Practice Lines 10/17/22

[Brawndo]

 

[Carmel Corn]

IMHO - I like TT, Tuch and Skinner back together.  I'd like to see Cozens on wing with Casey and move Asplund down to center the 3rd line.

[LGR4GM]

 

Asplund 100% deserves more TOI and to be the center of a line. I think having someone to feed Olofsson like him could be good. 

[GoPuckYourself]

Middlestadt over Cozens? Man what does this guy have on Granato? 

[Digger]

23 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

 

Asplund 100% deserves more TOI and to be the center of a line. I think having someone to feed Olofsson like him could be good. 

Asplund had lots of chemistry with Olofsson last season so I would agree reuniting them for a few games would be good.  I do wonder if he plans on using Sheahan as the 4th line center when he's healthy again that will free up Asplund.

[That Aud Smell]

21 minutes ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Middlestadt over Cozens? Man what does this guy have on Granato? 

It’s a demotion from playing center. That Cozens line is working - so don’t mess with it.

[nfreeman]

Interesting.  The top 2 lines are exactly what I was hoping for after the Fla game.  Skinner-TT-VO wasn't working at all, and Tuch was the only guy who showed up on the 2nd line.  Aspie has been playing well and has had good chemistry with VO, so it makes sense for him to take Tuch's spot on Mitts' line.

I don't think Krebsie necessarily deserves to be healthy-scratched, but I'm fine with Vinny taking his spot on Cozens' line if DG thinks it will work.

[Doohicksie]

31 minutes ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Middlestadt over Cozens? Man what does this guy have on Granato? 

I really think it's a question of wanting to keep the Cozens - Peterka pairing together and not saddling Cozens with a struggling Mitts.

This is just my impression but I think Mittelstadt might be the guy they are losing patience with, at least in the center role.

[DarthEbriate]

HCDG going back to some familiar 2020-21 season things for the road trip.

Cozens-Hinostroza are reunited as a speed defense line for McDavid (with JJP replacing Caggiula on the other wing). Cozens had 2 goals and the Sabres won at home in November 2020 with Caggiula. In 2021, the 6-1 L at Edmonton was basically their only no-show in any game for the entire month of March, but the lines were then repeated in Calgary and got the 1-0 shutout. Note the similarities to that mid-March 2021 lineup:

Skinner - Thompson - Tuch
Krebs - Cozens - Hinostroza
Asplund - Mittelstadt - Olofsson
Girgensons - Eakin - Okposo
(Hayden, Bjork)
INJ: Caggiula

JJP is in for Krebs. And honestly, I'd put Z back on the wing and get Krebs in the 4C role rather than Quinn, but whatever works. Mitts has been good at faceoffs this year and has been killing penalties, plus that AMO line was solid March/April last season. The key is getting Tuch up as a puck carrier/retriever for the top line. Edit: And Sheahan practicing is a bonus. This allows Bjork (or a rookie who's not adjusting to the pace but is  a future top-6 skater) to head to Rochester while still maintaining a sound NHL 4th liner.

Edited October 17, 2022 by DarthEbriate

[dudacek]

Asplund Mittlestadt Olofsson was a good unit back when Donnie was an interim coach.

Asplund generally makes life easier for his linemates.

Benching Krebs in Alberta would be a distinctly un-Donnie move. Moreso Calgary than Edmonton, but still.

Really dislike talk of “demotion”, particularly on a team built like ours. This isn’t Pittsburgh or Edmonton.

Line construction for us about matchups and chemistry, not a reward-based heirarchy.

[GASabresIUFAN]

48 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

I really think it's a question of wanting to keep the Cozens - Peterka pairing together and not saddling Cozens with a struggling Mitts.

This is just my impression but I think Mittelstadt might be the guy they are losing patience with, at least in the center role.

I don’t think DG agrees with you.  Mitts lead all centers in TOI against FLA.  He was second among all forward to Tuch overall and on the PK and was first in PP.  He also lead the team in faceoffs with 18 winning 12 including all 4 on special teams.  He is also +2 for the year.  DG pointed put these stats following the game. 

