Pimlach

Right on

https://www.visitbuffaloniagara.com/jays-named-the-no-8-best-pizzeria-in-the-u-s/

Jays Artisan Pizzeria on Delaware Rd in the Village of Kenmore. Great area and great, but different, pizza in Buffalo. This is not typical cup and char Buffalo pepperoni pizza. This restaurant has received national acclaim for their pizza. They make two styles and each style can be ordered multiple ways. The first style is a great Neapolitan style. The second is a Detroit square pizza style that is amazing. They make the dough for the Detroit style before they open. When the run out it’s done for that day. If you want a “square” you get there early, they always run out. There are several nice shops and bars in the area near Jays.

Interesting but good dilemma. On one hand what if they were not patient with Tage and Casey? Maybe 23 to 24 is the age you see a young forward really break out? Jost is already 25 and had stints with Colorado and Minnesota. He is what he is - he is most likely always gonna be 4th line/ spare forward guy with some skill and some defensive checking ability. He is a guy that is good in the room too, but I don't see him lasting too much longer. I do like the guy though, he will work hard for you. Krebs is still 22 (until Jan) and might have more upside than Jost. This is the year he has to show more because Benson is making this team, if not this season then next. Savoie might be on that same level as Benson - we shall see how he looks soon. Kulich and Rosen are going to get a look too. That is 4 Adams picked first rounders that will get a fair look no doubt. I actually think that the AHL time that Kulich and Rosen are getting is going to benefit them a lot. Krebs, even as a 4C, is going to have to generate some offense to fight these guys off. Krebs could be the later bloomer that gets away, but we have so many forwards it is inevitable that some of them are going to be NHL players somewhere else. I just don't want to see a mentality with Adams and DG were we are trying guys out all season and still in a developmental mode. Its time to win, play whoever best helps us do that.

Very sad news on Johnson. He is only 29.

3H?

Opie or UPL. The players call him Opie. The coached called him UPL after the Avs game. 6K is kind of forced and corny, it might not stick. He did not look great in Rochester in '21-22 when he played 35 games there and he was not looking great down there in 22-23 when he played 9 games before the call up. Last year he was 17-11-4 for Buffalo with a 3.58 GAA and a less than stellar 0.892 SV%. Two weird things about him are: statistically he plays better for Buffalo than he does for Rochester; and the Sabres seem to score goals for him. I hope that Hank is correct and that UPL becomes a great NHL. With better team defense, and if he can play consistent at the Av game level, lets get that GAA down to 2.5 or less and the SV up to 0.92 or better. Then we are cooking. Comparing Levi and UPL, it looks to me like Levi is the better skilled, more schooled, and more disciplined. UPL is big, much slower in lateral movement, does not have a glove like Levi, gives up big bouncy rebounds too often, and he gets beat regularly on breakaway and shoot outs. Versus the Avs, UPL (Opie, 6K) had a great game. Lets hope that he can find the consistency needed to succeed.

True. We have not seen Savoie since camp so no way should he get a roster spot in the NHL. A conditioning stint in Roch is perfect for him. Then he can get 9 games in Buffalo without effecting the ELC. If he makes the case to stay he stays, otherwise he goes back to juniors. Benson is working on his 9 game tryout right now. He is in the same boat - earn the spot. I would say he looks good at times but I would not say that he contributed more than Jost did against the Avs. Benson played about 4 more minutes but Jost potted a goal. Benson certainly has a much higher ceiling than Jost but we are trying to win right now. Sending the 18 year old and 170 pound Benson back to juniors is not going to hurt him. We also have a few nice prospects that are lighting it up in the AHL. They will probably get a look as the season progresses.

No way Murray wants to live the life of an NHL scout, but that is what he basically is if you take away the nepotism. JBot knows a lot more and is way more legit I would say. He is one of 7 execs reporting to Ron Francis in Seattle, he is one of the two Asst GMs. He is not overloaded or over his head and is probably doing a fine job for them. He was pushed into the big boy chair too soon, but he is a legit hockey exec. I actually commend Bots for sticking to his principles, even when it cost him his job.

If Levi can go start him and give UPL the home game. If not, we have Opie until Levi is ready.

There are many bad hockey executives, bad coaches, and bad players who are or were living off of Pegula's contracts - they were nice severance packages. After about 3 wasteful regime changes he decided he needed to watch expenses and become "efficient, effective and economic". Then he had to lay off rank and file employees, many that were there longer than him. Back to Murray, all I can think of is he must not have any friends in the hockey business once his uncles retired.

They fly chartered flights. Most airports have small satellite terminals for chartered flights. You do not go through main airport terminals and do not check in with the masses or stand around at airport gates waiting. Therefore, you are exposed to way less people. It is all about odds, and yes, it only takes one sick person .... what is your point anyway?

Tim Murray was a disaster and he did not understand a lot. I think he works at the new Chick' Filet in Ottawa now.

? When the student is ready, the teacher emerges. Translation: Eichel and his cohorts did not want to be led

When he applied the “push” Maker had the puck. Maker said it himself, he wasn’t working hard, he basically lost an edge and could not stop. He is not even hurt bad. He is lucky it was Okposo and not a guy like Marchand.

Terrible take. This guy doesn’t follow hockey if he thinks that.

Tage with a very clean face off win. They can matter. Especially in your d-zone.

Because they let things go the other way. The Avs were not angels out there, they had half of the minors to kill. Consistency was lacking.

Spot on.

Good to see. He needs to keep playing with that kind of presence. This is not a game you play nice.

You have been consistent in your message. I hope you end up being correct. I’ve been critical of this plan.

Eric Johnson played 19:21 TOI today. I think he is looking like a real good acquisition by Adams. Our PK faced 6 minors today, he has been a big help. He is bringing leadership and know how.

I hope that happens. It did today.

We played our best game of the season. UPL deserved the shutout I feel Avs were tired and they missed on their scoring chances. They shot a few right into the goalie, and they missed some open nets. Still, UPL moved well and came out to cover angles better than usual. After the first 5 minutes he started to cover everything within reason. We had a lot of contributors today. Mitts was especially good. JJP, Tuch, Greenway, that Dahlin guy too. Best of all the home crowd saw a win that was comfortable and fun, and against a top team.