Amerks8796

When Okposo returns, they’ll need to make a roster move. Very well may be sending him down.

Both good. Could be better, but good.

Established NHLers like them don’t get sent to the ECHL. And they couldn’t, anyway, without their permission.

Malone got hurt last night. Biro is hurt. Girgensons is hurt. C depth is quite bad right now, so looks like a needed move.

This is why the excuses of a poor Amerks defense is irrelevant. He routinely gets outplayed by his partner.

I’ve made my opinions on him quite clear. I don’t think he’s very good. But I have nothing against him, and wish him well. Honestly hope he does great and the Amerks get Subban as starter the rest of the way.

Even with Jokiharju returning, they didn’t need to clear a spot for an additional forward. Hopefully no recall.

Yes. I’ve watched him now for years in Rochester. This is a goalie with a sub .900 save percentage in the AHL. He’s been far below league average every year. I don’t like the way he plays. He’s big, so he mainly just gets in the way of pucks. To me he seems slow and awkward in net. One area of concern is that he seems to have poor vision or something. And I think Biron has alluded to this previously, but he has trouble tracking long shots. He’ll just miss pucks that have been shot towards him from long distances without a screen, and it’s like he just can’t see the puck well. I just don’t see a good goalie, I see a big body that just hopes to get in the way of the puck. Forget about it if you get him moving side to side.

No. He has the flu. I personally despise UPL as a goalie, but if Comrie doesn’t turn it around in the next couple of starts, they might as well give UPL a shot.

That was a really poor effort, and even Appert sounded more upset than usual in his post game press conference. Inexcusable penalty at the end by Cederqvist and just a poor effort defensively all around.

Doesn’t help that the Amerks are missing Mersch, Malone, Tischke. But I agree in general. I like where the organization is headed overall, but they need some more heavy talent. You can’t win when every player is small and skilled. I don’t care if this opinion is old fashioned, you still need heavy players to make through multiple playoff rounds.

Laaksonen got hurt over the weekend so, for the moment, Sabres are out of NHL contracted defensemen in Rochester.

Great win last night. They slept through the first two periods and then finally woke up. They’ve been a strong 3rd period team all year. UPL did his best to blow the game early, but played well after the brutal 2nd goal. Amerks just blitzed Utica at the end, and they had no response.

Bartkowski is steady. He and Davidson need to stay, even when they get healthy.

They also talk about earning their time. And right now he isn’t earning it. To me, it sends a bad message if he starts the next game.

It’s unbelievable how there’s always an excuse for him. Never mind the fact that they’ve actually played far superior defense this year. And Houser managed to do ok today too. He just sucks.

Of course Houser played well behind the same defense that people use as an excuse for UPL. Perhaps he needs to lose his starter gig for a little while? I don’t think him being gifted endless starts, despite poor performances, is how you treat professional goalies. Houser earned the next start, but I’m sure it’ll go to UPL.

I’m not sure if there’s a way to look it up, but the Sabres have to be top 5 in the league over the least decade in cumulative injuries. Wouldn’t be surprised if they were 1.

I’ll give Karmanos credit, they lost a lot on D and actually replaced them with AHL level players. Too often it’s filler from the ECHL. Now they just need to get the Amerks a veteran forward at some point to help get some offense.

It’s always an excuse for him. NHL level goalies find a way to excel in the AHL regardless. He’s just not very good.

.892 save percentage for UPL. I know everyone was hyping him up, but I’m not seeing it. When is he going to show that he’s not consistently a below average goalie in the AHL?

Yes. Capfriendly tracks this quite accurately. If you click on his player profile, there’s a breakdown.

He does if he plays 4 more games.

I don’t think they’ll have a choice. Carrying 8 D is pretty common. They won’t waive Pilut or Fitzgerald. I think they’d waive Sheahan first.

No official announcement from the team, but the AHL transaction page has Brandon Davidson being signed. Hopefully he’s more of a permanent replacement for Pilut, and I can’t see him coming back.