Practice Lines 10/25/24

[Brawndo]

 

[LETSTUCHINGO]

Where's Kulich?

[Idemo Buffalo]

Feels like we haven't played a game in a month, but this team definitely should be healthier and ready to go tomorrow afternoon.  Get the Goatheads and possibility of a 3 game winning streak.  Stanley Cup Champions return on Monday night. 

Edited October 25, 2024 by Idemo Buffalo

[Doohicksie]

  On 10/25/2024 at 3:42 PM, LETSTUCHINGO said:

Where's Kulich?

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Rotating in on the bottom six.

 

[Brawndo]

 

[Warriorspikes51]

Bench Cozens and put McLeod on line 2

[Warriorspikes51]

  On 10/25/2024 at 3:42 PM, LETSTUCHINGO said:

Where's Kulich?

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why is Benson absent? 

[LGR4GM]

  On 10/25/2024 at 4:36 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

why is Benson absent? 

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He's injured

 

 

 

[Mustache of God]

Now's a good time for Benson to be resting. Were in the midst 12 day stretch (10-20 thru 10-31) with only 3 games. I don't mind him sitting the next 2 games if it means he's healthy. 

[Bangarang]

Let Benson rest and if Quinn doesn't get his game going then bench him for Benson when he's ready. 

[nfreeman]

Interesting.  So if Benson and NAK are out, which looks to be the case, Zucker and Kulich are both still in but are essentially trading spots on their respective lines?

If so, that maybe shakes things up in a positive way for Cozens and Quinn, by giving them a seasoned pro on their line, but also maybe in a negative way for McLeod and Greenway by giving them a rookie on their line.

[mjd1001]

  On 10/25/2024 at 5:18 PM, nfreeman said:

Interesting.  So if Benson and NAK are out, which looks to be the case, Zucker and Kulich are both still in but are essentially trading spots on their respective lines?

If so, that maybe shakes things up in a positive way for Cozens and Quinn, by giving them a seasoned pro on their line, but also maybe in a negative way for McLeod and Greenway by giving them a rookie on their line.

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Ok, I keep going back and forth on this, but I do NOT want Cozens 'play' to be shaken up right now.

The only thing he is doing poorly the last few games is his shot accuracy.  He is finding open areas of the ice in the offensive zone to get shots off better than anyone with the possible exception of Thompson. He actaully IS getting the most shot attempts.  I honestly do not want to take a chance at changing that.  Its just a matter of him shooting better.

Now, Quinn needs something. But right now, at least in the offensive zone, Cozens is doing everything and anything you want other than shooting accurately.

[7+6=13]

  On 10/25/2024 at 4:21 PM, Warriorspikes51 said:

Bench Cozens and put McLeod on line 2

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Do you mean move McLeod's line to 2 or just him?  I think this is an important distinction because combinations matter.  It could be as simple as dispersing the minutes as Ruff sees fit, in game.  

[WhenWillItEnd66]

  On 10/25/2024 at 3:29 PM, Brawndo said:

 

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I actually like these lines..... All 4 of them have scoring ability and some good speed as well as defensive ability. 

Edited October 25, 2024 by WhenWillItEnd66

[nfreeman]

  On 10/25/2024 at 5:50 PM, mjd1001 said:

Ok, I keep going back and forth on this, but I do NOT want Cozens 'play' to be shaken up right now.

The only thing he is doing poorly the last few games is his shot accuracy.  He is finding open areas of the ice in the offensive zone to get shots off better than anyone with the possible exception of Thompson. He actaully IS getting the most shot attempts.  I honestly do not want to take a chance at changing that.  Its just a matter of him shooting better.

Now, Quinn needs something. But right now, at least in the offensive zone, Cozens is doing everything and anything you want other than shooting accurately.

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Fair enough, and I agree that Cozens looked better vs Dallas, but that line has still produced a big fat zero.  I'm fine with giving Zucker, who looks like he still has a pretty solid well-rounded game, a chance on that line.

[Crusader1969]

  On 10/25/2024 at 5:18 PM, nfreeman said:

Interesting.  So if Benson and NAK are out, which looks to be the case, Zucker and Kulich are both still in but are essentially trading spots on their respective lines?

If so, that maybe shakes things up in a positive way for Cozens and Quinn, by giving them a seasoned pro on their line, but also maybe in a negative way for McLeod and Greenway by giving them a rookie on their line.

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When did Rookie become a dirty word? Kulich has been really good, probably better than Zuckerb

[PerreaultForever]

  On 10/25/2024 at 3:29 PM, Brawndo said:

 

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I know Aube-Kubel likely won't play and we will see Kulich against Detroit but that potential grouping is interesting. Personally I would switch Quinn and Aube-Kubel. Not because he's a better player but for line chemistry and maybe down a notch against lesser third line competition can get Quinn going. Maybe. 

