Pimlach

RIP Paul. Great guy. A big reason for the huge success and popularity of the Sabres in Buffalo the 1970’s. He could do PR better than anyone. Everything about him was good PR, he was a natural at it.

Exactly. Some here are ready to hand the Kraken a Stanley Cup. The reality is they are 3 wins better than Buffalo. I think Buffalo can improve the numbers simply by putting more focus on their defensive zone play and a few minor additions.

There you go clouding the issue with facts again. Let me add that the way a team plays defense has a lot to do with the goaltenders success and great stats. One only needs to look no further than at Linus Ullmark to understand this. Let's look at Seattle and Buffalo team stats. Seattle Buffalo Total Saves 1349 1538 SCA 1133 1190 SV % 0.895 0.898 SV % (5v5) 0.920 0.916 Total Goals Allowed 169 184 aGA (5v5) 99 120 GAA 3.09 3.47 HDA 402 404 HDCO% 11.8 10 PK % 71.4 72.8 Conclusions?

Looking at how expansion teams are initially supplied with players, it is easier for them to start out respectable (Seattle), if not good (Vegas), than it is for teams to rebuild. Seattle started with a veteran team of good players and with nice additions of 2 prime first round picks.

Oh, missed that. Still, another decent prospect to consider if Johnson decides to move on.

Tuch compliments Thompson very well. There will be a day with Skinner is replaced with a two-way winger that can finish. That will help Tage's game in the defensive zone.

I don't think Detroit stinks. They seem to be a team with some good youth, a bunch of vets, and some middling talent but that doesn't quit and grinds out games. Detroit is using the more conventional building process that adds vets to their prospects and as the vets age out their next wave of prospects (and next wave of ufa's) can fill the holes. Buffalo shows flashes of great play (high levels of speed and skill) followed by periods of errant, mistake filled play. I think Buffalo's core players (Thompson/Dahlin/Cozens) are younger and better than Detroit's. Buffalo has less veteran support but their next tier of young talent is already playing everyday (Power/Krebs/Quinn/Peterka) and Buffalo's prospect pipeline looks deeper. Buffalo is making less moves (so it looks like they are moving slower) and yet still getting the same results in the standings. The teams will battle it out this year and probably even next year. In two years I think the Sabres will pull away and be a contender to win the division (assuming they get the goaltending) and I am not so sure Detroit is on that path.

Good summary. In pre-season I was on record to be in favor of adding a center too. That was before Cozens took his step up of course. I was looking to replace the face-off skill and the 2-way game of Eakin (I know most people here did not appreciate him) because I did not think Mitts/Asplund/Zemgus could do it. In hindsight, Jost was the perfect guy for that role. He is low cost, he does ok in the face off circle, he is willing to play a 2-way game, he is very good in the room, and it appears he still had something in his game that was untapped and can get better. Adding Jost should tell us that Adams is looking at everything. Our future at center is bright. Tage and Cozens are 1 and 2. Krebs is definitely hungry and getting better and he could be a 3, at least a 4. Jost handled 3C and his inspired play helped wake up Mitts and Olofsson; but Jost is probably a 4 on this team. Our pipeline has Savioe, Östlund, and Kulich. Some of these guys might be better at wing but overall this is a rich situation. Since we were unwilling to invest in Trochek, a guy like Jost has really fit the bill. I still want to add a 4/5 RHD right now for the playoff run. My requirements are: big, mobile, and with some term left at a decent price. Joel Edmundson is a good fit, not sure his game today is what it was in St Louis, but if Montreal is selling I would give up a 2nd rounder. From what I remember of his game, he could settle things down and help the younger guys a lot. His presence will help Dahlin from having to police the team too.

Looks like Buffalo is not the only team getting snubbed by college prospects. Pretty good RHD prospect here.

I have been telling you that. You need to stop making positive predictions. Continue to be negative, it seems to help the team and its funny too.

Who is talking revenge?

The Ducks goalie was terrible.

Strome is 1” taller and 1 lb heavier than Clague. Pretty even match. Clague gave him a nice hard check but would not drop them. Ok fine, but someone on the team needs to answer the bell besides Dahlin and Cozens.

Meh. Somethings he does better than Bryson. He had at least 3 turnovers in our zone on that horrendous 2nd period shift. He could have taken on Ryan Strome at the end of the 3rd but he refused several invitations. I would have respected him more if he did. Win or lose, sometimes you have to answer the bell.

We stay alive. Hard to believe Detroit is tied with us as well. Ottawa is close by. Everyone wants to make the playoffs !!!

Cozens on the PP

Bummer. I was hoping McJesus would help us.

Clague should get 2 minutes for being a chicken. My god defend yourself Kale. It’s Strome.

He and JJP were both holding that 2nd line back - two rookies on one line is not a good thing. Quinn might be getting better matchups on 3rd line.

He is a pretty good guy and quite popular in visiting arenas.

Comrie was a stone wall on that one.

Girgs with sick hands. Quinn with another assist. Jost started the play. nice

Ray drinking a lot during intermission.

except they both stink