Porous Five Hole

At least when Buffalo blows a three goal lead in the third, we can look at each other and say, “Yea, but it’s UPL.” Tampa cannot say this.

Wow, the Lightning have announced that Cernak is done for the series.

I taught my kid how to ride a bike today. He is 11, so obviously late to the game. Already planning some rides along the canal path and to the Abbott’s this summer.

I would like to know how last night the ref lost sight of the puck and blew his whistle before the Panthers second goal, but the league thought the right thing to do was count the goal. However, tonight for Tampa against Toronto and the same situation plays out, it is disallowed.

ROR trade

The AHL teams make their money at the gate. So the weekend games are where it’s at. I’ve been to Amerks first round playoff games in front of less than 1,500 people because it was early in the playoffs and a Tuesday night.

I know you’re kidding and I love that Canada doesn’t win cups, but the better team is winning this game and it isn’t because of officiating.

Hedman skated in a regular jersey in the morning skate for Tampa and Cooper said he will take the warmup skate. But stopped short of saying Hedman will play. For Tampa, the series depends on how quickly he can come back and be himself. If not, Toronto’s offensive speed and talent will continue to run over the likes of Perbix, Bogo, etc. No sign of Cernak at practice.

I wanted to like Bucci. He is vintage ESPN hockey and he was a good hockey twitter follow (Bucci overtime challenge). But he really sucks at PBP. We aren’t the only ones who have noticed: https://deadspin.com/espn-nhl-hockey-bruins-mcdonough-buccigross-mlb-madbum-1850356404

Feelings about the Sabres relationship with the Bolts aside, Tampa has gone to three straight cup finals in the salary cap era. It’s incredible. I’m rooting for them because 1) eff the leafs, and 2) they’ve built the core of their team from homegrown talent and I find that admirable, and 3) they play the brand of hockey that I like to watch (an offensive approach).

They’re a two seed, but we’re only a point away from winning the division.

I agree with this. Someone stated that it has only been 1.5 seasons since the Sabres jettisoned Jack. That really hit home with me. If the tear down and rebuild is based off of that moment (which is arguable, but if you accept that as fact for the moment), the Sabres are still laying the foundation of a rebuild. It might have been too early to expect the GM to accelerate the rebuild GMTM style prior to this off-season, but the window is opening. I hope aggressive action is coming. Lock up the D core of Dahlin & Power, bring in another top four D, get the upcoming goaltending decision correct (Levi and a vet?), maybe supplement the top nine, and away we go!

Yes I agree, but I don’t think VO walking to UFA has nearly as much value on the open market as Casey. Top 4 D is my number one priority.

You’re right that Casey was the 5th best forward last year and it was not close. Barring injury, do you believe that Casey is a 60 pt player for the next four years? I’m not buying that and would prefer to sell high. I could be wrong, but the prospect pool at the forward position makes me worry less about that.

I hope you’re right and VO’s goal scoring prowess is valuable, but I’m going to suggest that the average AAV of a top six forward elsewhere is less than a 3C role here for CM…so I am ready to flip him for the betterment of the D corps. If Casey is traded for a good D, the Sabres get better and Casey makes more money as a premier top six forward. Casey should want to be a top six forward instead of a third line guy in Buffalo. There’s just no room for him here in the top six. I would not commit to Casey long-term when there’s an opportunity to upgrade the D with him as an asset as a trade chip.

The Tage & Cozens extensions in place will ensure the cap is spread around the lineup and we won’t be in the Toronto quandary. Thank goodness.

For me, my mid evening snack before worrying about a waistline was Cinnamon Toast Crunch and it was toasty and delicious.

You might be right and my take could spoil like milk, but I think Casey’s stock is high right now and I believe Buffalo needs a top 4D more than a 3C, so I’m taking my chances.

The injuries to the Bolts tonight might help the Sabres organization out. Rochester plays Syracuse in round two (round one, but there’s a play-in round in the AHL)…and SYR is the farm team for Tampa. If the Lightning need to call up Syracuse’s best forward and two best defenseman, that’ll help the Amerks out tremendously!

I appreciate the conversation. You need to give to get, and Casey has value being a center making $2.5M & coming off a nearly 60 pt season. Not to mention he is headed to RFA status, so future team control is also a bonus. There’s value in all of that. Not to get sidetracked, but I’ve said in the past that 1) Casey must have been pissed at getting injured last year because C1 was his spot out of camp and he looked primed to break out. Instead, Tage broke out. I also said this past season that 2) I’m heartbroken to discover that Casey has another year on his contract given how useless he was early in the year. So I’ve been high and low on the guy. Here is my take: Center is a position of strength for the Sabres, both in their current lineup and in the pipeline. Casey is third in the pecking order. It might hurt a little, but he is expendable. I am passionately unconvinced the last 40 games of this past season is now Casey’s baseline. But I’m happy for him. The Sabres NEED an NHL top four D before opening night. I think Casey can be a beneficial hockey trade. (I also like Krebs and would like to see him get more run and NOT on a fourth line…but that’s a separate convo and not directly why I’m ready to move Casey)

Anyone have Laurent Brossoit starting a playoff series for Vegas on their bingo card?

I would like them to comment on how dark they like their toast.

Also, the ownership group that employed both Botts and Karmanos are gone. The Pens are now owned by the Fenway sports group. It can’t hurt to be well-regarded by some in the Pens organization, but our guy has no ties to the current ownership.