I think he just looking to get guys going and to see who else may exhibit some chemistry.  However, I think he is happy with the effort he is getting from Mitts.

[That Aud Smell]

1 hour ago, That Aud Smell said:

It’s a demotion from playing center.

29 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Really dislike talk of “demotion”, particularly on a team built like ours. This isn’t Pittsburgh or Edmonton.

Noted.

Even so: There's got to be some truth there. I can't imagine a player ever takes it as a positive when they're moved from centre to wing. (I'm sure Mittlestadt will work hard and maintain a good attitude if playing the wing.)

I also note my concern with your apparent loss of first person pronouns. Perhaps you've been reading too many of @Taro T's posts.

 

[GoPuckYourself]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

I really think it's a question of wanting to keep the Cozens - Peterka pairing together and not saddling Cozens with a struggling Mitts.

This is just my impression but I think Mittelstadt might be the guy they are losing patience with, at least in the center role.

I really hope so, it seems like he climbs the depth chart with every mediocre game he plays. 

[dudacek]

22 minutes ago, That Aud Smell said:

.)

I also note my concern with your apparent loss of first person pronouns. Perhaps you've been reading too many of @Taro T's posts.

 

There’s no I in dudacek .

 

😜

[RochesterExpat]

2 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Middlestadt over Cozens? Man what does this guy have on Granato? 

It's pretty apparent that lines 2 and 3 are simply on-paper numbers for Granato. I don't know why Sabres fans are so hung up on line numbers. Buffalo had a one goal lead on Ottawa and Granato played Cozens, Peterka and Krebs at the end of the game because they were absolutely on fire all game. He makes it pretty clear he will reward in-game performance with ice time and not tie himself down to how the line sheet looks.

[French Collection]

I am on the kid (Krebs, Quinn, Peterka) bandwagon but Hinestroza is an excellent option to get the team going. He is not a JAG and has meshed with some of these guys before. An infusion of speed and hustle could teach the young guns a lesson.

In my eyes, Peterka has been the only one to earn more ice time.

[BlowLeafsBlow123]

I have to say that I'm really thrilled Donny is not being stubborn with his lines. There were a few points last year where he was, but was maybe more out of necessity due to lack of depth. It was clear as day that it just wasn't a good line construction for the first two games. The top line with all shooters and no one to do the dirty work was a poor coaching move, plain and simple.  The good news is he learned to recognize that quickly, which could be where the analytics folks are helping him.  I get what Donny was trying to do with having Tuch spark another line, but Olofsson was not the guy needed to replace him on the that top line. Hino would've been better in that spot if we're being honest. Tuch is the straw that stirs the drink, and can hopefully get our two goal scorers going.  They need to at least remain a net positive, as they were getting absolutely caved in at ES.

IMO, he really nailed it with today's practice lines.  I love that they're trying Asplund at Center on the 2nd line.  He could be another gem down the middle for the bottom 9.  If Mitts is better at draws, he can always step in to take faceoff and shift to wing.  The beauty of having C depth, even with some guys forced to the wing.  Also, I think Asplund is possibly too good for a traditional 4th line role.  I'd say he could be perfect on a third line for a good team, but good enough to play up when needed.  Mitts may get a little more freedom as a winger.  Side note on Asplund, I'm really hoping he's that next long-term deal that maybe looks outrageous to the casual and non-Sabres fans, but will be a steal for years to come.  There's likely never been a cup winner that didn't have one or two guys like him.  He's our modern-day Jochen Hecht and just might have a 50-60 point season in him.

Keeping the Cozens/Peterka pairing was smart, while recognizing that Hino and Cozens also have chemistry.  Quinn with Girgs and Okposo actually might allow him to get more touches, while those two create space.  If they're starved for offense late in the game, they could always swap Hino and Quinn and try to get that Peterka/Quinn chemistry rolling.  

I'll be shocked if this lineup does worse than the last two games, where the top 6 just didn't get it done. My guess is we'll see a bit more cohesion up front.  We get to see the real value of having depth throughout the roster. When the lines are constructed properly, they'll be much harder to dominate like Florida did.  Especially if Power gets the yips out of his system, we could see some really good hockey coming our way. 

