We still have Erika.. and Sal. Gotta give Sal his due. They're a good pair for us, the best pair we have really lol.

you know what these kids need? Crawford. What a stabilizing presence that would be, both on the ice and in the room. There is no one coming to right this ship.. no savior coming.. no 22yr old captain or 19yr old 1st overall pick to save the day.. they have to all find it within.
- MartysBetter88

100% Crawford was such a huge kick in the balls for this team. Most of us still expected them to finish last or second to last to the Sabres in the division going into the season with the Blackwood/Crow tandem, but losing Crow that close to the season made everything so much worse. I really want to go after Driedger or Ullmark in the offseason to pair with Mac

100% Crawford was such a huge kick in the balls for this team. Most of us still expected them to finish last or second to last to the Sabres in the division going into the season with the Blackwood/Crow tandem, but losing Crow that close to the season made everything so much worse. I really want to go after Driedger or Ullmark in the offseason to pair with Mac
- vlongo4419

Yea I didn't think of it until tonight with Crawford.
Dreidger would be awesome. I'm a believer in him. Not sold on Ullmark yet, but that Sabres D... lol but look at our D! pah

wish someone could give Sal a little remote so he can play and pause the tape as he wants without having to "roll it" lol
- MartysBetter88

Lol

fwiw, I'm liking the responses from Nico, Severson and Ruff. Owning it, playing the right way, accountability, tough love but also trying to build confidence.

fwiw, I'm liking the responses from Nico, Severson and Ruff. Owning it, playing the right way, accountability, tough love but also trying to build confidence.
- MartysBetter88

Nico is the right guy to be captain for sure.

Nico is the right guy to be captain for sure.
- Pomegrant

Definitely. I just wish he and we were in a position where he didn't have to be the captain yet and had a captain to play under for at least 1 more year. ..but there's no one left here to be that captain. Maybe they didn't want to give it to Palmieri or Zajac when they named Hischier captain because they knew Palms/Zajac would be traded. Subban maybe? The guy rarely even had an A. It is what it is and Nico will be fine.

I was also a fan of the clips they showed of Hughes continuing to work had and give effort, despite the dismal score of this game and how the season has gone. Leadership qualities. I've definitely noticed and appreciate his competitiveness this year. Less deer in headlights compared to last year where the NHL was so new to him.

Definitely. I just wish he and we were in a position where he didn't have to be the captain yet and had a captain to play under for at least 1 more year. ..but there's no one left here to be that captain. Maybe they didn't want to give it to Palmieri or Zajac when they named Hischier captain because they knew Palms/Zajac would be traded. Subban maybe? The guy rarely even had an A. It is what it is and Nico will be fine.

I was also a fan of the clips they showed of Hughes continuing to work had and give effort, despite the dismal score of this game and how the season has gone. Leadership qualities. I've definitely noticed and appreciate his competitiveness this year. Less deer in headlights compared to last year where the NHL was so new to him.
- MartysBetter88

It's probably good that Nico is captain now. He knows it's his team moving forward and he gets to learn what it takes to be a captain when the pressure is low. He's already doing all the right things in setting what kind of culture they want around this team.

Hughes has been so good this year. Obviously he needs to work on his shot so he can pot some more goals, but his passing is elite. If his wingers were even somewhat competent goal scorers he'd have 20 more assists, easily. His defense game is also night and day from last year but even from the beginning of the season. He's using his elite skating ability to come back and break up plays now. Seems like he's figured out that he can play more offense if he stops them from having the puck.

This is why we shouldn't worry about "generational talent". Our two centers are elite players that you want to build a team around. The past couple of weeks have been pretty poopty to watch but we're going to become a much better team in just a few seasons. This year should be the last really horrible year and we'll start trending upward.

you know what these kids need? Crawford. What a stabilizing presence that would be, both on the ice and in the room. There is no one coming to right this ship.. no savior coming.. no 22yr old captain or 19yr old 1st overall pick to save the day.. they have to all find it within.
- MartysBetter88

No way man Crawford would have been lit up on this team. He’s a decent enough goalie that needs good players in front of him.

Hughes has been so good this year. Obviously he needs to work on his shot so he can pot some more goals, but his passing is elite. If his wingers were even somewhat competent goal scorers he'd have 20 more assists, easily. His defense game is also night and day from last year but even from the beginning of the season. He's using his elite skating ability to come back and break up plays now. Seems like he's figured out that he can play more offense if he stops them from having the puck.

