French Collection

It really is tough being positive this year. I’ve stayed away from discussions because I had nothing good to say and was not wanting to pile on. The forum has had a more negative vibe than usual and I have fallen into that rut more often than I like. This team has just frustrated me to no end. The Jekyll and Hyde performances have driven me nuts, how can a team hovering near .500 not be able to win 3 in a row? I am sure that the expectations I had for this season are what makes this hurt. By this point I would usually know they’re not going anywhere and start focusing on the draft but I have no desire to do that this season. I’ve been there and done that for 13 years, this was going to be the year where they make the playoffs and pick in the teens for a change. Oh well, I guess I am the fool for believing the hype and putting my heart on the line. It’s part of being a fan but it hurts.

Watched him play 4 years in North Bay. Big frame, good hands but struggled with skating. 61 goals in 68 games his last year of junior but had to go the ECHL the next year. Has worked his way up and stayed with it, nice to see. He grew up two hours north of here.

Hand out the participation trophies for those happy little mistakes.

Cap space has not been used since KA took over. My problem has been not being the third party at trade time to take on salary and get a draft pick for doing so. There have also been expiring contracts moved to create space with other teams that he did not participate in. This all happened while KA was in draft and develop mode, could’ve had another 2-4 picks. TP must have ruled on not taking salary.

He skated at 70% when there was an opportunity for a breakaway.

UPL is not on his game, the boys better score 6 today.

Better, but you need to win this one boys!

The powerhouse Ducks now asserting their domination!

Gives it away and then mucks up another chance to get it out.

They have been all over the Ducks and the majority of play has been in the O zone.

Mitts won’t get an assist but his stick check helped that neutral zone turnover.

Nice job on the anthem.

Misa is a good player, he’ll be a first rounder. Beautiful skater. I don’t see him as generational, he reminds me of Max Domi at the OHL level. As far as the exceptional status kids go he seems more Ekblad than McDavid. Parekh is a scrawny looking RHD that is lol offense. He reminds me of Tony DeAngelo/Brandt Clarke. He is good with the puck and can shoot it. He even double shifted as a forward on some PPs. I didn’t like his vibe though, it seemed more cocky than confident. The Sabres seem to need more physical, two way Dmen than a guy like this. He will go high in the draft due to skill and scoring but imo is not what Buffalo needs in a RHD. The skillset the Sabres need more of can probably be found in the second and third rounds of the draft. The first rounders will be more of the smaller, skilled guys of which they have plenty. They have plenty of prospects and draft capital to acquire NHL players. Get help now and let the prospects develop and try to crack the lineup as they grow.

San Jose’s Kappo Kahkanen plays in front of a lousy team but has a .905 sv% for the season. He has put .926 in his last six starts. He is a UFA this summer and turns 28 before the season starts. He has played 128 NHL games with a career .900 sv%. A Finnish partner for UPL, with half as many K’s.

Going to watch Saginaw vs North Bay today in a matchup of two strong OHL teams. Saginaw has 10 NHL draft picks plus potential first round RHD Zane Parekh in their lineup. Bonus is getting a close look at exceptional status kid Michael Misa, eligible in 2025.

.920 sv% is good, getting closer to the numbers he was putting up in the NCAA. Let him marinate and get a taste of the playoffs.

Going in May for the World Championships.

Blocking Levi? Lol.

Nylander signed his big deal mid season and his numbers have already dropped off since the ink dried.

I’ve heard he has a framed picture of the tandem bike ride.

Levi was the second star for the Amerks tonight, stopping 37 of 39 shots in a victory over Utica.

The right kisser turns him into a prince.

At least they bring offense to the table. I think Power will be a two way force in a few years. I don’t think he will put up elite numbers being behind Dahlin but if he can shut players down with his reach, IQ and using his body as a shield he could be effective.

Probably was that way at some point. I interpret it as a bit of love.

I find the Selke voters seem to hand it out as a consolation prize to someone who will never win a scoring title or an MVP but who puts up good offensive numbers and is reliable defensively. Never seems to be a pure defensive guy like Danault. Gainey and Ramsay were true Selke guys in my mind.