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Forums :: Blog World :: Hank Balling: Storylines To Watch As The Season Winds Down
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sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 7:50 PM ET
They have also, for the most part, been put in a much better position to drive offensive results to be fair.

What Quinn is doing though this year is pretty crazy. The sky is the limit for him.

- Swedish_Jesus

Quinn will be a top 10-15 winger no doubt
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Mar 28 @ 7:52 PM ET
They have also, for the most part, been put in a much better position to drive offensive results to be fair.

What Quinn is doing though this year is pretty crazy. The sky is the limit for him.

- Swedish_Jesus


All things considered, I'd say Krebs has had a better season than Peterka.
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 7:53 PM ET
How much did Quinn/Peterka produce with Girgensons and Okposo ?
- Swedish_Jesus

If Krebs is that good, shouldn’t we have noticed an obvious uptick in offense from when they were centered by a guy we got off waivers?

There hasn’t been

Like come on now.

Swedish_Jesus
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 07.02.2019

Mar 28 @ 8:06 PM ET
We have years of evidence that Skinner has dragged average centers like Derek Ryan and Victor Rask to career years and in Rasks case a hilariously bad contract.

Tuch has been very, very average away from Thompson when they tried it last year and in the very few instances this year.

Tuch is an excellent player. He also is considered a vet and a leader and should not be above being criticized when his line underperforms in a mist win game

- sbroads24


Skinner has been all offence and no defence his entire career and was traded for Pu Pu because of it.

I think every team could use a Jeff Skinner somewhere in their middle 6 with the right infrastructure around him.

Skinner and Thompson without a solid 200 foot player in Tuch was nightmare fuel and even Stevie Wonder could see that. Jack Quinn has had pretty solid defensive underlyings and held the Fort for a brief moment before it became too big for him (as expected for a rookie playing top line minutes and matchups)
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 8:08 PM ET
Skinner has been all offence and no defence his entire career and was traded for Pu Pu because of it.

I think every team could use a Jeff Skinner somewhere in their middle 6 with the right infrastructure around him.

Skinner and Thompson without a solid 200 foot player in Tuch was nightmare fuel and even Stevie Wonder could see that. Jack Quinn has had pretty solid defensive underlyings and held the Fort for a brief moment before it became too big for him (as expected for a rookie playing top line minutes and matchups)

- Swedish_Jesus

The trio compliment each other well.

But Thompson is the engine. Neither Mittelstadt or Krebs was going to come close to replicating him. It’s just not a big deal either way.
The_Inkwell
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo, NY
Joined: 06.29.2006

Mar 28 @ 8:09 PM ET
Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Mitts-Krebs-someone else
Greenway-Jost-Rousek
Okposo

Does this forward group make the playoffs next year?
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Mar 28 @ 8:10 PM ET
Exactly why I wasn't all in on this guy.... he is hurt a lot.

March 27, 2023
Chychrun will be out of action for 2-3 weeks due to a hamstring injury, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.

- gordong


Yep, I pointed this out frequently.

Didn't matter to thirtysixensons. That was his target.

Debricat as well.

2 big wrongs....
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

Mar 28 @ 8:14 PM ET
How about the winger that makes $9M a year on the left side ?

Not a single peep from you criticizing Skinner’s ability to drive a line.

At even strength while Tuch was hurt our top line was outscored 11-6 at even strength.

At least we know somewhere Rod Brind’Amour was smiling.

- Swedish_Jesus


Huh? Brind'Amour's comments were curious at best. If I remember correctly, he said that Skinner doesn't go to the dirty areas. I am far from being a fan of his, but the guy is having a great year and absolutely goes to the dirty areas. That said, most wingers aren't play drivers and he certainly isn't one. He has enough skills elsewhere that they don't need him to be.
Swedish_Jesus
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 07.02.2019

Mar 28 @ 8:15 PM ET
The trio compliment each other well.

But Thompson is the engine. Neither Mittelstadt or Krebs was going to come close to replicating him. It’s just not a big deal either way.

- sbroads24


Thompson is a top 5 if not top 10 player offensively in the league right now.

His defence is abysmal too, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt when he puts up 90+ points a game and plays the most important position in hockey.

Tuch has always been an analytics darling and driven play anywhere he has been. Is he as naturally gifted as Skinner is offensively ? No.

