pi2000

It was a football play. Those collisions happen. Allen leaned forward head first while getting dragged down. Maybe Jones could've turned more at an angle, but it's not like he came in head first. Just a tough play all around. Allen needs to protect himself better, Jones needs to maybe be more aware of the target, but I don't think it's a fine worthy play.

Can anybody honestly say this team played to their potential under Housley last season? Or the season before that? The fact that there hasn't been a major overhaul of the roster suggests that JBOT believes the issues plaguing this team can largely be fixed with a new head coach. This did team play well in spurts last season... if Kruger can get through to these guys then they may be on to something... regardless of where Sobotka lands in the lineup.

Consider there are infinite parallel universes (there are), in at least one of those universes we agree on something... we live in that universe. Winning hockey isn't just about offense. What's plagued this team for years is the ability to consistently defend. They give up way too many scoring chances to be competitive, and it's not just on the defense. This team needs to get better at creating takeaways, puck protection, gap control, d-zone and neutral zone play, etc... They have guys who can score, they don't have enough guys who can defend.

Never been a fan of Rodrigues game... he skates well, has good hands, and good offensive creativity. However, he's weak on the puck and turns it over. Just not physically stout enough to defend at an NHL level. That said, I'm not a fan of Sobotka's game either. He does little things well, but there's a lot of things he can't do. I share the same concerns of others here regarding him playing on the second line, but I'm willing to let this play out. RK has very defined roles for each player... he wants them to play to their strengths. Let's give it a chance.

What a terrible thing to say. I hope he heals completely and can continue his career.

As a father of 2, one of which came very very early and spent weeks in the NICU... this is absolutely heartbreaking. I can't even imagine the pain they're in right now.

I'll just leave this here.... 2018-19 TRpm BUF Jeff Skinner 14.20 BUF Zach Bogosian 8.15 BUF Casey Nelson 6.48 BUF Jake McCabe 6.45 BUF Nathan Beaulieu 5.12 BUF Sam Reinhart 4.53 BUF Jason Pominville 4.51 BUF Evan Rodrigues 3.94 BUF Jack Eichel 3.71 BUF Rasmus Dahlin 3.21 BUF Johan Larsson 1.76 BUF Kyle Okposo 1.05 BUF Brandon Montour 0.07 BUF Zemgus Girgensons -1.83 BUF Patrik Berglund -2.19 BUF Marco Scandella -2.62 BUF Lawrence Pilut -2.63 BUF Conor Sheary -7.34 BUF Casey Mittelstadt -9.32 BUF Vladimir Sobotka -10.85 BUF Tage Thompson -14.63 BUF Rasmus Ristolainen -23.04

I don't like the approach, we've seen it before and those guys typically end up turning pucks over and whatnot, killing offensive chances. But, Kruger is new so we'll give him a chance here before crucifying him.

I'll let you know Thursday night.

Kruger likes to pair freelance artists with defensively responsible players. Having Sobotka on that line will free up Johansson to create with Skinner... Do I agree with that approach?

He likely wouldn't report to Roch and it would look bad for the organization.

There's coach speak and then there's contracts. Okposo stays because TT doesn't need to clear waivers.

Agreed. I liked the compete level. Was it because they're fighting for roster spots? Or does Kruger have them buying in?

My goodness, the guy put up a stinker against the best defensive coaching mind in history.... and now everybody wants him gone. Every QB has games like this. Let's see how he bounces back before anointing him the next EJ Manuel.

Mittlestadt stays. JBOT thinks the world of that kid, so he's not going anywhere. TT, Asplund and Jokiharu are waivers exempt so they're on their way down. We probably see them at some point throughout the season. That said, Jokiharu sticks around until Montour is healthy. Lazar gets sent down too, unlikely anybody picks him up. He'll be good for Roch. Girgensons, Larsson, Wilson stay put. Kruger has roles for these types of players... gritty puck hounds with questionable talent. 4 more years of Okposo at $6m seems like a long long time. Something has to give. Maybe send a pick and middling prospect to SEA to take him off our hands. Ullmark starts game 1, but is not officially named the #1 goalie.

I thought Sobotka looked better than Rodrigues throughout the preseason.

Ullmark > Hutton

Larsson, how many times have we seen him blow great scoring chances?

Yeap He's had a nice game for a change. A couple poor decisions in his own end tho.

Looks to me like he took a shot off the foot in the middle of the first. He took some shifts after, but those can be tough once you take your skate off... no need to rush back.

Same. I think it's strange to put a players name and number on your own jersey... for any sport. I mean, you're obviously not him(or her), maybe for a kid it's cool he looks up to that player, but as an adult it's kinda weird to me. Gives a stalker kinda vibe.

Auston Matthews is a terrorist, confirmed.

If history is a guide.... they'll send scouts and whatnot to check up on him, providing him with a custom workout program and dietary plan, etc.... The Sabres are very involved with all their prospects throughout the season.

I'd rather see Vesey with Eichel and Olofsson. Eichel drives everything, no need for Reinhart on that line... put him with Skinner and Johansson.