DarthEbriate

This year's mantra was "no blocking" veteran players, so the vets are all on one-year deals. However, next season a few blocking veterans could be a blessing for the franchise to make progress. It would keep too many rookies from flooding the lineup at once and also provide the Sabres with depth they haven't had in years. If Krebs/JJP is the 1st injury call-up, that's probably good for both Buffalo and Rochester. None of it will matter until the team has a starting goaltender who can stay healthy and play +.916%sv hockey (average) and a team that is either defensively stable enough to make that work or offensively dynamic enough to make average goaltending irrelevant.

Was Karabacek a second?

Missed the 2nd.... --How we doing? ++Same as always. --That bad, huh?

Ennis was a top-line skater pre-injuries. Lots of minutes on some bad hockey teams. I had to look up the lines, but in the seasons preceding drafts for Reinhart and Eichel, we were rolling Foligno-Ennis-Stafford and Moulson-Ennis-Stafford as #1 lines. Ennis-Girgs-Stewart toward the end of 2014-15. That's a top line right there. Mitchell, Flynn, and Matt Ellis as the remaining center spine. Those were the dark times, those were the Empire.

Krebs shows flashes in both skill and tenacity, but really would benefit from another chunk of time in Rochester. Because of injuries and COVID (real and false positives), Krebs has bounced all over the lineup. Before March and teaming up with Rasmus and VO, he was often with Okposo or Cozens in a more defensive role (miscast), or on Mitts' wing when Mitts clearly needed a rehab stint. Krebs will have that shield down the game slow down; we've gotta give him more time! The important part is keeping this new line together and injury-free for a couple weeks, especially if Victor continues to heal. VO did a bit of a slapper from the blue line yesterday which is the first I've seen from him since his November injury. If the line gels, gets proper 3rd line minutes, and Krebs learns to use VO as a decoy and shoot the puck himself from time-to-time it could be a really nice fit.

The Red Wings waived RHD Danny DeKeyser (final year of $5M). That contract (and its modified NTC!) aged poorly the instant the ink dried. Juolevi was picked up on waivers over the weekend and the cleared cap space allows them to dress Jakub Vrana. While it'd be good for DeKeyser to keep cashing the checks, I wonder if he elects to not report to Grand Rapids, allowing the Red Wings to terminate the contract and then he can sign with any Cup contender he chooses for minimum salary, similar to what Bogosian did a few years back. How does it impact the Sabres? It doesn't. However, if he skips on the AHL and becomes available on a terminated contract it lowers the trade value of a RHD Colin Miller type, although you wouldn't count on DeKeyser to play the point on a PP2.

Some will boo, some will cheer. It could even make arena experience kind of fun for a bit for all 8,000 that show up.

Eichel was captain (still the last person to wear the C) and was a skating highlights package 6 seasons -- starting with that first race to the puck, wheel and drive and score against.. Columbus. He even garnered some Hart attention despite being on a garbage team. Take the 60 seconds during a TV timeout to give a PA announcement and roll a highlight film with some RJ calls overlaid. It'd be easy to produce and show some goodwill to a player and give the fans a chance to wish him well. The organization can show it's all water under the bridge, say welcome back, and show some class.

Win it for Tuch!

Hinostroza to Eakin for the best zone entry in awhile

LAK is a good-looking team. Lots of speed. Much better test than Toronto (who doesn't play defense) and Minnesota (which is currently struggling on defense).

Man... missed the pass to Dahlin up ice and it's like everyone started floating for the next minute until the goal was scored.

I mean... it's a long interview... but it's a lot more in-depth and better than any other intermission interview.

Damn. Great save.

Re-wake up, here, gents!

Super-aggressive PK.

Victor's watching his targeting computer. Almost there....

Last time these teams played, VO and Asplund had the Sabres up 2-0. Then VO got hurt... and the West Coast trip fell apart. Victor... today would be a great day to release the Slapper!

Depends on what the playoff team needs. If they want a scorer, Girgs is not for them. But if they need a shot suppressor they can trust against an opposition's top line and might bang home a rebound or two, Girgs could be a great option.

Sometimes he was the entire offense, but I'm not sure if the dead puck era allowed him enough open ice... What about Satan?

Interesting, interesting. In his age 31 season he's a UFA... when the cap might just begin to bloom again. I could see a team throwing $8M+ at a top-flight goalie for age 31-37 seasons (MAF- or Price-style). It shouldn't be the Sabres, of course, as any of UPL, Portillo, or Levi would only just be coming into their RFA contract of 1st UFA contract.

No. Goalies are notoriously tricky from one year to the next, but Hellebuyck has been good-to-great since coming into the league. You don't trade a franchise goalie who is only now coming into his prime in his late 20s. And he's not even all that expensive.

I don't know. I'd bet Girgensons would look great as 4W on Tampa, especially since he does have the versatility to play center in a pinch. Sure, he's miscast as the LW with Eichel-Reinhart on a top line, but as a role player who kills penalties and is very often in the right spot, he's not a bad trade deadline pickup. And it wouldn't cost too much to acquire him.

Egads! As the Flying Pig would say, "What a lineup!" Malone, Mersch, Biro all hurt. Krebs, Muel, Fitz all contributing in the NHL. And Jankowski wallowing on the bench instead of playing for Bjork or Eakin. You know Bjork would pass through waivers, GM Sheevyn. Get it done. Although we probably can't waive him for cap reasons.

Actually... my previous post was more in response to this post. Edit: This post goes here: I have a Dominic Zombo Toledo Walleye "Don Cherry Night" jersey for exactly this reason.