erickompositör72

It was alluded to before, but I think it's important to point out that Skinner-type players are "streaky" because so many of their chances are based on good/bad bounces. Someone mentioned he did create many chances last year and didn't get the right bounces, etc. Understandably, every coach wishes you could be more like Eichel (or even Reinhart) than Skinner. But Skinner is one of the best in league at what he does, and I really think last year he was mostly just unlucky. Predicting a big bounce-back for Skinner this season (or, at least- what's the term- "regression to the mean"- but in this case, "progression," rather than "regression")

Exactly. Let's see how Skinner performs with favorable matchups. The top two lines may not need any more help.

Skinner was lighting it up early last year playing with Johansson and Sobotka. I think there is a potential for a line to be constructed outside the top 2 where he succeeds.

This x1000 And that is not to say anyone overrated Larsson on this forum. He was fantastic at what he did. What some people seem to miss is that you can change the style of that line to fit the players on it, and have it be just as effective as the GLO line, but in a different way. Another take on Mittelstadt. How would everyone feel if he kept developing his sense of "defensive responsibility," and became a reliable two-way 3C, who could be depended on to not give up chances to the other team? And who had occasional flashes of putting the puck in the net? I can see he growing into this role very well.

So we have our #1 line?

if, somehow, there is any chance at fans in the building before the end of the season (doubtful, I know), this would be a dream-come-true for NYC-based Sabres fans!

Mitts's wheels look good

Mittelstadt crashes into the boards

in German it should be "toh-BEE-as"

I think he also said "workship" earlier

Risto really just enjoyed stuffing Hallsy

Whether it's just a still picture that the Sabres' fb page shares, or seeing him skate around at this scrimmage... ...I still cannot believe #4 is on our team!

just heard the first "atoll" of the new year! Here we go!!!!

RJ can't be the only person who commutes over the border. They have to have some exemption for that, right?

I think the bolded is a very astute observation. He looked like a different player during that stretch a couple years ago when Jack was injured, when Sam was forced to handle/carry the puck much more. If that element of Sam's game could take off again, he will start turning heads around the league.

My bad. I thought you were reducing a genuine excitement about particular aspects of a players game to generic expectations about 1st rounders

I don't know what pleasure you take in completely decontextualizing my post—I'm assuming talking about 1st round draft picks makes you bitter—but this thread is about expectations, and Cozens name hasn't come up much. I see something special about his game, which I've specified. If you don't feel the same, please do me the courtesy of addressing those specific elements I pointed out, rather than reducing my post and dismissing it.

Am I the only person who thinks Dylan Cozens will be the biggest (pleasant) surprise? Everything I see of this kid looks like someone who has the physical presence, the skill/speed, the hockey sense, and the drive to be an instant success in the NHL

I used to like the idea of a blue & gold Goathead, but then I realized that the red and black is what made them seem so menacing.

Somehow I felt dirty typing that. Now even moreso

He even dangled once

What a stupid comment. Because black men never get arrested for crimes they didn't commit. I'd say you should stay out of this thread

Tomorrow? Or after the playoffs are over?

...which is like saying- "McKinley didn't die from the shooting, he died of sepsis"

I don't think he was saying he will not have more ability than Jay McKee. I think he was saying he'd be the modern NHL's version of McKee. McKee, adjusted for inflation, if you will. Don't be too literalist ?