pi2000

I'll add that I like fact he's trying to push through it, that's what a captain does. It's one thing if he's a liability, but he's still their best C even at less than 100%.

Agreed. I'd guess back spasms as he's not taking faceoffs. Tough to get leverage on draws, or when shooting. I had the same problem in college (and played center), needed to take muscle relaxants which helps but is tough to play with as it affects your nervous system.

Eichel looks like he's battling an upper body or back injury, I'd bet on back spasms. I had trouble with the same in college, can be debilitating especially on faceoffs. Overall I liked their game, Vegas is just a buzzsaw right now. Too bad they couldn't bring this effort a month ago.

yes... my source.

not happenin'... my source.

Agree with this. Saw Vegas in person Sunday night and they were absolutely flying, what a fun team to watch, best game I've seen all year. Sabres at their best will not even be in this one, unless Vegas lays an egg. Hutton will be tested... will he pass the test? Who knows, but I think there's a good chance we JJ at some point during this tilt.

Which 4-5 forwards? Stay? Eichel, Reinhart, Skinner, Olofsson, Okposo, Kahun, Girgensons Replace? Vesey, Johansson, Simmonds, Larsson, Lazar, Frolik Not sure where you find guys to upgrade 4-5 forward spots in one offseason. 2 maybe 3 is more realistic... and depends on Thompson as well. Mittlestadt needs another season in Roch. Cozens won't be ready either.

moist wind

I agree about his skating and offensive skill set. What do you think about his compete level, his heart, level of commitment to the game? How does he measure up defensively? Is he responsible in his own zone? Faceoffs? Is his neck long enough?

Guhle looked great in person against Vegas Sunday night. Liked his game a lot, very active, joins the rush, game is maturing.

Buffalo has some tough matchups ahead of them, their playoff chances are very slim. That said, I don't really care much if they get in or not. They're not going anywhere even if they do happen to sneak in. The important thing is that the players gain experience playing in meaningful games down the stretch, instead of just coasting to the finish like years past.

Marv was known for making quality halftime adjustments during those years... they won a ton of games by coming back in the second half.... so I definitely don't see "halftime adjustments" as a weakness of his... it was, in fact, a strength. I agree about the Redskins that year, they were on a heater. The 4th Super Bowl they were up at halftime, IIRC driving the ball to start the second-half when Thurman fumbled. If he hangs on to the ball there and they put up some points, then it's a completely different game. That fumble was a crushing metnal blow to team who lost 3 SB in a row, and put up 7 or 8 turnovers in the previous SB. They just could not mentally overcome that fumble... even the fans know the game was over at that point.

I was 18-22yo for those Super Bowls. This is the first I've heard the idea of Marv being outcoached in those games. The first game is on Norwood.... the second SB against Washington is maybe the only game I would entertain the thought of Marv being out coached, but they played like hot garbage anyway... JK looked hungover, Thurman couldn't find his helmet, just a general lack of focus... which I could understand being partly Marv's fault. The two losses against Dallas were because of turnovers, I don't blame Marv for that.... and Dallas had a great team too.

faceoffs! He leads the team at 50.7%, Larsson is next at 47.9% followed by Eichel at 47%.... that's a significant dropoff. Reinhart at 37.8% on 80 faceoff attempts. Not to pick on him, but as a guy who played center in junior, you'd expect better. He's nowhere close to 50%, a big reason they can't put him out at center. For his career he's at 36.5% on over 700 attempts.

The next 20 games are their playoffs. Make it or not, it's good experience to be playing for something this time of year.

Yeah, but in those case RK shortens the bench quite severely in the 3rd period. These moves will give him a bit more flexibility and take some of the load off the other guys.

Perhaps. But these are guys you trust to put out there at the end of tight games. And Simmonds should replace Risto on the PP net front.

Can't score if you don't have the puck.

Responsible two-way player, knows how to defend and can contribute some offense. It's not just all about the points, he's the type of guy they needed along with Simmonds.

Big fan of Kahun, nice deal.

I like it, he fills an area that is currently lacking.

Ha, I watched the game finally, he had a nice goal. He looked better all around, more engaged, etc... Need to see that version of him that more consistently. Gonna watch the WPG game after I get home from the Duck game.

He's an upgrade over Schenn

I was at my son's game. What did I miss?

In the land of the blind, one-eyed man is king.