K-9

That’s my hope as well.

I wonder who this bodes worse for, UPL, Comrie, or neither because they’ve already decided on the three headed goalie monster. If not the latter, then I’d say it’s worse for UPL.

I understand all that, but that’s no reason to downplay what Benson has shown in the preseason, so until he does look overwhelmed, it’s all we have to go by. And it’s worth noting he hasn’t been skating entirely against scrub lineups, either. He’s held his own against some very good players this preseason. Now maybe he routinely gets his ass handed to him in practice and the coaches feel differently about his chances, but we haven’t seen that evidence to date.

The one thing Benson hasn’t looked like the entire preseason is overwhelmed. Quite the opposite in fact.

Tuch playing like a hot mess so far this period.

CBus going with a heavyweight lineup. Gonna be a good test for the boys I think. Time for Oopie to step up and stake a claim. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding.

I’d start with changing the sheets.

As @LGR4GMhas pointed out in the past, it doesn’t matter who Benson plays with because he is gonna play his same game regardless. He has a way of imposing his game on the opponent and I expect him to be just as relentless in his pursuit of the puck as we’ve seen in every game, from the rookie 3x3 tourney, to the Prospects Challenge, to the preseason games. The question I have is will his new line mates take advantage.

I simply expect the Gus we have seen since he’s been here; 100% effort whether we are up 5 goals or down 5 goals in a game. Hustle plays that never show up in the stat sheet that result in a goal for the Sabres or in a goal denied to the opponent. Night in and night out of exemplifying what it means to never cheat the game.

I agree. Let’s talk about Zach Benson making this team instead.

Not liking Olofsson on any line.

I wish I shared your optimism. It’s ironic that VO is facing the same criticism as Mitts did because from the moment Mitts and VO were separated last season, Casey’s game took off and he never looked back while VO continued to prove to be a liability to whatever line mates he was paired with, ultimately leading to him seeing the press box for a few games. As has been pointed out by others, VO at age 28 is fully baked and hasn’t shown any indication that he has improved upon his deficiencies so far this preseason. Hoping for VO to just all of a sudden be responsible in his own end and stronger along the boards is unrealistic at this stage of his career. IMO, he has become what KA refers to as a “blocker” of younger, better talent.

Yep. And for good reason.

Gotta believe they will elevate Ja’Marcus Ingram from the practice squad.

If you can’t, I will: his shot is pathetically, tragically weak.

Does anyone think that’s isn’t the case?

Yep. And Skinner and Tage need a stint with the Americans. Any close observation of Benson in games so far indicates he has a very good 200 foot game already. Indeed, that may be the most impressive aspect of his game so far.

Of course the braintrust will look at the while picture, including practices, as they should. But it’s a simple, observable fact that nobody contending for open spots, of which there are precious few to begin with, has outperformed Benson in the game action we’ve seen to date. And you may indeed be right that the braintrust feels others are better suited. We will see. But in the meantime, please don’t insult our collective intelligence by saying we think he should make the team because “ he scored a goal in a preseason game.” Most around here are a helluva lot more hockey savvy than that.

There is only one bar for Benson making the team; being one of the best 12 forwards on it. And he has been proving just that in every game he’s appeared in. Feel free to provide insight into other borderline top 12 candidates who deserve it more. As to the rest of it, are both of my statements correct? If so, your contempt for forum members isn’t all that surprising, but I always thought your opinions were at least founded in observation. Apparently, you haven’t observed Benson enough this preseason to form an educated opinion one way or another.

Yes. That’s the only reason; because he scored a goal in a preseason game. You either haven’t watched him closely all preseason or you have utter contempt for people in this forum.

Not one potential replacement for Quinn has played better than Benson all preseason. Not. One.

Rob Ray at his finest.

Uh, yup.