- Pomegrant

I thought the same thing regarding how many more assists Jack should have...Then I read this: https://www.allabouttheje...devils-could-shoot-at-all

Not sure I agree with all of it but definitely food for thought.

I thought the same thing regarding how many more assists Jack should have...Then I read this: https://www.allabouttheje...devils-could-shoot-at-all

Not sure I agree with all of it but definitely food for thought.
- gmarz16

holy cow. what a link.

I hope the Isles crash and burn, how dare they healthy scratch Zajac last night

Man honestly what the hell happened to Zacha in his own zone? He was arguably our most consistent defensive forward and PKer after i guess Zajac the previous few seasons and hes just been absolutely horrible in his own end this season. He's just been so lost
- vlongo4419

I've been trying to make that point. I can not see him ever being anything beyond a bottom 6 guy with PK responsibilities. His career high 32 points is bad, especially considering that he has had every opportunity to play a large role on this club. He's never had a + season, and he doesn't use his size to his advantage. He is soft, and simply makes the easy perimeter passes. As the longest serving veteran up front, I am disappointed in his contributions.

Nico is the right guy to be captain for sure.
- Pomegrant

I agree. Was hoping we would let Zajac wear the C this year, and for his 1000th game. But Nico is the guy going forward.

I've been trying to make that point. I can not see him ever being anything beyond a bottom 6 guy with PK responsibilities. His career high 32 points is bad, especially considering that he has had every opportunity to play a large role on this club. He's never had a + season, and he doesn't use his size to his advantage. He is soft, and simply makes the easy perimeter passes. As the longest serving veteran up front, I am disappointed in his contributions.
- bikeguy99

So much disappointment with this club....

This team needs a culture change.

Goaltending? Try "easy to play against".

They're right now by far the most inexperienced team in the NHL.

Look at this: https://www.eliteprospect...-physical-stats/2020-2021

Young players have the psychological resiliency of a bunch of fat kids. Of course they're getting shelled.

This is franchise mode equivalent of having a locker room chemistry of 61, a coach that doesn't recognize you're tanking and is like "we need more scoring!" and your players all whining about their "ice time concerns" and "I'm sorry about how I've been playing out there!"

Smith is already confirmed out again for tomorrow.

Smith is already confirmed out again for tomorrow.
- vlongo4419

DOOMED

So much disappointment with this club....
- Queenie_5_hole

Yes. I have little to say about our veterans. I do see plenty of optimism with our young prospects going forward, and our draft position is only improving at the moment.

If sabres hold on they will be 1 point behind us

Bingo had Clarke playing center tonight "out of necessity" and he potted 2 assists. Nice to see him continue to play well with not a lot of talent around him, and his main linemate taken away from him.

Holtz' quarantine ends tomorrow so he may be in the lineup unless they want him to get a few practices in, wonder where they slot him if hes a go

Also, Chicoutimi's playoffs started tonight and Mercer scored a goal in a 4-2 win

DOOMED
- shvingter88

Bingo had Clarke playing center tonight "out of necessity" and he potted 2 assists. Nice to see him continue to play well with not a lot of talent around him, and his main linemate taken away from him.

Holtz' quarantine ends tomorrow so he may be in the lineup unless they want him to get a few practices in, wonder where they slot him if hes a go

Also, Chicoutimi's playoffs started tonight and Mercer scored a goal in a 4-2 win
- vlongo4419

I appreciate the update!

regarding upcoming draftees.. how much longer will their seasons run? how much more of a sample size will scouts get to determine how to rank players?

Bingo had Clarke playing center tonight "out of necessity" and he potted 2 assists. Nice to see him continue to play well with not a lot of talent around him, and his main linemate taken away from him.

Holtz' quarantine ends tomorrow so he may be in the lineup unless they want him to get a few practices in, wonder where they slot him if hes a go

Also, Chicoutimi's playoffs started tonight and Mercer scored a goal in a 4-2 win
- vlongo4419

Clark has been a real work horse. He seems find a way to leapfrog other prospects and force his way into the lineup. Nice to see him earn some trust down the middle. Not surprised, the Kid can skate effortlessly it seems.

DOOMED
- shvingter88

Yes. At our current compete level, I don't think we have another 3 wins in us to close out the season.

Good think is Detroit, Buffalo, Ott are all coming off wins and our odds of a top 3 pick are going up! I am now Buffalo and Anaheims biggest fan.