Skinner gets a Three Game Suspension

[Refuting]

Still have his jersey. Did not like that trade at all. Especially for an aging Pominville who I think was only traded for to get fan support. And Scandella was useless 

Foligno is exactly what this team needs. Wasn't afraid of anything, not only got into fights but won them regularly, got the occasional goal or point. Wasn't a total goon by any measure but would take on any goon at anytime 

Figures his point production went up considerably after he left. It was a terrible trade any way you slice it 

[JohnC]

  On 12/13/2022 at 4:14 AM, PerreaultForever said:

Wow, you really loaded that one up with insults and condescension didn't you? 

The notion that physicality and intimidation are somehow gone from the game is naive and simplistic and down right stupid. It's a view held by children and hockey novices who have never played the game and don't understand what goes on on the ice and in the locker room. 

If you're soft, you'll be run out of the rink when it counts. If you don't believe me, just take a look across the border at the Leafs and their playoff success. Or ponder why a high skill team like Tampa added a brute like Maroon to get them to glory. The list goes on. It's pointless to argue against something so simple and obvious. It is in fact childishly simplistic and utterly stupid. 

Now go back to your video games where nobody gets hurt. 

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When you have an insufficient amount of talent and compete against more talented teams you are more likely to lose than win. That's been the problem for the Sabres for the past decade. The era of gladiator and goon hockey is long gone. Speed, skill and even toughness are attributes that contribute to winning games. This looking back to the era of Flyer thuggery as a model to follow is a fantasy laid on top of a delusion. Hooliganism is not a solution to anything but more time in the penalty box. The recipe for success is basic: adding more talent. 

[PerreaultForever]

  On 12/13/2022 at 1:28 PM, JohnC said:

When you have an insufficient amount of talent and compete against more talented teams you are more likely to lose than win. That's been the problem for the Sabres for the past decade. The era of gladiator and goon hockey is long gone. Speed, skill and even toughness are attributes that contribute to winning games. This looking back to the era of Flyer thuggery as a model to follow is a fantasy laid on top of a delusion. Hooliganism is not a solution to anything but more time in the penalty box. The recipe for success is basic: adding more talent. 

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Who's looking back to "Flyer thuggery"?  People who critique toughness always go back to nonsensical examples from ancient history. Hockey is still hockey. Tampa's a skill team right? Right? Now count how many times Maroon has run over one of our goalies and how we've never done anything about it? Hockey is still hockey. 

Yes, you need talent to win games, but you also need grit and toughness. Also grinders and even some instigators and pests. Balance. The ability to play in all types of games.

We have the talent on the roster and in the system. We lack team toughness and bottom end grit. We desperately need another Samuelsson or at least another Lybushkin (who doesn't get hurt as much) so that we can shore up the D pairs. We need a 2 way checking center. Ideally with scoring skill AND defensive ability like a Bergeron or ROR but a less offensively talented high end defender would suffice. We also need a couple physical 4th liners to give us a more impactful bottom end to use when needed (as most top teams have). 

and a goalie. 🙂

[JohnC]

  On 12/13/2022 at 7:33 PM, PerreaultForever said:

Who's looking back to "Flyer thuggery"?  People who critique toughness always go back to nonsensical examples from ancient history. Hockey is still hockey. Tampa's a skill team right? Right? Now count how many times Maroon has run over one of our goalies and how we've never done anything about it? Hockey is still hockey. 

Yes, you need talent to win games, but you also need grit and toughness. Also grinders and even some instigators and pests. Balance. The ability to play in all types of games.

We have the talent on the roster and in the system. We lack team toughness and bottom end grit. We desperately need another Samuelsson or at least another Lybushkin (who doesn't get hurt as much) so that we can shore up the D pairs. We need a 2 way checking center. Ideally with scoring skill AND defensive ability like a Bergeron or ROR but a less offensively talented high end defender would suffice. We also need a couple physical 4th liners to give us a more impactful bottom end to use when needed (as most top teams have). 

and a goalie. 🙂

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The biggest difference in this LA game was that we got top-shelf goaltending throughout this game. It has been consistently pointed out by many that the way for this team to move up the ranks is upgrading the goalie position and adding another defenseman or two. I'm simply not going along with your prescription of what ails this team. Adding talent and creating more depth and not softness in play are what's needed. We just disagree. That's okay.

[Doohicksie]

  On 12/12/2022 at 9:12 PM, inkman said:

I need some of these guys to lose their composure every now and then.  Keep the other team on their toes. 

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Nothing wrong with the other team thinking you're a bit unhinged.

[Doohicksie]

  On 12/13/2022 at 4:55 AM, postseasonblues said:

Teams will be more likely to try to goad him into doing something stupid than they will be worrying about Jeff the enforcer.

