pi2000

What we've all been waiting for.... BUF is currently sitting 7th in points lost %. NHL Lottery Odds for 7th place team.... 1st pick: 6.50% 2nd pick: 6.87% 3rd pick: 7.23% .... 7th pick: 28.87% 8th pick: 39.94% 9th pick: 11.66% 10th pick: 0.74% Chance to move up: 20.59% Chance to move down: 70.41%

We're so used to watching bad defensemen that Brady Austin looks good. In reality he's a poor man's Mike Weber. Good AHL player, not even close to NHL caliber. Ruhwedel looked light years better than Nelson. That's a check mark against GMTM.

Goaltending.

I don't think injuries really played a very big role in where this team ended up in the standings. Goal scoring has been decent.... defensively they have not been very good, and it's not all on the defensemen. The forwards are still learning how to defend in all areas of the ice. As Eichel said in his latest interview he is primarily focused on improving his defensive play and wants to be trusted to play late in tight games, etc... where he can use his skillset to defend. For all the points he's scored, he's still a -9 on the season. Kane a -15, Reinhart a -10. Those 3 spent a good amount of time together this season and they were collectively a -34 at even strength. That has to change and it starts with committing to focus on learning how to defend.

I choose no.... and here's why: Because I'm always right.

Ruhwedel eh? Why didn't we keep him around again?

I want to believe.

Yep. IMO, the defensive lapses are due mostly to the forwards not executing their defensive responsibilities. The lack of resistance through the neutral zone often leaves our defensemen defending odd man situations deep in our zone... which can make any NHL caliber defenseman look foolish at times.

remain patient. this team is closer than we think. replace a few aging vets with bad contracts, add a few pieces on D, and it likely results in a playoff birth. the wrong thing to do at this point would be a major overhaul... you don't do that mid-rebuild.

3 weeks left.... *sigh*

Clarkson?

Can't just sign everybody, there's a limit on # of contracts you can have.

Faulk, Fedun, Franson, Kulikov all out with injuries. Guhle on a strong WHL team just starting their playoffs. I think Fitzgerald's season is over, but he should stay in school. Florentino heading to NCAA tournament. Borgen's team is done, but he already committed to return to school.

I'd argue 4 are bad. Ennis, Moulson, Bogo, Gorges taking up $19 mil, over 25% of our cap and none of then come off the books after this season. That's a quarter of your cap going to players who don't contribute offensively and IMO are largely a defensive liability. Would you rather have those 4 players or 2-3 O'Reilly level players who will have a positive influence.

no doubt TM tries to shed those contracts but I dont see VGK biting on the Bogo or Moulson deals.... Ennis maybe.

expansion draft is june 18-20 with selections announced june 21st. entry draft is june 23-24.

soooo Nelson, Burgdorfer?

wow so many eichel jerseys in the crowd here at JT Schmids across from the arena... good to see.

Great job Flagg. As someone who played at a high level I can tell you (as if it isn't obvious) that Bylsma system is not the norm. All but a couple teams I played on stressed puck support, create situations where the puck carrier has an option to make a high percentage 3-5 ft pass to escape danger. Coaches would always preach "the guy without the puck works the hardest" meaning when your team has possession everybody else needs to skate their off to give him options. That was 25-30 years ago, it's basic hockey, but it breaks down when you play a fast team who takes away that time and space to make a good decision with the puck. This north south stretch and chase strategy can work but you need the right players... a team of Bailey's, Kanes, Carriers, Coglianos and Hagelins, guys that can win those races and wear down the opposition with their speed. So does Bylsma go, or the slugs who don't fit? One other thing... to me the most disturbing issue with this team is how they defend... and I'm not just talking about defensemen. There is absolutely zero fight in any player on this team to try and get the puck back in the d-zone.

yeah and whatever happened to that Matthew's kid... ha

Will be interesting to see if they can score. Kind of.

Rusto paired w Gorges? ????

With it being an outdoor game, there's a chance they might need to delay the game a few days until the weather cooperates... which would be a logistical nightmare if both games were involved.