JohnC

It's difficult to make judgments on this type of exhibition game. However, I'll offer just a few. The most important potential takeaway is that Levi is demonstrating that he is our primary goalie. If he upgrades the position, that in itself will be one of the more impactful factors in having a successful season. Mitts made some nice passes that put the recipient of them in a good scoring position. In my mind, he's a center more than a winger although he can play the wing. He is one of our better wall players. Where should he play and with whom? @LGR4GMmade this observation about Tage: He was dangling too much. There is a delicate balance between maneuvering to get in a better scoring position and being too cute with the puck. I don't want to make too much of an issue here because this was an exhibition game. Benson is going to be good. He's got great instincts. His pass to Skinner for a score was a nice play. He simply needs to physically mature. His best trait is that he has the confidence to believe that the NHL game is not too big for him. The big question for this team is whether it has improved its team defense. You can't fairly make even a preliminary judgment from this type of game.

It would be an interesting experiment to see what the financial return would be if the tickets were sold between $5 to $10 for this type of exhibition game. The place would be filled with parents bringing their kids to see their first game. The concessions and merchandise sales would certainly be higher. This type of major discounting pricing would likely create additional return customers. In the end, the financial return for the Sabres would be dramatically higher. A win for the fans and a win for the hockey company.

This short link is from Sabres.com. Zack Benson comes from a family that worked in a traveling carnival business in the summertime. It gives you an insight why he is so adaptable to new situations. He's had a lot of exposure to a lot of different coaches and situations. He has a unique background and a pleasant personality. He was a terrific pick in the draft. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/zach-benson-s-family-business-6337869023112 https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/granato-after-practice-6337805943112

We are in accord in our assessment of both players. Johnson is older than Benson and is more physically developed. Benson has a lot of skill but needs to get stronger. It's just going to take some time for that. Both Tage and Mitts needed to physically develop before they could seriously contribute. Clearly, they have gotten to that required physical standard. And now they have become entrenched NHL players. What I like about Benson is that he is not intimidated playing at the NHL level. He has an attitude that he belongs. He's going to be a gem. I'm glad we kept the pick and were able to select him.

The issue for me is not whether a fight is staged or not. It's the issue of fighting. I don't believe it is necessary and I consider it to be unsafe for the players. There are plenty of injury risks just in playing the game. I don't see the need for adding a risk of injury by fighting. We are travelling on parallel paths that won't cross. That's okay.

Obviously, there are physical risks in all pro sports. That doesn't mean that there shouldn't be attempts to limit them. The notion that by eliminating fights there is a slippery slope leading to stop clean checking is absurd. Have you watched college hockey where fighting is not allowed but hard checking is?

You go to a lot of games. I watch a lot of games on TV. No, I don't have official stats on whether fights are staged or not. But just from a viewer perspective I'm confident in my position. But that's not the main issue and central reason why I'm adamantly against fighting. It is a health and safety issue. You saw the Stillman fight last year. Whether it was an agreement to fight or not, it could have caused a season ending injury or even worse. What was gained by the fight? It's not necessary at all.

Why is there a need to be fights at all? Football is a much more physical game and it is not allowed. How has no fighting in college, Olympic and world tournaments (I believe) hurt the game? It hasn't as much as it has enhanced it. College hockey played by the upper tier level is very physical. Just explain to me why fighting should be allowed? What's the point? The notion that vicious stick swinging would be more prevalent doesn't resonate with me at all. Anyone who gets involved in that type of behavior would be thrown out of the game and the league office would suspend that player for a number of games. Stick swinging is severely dealt with by the referees and the league office. With respect to my comment about hockey players who get involved in a fight should be thrown in jail is not an excessive comment. Fighting in any public setting such as a bar, on the street, at a football game etc. would get one arrested for assault. Fighting in hockey is an ugly remnant of a past era. That era, thankfully, for the most part is long-gone. And because of that hockey is a much more entertaining game to watch. There's no justification and need for it.

Again, most fights are staged where the combatants agree to go at before the gloves come off. Stillman getting hurt in his first game after a fight is an example of that. (As you cited. He could have had a concussion that jeopardized his season, and even career. For what?) I'm aware that fights are no longer as prevalent as they were a number of years ago. Fighting has been for the most part is limited. I'm arguing that it should completely be eliminated. It serves no purpose other than to create unnecessary health and safety risks. I'm all for physical play. That can be done by checking. Fighting in the NHL is an anachronistic part of the old era. In my opinion, it shouldn't be part of today's game which is faster, more skilled and better flow.

