Doohickie

I was living in Detroit when Nick Lidstrom was young. He never seemed to get too physical, never got hurt, was never out of position... right from the start. Very similar to Power.

Because now it's time to discuss how we did on our predictions.

I love what he said about missing the playoffs. Similar to what Rasmus said. They're both hungry which is what this team needs.

"He's always at the right spot, at the right time. Barely do any mistakes. He never gets tired of playing that way. He looks like he's floating around there, but he's so smart, he's always at the right spot." Rasmus Dahlin on Nick Lidstrom (just kidding... on Owen Power, but that was Lidstrom's game as well)

"Every game matters. Every game means a lot." THAT's the takeaway from this season. That fact that he recognizes that is big.

I was expecting 2-3 years for Mitts.... until the latter part of this season.

This was a prediction thread for last season.

Seasoning.

Wrong. Wrong on all counts.

I think Jost might be okay with that. That shows, imo, his commitment to the Sabres.

Yeah.... ummm... well about that, Eric.... After listening to his interview I think he's trying to position himself as the new Craig Anderson.

Moving him to give playing time to younger players will likely yield an increase in +/- team-wide. I think Kevyn moves him the same way he moved Risto and will get an unexpectedly good return.

It depends how they slot. If Skinny-Mitts-Tuch is the first line, and Quinn-Cozens-JJ is the second line, then a line with Tage and Greenway would be the third line and get very favorable matchups. Or if they are considered the second line, Q-C-P is the third line and they get the favorable matchups. It's like Whack A Mole.... you can't keep them all down.

So maybe the combo with Mitts at 1C is JJ-Cozens-Quinn and then a line with Greenway, Tage, and.... an emerging winger? I think Greenway and Tage on the same line would be simply punishing for another team to have to defend. There's no way opposing teams are going to stop all three of those lines.

That was the plan going into last season, then Mitts got hurt in Game One. I'm not sure he was ready then, but he's ready now. I leaving Mitts at 1C allows you to put Tage and Cozens on the same line and with any decent complementary player that makes a really, really really tough Line 1 and Line 1A to play against. Then you put JJ and Quinn with an emerging center... holy *****. We're gonna be hard to play against.

Holding my head high, proud of the boys and all that, but.... They were SOOOOOOOOO close. I have to admit I'm a bit teary-eyed right now for what almost was.

Counting OT losses as loses. So they finished 42-40: A winning record.

They just did: They have Devon Levi between the pipes.

I love you all!* *except for those of you I have on Ignore 😄

Motivation for next year. PLAY. EVERY. GAME.

I can't wait to see more of his play.

Sabres with very active sticks tonight.

...only better.