Digger

He's living the dream.............as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. 😏 Let's hope he keeps playing strong and the youth keep pace. Tuch is a nice addition no doubt.

It was easy to hate on the Islanders for winning the cup multiple years in a row in the 80's but I remember always really loving the way Clark Gillies played the game. God bless him and his family and friends as they remember his life.

In unrelated news it's being reported that the Sabres are quietly lobbying for a change to 40 minute games for the rest of the 2021-22 season with ties determined by a shootout of each of the team's best AHL players.

I'm not picky, I'll take the first two of the top of the list Makar and Ekblad. Thanks very much.

I agree. The relationship between reporters and players go two ways. Both sides want respect for the job they are trying to do. The Sabres have had player / reporter issues in the past too with the Dominik Hasek / Jim Kelley one being one of the hottest.

We played with the lead last game.............and lost. How about a regulation win?

That's a great comparable Curt. When you go through their roster and see the players that they drafted and others that are contributing that came over in trades with some of their veterans. Might be a good thread if someone wants to look at team rebuilds for comparison.

The Pacific division is pretty weak this season for the Sharks but I understand the point that you're trying to make to a point. I'm not sure that I would agree that SJ has gone into a rebuild in the typical definition. Look at their roster. Lots of veterans still on the roster. Maybe LA might be a better team to compare with. I really think looking at team rebuilds is an interesting topic to analyse. How does the Sabres continuous rebuild compare with others that have successfully rebuilt? The easy point is that other teams have managed to keep their talented draft picks (Eichel, Reinhart, etc) on their roster during the rebuild and complete it (at least back to competitive hockey) in a shorter time frame than what we are trying to do. I know there's lots of reasons why we keep failing (changing GM's and vision at the forefront and others).

So you're saying that the Sabres should get a bright and caring RHD veteran defenceman from another country other than the US?

Agreed that we need a player or two for the right side. I know that there's some options that you're identifying in the 2022 draft but it would be so nice to get some sort of veteran presence (or two) that could help Power and Dahlin. I know it may not be easy to find that player but I hope it's a priority.

Always assumed that was the first question asked during the interview. So I guess yes.

Sure bring Mom as well. 😄 I can't imagine having my parents involved. Different generation today for quite a few.

"Timo Meier added a historic chapter to what’s already been a special season for him, setting San Jose's franchise record with five goals in a game." 5 goals in a game is pretty impressive. 1st period hat trick. Nice to see this from time to time. I think that they would really miss Hertl if they move him. Also a nice little fight with Lemieux and Viel.

Maybe Rick will have puppies.

I would like to see what we can find in the AHL or a goalie that's looking for an opportunity to get a chance. Shouldn't have to give up a high level pick for that. What we received was Subban. I have to admit he played a bit better than I expected but still a long ways away from a stop gap reliable #2 goalie. Is that really the best that our analytic guys could come up with? I guess going back to the original post I would agree that yes the injuries to our goalies is crazy ridiculous but if we look at the goalie plan going into the season is was pretty weak. We did not start with a reliable #1 or even a reliable #2. Anderson was a gamble.

Actually as I remember it we weren't getting Zegras for Eichel. The stance on Krebs was a bit softer trying to wait us out.

Yes I agree that goalies used to play a lot more games without so many injuries. There's most likely lots of reasons why they don't anymore. It's certainly devastating for any team when they lose their #1 goalie for any period of time and then the reliance and hope that the backup is ready for the challenge. With the Sabres our plan was Anderson as our #1 (okay it was hard to imagine him playing a high number of games before the season started). UPL wasn't ready to be the backup at the start of the season. Dell was brought in as the default backup if UPL wasn't ready. Dell was really bad in preseason. Tokarski stepped up in preseason and exceeded expectations early on. Subban didn't have great numbers anywhere in recent seasons. Where are we today.............Dell has improved and Houser is a nice story but not an NHL goaltender. With all the analytic guys we have on staff right now can't we find a better option for goal (without having to give up a first)?

Who will Samuelsson play with? Pysyk?

I haven't been following this and don't know the back story and details behind the scenes but yes this looks really concerning for what you would want in having a player fit into the team culture and getting a young player that would need to put his head down, learn and work hard to make it to the NHL.

Miller for a 1st? Always remember that we got a first for Gaustad. Just need the right market and conditions and maybe lots of injuries to the playoff teams needing a right handed D. It's not likely but you never know.

Actually I am surprised this season at the Oilers fall from earlier this season. Draisaitl has 54 PTS in 35 GP to lead the league, McDavid has 53 PTS in 34 GP. So lots of scoring on the top line. I guess it goes to show it's not a simple solution to build a winning team and having the top scorer (or two) and top player (or two) in the league isn't enough. They have a few strange contracts on their team though and I would guess not enough depth to help. Yes I think coaching will be on the hot seat. Similar to the Sabres with Eichel, McDavid won't be patient waiting for the team to win. That will be a massive trade if it comes down to that in the offseason.

I'd still like to see Cozens at center with Krebs on LW and Tuch. I believe that line would be fun to watch. But for today's practice lines, okay. I did really like Asplund and Olofsson together earlier in the season but Olofsson seems to be suffering from the effects of his injury. Give him some games off and bring up Quinn for a few. Seems like a low risk move to me. Cozens with Tuch and Skinner had a great game against Nashville and the line gets broken up the next game Tage comes back (it's not logical to me to do that).

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-issues-keep-mounting-amid-latest-hiccup-vs-senators/ That's a pretty good come back from the Sens to score 5 3rd period goals for the 6-4 win over the Oilers.

I thought the same thing about Tage before this season with the way he kept getting injured in past seasons. He seems to be standing up pretty well this year. Not sure about Mitts but I think that he'll be back strong next season. Neither of them are anywhere as bad as Bogosian was with the Sabres (injury wise). That was a player that we could never count on playing a full season.

Would seem like a reasonable waiver pick up. I like the Houser story but an upgrade would seem easy.