PickaPecaPickles

4-4 at the end of regulation. Buffalo wins it in "OOOOOOOHHHHHVVERR Time!"

After he said "I have 78 more games and work to do", it's too bad one of the reporters didn't follow up with "does that mean you expecting 82 goals? 🍺

They've been fun to watch since Granato took over, well about 10 games after with the adjustment. I can't see that last point(bottom 5) happening at all. Where they end up comes down to goal tending. Over the past 2 seasons, they've averaged 3.5 ppg against, whereas they've increased their scoring average from 2.39 to 2.79. That uptick in scoring got them out of the bottom 5. I expect their scoring to rise a bit higher this year, so better GT could put them closer to contending for a playoff spot (closer, they may not be close enough yet). I also expect the D to be a bit better, which should also improve their goals against. So, barring a slew of injuries in goal again, I think they'll most likely end up middle of the league pack (16-20?).

Both goals were impossible to stop--rockets, high at the corners.

Wondered why ESPN was showing a score of 7-5.

This was on my Twitter feed...Ouch!

Not the big climactic ending I was expecting, but enjoyable and satisfying all the same. In the end, Saul was admired by his peers, and Jimmy regained Kim's love. So many great characters I will miss.

There's still time.

I think they've shown tidbits of her past so that one can see her as not necessarily a victim of Jimmy. Specifically, that flashback as a child stealing from a store, then watching her mom con the manager. Certainly Jimmy pulled out that aspect of her persona, and it was all fun games to focus on Howard who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The traumatic experience of his death ended it, but then had to live with it for the next 6 years or so in almost a catatonic state. Jimmy's call brought it all back which forced her need to resolve it somehow. At this point, I don't know how she can go on?

Whatever happened with that phone call to Kim definitely sent him down a self-destructive road. Seems as if he may not have anything to live for now, and while I can't see him wanting to get caught, I can see him going out a la Thelma and Louise.

It's a close one. Seems more and more college players are being drafted over HS kids for that reason?

Thanks for the detailed response. When I say "my uneducated opinion" it's not sarcasm. I never played the game, so I would never claim any expertise. One thing I will certainly agree with, the hockey draft is probably the biggest crapshoot of any of the major sports because of the age of these kids. And totally agree we won't know who is the better prognosticator for another few years.

It's my uneducated hockey opinion based on my reading of their opinions--which is why I started with "I think". The one example I gave to support Pronman is based on the fact that people who get paid a lot of money picked the guy he had #1 while Wright got picked #4. This article from the Athletic also made me lean more toward his opinons on propects: https://theathletic.com/3376976/2022/06/23/nhl-draft-top-prospects-debate/

I don't think he's as good as Pronman, the other Athletic analyst. For example, one point of comparison, Pronman had Slafkovsky as his #1 prospect where Wheeler had Wright.

Scott Wheeler came out with his top 50 this morning: https://theathletic.com/3415068/2022/07/25/nhl-prospects-rankings/ 1. Power 9. Savoie 36. Quinn 40. Krebs Surprisingly JJP didn't make the cut.

Two related points above suggest a little more patience with Cozens. Fiala had time to "develop", playing almost two full seasons in the AHL, whereas (as you mention) Cozens essentially went straight to the NHL--he was rushed. Given his drive and attitude, he could break out this year, but my expectations are for incremental improvement.

If recent history is any indication, who are the 5th and 6th goalies?

Skinner-Tage combo now at 70 goals

Since this thread is about offense, that was the focus. You seem to believe that bringing in some veterans is NOT without the possibility they will under-perform. Adding players like ROR, Kane or Hall didn't put the Sabres over the playoff hump, so there's no guarantee your plan will work either. Personally, I like what they're doing, building chemistry with the young talent they have, and I think this group is more than capable of scoring at a playoff level clip. That said, it's clear the #1 issue for next year is to address goal tending.

Currently 15th (alone) in the goal standings

Yes, that was what my attempt was about, to see how realistic it is for them to hit your goal total, and I also think it's very doable. As for the top line, I think Tage has even more room to grow. He and Skinner are at 68 now, and I think they will hit at least 70 next year too. Looking forward to it.

Seems reasonably doable with the projected group? Skinner Tnt Tuch = 95-100 VO Mitts Quinn = 60-70 Z Asplund KO = 40 Krebs Cozens JJP = 45 D = 20-25 Total = 260-280 or 3.17 - 3.41 ppg

In sports, it should be known as "hyper" or "fanatical" recency bias.

Certainly, it's a combination of things, but I think coaching tops the list. Every so often, I catch Granato's Tuesday morning sessions on WGR and he has mentioned several times how they work individually with each player on different aspects of their games. My interpretation of several related comments was that he expected their individual work to eventually translate to better overall team play--call it synergy or the "whole being greater than the sum of its parts" strategy. Most of the comments I'm referring to I heard months ago, so it appears the coaching is paying off.