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Jeff typically turns that around on them and draws penalties when they're trying to goad him.  This incident was different; it wasn't about Jeff (he takes a lot of abuse and uses it to his advantage actually).  It was about protecting the goalie.

[Doohicksie]

  On 12/14/2022 at 3:01 AM, JohnC said:

The biggest difference in this LA game was that we got top-shelf goaltending throughout this game.

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To be honest I thought the vast majority of Andy's saves fell into the "routine" category.  There was that one on the one-timer to his left (I think it was the save of the game), but mostly L.A.'s shots were from the periphery and even though the Kings crashed the crease they just couldn't finish... that was really the story of the game:  A lot of effort and hard work from the Kings but no finish.

[JohnC]

  On 12/14/2022 at 4:10 PM, Doohickie said:

To be honest I thought the vast majority of Andy's saves fell into the "routine" category.  There was that one on the one-timer to his left (I think it was the save of the game), but mostly L.A.'s shots were from the periphery and even though the Kings crashed the crease they just couldn't finish... that was really the story of the game:  A lot of effort and hard work from the Kings but no finish.

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I agree with you that most of his saves were in the routine category. But there was a reason for it. If you watched this game and the play of Anderson what became evident (and noted on the broadcast) was that he anticipated where the play was going to go and better positioned himself for the shot. There were few wasted movements and few frantic plays to stop the puck because he always seemed to be in position. His play certainly wasn't of a "show stopping" category as much as it was simply a veteran goalie who played his position smartly. I hope UPL closely observed how the old guy played the position. 

[Doohicksie]

I was looking at it more from the standpoint of how L.A. plays:  Pepper the goalie with long, harmless shots and hope for juicy rebounds.  The Sabres used to play that style.  It's good for generating lots of shots but not so great for generating goals.

[Captain Caveman]

Welcome back, go score some goals

[French Collection]

  On 12/16/2022 at 4:47 AM, Captain Caveman said:

Welcome back, go score some goals

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Who comes out?

Mitts, VO, Hinestroza, Asplund or Krebs?

KO is almost ready to return as well.

[inkman]

  On 12/16/2022 at 6:31 PM, French Collection said:

Who comes out?

Mitts, VO, Hinestroza, Asplund or Krebs?

KO is almost ready to return as well.

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Anyone on that list but Krebs.  He’s playing well. 

[North Buffalo]

So Hinestroza on the outs other than depth?

[Weave]

  On 12/16/2022 at 6:38 PM, North Buffalo said:

So Hinestroza on the outs other than depth?

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I don’t think he’s on the outs as much as he was signed as insurance in case either of the rook forwards struggled.

[inkman]

  On 12/16/2022 at 6:38 PM, North Buffalo said:

So Hinestroza on the outs other than depth?

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What prompted this?  Something happen with Vinny?

[Taro T]

  On 12/16/2022 at 6:31 PM, French Collection said:

Who comes out?

Mitts, VO, Hinestroza, Asplund or Krebs?

KO is almost ready to return as well.

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Expect it to be Hinostroza.  At his age, he isn't "developing."  The more interesting Q is which one of those sit when Okposo is back?  Or do they go off the board w/ Jost?

[PromoTheRobot]

  On 12/16/2022 at 9:36 PM, Taro T said:

Expect it to be Hinostroza.  At his age, he isn't "developing."  The more interesting Q is which one of those sit when Okposo is back?  Or do they go off the board w/ Jost?

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What is Okposo starts sitting a few games? I know he's Captain but he's not the same Okie as last year.

[DarthEbriate]

  On 12/16/2022 at 10:50 PM, PromoTheRobot said:

What is Okposo starts sitting a few games? I know he's Captain but he's not the same Okie as last year.

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His usage is very different from last season. Last year he was the RW2 pre-Tuch and remained RW2 during parts VO's lengthy wrist injury. Toward the end of the season he rejoined Girgs-Eakin, but for large stretches he was top 6. He also played all season on the 2nd PP unit and was excellent on it -- several goals working toward the slot from the top of the circle and sniping.

This season, Tuch and JJP have taken over the top 6 wing spots and Okposo has been doing a grind line with Girgensons and the likes of Asplund, Krebs, and some Jost. Zemgus does not drive play and Krebs might someday if he maximizes his potential, but the points won't be there compared to last season.

But that doesn't mean you sit him when healthy. Okposo is reliable, good defensively and when HCDG needs a spark, it's Okposo who gets moved up to the top line. I forget which game it was, but the Sabres came out flat. Okposo jumped to the top line with Thompson and the attack was on. 

[K-9]

  On 12/16/2022 at 6:31 PM, French Collection said:

Who comes out?

Mitts, VO, Hinestroza, Asplund or Krebs?

KO is almost ready to return as well.

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Gotta be Hiney.