Hank Balling: Dubious Scratches This piece was meant to run prior to the Sabres/Canadiens game on Thursday but was delayed due to technical issues. These articles take a decent amount of time to put together, and while this content is not exactly timely now, I’m still posting it because I think the subject matter is relevant despite being a day late and a game short.

As always, thanks for reading.

https://twitter.com/ByMHa...86014856213573633/photo/1

Nice Late Read Hank!! I am confused about this team. They have become illusionist

Remember the huge write up about screens on the boards

I am usually leading the charge here when it comes to staying the course and being patient and all of that kind of stuff. Well, it is a different kind of day. I am actually fine with the defense the way it is now with the exception of putting Dahlin with Power. Power is working through some growing pains and needs to be with Bush.

My issue is with the forwards. The problem with mixing all of these lines together (and sitting certain people) is you end up ruining the lines. Olo should not be with Quinn and Paterka. Krebs can't be on the 4th line - he should be elsewhere or in Roch. While Asplund is never going to wow anyone he does bring a lot of value to this team, especially when it comes to being a defensive presence on a line. He is easily one of the 9 best forwards on this team.

Keep an eye 👁 on**
I’m told the @Canes are closing on a potential trade of D Ethan Bear and a non @NHL roster player in exchange for a 5th Rd Pick from the @Canucks. Situation remains fluid **
@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @DraftKings #HockeyTwitter


A (frank)ing 5th rd pick.
And Carolina is retaining salary.

A big ol WTF?

I am usually leading the charge here when it comes to staying the course and being patient and all of that kind of stuff. Well, it is a different kind of day. I am actually fine with the defense the way it is now with the exception of putting Dahlin with Power. Power is working through some growing pains and needs to be with Bush.

My issue is with the forwards. The problem with mixing all of these lines together (and sitting certain people) is you end up ruining the lines. Olo should not be with Quinn and Paterka. Krebs can't be on the 4th line - he should be elsewhere or in Roch. While Asplund is never going to wow anyone he does bring a lot of value to this team, especially when it comes to being a defensive presence on a line. He is easily one of the 9 best forwards on this team.
- Slump Buster

Cozens + JJ works, better with Vinny than Krebs, worse with VO
Mitts + VO works, but only with Asplund, terrible with Krebs.

What else could work? Cozens, JJ, Quinn is something I'd try. I'm at a loss with Krebs right now.

Keep an eye 👁 on**
I’m told the @Canes are closing on a potential trade of D Ethan Bear and a non @NHL roster player in exchange for a 5th Rd Pick from the @Canucks. Situation remains fluid **
@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @DraftKings #HockeyTwitter


A (frank)ing 5th rd pick.
And Carolina is retaining salary.

A big ol WTF?
- ImThatGuy

There's 32 teams in the league but really there is 31, the Sabres march to there own drum and do not care. They will develop there own players and do things there own way.

I probably used" there" wrong many times.

Bear to Van is a done deal

"The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenceman Ethan Bear from the Carolina Hurricanes.

A minor-league player and a 2023 fifth-round pick will be going back to the Hurricanes."

Bear to Van is a done deal

"The Vancouver Canucks have acquired defenceman Ethan Bear from the Carolina Hurricanes.

A minor-league player and a 2023 fifth-round pick will be going back to the Hurricanes."
- Lunaion

Fun stuff

Fun stuff
- Buff36

nothing like watching Mitts and Pilut skate around with no purpose. Very Good Stuff

Keep an eye 👁 on**
I’m told the @Canes are closing on a potential trade of D Ethan Bear and a non @NHL roster player in exchange for a 5th Rd Pick from the @Canucks. Situation remains fluid **
@espn @NHL @NHLNetwork @DraftKings #HockeyTwitter


A (frank)ing 5th rd pick.
And Carolina is retaining salary.

A big ol WTF?
- ImThatGuy

That's a commentary on Bear's worth. He isn't good.

There's 32 teams in the league but really there is 31, the Sabres march to there own drum and do not care. They will develop there own players and do things there own way.

