FrenchConnection44
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Posts posted by FrenchConnection44
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22 hours ago, dudacek said:
I think our points are more in line than you may realize.
I was partly talking about fan expectations in my post, but moreso I was talking about player expectations.
Casey is undergoing a process where he first realized he wasn’t going to be an NHL player training like he did in juniors, then realizing he wasn’t going to be a star playing like he did in juniors.
As @Taro T has done a good job explaining, he has adjusted his approach. He just has more to learn and more adjustments to make. He’s only played 231 NHL games.
The next step - the one that is underway this year - is realizing that he isn’t going to be a star, period, and figuring out how he is just going to be a useful player. I brought Jost into the equation because he comes from a similar place as Casey, and is a year ahead of him on that curve.
I can guarantee Avs fans were making similar posts to yours about Jost two years ago.
Maybe so. But my prime point is my view of him is not based on his draft status.
At the same time we need significant improvement at the center / forward position past the first two lines. I’m just not seeing consistency from CM game in game out. Maybe he will improve as the season goes on.
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15 minutes ago, dudacek said:
Player 1 is 24, was a top 10 pick and makes $2.5 million
He’s scored 9 points and been a -4 in the past 17 games mostly on the 3rd line.
Player 2 is 24, was a top 10 pick and makes $2.0 million
He’s scored 7 points and been a +/-0 in the past 17 games mostly on the 3rd line.
We like Tyson Jost because he seems to have realized that while he’s not going to be the top 6 player he had hoped to become, he is good enough to play in the NHL and can contribute in a specific role.
We don’t like Casey Mittelstadt because we are judging him in the context of being the top 6 player he had hoped to become. He is good enough to be an NHL player, but is still figuring out his role.
Expectations are certainly at play here and need to be readjusted.
9 minutes ago, pi2000 said:============================================================== BUF even strength goal differential through 36 games = 12 BUF even strength minutes played through 36 games = 1764.35 exp+/- is a function of %min played at ES and team ES goal diff TRpm(team relative +/-) is the diff btwn actual+/- and exp+/- %min is % of ES minutes played ============================================================== Team Player TRpm GP +/- exp+/- %min BUF Jeff Skinner 11.94 33 15 3.06 25.5 BUF Alex Tuch 10.61 36 14 3.39 28.3 BUF Tage Thompson 10.49 36 14 3.51 29.2 BUF Mattias Samuelsson 10.02 23 13 2.98 24.8 BUF Rasmus Dahlin 9.18 35 14 4.82 40.2 BUF Owen Power 8.37 33 13 4.63 38.6 BUF Jack Quinn 2.62 31 5 2.38 19.8 BUF Kyle Okposo 2.62 29 5 2.38 19.8 BUF Kale Clague 0.28 16 2 1.72 14.3 BUF Henri Jokiharju 0.13 16 2 1.87 15.5 BUF Ilya Lyubushkin 0.12 22 2 1.88 15.7 BUF Rasmus Asplund -0.50 21 1 1.50 12.5 BUF Dylan Cozens -1.05 36 2 3.05 25.4 BUF Tyson Jost -1.35 18 0 1.35 11.3 BUF Zemgus Girgensons -1.58 35 1 2.58 21.5 BUF Vinnie Hinostroza -2.30 16 -1 1.30 10.8 BUF Casey Fitzgerald -2.75 23 -1 1.75 14.6 BUF JJ Peterka -3.09 36 0 3.09 25.8 BUF Peyton Krebs -3.28 30 -1 2.28 19.0 BUF Lawrence Pilut -5.36 17 -4 1.36 11.3 BUF Victor Olofsson -12.82 36 -10 2.82 23.5 BUF Casey Mittelstadt -13.98 36 -11 2.98 24.8 BUF Jacob Bryson -16.89 29 -14 2.89 24.1 ==============================================================
This chart says it all about some of the weaknesses on the team (Bryson and Mitts). I don't think just looking at the last 17 games since Jost came on the team is a full evaluation of Mittelstadt. One could argue that Jost has reduced Casey's negative +/- by his presence on the line.
Nor does it have to do with his being a top 10 pick.
Casey has been scoring a bit more lately. But a classic illustration of why I think fans find problems with him is the breakaway goal he gave up vs. the Caps. First, he's weak on the puck and gets it stolen. Then he gets just buried trying to chase. He has good size but he needs to be physically stronger and play with more physicality. Until he does that he'll always flash here and there because of his skating speed; and will get some goals; but he'll also be a weak spot.
