GDT: Oilers at Sabres 11/17 7pm MSG, WGR 550

[Brawndo]

 

Ellis is in the starters net for the AM Skate 

[Doohickie]

4 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Ellis is in the starters net for the AM Skate

I just saw that.  Interesting. 

[Taro T]

2 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

 

Ellis is in the starters net for the AM Skate 

A little surprised at Ellis getting the net tonight.  Expected Lyon tonight and Ellis on Wednesday.

Also, would really like to know what they have against Ryan Johnson.  Hopefully, they don't call him up to keep from "rushing" him into the NHL, but thought he played all 4 years of NCAA, so that doesn't seem to be the reason to keep him down.  When he's played, he's seemed to be the exact sort of guy you want as a callup - one you don't notice.  Which, for a D-man, is a good thing.

[Thorny]

We’d likely have a new GM today had Detroit held on. Now we are likely headed for a GM extension. There’s that one stretch every year he just needs to get through and then he’s clear 

[Brawndo]

Zucker is out there for the AM Skate as well

[bob_sauve28]

7 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Zucker is out there for the AM Skate as well

Has he eaten solid food yet?? 

[ponokasabre]

Zucker and Norris both out that is awesome!

 

Really hope Benson is quickly behind them! 

 

Honestly I wouldnt take Tage out of the Center position, if Norris is back he is centering line 2 Mcloed line 3 and Kozak line 4

[pi2000]

who's this Norris guy?

[PASabreFan]

12 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Has he eaten solid food yet?? 

I am being told tuna casserole.

21 minutes ago, Thorny said:

We’d likely have a new GM today had Detroit held on. Now we are likely headed for a GM extension. There’s that one stretch every year he just needs to get through and then he’s clear 

Conspiracy theory alert. Stay with the approved script. And whatever you do, don't dig a hole for yourself.

[Brawndo]

A smattering of lines for everyone:

Doan-Thompson-Tuch 
Rosén-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Kozak-Krebs
Dunne-Östlund-Malenstyn

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Timmins
Byram-Metsa/Bryson

Ellis in the starter's net; Luukkonen and Lyon split the other end

From Joe Yerdon

 

[LGR4GM]

Josh Norris? 

[Thorny]

8 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

I am being told tuna casserole.

Conspiracy theory alert. Stay with the approved script. And whatever you do, don't dig a hole for yourself.

lol ya that one was a bit off the rails, infused with worry wart-itus. He likely wouldn’t have been fired had they lost and honesty I really find it hard to believe he’s getting an extension. I mean even if they did make the playoffs somehow, how do you trot this guy out to announce an extension after what he’s contributed to. Maybe if he was under contract but actually giving him a new deal…

im just tired. Already in the hole. Sometimes it feels like I’ll never be able to watch games again, and it makes me angsty when the moment seemed close to being in the offing. One canning, and I can be back. I’ll continue praying. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Thorny

[Shoot da Puck]

Piece of cake

[SabresBaltimore]

18 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

A smattering of lines for everyone:

Doan-Thompson-Tuch 
Rosén-McLeod-Quinn
Greenway-Kozak-Krebs
Dunne-Östlund-Malenstyn

Samuelsson-Dahlin
Power-Timmins
Byram-Metsa/Bryson

Ellis in the starter's net; Luukkonen and Lyon split the other end

From Joe Yerdon

 

Any updates on Benson? Last I saw I thought Lindy said he could play during the road trip (which didn't happen). Did he have a setback? I didn't have Norris returnin before Benson on my bingo card..

 

Good to see Zucker is at least over whatever made him so sick.

[PASabreFan]

38 minutes ago, Thorny said:

lol ya that one was a bit off the rails, infused with worry wart-itus. He likely wouldn’t have been fired had they lost and honesty I really find it hard to believe he’s getting an extension. I mean even if they did make the playoffs somehow, how do you trot this guy out to announce an extension after what he’s contributed to. Maybe if he was under contract but actually giving him a new deal…

im just tired. Already in the hole. Sometimes it feels like I’ll never be able to watch games again, and it makes me angsty when the moment seemed close to being in the offing. One canning, and I can be back. I’ll continue praying. 

Pray and tune up your sarcasm meter.

It's a horrible spot for a fan. We're already hearing, "Yeah, there's no way they can make up x points in 64 games" snark.

There's not no way, but it'll be very tough.

Just don't see a point in a heroic run to 84 points.

[matter2003]

1 hour ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Has he eaten solid food yet?? 

Heard he ordered a large sheet from Bocce Club for the Bills game yesterday and devoured it all himself from nerves watching the game transpire...

46 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Josh Norris? 

[PASabreFan]

matter teed me up...

This is the first Sabres home game the day after a Bills game this season. Last year they went 1-3, allowing six goals in the three losses.

Take the under +175 3.5 goals and a prop bet of a Sabre leaving the game carrying an appendage (5:2 his own).

[Jorcus]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

A little surprised at Ellis getting the net tonight.  Expected Lyon tonight and Ellis on Wednesday.

Also, would really like to know what they have against Ryan Johnson.  Hopefully, they don't call him up to keep from "rushing" him into the NHL, but thought he played all 4 years of NCAA, so that doesn't seem to be the reason to keep him down.  When he's played, he's seemed to be the exact sort of guy you want as a callup - one you don't notice.  Which, for a D-man, is a good thing.

