DarthEbriate

I expect he will have regression. But all he needs to do is get 9 more goals, hit 40, and point at Skinner and say, "More than him." Horvat is a center, is extremely solid on faceoffs, he's been a bright spot (relative Corsi) on a poor-to-middling team for years. I think he should be looking at $9M as his floor. I don't think he'll push the Isles over the edge, but I think he'll make them better and keep them relevant in the playoff race this year and in the next couple years in the Metro as their core gets too old... to their eventual dismay as they'll be caught in that muddy 8th-12th area. Third-pair, playing in a Torts system, and Torts scratched him early in the season, so maybe he's finally learning to cover the opposition first and foremost. Good for Risto. It'd have been nice had he learned how to be a dependable d-man in Rochester... but when you're blocked by old Meszaros and Benoit, you're not blocked.

Hockey convenience is not how ESPN+ rolls. The Women's Beanpot you're in luck. The men's? Nah. You'd best get regional cable broadcasts.

It's being reported, and CapFriendly is already listing it (they're pretty good about waiting on the details), at 8 x $8.5M AAV. That's market price for a point-per-game and 30-goal scorer... but he's already at 30 goals this year. I think Horvat left money on the table as well as the choice of as many as 10 teams including the Isles. I'm not sure why he didn't wait until summer to see what he could land, especially if he stays hot and guides the Isles to the playoffs with a 50-goal campaign. Or worse, for Horvat, if the Isles fall apart and now have an old and overpaid roster and he's trapped there with his NTC and Lou retires or gets let go at the end of this season.

Last night's Amerks' box score is a fascinating 2023-era read. Belleville has the interim coach and it's feisty. Multiple "continuing altercation" misconducts called, multiple bench minors for unsportsmanlike, multiple roughing calls... Not a single fight. Through it all, Captain Mersch steps up and scores 2 to take the lead (they'd then give up the tying goal before winning in OT).

Levi gave up the GWG with 14 seconds left in OT. Gah.

With Vegas, naturally. They don't need their 1sts.

Unless we can convince him to sign an offer sheet with someone. Timo: help us... help you.

In a bizarre world, you could even convince him to go sign a minimum $8.5M offer sheet and net yourself 2 firsts, 1 second, and 1 third. And if it's Edmonton, maybe 4 firsts.

Note: This is the USHL's Tri-City Storm based out of Nebraska, not the WHL's Tri-City Americans based out of central Washington.

Will HCDG use his timeout or do a goalie switch to wake them up? He's never switched out goalies as the coach, but sometimes you've got to jolt them.

Wake up, gents. There's no reason to not be skating harder than Carolina tonight.

Very close. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Raana_Tey

So the Sabres could get Thompson, Dahlin, Cozens... and Zemgus with the Latvian Ballot Takeover.

I can't make sense of these new cloud-based services. I keep getting Mitts Aspie Tages error line followed by a goal. What does that even mean?

But if you redefine your 85% to 100%, how will you possibly compete with the players that are already giving 110%? They'll be giving... like... 125%.

I know what I'll say sounds crazy, but he's a solid defensive d-man on a bad team. CBJ will look at the absurd Chiarot deal last year and start the asking price at a 1st. Some playoff-bound team (Florida last year had the President's Trophy and was happy to go all-in with a late 1st) could do it. The Sabres would likely have to give up their highest 2nd and a mid prospect.

Boeser is fine. Middle 6 guy (mostly 2nd line) who is a consistent scorer but leaves you wanting more from an aggression/checking aspect considering he's over 200#. Stafford-like. He had 29 and 26 goals in sub-70 game seasons early on and got locked up to an Okposo contract. He'll get you 45-60 points every season which is solid production, but he hasn't ever taken the next step like Tuch has done, despite playing with Pettersson quite a bit. I don't think you make a move for him because you'd want more defense and plays-to-his-size than Boeser has shown in his career.

Hey, my math checks out. 😇 The main point was the 3W with similar career scoring output (VO has often slotted top 6 and even top line), whereas Beauvillier has been consistent middle 6 where VO should always be. Same term remaining and middle 6 salaries. VO is the closest match on our current roster.

I think by cap hit/contact similarity, 3rd line wingers. VO 4.75 through next season UFA; Beauvillier 4.15 through next season UFA. VO obviously provides more goals. Aha. Yes, remove VO's hot streak and he'd look quite similar stat-wise.

Horvat's a good player and he's having his best season, but I don't think he's enough to get the Isles past the Caps, Penguins, Panthers, and Sabres.

Nonsense. That's Devon Levi's role.

Another trilogy will have been released and another brave generation of Rebels Sabres will be called to do battle between the Cup Side and the Cap Side of the Concept Of.

BUF and DET both still have two games remaining vs. Boston. I'm guessing 38-7-5 (x2, so 76-14-10) adds a couple tenths of winning percentage to that strength of schedule just on those two games alone. Buffalo already had all 3 (only 3) games against Montreal. There are tough stretches, but nothing horrific remaining (like early in the with @CAR, @TB, ARZ, VGK, BOS all in 7 days). I'm not worried about the strength of opponents' schedule.

Yup. What with SF out of quarterbacks --- which stinks even if I'm pulling for Philly in this one. Might have to watch some hockey on the side (Caps-Leafs is NHL Network, so instead I'll have scout the Hurricanes instead).