pastajoe

I wonder if Amerks might play Wilcox in next game. Cincinnati lost to Fort Wayne 2-1, down in series 3-1. Johansson made 36 saves. Play Sunday 3pm.

ECHL affiliate Cincinnati stayed alive in best of 5 playoff by beating Fort Wayne 7-6 in OT. Johansson stopped 45 shots; 148 in the series for an average of 49 saves per game. He’s projected to be the Amerks starter next season. FW leads series 2-1.

I still say that none of the traded players will ever be better than ROR or Kane, and that was the objective; to acquire top 6 players to compliment Eichel. Fasching was a power forward in college who projected as a Vanek-type scorer. Myers will never live up to his potential, he still plays soft. In the last game vs the Wild he just stood in front of the crease and didn’t clear the screen, resulting in a goal. I would have made those trades again. Unfortunately contracts like Okposo and Moulson, and upcoming Reinhart, made it difficult to resign Kane.

None of the players traded away have been significant contributors to their teams, compared to ROR and Kane with the Sabres. McNabb had trouble breaking into the Sabres lineup before the trade, which was for Fasching and Deslaurier, and an exchange of draft picks. Ruewedal signed with the Pens on a two-way contract as a free agent and started in the AHL before being called up due to injuries.

Reinhart and Bennett were the consensus top forwards in the draft. So Murray didn’t deviate from the norm by picking Reinhart, it’s what most GMs in that spot would have done. Most fans liked the ROR and Kane trades. Myers, Stafford, and Gregorinko were failing in Buffalo. The tank to get McDavid or Eichel was a success. And there are some drafted players that will be contributing in the next couple of years. The trades of Lehner, Psyek, and ignoring Rochester were things I didn’t like. But I loved GMTMs interviews, it was refreshing to have a GM who said what he thought after years of Darcy. “Slap him on the pee pee”. So overall I give GMTM a C. Some of the players he acquired haven’t played to their potential, but that could be said about those he traded away.

Cincinnati was outshot 72-29 in double OT loss to Fort Wayne in first ECHL playoff game. Johansson made 68 saves.

Doug Allen and Sabretooth are two of the most entertaining aspects of a Sabres game. I’d like to have less recorded music and more live organ music.

Howard Simon went off on the article today on WGR. http://www.wgr550.com/media/audio-channel/04-11-howards-rant-article-about-sabres-and-tank

I have Nashville over Boston.

I’d rather have a naive fan owner than a dispassionate owner who’s just looking for a profit.

The Waiting (is the hardest part)

I DVR all the games, and watch 2 hours after they start. I fast forward through stops, commercials, and between periods. And when the game is bad, I FF to the highlights. So lots of FF this season.

Can still watch Mittlestat and perhaps others in World Championships.

I’d rather Florida just win, I don’t want the Flyers to have a chance at playoffs. Plus Tampa-Florida series would be good for Florida.

Most improved: ERod, Nelson. Jack was Jack; individual greatness whose potential is stifled by those around him. Most disappointing: Everyone else, including coaches and GM. I especially thought the D was going to be greatly improved.

Plus Ottawa and Calgary need new arenas, so they need a new star like Edmonton got for their new arena.

Will the team with the lead pull their goalie in the last 2 minutes?

Which is exactly the reason why McDavid shouldn’t win MVP. The MVP leads their team into the playoffs.

Amerks won in OT with Johansson in goal. Blackwell 2G 2A. Borgen was -1, wearing #3. But Utica won too, so the Amerks are clinging to a 1 point lead. Cincinnati also won in OT, with 2 goalies (Stewart, Taylor) that they just signed earlier in the day.

Actually they have 2 spare forwards, Crisculo is still up. And I’d rather they sent both young D down and called up a vet like Fedun or Tennison as a spare.

Which is why he should be riding the bench in Buffalo and Wilcox should be starting for Amerks. The priority at this point should be Amerks playoff run. I’d even send Guhle, Nelson, and Baptiste back down now. The Sabres have enough guys to fill out roster.

Wilcox called up to Sabres. Botts is going to ruin Amerks playoff chances calling up all their best remaining players if they drop in standings and have to play Marlies in 1st round. Why not call up Johannson, since they’re going to sit anyways.

I’ll say it again, the tank was successful, it was the post-tank rebuild that failed. I really thought that given the current roster with new players brought in by Botts and new coach that they would contend for a playoff spot this year. To answer your question, I’ll continue to think the tank was a good move. What happened in the rebuild was a failure to build off the tank.

It’s a waste for Ullmark to be up if they’re not going to play him. He could be helping the Amerks who are fighting to avoid the Marlies in the 1st round.