Ctaeth

I agree with this. Didn't see this past one vs the Pens, but he jumped off the screen in the first two games (was on the second line with Helenius and Wahlberg). Really solid play despite playing out of position and being used to the bigger ice surface in SHL. He had a few chances of his own and was setting up his two line mates for a few chances that they didn't finish. Even though the points didn't come, it's apparent from watching him that he can think the game / play the at a higher level. Is it high enough to make up for his physical limitations? Who knows. But I would expect a really good year from him in the AHL, he's going to be a gamer for sure.

he just recently had a kid, might have something to do with why this has stretched on like it has

A lot of good opportunities on the powerplay there. They were getting it down low into the areas around the net pretty frequently. NJ goalie had some nice saves

Nice helenius sequence. He's definitely persistent and active when he doesn't have the puck

Kulich looks like he is -by far- the best player on the ice

Kulich goal. Unsurprisingly, blue jackets look out matched

Hockey is back baby!!

How to make a ranking for nhl prospects: import name and height into excel sheet. Sort by size. Boom done, collect paycheck from the athletic

Baker had this to say about poltapov in his first game: "To be blunt, Poltapov was very noticeable in his season debut. The high work rate led to him regularly attacking the net, resulting in him scoring a short-handed goal and recording a game-high nine shots in 15:05 of work (19 shifts). After a strong opening frame, Poltapov came out for the second period and ramped up his tenacious style. In the 26th minute, Poltapov took a puck hard to the net and was shoved into Spartak netminder Dmitri Nikolayev. Takhir Mingachyov deposited the puck over the goal line post-collision, but the marker was waved off due to Poltapov’s interference." Obligatory link to his post about the game: https://sabresprospects.com/2024/09/05/poltapov-excels-in-khl-opener/

Apparently viljami marjala won liiga rookie of the year. I'm not sure if that has already been posted but i don't remember seeing it. Also looks like he has been lighting it up in the preseason, 5 points in 3 games. Kris Baker referred to him as their 1c, so maybe more opportunity incoming this year. Might lead to a surprisingly big year for him https://x.com/SabresProspects/status/1824841344881176868?t=Dt5_6H-4x55LmgOdwt-OoA&s=19

Dang, keeping receipts!

If he remains healthy, I would definitely expect a big season. But I also don't think putting up 70ish points would be a big step for him - I kind of expect it at this point. He's been great when he is healthy and being given a chance. What would feel like a big step would be just staying healthy the entire year and proving his body is up to the task of playing a full season.

I voted for 1. Even if one Luukonen regresses, because as choice 3 suggests "goalies are voodoo", we still have another 2 NHL capable goalies. Our goalie situation is not quite a sure thing, but its about as close to a sure thing as you are going to get without a multiple year proven NHL #1.

So I am crazy after all. I should have guessed

Am I crazy or was he wearing an "A" for Avs in that video?

I just don't understand how they plan on selling fans this besides "Hey look idiots, it's Lindy! You Buffalonians love him!". They never make a big move/drum up interest in the team/spend money. Anyone remember when Russ Brandon signed TO? People were pumped about the Bills even though they were consistently mediocre at the time. FA signings generate interest in the team... and interest in the team leads to revenue for the owners. Stop shooting yourselves in the foot and fill up the arena by signing someone of note

kind of feels like lindy is trying to rebuild the 22-23 devils in buffalo and choke teams with aggressive forecheck

If Tage returns to form

Kind of funny to hear someone calling strbak our best defensive prospect with komarov, novikov, and Ryan Johnson in the group

The reason I've seen top 6 as a need is because we have several players who are injury prone. If we add another guy that can at least play up (even a Zucker level addition), it adds insurance for when one of our current top (i.e. Quinn) inevitably gets hurt. If you trade one of our current top 6... well you are right where you started

Say what you want about KA, but I feel like there is minimal actual information coming out of the sabres office. I don't think anyone saw the McLeod or malenstyn trades coming. In other words (regarding farabee/krebs): I'll believe it when I see it

Love his podcast. I'm not sure if that's what you listen to him through. Him and Matthew Fairburn of the athletic do a Sabres podcast together... and I gotta say... I think it's by far the best out there. It's a relatively fun listen and the two are quite insightful. Link to their podcast for those that don't know about it: Edit: and for the record, it is a sabres focused podcast. There is not a ton of prospect talk except when relevant to the conversation

Kris Baker (Sabres prospect guy) mentions Poltapov as a likely future sabre every chance he gets. Supposedly, there will be a fair amount of turnover in cska this year and he will likely have the chance to play up the lineup

well, everyone was looking for the big splash signing..

I think he will try to. But we all know how that ends up 😆 edit: to be clear, i mean that he ends up at the podium explaining to all of us how hard he tried