Curt

I think ERod is quite a bit better than Sobotka. He is quicker and a better passer than Sobotka. He also is a smart decision maker, defensively responsible, and always gives 100%. Of course he has downsides. His size limits him in puck battles and his shot isn’t very good. I think he is a solid 3rd liner.

I don’t really agree with these assertions. There could be no bigger drop off between players than existed between prime Hasek and whoever is #2. I also don’t think an elite C is more valuable or harder to find than an elite G. Also doubt Gilbert is in top 10 on many all-time C lists. Still, I voted Gil #1 because the poll was for best Sabre, not best player. In that sense, I think being the first draft pick and career Sabre at the franchises start means something.

I actually recall a great d play early in the 1st by Mitts also. Stripped the puck from an opposing forward and skated it out of the d zone.

Probably because they are passing to each other more instead of desperately trying to toss it out of the zone.

SKINNER!!!!!

The difference is that now (theoretically), they have the D to move the puck effectively against a heavy forecheck. Also, if the book on Buffalo is to play them heavy, which teams should be played light? Shouldn’t you play heavy against everyone?

Johansson seems like he is going to be a nice fit on this team.

Columbus was taking the game to Buffalo. Buffalo needs to be quicker and pass better. Find a rhythm. That first goal was pretty flukey but stuff that will happen when the puck hangs out in your end too much. Lets see if Ralph and staff can motivate/make adjustments during intermission.

For me personally, I just need to see the level of play they showed the past two games sustained for a longer period of time, like 25 games. Obviously they won’t play great every game, but if they can give this same type of play for 8 out of 10 games and sustain that for 1/3rd of a season, I’ll be pretty bought in. I guess it depends what you really mean by bought in though. Talent wise I still think this is a borderline playoff team at best. I still think they will struggle to beat the top-10 teams in the league. My preseason prediction was in the 80-85 point range, but it looks like they could possibly sneak into the playoffs if they continue playing like this.

Maybe he put on too much weight. He is looking a little like Mitts.

^^^ Agreed. Pull ups are an exercise that can help build upper body strength, but not the best measure of physical strength because they are so dependent upon body weight. However, I believe that Casey not being able to do a pull up at the combine did show that there was a good amount of overall strength development that still needed to take place with him in order to become a high level pro player.

It’s probably just that Krueger is asking the D to do some different things than Housley, and Housley asked Dahlin to do different things than his HC in the SHL, and Dahlin may just be adjusting. It’s ok if Krueger sees Dahlin as not quite fully on the same page yet and is giving him the time to settle in without overexposing him. It’s going to work itself out.

I’m not complaining about it tonight, but those ice time numbers are going to need to even out. I’d honestly ideally like to see the top 4 get pretty even ice time with everyone between 20-22 mins per night.

This will be sort of interesting to watch going forward. I’m sure it will fluctuate a bit from game to game. If they keep looking as good as tonight, I won’t care who is getting ice time.

I don’t think so. McCabe was leading team in mins from 1st period on.

I heard he (Mitts) was really bad in the preseason though! Hehe

I can’t believe it wasn’t Sobotka.

Nice period. They looked pretty good. Keep it up.

Yes, hopefully Jack is soon a no doubt top-5 player in the NHL. That would be excellent. I would even settle for a top-5 C in the NHL.

I’m not doing that. They could all 3 end up being 2C quality players. What I’m saying is that until someone on the NHL roster actually is, you still need a 2C. I’m not comfortable letting the NHL team continue to go without an answer at 2C. That position needs attention until someone actually proves that they are a good NHL 2C. There is no such thing as having too many good C’s. As you laid out though, it does depend on how things develop. It wouldn’t be wise to pass on a vastly better prospect just to draft a C, but Byfield specially is going to be among the 3-4 best prospects and I doubt anyone outside of Lafreniere would be able to clearly separate themselves above him.

Uh, ok. I already said that this wasn’t the optimal plan for 2C. This whole conversation is about the hypothetical scenario of being there on draft day and needing a C. I hope Buffalo acquires a great 2C tomorrow and it’s not a need on draft day 2020. There I said it.

I’d rather draft Byfield and feel extremely confident that 2C is going to be taken care of long term (by someone), than pass on him (except maybe at 1 or 2 overall) and hope that one of Mitts/Cozens grows into it, feeling somewhat confident that they do. Of course I hope that they show well, but Mitts was legit bad last season and Cozens hasn’t played an NHL game yet. If the plan is for someone to grow into the role, I would probably rather that someone be Byfield. When there is a good, youngish NHL player at 2C, then I won’t consider it a need any longer.

If you need a C and Byfield is on the board, just call him BPA and draft him. I really don’t care why, just draft him. You need him. I believe that NHL teams often do factor in need when they draft, in certain situations. They always say the guy was their top rated guy, because what else are they going to say, really.

Well, if in July 2020 you need a 2C, it makes sense to draft a guy who has a decent chance of playing a competent 2C in 2020-21, with miles of upside from there. I’m not advocating for the Sabres to wait until the 2020 draft and then attempt to draft Byfield, with that being the #1 plan for solving 2C, that would be kinda silly. But if you find yourself at the draft and you need at good C........

Honestly, they probably should still be looking for their 2C a year from now. I doubt Mitts or Cozens will have proven that they can be a good 2C by then. Until they actually have one, they should be on the lookout for one. I’d rather they not wait 3 more years, then decide, “oh yeah we do actually need someone else because Mitts and Cozens aren’t it.” If a team needs a 2C, they shouldn’t pass on Byfield.