Drag0nDan

I didn't like the Reinhart trade because he was 26 - like this IS his prime. But for whatever reason, he was bridged by Botterill. While also trying to navigate the ullmark situation that looked to be going down like the hindenberg. Just terrible roster and asset management that lead to the goalie situation i outlined above. The reinhart compensation felt like it was missing a player moreso than anything else. Player-prospect-pick. I forgot he was here 🙂

I think we all over-expected based on his college production, and his rookie year cup of coffee. End of the day, his 39 NHL starts are 2nd in his draft class behind Nico Daws. Askarov was picked 11 overall and only has 22 starts, and is currently 1-4-1 with an .844 sv% and 4.69 GAA. It's certainly a position that requires a lot more patience than others. At the time of trade though - Buffalo used these goalies: Anderson, Tokarski, Dell, UPL, Houser, and Subban. In the AHL, UPL started the majority of games but the rest of the depth was pretty much the same guys as above. There wasn't much of anything at the NHL level or AHL level from a goaltending perspective. UPL was fast tracked because he was the only one there, Portillo refused to sign, and Johansson was dumped because he was terrible. That's not to say that any of these guys are the answer, just to say that at the time we fans probably set unrealistic expectations because of how bad the goalies had gotten after losing Ullmark. They now have: Lyon, capable backup performing well in his chance to start. Kind of a late bloomer. UPL, probably a future backup elsewhere. Overpaid. But still the highest quality home grown goalie the team has produced recently. Ellis, probably a bit short on AHL/NHL starts to be relied upon - but is just 25 and under team control. Levi, Right around the sweet spot of 100 starts and doesn't have to clear waivers so unfortunately for him, that means he mans the AHL. 4 prospects in Leinonen, Ratzlaff, Leenders, and Prokhorov. As bad as the position has been, its about as good of a spot as they've been in a long time. I don't think they have their "guy" today, but there's a number of options as well as future pieces to try and get this position right.

Honestly, the guy was always injured his entire development, so it wouldn't shock me if this lingers.

Just let Levi cook in the AHL for another year. He has no avenue to really do anything - he isn't even on the NHL roster. I do wonder what the plan is here though, and I'd imagine Levi is thinking the same thing. You now have 2 prospects who are at the graduation age, an overpaid UPL, and Lyon who has played well here so far. 1 of Ellis/Levi probably has to go next season, and honestly UPL needs to go as well. It's tough to do anything quite yet though. It's a make or break season for the roster as its currently constructed, and poor goaltending was one of the biggest issues last year. The guy STL kept over Ellis is currently 1-2 with a .793 sv% and a 5.81 GAA. Things can take a pretty sharp turn pretty fast. That and short side. You look for the cross ice pass, and he cheats and leaves a gap blocker side.

I just don't really know what he is. Not noticably good on the dot. Career 10% shooter - which feels higher than it should be but he just doesn't shoot. Tries to play a physical game, but isn't that physical. Has some jolt to his skating but it doesn't jump out as "fast" either. Doesn't kill penalties. Almost 300 games with buffalo and under 100 points.

pretty similar spot - they need to avoid 13 straight losses and they'll be right in the mix. Put a few streaks together of good hockey and they can make it.

Honestly i'm not sure. My buddy reached out before the season to get a group - i'd imagine any ST holders get it but I'm not sure on anyone else. Nothing was mailed out so i'd imagine you have to be there to get it, and you had to provide a size.

The 4th line is... rough. I'd MUCH rather have greenway than Dunne or Geertson. He also can kill penalties which allows someone like tuch to not have to do it.

Yeah, i'm gonna head down for 430 or so, i hate paying arena prices for beer and id rather just have a couple and get a coke at the game. I forgot its "frozen frenzy" day, so every team in the league is in action which explains the weird start time.

I wanted to pair doan and mcleod, but assumed doan would have been playing down as a young player on line 4. Pleasantly surprised that those 2+tuch has become a thing, and it's probably been the most consistent line.

I know! So stupid! I wanted to grab a drink at ballyhoo before the game so now i have to take a call in the car. It's also bills night so there's a free "jersey", so its going to take longer to get into the arena.

I know, was more just saying 1 game doesn't really mean much.

From what i remember Hall was the response to Eichel asking for a trade before his neck injury. Either way, it wasn't a great use of cap, he wasn't good here, and the trade value was insanely low. I think they probably should have just kept him because that comp was basically nothing, but i'd imagine TP probably wanted to save some money.

In pretty much any sport other than football - the prospects take a lot of time to show up as what they eventually are. Baseball: trades always move prospects and they give them a "ranking" (top 100 in baseball, top 3 in the org ,etc), but majority of these guys don't work out. Getting something for an expiring player contract is usually the goal. Basketball: Players get traded for anything and everything. So few players on an actual roster means you have less guys to move, the money becomes harder to manage so extra teams are almost always involved, and the players have a LOT of control. So pick swaps, tons of protected draft picks, you won't know what you get for YEARS. In any of these sports you're looking at 5-7 years to really track whether you got value when you move a player for prospects. The value that the acquiring team gets is immediate, so you always look like the loser in those trades when you move the Eichel or Reinhart deal.

I don't think he signs here without one FWIW

The 13 game losing streak was probably the biggest reason they not only didn't make the playoffs, but were never really in the mix. Having no one who was capable of stealing a game or two.

This comes to mind: https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/202105030BUF.html

He had so little value this offseason it was stunning - Guy won 40 games in 22-23. He also Which probably projects to UPL's trade value since Georgiev was one of the only goalies who was statistically worse than him last season.

It's only October too, so many players (especially on good teams) are not as focused on this part of the schedule. They'll play through it when the games matter, but right now it makes sense to sit.

I meant moreso, if he wants out - there's the door.

I'd imagine they're probably fine releasing Georgiev.

Krebs and a pick swap?

Just an eye test thing for me. Kozak seems faster, more determined in the forecheck, and more committed to getting to dirty areas. I dont expect tic-tac-toe on the 4th line, and he just seems to have a better direct game than krebs at the moment.

I was hoping they'd move UPL this offseason. I was also hoping they'd make a big swing at the position to try and finally fix things back there.

I'm not sure when the clock runs out on the 30-day thing with STL - something like they automatically get him and he goes to their AHL affiliate (I'm not 100 percent certain on this rule so someone can feel free to clear it up). Anyone else who claims him after that window has to keep him on their roster, so if you can wait out that period you might be able to send him to Rochester and waive Georgiev if he clears. He's had jumbly lines since the get-go with benson missing time and Norris being hurt in the first game. I think he might have played center for a game. It's certainly not good enough and he needs to play better though.