DarthEbriate

The last <mumble mumble> years, Pittsburgh has been one of the many teams that absolutely had another gear that we could not match (or even come close to). But judging by the score and everyone's comments (and a PP goal and flukey goal by two of the best players on the planet), I'm guessing that tonight they do not have that gear as compared to us.

Unable to watch tonight's game, but this is why I'm not moving Ryan Johnson just because Power/Sam/Dahlin are all young. If Johnson becomes good, he pushes the Joker. And that's not a bad thing.

Eakin. We talk about him constantly. Announcers talk about him and his faceoff prowess constantly. Opposition announcers talk about his mullet.

It's on TNT. I'm hit. I can't stay with you. Sorry! (though maybe I'll tune in on the interwebs radio dial)

We're on our way. Blue group, Gold group, all 'Spacers follow me!

I like symmetry. I fancy the Sabres picking 8th, 16th, and 32nd, with an alternate (where VGK squeaks into the playoffs) of 10th, 20th, and 30th.

Huh. It seems like another contender could have been convinced to give up at least a 4th. If all goes according to plan, FLA never even dresses Hagg in a playoff game with Ekblad and Chiarot coming back. Latest out of Florida is Ekblad avoided serious injury. If this were GM JBott, we'd learn tomorrow that Florida flipped Hagg for a 2nd and another 7/8 D-man.

This is why I just stay on Galactic Standard Time to avoid confusion. Normally, this would be the time to hop into the B-Wing and cross the border for a fun Vancouver weekend. Alas, the Sabres came to Seattle this season. So this weekend is on the opposite border and no hockey games. May The Concept Of (Victory) be with you, Sabres! And have fun, 'Spacers.

I'm just listing the picks yet to be made, not comparing Tuch/Krebs to Raddysh/Katchouk.

All these 1sts being moved for rentals (and Hagels)... it's a good time to be a rebuilding squad with the 2023 draft coming up.

Brandon Hagel nets more 1sts (expected late-round, just like VGK) than Eichel. I get the late 1sts for Chicago as they're finally embracing a rebuild a few seasons too late. But, he's under contract for nothing for 3 years... he's the kind of guy you can rebuild around as a top-six option given recent production.

That's the plan. First, Quinn has to stay in the lineup. VO on a fair contract extension (easy because he's an RFA and his own injury this season means he won't break the bank) will still be easily traded when Quinn has supplanted him. But that hasn't happened yet. And removing blockers doesn't force Quinn to beat anyone out for a roster spot. I want that competition for the sweater.

Never? C'mon! Dotson, Cox (to be a backup), Jones (to stay on), Jackson (to return after initially not wanting to even report the prior season), Beebe (as a 5/6), Howard, and then Rison for nothing in-season. Teams that are on the cusp of greatness with an up-and-coming QB find it really easy to attract good players who want to win.

Out of the frying pan and into the Flames. But now the Heritage Classic and its circus, plus only one game in 6 days are firmly in the rearview mirror. Girgs and Miller have had their wake-up skate. The issue tonight is the Flames suffocating defense. (and they're good offensively, too) Gotta stay on the throttle, score first, and get the Flames out of their comforting trap. Try to get this into a higher-scoring affair.

A playoff team who needs a RHD who can man the 2nd PP they should give up a 2nd for the rental of Miller (any veteran they're planning to start the rest of the season and playoffs). If the team just wants playoff depth they shouldn't offer higher than a 3rd. But Chiarot pulling a 1st + 4th + mid-level prospect (but unsigned NCAA contract) means the Sabres could get a 1st + nothing else for Miller with the right buyer.

Yup. Not just a letdown after two motivated games, but also that Sabres played once in 6 days and that game was a slow snowy ice surface with a ton of pomp & circumstance around it, then starting a road trip. And trying to work two out-of-practice guys into the lineup at the same time over folks who were clicking. Meanwhile, Edmonton has been lights-out on their homestand trying to capitalize on Vegas' plummet. Caps, Lightning, Wings, Buf, NJ... win, win, win, win, TBD. The key is how do the Sabres respond now that they've taken one on the chin? And do Miller and Girgs look closer to game speed in Calgary?

The Amerks are in 2nd in the North by points, but the teams immediately following them have higher Points Percentages and lots of games in hand (SYR 2, TOR 6, BEL 6, LAV 7.... 7 games in hand and only 7 points back). The Sabres returning to health is just as important for Rochester. We want to see the kids on a playoff run, but they need to get there first.

On the plus side for Vegas, if Lehner goes to LTIR, it would allow them to acquire a goalie OR activate D Alec Martinez if he gets healthy enough. Not likely both. Or... if they can move $4M at the trade deadline they could get a cheap goalie and activate Stone from LTIR down the stretch. There's still the escrow for the players to pay off for the giant loans the league took out. The cap will not go up appreciatively until that's settled. If they miss the playoffs... and the fans blame him and his cap # and uninspiring play and how he ruined their feel-good expansion team with his body language... this summer before his NMC kicks in.

He'd be a really good choice, but he is another lefty.

... Hate leads to suffering. Chickens leads to soup. Soup makes you feel better.

Miller for a 2023 1st from... anyone! We don't even need the 4th and a prospect.

It's a bit bizarre. Jiricek's injury helped him, while Slafkovsky's Olympics domination appeared to be to his disadvantage.

Just to recap: since the Eichel activation on 2/16/22: Eichel 14 GP 5-4-9 -1 Tuch 12 GP 1-4-5 -1 (February cold streak) Krebs 12 GP 3-3-6 -2

They need a healthy NHL goalie who isn't playing Hutton-level if they want to make the playoffs. With all the modified-NTCs and no cap space, they're going to be a bit limited in their options for a goalie. They can't even bring back Alec Martinez if he gets healthy without putting someone else (Lehner) on LTIR.