Doohickie

And although he didn't make the save, he still reacted to the deflection and almost got a piece of it with his glove.

Granato credited Jeremiah Crowe I think (director of pro scouting) for bringing him in.

There have been periods when VO looks like a pretty good two-way player. I wrote this a couple of seasons ago: And that's the frustrating thing about Olofsson... and people have been saying this for years: When he's good, he's good, but he disappears for long stretches.

We'll see how the acquisition works out, but so far he seems to be bringing the potential out of Krebs. Even if Robinson doesn't stick, if he helps unlock Krebs it will be a good trade. And I don't know, maybe this is just something good teams do: Bring in new energy players from time to time to bring a boost to the bottom six- guys who may be on their last NHL stop and play with the energy, determination and desperation of a guy trying to keep his NHL career going. Temporary fixes, but they bring infusions of energy to the team.

Complicates in a good way, hopefully.

I heard the NFL was looking into his and Reid's criticism of the officiating. This statement was probably his "settlement" in lieu of being penalized for criticizing the officiating. (It's one thing to criticize a bad call; it's something else to take officials to task for a call the officials got right.)

My wife, a Red Wings fan, is pissed that they signed Kane. She doesn't like him and thinks he's a waste of a roster spot.

I'm sure his pain threshold is pretty high.

Don't know that yet. He's certainly not a core piece, but unless your fourth line is Maltby - Draper - McCarty, fourth liners are part of your core. I still think there are serviceable 4th liners in Rochester; we just don't know who they are yet, other than perhaps Rousek. But we have a fair number of players that were drafted thinking they're top-six material. Not all will achieve that but some will prove to be decent bottom six guys.

I thought Murray was okay. 10:47 of ice time was low on the team. He didn't stand out either way really. JAG level. One might argue that he coughed up the puck that led to the first AZ goal, but to start with he stole the puck from a Coyote player but didn't handle it cleanly. He coughed it up when the Coyotes triple teamed him. Jost and Dahlin were in the area but stayed on the periphery and let the Yotes overwhelm Murray; terrible puck support. Hard to blame that on Murray in my opinion. Better than Rosen? Eh. Not sure. But Rosen needs more reps to learn than he's been getting on the Sabres. Oddly, the best player on that line right now is Olofsson.

Eh. It's like he's playing with house money. The good he does helps the team. If he gets cold, Girgs steps back in.

Benson is not producing points yet he drives the play. It's kind of like 2022-23 Quinn : 2022-23 JJP :: 2023-24 JJP : 2023-24 Benson Last year Quinn was the emerging star and JJP was the frustrating wingman- playing well but not seeing the results. This year JJP is the emerging star and Benson is the frustrating wingman.

...and that when he shot he was too deliberate. His superpower is his quick release but aside from his one-timer last game he hasn't been using it. Still he's hard to defend against and he's learned to use his size and reach to be miserable to the other team's offense. He also seems to be using the body more and throwing checks, although that might be due to playing the wing. THIS.

Really, this is all Krebs needed. Okposo is slow and Girgs has hands of stone. It must be discouraging to be put out there between those two and just told to hold down the fort. Robinson brings a dynamic element to the line and gives a reason for Krebs to display his playmaking skills. I could see our fourth line next year been Girgs (or not) - Krebs - Robinson. I think either Girgs or Okie is okay on a line, but both of them together are anchors.

If Benson and Cozens are nothing more than a life support system for JJP, it's a net plus.

Like I said earlier: The Early Bird Gets the Worm, but the Second Mouse Gets the Cheese.

Uh oh. Now the Sabres will get a power play.

Awful PDO

Robinson with FIVE shots in the game!