GDT: Buffalo Sabres @ Winnipeg, yes Winnipeg 3/23/25 TSN3, MSG-B 3PM Eastern

[eman]

10 hours ago, gilbert11 said:

What a wacky team!   Beat Edmonton, Vegas and now Winnipeg on the road, but lose at home to San Jose.

 

Somebody, please make it stop!

 

and getting owned by Utah!

[mjd1001]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

I'm not making excuses for Adams's general failure to properly do his job the past two off-seasons.  That said, it is unlikely another team is going to hand us their bona-fide top-6 centre, regardless of any overpay that we might be willing to offer (I'm not saying it can't happen, just that it is unlikely).  

McLeod is 4 months younger than Norris, and was drafted one year later and 21 spots deeper into the draft.  Prior to the second half of this season, McLeod has not been used or viewed as a top-6 centre. Even this year it has been more out of necessity that he has been elevated. He's playing at a 52 point pace; I'm not sure that is sustainable, but then this is the 1st opportunity he has been given to have this kind of season, let alone to sustain it.

Norris, from his arrival in the NHL, was projected to be a top-6 centre.  He has played at around a 54 point pace per 82 games; as we know, he has had injury issues.

In an ideal world we get a legit #1 centre this off-season. If not, an alternative would be for Thompson to return to that role. If we don't acquire a legit top-6 centre and we don't move Thompson back from wing, then my opinion is that we have a bigger issue with Norris as our #1 centre than we have with McLeod as our #2.  There are 6-7 teams currently in a playoff position, who don't have a #2 centre producing at McLeod's current level.  There are no teams in a playoff spot with a #1 centre in Norris's mold, who plays at a 55 point pace over 82 games, but typically only plays about 60 games per year. 

If we do add a legit #1 centre this off-season (or if Thompson returns to that role), there might be no good reason to distinguish between Norris and McLeod as #2 or #3.  

      

I'll repeat what I have said before....how many minutes do you want/project McLeod to be playing going forward? He has been averaging about 19 minutes per game the last couple months and not doing all that poorly.

There are some variations, but when you look around the league, a typical 2nd line player/center gets 17 minutes per game. A 3rd line center gets 14.5-15.5 minutes.  Do you want him in the first category or the 2nd?

If you are happy with his play and want him to get closer to 17 minutes per game, then he IS your 2nd line center.

[mjd1001]

20 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

You are probably right. This will mean that McLeod starting the year as #3 will be somewhat of a moot point as he will need to be elevated at various times when Norris is injured and Kulich, due to youth, struggles.

My hope is that Kulich is the young centre that we can use in a package, along with Power/Byram and possibly other pieces, to get a veteran centre. That is not a likely outcome though. 

Maybe we have a #1 line (Thompson as the center...or if Thompson is on wing, whoever his center is...it can change)...and then the #2 and #3 centers after that line are basically split.  Meaning there is not 'set' #2 or #3 guy.  Going into a game the plan is for them to get even ice time, and if one line is playing better, that game they get more ice time and they are the #2 line for that game, but that can change day to day.

Who is the #2, or #3 center I think is more of a discusssion for the fans.  My opinion is Tage can be Center or Wing.  His production, his defensive play..its about the same this season wherever he plays (honestly, I think his numbers this year are slightly better at Center, but whatever).  But when you look at Thompson having the ability to play center if needed, and Norris, and Kulich, and Mcleod, and then even Krebs at #4 with a possibility to not be out of place at #3...you have options there to mix and match.

Sure, if a good center was available I'd jump at him, but I think this team needs more focus in other areas.  Tage/Norris/Kulich/Mcleod/Krebs....mix and match them how you will, you have something to work with there. Now find some better wingers to play with them.

Edited Monday at 03:58 PM by mjd1001

[Brawndo]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Hamilton said that Pegula wasn't at the Winnipeg game and...

Pegula didn't stay and watch the infamous Montreal game where he gave the team a pep talk, is that correct?

Correct he was not there 

[LGR4GM]

15 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Correct he was not there 

So Terry Pegula, flew to Montreal, gave the team a speech about the answer being in the room, and then left before the game the team was going to play that night was played. What, the actual, f##k. 

