Porous Five Hole

Time to root for Vancouver. They’ve won five straight and are a long shot (three points out with seven to play), but they can also make things very interesting.

All eyes on the Nucks v Knights. Huge game. Vancouver can get within two points of Vegas with a win. It’s a save your season (at least for one night) kind of game for Vancouver. Canucks up 3-2 about halfway through.

Fitz for sure. I would prefer Bryson in the lineup to Butcher and his development (to me) is best served in the NHL at this point.

I wasn’t aware the NHL had compensatory picks?

I was thinking the same thing. I just looked at their remaining schedule…in their final eight games, they have the Aves and seven non-playoff teams down the stretch.

How can you blame the goalie on a 3 on 1?

Pisser doesn’t make that mistake Fitzgerald just did. I still have to remind myself this is a season of development, but holy smokes that was bad.

He is MISSING???? Look, I don’t know which one of you degenerates stole Cody Eakin from the Sabres, but you give him back! We all know he sucks and no one wants to see him play again, but this is a step too far.

They need to keep winning. Only two teams in the division do not make the playoffs. At the moment, the Amerks are one of those (judged by points percentage). Points percentage is calculated by dividing the total points in the PTS column with total possible points for all games played(2 pts per game).

Agree. I don’t know what the benchmarks for an NHL defenseman to be considered developed. Is there a generally accepted metric in terms of age or games played? Bryson is 24 (turns 25 in Nov), and despite being in the Sabres system for three years, has only played 66 AHL games and about 100 NHL games due to Covid shortened seasons. In a normal year and if he was able to avoid injuries, he would have played in another 80ish games at the pro level. He is an RFA at season’s end with his ELC expiring. Has Bryson “arrived” as an everyday NHL player on a good team? I can’t say that for sure. I guess I would want to know if he’s fully developed as a prospect to make that determination.

Appears I did. You did a great job of slanting current events. Well done.

So you’re judging the GM for making the decision to go to the game? This is not a net negative for 2022-23. If he couldn’t crack the lineup this season, he has no long term future with the organization (25 years old as of October, and undersized). What a terrible decision!!! Another way to look at it is he has signed 50% of the league’s signees so far.

Tage only has one more RFA season upon completion of next year. So it won’t really be a bridge. You’ll be buying out his potential foray into UFA territory. If he scores 30 again next year, it’ll be expensive.

Kevin Weekes out-scoops the local beat writers from his pool 😂😂😂

Dear Owen & Erik

He is slightly above average in face offs, decent in haircuts, and outstanding at throwing neck shade at Eichel. Other than that, you can expect the negative result whenever he has the puck on his stick. Has anyone said to themselves, “nice play Eakin” and actually meant it at any point this season?

What should he have said instead? Turn pro, or else? It isn’t solely KA’s decision. I think his public comment is appropriate, whether he believes it or not.

OK, but the story goes that Terry wasn’t some innocent bystander. He made comments on ice and was having too much fun on the bench for his opponent’s liking. The goalie got poked and it was on. It didn’t matter if Del was on the ice or on the bench. That was going to happen. Irrespective of someone’s fourth line.

Jay Beagle is not a tough guy. He hasn’t dropped the gloves since 2013. He just lost his *****. It happens. However, to your point, no one will turn down more grit. It’s just harder and harder to find.

Totally agree. Tim Murray gets killed for his mix in the locker room, but he got this one right. KO probably made too much money to bother coaching (and his kids are young), but I would love to have him in a developmental/coaching role once his playing days are over.

Since the celebratory banners of division titles and the president’s trophy are vintage to the uniform of the time, I would have done the same with the retired jerseys.

Apparently most disagree. But the guy leads the team with a -19 and I don’t think 20 goals should cost five million dollars on your third line 🤷 He will also be 28 next year at UFA time the end of next year and I don’t want to give term to that player.

Because his salary will price him out. If you’re making 4M or more, you need to be in the top six. Unless he’s willing to sign for a short term…which I don’t think is in the best interest of a player who doesn’t hit UFA status until age 28. The Sabres cap flexibility will cease to be a thing in two seasons when Dahlin and Tage need long term deals and Muel/Cozens need bridge deals. Plus there’s that whole idea of a good goalie who isn’t on an ELC or 750k contract.

I would give him his QO, and go to arbitration if necessary…and then flip him at the trade deadline as a pending UFA/rental. Assuming the current top line will continue, it is hard to see a spot for VO in the top six. Casey, Cozens, Quinn, Peterka, & Krebs are all fine second line options (who are all younger and cheaper).