Doohickie

I don't think I've heard a more apt description.

It comes from living just a bit in the future. And nothing wrong with that. Let's see if we get anything out of the players that came back in the deal. So far I see more I like from Bernard-Docker than from Norris.

I agree and this far in the rearview mirror it makes sense, but at that point in time I think Casey's camp could have easily demanded another 7x7 deal; he was showing himself at that time to be slightly better than Cozens so why wouldn't he? I got the impression that Adams didn't want to sew discontent by offering him substantially less although I seem to remember Casey saying he would have preferred re-signing so maybe he would have been amenable to a hometown discount. Heck, COL signed him for 5.75 x 3. I loved the role he played on the Sabres roster: a better than average 3C but could move up to any top 6 position should the need arise. The Sabres center spine took a hit when they shipped him out and still hasn't recovered. And I, too, wonder why they wanted Byram so much, unless that was the best Kevyn could garner for him. Now that Byram's here, fine, I've been pretty happy with his play. But I was extremely puzzled at the time why that trade was made.

By this, I think you mean they complement each other. Their skill sets are certainly not the same. If so, I agree, they work together on a line because Benson does what Thompson doesn't and vice versa.

Yeah, they think Cozens is actually good lol

He seems to mesh well with Dahlin. Maybe this frees up Byram to pair with Power to set up two solid defensive pairings (1A and 1B rather than 1 and 2), especially from the offensive side.

All indications point to no. He seemed shocked he was traded and was a focal point in the Sabres locker room (and not in a bad way). He said they never even approached him or his agent. I think once Tage and Cozens were signed he was odd man out.

Were they though? The shots on goal were 1 apart at the end of the second yesterday. The Sabres scored an early goal in the third and were focused on defense more than offense, so naturally OTT had more shots in the third. Yes, Reimer played out of his mind on a few saves, but if one of those goes in, I bet the SOG would have evened out as the Sabres would have shifted to a more offensive emphasis. (No comment on the WPG game 🫢)

I'm not saying he is; I'm saying I predict that down the road he will be.

Some NSFW lyrics. But I laughed. Maybe you will too.

We've all seen how long some defensemen take to develop. He's a first rounder; he's got potential upside that may be brought out with the change of scenery.

I just like beating the division rivals... Boston, Ottawa, etc.

Muel with a good shift there. Good physical play.

Thompson and Benson on the same line

That's at least the third slewfoot by the Sens that wasn't called.

Well both, but I was referring to Kozak.

Love his game. Not the most talented but he plays the game right.

So infuriating.

Your answer: UPL banged up? Or have they given up on him?

No, he swings wildly, trying to take out the frustrations from his time in Buffalo, only to leave an opening that gets him knocked out cold. I'm gonna say Benson lays him out.

I won't disagree but I bet he gets his jaw busted or something in the fight and misses the rest of the season.