They are also set on Cozens as 2C but if I was coach I'd try

Peterka-Thompson-Tuch

Zucker-McLeod-Cozens

Greenway-Krebs-Quinn

Malentsyn-Lafferty-Aube-Kubel

[nfreeman]

  On 10/25/2024 at 6:45 PM, Crusader1969 said:

When did Rookie become a dirty word? Kulich has been really good, probably better than Zuckerb

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I agree that Kulich has looked pretty good.  My point was more that McLeod's line has been quite good, and presumably (although I don't really know) has been drawing quality opposing lines, so replacing Zucker with a rookie, who doesn't have as strong of a 2-way game as Zucker does, could disrupt them.

[PerreaultForever]

  On 10/25/2024 at 6:45 PM, Crusader1969 said:

When did Rookie become a dirty word? Kulich has been really good, probably better than Zuckerb

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Ruff doesn't see this as a development team. He's going to go veteran over rookie every time unless the rookie is absolutely sensational or the team is struggling and he wants to take a gamble. Kulich has played well. Better than Quinn or Benson (the latter due to injury presumably) but Ruff will want to bring him along properly and develop his full game not just his offensive skill. 

That's not what we are used to seeing in Buffalo but I'd get used to it if I were you as long as Ruff is here. If there's an injury on D you'll likely see Gilbert before Johnson. 

[Taro T]

Wonder if tomorrow or Monday when they activate Aube-Kubel off IR if they send down Kulich or if they move Benson to IR.  If they move Benson to it retroactively, pretty sure he'd be available again anytime after the Aisles game.  Would allow them to keep all 24 guys currently up on the roster on the roster without sending anyone to Ra-cha-cha.

  On 10/25/2024 at 10:02 PM, PerreaultForever said:

Ruff doesn't see this as a development team. He's going to go veteran over rookie every time unless the rookie is absolutely sensational or the team is struggling and he wants to take a gamble. Kulich has played well. Better than Quinn or Benson (the latter due to injury presumably) but Ruff will want to bring him along properly and develop his full game not just his offensive skill. 

That's not what we are used to seeing in Buffalo but I'd get used to it if I were you as long as Ruff is here. If there's an injury on D you'll likely see Gilbert before Johnson. 

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That's not exactly a stretch considering Gilbert has played once in the 1st 8 already and Johnson is still an Amerk.

[Doohicksie]

  On 10/25/2024 at 10:02 PM, Taro T said:

Wonder if tomorrow or Monday when they activate Aube-Kubel off IR if they send down Kulich or if they move Benson to IR.  If they move Benson to it retroactively, pretty sure he'd be available again anytime after the Aisles game.  Would allow them to keep all 24 guys currently up on the roster on the roster without sending anyone to Ra-cha-cha.

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Yes I was vaguely wondering the same way.  Thanks for organizing my thoughts 😉 

[Jorcus]

  On 10/25/2024 at 3:29 PM, Brawndo said:

 

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I like this change for a few reasons. 1st it is not disruptive the the first line which has worked well so far. Second I think it will help Cozens having a player that he does not have to compensate for on the ice with him. The other thing is it moves the wings back to preferred positions. Greenway going back to the left, and if Juri has to come in for Aube-Kubel he is back on the right wing. It seems the least disruptive of all the moves. 

 

  On 10/25/2024 at 10:02 PM, PerreaultForever said:

Ruff doesn't see this as a development team. He's going to go veteran over rookie every time unless the rookie is absolutely sensational or the team is struggling and he wants to take a gamble. Kulich has played well. Better than Quinn or Benson (the latter due to injury presumably) but Ruff will want to bring him along properly and develop his full game not just his offensive skill. 

That's not what we are used to seeing in Buffalo but I'd get used to it if I were you as long as Ruff is here. If there's an injury on D you'll likely see Gilbert before Johnson. 

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100% agree on the Ruff wanting the vets on the Ice. 

[shrader]

  On 10/25/2024 at 10:02 PM, Taro T said:

Wonder if tomorrow or Monday when they activate Aube-Kubel off IR if they send down Kulich or if they move Benson to IR.  If they move Benson to it retroactively, pretty sure he'd be available again anytime after the Aisles game.  Would allow them to keep all 24 guys currently up on the roster on the roster without sending anyone to Ra-cha-cha.

That's not exactly a stretch considering Gilbert has played once in the 1st 8 already and Johnson is still an Amerk.

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I think you got to the move the team SHOULD make with the second part of that post.