I suspect if he gets traded or released that, like a number of players in the NHL and NFL who get traded from their drafting team, they realize that they haven't put the work in that they need to. But it doesn't seem to be the case that he is improving as he should be. I don't care about the goals or points but that he works hard and stops making bad plays. If he's a #3 or #4 center or wing, he's got to be physical and tough.
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I wouldn’t draw much from this game. They lacked energy on back to back games. They will be better next outing.
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The Winter classic in Buffalo was far and away the best one ever. Far and away. Perfect weather. Snow. Packed stadium.
They should bring it back.
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YESSSSS!!!! Hahaha!
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So many fans have trashed Luukko … just don’t get the lack of patience. I’d still try to get Anderson back again and then use next year to develop Levi. Luukko and Levi could become a solid combo in two years.
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Unreal. What a penalty kill and great to see Cousins get the tying goal.
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Jost should have carried it into the zone then dropped it to Tage rather than dump it. Still got a chance but …
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Welp. That’s gonna be it.
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Great toughness by Krebs.
Bruins showing how good they are. We are giving up a lot of chances and are fortunate we haven't given up more goals. But, hey, the Bruins are arguably the peak team in the NHL.
Keep fighting. 60 minutes, baby.
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22 hours ago, Dreams Burn Down said:
I think that this will come. They (Cousins, Power, etc.) need to fill out their frames with some muscle mass, like Dahlin has done. They're still so young and they need time.
Agreed completely. Just want them to focus on that in the off-season. That can really change the equation as the raw talents are there, imo -
45 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:
So, we have a chance?
When not playing the Sabres I tend to root for the original 6 in the playoffs.
Except Boston. I hate the Bruins.
First Sabres game I ever watched was December 1970. Vs Bruins. Total domination. 72 shots on goal. 8-2 loss. Have hated them since (Though watching Orr and Espo was was always amazing).
Let’s go! Big test. Play great!! And get a W! (Tho I’d take a tie).
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8 minutes ago, jsb said:
- Sabres over the delucca 500 at this point of the season has been awhile
- I don't understand the Mitts hate, is he an all star, no but he does play a 3rd-4th line role and is on pace for a 47 point season and the coaching and management staff seem to still have faith in him
- Do Dahlin and Thompson both get selected to the all star game and if just one who goes to the game
- Where do you rank the Tuch-Skinner-Thompson line in the division
- I'm missing the fascination with a Chychrun trade, he's more of an offensive Dman, do you really see KA sitting Power or Dahlin for him??
- January's results should give us a real idea for the playoff chances of this team, a big month and they're in it, a .500 month and we're out IMO
- GK although not great is keeping us in games. UPL is making the big saves especially on breakaways
- The Bruins game will give us a real feel for where we're at
- Cozens having a breakout year and is covering for Quinn and JJP rookie errors so far
- Making KO the captain was the correct move and you just can't complain about the hustle Girgs provides
- Rack up Jost for another good pickup by KA and Krebs plays better with the vets guidance.
Good observations.
Middlestadt played well last night. He’s been up and down. What I’d like to see from him, Cousins, Power … really many of our young guys … is to get physically stronger. When we go up against better, stronger teams who play hard nosed D, we struggle. With our speed and skating ability - adding more physical strength and power to these players’ game would really benefit the team. They already battle well. Power should look to a Victor Hedman. Continue to improve his skating. Add 15 lbs of muscle over the next 3-4 yrs (which will help his balance and skating). He has the potential to be great.
The other challenge for Casey has been his shot. Would like to see him improve that in terms of accuracy and speed.
The potential is there for several of these players. Gotta stay confident and keep improving this year and beyond.
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Kulich crushing it for the Czechs vs Austria.
https://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607891033827807232?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQhttps://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607902273832632321?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQ
https://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607911257981460481?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQ
How does one embed tweets? Can’t figure that out.
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12 hours ago, Weave said:
I don’t know ***** about him other than the office he holds. I’m not an Erie Co resident. But hearing how the county emergency response is being affected, and my memories of ‘77, it sounds like the overall impact isn’t that far apart. I’m not gonna dismiss that statement. The impact of this storm just a few miles from me is pretty historic. The rural communities affected by this storm are getting crushed.
That’s amazing.I no longer live in Buffalo but I lived through 77. The most incredible experience of nature in my life. Just astounding.
If this is similar, wow. And crazy after what has already come that way this year.
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6 hours ago, Weave said:
And we don’t have a goalie until we have a goalie.
I hate that KA has put all of our goalie eggs in the Levi basket. It makes us vulnerable.
