to minimize the value damage? Or were the TSN guys given bad info? Interesting either way.

Before I vote, does Crosby or Malkin come with him?

Yawn? Outside of Quinn getting some AHL time, why these 2 players?

I have to ask it, just to ask it.... If Eichel is playing injured, is the injury his "love of the game"? 😄 To soon?

They see his physical play.

I understand. But, let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you watched many Calgary games? Given my work schedule, I happen to catch more west coast games then I care to. I've watched Calgary games a bit. The going fan base over there like him as an energy/heart and soul guy, but, they dislike his penalties, they believe the penalties kill his upside. And there are those that believe his penalties are a result of playing like the Sabres, from behind constantly, fending off the opposition. What I can tell you is this, from my own eyes having watched a bit of Calgary games, again, due to my work schedule. He does well on the PK, not a top tier name mentioned type guy, but he applies pressure beyond what other players do, in both 5 v 5 as well as the PK. Bennett is definitely a motivational mover when he plays his game. His team responds to his play. No, he's not lights out physical every game, but, his game play, game after game, his teammates, players from opposing teams, pundits, all say the same thing, he is "difficult" to play against AND, his teammates feed off of his energy. Stop and think on that for a moment. How many Sabres players have you seen recently that brings that to the table? We are not talking about selling the farm for a younger player like this, I hope you understand that.

I actually agree with this sincerely. His value is still top notch. Trade him for a sweetheart package? I'm all ears. He said: "insert any Warner Bros. Road Runner / Wiley Coyote cartoon here".

I'm saying a trade for Bennett to replace Sheehan as Lazar and Skinner's Center would be a vast improvement for both the line, and the team overall. And although it's opinion, it's backed by the both testimonials from players and pundits alike across the league on Bennett's game play. In short, it does 0 harm. Minimal risk.

Yep.

Yep. And to think, the Devils had him on the trade block last season.

This team needs passion, it needs killer instinct, it needs hear and soul play imho. They lack it, those players that give it their all. But, they aren't far off from being a playoff contender.

From your mouth to the hockey God's ear.

Im talking straight out about Bennett's reported (per TSN and his agent) ask for a trade out of Calgary for their reported betrayal of telling him he'll play center then not doing it. Lazar/Skinner line could most certainly use an upgrade over Sheehan, Bennett is younger, faster, more physical and more grit player. You bring that in, just my opinion is all.

Why wait? He's demanded a trade out of Calgary so TSN reports. Get him here and stick him as Lazar and Skinner center. We need heart and soul, Bennett brings it.

? We're talking about Sheehan here. I fail to see the correlation.

Sam Bennett Bring in heart and soul, it does pay to have those players. Just say'in"

Improving the line is a high reward, again, imho.

Sam Bennett I'm a full on "get him in a Sabres Jersey advocate.

I think Bennett centering Skinner and Lazar is a fast, hard nosed, offensive zone puck possession eater with higher scoring chances, more O zone wear down time on the opposition and higher pressure overall line than Sheehan centering Lazar and Skinner. Anytime an opportunity presents itself to better the team, short term or long term, given Bennetts age, you pull the trigger. After all, it isn't as though the Sabres are burning up the league in control of play, physical play and passion overall on the ice game in and game out. Is it a risk? Aren't all trades/acquisitions? But, you make the moves necessary to address, and Bennett, in my most humbled opinion, given his play style acumen, is a low risk high reward scenario worth playing out.