DarthEbriate

Out against TB's top line --- Dahlin-Muel (neither played last time vs TB) and Girgs-Jost-Okposo (1 new guy). And it resulted in a good chance for Z.

Arizona wants to get young and get all the picks. They don't want a late 20s sniper until they have Bedard a season in (and maybe an Auston Matthews at ridiculous salary). By then, VO will not be nearly as appetizing for them. I realize a lot of folks dislike VO's game, but a move to get Chychrun says "let's get better right now" and moving VO this season says "we're not ready right now". Quinn is supplanting VO in the top 6, but no other forward on the top outside of the top line has VO's ability to put the puck in the net. And Quinn still has yet to show he can float up-and-down the lineup or stay healthy through an entire season. Let him grow and have VO's shot, too. The folks you could put at wing: Jost, Girgensons, Hino, Krebs, won't match VO's output. And it's not like the cap is an issue.

This seems appropriate. Sheahan knew the situation in Buffalo. With injuries, he'd get a shot at the lineup and he could provide skills none of our other 4C center options can (namely, win a face off). But with Krebs and his defensive lapses ahead on the depth chart it would be tough going. However, the Jost acquisition and general forward health meant it was back to Rochester again and less cash. But now... look at Rochester. Sheahan isn't an offensive top-6 guy there either. That's not who he is. He's a bottom 6, d-zone faceoff guy in the AHL, too. And the Sabres are going to prefer getting a whole bunch of kids with "center" in their potential ahead of him: Biro, Kozak, Kulich. So he's battling with a Malone for ice time (and Malone offers more offensive punch). Throw in you can only dress so many veterans and the AHL and its salary aren't the best option. So this is the team's way of setting him free.

The Sabres could easily have a few this period (and given up 1). Akira is making some really nice saves.

They look like a Ruff team. Fast, hook, scrap.

Great save, Anderson! But Thompson just punted it right to Hughes for the slot shot. Yikes.

Dang, Dahlin....

Multiple posts this period already. They had the start to the period they needed with a couple excellent chances but couldn't bury one.

Sheesh, I'm out of it for a little dinner and everyone gives up Devils of goals.

Alright... locking S-foils into attack position!

With Asplund injured and Hino in the box, do any of these combinations move you? (Only one option with Mitts+VO) Girgensons - Mittelstadt - Okposo Olofsson - Krebs - Jost Olofsson - Girgensons - Okposo Krebs - Mittelstadt - Jost Girgensons - Jost- Okposo Krebs - Mittelstadt - Olofsson

That boarding hit on Asplund did some lingering damage. Good to see their dad get back in the lineup. Will be curious see how they roll with Okposo and Jost and where Girgensons lines up - do they go JOG? Hino or Krebs out?

One extra note on Andor for us Sabres fans. The first name of the actor who plays Cinta (the rebel covert/disguise lady): Varada.

Sports day! Some morning soccer in the background, some early-evening Sabres (late start though, which is odd), and then Portland (no Kozak, yay!) at the T-Birds as a nightcap. Now... how will the Sabres matchup with a red-hot Devil squad? You may fire when ready.

Back on thread target. The Jost pickup didn't and still doesn't wow me -- ask me again sometime (after the initial shine wears off in another 10 games). What Jost does do though, is build a redundancy of Mitts/Jost/Krebs. Center/wingers who could be on the PP half-wall trying to feed Tage/VO/Quinn or be PKers. You don't need all 3 dressed with a similar skill set. Jost is the furthest along in progression and might be the most stable this season. Jost is who Mitts is in a another season (Jost has 150 more games played) and who Krebs could end up being in another few years. And that might mean Krebs goes to Rochester while he's still eligible (as opposed to waiving Jost when Okposo returns). The plus side to Jost is that the league has been filled by 1st rounders who never met the "top 6" expectations with their first team, then found their game and a niche, and contributed for years on teams on the 3rd line or lower. Dan Paille, Tim Connolly, Curtis Lazar, Erik Rasmussen, Joel Armia, even the Concept of Kassian. Maybe he's our Paille.

Re: VO. For VO (or any middle-6 winger on any roster in the league who has shuffling linemates or an inexperienced center, or plays fewer minutes, etc.) the consistency won't always be there. Would we be happier if he were more consistent, or not had a bum wrist/hand for 1/3 of the season last year, and was more physical? Sally Struthers says: "Sure, we all do!" Will Quinn take his place in the top 6 (yes, he should, and just did it appears if the Cozens line keeps playing well), and that's good because Quinn is a 1st round talent and VO was a 7th with a laser blaster. VO absolutely needs someone on his line to carry the puck and do the transition work for him. But one thing we all need to remember the past 2 seasons: when Goalofsson scores -- this team wins. Some players can rack up points during losses. VO... not so much. And no, it's not just empty-netters. It's game-winners and rally-starters (i.e., the big comeback vs. Chicago last season). Splits courtesy of hockey-reference.com (and note: only 29 wins are tallied last season, so there must be 3 shootout wins in there that got counted as ties in the Splits breakdown) 2021-22: In 29 wins -- 34 points (14-20-34); in 43 losses/"ties" -- 15 points this year: In 9 wins -- 10 points (9-1-10); in 11 losses -- 2 points

Nah, there's too much toxic fandom in the world especially in SW. You do you and rank 'em however you enjoy them. One might say: you must rank what you feel is right, of course.

Of note: Quinn was on the ice with Tage at the end of the first when they all got caught with an icing and then knocking the net off and couldn't make a change. Quinn had a 1:30 shift there which would skew his time. But that said! Quinn earned a bunch more ice time for the NJ game. Is it because they're both top-10 pick Minnesotans? Dawe-Zinger-Audette looked competent last night. Fast, at least. Good penalty killing by Dawe-Audette. Come on! Dahlin had Risto scoring 40 in his rookie season. 😇

That's a wrap on season 1. And that's a darn fine Star War right there. Cute post-credit stinger, too. Search your feelings: you knew they were building something relevant and sinister.

Happy (U.S.) Thanksgiving, 'Spacers! In true '90s spirit, don't forget to watch an MST3K-marathon tomorrow. Next up: Ruff and the Devils who just had their 13-game winning streak snapped. They're due for some regression to the Muel.

Unfortunately, Bryson didn't skate in the 3rd, which... that's not how we want him to play less.

Holzinger and Sarich and Primeau?

Comrie (was it Edmonton?) and Anderson (1st game) each had one great game. Add UPL to the list. Now, for some consistency, please. Comrie should move much better laterally -- he's 6'1" 175# to UPL's 6'5" 217#. But, UPL shouldn't be sliding around as much with that frame, he's already there. Very pleased with his game tonight. Now, how will he handle teams after they get a dozen games of video on him... this is where the fun begins.

Primeau fakes to Gratton, then doodles around the goalie and buries it!