GDT: Preseason Game 4: Sabres at Penguins 7 PM

[Matt Ress]

Iirc Tage was really messy in preseason last year as well. Ah well

 

[Beerz]

Hopefully we're getting to the point where we will be fielding a more complete roster so we can properly access

 

[Dingo44]

O/U on hot takes about (everything) while playing behind that defense

A lot and they just keep coming. Geez.

 

[HOOats]

Craftsman

Respect for sticking with it, I guess...

 

[Beerz]

Iirc Tage was really messy in preseason last year as well. Ah well

It's who he is... if he keeps putting up 45 plus goals it's fine...but its not ideal

Respect for sticking with it, I guess...

View attachment 747177

I don't think so, Tage

 

[Dingo44]

It's who he is... if he keeps putting up 45 plus goals it's fine...but its not ideal


I don't think so, Tage

 

[old kummelweck]

Comrie had a solid game. Pressure building for UPL.

 

[Beerz]

View attachment 747183

Apparently I'm a whiner because I give my thoughts on a particular player.

 

[stokes84]

Yeah, I had this impression as well. Just a matter of such a mix of random players who don't know what to expect? Not sure.

I mean it was basically an AHL defense we iced tonight

 

[beerme1]

Apparently I'm a whiner because I give my thoughts on a particular player.

It was funny though.

 

[sabremike]

View attachment 747183

You EARNED this!!!

 

[joshjull]

 

[GrierIsGod123]

It's who he is... if he keeps putting up 45 plus goals it's fine...but its not ideal


I don't think so, Tage

This is where I’m at. He’s a force offensively, but I’m not 100% confident in him being the 1C you want trying to become a perennial contender. He’s gotta get better in other areas and that’s what I’ll be looking for this season. Shit even Eichel had to get better defensively and was able to be a 1C on a cup winner.

Tage needs to learn to use that reach to disrupt more plays and but also needs to play quicker and more decisively in tight games. I’m not talking about tonight, it is just preseason but this goes back to the end of last season where he slowed down considerably.

 

[beerme1]

This is where I’m at. He’s a force offensively, but I’m not 100% confident in him being the 1C you want trying to become a perennial contender. He’s gotta get better in other areas and that’s what I’ll be looking for this season. Shit even Eichel had to get better defensively and was able to be a 1C on a cup winner.

Tage needs to learn to use that reach to disrupt more plays and but also needs to play quicker and more decisively in tight games. I’m not talking about tonight, it is just preseason but this goes back to the end of last season where he slowed down considerably.

Where he got injured and slowed down.

 

[Chainshot]

Likely seven non-roster forwards and five non-roster defensemen skated Sid, Geno, most of the Pens top 9 and EK and Letang to a one-goal game late. Some good stuff out of Benson with Thompson again, loving the added dimension out of Ryan Johnson's game and the continued offensive thrust to Novikov. Not a lot of differentiation for some, think the AHL cuts will be easier than I would like regarding Kozak and Cederqvist. Oh well, plenty of time yet for both.

 

[Ace]

It’ll be interesting to see if an NHL team can make the playoffs with him as their 1C. He’s a unique case around the league as he’s very good offensively but terrible on the other end and has bottom tier hockey sense.

I mean…if this team had league average goaltending they’d have made it with weeks to go last year.

so…yeah…

 

[joshjull]

Talent matters, for sure. That's why I said who's in or out of the line up. But the coaching staff seems content to not do anything about how they play in their zone, even if it's AHL-ers and prospects and not the top 6. Fire wagon hockey isn't going to cut it this year.

Its more than just talent mattering. You're seeing a stripped-down version of what a team will do in the regular season and their capabilities are severely restricted depending on who dresses. Thats what preseason is.

You learn next to nothing about what to expect in the regular season from how a team plays in preseason.

 

[Chainshot]

Also another encouraging game from Comrie who looked great on multiple odd-man/breakaway chances.

 

[SundherDome]

Comrie had a solid game. Pressure building for UPL.

I think UPL gets moved. I am a big UPL fan but he just can't seem to unlock that next level to where he is able to own a crease.

 

[Sound_n_Fury]

Its more than just talent mattering. You're seeing a stripped-down version of what a team will do in the regular season and their capabilities are severely restricted depending on who dresses. Thats what preseason is.

You learn next to nothing about what to expect in the regular season from how a team plays in preseason.

I don't disagree. It is what it is. But a commitment to playing a modicum of team defense and understanding positioning responsibility should be be a bigger part of their game regardless of experience or talent level.

Knowing how and when to support the D, realizing what to do (and not do) in their own end or on offensive zone entries. Not turning it over repeatedly or giving up so many odd-man rushes knowing that a more talented/experienced opponent can bury those chances. Playing smarter hockey rather than shinny.

Yes, this was a mismatch roster-wise. It's what you get with 60 guys in training camp. But playing pond hockey against a superior opponent doesn't teach the young guys anything that will help them develop into NHLers. I'd like to see the coaching staff start to instill more of that discipline into everyone that puts on a Sabres jersey now that we're past the 'fun-and-gun' stage of the team's development.

 

[Ehran]

I think UPL gets moved. I am a big UPL fan but he just can't seem to unlock that next level to where he is able to own a crease.

At this point in time UPL may be the poster boy for needing a fresh start somewhere else.

I think he's got talent. His development path has been highly disjointed by injuries, pandemic shutdowns, and premature callups because the Sabre's lack of NHL goaltending had him playing last year when a full year at Rochester would have been best for his career, IMO.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

if we extrapolate the pens the same people are doing it with tage, EK is just a turnover machine, Malkin has lost it completely, and Crosby is too unengaged to be a captain

so overall I think the Sabres are better off

 

[DJN21]

if we extrapolate the pens the same people are doing it with tage, EK is just a turnover machine, Malkin has lost it completely, and Crosby is too unengaged to be a captain

so overall I think the Sabres are better off

I know the following are not avoidable:

-Malkins cap hit
-Malkin not leaving the Pens for us
-the cost in assets to attain Malkin

but if given the choice thats been forced down our throats lately about Patrick Kane....man I'd much rather have Malkin. Not at any of the above costs. But Malkin hasn't lost it. Kane physically has. Malkin was always mentally stronger too.

 

[truthbluth]

This thread is bananas. Tage Thompson truthers. I had no idea you existed. Oh, if I could turn back time...

 

[Fly Boy]

Y

I know the following are not avoidable:

-Malkins cap hit
-Malkin not leaving the Pens for us
-the cost in assets to attain Malkin

but if given the choice thats been forced down our throats lately about Patrick Kane....man I'd much rather have Malkin. Not at any of the above costs. But Malkin hasn't lost it. Kane physically has. Malkin was always mentally stronger too.

Perfect description of the game.