Porous Five Hole

I’ll answer the question to say that Dahlin will win two Norris Trophies and will raise at least one Cup as the future Captain of the Buffalo Sabres.

It’s so pretty. I know goaltending was above expected for these results, but the funny thing about “expected”…sometimes above expected happens. And a rise to the top has to start somewhere. Am I right?? I’m not saying there won’t be a regression…but these guys might be good? I’ll save ‘scary good’ for 24-25.

I get your point. I do not disagree. But after listening to After The Whistle podcast for a while and how they ponder if it was worth it to play through injuries in multiple occasions (especially Rivet)…I wonder if players today feel compelled to take risks like the above used to? There are just so many examples of how the NHL is a machine that churns out a mentality of ‘just play through it.’ And a lot of former players in hindsight would probably say no to that. It’s a business after all and if it can just as easily be a business decision for a player to say “no, my face is effed up and I’m not going to do that.” I wouldn’t blame them at all. I’m not directing any of this at you or your take…just pondering that I might not strap on a face shield if I’m a player who is already a multi-millionaire and would be taking chances with my flippin face. There’s no asterisk or prize from my playing career if I took 10 games to come back from a facial injury versus 20 games.

Quoting you because you mentioned Joki. I’m generally high on Joki as a top four D. I don’t think he’s replacement level. But we will find out soon enough if there’s a dip while he’s out of the lineup. I’m guessing missing both will be noticeable. Mule missing weeks instead of months is a huge relief.

I think I get what you’re trying to say, but I also think NHL fans might recognize the first overall pick of an NHL draft who has international appeal/cred. I think Buffalo being relevant to the NHL can be overstated (traditionally great tv ratings but low national appeal). But I do believe this market is somewhat important to the league. All of this to say that IMO, Dahlin deserved this and there isn’t a league-wide agenda against small market team’s players winning social media awards like the star of the week.

I love little jimmy

Did someone say five hole??? Reporting for duty.

By different I mean that the core may have grown up some during the end of last year. This may be a better hockey team compared to previous good early results. Or maybe it is just a couple of goalies playing out of their mind so far. What do you think?

The Sabres started 3-0 last year, and 4-1-1. The Sabres started 8-1-1 in 2019. The Sabres started 17-6-2 in 2018. We all know how things turned out. While winning the first two out of three might not be a hot start just yet, does it not feel like things may be different this year? There is growth of the young core, there is Dahlin solidifying himself as a D1, there is outstanding goaltending to steal a win, and there may be belief among the team that the Sabres of March/April 2022 are the real Sabres. Is this the start of something special? I think so. Or is this just my overreaction to Eric Comrie playing out of his mind tonight and my hopium bucket runneth over? Call your shot. How good are these guys?

First Star: Eric Comrie Second Star: Rasmus Dahlin Third Star: Eric Comrie’s mom for giving birth to Eric Comrie

Eric freaking Comrie. Absolutely outstanding tonight.

It should be easier to find a zoom background of Josh Allen jumping over me than it currently is.

While that may be true, all of that post is believable. I appreciate posts like this. Also, Reddit allows you to view the post history of all posters. In glossing that over, the OP is a hockey guy and seems insightful on the game. So, can a rando with an eight year history on Reddit (or a message board like this) make up some random story in an effort to deceive internet strangers? Sure, that’s possible. But I’ve also had conversations like this with beat reporters at a bar or team staff in the past inside/outside of WNY.

This is absolutely wild. The league is a three billion dollar revenue entity & Ian Cole means nothing to the league. There’s no risk in telling the guy to go pound sand. So for them to conclusively determine the allegations were meritless is a good reminder to me to presume innocence when possible.

Update

Tell me you’ve never played hockey without telling me you’ve never played hockey.

I’m sorry if this was previously posted, but if you add in Muel’s AAV from his ELC into the extension equation (one year left at 925k), that means he’s locked up for eight years at 3.875M-ish averaged out. By looking at it that way, I’ll take his upside of top four D at less than 4M per. Could be an absolute steal.

Am I allowed to endear myself to local fans young & old and use Sabre Dance?? Cuz I would if I could.

Matt Murray looked like 🐶💩 tonight.

https://pickinsplinters.com/2022/10/12/memories-of-the-crow-tales-of-tricks-tactics-and-triumphs/?fbclid=IwAR2mvfoMgXHl9HzOV2hr8sVret4bYkS5-NU4IW3VuCfbtZnSvaG34xPXBrE another good one from KO

I just lost my appetite. Good signing though!

With one game to go this week, Amari Cooper is WR17 league-wide in standard scoring. I have a bit of a Browns-heavy starting lineup. If you have a comparable WR you would move, please send me a trade offer.

I would add Florida, but your point is strong. I hadn’t really considered how shoddy the goaltending situations are across the Atlantic.