Doohickie

If it's NHLN or TNT or ESPN+ exclusive, that should be in the thread title. But if it's just a normal MSG-B game and no other network, those are on ESPN+. The NHL website denotes them as follows. If it's on one of the "special" networks then that should be in the title (as shown on the NHL website). But if it's just a normal local sports net broadcast, the assumption is it will be on ESPN+. Normal game (on MSG in home market, ESPN+ out of market, unless viewer lives in opponent's local market, then have to watch on enemy's market sports net): TNT Exclusive game (on TNT/Max only, both in home market and out of market): ESPN+ Exclusive game (on ESPN+ only, both in home market and out of market): NHL Network game (on MSG in home market, NHLN out of market):

While I won't disagree, the whole team played like ass during that period so I wouldn't put the losses on Levi as such. One would hope by midseason he's putting up numbers better than the other two but we'll see. ...which is the smart thing to do.

Bally Sports SOuth I'd wager. Bally uses 4-letter designations for their various markets. I'm in the BSSW (southwest) market.

Molly Waddle.

I know people are impatient to make the playoffs but one thing I noticed during the Texas Rangers run to the World Series: During a season with a lot of games, you have to learn how to use them all (even the losses) to improve the team. That may mean putting RyJo or Savoie out on the ice late in a one-goal game. Maybe they will succeed and then it's something to build on. Maybe they won't and it's something to learn from. But especially with a team that doesn't have a recent history of winning, you have to work on getting the most out of the pieces you have, and getting the players to believe not only that they can win but that dammit, they deserve to win. I think Donny is a good coach for everything except perhaps convincing these guys that they deserve to win and they need to put in the work it takes. I like to think he can climb that hill with the team but so far we haven't seen that yet. But as long as the Sabres are hanging around in playoff contention, they have a shot at literally running the table if they can just steadily improve (and I think they can).

Have you considered a career in diplomacy? Public relations?

If it happens I guess I'll have to accept it, like Christmas songs in November, but... man...

I could see it as once he hits the milestone he's given maintenance days here and there, and if he did have a nagging injury they wouldn't hurry him back. But I think both the organization and KO want him to get to 1,000 and I think the rules might change a bit after that milestone.

You're one of my favoritest posters and I kind of regretted disagreeing with you. I like to think I wasn't so much disagreeing as I was clarifying.... maybe too pedantically. Peace, my friend.

It won't happen unless KO gets hurt or until he reaches 1,000 games played.

Pretty sure even if that's true, it could be a paper transaction (he didn't have to actually play for the Sabres before going down).

He didn't really have a choice, with Savoie coming out of camp injured.

We've already kicked his tires, I can't see Kevyn bringing him back.

Or he could be returned to the WHL. They didn't *have* to call him back to the NHL. But we all know it's what they want.

He'll go on IR as soon as he eclipses 1000 games played.

Kulich will get his chance. The priorities are the guys who can't play in Rochester; they want them to get a look at the NHL before going back out west. I give Adams credit for rotating Biro and Rousek through in the midst of that. Kulich will be up at some point too.

Donny pretty much ruled Cuzzy out for tomorrow's game in today's post-skate presser. Said maybe he'll be skating in a coupla days. Sounding more and more like concussion protocol to me.

I suspect you're right but if you listen to Donny's post skate presser from today it sounds like he has full faith in RyJo, in putting him on the top pairing. I suspect some of that is pumping up RyJo's tires but I think it's also hopefully a self-fulfilling prophecy.

No Cuzzy at practice today; not a good sign. Sabres don't play until tomorrow though. Maybe he'll be all better.

Ah... thank you.

This is what I've been waiting for this morning. Wanted to see if Skinner-Tage-Tuch stayed together (as I think they should). Top 6 looks solid to me. To me they are 1A and 1B lines, not first and second lines. Third line looks weak with Cozens' absence, but maybe the kids will overperform. Fourth line: Meh. On D, pairing RyJo with Dahlin is... interesting. Who is the defensive D and who is the offensive D of that pair? Will RyJo actually get top pair minutes? To go from a game of 8:20 ice time to top pair is really a stretch I think. (I'm not saying it won't work but it's definitely a stretch.)

Hang nail, but they want him to be able to collect the NHL league minimum contract for a few more days before they sent him back down. Apparently he does in fact have to clear waivers. The plot thickens.