PerreaultForever

Tuch. I'd have given Rasmus an A and the second A honestly not sure. Maybe Thompson. I used to say Cozens but he hasn't earned it. Possibly. Or they just couldn't decide and gave the C to the highest paid and longest term signed player and then rotated in the older higher ranked players so as not to offend any of them by being left out.

Don't know if Ottawa is dressing an NHL line up or not but Ullmark is supposedly starting and will play the first half so I doubt they dress all minor leaguers in front of him at home.

I'm not surprised but I disagree with the choice. It's not a big disagreement, but we shall see if it's a mistake down the road. Absolutely hate the rotational alternates. That's complete indecisive dumbassery imo.

IF they emerge. Personally I think more might depend on how much money Byram wants and how important they think he is. Also Jokiharju. Management might feel we have too much money going into D and somebody might get moved and thus a spot open up. For next year.

But also a team that drafted 2 D men first overall. The numbers game changed when they traded Mitts for Byram. I'm not saying I liked the trade (I didn't) but that deal left Johnson with no spot at this time unless they move a D man or they don't pay one next year. Arguably, the D might be considered "good" when Clifton became the 7th or 8th man like he was in Boston.

This in no way makes him a bust. 23 is not old for a D man and he needs ice time, not sitting in the press box as 8th or 9th D. You want him to be #1 in Rochester and developing as the potential replacement for Byram or Jokiharju should they not be part of next year's team. Waiver rules also factor into these decisions.

Nope, nope and definitely nope. I guess lots of posts because I'm excited for hockey this year. Really hoping that Ruff can finally deliver what's long overdue. If he doesn't, well, then I will be depressed. I said "if" and you missed that or chose to ignore it. If means if. Krebs isn't an unknown entity. He played all last year. He's not going to play with Thompson and Peterka, that's just never going to happen in the regular season. If it does we are in big trouble. You think I post too much about the Sabres, don't read me. Simple solution for you.

It was like watching an AHL game. Rochester did fine. Nothing overly impressive but this group too seemed to attack the net front better than last year's Sabres so I assume Ruff must be preaching this constantly. It's a good thing. Long overdue.

So do they take 5 players from every team and since Buffalo is low in the standings he's near the 30x5 mark cause I have no idea how you make any sort of sensible ranking like that. So I guess Thompson's better, Dahlin's better, Power slightly as you said and who is the other one above him?

This one should be on Sportsnet for any Canadians out there.

Yes, so at the moment both Cozens and Power are overpaid - until they are not if they show it on the ice. Remains to be seen if these will be good, bad or just right contracts but they were both paid on faith and expectation.

Oh I know they said it, and if Ruff was trying to create new lines I'd get it but Peterka-Thompson-Tuch ended last season and it's the same guys so what's the point of that? Better you keep testing Kulich etc. to see if you have anything. As for seeing what Krebs can do there I guess, but he's not exactly an unknown entity. Doesn't matter, it's preseason, I guess they feel they need to get used to the sound of Ruff's voice.

Bussi has shown signs of being possibly good. He could easily be like UPL was for us last year. Korpisalo, well, Bruins fans are hoping Goalie Bob can fix him.

There's a feeling of betrayal there. Swayman told them he loved it there and wanted to be a lifer and their #1 so they committed to him with the Ullmark trade. Then Swayman (or his agent) used that as leverage. Upper management seems angry and they might have even pulled an earlier offer as a result. They're digging in and unless something changes ultimately Swayman will be traded. So yes, they've downgraded in goal and there might be an opportunity for them to fall and for teams to pass them. Maybe. The D is pretty darn good though so maybe mediocre goaltending is still enough. Hard to say.

I think it's fair to say his contract makes the expectation higher. He's currently not living up to what Adams paid him.

Benson's arguably the best player on the ice right now. Don't really get why they played Peterka and Thompson if they wanted to rest Tuch. Odd to use a stacked line up if you're not looking for line chemistry but whatever.

Net front D on the Columbus goal was atrocious. Just like last year. This will have to improve for any chance of success. On the plus side they are attacking the opponent's net better.

For some reason not on Sportsnet today and in Canada they block you for Sabres.com unless you do the VPN thing (no idea why since it's not on Sportsnet, seems dumb as it's a promotional offering) I have found it on a sketchy European site.

Well sure, anybody could be the guys Ruff uses but I don't see that as one of his skills. Maybe he surprises, but right now he's just a marginal NHLer 4th line banger.

Zucker isn't great at anything but he isn't bad at anything either. I think he'd be a stabilizing force if it's needed and the second line struggles but Benson is going to be the much more dynamic player and really should be the 2nd line guy. Mind you McLeod is pretty fast so pairing him with Benson might yield benefits as well.

Don't think they are all PK bound. I doubt Malentsyn is, Lafferty, Greenway and McLeod probably. No idea on Zucker.

Except, it's okay for you for Quinn to be up high chasing a defender but not for Cozens, he has to be everywhere right? I will bet you that Lindy has told Cozens to attack the point. It's the D's job to box out and cover the slot.

Power-Dahlin is an interesting pairing. Not sure it would work, but it's interesting to try and see. We don't have a shutdown pair. Cliffy is not a shutdown D man. I think for us to have success Muel has to be a top 4 guy. Ultimately, we have a lot of offensive skill on D but not enough defensive D. It still will rely too much on quick exit and I think it might break down under a heavy forecheck. I guess the Byram trade still bugs me, because we already had that guy and didn't need another one. We needed a defensive guy. Preferably a big defensive guy.

Yes, but it'll be Levi not Reimer to start the season unless Levi sucks bad in Lindy's mind. I don't like those D pairings though. It's those 6 guys but Byram Power worries me and I don't see Joker getting Dahlin minutes. A lot depends on where Muel's at as I've said before. He looked rusty tonight. We have more guys who play like men this year though and I think that will be infectious.

Don't be so sure of that. Wait until that kid is a full grown man and I'm pretty sure you'll see a fair number of cheap shots. He might not lick anybody, but he's gonna crosscheck and slash and do a little this or that in tight quarters mark my words. How dirty idk, but he won't win a Lady Byng.