DarthEbriate

I think the whole point of having coaching is to push folks to do more than otherwise. People need coaching just to pedal harder in a gym class. If I had a coach, I'd have written the Sabres Wars Prequel Trilogy script ages ago (once Eichel won the Cup). Do people think Belichick or Lombardi didn't push their players to greater heights and it was all internal motivation?

Former Amerk Eric O'Dell (it rhymes) is... still playing! He was an alternate captain for Dynamo Moskva the past two seasons.

I admit, I'm curious to see the Phoenix fan reaction to their last home game, and how the team plays against McDavid.

They may have kept him a season too long (or 3/4 of a season too long for sure), but that's the hindsight after TNT's and Cozens' offense disappeared after injuries. But he got the transition and confidence back after Krueger. And now, thank you, HCDG, and it's time to move on. And that's OK. This past season, the glaring error is on GM Sheevyn for the roster construction. A d-zone bottom 6 faceoff center (hell, even a Glendening); one heavier checker than KO/Zemgus; a top 4 D, a vet goalie to backup whomever... move VO and get a temporary Quinn replacement (Nyquist, for example). Those were all known possibilities last offseason for a team on the cusp. The GM was too patient. The finishing of the checks is important. If there's no fear, then dump-and-chase is ineffective because the D knows he can turn and still look for the breakout pass anyway because all he has to contend with is a VO flyby stick (which occasionally works, but not consistently).

Would have to pry him away from TV deals. He's done NHL Network, Rangers, NBC desk work when they had it, and Sabres games -- and he's been good in every venture. I think he's got a solid broadcasting future.

Really solid assist by Davies on the bank pass, rather than waiting too long or trying to skate it up himself and try a dump in. Need his goal song to be You Know My Name (Look Up the Number).

The real phantom menace. Always two there are. The master and the apprentice. Maul Ellis!

We'll just put this in the correct thread... Good game, Comrie. Now, let us never speak of it again.

You say that... but exchange Savoie for Jost, Kulich for Olofsson, Rousek for Girgensons, and Levi for Comrie. Too old!

Cozens and Quinn singlehandedly forecheck Tampa into the tv timeout.

Bryson playing AHL speed on that possession, Sheary closes... Benson! Also, I think that Bryson turnover just killed my preseason prediction that VO would finish (barely) with a positive plus/minus.

There was no plan on that power play without TNT on the ice. And then Skinner just decides to dawdle about until Hagel takes the puck away with speed.

Go to the net, wait for rebounds. This is the Greenway.

Good kill, despite the crossbar.

Cozens looking much better tonight than... this month.

Artooooo. That way?

Once more into the trench! Lock s-foils in attack position.

Completely? No. He’s moved the goalposts to a timeline fitting Power/Byram maturity (24+). That’s not what starving fans want, but it’s fine for his paycheck. He’s just cackling, “I’ll make it legal!” But if he loses Dahlin or Quinn because they become sick of being here or this churns another 2-3 seasons without a playoff appearance, then this is going to reset once again. And that is a possibility.

Stephenson and Carrier would be an excellent start. Especially if Carrier could stay healthy.

Oh I know. That’s what’s so alarming. It'd be like adding Palat, Killorn, Hornqvist, Alec Martinez, and Patrick Kane to this roster. Arguably, the only passenger on that Canes roster was Adams.

Exactly. We wonder what might have been if Connolly, Numminen, Tallinder, Kalinin, and McKee stay healthy (Cup victory). But what GM Sheevyn and we forget is how that Canes roster was loaded with proven playoff warriors who could still play. And Justin Williams who would soon become Mr Game 7.

The other issues with Carolina vs this Sabres effort (thus far) is they were able to identify players (Skinner) who didn’t fit, regardless of production. And most importantly, the GM and coach were in lock step. Is Mitts the Sabres’ Skinner comparison? Likely not, because his loss created a bigger hole in the roster. Meanwhile, the Sabres non-fit was Olofsson. Coupled with Quinn being out half the season, they needed to get a middle six vet that replaced Quinn if HCDG was going to play Benson over VO. This was an incredible disconnect. It needed to happen before the season began. Then you have Benson on the 4th line, the vet with JJP/Cozens, and VO is on… San Jose or something.

Cozens had something with Quinn and JJP when the top line was on fire and drawing every opponent's attention. But if Cozens needs Quinn that badly, in addition to an incredibly hot TNT line ahead of him, then he's not ever going to live up to that contract. Benson-Cozens-Quinn should be given a chance next season, though (barring a top-6 forward pickup. But, I don't see that UFA/trade happening).

I can't ever really fault the players for winning.

My bad. I misread that. But Dahlin's sophomore season was HCRK trying to lose each game 1-0. And a worse roster, as well.