DarthEbriate

I'd say when he chooses them. He's using Granato's staff, plus Appert.

Did Zucker finish the period? I noticed that McLeod was skating with TNT-Tuch toward the end of the period. Maybe I just didn't see him.

And they could've been your starting tandem the last two seasons, with Ullmark walking this past summer (or traded at last year's deadline if they're not in a playoff spot). One team is putting in a good effort team-wide. The other has Benson, Kulich, Kozak, and Malenstyn leading the way.

Like Josh Allen, they had Eichel and Reinhart and ROR and Dahlin. They attracted ex-MVP in Hall. They signed a top free agent in Okposo one year. But then (except Dahlin so far), they traded all those guys (admittedly, in varying circumstances).

-12 currently.

Yeah, that wasn't even close. Lazy play by Gilbert. Don't like to see that from the 8th d-man.

<sigh> Benson passes it back to Cozens on a give-and-go, and Cozens is adjusting his helmet and misses it.

Good shift by Kulich. Won several races and battles -- led to a slot shot by Joker (blocked -- which led to a Utah rush). Still, good job by Kulich.

Hope Luukkonen is OK. Got clunked on the back of his head.

Power got stood up by the ref, leading the first turnover. Then, Power pokes at it but the puck doesn't clear the zone, and it's in the net.

Dominic Moore - using a hockey stick as a pointer - on the Utah broadcast talking over the replays. He's basically explaining to a rookie Utah audience, like a classroom session. That's pretty solid for a new market that's trying to get kids interested.

He needs every opportunity to grow and learn at the NHL level because he'd instantly be claimed off waivers, then placed on a 3rd or 4th line alongside a veteran center and a heavy-crashing left wing. And in a year or so, you'd see him move up the lineup and start hitting 20-40-60 as expected.

They already are. TNT is playing on the point instead of the left circle, waiting for a one-timer. His last PPG (last game? 2 games ago? was from the right side). Innovation!

Yup, he's waivers exempt. Along with Kulich and Johnson. Also Benson, but he can only be sent to juniors.

Add Cozens on the bumper, whose head/hands aren't quick enough, and it just doesn't make sense.

It's because he's short and already closer to the puck.

Phew. That delayed offside, all the Sabres backed off and Schmalz was smart enough to attack. Fortunately, Luukkonen was on it.

Oh hey! Utah broadcast just said that Toronto provided the reason for the interference call. Hayton entered on his own and that's what led to the interference call, regardless of Power. I wonder if Buffalo's broadcast will mention it.

Ah. This is where Detroit traded Maatta to.

I think it's one time his height was truly a disadvantage, his reach didn't extend around that defender. If he'd had a few more inches he could've gotten the shot past before Vejmelka slid over. WOOO! KOZAK! Keep it on the board.

The best I can reason is that Hayton went into the crease of his own accord first, and that just negates any other determination afterward. That reasoning will be proven wrong later in the game and season.

Ha. You've got to be kidding me. If that was Benson's goal, I'd understand it being overturned. But come on, scoring will go down 10% leaguewide if that's interference. It's as bad as NFL catches were for a few years there.

A desperation challenge in the opening minutes? That interference is all on Power. Keep it on the board. Give them the PP.

There is not enough of the light blue on their uniform. The white and black is so very drab.

A new franchise, a new broadcast team to try out on ESPN+. It's the little things the Sabres give us.