Phase II Training Camp Lines

[dudacek]

I want people to emerge, I don’t care who they are, I only care that Ralph plays them.

[Randall Flagg]

I wasn't watching super closely, and it is only preseason even if I was, but I'd agree with the general sentiment that Cozens looked like a smarter/better hockey player than Casey in their games. 

I still wouldn't keep Cozens up here, but if he gets a taste of his free 9 games while we wait for our forward trade to develop, well there are worse ways for the start of this season to pan out 

[darksabre]

8 minutes ago, Randall Flagg said:

I wasn't watching super closely, and it is only preseason even if I was, but I'd agree with the general sentiment that Cozens looked like a smarter/better hockey player than Casey in their games. 

I still wouldn't keep Cozens up here, but if he gets a taste of his free 9 games while we wait for our forward trade to develop, well there are worse ways for the start of this season to pan out 

I need to see Cozens against real NHL players. Hopefully tomorrow against the Loafs.

[nfreeman]

9 minutes ago, Randall Flagg said:

I wasn't watching super closely, and it is only preseason even if I was, but I'd agree with the general sentiment that Cozens looked like a smarter/better hockey player than Casey in their games. 

I still wouldn't keep Cozens up here, but if he gets a taste of his free 9 games while we wait for our forward trade to develop, well there are worse ways for the start of this season to pan out 

And more forceful.

[Derrico]

9 minutes ago, Randall Flagg said:

I wasn't watching super closely, and it is only preseason even if I was, but I'd agree with the general sentiment that Cozens looked like a smarter/better hockey player than Casey in their games. 

I still wouldn't keep Cozens up here, but if he gets a taste of his free 9 games while we wait for our forward trade to develop, well there are worse ways for the start of this season to pan out 

Ya no kidding.....

https://www.nhl.com/news/jack-eichel-of-sabres-sidelined-weeks-with-injury/c-282615994

[French Collection]

I don't think he looks physically ready to take on grown men but he has the wheels and the drive.

I'm sure JBot would like him to grow and dominate the WHL plus have the WJHC experience. It is not unprecedented for a guy like that to break through. My guess is 2-3 games and if he does well they take it to 9 games.

[...]

There are no leading issues; I think all of the issues with Cozens staying up carry the same weight. That said, one that has yet to be mentioned is the 82 game schedule and the toll it takes, the playoffs notwithstanding.  Dahlin was a wreck by the end of last season''s campaign.  We can't rely on Cozens to be any different and, Lord help us, if we make the playoffs we certainly shouldn't be relying on him to be a 2C this season.

[darksabre]

per the Sabres:

 

Here is Buffalo's roster for Friday: 

Forwards
12 Kevin Porter
15 Jean-Sebastien Dea
17 Vladimir Sobotka
21 Kyle Okposo
25 Arttu Ruotsalainen
27 Curtis Lazar
37 Casey Mittelstadt
42 Dylan Cozens
43 Conor Sheary
49 C.J. Smith
72 Tage Thompson
81 Remi Elie

Defense
3 William Borgen
10 Henri Jokiharju
19 Jake McCabe
38 Zach Redmond
44 Brandon Hickey
58 John Gilmour
78 Jacob Bryson

Goaltenders
35 Linus Ullmark
36 Andrew Hammond

[Brawndo]

This is Game Number 3 without Risto. 

If he does not play Saturday, let the speculation run wild 

[darksabre]

I assume he'll play Saturday given that it looks like Saturday will have most of the regular players.

[Randall Flagg]

Well at least Sheary-Mitts-KO vs. Tavares will help us prepare for our typical second line matchup come October

[erickompositör72]

So this is the "bubble" lineup?

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I thought Porter and Elie were gone.

[dudacek]

Porter isn’t even on an NHL contract, either is Redmond.

Why play them? Show of respect for your leaders on the farm?

[erickompositör72]

43 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Porter isn’t even on an NHL contract, either is Redmond.

Why play them? Show of respect for your leaders on the farm?

I don't think it's about them. I think (hope?) everyone in that lineup is in danger of being sent down/traded, unless they show they are better than our AHLer's

[steveoath]

On risto paired with Dahlin. I think this is an abomination! 

If we are supposed to be playing with fast puck movers, leading to controlled breakouts. How does Risto help? There was a great point made about pairings in one of the podcasts that I'm going paraphrase.... If the forecheckers bear down on Dahlin (which they will coz he's awesome) why pair him with someone who treats the puck as a live grenade? Don't you want a Jokiharju, Montour type? Hopefully Ristolainen can prove us all wrong. But I am skeptical that he can.

