dudacek

I thought the broadcast was noticeably bad for exactly the above reason. The Sabres crew was watching a TV screen in Buffalo and sounded like two buddies watching from a couch in their living room. They weren’t focused at all.

Havent read the thread, but I think Ralph’s tendencies got away from him tonight. No idea why Tage sat the entire period. Can’t see it being good for a player trying find his confidence. Dylan in the shootout was all theatre; I doubt he showed anything to earn it. Taylor Hall is mediocre in shootouts and had his worst game as a Sabre. Not sure why he shot 2nd But the big issue was continuing to ram the Eichel line down Washington’s throat when they clearly were pressing. The other lines get benched and shook up. Coulda woulda shoulda. That’s a game that will haunt us.

Cozens is worth more than a Sabres first rounder — more proven and closer to making an impact. The Jackets will not accept a package with the biggest piece worth less than Cozens or Reinhart. Mitts is, without question, worth less than Kotkaniemi.

B.C. just announced the provincial plan today. Once the frontline and high-risk people are done, mass free vaccinations for the general public expected to start in April, from oldest to youngest. My demographic means I'll probably get my shot in the summer. Everyone who wants a shot expected to get one for by September. How are they handling the rollout in your parts of the world?

Somebody's getting off the schneid today. I'm going with Eichel. In fact, I think it will be a big day for the first line.

Is it just me, or is Montour getting the most ES time on the blueline? And we haven't really seen enough PK to establish trends, but how has the defence been utilized?

I can't see the Sabres and Jackets connecting for a trade that doesn't involve Dylan Cozens or Sam Reinhart. And the Sabres would have to add. Other teams will be offering an asset at least that good.

This is something most of us, including me, have defaulted to. I think it needs to be challenged. I have not noticed any attempt to match this line against the Backstrom or Giroux lines. I have not noticed Ralph doing much matching at all, save an apparent preference to match strength (Jack's line) against strength. Does anyone have access to this info?

Your opinion strictly based on what you've seen of his play, or coloured by things you've heard being said in or around the organization?

Cozens getting his first rest tonight if KO is ready? I expect Tage back in for Asplund.

I don't think Tage has looked slow or awkward at all this year, especially considering where he was in his first year here.

Personally? I always thought that was strictly political. 😜

The Sabres contacted Hall right away. Their's is one of the first pitches he heard. It's been reported that other teams offered considerably less than the Sabres did, or said they needed to clear space. It has also been reported that the Sabres were on Hall's list prior to free agency opening. The video is on the Sabres site and is worth watching

Flyers aren't going to overlook the Sabres next time we come around.

Samantha Pell @SamanthaJPell · 1h NHL rules this yr on players/hotel rooms: "Each member of the Club’s Travelling Party will be required to stay in a single occupancy room, and no individual shall permit guests or other personnel in their room (with the exception of housekeeping or engineering staff, as needed)"

On the road it's very strict. This was a good rundown if you get the Atheeltic: https://theathletic.com/2319928/2021/01/18/from-plane-etiquette-to-elevator-rules-nhl-road-trips-have-a-new-look/ The NHL also has individual sections covering what is required for air travel, buses and hotels with great detail. The section on airplanes lists how players will sit in assigned seats, that they shall remain seated for the whole flight unless it is to use the bathroom, and to avoid eating and drinking at the same time as others in the same row. The section for buses details how teams will have at least two buses with each bus filled at no more than 50 percent capacity, with no eating or drinking on the bus. Perhaps the most detailed guidelines were reserved for the team hotel. It is more than four-pages long, covering everything from housekeeping, equipment and luggage, to food and beverage service and elevator usage. For example, the elevator guidelines state that teams have a designated elevator that may be subject to capacity limits and have floor markers. And, the use of stairs is preferred to avoid close contact. The NHL also suggests using knuckles or elbows and not fingers to press elevator buttons; not entering crowded elevators; not lingering or standing around in a crowded elevator bank; and not talking to others while in the elevator.

And we have the giraffe gif to prove it.

COVID exposures are publicized as per the Return to Play Agreement. Injuries are also reported through standard channels. Something upsetting or traumatic has happened to him or someone within his close circle and the team is giving him some time to deal with it on his own schedule. Whatever it is has not resulted in him immediately leaving the team for Buffalo or Sweden. I suspect he will either play this weekend or take some kind of leave of absence.

Tage Thompson: Bad Orange Mother pucKer?

And for those asking ^^^ is Ralph's system in action.

So I was right about them not locking the vodka cabinet?

Pretty sure that's the case, not sure where the threshold lands. Caps have the full 29 listed, so they should have 25 guys still available.

Agreed. After a shakey first game, we are getting Risto mostly used properly and at his best IMO. And McCabe over four games has been the Sabres best defender.

Gonna get our first postponements? (Sounds like the Caps shoulda locked the vodka cabinet)

Those fancy stats line up well with the eye test and support my opinion that the current panic is unwarranted. All four of our games have been against two teams considered contenders and I saw nothing to indicate that our skaters couldn't match them stride for stride. We've had one game when we played poorly and our goalie was bad. We've had three games when we played well and our goalie(s) were fine. Over the course of the season we are going to score enough goals. If our goalies can be a net positive in the tight games we will make the playoffs.