Practice Lines 10/11/23

[Mango]

41 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

Clifton with Johnson is probably a good idea. Clifton certainly hasn't learned (?) how we play yet and imo it's a failure by the coaching staff to play him enough in preseason and get him fully integrated. Either that or he just can't make the adjustment cause things were so different in Boston. Pairing him with another guy more used to a shall we say traditional style will be good as he figures out his new teammates. 

The lines are pretty much what you'd expect keeping continuity with last season. 

I think this is one thing that needs a little bit of a shift from Donnie. I think it is fairly safe to assume that Dahlin, Samuelson, and Power would all be able to be successful in Boston. The Boston defense was a huge part of Ullmark winning the Vezina. Clifton was a consistent part of their success until the Orlov trade. 

Clifton isn't a world beater, he doesn't need to be. But at some point our defensive "system" needs to be able to easily accommodate good players from proven defenses to help protect our goaltenders. 

[Thorny]

6 hours ago, Brawndo said:

 

It’s a definite déjà vu feeling looking, year over year. Obvious Benson exception.

I understand the aim for continuity - should be fascinating to see how it all unfolds 

[PerreaultForever]

2 hours ago, Mango said:

I think this is one thing that needs a little bit of a shift from Donnie. I think it is fairly safe to assume that Dahlin, Samuelson, and Power would all be able to be successful in Boston. The Boston defense was a huge part of Ullmark winning the Vezina. Clifton was a consistent part of their success until the Orlov trade. 

Clifton isn't a world beater, he doesn't need to be. But at some point our defensive "system" needs to be able to easily accommodate good players from proven defenses to help protect our goaltenders. 

This is true, but just for the record, Clifton stayed in the line up after they got Orlov. They had Forbert out (probably partly fake for cap reasons) and entering the playoffs it was him or Gryzlyk for the last spot and they switched it a few games. 

The system is a problem though and imo Granato didn't change much in that regard. We've gone through many an average defender coming here and getting much worse and then afterwards playing solidly for other (and better) teams. Scandella, Bogo, Miller for example all became garbage here but all were picked up and have played roles for other teams. With that consistent outcome you have to consider the system(s) here over the players as the problem. Fingers crossed that Clifton isn't the next in the list. 

[PerreaultForever]

3 hours ago, Radar said:

I would switch him with Benson but that's just me. VO is a great shot on PP that's his game in total. Third line I'd be okay with for now until Quinn gets back.

If Benson plays well in game 1 and VO doesn't I would bet they move Benson up and Jost comes in on line 3 while VO sits. 

[Taro T]

5 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

This is true, but just for the record, Clifton stayed in the line up after they got Orlov. They had Forbert out (probably partly fake for cap reasons) and entering the playoffs it was him or Gryzlyk for the last spot and they switched it a few games. 

The system is a problem though and imo Granato didn't change much in that regard. We've gone through many an average defender coming here and getting much worse and then afterwards playing solidly for other (and better) teams. Scandella, Bogo, Miller for example all became garbage here but all were picked up and have played roles for other teams. With that consistent outcome you have to consider the system(s) here over the players as the problem. Fingers crossed that Clifton isn't the next in the list. 

So that same "system" that Bylsma, Housley, Krueger, and Granato all run is the problem?

Seems you're reaching a bit on this one.

[Believer]

12 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

If Benson plays well in game 1 and VO doesn't I would bet they move Benson up and Jost comes in on line 3 while VO sits. 

Hope Benson plays well and sticks… VO as well.

[nfreeman]

5 hours ago, French Collection said:

I wonder if they’re pushing for the Shane Wright exemption?

Wright is 4 days younger than Savoie, who missed the birthday AHL cutoff by one day. Advantage Savoie

Savoie played 22 WHL games vs 58 for Wright in the OHL in 19/20. Advantage Wright

Wright got credited for an OHL season in the Covid year 20/21 even though the OHL did not play. Savoie played 34 games in the USHL. The WHL had a “developmental” season of 24 games. Advantage Savoie for playing but the CHL might be upset he jumped to another league. Draw.

Savoie played 65 WHL games, Wright 63 OHL games in 21/22. Draw.

Savoie played 62 WHL games, Wright 20 OHL games in 22/23. Wright bounced around from NHL to AHL to WJHC but he still was short by a few games to hit the CHL season threshold. Advantage Savoie.

Good stuff here.  Thanks. 
 

6 hours ago, SabresBaltimore said:

KA was on Sabres live and they asked him about Savoie playing in Rochester. All he said was "it's complicated and I don't want to comment, but we're talking to the league to see what our options are"

 

So it sounds like they are hoping to send him to Rochester to have a rehab and buy themselves some time. Likely he'll stay on IR until they figure out what their options are.

But he’s practicing now, innit?  Doesn’t that mean he has to leave IR?
 

4 hours ago, PerreaultForever said:

Clifton with Johnson is probably a good idea. Clifton certainly hasn't learned (?) how we play yet and imo it's a failure by the coaching staff to play him enough in preseason and get him fully integrated. Either that or he just can't make the adjustment cause things were so different in Boston. Pairing him with another guy more used to a shall we say traditional style will be good as he figures out his new teammates. 

The lines are pretty much what you'd expect keeping continuity with last season. 

More preseason games may or may not have helped, but it sure looks like he’s not ready yet.  I do think for most guys joining a new team it takes a good chunk of the season to find the groove.  
 

45 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

This is true, but just for the record, Clifton stayed in the line up after they got Orlov. They had Forbert out (probably partly fake for cap reasons) and entering the playoffs it was him or Gryzlyk for the last spot and they switched it a few games. 

The system is a problem though and imo Granato didn't change much in that regard. We've gone through many an average defender coming here and getting much worse and then afterwards playing solidly for other (and better) teams. Scandella, Bogo, Miller for example all became garbage here but all were picked up and have played roles for other teams. With that consistent outcome you have to consider the system(s) here over the players as the problem. Fingers crossed that Clifton isn't the next in the list. 

And Montour most of all!

And DM was here for the Krueger era too, so…
 

 

[Bangarang]

Think I’d rather see Benson with JJ and DC and have VO on the 3rd line with Mitts and JG.