 

[Marvin]

36 minutes ago, BlowLeafsBlow123 said:

I have to say that I'm really thrilled Donny is not being stubborn with his lines. There were a few points last year where he was, but was maybe more out of necessity due to lack of depth. It was clear as day that it just wasn't a good line construction for the first two games. The top line with all shooters and no one to do the dirty work was a poor coaching move, plain and simple.  The good news is he learned to recognize that quickly, which could be where the analytics folks are helping him.  I get what Donny was trying to do with having Tuch spark another line, but Olofsson was not the guy needed to replace him on the that top line. Hino would've been better in that spot if we're being honest. Tuch is the straw that stirs the drink, and can hopefully get our two goal scorers going.  They need to at least remain a net positive, as they were getting absolutely caved in at ES.

IMO, he really nailed it with today's practice lines.  I love that they're trying Asplund at Center on the 2nd line.  He could be another gem down the middle for the bottom 9.  If Mitts is better at draws, he can always step in to take faceoff and shift to wing.  The beauty of having C depth, even with some guys forced to the wing.  Also, I think Asplund is possibly too good for a traditional 4th line role.  I'd say he could be perfect on a third line for a good team, but good enough to play up when needed.  Mitts may get a little more freedom as a winger.  Side note on Asplund, I'm really hoping he's that next long-term deal that maybe looks outrageous to the casual and non-Sabres fans, but will be a steal for years to come.  There's likely never been a cup winner that didn't have one or two guys like him.  He's our modern-day Jochen Hecht and just might have a 50-60 point season in him.

Keeping the Cozens/Peterka pairing was smart, while recognizing that Hino and Cozens also have chemistry.  Quinn with Girgs and Okposo actually might allow him to get more touches, while those two create space.  If they're starved for offense late in the game, they could always swap Hino and Quinn and try to get that Peterka/Quinn chemistry rolling.  

I'll be shocked if this lineup does worse than the last two games, where the top 6 just didn't get it done. My guess is we'll see a bit more cohesion up front.  We get to see the real value of having depth throughout the roster. When the lines are constructed properly, they'll be much harder to dominate like Florida did.  Especially if Power gets the yips out of his system, we could see some really good hockey coming our way. 

 

Welcome to the board!

[Doohicksie]

2 hours ago, BlowLeafsBlow123 said:

He could be another gem down the middle for the bottom 9.  If Mitts is better at draws, he can always step in to take faceoff and shift to wing.

I looked up the FO stats for the team:

Asplund actually *could* use some help on the dot, and Casey *is* indeed not bad there.  If Casey is the teams' "faceoff specialist" he basically replaces Cody Eakin:  Good on the dot but otherwise....

More significantly though:  The Sabres have been a terrible FO team in recent years.  So far they're at 50% overall:  Not really too bad. 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Doohickie

[PerreaultForever]

6 hours ago, GoPuckYourself said:

Middlestadt over Cozens? Man what does this guy have on Granato? 

I wouldn't read too much into the order. I bet they play Cozens line against McDavid's. 

I can't argue with this shift. Krebs is playing his way off the roster. 

[triumph_communes]

Lines just like I would do it. Should waive Krebs tho

[SwampD]

22 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

Lines just like I would do it. Should waive Krebs tho

Pretty sure he’s exempt.

[triumph_communes]

Just now, SwampD said:

Pretty sure he’s exempt.

Exactly 

[SwampD]

Just now, triumph_communes said:

Exactly 

So you want to give up on a 21 YO?

k

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, PerreaultForever said:

I wouldn't read too much into the order. I bet they play Cozens line against McDavid's. 

I can't argue with this shift. Krebs is playing his way off the roster. 

 

38 minutes ago, triumph_communes said:

Lines just like I would do it. Should waive Krebs tho

Tied for 5th in points

Been on the ice for 2 goals for and 2 against

2nd best Corsi on the team

Best expected goals for on the team.

Charged with 1 giveaway.

2 games played, one tight win, one tight loss.

Yes, he’s clearly “played his way off the team”. Dude’s an anchor.

The numbers don’t lie. 🙄