DarthEbriate

The reason to keep Hinostroza is the same reason he was re-signed. He's the veteran off the bench with speed (and a sneakily decent shot) that can play on any wing in the lineup without disrupting the other lines in the event of a 2-3 game injury. The only guys he can't fully replace (in the very short term) are Tuch or Girgs because although he has the speed, he doesn't have their size to move people off pucks or outmuscle folks on the boards. Asplund doesn't provide that same flexibility and everyone in Rochester is an unknown at this point except Murray who doesn't have the wheels.

I agree. But the only GMs who'd trade anything for Asplund are folks who love his defensive metrics (like Seattle or Carolina) and they already have several guys who fit that bill because they've drafted them already or they have a player with higher offensive upside. Maybe you luck into a GMTM-must-have-rage where you get an on-the-cusp top-4 D (McNabb) and two 2nds for the pair of them, but that seems a bit of a reach. Players like Jost go through waivers; there's no need for anyone to offer anything over a 6th round pick for a Hino.

And now... Counterpoint... of madness! If you want to keep 3 goalies for a bit... JJP and Quinn have combined for 1 goal in the last 11 games (22 combined gp) turning the team into a 1-line team. If the top line is off or the opponent has line to match them (see Ottawa), the team loses. The Kid Line is currently taking a nap, positive Corsi or not. Give Asplund and Hinostroza each a game before Comrie returns as a showcase. If you can get someone to give up a 4th for Asplund or maybe a 5th for Hino go for it. But if a slight reshuffle gives the bottom 9 a spark (particularly VO on the powerplay), JJP and Quinn are both waivers exempt and can immediately jump right back up to Buffalo if an injury hits, if someone is moved, or if UPL cools down. Note 1: Having nearly every forward healthy all season is a good thing. Note 2: Waive Bryson when Joker returns. Jokiharju does everything Bryson does, but better. Clague has supplanted Bryson in the lineup and Bryson's 1.8M salary is much more likely to clear waivers. And Fitz is a better replacement for the Boushh/Muel role than Bryson, in the event either of them blocks a shot and misses a spell.

Wait... so defensemen can't be All-Stars anymore?

Going into Wednesday's semis, Czechia goalie Tomas Suchanek (also Sabres 2022 Prospects Challenge goalie) is tied for 12th in the tourney with 4 assists. An assist with the right results could get him into the top 10. ....he probably can't catch Bedard. Kulich v. Rosen and Östlund. And only one of USA-Canada gets to play for gold. Should be fun, although ESPN+ is not carrying this round which is maddening.

Currently at 19-15-2. If they play at "Muel-Pace" (Samuelsson in the lineup) for the remainder of the season, they're on track for 110 points.

Big win tonight because all the wild card hunters in the East got points. And no, it's not too early to start minding the standings: it's 2023 now.

They even name-dropped Jokiharju as a big piece coming back for their top 4.

The Sabres (again) joined the long ranks of NHL teams that squandered two-goal leads this season. But I think the only one that they've lost was against Tampa. Resilience is good. And UPL saved their bacon along the way in the 3rd.

I see it now. They wanted to improve their +/-

Yes. Yes, yes, yes on Tuch's forecheck. Great shot, kid. Don't get cocky.

Are you trying to get to 3 on 3?

We got a point, but so did they... and we're trying to catch them. Still, a great chance to get 2 with the 4-on-3 PP and draw them closer.

Nice!

Score here, because if you don't, the Caps are getting a balancing call. (and don't set any picks or hook anyone to negate the PP)

Let's go PP. Dowd is 16 for 18 on faceoffs tonight. Egads.

The Caps game turned around with a shuffling of their lines in the 2nd. It might be time to separate some folks and shorten the bench a bit.

Or go full Alamo. Your call.

Remember the Alamo Death Star! Keep up the attack. And c'mon JJP-Cozens-Quinn, go get one. Basically, play the 3rd like how Ottawa played on Sunday.

Agreed. I haven't seen the Amerks beyond highlights so I can't say what his style is there. Czechia certainly didn't need him flying off the handle as a forechecker against Switzerland, that's for sure. He was getting to the right spots for defense and offense, so his sense might just be one of those guys who always seems to be in the right-place, right-time without even looking like he's trying. Those are some of the best guys to have.

Some statisticians count everything. I'll bet they count the Dowd and Hathaway hits to close the period as more than 1.

The play style favors the Sabres.

Don't forget where Ovie is on the ice, please.

That was Mitts, not VO. And you could call interference on the takedown.

TNT - pirouetting giraffe.