Zamboni

Break it down however you want. By player. By position. Give explainations if you want. Give a letter grade. Coaching ... D- GM ... C- Goaltending ... C+ Defense ... B- Forwards ... C+

As long as he’s 100% factual and not bloated with pompous opinion, conjecture and overly dramatic “stories”, it would be an interesting read. But I have a feeling some would believe all the “negative light” stories and question all the “positive light” stories. But an interesting read to be sure.

Who the heck, thinks a 20 year old first year player in the pros won’t develop? I don’t think anyone would be that obtuse. He has too much talent to not develop. It may be a slower road like a Reinhart or Ullmark instead of a faster road like a Eichel or Dahlin. And I’m fine with that.

I liked Reinhart the moment we drafted him and still do. He’s not flashy, fast paced or loud. He’s a quiet player who does his talking on the ice. He is an example of slowly developing into a very good player. He needed time, and he had it. Now it’s paying dividends. If he keeps this up next season, I am afraid he’ll be getting a huge contract. Somewhere in the 6-7 range. But I would gladly pay that for what he brings and continues to develop.

Yes I agree, let’s move on. Because the AHL and other lower developing leagues are VERY relevant and will continue to be. agree to disagree. On to Olofsson ... I like his hustle. And determination in reading plays and being in positions to receive the pass and take shots. That really stood out to me last night.

22 to go. Remember you can use European pro leagues too since they develop players like the AHL is a developmental league. oh, one off seasons isn’t really making the point either, right? I mean if they are top scorers in the NHL, they would be at the top of the list for multiple years.

I stand corrected.i read his overall regard to the AHL wrong. im glad he realizes that the AHL is a developmental league. im glad he knows that players who aren’t (usually top 10 draftees) drafted high, aren’t good enough coming out of high school and college and NEED a league to help them develop into better players so they have a chance, a chance ... to contribute to an NHL team. im glad he knows the NHL is not a league to develop. Most players need lower leagues to large degree where they can be effective players and actually stick on a NHL roster. im glad he knows not every player develops past being a good AHLer. The talent just isn’t there to make the jump. if that’s what he meant, then my apologies for misunderstanding him.

I can’t decide… I’m leaning towards RJ though lol

So is claiming that players don’t need a developmental league’s to get better. It’s absurd it’s obnoxious and it’s flat out wrong

1. Your age has absolutely positively nothing to do with this conversation. But I’m glad you told me your age now we are all in lightened knowing how old you are. 2. I know you want to pat yourself on the back, but you are not thinking outside any kind of arbitrary made up box that you have created for yourself in regards to players aren’t high draft picks, not needing the AHL or an equivalent developmental league and needing it for developing their game. You are the one that originally made a grand statement, and overall generalized statement that the AHL isn’t really that needed for most players. That you questioned how useful or how important that league really is for players. Time and time again, day after day, you fail to prove your point. You make a comment about finding 100 players who are the top scorers in the NHL not needing a developmental league to get better like AHL. Step up, back up your claim, prove your point. Otherwise your claim has no validity. And you should just keep that point to yourself, or be challenged every time that gets spewed out of your mouth. Keep avoiding keep deflecting keep bringing up other points that have nothing to do with the original point. You seem to be very good at it. Do the homework. Unless you know you can’t back it up, never mind that is why you’re not doing the homework, because you can’t back up that claim. I bet your reply to this will still not address your original point with facts and proof. I even made it easy for you I said I only want to see 25 players over the last decade who are not top 10 draftees, Who over the course of their careers are top scorers in the NHL, who had little or no AHL or equivalent developmental league time. They just came into the league and were incredible point Producers right away and continued to be throughout their career to this day. I guess Olofsson is wrong huh? He doesn’t know any better? You calling him a liar? The lengths you’ll go huh? 3. I’m glad you’re modest enough to call yourself smart enough. Thanks for letting us now. 4. I’m not the one that brought your name into the conversation, if you look back someone else brought your name up, and I replied to that post. I’m still waiting and waiting and waiting… yawn

I’ve never been to Universal. Every time I make plans to go to Florida, I always put Disney over Universal in my mind, so I end up spending my money at Disney ?

Possible. I guess anything is possible. its possible the moon is made of cheese when you dig down 50 feet too. Unlikely. But possible.

You aren’t gonna change some people’s minds. No matter how big a sledgehammer you try to use. Tom is set in his beliefs. So be it ...

