RochesterExpat

That's honestly a really good question. I think the core of it is maturity. We see a lot of players who lack toughness/grit "find" it in their game after a few years in the AHL or NHL. Generally, the players who develop grit/toughness are the same players who dominated junior hockey and it was an unused part of the game simply because they were just that much more talented than others (and played with other superstars themselves). Is that something that developed from coaching? Is it a natural evolution stemming from a need to adapt to survive in a league of relative parity? Is it just a consequence of physical growth and mental maturity? Or is it some internal motivation coming from looking at your NHL-level teammates and realizing these are guys playing playoff series with broken ribs? I haven't a clue.

I like the idea but which winger(s) actually complement him?

Leafs fans, probably.

Since we’re playing the wings, are you a drums or flats person?

Weirdly the final day full-ice scrimmage during high school hockey tryouts when I was a freshman. No one took me seriously at all because I hadn’t seen the inside of a gym until that summer when I started attending the captains workouts and I didn’t really know anyone on the team. I was also the nerdy kid who was a year ahead academically. Not quite a fit. Ended up scoring a hat trick and getting two apples in a 6-2 meaningless win, but I more proved to myself I belonged and made the team.

But what about the voices in my head?

So you’re saying I should shave the beard and trim my stache before beer league tonight?

Out of curiosity, what do you think his next contract should look like? I’m not sure I’m as negative about Mitts as you, but I am worried he’s going to price himself out of the team.

My first thought on seeing Biro called up, Kulich sent down and Greenway returning was simply that Biro is the 13th forward for the road trip and the team felt it's better to have Kulich playing in Rochester (they have a game Friday) and Biro sitting in the press box for the road trip than vice versa. Could be entirely off-base, but I suspect management values Kulich getting ice time over Biro--at either the NHL or AHL level. I'm not sure Biro is being recalled to play (although I'd admittedly prefer to see him over Krebs at this point).

Funny enough, I’m in the same position.

Fitting. It’s about as much effort as most of the team gives.

This was after the 2nd period. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a “deserve to win” meter under 25% ever. And I think the 8% was generous. That was embarrassing.

I’m starting to feel this way. I’m tired of it all.

He has wheels. Don't know how it compares to Mitts in a side-by-side though. He is certainly fast among his AHL (or the SHL before) peers. This is why I think he compares to Mitts (at least the Mitts we've seen for the last 50 or so games). Mitts has developed into a reliable puck mover and distributor with good situational awareness. Perhaps most importantly, he is going into corners to win puck battles. He gets overshadowed by Tage Thompson's scoring or Rasmus Dahlin doing Rasmus Dahlin things, but he's been absolutely critical to this team over that stretch. At least at the AHL-level, Rosen does an excellent job moving the puck, finding the open player, and extending plays. Despite being in need of a lifetime supply of protein powder, he battles in corners. Both players have excellent shots, although I do think Rosen is more likely to shoot than Mitts (who I really wish would shoot more, but that's a different story). And, like Mitts, Rosen is overshadowed by others. Rosen's biggest weakness is even the same one Mitts had when he entered the league--strength. Strength feeds into confidence and the willingness of a player to fight puck battles. It's why Mitts struggled and looked out of place. Fortunately, Rosen is stronger now than Mitts was for his age 20-21 season and that's largely due to the heavy emphasis in Rochester on strength and conditioning. Of course, Mitts is certainly stronger now that he has filled out his 6'1 frame and Rosen may hit a wall with his 5'11 height--we don't know. While I was not a fan of Rosen as a draft pick--and I was worried about his SHL play--his AHL development has been remarkable and I genuinely like his play in Rochester. I don't know how it will translate to the NHL though and, despite everything I said above, I'm not confident that Rosen is ready for full-time NHLer status yet in terms of strength. That being said, he is absolutely the correct player to give a look to at the moment. Only one real way to find out.

His play in Rochester is a lot like Mittelstadt’s play in Buffalo over the last 50 games. I don’t think he has the talent of Mitts, but it’s a similar play style and it’s the best/most relatable description I can think of. If it translates at the NHL, he should be a capable middle-six guy. Not been a fan of how this roster is constructed this season, but credit to GMKA for recalling Rosen over Kulich. From watching the Amerks, it’s the correct call. Now waive Bryson, recall Kulich, and stop rolling 11 + 7.

To everyone talking about defensive issues this season, are we going to ignore injuries and the never-ending lineup changes? The org was so desperate that we played Metsa as a forward… for multiple games. At the start of the with a healthy roster the team was far better defensively. It’s an issue, but it’s not as bad as it’s being made out to be when all circumstances are considered.

I disliked the EJ signing at the time, but I've been pleasantly surprised with his play this season. I still think they're giving him too much ice time and we should be rotating the Johnsons in the lineup, but it is what it is.

This team is frustrating. Instead of Greenway - Krebs - Olofsson, I want to see Greenway - Kulich - Rosen. Do something—anything—to mix it up. Send Krebs to Rochester and do a paper transaction for Levi to give it a two game look when you have UPL/Comrie running two games. If it doesn’t work, fine, but if it does work, it might spark something with the team. But the staff needs to try something different because this roster is not playing like a playoff roster. Or just waive Bryson and keep Krebs up.

I don’t think Chicago is poorly coached. The team isn’t built to win and has zero expectations.

I hate this. Not even worth finding a stream at this point.

I’m a Pirates fan and a Sabres fan because I can’t be happy.

Mitts is better than Cozens right now by quite a bit. Is this just an attempt to still have two working lines? Otherwise, I don’t understand why Mitts isn’t 1C. If we’re being intellectually honest, the best line right now would probably be: Skinner - Mitts - JJP Which leaves: Benson - Cozens - Tuch to round out the top 6. You can call the second line the “time to step up” line. I think Greenway is easily outplaying Benson as well, but keeping him in the bottom 6 is fine. As for D, waive Bryson and rotate the Johnsons. That lineup suggests now Joki is 7th D and, while I recognize young Johnson is playing well, Joki is having a quietly good season and is absolutely ahead of EJ and Clifton.

I have a temp of 101 and a terrible sinus headache. I don’t think I’m going to miss anything at this point so I’m going to drown my misery with NyQuil. Night y’all.

I miss RJ