NAF

I worry that down the line this team will let other teams physically bully them a la Maple Leafs. I think Savoie plays a tough game, but he's still only 5'9". Other than that there isn't much physicality among the Sabres blue chip prospects.

He's overpaid by about 2 million and 8 years was way too much term (though I guess they kinda had to it to him), but most UFAs underperform their deals. I think if he can continue to produce into the latter years of the deal it's a fine-meh contract. Most teams have at least one ***** contract. I will also add that I think Skinner will continue to be effective as he gets older -- his game isn't about footspeed but rather his edgework around the net.

Okay, but what are the odds that second round pick becomes better than Johnson? And there's something to be said for the time value -- a second round pick this year likely doesn't make it to the NHL for another 3-4 years. I'd rather have Johnson. At least he looks like he'll be an NHL player.

I feel like Quinn is a bit snakebitten and is shooting at a low percentage for a guy touted as a sniper/goalscorer. Hopefully in the latter part of the season he can start finding the back of the net more. Next year is really when I expect him to takeoff. I really think there is star potential within this player. A poor man's Pastrnak maybe.

The future is now, old man.

Nicklas Lidstrom was a better defenseman than Bobby Orr and I'll die on that hill. I don't care how many points Orr put up against a bunch of guys in 1810.

This seems absurdly low. If I'm KA I'd probably pull the trigger on our first this year (lotto protected), and two seconds. I get it. The contract will be rough. Conversely, players like this don't become available often. Meier is a fantastic young hockey player -- I'm drooling thinking about Meier with Cozens for the next six years.

Hold both of them out until after the break. Looked like a mild concussion for Cozens. A bit concerning given that it didn't look like that big of a shot -- has Cozens suffered any concussions previously? I think you may be more susceptible to if you've had them previously.

IMO due to Eichel's injury and potential locker room issues Meier will cost closer to 100% of what Vegas paid for Eichel. I think at the very least we're giving up Savoie, 2024 first, and Kulich/Rosen/Östlund.

Anyone know if this draft is relatively deep? Obviously there's top end talent with Bedard, Michkov, etc., but will we be able to snag some potential middle six players with the three second rounders?

One of the main issues I had with Botterill was his inability to find solid depth pieces for cheap. How many mid-late round picks did we give up for guys like Frolik, Miller, Beaulieu, etc.? Props to Adams and his staff for finding Jost and paying nothing for him.

What? They'll definitely have the cap space to resign Okposo. He's not gonna be getting more than like 2.5 mil. They'll continue to give Okposo 1 year deals until he wants to retire. Otherwise they wouldn't have given him the C this year.

Ehh... not a big Pronman fan. I feel like he doesn't really do enough research/watch enough film on most of these guys. Hard to blame him since there are so many, but still. For example here is how he described Peterka: Skating: NHL average Puck skills: Above NHL average Hockey sense: NHL average Compete: NHL average Shot: Above NHL average IMO Peterka is at least an above average skater. He's both fast and quick. I've seen nothing from him to convince me that his puck skills nor shot are above average. Additionally I think his compete is above average; his motor, especially on the forecheck is fantastic. Regardless of who is ranking prospects, having quite a few among the top 50 is pretty sweet.

Obviously it sucks that they lost, but I think the bigger issue is how they lost. The type of game that Florida played yesterday was playoff like. Hard checking, fast, crashing the net, etc.. My larger fear is that Granato's system doesn't work against that style of hockey. I wouldn't be surprised if down the line Granato is the kind of coach that can get this team to the playoffs, but won't be able to get them past the first or second round. I also worry that players like Tage will become ineffective in the playoffs due to the Granato-inspired type of game they play.

I'm predicting a win, but a weak third period performance. They'll come out strong after that dud last night and put up 3-5 in the first two periods, only to be followed by a collapse in the third where Comrie/whoever has to bail them out.

Definitely. Zemgus will probably get another two years. Okposo will probably get one year deals until he retires.

I think this is really what I've noticed out of Krebs these last few weeks. His motor is unrelenting. I think this has combined nicely with the checking/offensive zone possession capabilities of Okposo and Girgensons. I don't know what caused him to turn it up like that but I'm eager to see more. Even if Krebs ends up just being a bottom six 30-40 point player I consider that a positive in looking at the return for Eichel.

I thought Östlund looked just okay. Some flashes of skill and speed but still a very raw prospect. I don't think there's any cause for concern -- he was always viewed as a bit of a developmental project. I wouldn't expect to see him in the AHL until 2 years from now.

Jost continues to impress me. I feel bad that he's stuck with 71 and 37. I wouldn't mind seeing Jost centering Asplund and Hinnostroza. Krebs had a great first period but struggled in the latter two. Luukkonnen needs to work on rebound control and getting his glove hand up higher, but other than that he was good last night.

***** awesome from Krebs.

Kulich made a nice play to draw a penalty. Hasn't done much other than that though.

One thing I will also add about Skinner is that I think he'll still be a pretty decent player when he gets older and into the latter years of the contract. His game isn't really about speed so he won't really be "losing a step" when he gets older as he never really had that step to begin with. The differentiating factor in his skating is his edgework and smoothness, both of which are more about technique rather than leg speed.

Mittelstadt has the longest leash I’ve ever seen. Dude must be the greatest locker room guy of all time.

What veterans do you propose bringing in and for what price? I'll agree with you that a solid veteran addition in the middle 6 would probably do wonders for the team, but those players aren't generally available at this point in the season. Additionally, to get a player that fits that bill would probably cost a decent sum.