I'm upset about a lot of things.

The overall theme to my discontent is that the team is untalented. If they were good I wouldn't need turnover. Similarly, when most teams build their top six, it doesn't include a rookie on the first line, a third line wing at second line center, and no viable candidate for the 6th spot. You can't have three questions in your top six and be good.

But yeah, cherry pick how Lazar isn't any better or whatever to avoid the real issue. Even I have to admit that the bottom 3 aren't going to make or break this team. I just hoped they would use the bottom 3 to hopefully find someone worthy to help the top nine.
- matty12345

https://www.nhl.com/news/...-september-25/c-309486964

Does Thompson get a go at 2RW if he has a great final game? Or is it Sheary?

It won't be Slobby or Slowpoke.

Does Thompson get a go at 2RW if he has a great final game? Or is it Sheary?

It won't be Slobby or Slowpoke.
- SabreWest

“It’s a tough lineup to crack. We are, as you well know, looking for some balance in the lineup that we can defend as well as attack,” Krueger said. “Younger players like Tage and Casey (Mittelstadt) are learning here every day and they still have a lot to learn on the game without the puck, as do other individuals. The willingness is there – which is key. They’re really hungry to learn – they’re hungry for information. The offensive ability that Tage will bring when he’s a complete player is exciting, but it’s the complete game that we just need to continue to grind on with, especially with, our youngest players.”

I'm not seeing anything glaringly awesome about that group. Vanek and pommer were solid.

Since they lost 23 and 48, this in my opinion is the best squad.

I'm also a super homer. I'm ratimg everyone a step higher with anticipation
- Boss34

I guess I'm saying I'd take Hecht, Grier, Gaustad and even Kennedy over the twins, sobotka and Okposo. Hell, I'd probably take Mair over Sobotka

I'm in the take it or leave it category. If you're gonna trade him, make sure the team is better at the end of the day. I thought he had a pretty decent night last night. He still does Risto things, but it wasn't an atrocity.
- TheSabresTaco

Removing him from the top pair makes the team better.

Get ready for the Patrick Laine trade

Removing him from the top pair makes the team better.
- OneKaneOneCup

You may be right. Based on last year, you're definitely right. Would like to see the possession numbers after a couple games. And see how the final defense looks after all are healthy. And if they stick him with Pilut again.

People are upset Risto is on the top line, but Montour was there before him.

Get ready for the Patrick Laine trade
- gerbe75pts

Based on wat

Based on wat
- jcragcrumple

gerbevision

gerbevision
- TheSabresTaco

Gerbevision, live from Bananaland!

Does Thompson get a go at 2RW if he has a great final game? Or is it Sheary?

It won't be Slobby or Slowpoke.
- SabreWest

He's looked like a different player. I hope so.

Based on wat
- jcragcrumple

The future

I'm upset about a lot of things.

The overall theme to my discontent is that the team is untalented. If they were good I wouldn't need turnover. Similarly, when most teams build their top six, it doesn't include a rookie on the first line, a third line wing at second line center, and no viable candidate for the 6th spot. You can't have three questions in your top six and be good.

But yeah, cherry pick how Lazar isn't any better or whatever to avoid the real issue. Even I have to admit that the bottom 3 aren't going to make or break this team. I just hoped they would use the bottom 3 to hopefully find someone worthy to help the top nine.
- matty12345

I posted this in response to the essay you had on the last board. It applies here for the most part as well:

CJ Smith got passed over by 30 teams, so clearly the GM and Coach here weren't the only ones unimpressed.

Cozens will benefit from another year in Jr, even if it's just to keep him away from the trainwreck that this team may end up again this year.

None of the players you'd rather see here over the ones still currently here are going to make that big of an impact on the roster overall that it takes the needed steps forward. We're still going to be trying to jam a round peg into a square hole at 2C, and until they figure that spot out, that line will struggle to produce the way it needs to for this roster to really take the next step and be able to compete the way we'd all like it to.

The future
- gerbe75pts

Truth is huger than fiction

Truth is huger than fiction
- jcragcrumple

They’re watching

They’re watching
- gerbe75pts

The reptilians?

It's not a hill I'm going to die on. I figured when he was drafted that he wouldn't make the cut, and he didn't. No big deal. Thought he deserved a taste. That's it
- jcragcrumple

I agree with you. He held up better physically than I expected and showed some real flashes of what he can do. Looked much better than Sam in his first camp. It would have been fun to see him for a few games. I have no issue with sending him down now, it just ruined a bit of fun.

I agree with you. He held up better physically than I expected and showed some real flashes of what he can do. Looked much better than Sam in his first camp. It would have been fun to see him for a few games. I have no issue with sending him down now, it just ruined a bit of fun.
- Lunaion

Not directing this at anyone but I have to kinda laugh at the comparisons to Casey and how he’s looked better (he did in TOR)

Cozens was a better prospect, and realistically could’ve been drafted anywhere from 4th on.

Wouldn't you agree Cozens looks more NHL ready than Reinhart did though?

I'm not going to criticize Botts for sending him down. I think he should have gotten his 9 though. This is probably the right move, but I didn't like the way they orchestrated it with only giving him 8 mins and then scratching him. They already decided in June he wouldn't play.
- jcragcrumple

I think sometimes high-end speed will make a player look more ready then they are.

shaping up to be

olofssun eichel reinhart
skinner johansson vesey
sheary mitts erod
okposo larsson girgs

I still got nothing.

shaping up to be

olofssun eichel reinhart
skinner johansson vesey
sheary mitts erod
okposo larsson girgs
- lulags

if this is what we are forced to hit the ice with< let the tank begin

I think sometimes high-end speed will make a player look more ready then they are.
- Slump Buster

I understand what you're saying, but how do you separate looking ready from being ready? Obviously you can look not ready and be not ready, and you can look ready and be ready, but being deceptively not ready is a whole new category of not ready

I think sometimes high-end speed will make a player look more ready then they are.
- Slump Buster

and we were forced into playing reinhart for @ reasons
lack of depth
his amazing run (captian) world jrs

I understand what you're saying, but how do you separate looking ready from being ready? Obviously you can look not ready and be not ready, and you can look ready and be ready, but being deceptively not ready is a whole new category of not ready
- jcragcrumple

Speed can make up for readiness. I think Kaletta is the last good example for this - I think with more time in the minors his talent would have caught up with his speed. I know people laugh at this but the kid had talent that was ultimately wasted.