pi2000

Good point, but most of the game is played 5-on-5 where Jokiharju has performed mich better than Clifton. The Devils are a fast north south team, I'd prefer having better skaters on the back-end.

I'll bet you're fun at parties.

Ennis and Paille back in the lineup.

Jokiharju is 4th on the team with a +3 TRPM. Clifton second last with a -4. So unless they're just giving him some rest after his recent illness, this is a bad choice.

Should be Clifton or EJ that sits... but will probably something dumb like Ryan Johnson or sitting Olofsson and dreasing 7 D again. Also I'd go w Comrie.

I agree about Levi. He's certainly a confident kid, but everyone has their breaking point.... especially goaltenders. I don't believe there has ever been a goalie, at least in recent history to make the jump from college directly to the NHL without spending any development time in the AHL. Benson is just built different. The only thing holding him back is physical development. He plays a more mature game than other Sabre forward who are 4-5 years older than him. I haven't seen any evidence in his play that would suggest he's in over his head. That said, to maximize his development I feel juniors would be best.

Levi is gifted athletically. He needs to work on positioning and rebound control. Far too often he gets caught too deep in his net, or over persues the puck taking him out of position. Teams are starting to pick up on this. We saw it in the Washington game and he'll continue to get exploited until he adjusts. Playing once a week will stunt his development. He needs to be "the guy" down in Roch where he'll progress much faster.

....but but but the guys really like Bryson. Friendships are more important than wins.

They're playing a more defensively responsible style this year. This is early season growing pains for a young team learning how to play winning hockey. Would they have more goals and maybe a better record if they continued playing fire wagon hockey? Maybe. But we know that can only take them so far. If they can manage to stay around 500 while implementing a new system, then it should pay off in the second half of the season. That said, until they stop making dumb mistakes and poor personell decisions, I'm not sure Granato is the guy to help them take that next step. And lastly, Levi needs to be sent down, he has glaring weaknesses that need attention. He needs more than a spot start once a week to develop this early in his career. Benson should be sent down, it's best for him and his long term development. Let him and Savoie continue to build chemistry.

KA wanted to make additons but the players told him they wanted to move forward with the current group since they all get along so well. It's time for the tail to stop wagging the dog.

welp

UPL deserves the start. Levi needs to be sent down. Clifton needs to sit a game.

They could use a defensive minded veteran center with playoff experience... a PK specialist who can win draws. Also... for the love God, get Tage off the PK... you can't have your 50 goal scorer standing in shooting lanes absorbing shots.... just dumb. Eriksson Ek M. Granlund Compher Cirelli Lowry ....those are some the top guys in the league, more realistically... N. Dowd R. Faska N. Bjugstad F. Gaudreau

Play him 15-20min/game or send him to Wenatchee. With Quinn coming back and Tage eventually, there won't be enough minutes for him to get the ice time required to properly develop at his age. Send him down.

They need an experienced HC who can implement a system. This fire wagon style of hockey is fun, but it isn't winning hockey. EJ alluded to this early on in the season. That and a goaltender and I like our chances.

Goaltending still an issue... who could've imagined that?

What happened to Jokiharju? Was he injured?

They've plateaued under Granato. It's now less about individual player development and more about playing winning hockey as a team.

I thought the penalty on Greenway was the correct call, Bogo never had the puck… that said there were more than a few egregious infractions which were not called, overall an inconsistent night for the refs which can be maddening as a player. Levi was great, stole them at least a point. Something looks off with Thompson, he’s not moving as well as he was last season…. seems a bit stiff legged, not as smooth on his edges, been that way all season, maybe he should go back to he old skates. Peterka just seems be getting better and better, was dangerous just about every shift.

I wouldn't call it a talent, more a blessing... and not because of luck. Some are just more durable than others.

They need to play him at least 15min/g or send him to Wenatchee.

Does shot location include where the puck was tipped in or deflected? Or is that the location of where the "shot" that was tipped originated?

Is it better for Levi to be a rotational goalie or learn "the grind" in the AHL? He needs to be playing and playing a lot at this point in his development. 1 or 2 games a week isn't going to help him.

Jiri Kulich

DG was right to start him Friday coming off the 38s effort against the same team. I blame DG and the leadership group for the poor effort.