FrenchConnection44

This is spot on. I lived in the Czech Republic for two years from 1990-92 just after the collapse of the Eastern bloc (also traveled to Ukraine while there - while it was still under the Soviet Union. The ppl we met hated Russian oppression). Russia was horribly oppressive. Ruined the Czech country. It was like traveling back 60 years when I arrived and many people were psychologically ruined. One of my best friends there had parents born in the 1930s and he noted that 60 years of their life was ruined. It’s easy, living so far removed from such oppressive regimes, to think Hasek too extreme. But when you see remnants of it up front one becomes far more empathetic. Just look at how most of the eastern euros (Poland; Latvia; etc) see it. They know. While I am okay with some of these athletes participating, I also get why Hasek is so outspoken. He knows the evil. At the same time, most of the Russian athletes have family living under a threat if they speak out so I understand why they would not. It’s just a terrible situation for all brought on through no fault of their own; but by a deranged tyrant.

Looking forward to watching several Hockey East games this year with 3 prospects at BU, UConn, and New Hampshire.

The physicality that Clifton and E. Johnson bring will be welcome. Their respective hits last year (208 & 121) were easily more than any other defender on the Sabres last season. Their hits the past two years: Clifton: 156 / 208 Johnson: 165 / 121 Hits are not everything when it comes to physical play but it’s part of it. Another element I am hopeful Johnson will improve on D when we are short handed. We let guys sit in the slot way too much.

I like Greenway okay. I’d like to see him be more of an intimidator with his size. He just is not a reliable scorer. It’s possible but I would be surprised if his injury kept him from putting the puck away on chances he had last year. He could still be a player if he would grind harder and develop as a forechecker and defender.

This is great. I am super pumped about the future for this franchise.

This is a phenomenal piece. I am pretty pumped over our prospects. Can’t wait to follow them this year.

Johnson may well need to be spelled some on defense as he’s no longer a 22 minute guy, but his defensive metrics are better than any of our 4-5-6 guys last year. And they didn’t sign him to a $3.25 to sit at #7 on the depth chart. I think Joki can and will improve. How much remains to be seen. He’s still quite young. So while Biron thinks he could be trade bait I’m fine with him competing to play on the 3rd line. I do think the D will be improved. Perhaps significantly. Clifton and E Johnson give it a boost. The young guys will improve. Power needs to add a good 15-20 lbs to his frame over the course of the next few yrs. But we are already more sound on D than last year, imo. I actually have more concern - today -at forward with Quinn out and VO still on the team potentially getting minutes with his -23. With Quinn, we have a solid pairing with Cozens or Krebs. But we still need a replacement at forward as well as an upgrade over VO.

Duffer & Biron discussing Sabres defense in this episode. They both predict the top 4 to be Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power, Clifton. Marty thinks 5-6 will go to Johnson and Lyubushkin (!). Thinks Lyu really came on at the end last year. Assuming everyone is healthy. Thinks they will carry 7-8 on D depending on whether they have 2 or 3 goalies. And he thinks Joki is a big trade possibility if that is the case (didn’t say who would be 7th but based on their conversation one can assume it will be Stillman; if Joki is traded). Of course, that assumes perfect health.

From The Athletic on Pesce (given what he wants and with 3 young D studs to keep; he’d be a 1 year loaner). But if I am the Hurricanes I’d keep Pesce barring a massive haul relative to the player. They are a bonafide Cup contender. ——— Pesce is probably looking for a max-term contract worth something in the $6.5 million range annually. The Hurricanes have been reluctant to give out big-ticket, long-term contracts to those in their late 20s and have several players (Aho, Skjei, Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis, Jalen Chatfield) who will expect raises starting with the 2024-25 campaign. Things could be tight, even with a spike in the salary cap next summer. Any team negotiating with Pesce must also consider his injury history. He has twice had his season cut short due to shoulder injuries, and the wear and tear of playing more than 13,000 minutes since coming into the league in 2015 will catch up to him at some point. What the Hurricanes must weigh is how many years Pesce can be expected to play at or near his current level before the drop-off occurs. And if Pesce is indeed seeking an eight-year extension in the $50 million to $55 million range, that might be too rich for Carolina’s blood. So, then what? The Hurricanes could certainly play out next season with Pesce, who is still a key part of their defense. Carolina hasn’t shied away from using its pending UFAs as “own rentals” in the past — see Micheal Ferland, Dougie Hamilton and Vincent Trocheck. The problem is half of the team’s expected top six — Pesce, Skjei and Chatfield — have contracts that are up after the 2023-24 season. So while Carolina has been able in the past to let a few players leave via free agency without compensation, it cannot allow three defensemen to walk for nothing. That means exploring alternatives — and it’s the reason Pesce’s name has come up in trade rumors.

