Cascade Youth

They just don’t have enough good scorers and their goaltending is average. It’s really that simple. Constructing a roster heavy on puck-moving defensemen is a questionable strategy - those defensemen have no scorers to bring the puck to, and the style makes them susceptible to the stretch passes where they lack an elite goalie to bail them out. Dahlin once again looks like an elite player. Reino is battling, I think, he’s just having a tough time fitting his game into the offense. Skinner is being asked to create offense all by himself which has never been his game. E-Rod, Mojo and Sheary are playing like they belong in Rochester with the Mythlestadt. Multiple coaches have now been unable to succeed with these core players. Botterill has failed at his job. Time to move on. It happens.

Johan was a disgrace tonight.

I forgot Johansson was playing.

It’s not that I blame the goalies - but it would be nice if they kept us in games more often.

Jack

I think there are games where Eichel looks bad because he’s playing so much faster than the rest of his teammates. In reality they’re the ones out of sync. Tonight might be one of those games.

You really think Botterill has the credibility to ship out a player he just convinced his boss to pay big money to a few months ago? How is that conversation gonna go?

They aren’t even close to the Leafs’ class or talent level. JBotts’ roster is so bare of talent, despite multiple drafts. And we’re still up against the cap somehow. It’s depressing. Go Bills.

I’m changing my answer.

I’ve been hard on a Eichel this year because he seemed mopey to me (tho understandable). He seems to have stepped up and matured a bit during the season. Jack is the best passer I’ve ever seen - he knows where everyone is at all times, he has a “six sense” for the game that only the great ones possess. He’s unselfish with the puck to a fault. He’s also ox strong with the puck. Matthews seems to me like a natural scorer but lacks mental toughness and needs a structure around him in order to thrive. I’m happy with the one we’ve got.

Is he wrong?

He should be disappointed in his performance, not being sent down. They are doing him a FAVOR.

Dahlin, KO, Vesey

Reinhart was off all game.

He was exhausted and IMO out of patience. The first turnover was sheer exhaustion. The second one, he just let everyone get in too deep. Should’ve circled back around but he passed it out of impatience. Would be nice if someone else made a play. Would also be nice if the refs called a fair and even game but it’s Bettman’s NHL, that will likely never happen.

That’s the thing that gets me. Putting aside the timing element - he’s basically saying he deserves to be ahead of one (or more) of his defensive peers. Those guys have been working hard too - who does he think should be sitting so that he can play?

Personally? No more tickets or merchandise for me. My dollars will not be parted with any longer. Waste of time and money.

I mean there’s a market for this thing so...

Reinhardt forgot it was 3x3 and passed it back to nobody. Then Risto made another business decision for himself - has been making them for six weeks. Besides overtime it was a good game. Team is better with Bogo in and Dahlin out, sorry but it’s true. But man. I won’t miss Risto. And Sam tallies the points but never makes a difference.

The league just has no sense or self-awareness. I don’t need to look any farther than the ridiculous spectacle that is the televised lottery - a bunch of suited up white dudes sitting awkwardly on stools waiting for ping pong balls to drop - that’s the NHL’s idea of good prime time viewing. Bettman is a freaking clown - the NHL succeeds despite itself. It’s run by absolute morons.

I wish there were a way to make the Pegulas read this thread. Some Truly great takes here.

This is Bettman’s NHL. Completely tone-deaf about the health and future of the sport.

This is exactly where I'm at. He missed the net like 3 times from 10-15 feet out the other night. He doesn't look to me to be getting any better - he looks like a downright imposter out there, a paperboy dressed up as a hockey player for halloween with fake shoulderpads and everything. I don't see him growing into his frame at all, nor do I see his skills improving - he's a zero. Make him someone else's problem.

I have ZERO DOUBT that if there were a players-only meeting, especially if convened by Jack, it would find its way into the local rags. Heck, the Sabres' internal spin operation would be running to the presses to get it there.

If Eichel was the kind of leader this team needs, he'd be organizing a players-only meeting today to discuss what has been going on out there. He'd call out Hutton in that meeting, along with others (and himself). If he does that, I'll consider changing my mind about him. But I doubt he does.