Me too
It just sounds like ppl expect him to jump right in & perform at a high level in an important role

The Leafs didn’t even play Matthews at 2C as a rookie
- jdfitz77

On paper

He’s played almost 18 minuets a night as a rookie.

It was like when we listed O’Reilly as our #1 center in the “lineup” all last year when it was clearly Eichel

On paper

He’s played almost 18 minuets a night as a rookie.

It was like when we listed O’Reilly as our #1 center in the “lineup” all last year when it was clearly Eichel
- sbroads24

Not just “on paper” though
They sheltered Matthews especially early on
And even though he played a lot,
they had 3 lines that defenses had to account for

Anyways, my point is...
Mittelstadt at 2C next year would be a HUGE mistake imo

Not just “on paper” though
They sheltered Matthews especially early on
And even though he played a lot,
they had 3 lines that defenses had to account for

Anyways, my point is...
Mittelstadt at 2C next year would be a HUGE mistake imo
- jdfitz77

How do we know it’s a mistake without seeing him play?

He’s not staying in school. We’re gonna get a look at him.

If it’s possible for guys like Boeser, Barzal, McAvoy to step in after a year of development without being top two picks, and play key roles, it’s possible for Middlestadt

Not just “on paper” though
They sheltered Matthews especially early on
And even though he played a lot,
they had 3 lines that defenses had to account for

Anyways, my point is...
Mittelstadt at 2C next year would be a HUGE mistake imo
- jdfitz77

Sheltered him from what? Defensive zone starts? Sure. Most of it is just talk. Down 1, offensive zone draw, you know who's on the ice....just like Jack was.

Guhle get hurt? He’s Not playing tonight. Also Gionta scored tonight in his one game warm up/tryout.
- gordong

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.

Sheltered him from what? Defensive zone starts? Sure. Most of it is just talk. Down 1, offensive zone draw, you know who's on the ice....just like Jack was.
- Lunaion

Sheltered means as many O-Zone starts as possible, when at home you play the matchup game, and even on the road you try and do it as much as possible.

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.
- Der Kaiser

*You're

How do we know it’s a mistake without seeing him play?

He’s not staying in school. We’re gonna get a look at him.

If it’s possible for guys like Boeser, Barzal, McAvoy to step in after a year of development without being top two picks, and play key roles, it’s possible for Middlestadt
- sbroads24

There’s a difference between it being “possible” (of course it is) and it being “expected”

Here’s what I’m saying...

If we trade O’Reilly & slot Mittelstadt in as 2C and he plays like Barzal...
great
But it’s more likely he doesn’t...
in which case we’d be screwed

Now if we keep O’Reilly & Mittelstadt struggles...
no huge deal

Also, it just makes sense
Why put more on his shoulders than we need to?
And at 3C, we can put him in better matchups that can give us an edge

Idk... makes sense to me anyways

Sheltered him from what? Defensive zone starts? Sure. Most of it is just talk. Down 1, offensive zone draw, you know who's on the ice....just like Jack was.
- Lunaion

This is exactly what i mean
At 3C, instead of 2C, we’d be able to put him in more advantageous situations throughout the whole game though...
and not just at the end

All this talk of slotting Mittlelstadt... He still has to sign here and since I'm old, bitter, and live in Buffalo, I am allowed to say "he's not signing here".

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.
- Der Kaiser

thank you sir

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.
- Der Kaiser

How’s the atmosphere in the building?

All this talk of slotting Mittlelstadt... He still has to sign here and since I'm old, bitter, and live in Buffalo, I am allowed to say "he's not signing here".
- kritter65

6 more weeks of winter my friend

So if another 6-1 drubbing tonite will a move finally be made?

So if another 6-1 drubbing tonite will a move finally be made?
- riptheguard

Wow, old Home days around here! Riptheguard!

People are WAY overhyping Mittelstadt
Not that i don’t think he’s good...
but i think a lot of ppl are gonna be disappointed if he doesn’t come in & light it up next year

With the way Botts seems to be developing players (ill say it again)...
Mittelstadt MIGHT NOT even play for the Sabres next year
- jdfitz77

This is spot on. One of the bug question marks still with Mittelstadt is his skating. He has a weird stride that I have no idea whether or not it will translate to the pro game. Remember, Cody Hodgson once led a World Junior tournament in scoring.

Mind you, this doesn't mean I don't think he will be good. He still has question marks around his game.

Wow, old Home days around here! Riptheguard!
- Irish 14

Almost makes we want to start paining the dining room

Almost makes we want to start paining the dining room
- cabin

Hey Cabby! Just need to find a identity for this team!

Trade Kane

Set up a presser, give Jack his #9 and the “C”

Start the process ~ McDermott

Speaking of an identity for the Sabres,
“The Sabres don’t have speed, they have very little talent, they don’t have toughness and they aren’t mentally sharp.”
Hamilton’s post on WGR...and he is spot on with this summary...we see it game in and game out.

To those who think we are “close”, pick one of those attributes and explain to us non-believers how they are close.
It seems as though they have a mix match, and as we know very, very little top end talent. They really need to hit on more draft picks, and fortify with an astute trade or two, three here. I’m hoping JBotts makes the moves soon.

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.
- Der Kaiser

Which lends credence to the theory of his game being built for the NHL not AHL. Call him up, put him with Jack for 5-10 games, and see what happens.

How’s the atmosphere in the building?
- washedup20

It was a very special event last night: the local guy nearing or at the end of a Stanley cup career being sent off to be an Olympic hero.

When he scored the place went nuts.

I haven’t been to a regular game in 5 or 10 years ...

Bailey drove play all night.

Nylander can dangle like crazy but looks like he needs more room to get his shot off.

Ullmark was perfectly mortal.

CJ Smith did nothing

Fasching does a lot of greasy work but can’t do much with/near the puck

Gionta’s goal was cool

Guys who are plugs in the National League look like hero’s in the A (Fedun, Tennyson, Crisciolu, Griffith)

The kids looked fast and get the puck up and down the ice just fine. The difference is in the “finish”. AHLers just don’t snipe - or just don’t have the hands to finish - that you see in the National League.
- Der Kaiser

how did malone look?


does he have the wheels to be an nhl player

It was a very special event last night: the local guy nearing or at the end of a Stanley cup career being sent off to be an Olympic hero.

When he scored the place went nuts.

I haven’t been to a regular game in 5 or 10 years ...
- Der Kaiser

Sweet . Glad you were able to see it . I went to Tuesdays NJ Devils game and i didn't experience that type of enjoyment .

how did malone look?


does he have the wheels to be an nhl player
- navinrjohnson

Nope he sucks

Me too
It just sounds like ppl expect him to jump right in & perform at a high level in an important role

The Leafs didn’t even play Matthews at 2C as a rookie
- jdfitz77

I firmly believe his success will depend solely on his role


I expect him to be playing wing on jack's line so my expectation will be higher than most