 

[That Aud Smell]

12 hours ago, nfreeman said:

I agree that it would be a major slap in the face for Mitts.  But when I watch him, I just don't see a guy who's ready to be an effective NHL player.  I kinda like the idea of him battling against a lower level of pro hockey for half a season (or more) before throwing him in over his head again.

Also, I freaking love the idea of Cozens blowing in like Tormund Giantsbane and seizing the 2C spot.

Tormund Giantsbane? What a name. I’m bummed I don’t get the reference (and therefore don’t know if it’s literal or a joke). I ain’t even gonna look it up.

[Curt]

5 hours ago, dudacek said:

Porter isn’t even on an NHL contract, either is Redmond.

Why play them? Show of respect for your leaders on the farm?

Probably just because they need to fill out a lineup and really only want the veteran NHL players to participate in 2-3 preseason games.

40 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Tormund Giantsbane? What a name. I’m bummed I don’t get the reference (and therefore don’t know if it’s literal or a joke). I ain’t even gonna look it up.

It’s from Game of Thrones.  He is a big BA from the frozen north.

[Derrico]

3 hours ago, steveoath said:

On risto paired with Dahlin. I think this is an abomination! 

If we are supposed to be playing with fast puck movers, leading to controlled breakouts. How does Risto help? There was a great point made about pairings in one of the podcasts that I'm going paraphrase.... If the forecheckers bear down on Dahlin (which they will coz he's awesome) why pair him with someone who treats the puck as a live grenade? Don't you want a Jokiharju, Montour type? Hopefully Ristolainen can prove us all wrong. But I am skeptical that he can.

 

Well I think the sabres plan was montour until his injury.  I’m still leery of pairing Dahlin with someone else so inexperienced

[LGR4GM]

10 hours ago, darksabre said:

per the Sabres:

 

Here is Buffalo's roster for Friday: 

Forwards
12 Kevin Porter
15 Jean-Sebastien Dea
17 Vladimir Sobotka
21 Kyle Okposo
25 Arttu Ruotsalainen
27 Curtis Lazar
37 Casey Mittelstadt
42 Dylan Cozens
43 Conor Sheary
49 C.J. Smith
72 Tage Thompson
81 Remi Elie

Defense
3 William Borgen
10 Henri Jokiharju
19 Jake McCabe
38 Zach Redmond
44 Brandon Hickey
58 John Gilmour
78 Jacob Bryson

Goaltenders
35 Linus Ullmark
36 Andrew Hammond

[That Aud Smell]

2 hours ago, Curt said:

It’s from Game of Thrones.  He is a big BA from the frozen north.

Got it. Yeah, that gawky goofy looking giraffe isn't making like a big bad ass this fall, whether from GOT or otherwise.

[dudacek]

8 hours ago, erickompositör72 said:

I don't think it's about them. I think (hope?) everyone in that lineup is in danger of being sent down/traded, unless they show they are better than our AHLer's

Yep. If it is strictly on merit, McCabe is the only exception for me.

Scandella, Miller, Dahlin and Risto are in opening night. With Montour out, the guys in tonight are battling with Nelson for the last two spots.

Up front, Conor, Tage, Casey, Kyle and Vlad are trying to protect their jobs. Lazar, Smith, Cozens, Ruotsalainen and the rest are trying to take them.

For at least half this roster, it's their last shot at making the team and not many of the rest are going to survive the final cuts.

14 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

Got it. Yeah, that gawky goofy looking giraffe isn't making like a big bad ass this fall, whether from GOT or otherwise.

 

[...]

10 hours ago, erickompositör72 said:

So this is the "bubble" lineup?

It's the Tank™ 3.0 lineup.

[Zamboni]

I think there’s zero chance Sheary, Sobotka, Ullmark, Okposo, Thompson and Mitts get sent to Roch. So, to me, this isn’t a “bubble team” tonight or at risk of getting sent to Roch if they have a bad game or two for those players.  

[LGR4GM]

6 minutes ago, Zamboni said:

I think there’s zero chance Sheary, Sobotka, Ullmark, Okposo, Thompson and Mitts get sent to Roch. So, to me, this isn’t a “bubble team” tonight or at risk of getting sent to Roch if they have a bad game or two for those players.  

Ullmark, Sheary, Mitts might be in the clear. I think Okposo probably is. Sobotka and Thompson, idk. I see no reason to put Sobotka on this team. Every center or lw we have is better.