Weave

Lyon is our 1G now

Maybe I wasn’t as clear as I hoped. What if UPL is out awhile and we have a system in place that benefits UPLs strengths?

I would like to bring up that Hockey Writers assessment again. Specifically the comment that Ellis’ AHL team had to use a specific defensive system to take advantage of his strengths and weaknesses. I am going to go out on a limb and assume that the defensive system going into this season would be one that benefits a taller goalie (UPL) and plays to the strengths he brings. For at least the start of the season, we are using two goalies that are not considered big goalies, and likely play a smaller goalie game. I am really curious if this has the coaching staff making changes in system at the brink of the start of the season.

I seriously doubt there was any actual plan, or trap that was set, to get Ellis. But having two goalies that thrive in the same system has to be an advantage. Unless you’ve installed the wrong system for them…..

I mean, they did acknowledge the challenges of seeing pucks in traffic when you can’t see over or around the players in front of you. That doesn’t absolve taller guys who just don’t have the reflexes or instincts. It just means taller guys scouting reports identify reflexes and instincts as drawbacks.

Now that it seems Ellis is our back up for the foreseeable future, I went looking to find some scouting info. Some input from The Hockey Writers back in January: Ellis is a smaller goaltender who doesn’t cover up most of the net when he’s in the crease. He’s six feet tall and 189 pounds, which forces the Thunderbirds to play a specific style of defense to help him out. They must avoid playing in Ellis’s sightline to allow him to see the puck and make the save. While he might not have the best glove in the AHL, he can play any area of the net with quick movement. His flexibility stands out. Ellis is also aggressive and willing to come out of the crease to make a stop or jump on a loose puck to stop a scoring chance. This style of play has its ups and downs, but for the most part, it’s worked out for him. The aggressive style that Ellis plays with comes back to hurt him at times. He’ll be out of position or allow opponents to find wide-open looks on the net because of his urge to make the initial save. It also doesn’t help that Ellis is one of the smaller goaltenders in the league. He won’t see the puck when there’s a shot through traffic, and when the game slows down, he’s left out to dry.

Twas inevitable.

It would appear that, once again, hope is a strategy in Buffalo.

That Edmonton press release looks like a Wheaties box.

Unprovoked, or what was the provocation?

What the hell started all that TB-FL mess anyway? Was there some carry over from something that happened last season, or was the last 2 games spontaneous?

AI is gonna strip all the value from most human creative endeavors. I want no part of it.

No.

Twas inevitable.

Question for those who watched….. Were the Sabres able to successfully deploy puck cycle possession in the Pens zone this game, or was most of the activity on the rush? Does it look like the team is changing its game?

How long Tuch can be a good contributor is going to depend on how long his skating holds on. If he can keep his legs, he’ll be able to contribute in some form well into his 30s.

I’m curious how many trashing Hamilton for a likely honest error in pronunciation found Don Cherry’s act of doing it purposefully, and out of disrespect humorous?

Quinn might fit the Peterka role perfectly, in that he’ll offer the same perimeter play and lack of defensive zone commitment at the position.

Mmmm…… lunchtime

I don’t believe a word of anything KA says publicly, so I don’t give that any value at all when deciding if Bryson lacks fire.

Being a good soldier is an essential part of being a good leader.