JohnC

As I said in the prior post, Bushkin was a third pairing caliber of defenseman. He's certainly not fast but without question his injury, that kept him out for an extensive period of time, has not helped him with his skating. Would I want to add a Bushkin caliber blue liner to the lower pairing mix? Yes. I'm aware that I'm in the minority here but I do believe that Joki is a second pairing caliber of player. I still believe that he has upside. However, I'm not a stubborn absolutist. If a better player is brought in that would drop him to a lower pairing, then I would be all for it. You could talk about advanced stats all you want. When you listen to Granato talk about Joki he seems to be enamored with him and his upside. And that isn't hollow public relations talk because he does extensively play him.

Bushkin is a third pairing defenseman who adds an element of physicality to the unit. He has been plagued by injuries that has further crimped his already recognized limitations associated with his speed. The organization got the type of player that they were seeking, a bottom half defenseman who was physical. It's unfair to criticize this player for his liabilities when the Sabres got exactly what they expected to get. The reality is that the Sabres would have been better off if they added another Bushkin type player to the unit.

Can't get the game on TV. I have the Center Ice but for whatever reason it was not covered. Pissed off!!!!

Would he be able to walk around in short stints?

Wasn't there a proposal a year or so ago where a team could have a one player exemption who fit into the "exceptional" player category that you alluded to? As you and @dudacekpointed out even if he is required to go back to the lower league in which he would dominate, in the end it shouldn't stunt his development. It might even advance his development.

I don't care how, just win. I would love to see the Cozens line with JJ and Quinn regain some of its old form. The two young wingers have been struggling. It would be exasperating to see the Sabres not capitalize on their games in hand against an inferior opponent.

@LGR4GM can have whatever opinion he wants. He's entitled to it. However, the butt kissing comment was simply a juvenile response. That's what got me to respond to his childish behavior. Responding any more on this topic to him is unproductive.

The only butt being kissed is you contorting yourself to get to your behind. Just stop with this foolishness. You are being ridiculous.

What's a leaving curve? Is it a course on the inability to acknowledge success when it happens?

You are being utterly ridiculous! Who is kissing their buttocks? However they got it done, luck or not, hiring a search firm or not, the end result is they got it right. If you can't acknowledge that they made the right call on this GM hire, then so be it. And the owners also made the right call on allowing Granato to take over for Krueger during the season, and hiring him on a full-time basis soon thereafter.

If Savoie is not going to get much playing time in Buffalo, why would you want him on the roster? Even if he is more advanced than players in his current league, at least he will be getting significant playing time, and more time to physically mature. Wouldn't it be better for his development to dominate in the lower league than lose a year of much playing time in a higher league? Players such as Quinn and JJ got playing time in Rochester before moving up to the big league. I wish that he could play in the AHL next year, but the rules don't allow for it. If you are going to make a decision about where he should play it would be better to error on the side of playing over mostly practicing.

The Pegulas certainly did make mistakes. That is obvious. Who hired Adams? The Pegulas did! So when they make bad hires, you skewer them. Rightly so. And when they do get it right, lucky or not, you continue to skewer them. So what you are doing is blaming them when things go wrong, and giving them no credit when things go right. That is an inconsistent and illogical line of reasoning. It makes no sense.

The Pegulas made some mistakes in staffing when they took over the football team. They eventually got it right. The Pegulas made some mistakes in staffing when they took over the hockey team. They eventually got it right. There was an ownership learning curve in both sports that is now bearing fruit. Both franchises are not only winning but also are entertaining and compelling teams to watch. The fans in Buffalo deserve this hard-earned success.

I appreciate your knowledge of this player and his attributes. I was well aware that he was a pass first center but was not sure of his ability to play a grittier game that is required in this higher league. I thought he was mostly a finesse player. I am happy to say that I was wrong.

The biggest surprise to me is your observation that he has become so dogged on the forecheck and the back check. A brilliant coaching move recognizing that the influence of Okposo/Girgs play would influence his play so much. I would also submit that the coach sitting down Krebs for a number of games got his undivided attention that he needed to alter his game to play in this league.

