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Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Pachla: The pangs of growing pains. Plus, the Skinner situation
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Tragically Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo of the South, NC
Joined: 10.05.2018

Feb 27 @ 1:17 PM ET
you add skinner, dahlin
year 2 of housley's "system"
and you are no better in the last 38 games then you were when you became the first team ever to finish 31st, last season

- homiedclown


Which is why a coaching change needs to happen.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Feb 27 @ 1:18 PM ET
Tage has been getting put on the 4th line more throughout the season bc he hasn’t been plying well
And he really hasn’t spent all that much time there

If he was t being outscored by a goalie,
then he’d probably see a lot more consistent usage... don’t ya think?

- jdfitz77

who is this Tage person you guys are talking about?
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Feb 27 @ 1:18 PM ET
does he still have a year left on his ELC? or is he an RFA this summer?
- SabresFaninIndiana


2 years lefts on his ELC.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:19 PM ET
Wouldn't they not be rookies if they play 10 or more?

Nylander has played i forgot that too. Yeah I was just confusing things. Sorry about that!

- CoHo_to_B-Lo


The “rookie” designation is more games played in the NHL i believe
(25ish? I’m not sure exactly)

The 9 game tryout strictly has to do with pulling a kid from his Juniors team to see if he’s ready for NHL play
If he plays his 10th game (or more),
then it counts as a season on his ELC
If u send him back after 9 games (or less),
then it doesn’t count against his ELC

There’s some rare situations where it could make a difference for AHL players who’s ELC hasn’t started yet, but it generally doesn’t affect most guys in the AHL
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Feb 27 @ 1:20 PM ET
He’s played 54 out of 63 games
That’s 6 out of every 7 games

That should be enough to figure out how to outscore your goalie
Stop with the excuses

And i know it’s not u, but the playing with Sobatka one is BS too
When the guy does get chances,
he shoots the puck wide all the damn time
That’s not Sobatka (or anyone else’s) fault

- jdfitz77

Sobotka has literally killed every one of his linemates offense when he centers them.

Sheary, Smith, Okposo, Thompson, Girgs/Larson all do worse with him, a lot worse.

It isn’t an excuse. It’s an actual fact
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:22 PM ET
I get really tired of the same half joking insults every game. Don't need to hear that RJ is old, ugly, and fat every night.
- Lunaion


I brought up the other day how I’d like to see Gionta take Ray’s place
Or at least get added to the broadcast so we hear less of Ray’s meathead comments
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Feb 27 @ 1:23 PM ET
so who is Terry and the Black Widow gonna clip next?


homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Feb 27 @ 1:24 PM ET
I brought up the other day how I’d like to see Gionta take Ray’s place
Or at least get added to the broadcast so we hear less of Ray’s meathead comments

- jdfitz77

he can take Phil's place
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: GM's are graded based on moves made before June 28th, apparently., NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

Feb 27 @ 1:24 PM ET
I brought up the other day how I’d like to see Gionta take Ray’s place
Or at least get added to the broadcast so we hear less of Ray’s meathead comments

- jdfitz77


Or they could just put "they need to keep it simple" on loop (or maybe they already are - it's tough to tell)
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:28 PM ET
does he still have a year left on his ELC? or is he an RFA this summer?
- SabresFaninIndiana


This is actually the FIRST year of Nylander’s ELC

I believe it’s bc he was still under contract with his team in Sweden, and technically “LOANED” to Rochester
Might be more complicated, but i believe that’s what i heard
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:29 PM ET
Sobotka has literally killed every one of his linemates offense when he centers them.

Sheary, Smith, Okposo, Thompson, Girgs/Larson all do worse with him, a lot worse.

It isn’t an excuse. It’s an actual fact

- sbroads24


Those guys (incl Tage) weren’t doing well with Mittelstadt either

AND
Playing with Sobatka doesn’t force Tage to shoot wide
When he does get chances, he’s not cashing in

ALSO
Tage was playing well earlier this season (according to you) while playing on a line with Sobatka

So yeah...
while he’d probably be better if he was playing with a legit center (u know i don’t like Sobatka at 3C at all),
u are kinda making an excuse with him

I mean... Hutton has been outscoring him
You can’t really sugarcoat that
It’s brutal
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:35 PM ET
who is this Tage person you guys are talking about?
- homiedclown


He’s an A Level Prospect with a “great shot”
Or so I’ve been told
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Feb 27 @ 1:40 PM ET
He’s an A Level Prospect with a “great shot”
Or so I’ve been told

- jdfitz77


If he isn’t producing next year, I’ll fall on the sword. I think of Tage like Josh Allen. Both raw prospects with elite skill sets. Tage grew 6 inches in the last 3 years and is still a lanky kid. Putting on 15 pounds of muscle will serve him well, along with a shooting coach to teach him how to be accurate with his howitzer of a shot. He has Top 6 caliber hands and shot and you can’t teach 6ft5 height. Thompson is a project with 20-25 goal a year capability, it’s whether or not the kid can figure it out before it’s too late.
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Feb 27 @ 1:47 PM ET
Ryan donato with 6 points in his first 4 games with the Wild. They have won all 4 games.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:47 PM ET
If he isn’t producing next year, I’ll fall on the sword. I think of Tage like Josh Allen. Both raw prospects with elite skill sets. Tage grew 6 inches in the last 3 years and is still a lanky kid. Putting on 15 pounds of muscle will serve him well, along with a shooting coach to teach him how to be accurate with his howitzer of a shot. He has Top 6 caliber hands and shot and you can’t teach 6ft5 height. Thompson is a project with 20-25 goal a year capability, it’s whether or not the kid can figure it out before it’s too late.
- Pegullaville