Tuch’s uptick in points has just as much to do with more opportunity and more minutes that he wasn’t getting in Vegas as it does with the uptick in quality of teammate
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Mar 28 @ 8:15 PM ET
Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Peterka-Cozens-Quinn
Mitts-Krebs-someone else
Greenway-Jost-Rousek
Okposo

Does this forward group make the playoffs next year?

- The_Inkwell


The forward group was good enough to make the playoffs this year, so easy yes.
Slump Buster
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I root for draft picks but not the team, apparently, NY
Joined: 10.24.2006

Mar 28 @ 8:15 PM ET
Quinn will be a top 10-15 winger no doubt
- sbroads24


I saw some comparing his ceiling to Mark Stone because of his defense. That would really be something.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Mar 28 @ 8:17 PM ET
The kid line was really good the last few games

The Krebs line was good the last few

The decision made perfect sense

He thought Tuch could drive the line. He can’t

But I know not to ever criticize anything about St. Tuch the local boy

- sbroads24



Interesting stance, being the only guy in buffalo that doesn't like alex tuch .

🤔
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 8:19 PM ET
Thompson is a top 5 if not top 10 player offensively in the league right now.

His defence is abysmal too, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt when he puts up 90+ points a game and plays the most important position in hockey.

Tuch has always been an analytics darling and driven play anywhere he has been. Is he as naturally gifted as Skinner is offensively ? No.

Tuch’s uptick in points has just as much to do with more opportunity and more minutes that he wasn’t getting in Vegas as it does with the uptick in quality of teammate

- Swedish_Jesus

I don’t disagree. Tuch is a bonafide top end winger.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Mar 28 @ 8:24 PM ET
Yep, I pointed this out frequently.

Didn't matter to thirtysixensons. That was his target.

Debricat as well.

2 big wrongs....

- Boss34

Sure, no matter again it happened because of a slew foot, and he wasn't the only target, it's just Adams likes to roll out Girgensons instead of good hockey players.
IonSabres
Buffalo Sabres
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL
Joined: 03.10.2013

Mar 28 @ 8:25 PM ET
I think people are forgetting Krebs is already 22 years old with 130 NHL games under his belt in an offensive friendly system.

He also has a mere 2 PP points in 62 minutes of PP time this year

That anchor Okposo has 4 PP points in 61 minutes

Sometimes the narrative that players will just automatically take off with PP and better linemates don’t really bear fruit

- sbroads24


Krebs with 126 games over 3 seasons produced 15/31/46/-35
Daniel Briere through age 23, 112 games over 4 seasons produced 21/19/40/-4

Danny's next 2 seasons:
78 gms 32/28/60/+6
82 gms 24/34/58/-20

Krebs has plenty of time to continue to grow his game, hopefully he'll continue on an upward trajectory. I'm not giving up on him.
Swedish_Jesus
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 07.02.2019

Mar 28 @ 8:27 PM ET
Huh? Brind'Amour's comments were curious at best. If I remember correctly, he said that Skinner doesn't go to the dirty areas. I am far from being a fan of his, but the guy is having a great year and absolutely goes to the dirty areas. That said, most wingers aren't play drivers and he certainly isn't one. He has enough skills elsewhere that they don't need him to be.
- Slump Buster




“I think it sends a message of what kind of Hurricane we're looking for, what kind of player we want. Everybody's available. You've got to produce; you've got to do the things we're asking you to do, otherwise you're not safe. So it was the right move. I think the guys understand you've got to come ready to play and do what we're asking. Otherwise you're not a Hurricane. We can't have you."

Skinner came off the best three years of his career as a Hurricane scoring 24, 37, and 28 goals and averaged 54 points.

Where he didn’t produce was defensively, as he was a -32 combined those last three seasons. And judging by his underlyings, he was the defensive black hole
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Mar 28 @ 8:28 PM ET
Sure, no matter again it happened because of a slew foot, and he wasn't the only target, it's just Adams likes to roll out Girgensons instead of good hockey players.
- Buff36


Girgensons has played well.

9 goals is decent. He plays pk and defensive minutes.

I'm ready to move on. Find someone better.
Obviously, not you, but KA ☝️
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Mar 28 @ 8:34 PM ET
Girgensons has played well.

9 goals is decent. He plays pk and defensive minutes.