Sometimes when you watch a condensed version of a game you don't get an accurate picture of the flow of the game. I agree with most of your commentary except for Skinner. I don't see the drop-off that you are seeing. Even though he's not scoring many goals since his suspension, he's consistently putting himself in position to get scoring chances. And what I have noticed is that assist numbers have increased. His line is still our most prolific line. And he is an important factor why it is one of the top first lines in the league.

I don't know if you have listened to DG in his Tuesday coach's segment on WGR. They are gems. They are illuminating about him as a person and coach. His responses are usually short, clear and thoughtful. He doesn't dance around difficult questions; he directly answers them. Very often, when asked a question, he will mull it over, and then respond that is an interesting question. On more than a few occasions he will state that he didn't look at that particular issue from that perspective. The point that I'm making here is that he is open-minded and receptive to different perspectives. He constantly talks about the learning process for players, and he is also involved in the learning process for himself as a coach. He's terrific.

Much of DG's career has been spent working with young players in their formative years prior to reaching the NHL level. That's what forms his orientation in the game, even at the NHL level. He looks at the puzzle of assembling a team from the perspective of the individual pieces/players he has to work with. He is constantly searching how to unlock the talent of each player and then work to put that player in a position to succeed. For the coach, it is an ongoing process. Constantly striving, and willing to adjust and change his approach to the player in order draw out the player's potential. This coach is a terrific teacher and leader. This franchise is so fortunate to have him. It shouldn't be lost that DG's approach toward coaching also applies toward veteran players. Skinner is a good example of that. I'm also confident that both Okposo and Girgs would agree that the current coach behind the bench is one of the best coaches they have had in their career.

Even if you don't have an opportunity to have a beer with him to get his thoughts, all you have to do is listen to him talk about hockey and developing players. What was clearly evident is that once he took over for the dispatched Krueger, he immediately jettisoned the Krueger approach to the game and handling players. Right from the start, his goal was to liberate the players from the straitjacket that the former coach made them wear. One ineffective coach stressed conformity, while the other coach allowed his players to express their talents. The biggest beneficiary of that change was Dahlin. That's why he is constantly smiling.

I agree with you on the quality of play of Mitts in this game. As @Taro Thas often noted the coach is astute in juggling his lines, especially at the end of the games. I thought that putting Cozens on the Mitts/Olofsson line was a good change of pace move. It just seems that Quinn and JJ have for a period of time become no-factors or even generating many scoring opportunities. It's simply part of the growing process.

The "track meet" style of play is our identity. That's how this team needs to play, and that is what the opposition is trying to take away. What's great about this style of play is that it is entertaining and exciting to watch. Compare this Granato style of play to the troglodyte style of play that Krueger promoted? There was the obvious tribute to Hamlin that made this crowd revved up. But what kept them aroused throughout the game was the pace and quality of play. What a difference a coach makes!

It wasn't that long go when the Sabres got down there was an almost visible deflation. In hockey, as there is in most pro sports, there is an ebb and flow. But even when the tide is turning against them, this team keeps playing its fast paced and north/south game. The talent on this team has clearly increased. But what is evident is that this is a character team with multiple leaders that keep this team together when it is facing adversity.

Do you know when he is expected back?

I predict that Mitts will score a goal against his hometown team. I'm confident that @K-9 is sneering at my prediction. 😃

You make some interesting observations in the way DG handles his young players in order to allow them to deal with the vicissitudes of being a young player at this higher level of hockey. As you point out, Quinn and Peterka have lately struggled. This was after they previously sparkled. The opposition adjusted to them causing them to hit a plateau. The coach's response was to lessen their roles in higher stress situations, most notably at the end of the games. I'm confident that in the near future these two talented youngsters will find their footing, and as you point out, their struggling experience will ultimately enhance their development. The issue for me is whether the coach can put Mitts in a position to succeed. While I'm more upbeat about Mitts (and Joki and Olofsson) than most of the skeptics here, I hope the coach can get Mitts to play at a more consistent level and contribute to spreading out the production beyond our prolific first line. We shall see.