HumanSlinky39

Over the last year, I've become a big believer in Kevyn Adams. Finally, we have a GM that's taking the longview and isn't looking for shortcuts. He recognized that this wasn't an overnight rebuild, it's a big job and has really started to go about it meticulously. I think there were some big errors early in his tenure (eg. Hall/Staal signings), but I now wonder how much of that was Pegula driven. He's now really (almost hyper) focused on obtaining draft capital to build a core from within. I love that he's resisted the urge to call guys like Quinn & Peterka up, opting instead to let them build chemistry on a very good Amerks team. I like that he didn't cave and ship off some of the expirings for late draft picks so that the team, that has spent all year building chemistry, can play out the string and try to win some games, thereby improving culture. A lot of people knocked the return for the Eichel trade, but it's becoming clear it was done with a specific purpose. Tuch is a local guy with leadership qualities that will want to be here. Krebs is a skilled young guy and has bought in totally. I think long haul the Sabres win that trade big.

These boys ain't got no quit in 'em.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

MotherTucher!!!

I expected Detroit to be further along than they are right now. If I'm a Wings fan, I'm hoping to see steady improvement throughout this season, but they've been pretty bad the last few weeks. There's some good young talent in that roster...I'd kill to have Raymond and Seider in Buffalo...but they still have some gaping holes, particularly defensively.

Nobody in Detroit minds saying it. But, yeah, he's been really bad and has failed utterly in Edmonton.

A lot will depend on who we end up with in net next year. I liked what I saw out of UPL in his limited time this year. I think he belongs, but staying healthy has been an issue for him. We will obviously need to add a steady vet to the mix. I love what Anderson has done this year, but he's 40. It's very risky gambling that he can be steady again next season and there is going to be a lot of competition on the market for a goaltender. And we will surely still be quite young next year. I'm assuming Quinn & Peterka are a part of the plan, but they have 3 games of NHL experience between them so far. I anticipate more growing plains next year, but if a few breaks go our way, a wildcard isn't out of the question. I'm just gonna temper my expectations.

Kaprizov is so much fun to watch. The whole Wild team is. Never thought I'd say I enjoy watching Wild games, but here we are.

We're gonna be in a much better place when we have Power on the ice, even with his inevitable growing pains, than Butcher soon. Right now guys like Butcher, Eakin and Bjork serve a purpose. They should be passed over for better players next season.

They need to fire Ken Holland into the sun. Everyone with a pulse knew they needed help in net and all he does at the deadline is bring in a bottom pairing defenseman and bottom six forward. Not to mention trading for the corpse of Duncan Keith and giving Darnell Nurse an obscene contract before the season even started. He has bungled that roster so bad it's ridiculous. They are rapidly running out of time to get a cup with 2 of the top 5 players in the league and Ken Holland is just gonna muck it up.

Eh, it's a point in one of the better teams in the league's barn. I'll take it. Terrible first 10 minutes, followed by ~ 30 minutes of mostly beating their brakes off, followed by a mostly bad 3rd period & turrible overtime. Some goods and some bads to take from this. Need to remember this is still a pretty young team that is going to be at a significant talent disadvantage most nights. That we're getting a point out of these games as opposed to losing 5-1 is a huge step in the right direction. Watch the tape and learn from the good and the bad. On to the next one...

Dahlin snuffs a potential odd man rush.

Nice kill, boys... Yeah, Fitzy!

Hell yeah, Mr. Anderson.

That's on Skinner. Get off the friggin' ice, man.

Balls.

Anderson with another big save.

Okposo is buzzing...

Georgiev has been brutal. Hopefully that continues.

OKPOSO!

Nice, Anderson...

Butcher of all people! LOL

First 5-10 mins were brutal, but played much better after that.

Beauty of a pass from 'Muel and Asplund buries it.

JFC, Eakin... We are getting our arses handed to us. Need to settle down & regroup.