I'm ready to move on. Find someone better.
Obviously, not you, but KA ☝️

- Boss34

Luckily KA doesn't have to look far, won't take much to replace.
Lunaion
Joined: 05.23.2016

Mar 28 @ 8:54 PM ET
Girgensons has played well.

9 goals is decent. He plays pk and defensive minutes.

I'm ready to move on. Find someone better.
Obviously, not you, but KA ☝️

- Boss34


16 points meets your expectations for him?
Swedish_Jesus
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 07.02.2019

Mar 28 @ 9:01 PM ET
Krebs with 126 games over 3 seasons produced 15/31/46/-35
Daniel Briere through age 23, 112 games over 4 seasons produced 21/19/40/-4

Danny's next 2 seasons:
78 gms 32/28/60/+6
82 gms 24/34/58/-20

Krebs has plenty of time to continue to grow his game, hopefully he'll continue on an upward trajectory. I'm not giving up on him.

- IonSabres


104 points across his DY+1 and DY+2 WHL seasons and in 35 AHL regular and post season games spread across the past few seasons he had 36 points.

Not many players with that kind of output that bust.

Could Krebs be one of them ? Possibly. I have seen enough glimpses of talent though that if you give him consistent line mates and role next year from Game 1 through 82 and consistent PP2 minutes I see a guy that can hit 50 points even as a 3C
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 9:01 PM ET
Krebs with 126 games over 3 seasons produced 15/31/46/-35
Daniel Briere through age 23, 112 games over 4 seasons produced 21/19/40/-4

Danny's next 2 seasons:
78 gms 32/28/60/+6
82 gms 24/34/58/-20

Krebs has plenty of time to continue to grow his game, hopefully he'll continue on an upward trajectory. I'm not giving up on him.

- IonSabres

I think this is insinuating I’m calling him a bad player. Im not. He’s probably our future 3C who could maybe move up in the top 6 at times. He’s also got a lot of qualities a playoff performer typically has.

But let’s be real, he’s absolutely never scoring 30 goals or 90 points. He just ain’t that good
sbroads24
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We are in 30th place. It's 2017 , NY
Joined: 02.12.2012

Mar 28 @ 9:07 PM ET
104 points across his DY+1 and DY+2 WHL seasons and in 35 AHL regular and post season games spread across the past few seasons he had 36 points.

Not many players with that kind of output that bust.

Could Krebs be one of them ? Possibly. I have seen enough glimpses of talent though that if you give him consistent line mates and role next year from Game 1 through 82 and consistent PP2 minutes I see a guy that can hit 50 points even as a 3C

- Swedish_Jesus

I think we agree he’s our 3C going forward. He’s averaging 14 minutes a game right now. How much more would a 3C get? He’s not sniffing PP1 anytime soon. Even though I’m all for them taking one of Tuch or Skinner off it and at least getting Quinn there

I just don’t see this giant uptick happening. 35-40 points is more realistic
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Unpopular opinion (i think): The best Die Hard movie is the 4th one- Live free or Die Hard -jdfitz7, NY
Joined: 10.07.2010

Mar 28 @ 9:09 PM ET
All things considered, I'd say Krebs has had a better season than Peterka.
- Lunaion


Really? Peterka has shown skill, Krebs mainly that he's a (needed)psycho and some jam, but I haven't seen the speed or skill that Peterka has shown.
Swedish_Jesus
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 07.02.2019

Mar 28 @ 9:09 PM ET
I think this is insinuating I’m calling him a bad player. Im not. He’s probably our future 3C who could maybe move up in the top 6 at times. He’s also got a lot of qualities a playoff performer typically has.

But let’s be real, he’s absolutely never scoring 30 goals or 90 points. He just ain’t that good

- sbroads24


I mean Tuevo Teravinen doesn’t score many goals but racks up points.

If you told me Krebs became a 40-50 assist guy I’d believe it.
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Unpopular opinion (i think): The best Die Hard movie is the 4th one- Live free or Die Hard -jdfitz7, NY
Joined: 10.07.2010

Mar 28 @ 9:10 PM ET
I think this is insinuating I’m calling him a bad player. Im not. He’s probably our future 3C who could maybe move up in the top 6 at times. He’s also got a lot of qualities a playoff performer typically has.

But let’s be real, he’s absolutely never scoring 30 goals or 90 points. He just ain’t that good

- sbroads24


I'm not going to speak in absolutes, but I think he can be a perfect 3C
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