Thorny

Just a stupid fun catch from Kittle

Ya, I’m just not ready to say we are going to be good enough defensively by what we currently have in house. It’ll get more interestingly along the way as we see which specific holes Adams needs to address. It’s just that the definition and use of the term “holes” changes. For a long time by “hole” we meant the presence of an NHL player means it was filled. Now, there’s a hole if we don’t have a reasonably good player. I think we will get better defensively by internal improvement, but when the holes we are filling become relative to a team we’d like to be able to compete IN the playoffs, I’m not ready to say we won’t have defensive holes. We are still below average there, lots of question marks. The offensive ability is another story Because they don’t list lineups by way of playing time, they list them based on position played Wingers often line up on opposite sides for D zone draws. I always did that on my higher level teams growing up Could explain the face off thing and why we often see breakouts work out that way Say the draw is to the right of the G, if Quinn lines up on the left along with Peterka they are both in lane for zone coverage

Then why do they list Quinn on the right in *every* lineup and line rush? This is not what I have seen at all. Granted I’ve only seen about half the games. But I think you are mistaken here I’ve seen Quinn on the right every time I can remember. Like every game I’ve watched this season. You are the only poster I ever see consistently write the lineup that way https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/quinn-widens-the-lead/t-277437090/c-13889683 he’s playing the right positionally in most every highlight I can find, anyways. Bizarro world I guess if we are seeing it different. I do know him and Peterka were on their opposite sides in Roch last year but as far as I know it’s totally flipped this season. Oh well doesn’t matter anyways

I’m not sure we are “there” on talent, yet. Not if you include defensive ability as part of talent, and why wouldn’t we? Thought it’s often left off. Or lumped into structure. A lot of two way play is also natural ability. I think we could say we may have “enough” offensive talent but could perhaps still benefit from defensive talent upgrades, internal or not, and when I say defensive that’s all 3 positions

Like, Mittelstadt, Rosen, 2024 protected 1st type? Or Peterka, Savoie, 2023 protected first? Except Quinn on the right 🤓

See:Czar, above

Stephen A’s game on next

A lot of the reasons the Bills look so ineffective is because of how effective the Bengals have been today. When the matchups get this tight once down to the very best teams, it’s often difficult to tell where one side ends and the other begins re: self-inflicted and just running into a debilitating opponent

Urgh I meant for the bills D.. that looks like a fumble there Well it is now if that call holds up

This game is not over this is the nfl and it’s 2023 All 4 downs to work with. will need a snow fumble

Who was that Bears coach than when hired, just said “I’m here to beat the Packers.” so cringe! Look great to me

On 4th and 10 before half I’d definitely be punting there. Romo did think they’d go for it, so I tweeted about it

I paused it there 🤣

Losing to a top team, if they do, doesn’t make them paper tigers. The Chiefs and the Eagles look *great*. The winner of this game was going to be a third deep team in the final 4. Assuming the 49ers make it you are probably looking at the strongest final 4 in years. They are in that mix. It’s going to be Bills, Bengals and Chiefs fighting this out for years in the AFC. As a more neutral observer I’m so here for it

They said on the broadcast they were down 14 to Baltimore

My wife is a photographer and she’s been all over this one and usually never watches - - - Bengals are a very deep team.

Fair based on market value? Sure I can buy that. Not saying Dylan is going to tighten the thumbscrews on KA just that he’s not going to give a freaking team discount at *21*. The Crosbys and the Tom Bradys are the guys that take discounts. Old farts who’ve already made bank who are legacy chasing. Not young pups establishing their nest egg. Does Tage take a mulligan given the choice? I think we all know the answer to that.

If scoring keeps on this trend league wide, why not 100? He won’t be an annual 100 point player, but as an outlier “ceiling” season, I can see it Pacing for 77 points at 21, 100 in a few years could be possible as ceiling

Frankly if I didn’t get one here from you I’d be perturbed - there’s no logic in your stance: because it’s not inherently balanced. You can’t argue the players should be paid not on their worth, but what’s “fair” for both sides, when we already have players like Thompson offsetting that balance. It can’t be, “fair deals only, according to me...unless it’s a break for the team then well done KA”. It’s absurd

Players are not greedy for asking for their true worth. This is so bogus: is the team paying Thompson what he’s worth? I’m sure they are happy with him being way underpaid and won’t be looking to back pay him on his next deal just because. The team operates as a business. They paid Tage early because they wanted to pay him as little as possible. And we expect the *employees* to willingly take a cut to protect the business? This isn’t just incorrect I’d argue it’s wrong and a poor precedent to set for what we deem a “team first” player is

Cozens has 33% more points this season, and plays centre with a better 2 way game. And signing a contract slightly later. Boldy would be the absolute floor

lol

Could be He’s ALSO have a near 100 point year, another player with a career anomaly something in the water

I agree we shouldn’t pay Horvat, but disagree with this idea creeping up that we should start paying based on static, sometimes non-descriptive line designations rather than production. Cozens is a 1C and will be paid like a 1C, and he’ll be playing 2C.* Doesn’t make it undesirable or overpaid for his position. Paying guys the going rate of a position above is often what happens when you start to get many good players, bumping guys into roles in the lineup they’ll have more success. *funnily enough, our 1C is being paid like a 2C. A massive benefit. So not only will we be getting double the 1C production you want, it’ll be without the corresponding pay. But even if Thompson had a deal more reflective of his output, we’d be about to pay Cozens just like we are now

*Zach Hyman* is on pace for nearly 100 points. Scoring is off the chain this season. I know he plays with McD but, he did last year too. He’s already reached his output from last season