That Aud Smell

Apologies for being vague about it, but I saw a Tweet over the weekend, presumably from some #fancystats type of account, to the effect that, increasingly, D-men are being played on whichever side regardless of their handedness - that the side on which they play is simply a question of commitment and adjustment.

it's a vasty expanse! poor guy. and now, having read all of the glowing comments about what the player has said and how he said it, i feel badly for going down this road.

YIKES. No thanks. (I was actually looking at his lower lip.)

That was just awful about Dak. I came back to the couch and sat down as the initial replay was going, and my eyes just bugged out of my head. Yikes. Just awful. Here's to a quick and full recovery. The fact that the emergency surgery was successful was a welcome report.

Holy moly - that guy has taken a few pucks to the mush, for sure.

Huh - man, this is surprising. In my mind's eye, I had thought one of Juneau or Gilmour had worn it -- but they wore other #s in the 90s.

(He was a UFA?) CRAZY PILLS

😳

Don’t know the player. The #fancystats folks hate the signing.

Whodat

It's cheaper, for sure. But the difference is not as significant as I would have thought.

By the way: Is there a chance that RaKru simply does not want Kahun? I can't recall the details of how Kahun was acquired, but is this potentially one of those situations where there was the disconnect between GM and Coach? Cost of living is somewhat lower in Buffalo, nonetheless.

For those taking up torches and pitch forks, I would note other comments upthread that were throwing water on the rumour of Kahun wanting 2 years $2.5M AAV.

^ Multiple reports to that effect, fwiw.

Just saw a Tweet that Kahun wants $2.5M AAV; Sabres want to be south of $2M. I don't get it.

As I see the steady stream of signings pile up on Twitter, I find this signing, the money and term, more and more confusing.

I like that plan from RaKru.

More than fair.

I had meant to add: It for reasons like these that I just shook my head when I heard Schopp talking about Adams' evaluation process, and how he (Schopp) would have NO interest at all in the assessment of the person's character, personality, etc. - that he would exclusively want to know nothing more than "are you an excellent 2-way center?" The implication seemed to be that all necessary information can be divined from watching tape and digging into metrics, and that a meeting, discussion with the prospect was useless, at best, and fool's gold, at worst. Schopp can be a tool, I know, but that particular take seemed so, so myopic to me. Adams said he was impressed with how "self aware" Quinn is, as a person. I liked hearing that - it was encouraging to me. According to Schopp, though, such stuff is irrelevant. 🙄

Sheesh. What a cluster. Also: It was going to be hard enough to pull this off, even with everyone doing what they're supposed to be doing. Then you had the Titans just being eejits. Twice, in fact (at least!) - once when they brought in the FA without following protocols and then again by allowing for an informal practice after the facilities were closed.

^ Several of the recent posts go to my point - stated here or elsewhere - that a crucial piece of getting a really good player is getting a guy who has that ability to really push and really grow his game. I'm not sure it's something that can be learned or taught. It probably can be. But, for some, I think it's actually beyond their capabilities. That is: They think they're doing it, but they're not. This kid sounds like someone who gets it.

I see that long list of RFA's who didn't get qualified, and it lends some perspective to the matter. OTOH, the imposition of an internal cap, etc. creates concern that the franchise is just going to lose/walk away from a useful NHL player. But it's a calculated risk, at worst. Not a blunder.

I'm not sure if I tuned into Adams' presser live, or heard a tidbit replayed. But what he was saying at the time - I can't recall the precise words - made me think even MORE of the Pegulas' honing in on Allen. Something about an underdog who was doubted, bloomed late through hard work, has a still-rising trajectory, and has some terrific physical gifts. Fingers crossed that the kid pans out as a top-6 fixture.

Reportedly out with a back strain. I know people were (are?) nervous about the COVID stuff and his willingness to play.