- homiedclown

https://youtu.be/CNtnJrowvZo

Dustin Tokarski will start in goal tonight for the Sabres. Colin Miller in for Will Borgen.

Granato said it’s simply a game for Borgen to take a breath after playing the back-to-back.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely start Tuesday against the Rangers, according to Granato.

https://twitter.com/LLyso.../1386333345223749632?s=19

Drank too much tequila last night but I’m alive.

Sabres play at 6 pm tonight?

I just submitted my draft rankings and Draft Guide for April for DBTB. Im exhausted.

2021 isnt bad. But sandwiched between 2020 and 2022 its going to look like its worse than it is.

https://twitter.com/Brass.../1386323031031619584?s=19

Sabres have a nice stable of D coming up through the system, need to work on the forwards know.
- Buff36

The rather pleasant turnaround of Mitts, Tage and Asplund, coupled with the emergence of R2 and acquisition of Bjork, in addition to the strong play of Cozens changes things rather significantly.

That is 6 guys who can play to varying degrees ... now just need to solidify their roles.
- Cozens is definitely Top 6
- Mitts is Middle 6
- Tage, Asplund, R2 and Bjork all seem like 3rd liners to me, but Asplund and Bjork could be highly effective 4th liners if need be. Sheahan or Reider are good fits on that 4th/13th and for the PK

I don't think we need Sam at C as Jack, Cozens, Mitts and Asplund is pretty solid and young!
I also think Sam with Jack and Skinner has proven to be highly effective...they just need to "reconnect" the magic.

Olofsson seems to be the outlier now, and might get a decent return for the future. R2, to me, seems like a much better 5v5 player, hence I'd trade Olo.

It seems like the combination of past performance and how the kids are performing under Granato, this is the logical top 9 next season:

Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart
Bjork - Cozens - Ruotsalainen
Asplund - Mittelstadt - Thompson

Do they go after Nick Bonino or Casey Cizikas as UFA targets on a short term deal to Center the '4th line', with the knowledge both could play up a line if need be due to injuries?

Maybe Girgensons - Cizikas/Bonino - Okposo/Caggiula?

Then, where does Olofsson fit?

Overall, is a forward core like the above good enough?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nick-bonino

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/casey-cizikas

The rather pleasant turnaround of Mitts, Tage and Asplund, coupled with the emergence of R2 and acquisition of Bjork, in addition to the strong play of Cozens changes things rather significantly.

That is 6 guys who can play to varying degrees ... now just need to solidify their roles.
- Cozens is definitely Top 6
- Mitts is Middle 6
- Tage, Asplund, R2 and Bjork all seem like 3rd liners to me, but Asplund and Bjork could be highly effective 4th liners if need be. Sheahan or Reider are good fits on that 4th/13th and for the PK

I don't think we need Sam at C as Jack, Cozens, Mitts and Asplund is pretty solid and young!
I also think Sam with Jack and Skinner has proven to be highly effective...they just need to "reconnect" the magic.

Olofsson seems to be the outlier now, and might get a decent return for the future. R2, to me, seems like a much better 5v5 player, hence I'd trade Olo.
- IonSabres

Nice to see the youngins growing and making the move up, I just want to keep the flow coming up through the system, it will help in the long run. It killed us the last 5 or 6 yrs not having that flow. And agree on Olofsson. And I think Girgelson could fill that 4C slot if need be.

It seems like the combination of past performance and how the kids are performing under Granato, this is the logical top 9 next season:

Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart
Bjork - Cozens - Ruotsalainen
Asplund - Mittelstadt - Thompson

Do they go after Nick Bonino or Casey Cizikas as UFA targets on a short term deal to Center the '4th line', with the knowledge both could play up a line if need be due to injuries?

Maybe Girgensons - Cizikas/Bonino - Okposo/Caggiula?

Then, where does Olofsson fit?

Overall, is a forward core like the above good enough?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nick-bonino

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/casey-cizikas
- kingcong39

That's the hard thing to figure out, we just don't now.

That's the hard thing to figure out, we just don't now.
- Buff36

Still think they need an upgrade in the top 6.

I mean, let's face it, it's very very likely that the ATM line isn't the second coming of the French Connection, and counting on Bjork for 2nd line responsibilities is likely setting yourself up for failure.

It seems like the combination of past performance and how the kids are performing under Granato, this is the logical top 9 next season:

Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart
Bjork - Cozens - Ruotsalainen
Asplund - Mittelstadt - Thompson

Do they go after Nick Bonino or Casey Cizikas as UFA targets on a short term deal to Center the '4th line', with the knowledge both could play up a line if need be due to injuries?

Maybe Girgensons - Cizikas/Bonino - Okposo/Caggiula?

Then, where does Olofsson fit?

