Pimlach

The Canes should be bringing their A game tonight. This is another big test, albeit with no pressure on the Sabres. Reimer magic must continue to win this one.

But you also said that Krebs has earned a chance on the 3rd line right?

Cozens may still have a better career than all of the guys you named. Caulfield (drafted 12) was brought up slower, and is passing him in scoring, but Cozens is ahead of Zegras, and is far ahead of Krebs for that matter. Matt Boldy (drafted 15), who was also brought up slower, is the best forward drafted after Cozens IMO. Kaapo Kakko (taken 2nd) is behind Cozens. Kirby Dach was taken 3rd and is far behind Cozens. The NHL draft is not a slam dunk but I think the Sabres completely screwed up Cozens development by rushing him in every aspect. And now a "friend of a coach" tells someone that Cozens is dumb, but I think that it was Adams who was dumb. I too am a friend of a former Sabres coach, one who is still in the NHL, and he told me that the Sabres (Adams/Granato) were doing things wrong and that he feels sorry for any coach that replaces Granato because the kids are not developed right. Here we are with Lindy scratching his head all season long. No blockers right? What veteran 2C did Cozens beat out to earn his NHL minutes? Maybe the Sabres brought Cozens up too fast and gave him too much responsibility too soon? He was very young and given a 2C slot playing with 2 rookies in a "system" that did not teach defensive responsibility. He was also given PP and PK time. He was given an "A" when he was just 23 years old. Boldy and Caulfield might be better players anyway but they stayed in college and extra year after the draft and they had a taste of AHL. Cozens went straight from juniors to a terrible hockey program and had ZERO AHL games. I still think he can be salvaged into a good player in time, we shall see. What works better is a system that makes the prospects earn what they get. I really like what Lindy did with Östlund who is being brought up at a much smarter pace.

Norris, McLeod, Kulich, Krebs, Kozak - We have a lot of mediocrity and questions marks at center (assuming Thompson stays at wing and not counting the potential promise of Östlund or Helenius). Norris is a talented but not at all reliable 2C/1C. He being on the roster is a driver to keep a winger that can play top 2 line center, which brings me to Kulich. Kulich is looking good but we have seen young players have up and down seasons. Adams should not count on Kulich and Norris alone as the 1C/2C combo to snap the drought next season. Kulich can be a productive winger though and he can help at C too. Lindy loves options. McLeod is a good 3C that can help top 6 when needed. I think that Krebs ceiling is McLeod, maybe, but I prefer McLeod. I think Krebs floor is the current Kozak. Kozak is a 4th liner that is still developing and improving. He did the same quality job as Krebs at 4C, and probably even better defensively. Östlund and Helenius should start the season in Rochester. Krebs can be packaged in trade to help fill the holes needed to break the drought. We just can't keep all of these guys. I would like an FO that can move something around here and think bigger. Next Year: New Guy (vet in prime years) - 1C/2C Norris 1C/2C Kulich - winger and possible center fill-in on top 6 to cover injuries McLeod - 3C and possible help in 2C Kozak - 4C Östlund - first call up. Krebs - I like him but I think he is tradable and worth something in a packaged "hockey trade".

There isn’t if you have a healthy Norris and Greenway. Kozak will push for 4C also.

They let Linus go and Swayman lost his mojo.

Power and Byram are supposed to be Dahlin level players (or close to it), but they are not in the defensive zone.

Despite all the hand wringing here I don’t think Ruff handled Östlund wrong so far. Make him play defense and be responsible first. Playing 4th line with Maley and Lafferty isn’t his end role but he still created some opportunities, he passes well and he sees the ice. Playing him on PP2 was also smart to let him stretch out his game. I liked what I saw but he will benefit more from a second season in Rochester. He could be the playmaker I am looking for.

I don’t think the coaching change helped at all. McAvoy is out, he is their Dahlin. Marchand got old, they miss his leadership. Debrusk, Coyle, others of that ilk are gone. No one fears the Bruins. They have one line.

I thought he has a good but short stretch in November too, Ruff said he did. Then he disappeared.

Yes, Yes, Yes, depends.

Three for TNT

Just checked. You are correct. They B’s beat the Canes last night in Beantown.

Benson looking good playing with the skill guys.

Interesting. Sabres are on a back to back and Ray is commenting on how tired the Bruins are. Good to hear that.

That was a goal scorer move. TNT

Zucker felt like Lucker

Sabres have to win in regulation, or else something something.

e tu Promotheus ?

It’s not just his glove. His reading of the play is often way off. His movement and positioning have been bad. He needs an off season to reset. Coaching, Video work, and more work after that.

Dahlin is damm good.

Ugh. Need a big save.

Yes. Put the puck on this goalie.

TNT

Indeed. Too many passes. Shoot and get bodies to the net.