K-9

I’d also add that Biro is much more responsible on the D end of things whereas Rosen and Kulich are still learning that aspect of the game to say the least.

I look for them to turn it up on offense. But the D is missing its best 1T DT, it’s best LB, and its best CB. That is three best players at each level of the defense. Not making any excuses, but … We need to be up at least two possessions in the 4th qtrs of games, forcing opposing offenses to be one dimensional, and letting our pass rush do its thing, which is the one thing our defense does best. Dorsey needs to go balls to the wall early and often. As for the Douglas acquisition, it’s a good hedge against Tre White’s questionable availability next season as well as a move to help this season. I think we will be glad to have him.

It’s not. As I’ve said previously and as Peterka attested to last week, the biggest adjustment for young players to make when first entering the league is to the sheer speed of the game compared to juniors. And the only thing to improve that is to play against it, both in practice and in games. It’s great that they can go back and dominate on a level they’ve already graduated from, but it won’t help them make the necessary adjustment to the much faster NHL game. Unfortunately the CHL rule governing their eligibility to remain with the Sabres as well as the numbers game we have at forward currently, will most likely dictate the return to juniors. But I’m glad KA and Co. seem to be scheming to maximize their time and exposure to NHL level competition in the meantime.

The CHL rule preventing them from playing in the A is hurting their development the most. Playing another season in the WHL won’t do a damn thing to further their development as players.

Yeah, that’s why he might wanna leave, but it’s simply not up to him. Denver would be crazy to even consider it, unless a team offered a king’s ransom in a trade. I’m talking a combination of multiple first round picks and current starting players. He’s a 1st team All Pro at a premium position on his rookie deal and I don’t see any team paying the price to get him in a trade.

Why would Denver trade a 1st team All Pro CB still on his rookie deal?

But not as good as Oopie, which is what the team calls him.

I’m not opposed to that in the least. Except to say that Benson can gain weight here just as easily and under the auspices of the training and nutrition staffs to boot. Why does it have to be a question of Benson blocking Kulich or Rosen?

Isn’t there some analytic that says the team that blocks more shots wins the game well more than half the time?

The physical aspect of the game at this level was the major concern with Benson, but it hasn’t been an issue at all, really. His issue, as it is with the vast majority of 18 year olds first entering the league, is the sheer speed of it all. Peterka alluded to it the other day as well. Let him continue to practice and play at the NHL level because going back to junior won’t help him adjust to the speed of the NHL game; it will only delay the adjustment. The only thing that will facilitate that adjustment is actual NHL competition.

Refs giving them every chance to get into the gsme.

I think Donny threw him out there to start the game, wasting no time getting Bryson’s feet wet.

He’s been more impressive than Clifton. But like I said, anything more than utter disaster is more impressive than Clifton.

Waking up now. Lets go!

Once again, Donny doesn’t have them ready to start a game.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict Bryson will be better than Clifton has been. I realize that’s not saying much, but it won’t take much for Bryson to show better than Clifton as anything better than utter disaster would be an improvement over the hot mess we’ve seen from Clifton to this point. The dude is just stealing money to this point.

A combination of both I’d say. The forwards can do a much better job and the defense has more lapses than you’d like to see, and the goaltending just hasn’t been good enough. Hoping Toker can settle that down when he returns to the lineup.

Good thing the Amerks lead the AHL in scoring (33 GF) because they’ve given up the second most goals as well (31 GA).

Let’s just say that in watching the Amerks games this season, I kept thinking Tokarski couldn’t get back soon enough. Cooley makes UPL look like a Vezina candidate.

Matt Ellis is the Matt Ellis of play design.

No, but “cleaning the lint trap” is.

In the words of Shoresy, isn’t Dahlin a beauty.

Inept is a word that readily springs to mind.