FrenchConnection44

Yes. Easy-peasy.

Tage is unbelievable. So good. Incredible shooter. Phenomenal stick handling. And that play by Dahlin. So smooth.

I am pumped about both Kulich and Bloom. Wouldn’t they make a nice line in the future? Bloom is not playing at quite as high a level but he’s already 3rd in goals scored (14) for North Bay - behind other NHL drafted players (22 & 18 respectively) - in spite of the others playing 36 games and Bloom only 19. he also has a good sized frame once he fills it out (6’2, 183) Kulich is proving himself at the international and minor league levels.

Seems like nonsense to favor Comrie and UPL over Anderson. Anderson is our best goalie. But he is 41 so he needs rest to stay fresh. I think we start to use him more down the stretch. And if we are in the playoffs. I think UPL is better than Comrie at this point - if we look at how he’s played of late and how Comrie played recently prior to his injury. UPL has more upside. Hopefully we can win these two home games. Really want to sink the Flyers. A) because I don’t like them; B) because we have their 2nd round pick and the further they fall the better that pick becomes.

Maybe so. But my prime point is my view of him is not based on his draft status. At the same time we need significant improvement at the center / forward position past the first two lines. I’m just not seeing consistency from CM game in game out. Maybe he will improve as the season goes on.

This chart says it all about some of the weaknesses on the team (Bryson and Mitts). I don't think just looking at the last 17 games since Jost came on the team is a full evaluation of Mittelstadt. One could argue that Jost has reduced Casey's negative +/- by his presence on the line. Nor does it have to do with his being a top 10 pick. Casey has been scoring a bit more lately. But a classic illustration of why I think fans find problems with him is the breakaway goal he gave up vs. the Caps. First, he's weak on the puck and gets it stolen. Then he gets just buried trying to chase. He has good size but he needs to be physically stronger and play with more physicality. Until he does that he'll always flash here and there because of his skating speed; and will get some goals; but he'll also be a weak spot. I suspect if he gets traded or released that, like a number of players in the NHL and NFL who get traded from their drafting team, they realize that they haven't put the work in that they need to. But it doesn't seem to be the case that he is improving as he should be. I don't care about the goals or points but that he works hard and stops making bad plays. If he's a #3 or #4 center or wing, he's got to be physical and tough.

I wouldn’t draw much from this game. They lacked energy on back to back games. They will be better next outing.

The Winter classic in Buffalo was far and away the best one ever. Far and away. Perfect weather. Snow. Packed stadium. They should bring it back.

YESSSSS!!!! Hahaha!

So many fans have trashed Luukko … just don’t get the lack of patience. I’d still try to get Anderson back again and then use next year to develop Levi. Luukko and Levi could become a solid combo in two years.

Unreal. What a penalty kill and great to see Cousins get the tying goal.

Jost should have carried it into the zone then dropped it to Tage rather than dump it. Still got a chance but …

Welp. That’s gonna be it.

Great toughness by Krebs. Bruins showing how good they are. We are giving up a lot of chances and are fortunate we haven't given up more goals. But, hey, the Bruins are arguably the peak team in the NHL. Keep fighting. 60 minutes, baby.

Agreed completely. Just want them to focus on that in the off-season. That can really change the equation as the raw talents are there, imo

So, we have a chance? When not playing the Sabres I tend to root for the original 6 in the playoffs. Except Boston. I hate the Bruins. First Sabres game I ever watched was December 1970. Vs Bruins. Total domination. 72 shots on goal. 8-2 loss. Have hated them since (Though watching Orr and Espo was was always amazing). Let’s go! Big test. Play great!! And get a W! (Tho I’d take a tie).

Good observations. Middlestadt played well last night. He’s been up and down. What I’d like to see from him, Cousins, Power … really many of our young guys … is to get physically stronger. When we go up against better, stronger teams who play hard nosed D, we struggle. With our speed and skating ability - adding more physical strength and power to these players’ game would really benefit the team. They already battle well. Power should look to a Victor Hedman. Continue to improve his skating. Add 15 lbs of muscle over the next 3-4 yrs (which will help his balance and skating). He has the potential to be great. The other challenge for Casey has been his shot. Would like to see him improve that in terms of accuracy and speed. The potential is there for several of these players. Gotta stay confident and keep improving this year and beyond.

Kulich crushing it for the Czechs vs Austria. https://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607891033827807232?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQ https://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607902273832632321?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQ https://twitter.com/sabresprospects/status/1607911257981460481?s=46&t=uXwHIxt1pC4QAqgTsTX5PQ How does one embed tweets? Can’t figure that out.

That’s amazing.I no longer live in Buffalo but I lived through 77. The most incredible experience of nature in my life. Just astounding. If this is similar, wow. And crazy after what has already come that way this year.

How is it he’s put all our eggs in one basket? He has UPL, Leinonen, Portillo, and Levi. UPL has played really well lately showed a lot of poise and confidence. I don’t want them to trade Levi (and that he is down a bit this year isn’t a big negative it’s all about the kinds of goals he would be giving up.

So many have been trashing Luukko for some time. And he has struggled. But plenty of goalies take time to develop. He’s only 23. Plenty of goalies have taken longer to come into their own. I disagree with the harping on needing a goalie in a trade. And with sending UPL down. We have a couple of young ones with potential coming up (Levi, etc) and Luukko has begin to show potential. Keep him up The real problem with team is the team defense. They’ve given up 40+ shots 3 out of the last 4 games. Part of that is injuries. Part youth. But if all the defensemen are healthy, we have only five starting caliber imo (Dahlin; Samuelsson; Power; Joki; Lyub). I’d say the last two are 3rd line defenders. Power has to get stronger but potential for greatness is there. We need a good young defender. (Or two, eventually). Joki has potential to work alongside Power. And another good two-way center/forward. We have plenty of cap space. I’m not Uber thrilled with the defenders out there. Maybe there is one to bridge to a younger player. I’d look to D in the draft. But would love to go in on a top two way C / PF. We have to sign our own but that can still be done as well as land one.

25 goals and 46 points in his last 24 games. 👀 Only a 24 game stretch. But that’s Gretzky-like.

Great fighting for the puck and not giving up on it. And then the pass and shot. That’s a spirit that we need for the final half of the season.

Fascinating that even though they dropped to a capacity of some 5000 fans, by raising ticket prices their ticket revenue is actually up 50% over what it was last season! But sad to read that Buffalo was last in attendance. How much our culture has changed. When I was a young teenager in the early to mid 70s, being able to attend a Sabres game was like winning a lottery. Every game was a standing room only sell out! I remember the first game I attended vs the Broad Street bullies, and getting to watch the French Connection. Martin scored a great goal right in front of our seats. We won and Schoenfeld totally roughed up Schultz that game. I also remember the Sabres had an open practice every year over the holidays and we would attend those. And it was thrilling. Filled the arena!