DarthEbriate

One thing I couldn't help but noticing yesterday is that Parayko looks like himself again. (For a couple years there were rumors he'd be moved, etc., because he'd clearly taken a step back and was overpaid long-term, blah blah blah). And then I realized he's a) 30 years-old and an established veteran, b) he's paired with a healthy and still super mobile Nick Leddy, and c) the Blues have a coaching staff that understands team defense and players who buy into it. Point production-wise, he'll never likely earn his cap hit (6.5), but minutes-wise and defensive-play, that's not bad for a top-pair defenseman (especially if the other guy is only making 4M).

Ah yes, the dreaded Adams' trade requirement of "wants to be here."

Benson's shot and speed will get better as he gains strength. In a few years he'll be fine, just like most top players who don't make it to the NHL until they're 21-22. Now, should he be in the NHL this season? He was really good in training camp. Should that have mattered versus say... Olofsson or Rousek or an experienced UFA grinder for the bottom 6 as the #12-13F? A couple games before the All-Star Break, JJP and (Cozens? probably? Maybe even Quinn) had a 2-on-1 break. JJP was ahead and dropped the puck back. Instead of driving the net and being available for a tip, rebound, screen, diversion of the goalie, and general chaos, he floated off toward the corner for a sharp-angle one-timer feed. He took himself out of the play except for a perfect pass. The defenseman was able to focus on the other skater. The goalie didn't have anyone near him. JJP is one of our best and brightest and has a future as a middle-6 20-goal/season guy, but it felt so gross to watch him just... float away. With the rest of the garbage.

Yup. The time to help now was 2.5 months ago (when, admittedly, it's tricky to find a trade because many GMs believe they're still in it, or they've already tanked going into the season). Case in point, UPL is giving them elite goaltending his last 10 starts (.937 sv) and they're treading water at 5-5 (and not the good 6-1-3 kind of 5-5).

Either of them would be an excellent contributor on that roster. But Boston's up against the cap... so what Bjork-level contract shedding would GM Sheevyn be taking this time?

I'm glad Skinner and Ellis and GM Sheevyn want to be here.

And that's why you shoot at the pad when you've got a teammate going to the net just behind you. Just like a pass.

Nice. We don't have to worry about seeing a SHG to close out the game.

Reviewing if Greenway was too far bent forward.

Hey! A double-minor powerplay to close out the game. Two PP goals for the win?

These posts are louder than anything from the crowd broadcast all game.

Kyrou hits the post instead of putting the Sabres out of their misery.

Sabres breakaway: no shot on goal and the Blues turn it into a 2-on-1.

It's 3E. Ellis, Efficient, and Economical.

Benson shoots to the crest instead of aiming for a pad rebound. Hmm. We'll make this kid a Sabre yet!

Terrible zone entries. And then JJP fairly robs himself with a slight delay on his shot.

Thompson with the Imperial Stormtrooper shot attempt.

Okposo looked to center to Skinner, but Skinner pulled up instead of going to the net. Goes back the other way and TNT still caught on the ice for a long shift, Blues score.

++How we doin'? --Same as always. ++That bad first again, huh? --Woohoo! Dirty goal on a good bounce. Just go to the net.

Well, I guess I'd best hop in the ol' B-Wing and go do my grocery shopping now so I'm home in time to--- Wait! I'm still scheduling around this team and its product?

Per the rumor, my question would be: are the Sabres shopping Mitts (that doesn't seem to be Sheevyn's way unless Mitts said he no longer wants to be here) or is the more likely track be "Is every GM worth their salt in the league looking at the garbage teams and trying to find good centers to help them now that Monahan and Lindholm have been moved?" Mitts would be a fantastic addition to any already-good roster.

NBA trade deadline is today; NHL is March 8th.

Krueger would've benched him for playing too tenaciously and getting caught behind the play, he'd have lost his love for the game as they re-tanked for Power, and then demanded a trade, which GM Adams would've gotten done for a 4th, lamenting "We only want guys who want to be here?" 😇

Ach. Yes, I was thinking longer term and forgot the RFA. It's really a let him go to arbitration, sign him to a 2-year bridge, or give him the starter salary 5x$5M.

UPL has become a solid NHL goalie this season (numbers-wise). He's stopped leaning forward and undoing his size advantage, he's overcommitting less side-to-side, and he's been better at reading the play and his rebound control (the Stars' GWG notwithstanding). The next question becomes... how long are folks willing to extend him. Is GM Sheevyn willing to give him a starter salary, or just go Ullmark walking again?