Most fights are staged where one combatant asked the other potential combatant if he is willing to go at it. For the most part, it is contrived. As far as stick work while the action is going or after the whistle there is a simple solution: Enforce the rules. Call penalties even after the whistle if necessary. There are no fights in the college or Olympics because they are not tolerated by the officials. And there are usually no fights in the world tournaments. Fighting does nothing to enhance the game. What it does is create added health risks when it is now such a small and anachronistic part of the game. For me, hooligan behavior is not entertaining. It belongs in the prison yard where criminals have their own code of conduct.

The player who made the biggest impression on me was Benson. In another year or two, he is really going to be good. I wouldn't be surprised if he was on the roster for an introductory stint. I won't be surprised if Ryan Johnson gets called up sometime this year. He has a mature game.

Attached is a Buffalo News link by Lance Lysowski. I thought he gave a fair assessment of our players in this game. The player he most focused on was Benson. https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/sabres/buffalo-sabres-washington-capitals-nhl-preseason-zach-benson-tyson-jost/article_a39cf200-5adc-11ee-8dc3-4f37ad3873f7.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage

As you are pointing out, this blue line unit is starting to get depth. Bryson, Clague and Stillman are utility/fourth pairing players. The bottom half of our pairings are adequate enough to where they are not major liabilities when they are on the ice, even for minimum minutes. We now have players such as Joki, Clifton, Johnson and Samuelsson who could be moved up or down the top three pairings and still be effective. In the not-too-distant future, Ryan Johnson will be added to the lower pairing group and strengthen the bottom of that unit. From an overview perspective, the roster is being built up and is solidifying. The post-Krueger plan is being successfully implemented. And it was done in relatively short order. My expectations are high; and they are realistic.

Bernard played well. I also thought Leonard Floyd was an impact player on defense. When Von Miller returns that pass rushing combo will be tough to contain.

Did you use those GIFs before when I previously railed against hooliganism and thuggery in the game? Fighting in hockey is mostly contrived between the combatants. It's really stupid and needlessly can get players hurt.

For those who are enamored with fighting in the NHL ask yourself why is it not allowed in college or Olympic hockey? Fighting currently is very limited. It should be completely banned. Player safety is also a reason as to why it should be banned. Hockey is both a tough and beautiful sport. Assaultive behavior shouldn't be a part of it. I hate fighting almost as much as I hate Metal music. I would rather listen to train wheels screeching when braking than listen to that devil music.

This link is from Sabres.com. It gives you post-game interviews and summary. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/

Ban fighting altogether. Anyone who starts a fight should be thrown out of the game and automatically be given a 25 game suspension. The instigator should also be criminally charged for assault and immediately sent to the central jail cell for processing. If you like fighting I recommend that you go to an MMA, wrestling or boxing event. Hooliganism should not be tolerated at an NHL hockey game.

Washington has one of the best defensive lines in the league. All the starters are first round picks. I was pleasantly surprised that our OL held its own. Getting rid of the ball quickly and mixing in the run slows down the onslaught. When Josh plays within himself and doesn't play hero ball this team is so much better. Can't wait to get von Miller back. I thought Leonard Floyd had a terrific game.

The Washington announcers singled out Benson and Ryan Johnson for having a good game. Odds are that Ryan Johnson will start off in Rochester and get a lot of playing time. I wouldn't be surprised if sometime in the season he will be called up. He's a mature player. I also won't be surprised if Benson starts the season in Buffalo for a 10 game introductory stint. The talent pipeline is rich and getting riper. The franchise is in a good situation.

With the exception of a spot or two he already knows who is going to be on his roster. He's giving the youngsters who will be on the AHL and junior rosters a taste of NHL play, and give them a sense for what they need to do to take the next step up. He's also being cautious in avoiding injuries to his main roster players. He will ease them in to get them ready for the real games.

Attached is a copy of a link from sabres.com where Granato comments about the session. There are other post game comments from other players on this link. Granato is good to listen to. He answers questions and his responses are thoughtful. https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/granato-postgame-6337710706112

I agree with you that in all likelihood neither will make this roster coming out of camp. But what's encouraging is that it is not out of the realm of possibility that one of the high-end prospects shows enough in camp to get some introductory time when the season starts. That in itself demonstrates progress in stocking the system. If I was forced to answer @LGR4GM question I would say Kulich, and it wouldn't be shocking if Benson was also considered.

I'm hoping that Kane can regain his health and be an asset for some team. But why would Buffalo have any interest in him? The Sabres have plenty of scorers. That's not a problem for them. What this team needs to get to the next level is team improvement on defense. That's one area of the game where he doesn't offer much help. I don't see why our GM would have any interest in him.

The Brian Spencer story was tragic and complicated. He was murdered and his father was killed by the police. https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/simmons-remembering-brian-spencers-murder