Overall, is a forward core like the above good enough?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nick-bonino

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/casey-cizikas
- kingcong39

Seeing how beniers would fit this team like a glove I think he be the 3rd line center next year
Lots of centers now a good problem to have

Still think they need an upgrade in the top 6.

I mean, let's face it, it's very very likely that the ATM line isn't the second coming of the French Connection, and counting on Bjork for 2nd line responsibilities is likely setting yourself up for failure.
- Powerslave

Agree, still think some tweaks need to be made, but we are in a better place than we have been for awhile.

Seeing how beniers would fit this team like a glove I think he be the 3rd line center next year
Lots of centers now a good problem to have
- gerbe75pts

Could Gerbe's, definitely be interesting if he was added to the equation.

Agree, still think some tweaks need to be made, but we are in a better place than we have been for awhile.
- Buff36

I'm all for leaving ATM at 3rd line, but still think we need a 2nd line LW and maybe RW (depending on Ruotsalainen).

It's a very confusing thing right now.

Nice to see the youngins growing and making the move up, I just want to keep the flow coming up through the system, it will help in the long run. It killed us the last 5 or 6 yrs not having that flow. And agree on Olofsson. And I think Girgelson could fill that 4C slot if need be.
- Buff36

Forgot about Girgs...and agree.
I am hoping that relatuve waste of $2.2m goes to Seattle myself.

It seems like the combination of past performance and how the kids are performing under Granato, this is the logical top 9 next season:

Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart
Bjork - Cozens - Ruotsalainen
Asplund - Mittelstadt - Thompson

Do they go after Nick Bonino or Casey Cizikas as UFA targets on a short term deal to Center the '4th line', with the knowledge both could play up a line if need be due to injuries?

Maybe Girgensons - Cizikas/Bonino - Okposo/Caggiula?

Then, where does Olofsson fit?

Overall, is a forward core like the above good enough?

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/nick-bonino

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/casey-cizikas
- kingcong39

I think talent wise it is sufficient, assuming none of the kids regresses next season.

I'm not sold on Tage myself, but he has been playing much better in this high event system.
Bjork is still a question mark for me as to what is he...seems better suited to 3rd line duties to me, but I could very well be wrong.
I'd like Asplund in a C position as well..but that is me having a hard time moving away from his projection.

For 2LW I'd rather have a sniper there, hence my issue with Bjork's fit.

I don't think they need to outsource the 4C...unless guys like you mentioned come pretty cheap...like $1.5m cheap

I guess, so many question marks, but at least we know they can play.

Still think they need an upgrade in the top 6.

I mean, let's face it, it's very very likely that the ATM line isn't the second coming of the French Connection, and counting on Bjork for 2nd line responsibilities is likely setting yourself up for failure.
- Powerslave

Cozens and Mittelstadt did well against the Bergeron line against the Bruins, as they were right around 50%.

We also need to remember they are performing they way they are without the support of Eichel centering a line that would undoubtedly take pressure off their shoulders.

The reason Bjork works with Cozens/Ruotsalainen and Asplund works with Mittelstadt/Thompson is both provide quality defensive support for the more offensive forwards on their respective lines, while still being able to provide offense themselves.

That said, if you want to bump both Bjork and Ruotsalainen down to whatever we're calling the 4th line in order to upgrade both of Cozens wings, it makes sense. I'm not sure I would go that route due to the sheer cost savings they have against the cap with the 2 kid lines.

I think I'd try to sign one more quality center for the 4th line on a 1-2 year deal (Cizikas or Bonino) that would excel in a 4th line role while being able to play more minutes when needed, while focusing on upgrading the goaltending and making over the defense.

I think talent wise it is sufficient, assuming none of the kids regresses next season.

I'm not sold on Tage myself, but he has been playing much better in this high event system.
Bjork is still a question mark for me as to what is he...seems better suited to 3rd line duties to me, but I could very well be wrong.
I'd like Asplund in a C position as well..but that is me having a hard time moving away from his projection.

For 2LW I'd rather have a sniper there, hence my issue with Bjork's fit.

I don't think they need to outsource the 4C...unless guys like you mentioned come pretty cheap...like $1.5m cheap

I guess, so many question marks, but at least we know they can play.
- IonSabres

The biggest takeaway from what Ralph tried to do is get players for specific roles, and that doesn't necessarily work.

Each line has to have a good mix of defensive players (Bjork/Asplund) with offensive players (Cozens/Ruotsalainen, Mittelstadt/Thompson).

It's why the top line worked so well 3 years ago (Reinhart helped Eichel/Skinner defensively).

Cozens and Mittelstadt did well against the Bergeron line against the Bruins, as they were right around 50%.

We also need to remember they are performing they way they are without the support of Eichel centering a line that would undoubtedly take pressure off their shoulders.