[Brawndo]

13 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

So Terry Pegula, flew to Montreal, gave the team a speech about the answer being in the room, and then left before the game the team was going to play that night was played. What, the actual, f##k. 

Pretty much-although the speech was on a scheduled practice day, they played the game the next night I believe 

[DarthEbriate]

41 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

Pretty much-although the speech was on a scheduled practice day, they played the game the next night I believe 

Sigh.

 

Pegula: Good talk. Remember, the answer is in the room. This room. <makes a heart sign>  I believe in you. Everybody feel better? Mmmkay. Buh-bye.

<Pegula turns, exits room>

Pegula: Bring my yacht.      (alternate line if it's the Special Edition)   Alert my yacht to prepare for my arrival.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Archie Lee said:

You are probably right. This will mean that McLeod starting the year as #3 will be somewhat of a moot point as he will need to be elevated at various times when Norris is injured and Kulich, due to youth, struggles.

My hope is that Kulich is the young centre that we can use in a package, along with Power/Byram and possibly other pieces, to get a veteran centre. That is not a likely outcome though. 

I'm not obsessing about getting another #1 or 2 center. However, that's not to say that I wouldn't want to add another quality center.  If the price is excessive in acquiring someone to fill one of those two top center spots, then the next best option would be to add another winger or two who are second-line caliber players. From there, you have a number of options putting together two legitimate top lines. As you point out, Tage can play on the wing or center, so there is some flexibility there. 

Kulich is showing too much promise for me to dangle him on the market. And I'm adamantly against trading Power. (I wish the haters would find another target of their scorn. I don't understand the hostility toward him.) On the other hand, if Bryam could bring you a second line player, then I would be inclined to make such a deal. 

 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

Pretty much-although the speech was on a scheduled practice day, they played the game the next night I believe 

That's slightly better I suppose. 

[Pimlach]

2 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Pretty much-although the speech was on a scheduled practice day, they played the game the next night I believe 

And the took that practice off too.   Maybe Terry took them to Dairy Queen instead.  

[Thorner]

8 hours ago, SwampD said:

It’s right on brand.

The Sabres are a good team against backup goalies.

Have been for years.

They did not play well 

“This team is bi-polar!” yes if you willingly ignore context 

[Thorner]

4 hours ago, Archie Lee said:

You are probably right. This will mean that McLeod starting the year as #3 will be somewhat of a moot point as he will need to be elevated at various times when Norris is injured and Kulich, due to youth, struggles.

My hope is that Kulich is the young centre that we can use in a package, along with Power/Byram and possibly other pieces, to get a veteran centre. That is not a likely outcome though. 

I really think Tage will start at C. He’s proven there 

[Thorner]

4 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Correct he was not there 

Which are you referring to? The Montreal or winnipeg.

was trying to read into him being on the trip. Damn 

Edited Monday at 07:56 PM by Thorner

[Brawndo]

1 hour ago, Thorner said:

Which are you referring to? The Montreal or winnipeg.

was trying to read into him being on the trip. Damn 

He left before the Montreal and Paul Hamilton reported he was not in Winnipeg either 

[Sidc3000]

37 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

He left before the Montreal and Paul Hamilton reported he was not in Winnipeg either 

But he’s the biggest Sabres fan in the world 🙄. Hockey is his first love… blah blah blah.  He doesn’t give a ***** about this team.    

[kas23]

43 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

He left before the Montreal and Paul Hamilton reported he was not in Winnipeg either 

Maybe he’s lost his love for the game?

[Cityo'Rasmii]

32 minutes ago, kas23 said:

Maybe he’s lost his love for the game?

If so, we don't want anybody that doesn't want to be here 😜

[PonyBoy2]

6 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Sigh.

 

Pegula: Good talk. Remember, the answer is in the room. This room. <makes a heart sign>  I believe in you. Everybody feel better? Mmmkay. Buh-bye.

<Pegula turns, exits room>

Pegula: Bring my yacht.      (alternate line if it's the Special Edition)   Alert my yacht to prepare for my arrival.

Remember, the answer is in the room. This room.