That’s all pretty fair for the most part
I was never a big fan of him as a prospect (obviously)
But assuming he does have the potential u speak of, he definitely hasn’t been showing it much- certainly not lately
He just doesn’t seem to be developing here
Maybe it’s that his confidence is shot, like some have suggested
Or maybe it’s just bc he’s playing with Sobatka
But whatever the reason...
it’s clearly not working with him right now

Maybe sending him down to Rochester will help?
I personally think they should’ve done that a while ago


You’ve also gotta consider that there’s a lot of kids who have talent, but never make it to the NHL
And even some who do, never come close to fulfilling their supposed potential
Tragically Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo of the South, NC
Joined: 10.05.2018

Feb 27 @ 1:50 PM ET
I brought up the other day how I’d like to see Gionta take Ray’s place
Or at least get added to the broadcast so we hear less of Ray’s meathead comments

- jdfitz77

Andrew Peters?
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:53 PM ET
Ryan donato with 6 points in his first 4 games with the Wild. They have won all 4 games.
- Pegullaville


Maybe Minny “fleeced” Boston after all?
😂😂😂

He plays a style game that would fit in our lineup imo- speedy & a bit feisty
I like that kid as a prospect / young player
He could be a nice top9 guy,
maybe even better if he can be a consistent scorer (still tbd)

It was a nice trade for Minny imo
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

Feb 27 @ 1:54 PM ET
Tage has been getting put on the 4th line more throughout the season bc he hasn’t been plying well
And he really hasn’t spent all that much time there

If he was t being outscored by a goalie,
then he’d probably see a lot more consistent usage... don’t ya think?

- jdfitz77


I would think if he got more consistent usage he would outscore the goalie.
Pegullaville
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Toronto
Joined: 03.16.2011

Feb 27 @ 1:55 PM ET
That’s all pretty fair for the most part
I was never a big fan of him as a prospect (obviously)
But assuming he does have the potential u speak of, he definitely hasn’t been showing it much- certainly not lately
He just doesn’t seem to be developing here
Maybe it’s that his confidence is shot, like some have suggested
Or maybe it’s just bc he’s playing with Sobatka
But whatever the reason...
it’s clearly not working with him right now

Maybe sending him down to Rochester will help?
I personally think they should’ve done that a while ago

- jdfitz77


No of course his development is stagnant since his good stretch of games. Idk what the issue is, I’d assume it’s a mix of confidence being shot and the lack of consistency in his linemates. I do see a guy who has a good shot (albeit he needs to get it off quicker) and good hands. He has very good raw skills but he needs to find a way to be able to put him self in positions to use his assets properly. If Reinhart had Thompson’s shot he’d be a perennial 35 goal scorer. Thompson needs to develop his short area quickness, and more weight to his frame so he doesn’t get pushed off of pucks so easily, try to be more consistent with his play. He has shown glimpses of why Botts traded for him but the problem like everyone here has noted is that it’s very few and far between.
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

Feb 27 @ 1:55 PM ET
If he isn’t producing next year, I’ll fall on the sword. I think of Tage like Josh Allen. Both raw prospects with elite skill sets. Tage grew 6 inches in the last 3 years and is still a lanky kid. Putting on 15 pounds of muscle will serve him well, along with a shooting coach to teach him how to be accurate with his howitzer of a shot. He has Top 6 caliber hands and shot and you can’t teach 6ft5 height. Thompson is a project with 20-25 goal a year capability, it’s whether or not the kid can figure it out before it’s too late.
- Pegullaville


Great take. Fantastic.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:56 PM ET
Andrew Peters?
- Tragically Buffalo


Idk?
Peters is kind of annoying on the radio
Has that same “meathead” mentality as Ray

He is funny & entertaining at times though
So maybe in smaller doses on TV he’d be better than listening for 2 straight hours quote movies & pick on Rivet

Worth a shot i guess ?

I brought up Gionta bc he was on the radio the other day
Really smart guy
And he did some TV last year in the playoffs for NBCsports
Khmylev
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I'll take some olives on my pizza!, NY
Joined: 03.13.2015

Feb 27 @ 1:57 PM ET
Tragically Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo of the South, NC
Joined: 10.05.2018

Feb 27 @ 1:57 PM ET
No of course his development is stagnant since his good stretch of games. Idk what the issue is, I’d assume it’s a mix of confidence being shot and the lack of consistency in his linemates. I do see a guy who has a good shot (albeit he needs to get it off quicker) and good hands. He has very good raw skills but he needs to find a way to be able to put him self in positions to use his assets properly. If Reinhart had Thompson’s shot he’d be a perennial 35 goal scorer. Thompson needs to develop his short area quickness, and more weight to his frame so he doesn’t get pushed off of pucks so easily, try to be more consistent with his play. He has shown glimpses of why Botts traded for him but the problem like everyone here has noted is that it’s very few and far between.
- Pegullaville

Tage is decent between the center line and the offensive red line. Everywhere else he is lacking. Needs to be stronger everywhere else.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Feb 27 @ 1:57 PM ET
I would think if he got more consistent usage he would outscore the goalie.
- RhinoFan


He should no matter what his usage is
That’s a ridiculous statement on your part
CoHo_to_B-Lo
Buffalo Sabres
Location: East Amherst, NY
Joined: 02.29.2012

Feb 27 @ 1:58 PM ET
Andrew Peters?
- Tragically Buffalo



Loves cocaine! (know from experience)
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