The reason Bjork works with Cozens/Ruotsalainen and Asplund works with Mittelstadt/Thompson is both provide quality defensive support for the more offensive forwards on their respective lines, while still being able to provide offense themselves.

That said, if you want to bump both Bjork and Ruotsalainen down to whatever we're calling the 4th line in order to upgrade both of Cozens wings, it makes sense. I'm not sure I would go that route due to the sheer cost savings they have against the cap with the 2 kid lines.

I think I'd try to sign one more quality center for the 4th line on a 1-2 year deal (Cizikas or Bonino) that would excel in a 4th line role while being able to play more minutes when needed, while focusing on upgrading the goaltending and making over the defense.
- kingcong39

I guess I'm just not convinced about the offense they'll provide just yet.

I guess I'm just not convinced about the offense they'll provide just yet.
- Powerslave

The defensive support they provide helps add to the offensive output of their linemates.

This doesn't seem complicated.

The team has put veterans in the way of the young talent long enough.

Roll with the Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart trio followed by the BCR and ATM lines for next season.

Upgrade the goaltending and the defense.

I'm all for leaving ATM at 3rd line, but still think we need a 2nd line LW and maybe RW (depending on Ruotsalainen).

It's a very confusing thing right now.
- Powerslave

how about just looking at them as middle-six?

The defensive support they provide helps add to the offensive output of their linemates.

This doesn't seem complicated.

The team has put veterans in the way of the young talent long enough.

Roll with the Skinner - Eichel - Reinhart trio followed by the BCR and ATM lines for next season.

Upgrade the goaltending and the defense.
- kingcong39

No one said it was complicated. I get it (on paper).

You have 2 lines of players that are HUGELY unproven at the NHL. Just because they're having a nice 20 game stretch now doesn't mean it carries over. It's a ton of question marks. I mean, I like what I've seen, but we're annointing Ruotsalainen our 2RW based on 7 NHL games?That seems highly premature and potentially painful.

on april 13, both matt irwin and tage thompson dropped the gloves vs. the bruins and proceeded to take one on the chin both literally and figuratively for the team...

on april 14, matej pekar (6'1" 185 lbs., zero pro fights) dropped the gloves with ahl face-puncher brett gallant (6' 0" 190 lbs, 107 ahl fights)...the results of the bout was immediately obvious as pekar got smoked, however...

“It’s interesting, I don’t recommend that he should fight against the likes of Gallant very often, but man, what it can do for your confidence,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said on a Zoom call Monday. “Like, he went toe-to-toe with one of the toughest men in hockey, and he lived to tell the tale.”

Following the scrap, Appert immediately noticed a difference in Pekar, a fourth-round pick in 2018, 94th overall.

“It’s funny, the next practice was his best practice of the year by a mile, and then he was fabulous on Saturday night,” he said.


http://www.buffalohockeyb...s-to-generate-confidence/

The biggest takeaway from what Ralph tried to do is get players for specific roles, and that doesn't necessarily work.

Each line has to have a good mix of defensive players (Bjork/Asplund) with offensive players (Cozens/Ruotsalainen, Mittelstadt/Thompson).

It's why the top line worked so well 3 years ago (Reinhart helped Eichel/Skinner defensively).
- kingcong39

I recognized your strategy and can't argue against the thought process.

I think with Cozens line, speed and finish are high on the list of priorities for me. We have seen that Dylan can set guys up rather nicely...and that 2nd line should be able to take advantage of mismatches they would face if say they had solid 5v5 finishers on the wing. I like R2 on the right for that purpose...would rather use the Cap space to find the 2LW rather than the 4C.

Also, the attribute missing throughout the F-group is physicality. No, not facepunchers as the trolls like to turn that description into. But guys who can play and don't mind being the 1st guy into a situation and tough play along the boards, in front of the net.
Friggin Risto would be a perfect fit as far as that description goes sans the "finisher" aspect.

No one said it was complicated. I get it (on paper).

You have 2 lines of players that are HUGELY unproven at the NHL. Just because they're having a nice 20 game stretch now doesn't mean it carries over. It's a ton of question marks. I mean, I like what I've seen, but we're annointing Ruotsalainen our 2RW based on 7 NHL games?That seems highly premature and potentially painful.
- Powerslave

I think we need to stop trying to think of players for a specific position, such as 2RW, or 3C, etc.

I think of it like Mike does: The 2 kid lines are the 2 middle six lines.

Has Eichel ever had quality middle six support during his Sabres career?

If you want to upgrade positions, I get it, but you're basically turning $1M players into triple that or more.

Where does the cap space come from?

It's gonna be very interesting how Adams and Karmanos go about this off-season. Who do they like, who fits the description on who fits into the system. Do they like what they have, do they try to bring in some grit. I am pretty excited to see how this goes down. Of course I have said that a few times the last few years, but it feels different this time.