pi2000

I have no issue with them trading UPL, but only under certain conditions.... They're either out of the playoff race or a starting goalie is included in the return (or something else happens that nets them an actual starting goalie) They don't retain any of UPL's salary The offer is too good to refuse ...if they're still within reach of a playoff spot and UPL shows some consistency, then it's probably best they keep him. One other thing... there's folks here worried about the possibility of Ellis getting claimed if Buffalo attempts to assign him to Rochester via waivers. He's not that good, I just don't understand the concern there.

Your top guys, Dahiln and Thompson, need to be at the top of this list... not the bottom. ============================================================== BUF even strength goal differential through 27 games = -17 BUF even strength minutes played through 27 games = 1364.21 exp+/- is a function of %min played at ES and team ES goal diff TRpm(team relative +/-) is the diff btwn actual+/- and exp+/- %min is % of ES minutes played ============================================================== Team Player TRpm GP +/- exp+/- %min BUF Mattias Samuelsson 11.89 25 6 -5.89 34.6 BUF Alex Tuch 7.74 27 3 -4.74 27.9 BUF Noah Östlund 4.76 19 2 -2.76 16.2 BUF Zach Benson 4.45 14 2 -2.45 14.4 BUF Ryan McLeod 2.65 27 -2 -4.65 27.3 BUF Jacob Bryson 1.37 17 -1 -2.37 14.0 BUF Owen Power 0.61 26 -5 -5.61 33.0 BUF Josh Doan 0.36 27 -4 -4.36 25.6 BUF Bowen Byram 0.17 27 -6 -6.17 36.3 BUF Tyson Kozak -0.30 19 -3 -2.70 15.9 BUF Isak Rosen -0.46 10 -2 -1.54 9.1 BUF Mason Geertsen -0.74 5 -1 -0.26 1.5 BUF Jack Quinn -1.36 27 -6 -4.64 27.3 BUF Michael Kesselring -1.39 9 -3 -1.61 9.5 BUF Jiri Kulich -1.80 12 -4 -2.20 12.9 BUF Beck Malenstyn -1.93 26 -5 -3.07 18.1 BUF Rasmus Dahlin -2.02 24 -8 -5.98 35.2 BUF Conor Timmins -2.53 27 -8 -5.47 32.2 BUF Tage Thompson -2.94 27 -8 -5.06 29.8 BUF Jason Zucker -4.12 19 -7 -2.88 16.9 BUF Peyton Krebs -4.60 27 -9 -4.40 25.9 BUF Jordan Greenway -4.98 13 -7 -2.02 11.9 ==============================================================

And with fuzzy rule it's absolutely asinine that a failed goalie interference challenge results in a penalty. You want to protect the goalies? Make the crease bigger and go back to the "foot in the crease" rule of the 90s.

UPL is serviceable.... IMO he's good enough to be a starter on a playoff team, but not good enough to get this Sabres team to the playoffs. Considering their recent play I was shocked when Ellis got the start last night. UPL hasn't give up more than 3 goals since his first game of the season in late October. Both Ellis and Lyon have given up more than 3 in 4 of their last 6 starts... since Nov 1st, they both rank near the bottom of the league in goaltending metrics, while UPL is in the top 3rd. It seems obvious that UPL should be the #1 moving forward.

welp

ellis starting smells tanky

it feels like they've soured on Levi... wouldn't be surprised if he's moved and Ellis is sent down to take his spot.

i'd be concerned if he didn't want to play more

Based on recent play, I don't see how you can justify starting Ellis or Lyon over UPL at this point. That said, UPL's numbers at home are far better than on the road. It feels like this road trip is UPL's chance (his last?) to finally establish himself.

League wide rankings since Nov 1st for goalies who have played at least 185 mins (66 goalies).... UPL (416 min) Sv% 21st GAA 18th HighDanger SV% 36th MediumDanger SV% 15th LowDanger SV% 13th Goals Saved Above Expected/60 21st Ellis (303 min) Sv% 39th GAA 52nd High Danger SV% 58th MediumDanger SV% 48th LowDanger SV% 31st Goals Saved Above Expected/60 39th Lyon (185 min) Sv% 59th GAA 64th High Danger SV% 50th MediumDanger SV% 28th LowDanger SV% 61st Goals Saved Above Expected/60 61st UPL has separated himself, he should be the clear #1 moving forward. A decision needs to be made on the backup.

we broke the jets 😂

might we see the return of Geertsen Friday in Winnipeg? Stanley needs some belt to ass

disappointing game from Thompson, he was INVISIBLE

just re-watched OT... had Buffalo at around 55-56 seconds of possession

Was surprised to see Quinn pull away from Kaprizov in OT. He's developed an extra gear, good to see.

I thought they played just OK, lucky 2nd goal and hung on in OT. I'd argue they played better against New Jersey, but that's hockey sometimes.

It's not a problem, that's just the normal developmental path for NHL defenseman. The actual problem here is expectations. First, he was drafted #1 overall so everyone expects him to be a difference maker at 20 years old. Matty Beniers who went #2 overall has 3 goals this season. Power was the unanimous #1... that said, maybe he goes 4 or 5 in a better draft year, that's just how it is some years. Power was the right pick. Second, he's big... therefore everyone expects him to be physical. I, for one, believe he'll get there (with the right coaching). But it takes time, Tage is finally figuring out at 28. Part of that is physically developing, man strength, and part of it is confidence. Power will get there, he's a hockey nerd, he knows the knocks on hom and he'll figure it out.

You're right, he's always been a finesse player.. in the USHL and at Michigan. He has the size, but he doesn't have man strength yet... for most that comes in your mid-late 20s. I believe he'll be a dominant physical player when he reaches his prime, combined with his offensive instincts the sky is the limit for him.

At 28, Tage has only very recently begun to us his size and strength to his advantage. He's driving the net, finishing checks, literally throwing dudes around the rink like they're ragdolls. At 23 he was strictly a finesse player. Power will figure it out.

He just turned 23 a few days ago. Do you believe he's still developing? Or has he plateaued and this is who he is?

Muel making a serious argument for Team USA 😳

Ukko-Pekka Let-one-in

played with/against countless pros over the years... from summer league in Buffalo in the early 90's with guys like Mogilny, Turgeon, Andreychuck, Marchant, GMKA.... to present day beer league in orange county with guys like Bieksa, Friesen, May, Yake, Upshall, Blum and young local kids like the Buium brothers, Trevor Connelly, R Johnson, etc. what separates the best of the best is their compete level. for them they just cannot turn it off, doesn't matter if it's a 10-1 game at 1a on a Tuesday or game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. you'd think, oh this guy is 50 years old now and playing beer league... he's won stanley cups! why the ***** is he trying so hard out here 🤣 i've talked to those guys about it and dialing it down is not even an option. it's just how they're wired. all of them are immensely talented, but not all of them have that "must win at any cost, all the time no matter what" mentality. ...it's when you pair up the freakishly athletic and talented with that obsessive compete level you end up with the top players in the world.

0 goals.... ZERO .... and that's our first line winger?