JohnC

Don't you think that as he emerges as a first line talent, even if it is at wing on the first line, that there is better use for him as a second line center who is driving that line? Maybe a second line composed of Mitts/Cozens/Quinn?

You make a keen observation. Quinn can make moves in tight spaces and create space for himself. Although Peterka is a fast north/south skater, he doesn't seem to have enough quickness which could help him create space for himself in the offensive zone. I'm certainly not down on JJ. He just needs more time to become acclimated to the NHL game where everything has to be done more quickly than in the lower leagues. I still consider him a high-end prospect but it's going to take time for him to figure it out. An offseason should do wonders for him to prepare himself for the next season.

You watched a number of Rochester games last year. What do you see in the difference of play between JJ's play in Rochester vs Buffalo. Clearly, there is a qualitative difference in the higher league compared to the lower league but he is struggling more than I thought he would this year.

If you consider the line of Girgs/Jost/Okposo as a checking line, don't dismiss its importance to contributing to the team's success.

Cozens is emerging as a player. Another young player who is taking that major step up is Power. He's already become an indispensable player for us. You can see that Quinn is soon going to make that quantum leap forward. The young core is rising together.

That's great news! The fans are coming back. It's been a long struggle to win back the fans who for so long been trampled on. The organization has been stabilized with the prospects for the present and future brighter than it has been in a long time. Winning and entertaining hockey is the attraction. This season has been marvelous!

Does anyone know what the attendance was? On TV it looked like a full house.

Everything pre-last week is literally years ago for me. 🤡

Attached is a link from NHL.com https://www.nhl.com/standings/2022/wildcard

Hallelujah! We agree in this thread. Let's celebrate:

I'm not attacking you. You are being too sensitive. Again, and again, I stated my view on UPL in this specific game. You took my response as a defense of the caliber of goalie he is. That is an inaccurate interpretation of my response/s. It's as simple as that. You act as if I'm assaulting your character and your integrity. I'm not. You are taking things too personally. Sometimes the commentary results in some unintentional stings. That's not what I intended. Let it go and move on.

Who doesn't want a good goalie? Name a goalie that you believe that our GM is pursuing to improve that unit?

That's KA's mantra! Chychrun sure would be a major addition to the unit. It's simply my "impression" that the GM is not as interested in this particular player as the crowd is. Maybe I'm wrong on that. Whether he is or not targeting him I would love to see an addition made to the unit. On that issue I'm sure we are in accord.

You and I are not disagreeing. He's far from being a finished product. I acknowledge that he may never be a finished NHL product. That's an unknown right now. I'm not defending him as a goalie. The point that I made with my multiple comments about this game is that most of the goals scored in this game were not his fault. There were defensive breakdowns in the defensive zone. And because of it he was made vulnerable. That's my basic point.

Your full of yourself. Read your response. I specifically talked about this game. You directed your comment toward me. And I answered it. If you can't handle my response, then so be it. That's your issue--not mine.

The highlighted line summarizing the situation. It seems that the front office is taking the view that the permanent solution is going to be addressed at a later time. As you succinctly put it: Where we are at is where we are at.

I just don't see a trade with Buffalo materializing. I'm not even sure if KA is interested in Chychrun.

Did you watch this game? The goals he gave up were for the most part not his fault. I didn't say he was good or bad. That wasn't even part of the discussion. Pay attention to what is actually being said and not what you think the person said. You are distorting my comments to fit your narrative.

I'm not satisfied with him. But out of fairness, if you review the goals he gave up today, I would attribute almost all the goals to the porous defense in front of him. I've been strongly advocating another Lyubushkin caliber player to the unit. That would help all the netminders.

From our end of the proposed deal, I would make it. I don't see Arizona agreeing to your proposal.

I agree with you that the priority should be adding another defenseman to bolster the unit. It doesn't have to be a second-pairing caliber of player. A Lyubushkin third pairing caliber of player would be helpful. As others have mentioned some are available for a reasonable price. It's obvious that the GM is not willing to part with a high- end prospect plus additional assets to get Chychrun. I agree with his view. There are still other reasonable options. As far as adding another goalie it isn't worth discussing it because it is a farfetched proposal for our GM.

As you noted the play in their defensive zone was atrocious. It was simply weak. When his players left him exposed the opposition took advantage of it.

That's the track I'm talking about. 👍

Would you be willing to include Quinn in a deal for Chychrun? I wouldn't. Arizona is not going to deal him for chump change. They are going to want multiple high end prospects. I wouldn't recommend paying that price. I would prefer pursuing a Lyubushkin third pairing caliber player to bolster the blue line.

You have to admit that our defense in our own zone was loose and weak. I, like you, worry about a UPL's inconsistency. But most of the goals scored against him were not his fault. The play in the opposition's zone was troubling.