dudacek

No, they had extensive lead time to test and quarantine before they arrived in the bubble. The Sabres did not have nearly the same amount of time and it seems likely to me that players tested positive and had to wait to join their teammates. Look at what happened to virtually every WJC team with more lead time.

Why hasn’t anyone been talking about positive COVID tests or exposures in the cases of Ullmark and Eichel? Isnt that the most likely scenario given what we know in terms of the situation, the circumstances and the timing? Isnt it unlikely that 35 Sabres arrived to camp COVID-free? Has no one even asked the question?

Marty was hinting this on the Instigators this morning. Idea being that both are clean, so wouldn’t a clean private jet mean there would be no need to quarantine in Buffalo.

Similar offence, but younger, harder to play against, more years of team control and a centre. But to me the meaningful is a second, or equivalent vet, max.

I'm glad to see a couple others noticed this. He just seemed comfortable and poised (not to mentioned huge) Still have my fingers crossed for a day when Samuelsson and Johnson will be dependably killing penalties, clearing the zone and protecting leads for us in a way we haven't seen since Toni and Hank. I've never hated either of those picks.

Playing the Leafs, Sens and Habs means something. but so does playing the Rangers and Flyers. So I don't like it, but I can live with it.

Don't hate that at all. I agree the drafting has yet to play itself out, although Dahlin is not something anyone should get credit for. Cozens is clearly a tier above Turcotte and I'd personally rather have Johnson than Kaliyev, whose shot I love, but whose game I'm not a fan of. Regardless of the above, Botterill was a poor GM and I'm glad he was replaced.

Botterill seems to be a fine AGM. GM, though? Different story. Although I'd think he'd do a fine job with the Leafs or the Bruins. They should give him a chance. Who would you rather have? Turcotte and Kaliyev or Cozens and Johnson?

Definitely we add to Reino because of Dubois position and physical game. But he's not more talented or more productive. I see it as kinda like Drury for Dumont and ....?

Reino and Cozens is an overpay, no?

Good take, but the bold is where I differ. Thrun, Lacombe and, to a lesser extent, Helleson are a step below anyone on Canada. Byrum and Drysdale (my god, do I love his game) are a step above anyone on the US.

Quinn really seems to evolved into the Jochen Hecht of Team Canada: a middle six winger who is trusted in all situations, but is the go-to guy for none: regular shift, 2nd PP, 2nd PK. I have been disappointed with his offence. He passes the puck surprisingly well and usually makes good decisions with it and supports his linemates positionally; he's earned his assists. But he's just OK carrying it. And he rarely looks like a threat to score. He's only had maybe three good chances in the tourney. We haven't seen his deadly shot at all, and we haven't seen that scorers mindset, where he is driving the net and demanding the puck. His defence has been outstanding. He is always on the right side of the puck, always covering for the pinching defenceman, always coming back hard and disrupting the rush. He's got an active stick and creates turnovers in both zones. He battles hard always, sometimes with mixed results — stronger defencemen have shut him down in this area. He never cheats — scratch that, he never cheats offensively, but he will peel back and cheat defensively at times where maybe he should have gambled. He goes hard and he gets off the ice. I'm really left with the impression that he entered the camp with the mindset of a guy on the outside looking in; his coach told him that if he wanted to make the team he was going to have to be as a checker, and he took that to heart. I love the coachability that shows, if in fact that's what is going on; It makes me think there's an NHL player there. But it does leave open the question of whether he can bring legitimate top-6 offence to the next level. I have no question that he will put in the work.

Canada has not allowed an ES goal in the tourney. The US has scored 42 per cent on the PP. Canada may have the deepest team it has ever iced. The US has more gamebreakers. Canada has the out-of-nowhere goalie. The US has the highly-touted first-rounder. Canada has not been challenged. The US has overcome adversity. Both play fast and hard and don't really like each other. I love hockey.

I agree with both of LGR's takes; the third might have been a little sloppier but for an exhibition game it was pretty crisp. In particular, the defence looked poised, both positionally and with the puck.

Vancouver fans around here were ready to anoint him as the next Dale Hawerchuk. The hype was unbearable.

I wouldn’t put too much stock into those goals, two harmless wrist shots from the point that you and I could have stopped.

@jsb makes a great point up-thread: Thompson looked today like he can slide into the top 9 in a pinch and we all have our fingers crossed we can say the same about Cozens. When you can start camp with options like that outside the top nine, that’s a good sign.

Yep. And Quinn with one on the opener

Staal and Reinhart appeared to be solely interested in setting each other up. Made some good plays and at least one bad one. Staal looks like he still has it. Sam looked like he had the most talented hands on the ice. Was clearly a scrimmage for both. Also clearly a scrimmage for Hall, who teased more than flashed. He looked kinda like a shark who wasn't hungry yet. Eakin and Rieder each scored, so that's good. Mostly I noticed their speed. As mentioned up thread, Thompson was the standout. He looked strong and skilled and had no trouble with the pace of the game. Ruotsalainen looked smart and played with pace. liked his game. Casey looked fit and fast. Won't go as far to say that he looked good, because I've occasionally seen him play like that before, but he didn't look overmatched at all. The Samuelsson/Fitzgerald Borgen/Bryson pairs didn't look overmatched either. Promising for the Amerks. If there is a role player battle going on between Sheahan and Lazar and Asplund, I didn't see separation. Can't say there was much to remark about from the the other vets — Montour seemed to be more under control — generally it was about getting their legs back.

And Hutton with revenge.

Eakin breaks the shutout on a rebound

Hall with a brutal giveaway

Hutton robs Staal off some more good Reinhart work

Dahlin and Montour lead a rush together, ahead of all three forwards.

Staal and Sam...yuck Yep