I don't really think Ryan Johnson is much of a difference maker over Metsa or Bryson. It should be noted though he has been playing with a full face shield so so there could be a limiting factor on the call up. He had every chance to stick around the Sabres for awhile early this season. He just never seems to be able to take that next step. 

[Flashsabre]

1 hour ago, Thorny said:

We’d likely have a new GM today had Detroit held on. Now we are likely headed for a GM extension. There’s that one stretch every year he just needs to get through and then he’s clear 

Matching 5 year extensions for Adams and Bryson incoming😝

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Taro T said:

A little surprised at Ellis getting the net tonight.  Expected Lyon tonight and Ellis on Wednesday.

Also, would really like to know what they have against Ryan Johnson.  Hopefully, they don't call him up to keep from "rushing" him into the NHL, but thought he played all 4 years of NCAA, so that doesn't seem to be the reason to keep him down.  When he's played, he's seemed to be the exact sort of guy you want as a callup - one you don't notice.  Which, for a D-man, is a good thing.

My sense is that Lindy isn't enamored with Ryan Johnson. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is a style of play that doesn't fit with his concept how a defenseman should play. When I watch him play it seems that he's comfortable playing against NHL players and is more of a blend in player than a thumper at the position. (As you described.) It just seems to me that Ruff has an opinion of him and isn't receptive to changing it. Sometimes old-style coaches are not as adaptable as they need to be. It won't be surprising that there will soon be murmurs that he wants to be dealt to another organization. 

[That Aud Smell]

30 minutes ago, JohnC said:

My sense is that Lindy isn't enamored with Ryan Johnson. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is a style of play that doesn't fit with his concept how a defenseman should play. When I watch him play it seems that he's comfortable playing against NHL players and is more of a blend in player than a thumper at the position. (As you described.) It just seems to me that Ruff has an opinion of him and isn't receptive to changing it. Sometimes old-style coaches are not as adaptable as they need to be. It won't be surprising that there will soon be murmurs that he wants to be dealt to another organization. 

Interesting. This makes sense to me.

Was Johnson in the opening night lineup? I went to that game. I have a memory of him blowing 2 or 3 tires in his own zone. That might have set the coach against him.

[K-9]

57 minutes ago, JohnC said:

My sense is that Lindy isn't enamored with Ryan Johnson. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is a style of play that doesn't fit with his concept how a defenseman should play. When I watch him play it seems that he's comfortable playing against NHL players and is more of a blend in player than a thumper at the position. (As you described.) It just seems to me that Ruff has an opinion of him and isn't receptive to changing it. Sometimes old-style coaches are not as adaptable as they need to be. It won't be surprising that there will soon be murmurs that he wants to be dealt to another organization. 

RJ isn’t the best defenseman on the Amerks squad so it makes sense that Metsa is first in the pecking order. 

[Jorcus]

40 minutes ago, JohnC said:

My sense is that Lindy isn't enamored with Ryan Johnson. Why? I don't know. Maybe it is a style of play that doesn't fit with his concept how a defenseman should play. When I watch him play it seems that he's comfortable playing against NHL players and is more of a blend in player than a thumper at the position. (As you described.) It just seems to me that Ruff has an opinion of him and isn't receptive to changing it. Sometimes old-style coaches are not as adaptable as they need to be. It won't be surprising that there will soon be murmurs that he wants to be dealt to another organization. 

As far as style of play it's like many of the others on the team. His best asset is that he is a pretty good skater and can carry the puck out of the zone. It's similar to Byram and Power but not as good. His biggest weakness is scoring. For the type of player he is he should have way more points than he does in the AHL. He is supposed to be Rochester's number 1 D man yet only has 31 points in 106 games. It's not like he is a stay at home defenseman. So that is the problem, you can play like Byram and Power but you have to be able to produce like Byram and Power. He is doing better this year so maybe there is still hope that part of his game will improve but it's no where near the standard it needs to be for the NHL.

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, Brawndo said:

 

Ellis is in the starters net for the AM Skate 

I saw Michael Kesselring drinkin' a piña colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect

Edited 15 minutes ago by Doohickie

[JohnC]

3 minutes ago, Jorcus said:

As far as style of play it's like many of the others on the team. His best asset is that he is a pretty good skater and can carry the puck out of the zone. It's similar to Byram and Power but not as good. His biggest weakness is scoring. For the type of player he is he should have way more points than he does in the AHL. He is supposed to be Rochester's number 1 D man yet only has 31 points in 106 games. It's not like he is a stay at home defenseman. So that is the problem, you can play like Byram and Power but you have to be able to produce like Byram and Power. He is doing better this year so maybe there is still hope that part of his game will improve but it's no where near the standard it needs to be for the NHL.

I think you are expecting too much offensive production from Johnson. As you correctly describe, he is a good skater and can carry the puck out of the zone. But offensively he is not going to match Byram and Power from a point production standpoint. Johnson is who he is as a player. Expecting more beyond his boundary of talents is a recipe for having a negative view of his play. In my mind, I see him as a solid third or fourth pairing blueliner who is smart enough to play within his limitations. I like him.