I probably used" there" wrong many times.
- SABRES 89

right, we don't make any moves ever and every other team makes lots and lots of moves. Nobody ever lets their players develop. There.

right, we don't make any moves ever and every other team makes lots and lots of moves. Nobody ever lets their players develop. There.
- Slump Buster

Also on Thursday, Patrik Allvin did pull off a trade, acquiring center Jack Studnicka from the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Mikey DiPietro and defense prospect Jonathan Myrenberg.

move along nothing to see here

nothing like watching Mitts and Pilut skate around with no purpose. Very Good Stuff
- SABRES 89

The Habs game winning goal was like that too. Puck watching

Also on Thursday, Patrik Allvin did pull off a trade, acquiring center Jack Studnicka from the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Mikey DiPietro and defense prospect Jonathan Myrenberg.

move along nothing to see here
- SABRES 89

Well now, color me impressed. The season is two weeks old and other teams are shuffling around uninspiring prospects. I stand corrected.

nothing like watching Mitts and Pilut skate around with no purpose. Very Good Stuff
- SABRES 89

Sabres really have No RD coming through there pipeline, I really don't understand the problem Taking a chance on Bear. Could understand if there was someone in the wings.
They have a lot of players especially at W who will need to be evaluated and they are already having problems with the one's here now.

Cozens + JJ works, better with Vinny than Krebs, worse with VO
Mitts + VO works, but only with Asplund, terrible with Krebs.

What else could work? Cozens, JJ, Quinn is something I'd try. I'm at a loss with Krebs right now.
- Lunaion

I think that's the problem with a couple of the players on the roster: they are complimentary pieces that need help, and then you end up moving pieces around to make up for it and create other issues.

Olo is the best example of this - he clearly brought down JJ and Cozens last night. I honestly don't know where he fits. Asplund has been shifted around to try to help other lines defense. My biggest worry is that Dactyl and Skinner can't function right without Tuch.

Sabres really have No RD coming through there pipeline, I really don't understand the problem Taking a chance on Bear. Could understand if there was someone in the wings.
They have a lot of players especially at W who will need to be evaluated and they are already having problems with the one's here now.
- Buff36

I think his value is so low (7 - 8 defenseman) that it isn't worth giving up a mediocre draft pick for the right to pay him more than a mill. Is he really any better than Fitzgerald or Bryson?

Anyway, I think their bigger problems are elsewhere. Fix the forward lines and eliminate some of the mistakes and we are a much better team.

If there original asking to us was a second like it was reported by whomever.. how does it go up to a fifth in just a few hours

We have 0 RHD for the future. How do we not throw them a 4th or 5th for a position of need

Coaching/management are losing me here

Well now, color me impressed. The season is two weeks old and other teams are shuffling around uninspiring prospects. I stand corrected.
- Slump Buster

What color is your kool aid ? 4 wins and everyone thinks we are on our way. See how far we get with Mitts as 2nd line center.

Sabres really have No RD coming through there pipeline, I really don't understand the problem Taking a chance on Bear. Could understand if there was someone in the wings.
They have a lot of players especially at W who will need to be evaluated and they are already having problems with the one's here now.
- Buff36

Stay tuned

I think his value is so low (7 - 8 defenseman) that it isn't worth giving up a mediocre draft pick for the right to pay him more than a mill. Is he really any better than Fitzgerald or Bryson?

Anyway, I think their bigger problems are elsewhere. Fix the forward lines and eliminate some of the mistakes and we are a much better team.
- Slump Buster

a 5th rarely ever turns out so getting a guy who can play in the NHL for that price is a must do, especially when we are bare at said players position.

We will never know if he could be better than Fitz if we don't pull the trigger.

I think his value is so low (7 - 8 defenseman) that it isn't worth giving up a mediocre draft pick for the right to pay him more than a mill. Is he really any better than Fitzgerald or Bryson?

Anyway, I think their bigger problems are elsewhere. Fix the forward lines and eliminate some of the mistakes and we are a much better team.
- Slump Buster

Yea we need to keep stockpiling picks, we are running low In The prospect pool.

For a development year, why not take a shot on a guy who’s 25 and still an RFA next year.

My only guess, internal cap.

a 5th rarely ever turns out so getting a guy who can play in the NHL for that price is a must do, especially when we are bare at said players position.

We will never know if he could be better than Fitz if we don't pull the trigger.
- DirtyDan

Gotta keep those picks for 10 years down the road.