Michael Pachla: Buffalo thumps Toronto 6-2 and, Happy Birthday, Taro Tsujimoto
The "Connor McDavid Sweepstakes" put on hold for a game

you got 2 identical blogs.

THANK YOU

you got 2 identical blogs.
- sippyd

wonder how that happened?

edit: fixed

THANK YOU
- TaroTsujimoto

always one of my favorite names and avatars

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.

I was wondering when nolan would try different line combos. Noice to see them have agood game. We all deserved it.

My great aunt has a tsujimoto jersey

Btw drew stifford leads the team in points. Lets be happy with it. I wouldnt mind him signing a 2 or 3 year deal to stay. This isnt a contract year outburst by any means. Keep him dump that bum stewart.

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.
- HonkFortheGoose

i'd check his faceoff stats first

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.
- HonkFortheGoose

We have yet to here from the Squirrel though !

i'd check his faceoff stats first

- Michael Pachla

He's human. Nobody is perfect.

He's human. Nobody is perfect.
- HonkFortheGoose

see above

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.
- HonkFortheGoose

Im trying not to gush too hard but I can see him blowing away that stupid "3rd line center" expectation some are labeling him with and being a regular 60 point guy in a few years.

Im trying not to gush too hard but I can see him blowing away that stupid "3rd line center" expectation some are labeling him with and being a regular 60 point guy in a few years.
- DynamicThreads

If the rebuild goes exactly as planned, being our 3rd line center won't be something to look down your nose on. Think back to when Vanek-Roy-Afinogenov were our 3rd line. That's essentially what it would be like.

That said, I see a lot of similarities to his game and Peca, and think that he'll be pretty close to the same type of player over his career as Peca.

Right now, he's on pace for 25 goals and 17 assists. I'd like to see him work on setting some of his teammates up a bit more to up the assists, but I'm not going to complain about getting 42 points out of a guy that's 21 years old at the end of the season.

Im trying not to gush too hard but I can see him blowing away that stupid "3rd line center" expectation some are labeling him with and being a regular 60 point guy in a few years.
- DynamicThreads

3rd line center seems to have a negative connotation for most but I think he'd do well in that role on a deep team.

He'd face the other teams top lines, see some special team action and be more than capable of filling in for a top 6 forward in the event of an injury. He'd be a very important player and see plenty of ice time despite being a "3rd line centre".

If the rebuild goes exactly as planned, being our 3rd line center won't be something to look down your nose on. Think back to when Vanek-Roy-Afinogenov were our 3rd line. That's essentially what it would be like.

That said, I see a lot of similarities to his game and Peca, and think that he'll be pretty close to the same type of player over his career as Peca.

Right now, he's on pace for 25 goals and 17 assists. I'd like to see him work on setting some of his teammates up a bit more to up the assists, but I'm not going to complain about getting 42 points out of a guy that's 21 years old at the end of the season.
- HonkFortheGoose

I dont know if murray is gonna try to roll 3 scoring lines. Vanek roy and max is not a checking line by any stretch. Maybe a compher girgensons baptiste line or something, but its just a guess. Point is, he has shown he has enough talent to play anywhere that they need him. He needs to be on the ice as much as possible.

Also, watching haseks 70 save game on nhl, the tackling is magnificent. Scott stevens was a beast

Im trying not to gush too hard but I can see him blowing away that stupid "3rd line center" expectation some are labeling him with and being a regular 60 point guy in a few years.
- DynamicThreads

he was touted as a rod brind'amour-type, two-way center at the draft...he's getting there

he was touted as a rod brind'amour-type, two-way center at the draft...he's getting there
- Michael Pachla

Can we ask Rod Brind'Amour to come here and show him the trick to winning pretty much ever faceoff he'll take the rest of his career??

Can we ask Rod Brind'Amour to come here and show him the trick to winning pretty much ever faceoff he'll take the rest of his career??

- HonkFortheGoose

dude was awesome, wasn't he?

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.
- HonkFortheGoose

SPOT FREAKIN' DEAD A$$ ON Goosie...this is his team and he plays with the attitude like I want the entire team to play with. That is why I was for selecting Bennett...and this year I'll be yammering for Jack Freakin' Eichel!
I am somewhat of a contrarian like Schultzie.

So I love the fact that Girgensons called out the Laffs fans throwing their garments on the ice.
Wish Jorge's could have played to feel the thrill of beating Toronto first hand.
Rumor is he is out weeks with a knee injury.

So I love the fact that Girgensons called out the Laffs fans throwing their garments on the ice.
Wish Jorge's could have played to feel the thrill of beating Toronto first hand.
Rumor is he is out weeks with a knee injury.
- IonSabres

@Michael Pachla oa, Let's be clear about something, leafs are poplar in southern Ontario. Have nothing to do with Canada as a whole. @Ionsabres,It's never a sacrilege to burn or discard of leafs gear.

@all, Leafs fans are ridiculed everywhere, including in Ontario. So in future don't refer to Canada, just southern Ontario as the leaf nation...

So, has Girgensons done enough this season to quiet his (very few) critics around here?

In 70 games as a 19 year old rookie last year, he had 8 goals and 14 assists for 22 points.

In 19 games this year, he already has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points on a team that is somehow even worse than last years.

I'd also like to point out that he's scoring goals that require skill. They're not just bouncing in off of him in front of the net.

It seems like whenever they ask a teammate about him, they can't say enough good things. There's a real sense of awe to them when they talk about the kind of player he is and all the stuff he does.

Take the C off of Gionta and put it on Girgensons. This is his team.
- HonkFortheGoose

Goose is spot on that this is his team. He exudes leadership everytime he steps on the ice, shift in, shift out. His effort level is off the charts, almost embarrassing 75% of his teammates.

He's big, he's strong, he's fast, he's on pace for 25 goals and 40 something points, all as a second-year player.

@Michael Pachla oa, Let's be clear about something, leafs are poplar in southern Ontario. Have nothing to do with Canada as a whole. @Ionsabres,It's never a sacrilege to burn or discard of leafs gear.

@all, Leafs fans are ridiculed everywhere, including in Ontario. So in future don't refer to Canada, just southern Ontario as the leaf nation...
- kaptaan

Touché for the @Ion comment!

@Michael Pachla oa, Let's be clear about something, leafs are poplar in southern Ontario. Have nothing to do with Canada as a whole. @Ionsabres,It's never a sacrilege to burn or discard of leafs gear.

@all, Leafs fans are ridiculed everywhere, including in Ontario. So in future don't refer to Canada, just southern Ontario as the leaf nation...
- kaptaan

How are the Nuckle-heads taking to Miller? What's the word?

Last night was a so overdue. For some reason those from Ontario love doing takeovers of the FNIC. They always seem to get a treated to the true "Buffalo" experience each time.