How is it he’s put all our eggs in one basket?
He has UPL, Leinonen, Portillo, and Levi.
UPL has played really well lately showed a lot of poise and confidence.
I don’t want them to trade Levi (and that he is down a bit this year isn’t a big negative it’s all about the kinds of goals he would be giving up.
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So many have been trashing Luukko for some time. And he has struggled. But plenty of goalies take time to develop. He’s only 23. Plenty of goalies have taken longer to come into their own. I disagree with the harping on needing a goalie in a trade. And with sending UPL down. We have a couple of young ones with potential coming up (Levi, etc) and Luukko has begin to show potential. Keep him up
The real problem with team is the team defense. They’ve given up 40+ shots 3 out of the last 4 games. Part of that is injuries. Part youth. But if all the defensemen are healthy, we have only five starting caliber imo (Dahlin; Samuelsson; Power; Joki; Lyub). I’d say the last two are 3rd line defenders. Power has to get stronger but potential for greatness is there. We need a good young defender. (Or two, eventually). Joki has potential to work alongside Power. And another good two-way center/forward.
We have plenty of cap space. I’m not Uber thrilled with the defenders out there. Maybe there is one to bridge to a younger player. I’d look to D in the draft. But would love to go in on a top two way C / PF. We have to sign our own but that can still be done as well as land one.
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25 goals and 46 points in his last 24 games. 👀
Only a 24 game stretch. But that’s Gretzky-like.
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30 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:
Look at Cozens on this goal, he ends up tackled on the ice. Great play all around, nice passing and a great finish
Great fighting for the puck and not giving up on it. And then the pass and shot. That’s a spirit that we need for the final half of the season.
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4 minutes ago, Zamboni said:
Fascinating that even though they dropped to a capacity of some 5000 fans, by raising ticket prices their ticket revenue is actually up 50% over what it was last season!
But sad to read that Buffalo was last in attendance. How much our culture has changed. When I was a young teenager in the early to mid 70s, being able to attend a Sabres game was like winning a lottery. Every game was a standing room only sell out! I remember the first game I attended vs the Broad Street bullies, and getting to watch the French Connection. Martin scored a great goal right in front of our seats. We won and Schoenfeld totally roughed up Schultz that game.
I also remember the Sabres had an open practice every year over the holidays and we would attend those. And it was thrilling. Filled the arena!
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If Skinner is back, that’s a big boost!
But we also really need Power to be back, given how thin we are defensively right now. And given that defense is one of our prime achilles heels.
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1 hour ago, pastajoe said:
The sports gods mock us again as the Bills and Sabres are scheduled to play at the same time. I will watch the Bills live and DVR the Sabres, and then watch the Sabres afterwards while fast forwarding past the commercials and between periods.
Also, when are the Sabres going to stop being cheap by not flying the announcing team out to western games. That’s embarrassing.
Totally. It’s not like it’s some huge expense, especially given that hockey teams are not as expensive as, say, NFL teams. And it’s not like the Pegula’s don’t have any money. Plus, we are not even approaching the top tier for salary cap expenditures, so they are also saving money there.
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I know this has already taken place and is not about Adams, per se, but I thought this was an interesting pre draft scouting report on Jost.
Jost was simply fantastic this season, putting up huge numbers for a 17-year-old in the BCHL, even when you adjust for its lesser league quality. He is a dynamic, athletic center with decent off-the-puck skills as well. Jost is one of the better skaters in his draft class, with an easy, explosive stride whose first few steps will be able to evade NHL checkers. He's a highly-skilled puck handler who can execute high-difficulty plays in tight spaces, as well as make above-average passes.
Jost's defensive play has shown significant improvement during this season. I didn't love his defensive positioning last year, but by the world under-18 championship in the spring, he was arguably Canada's best defensive forward. Bigger players can muscle him off pucks too easily at times. However, Jost does work his tail off, often being one of the hardest working players on the ice on top of being one of the most skilled.
Are the Sabres out of the running for the playoffs?
in The Aud Club
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Seems like nonsense to favor Comrie and UPL over Anderson.
Anderson is our best goalie. But he is 41 so he needs rest to stay fresh. I think we start to use him more down the stretch. And if we are in the playoffs.
I think UPL is better than Comrie at this point - if we look at how he’s played of late and how Comrie played recently prior to his injury. UPL has more upside.
Hopefully we can win these two home games. Really want to sink the Flyers. A) because I don’t like them; B) because we have their 2nd round pick and the further they fall the better that pick becomes.