Michael Pachla: Housley struggling to figure out his middle-six forward group

Michael Pachla: Housley struggling to figure out his middle-six forward group
- Michael Pachla

secondary scoring matters

Pictured below: Kaiser at Key Bank Arena.

Vladimir Sobotka--0+0, -7
Kyle Okposo--0+0, -5
Conor Sheary--0+1, -3
Tage Thompson--1+1, -4
Casey Mittelstadt--1+1, -3
Jason Pominville--0+0, -2

this might sum up all the bad things in sabre land this season

secondary scoring matters
- homiedclown

yup...the top line will get their points but if a team can shut down the other players, or limit them to one goal, they have an opportunity to win, or at least take the game to overtime/shootout where the sabres have won only once in their last four tries

Vladimir Sobotka--0+0, -7
Kyle Okposo--0+0, -5
Conor Sheary--0+1, -3
Tage Thompson--1+1, -4
Casey Mittelstadt--1+1, -3
Jason Pominville--0+0, -2

this might sum up all the bad things in sabre land this season
- homiedclown

I was kinda stunned while researching that

The Sheary/Hunwick deal is only gonna cost us a 4th so they have that going for them

Then again, Housley and GM Jason Botterill might choose to work with what they have in Buffalo while leaving alone a Rochester team that's won seven of their last nine games. It wouldn't be too far-fetched as Botterill did almost nothing during the 2017 portion of last season with his team in a death spiral.

ugh

this is probably what will happen. Wilson goes in for Pominville and maybe Thompson gets scratched for Elie. "Do something, Darcy" becomes "Just do something, Jason"

Even if they do call someone up, it's unlikely that they play in a meaningful position. It would go against the unwritten coaches' law that young players can't come up and play a lot and get PP time.

ugh

this is probably what will happen. Wilson goes in for Pominville and maybe Thompson gets scratched for Elie. "Do something, Darcy" becomes "Just do something, Jason"

Even if they do call someone up, it's unlikely that they play in a meaningful position. It would go against the unwritten coaches' law that young players can't come up and play a lot and get PP time.
- jcragcrumple

forgot about him...

even though I like Wilson, I second your ugh...they need someone who can find open space and pot goals...Wilson would be a great fourth-line addition but is not the type of player they need

Yandle was a great sports villain experience last night.

He did some bullpoop, relished in the boos, and played great. Getting over the Sabres losing, it was a lot of fun.

Yandle was a great sports villain experience last night.

He did some bullpoop, relished in the boos, and played great. Getting over the Sabres losing, it was a lot of fun.
- robz228

Does anyone have a video of the Yandle incident?

forgot about him...

even though I like Wilson, I second your ugh...they need someone who can find open space and pot goals...Wilson would be a great fourth-line addition
- Michael Pachla

I like Wilson too. But that move is just.... uninspired

At least McCabe is coming back

I like Wilson too. But that move is just.... uninspired

At least McCabe is coming back
- jcragcrumple

meaning guhle heads back to Rochester...too bad, i'd like to see him get a longer look

I’m really not a fan of it but I think you should move Casey to the wing on the top line and try Sam as the second line center
And have nylander with him

meaning guhle heads back to Rochester...too bad, i'd like to see him get a longer look
- Michael Pachla

esp after the lazy play from scandella last night

I’m really not a fan of it but I think you should move Casey to the wing on the top line and try Sam as the second line center
And have nylander with him
- gerbe75pts

I like the idea of a change, but playing a road game against the defending cup champions with a rookie on the wing, and a winger at center? The caps would probably feast on that. Last change means that line is gonna see the Caps top line all night.

I was kinda stunned while researching that
- Michael Pachla

that's worse than I thought. amazing that we have been competitive with one line.

I’m really not a fan of it but I think you should move Casey to the wing on the top line and try Sam as the second line center
And have nylander with him
- gerbe75pts

call up asplund, smith and nylander

skinner-jack-skunk
smith-asplund-nylander
sheary-casey-tage
girgens-pod racer-larsson- e-rod (pick 3)


okposo in presser

send tage down
waive elie
put pommer on ir


bottom 9 need a shake up

ugh

this is probably what will happen. Wilson goes in for Pominville and maybe Thompson gets scratched for Elie. "Do something, Darcy" becomes "Just do something, Jason"

Even if they do call someone up, it's unlikely that they play in a meaningful position. It would go against the unwritten coaches' law that young players can't come up and play a lot and get PP time.
- jcragcrumple

I really want to still have faith that the coach/GM are aware of whats happening.

Elie and Wilson in would be so uninspiring.

I’m really not a fan of it but I think you should move Casey to the wing on the top line and try Sam as the second line center
And have nylander with him
- gerbe75pts

the more I think of it, just leave the top line alone

call up asplund, smith and nylander

skinner-jack-skunk
smith-asplund-nylander
sheary-casey-tage
girgens-pod racer-larsson- e-rod (pick 3)


okposo in presser

send tage down
waive elie
put pommer on ir


bottom 9 need a shake up
- homiedclown

fun to think about but literally 0 chance it happens

I really want to still have faith that the coach/GM are aware of whats happening.

Elie and Wilson in would be so uninspiring.
- robz228

Delicate balance between addressing a team that's overachieving and a farm team that's finally building something resembling a winning culture.

esp after the lazy play from scandella last night
- homiedclown

I said we should have moved him and I got killed for it 😓 ( river 2.0)

the more I think of it, just leave the top line alone
- homiedclown

You have to take Sam off not because he’s not playing good but we have no other scoring lines .

You might have to double shift these boys soon

esp after the lazy play from scandella last night
- homiedclown

he's not the first nhl player to do that...

was reeding some of the hate thrown his way last night...he wasn't the reason they lost