Doohickie

I don't think it's physicality as much as persistence. You don't have to flatten the other guy, you just need to disrupt him enough to separate him from the puck. Too often the Sabres at both end of the rink do quick fly-by's and try to poke the puck away, but if not successful they just skate on by. No. They need to persistently pursue the puck carrier and bully him into giving it away. That can have a physical aspect to it, but it can also just be chasing/blocking/hurrying the puck carrier until he makes a mistake. There can be several aspects to persistence... tools in the toolbox... including physicality but also speed, active sticks, and positioning. I mean Benson is as good at this stuff as anyone and he's hardly an imposing physical presence.

Interesting And... a lot of the conflict on the board ends up with fans on either side of the "stay the course" and "blow it all up" divide.

I think TPegs was not properly connected in the NHL when he bought the team, and was too enamored of former Sabres players as team executives, especially early on. He's learned since then, and through the end of last year it appeared Kevyn and Donny had the team on the right track. I still haven't given up on the current regime. I think at this point though, perhaps Donny has topped out. It's taking an extra year for the D corps and goaltending to ripen, and last year's career years among the forwards haven't been repeated. I think there is a decent chance that this was a bump in the road in terms of a young team generally on the ascent, and yeah, we probably need to shake things up. How to do that... not sure. Trade someone in or near the core, new coach, etc.

Yeah, they certainly wouldn't want it to look like it was mandatory, even if through peer pressure.

I hope it's just bad luck.

Two significant injuries in his second full season. Not good. When he plays he's excellent, but is he durable?

That would require Team Pride and Team First Leadership… Hate to say it… No evidence with our bunch yet… To be fair, no evidence some players aren’t working on their game together… Actually, maybe they can't, not as a team. What does the contract say exactly?

I doubt it. Make Waves.

I've seen a few times lately where there is a puck coming toward the point with a Buffalo forward chasing an opponent, and the defense could easily pinch and keep the puck in, but they skate back. Risk it! There's a forward coming back; it's only going to turn into a disaster if you miss the puck cleanly. But if you're the first one there you will control the puck.

This has always been true. When they've been good, this is how they played. When they don't move their feet they suck. This is universal for as long as I've followed the team.

Muel and Cliffy are the top 2? That surprised me.

I guess this is the Ultimate Retired Meme. And one of the first.

And yet prior to this he's only had one disciplinary action against him, a fine.

Do you think this could happen or are you just playing.... wait for it... Devil's Advocate? 😄 😄 I'll show myself out.

Good luck charm. Sabres are 5-0 with him in the lineup this year.

The answer might already be in the system. By next summer one of Kulich, Savoie, Rosen or Östlund, ever even Poltapov, might be ready to make the jump.

JJP has that EFF YOU attitude. He's a punk. A very, very, very good punk.

What the hell? SIGN HIM.

Rayzor: "What you like is the two guys coming in from behind." Care to comment on that, @inkman?