As to cap space, Buffalo is right at the middle of the pack in the league (essentially even with 3 other teams bet 12-15). Cap space around the league is not quite as bad as many are saying. https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/ Id give up future draft considerations, VO, maybe Östlund and another for Helly. But I’m not giving up any prime assets in the pipeline.

Completely agree. I don’t get all this talk. Gibson has dropped off and frankly I’d rather run with the potential upside of UPL than the downside of Gibson (when look at not only save % but also his quality save % and various advanced stats; just not great). I am not a huge UPL fan or defender. But his 9 games two years ago comp just as well with Levi’s 7 last year. Levi is the better goalie prospect imo but UPL is still only 23. Plenty of goalies don’t come into their own until they get older and more experienced. Anecdotally, when one looks back at Ullmark for example, he didn’t even break in to be a starter (30 + starts) til he was 25. And his first full year he ranked pretty low (30s in most categories); he didn’t really become quality starter til 26. I wanted to sign a vet goalie on a 2 yr deal to help take the pressure off our young guys. Esp. Levi. But I still think UPL can improve and we could have a good tandem with Levi for a few years. Not confident it will be this year. But hope springs eternal.

Couple more. Excited about Johnson. I was ready to move on but if he can come into the team and be a quality 5-6 defender that will be a big plus.

Still a lot of forwards out there and hopefully that brings the price down on some. I think a veteran along the lines of a Tatar on a 1 year deal (2 max) would be ideal to make up for the loss of Quinn. Assuming they buy in and fit the team concept. Tatar is not special but he finished 24th in Selke voting and that could be a positive. 🤷🏼‍♂️ Don’t want to spend big, imo. But I think we need one and that could open the door to trade Olafsson. If anyone is interested.

JJP was 20 at the start of the season. VO was 27. And in spite of 28 goals / 40 points he was a -23 (meaning 63 goals were scored while he was on the ice). However one needs to parse +/- that’s not good. JJP is likely to see significant improvement. Even if he’s not the scorer VO is he is not likely to be nearly the liability.

Couple more.

These videos are great. Man, wish I were up there to watch.

Just came on to post this. Loves this interview. Love his attitude. “I play an abrasive game.” Yea ya do. 👍 Great attitude.

Well said. We still need a vet goalie for sure, imo. And it may take time. But we have a lot of time before the season begins. I’m pretty content with the D we signed today. And love this team as well as the youth in the pipeline. Adams has been great so far. Think about where this team was four years ago. Between 2012 & 2021. Today there is a lot of hope.

Still need a goalie. Disappointed we didn’t land Andersen. He came in at a reasonable price, imo. May not have wanted to come here unless we went a lot higher. But some think he is not as good as he appears on paper of late. Hope we don’t give up a prized prospect to get one. Love the idea of Olafsson and a future draft pick. We have such a strong set of prospects we can afford to do that. Also still feel like we need another forward. Ideally one who can also win some face offs. But need a vet to replace Quinn. Imo.

I like the defensemen. A solid #4 in Clifton who gives our prospect D men time to develop. And a 5-6 in Johnson Johnson has a ton of experience he will bring went through entire rebuild and won a Cup with Avalanche so that’s a plus. Clifton also comes from a winning franchise and is young still but a vet for us. Clifton had a 4.2 defensive point shares Johnson a 2.8. Orlov $7.75 M per yr for 2 yrs. Pricey. Plus he probably thought Hurricanes closer to a Cup. Good piece here.