Pimlach

He is a first line player. He is certainly a 1C on the last place Sabres. Is he a 1C on a playoff team? Maybe he is on a few of them. Is he a 1C on a Cup Contender? No. On a cup contender his is scoring 50 goals playing wing with a 1C. I think is a 40 goal scorer (with potential for 50) whether he plays center or wing. He is a force in a unique way. Granato believed that him playing center gave him more room, thus more goal scoring opportunities. I cannot deny that he broke out as a player at center, but he was going to break out anyway. Ruff doesn’t seem to like him as a center because his two way game does not translate to a center that gets 20 minutes a game, much of it against top lines. I think he can play either position but I believe Ruff is correct. Tage is scoring with Kulich. When he is healthy he will score goals.

Thankfully nothing like this is happening nd hopefully never will. They can do non nuke damage but the war in Ukraine shows Russian power is not what it used to be, except for the nukes.

I get that you are just going through a fun exercise, but you forget that Russia would have 60+ submarines in the three oceans that surround Canada. Without US naval and air support they could do a lot of damage to Canada’s population centers very quickly and force a surrender. Probably in a few days, and they can do it without putting a Russian boot on the ground. Long range bombers flying over the arctic would also be available to them. The Russians only have one aircraft carrier and it is thought to be non operational, but they don’t need it or conventional ground troops to force a surrender. Fortunately, we see from Ukraine that their readiness, tactics, and logistics are not at our past perceived Cold War levels. With brings me to the Arctic Ocean which boarders 100,000 miles of Canadian coastline. It’s an absolutely critical spot. More so because of Chinas progress as a world power, but also because of Russia. Thats where the importance of Greenland comes in. But this is a hockey forum.

If you’re evaluating a player, Kulich in this example, there is tons of data out there that shows playing him with Cozens is a bad choice. Kulich played wing in Rochester, he was moved to center because there was no one else and Lindy was desperate and experimenting. He already is a better center than Cozens. Tage is scoring while playing with Kulich, I would not change that at this point. I can agree that Kulich is not a 1C, no one on this really team is.

Why put a big load on a rookie, Kulich, when he is thriving centering Tage? I think that 2nd line hurts Kulich. Moving Tuch down with Cozens and Quinn helps them by providing adult supervision.

No to your question. The Sabres need to stop cherry picking the results an look at the entire body of work. Cozens is not a good center. There is enough data out there and enough video to support that. Move him to wing or move him.

Or our coaches play a 3rd period “protect the lead” game that the players are not capable of playing.

I agree with you 100% Most people in the US did not know what 4 Nations was before the tournament, or even after it. When compared to all the sports entertainment going on it is not big here, even in most US hockey cities it was just a passing interest. It’s big in Canada because hockey is big in Canada. Add the stupid Trump comments and it’s even a bigger deal to the more nationalistic type of Canadian person. I’m fine with it. Sports are a positive distraction from everyday life for many of us.

Agree with most of this. It was definitely the younger players that hurt the team, especially Cozens, Power, Samuelsson, and Quinn. Peterka inconsistent. Benson is not finding the scoresheet and now a 4th liner with Krebs. Byram had some up and down play. All defenseman have better numbers when paired with Dahlin. Most telling is Byram and Power did not step up when Dahlin was hurt. That was a big part of the 13 game losing streak. Our defense needs better defensive players. Zucker started the season on the 3rd line but has been a strong contributor anywhere he played. How much will we overpay to keep him and how much is left in the tank? McLeod was in Ruff’s dog house for a while and played 4th line while minutes were given to Cozens and Krebs. I don’t know why either. Abe Kubel and Lafferty did not contribute much but Malenstyn did Kulich was a big positive. His centering the top line says a lot about our center strength, or lack there of. They cannot roll this back. They need a top 6 center and a RHD that plays defense.

How rare to see them down 2 going into the 3rd and get a win. That was the good part. Remember the start of the season, they played like they didn’t know each other. A few of the usual whipping boys played better. Getting better, but I sure hope the late season wins do not lead Terry and Kevyn to roll it back. They still need help at center and defense.

is that you?

Scary finish again. UPL gets no easy W’s the way this team plays.

This Alamo style sucks. Tossing the puck around like a hot potato.

1, 2, 3. I want 4

Ray’s comments and attitude are worrisome.

A needless icing. They better not revert to Lindy Alamo.

Rayzor drunk again. The Sabres better rethink this

Their goalie seems to be purposely knocking the net off

Joker with a big goal.

Tuchie slips it in

How does Tage not score again. Or Tuch. It’s just not going in yet.

Terrible period by the Sabres. Ray is getting huge. Stop feeding the beast.

Cozens on the power play. Ugh.

A game where a team that can’t score comes in gets power play opportunities and goals. Not feeling like our night.

Sad but true. Big they could just bring good hockey back it would be packed every night.