He made a interesting comment last night. He said (and it’s not the first time) he wouldn’t have been able to do what he’s able to do today If he didn’t go and develop and learn the game in Roch. first. That spending time in Roch. really helped him develop and get used to the NA ice and the way the game is played over here. So from the horses mouth, he himself knows he would not have been able to look “this good” if some of the fans got their wish and he was called up in Dec/Jan. a full season of development in the AHL really helped him round out his game. I’m glad he recognizes that and hopefully he has a great post season in the AHL and works his tail off in the summer, and comes into camp and makes the team. I’m rooting for him.

T-minus 1 ...

I like hockey talk not just Sabres only talk. If anyone likes that too then tune into hockey central Podcasts. its also on live from 12:00-1:00 ET

So as some of you know I’m a STH, I’m at the game tonight ... all season long, I’ve been massively annoyed by the DJ dude. I don’t like it/him. Maybe I just don’t like the concept of a DJ at a hockey game trying to pump the crowd. He’s kinda bad at it. Beyond the “well the team sucks, what do you expect” factor. He’s just not good at it. anyone else agree/disagree?

That spells doom ?

As good as we may look at times ... it’s the freakin Senators. And we are hanging on to lead. Barely ...

Stay semi close to home to get maximum time with activities instead of on a plane or several planes. hockey hall of fame/Toronto rock n roll hall of fame adirondacks camping/hiking although it will be cold so a hotel or cabin would be best. washington DC to see the White House, capital building, Smithsonian museum etc ... NYC area whatever you pick, look up “best thing I ever ate” or “diners drive ins and dives”. Watch YouTube videos together and see what places look good to go eat, and make it a fun destination trip inside a mini vacation. It will be cold, but if they have zip lining open within driving distance. just some thoughts ...

I’ll be patient with TT. He’s young and needs developing. If JB keeps him in the AHL for a bit next season, maybe he can round out his game and come in at some point and be more effective. His D game, skating and decision making with speed need improvement. He’s not a lost cause or a bust. Far from it.

They all have black SUV’s... copycats ... ? Seriously ... good job dad!!!

I’ll be going to this barn burner tonight. The wife and I will be going to Chef’s beforehand. I have a feeling the best part of the night will be the spaghetti parm.

LAST GAME Tuesday, April 2 Nashville 3 at Buffalo 2 Goals: Okposo, Skinner Goalie: Hutton (32 saves/35 shots) PP: 0/3; PK: 1/1; Shots: Nashville 35 – Buffalo 28 CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 243) Player (injury, first game missed) – total games missed Matt Hunwick (upper body, March 23) – 7 games Zach Bogosian (lower body, March 25) – 6 games Vladimir Sobotka (upper body, March 30) – 3 games Marco Scandella (lower body, March 31) – 2 games TRANSACTIONS IN PAST 7 DAYS 4/3: Assigned D William Borgen to Rochester (AHL) REMAINING GAMES Saturday, April 6: Buffalo at Detroit, 7 p.m. TONIGHT’S GAME SENATORS at SABRES This is the fourth and final meeting between the Sabres and Senators this season. Last meeting: Ottawa defeated Buffalo 4-0 in Ottawa on March 26 The Sabres are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games vs. the Senators; 6-3-1 at home. This is the 141st game all-time between Buffalo and Ottawa; Buffalo has a 68-52-20 series record. The Sabres are 37-23-8 at home against the Senators all-time. THIS DATE IN SABRES HISTORY The Sabres are 5-11-2 all-time on April 4. April 4, 1973: The Sabres appear in the first playoff game in franchise history, a 2-1 loss at Montreal. April 4, 1981: The Sabres chase Red Wings goaltender Larry Lozinski with three goals on eight shots in the first period on the way to a 5-4 win in Detroit that featured two-goal performances by Tony McKegney and Andre Savard.

I like where your heads at… I was pretty much thinking the same exact points for each player. It’s reasonable it’s logical it’s even tempered. Even though at the end of the day 7.3 seems about average for what skinner may get, I think considering that the salary cap will continue to increase, I would be very shocked if Skinner accepted under 7.5, and more likely to settle on 8.0 or so. And I’ll believe it when I see it, that Skinner is going to test free agency. I’m not convinced he will and I’m not convinced he won’t. Right now I think it’s a tossup no matter how much people want to read into his comments, they are public media comments. For me they carry little weight.