K-9

I watched each game this week (thanks to you and @PromoTheRobotletting me know that SHTs get free AHL TV) and I agree he looks more poised. Also seems to be moving better, especially post to post.

Good stuff here. I’ve said Granato is a virtuoso when it comes to pulling the strings of players and when to pull them. Take Skinner for example. Every time he’s asked about Skinner, Granato immediately praises his work habits in practice and Skinner’s dedication to working on the things he needs to be a better player. How long has Skinner been in the league? How much is he paid? Heck, Granato even mentioned Skinner’s improved “hockey sense” last night; something I’ve always accused Skinner of not having at all.

I don’t think all things we have no control over are created equal, but you’re right, none of it benefits us as fans in any tangible way. And by all means, enjoy the fun.

71 saves on 75 shots faced over the back to back games vs Cleveland and a .946 save percentage. Nice.

I get that it’s frustrating not to know the injury statuses and timetables for return to the lineup, but really, what does that information get us as fans? Will it help us manage our anxiety better? I doubt it because we will insist on being anxious over something else.

He was referring to Friday night’s game against Cleveland where, after a stellar performance the first 56 minutes of the game, UPL couldn’t hold the fort.

Was that Miller? If so, he had a worse game than I thought.

That’s a good point.

Game is in Buffalo, if that helps.

I’m fully on board with letting him stay in the A for as long as they deem necessary, but JJ is NHL ready to play at the next level, regardless. Easy to understand why the Sabres deliberated before making him the last cut out of camp. He is simply better than the jags currently on the team.

Matthews whiffs

Granato has a knack for knowing want strings to pull and when to pull them with players. There was some thought earlier today that Granato was gonna hurt Cozens’s confidence if he played him against McDavid, let alone played him a lot against McDavid. There was also the potential for Cozens to respond and if Granato had never put that faith in Cozens tonight, that would not have been realized. A master stroke by Granato.

Leafs in OT. Nice.

Quinn with a short handed beauty! America 3-2.

Granato is a master.

Dylan again!

Skinner has GOT to score on Skinner.

See him tomorrow you will!

I really do think it was as simple as listening to their doctor the entire time. Nothing about listening to that advice helped them in any way. In fact, it hurt them from a trading perspective. And yet, they stuck to the advice from Dr. Cappuccino. All the noise about insurance, risk, other opinions favoring ADR was just that; noise. Made for an interesting narrative in some parts, but nothing more. Sometimes, the simplest explanation makes the most sense. And it does here.

McJesus Wilts

Are you in the surgical theater eating Junior Mints? Be careful not to drop one.

I disagree. I think Dr. Cappuccino’s opinion was paramount and that’s what they were gonna adhere to, regardless. Following his advice from the beginning was a major disadvantage to the Sabres and yet they stuck with it the entire time.

Is the risk to the degree that Dr. Cappuccino posited? I would think the assessment of a pioneer of the procedure, who has performed more ADRs than anyone on the planet and who is recognized worldwide as a preeminent authority in the field, might be persuasive to those having to make the decision. Eichel was getting traded whether he was ever injured or not. But he was and it makes sense the Sabres would want him healthy and back on the ice as quickly as possible to facilitate a trade and maximize the return. And yet, they insisted on a procedure that offered the least advantage in that regard. They listened to their doctor. Simple as that.

Do they win those cups without Mario? If the answer is no, then I’d say it was worth it. Hell, just the thrills Lemieux provided while they were building may have been worth it. What a player!

I think that’s the sound of major stress relief. It must have been tough on his nerves for the entirety of the Eichel drama. And it isn’t like that was the only thing on his plate, either.