Flashsabre

Benson’s brilliance is where he positions his stick. He knocked 4’pucks and passes down in one shift just by body and stick position.

Can’t gleam too much off a game like tonight but the Sabres did what they needed to do. I was so impressed with the new 4th line tonight. So much speed and physicality. And they can play they are not slugs. McLeod adds a lot of the same so it really will be a new look in the bottom 6 this season. Quinn and Benson are going to be so much fun together this season.

Pens win 3-2 and this board goes into a 5 Alarm Blaze that cannot be put out😜🤣

I think a really good comparison for Benson is ROR. Both guys made the NHL at 18. If you look at them they don’t check many of the sexy boxes: Excellent size, Excellent speed, Excellent shot, crazy puck skills. But their hockey IQ and understanding of the game all over the ice makes them impactful, special players. ROR is bigger and plays centre but I see Benson being a similar player from the wing in his prime. He is the “coach’s dream” type player that does everything you would hope a player does without having to tell him or motivate him to do it. Even if he is struggling offensively Benson can still impact the team positively in other areas while he works through a slump. The anti VO if you will😃

Ruff said he doesn’t think he has even talked to Benson yet at camp because he does everything correctly the first time.

I don’t care if they brought in 1977 Scotty Bowman. After 13 years without the playoffs it’s “show me” time across the board.

Well he is tearing the Pats apart. NE look awful

Levi said “Give me the Don Edwards-Bob Sauve drip”😜

The one Sabres prospect that perplexes me is Kisakov. The kid has skill but he doesn’t seem to be able it to any type of game scenario success. Neuchev has transitioned his skill into game success but Kisakov just hasn’t taken a step. Hopefully he takes a step this season.

Houser always starts in the ECHL and ends up in Rochester when injuries happen

I’m very interested to see what the plan in net is. UPL is the starter but are they keeping Reimer up and running Levi back and forth all season. I can’t see keeping 3 goalies up again as a viable option.

I’m interested to see Krebs under Ruff. He either breaks out this season or they move him when Helenuis is ready.

I wasn’t saying we don’t have players with tenacity. The Sabres prospect pool could use a few prospects up front with a size-tenacity combination.

Peca could be used in any situation. Up a goal down a goal, defensive zone faceoff, offensive face off. PP, PK, smart hockey player. Helenuis is similar. He won’t run a guy over in open ice like Peca but he is a centre you can use in every situation. That’s the comparison I was making.

You have to remember that this tournament doesn’t represent all the prospects. Big D men like Kleber and Strabk are at college. They have enough size on the backend in the system. They need to add more size and tenacity up front. Hayes is a nice player. He was a free agent from the OHL. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. Östlund is going to need a few years in Rochester to pack on weight. He was always a long term project. Helenuis looks like he will be a player sooner rather than later. Reminds me a lot of Peca without the open ice hits. He will get his nose dirty though. I thought both goalies let the team down in the games I watched.

Man he has left a lot of money on the table over the years

I was on an Oilers board and it looks Ike the bloom may be off the rose a bit with Savoie. They started their prospects tournament and apparently Oilers brass is saying he is not physical enough. He has played on the wing the first 2 games and fans are saying it is destroying his confidence and the development coach needs to be fired. The “How could the Sabres make such a dumb trade” narrative might be dissipating.😁 I liked Savoie but we have enough Savoies. McLeod’s speed and size will fit nicely as a 3C with what Lindy wants to do. And I think people will be pleasantly surprised with Tullio in the AHL this season.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5729331/2024/09/16/sabres-prospect-nhl-draft-vsevolod-komarov/

That doesn’t sound positive. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is moved

His skating has always been awkward but I think he has a chance to be special

Komarov looked like Komarov. They might have a couple gems in the two Russian twin towers. Helenius I thought tried to do too much at times but he is a complete centre. He looks like he will be a good one. Rosen and Ryan Johnson were flying Kulich looks like he is sending a message. Let’s see how the next 2 games go. Columbus didn’t have too much firepower.

Wahlberg is a beast. Massively thick neck.

What was going on with that field last night? Guys from both teams were falling all over the place. Was there a huge storm there?

Bakes on Poltapov