I've said it many times, they were in a tough spot. Schedule was sparse in October and it was always going to be tough to get him games, even if he played well. He didn't + add in a bad start for the team.

Not an easy ask of him this weekend, but that's what backups need to do. Busier schedule in November. Things start to get normal. I'm not going to fret over his development the last 2 weeks.
- Lunaion

I hear that. I think my issue is just that they made it tough on themselves. If they weren't sure about Levi starting 30-35 games this year, Reimer shouldn't have been waived. They waived him and now, it looks like, don't trust him to carry that load. Disconcerting to say the least.

But his yo-yo development path since college has been going on for some time. First being sent in to get this team to the playoffs, then the back and forth between the NHL and AHL last year. Now this. I'd say we've done a terrible job thus far. I'm just hoping they can at least get him enough games to get acclimated again, he's not going to get better on the bench.

If you are building a team through the draft, which has been stated many Times. Some of your picks shouldn't be going into there D3 seasons without NHL Experience in some fashion IMO
- Buff36

I don't think a blanket statement for all prospects applies.
I could see what you are saying with Rd 1 picks, maybe even top 2/3rds of R1. But R2+ likely require a year of Jr and then at least 1, likely 2 years in the A... If course exceptions either way exist.
Kulich has played and so has Rosen.
Is there another that has proven to be near ready on Rich? Honestly asking as I have not looked at the pipeline to see who is being "shorted" the opportunity.

Lastly, the NHL shouldn't be used as a testing ground, that is what the AHL is for. When Prospects in the AHl have proven they are very close, yes, then I could see it.

Did we trade the wrong one ?
- Buff36

Lets not act like had we traded Cozens instead he'd be struggling to produce with Mack and Rantanen and Casey would be a PPG player here at this time.

I hear that. I think my issue is just that they made it tough on themselves. If they weren't sure about Levi starting 30-35 games this year, Reimer shouldn't have been waived. They waived him and now, it looks like, don't trust him to carry that load. Disconcerting to say the least.

But his yo-yo development path since college has been going on for some time. First being sent in to get this team to the playoffs, then the back and forth between the NHL and AHL last year. Now this. I'd say we've done a terrible job thus far. I'm just hoping they can at least get him enough games to get acclimated again, he's not going to get better on the bench.
- QuinnFan

They split the first 6 games. To me, that says they were letting them compete.

They played 4 games in 14 nights. That's a light work for one goalie. I think Levi now has plenty of opportunity to play himself back in to a 1B role.

Have to remember this isn't all about Levi's development. Lot of pressure to win NHL games this season and he's their best backup option.

The Yanks went full bad news bears last night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwx09n6Yuv4

The Yanks went full bad news bears last night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwx09n6Yuv4
- Ratsreign

Lets not act like had we traded Cozens instead he'd be struggling to produce with Mack and Rantanen and Casey would be a PPG player here at this time.
- DirtyDan

@LLysowski
·
17m
Zach Benson skated on his own this morning.

Lindy Ruff called it Benson's "first real hard day back on the ice" and there's optimism that he can rejoin the team for practice soon.

I don't think a blanket statement for all prospects applies.
I could see what you are saying with Rd 1 picks, maybe even top 2/3rds of R1. But R2+ likely require a year of Jr and then at least 1, likely 2 years in the A... If course exceptions either way exist.
Kulich has played and so has Rosen.
Is there another that has proven to be near ready on Rich? Honestly asking as I have not looked at the pipeline to see who is being "shorted" the opportunity.

Lastly, the NHL shouldn't be used as a testing ground, that is what the AHL is for. When Prospects in the AHl have proven they are very close, yes, then I could see it.
- IonSabres

I understand what you are saying and I agree for most Teams.

Lets not act like had we traded Cozens instead he'd be struggling to produce with Mack and Rantanen and Casey would be a PPG player here at this time.
- DirtyDan

Mitts has 1 assist on the PP, and he doesn't play with Mack and Rantanen

Did we trade the wrong one ?
- Buff36

- Hank Balling

It's a mess

I don't think a blanket statement for all prospects applies.
I could see what you are saying with Rd 1 picks, maybe even top 2/3rds of R1. But R2+ likely require a year of Jr and then at least 1, likely 2 years in the A... If course exceptions either way exist.
Kulich has played and so has Rosen.
Is there another that has proven to be near ready on Rich? Honestly asking as I have not looked at the pipeline to see who is being "shorted" the opportunity.

Lastly, the NHL shouldn't be used as a testing ground, that is what the AHL is for. When Prospects in the AHl have proven they are very close, yes, then I could see it.
- IonSabres

Rosen, Savoie, Ostlund, and Kulich have 1 combined point in the NHL.

That's hard to stomach.

They split the first 6 games. To me, that says they were letting them compete.

They played 4 games in 14 nights. That's a light work for one goalie. I think Levi now has plenty of opportunity to play himself back in to a 1B role.

Have to remember this isn't all about Levi's development. Lot of pressure to win NHL games this season and he's their best backup option.
- Lunaion

If 1 game means he goes from splitting to watching, then it wasn't a real competition in any substantive way, to me. I get why there's a perception it was an open comp, just don't see it based on the over reaction to that game.

That being said, I get where you're coming from with the pressure. But this doesn't look like a playoff team. If that's the case, development of players should be pretty important, perhaps even more important than wins. If we miss again, but lose Levi and Kulich's ability due to not playing, it's a bigger loss than the standings will say.

Most aren't Adams picks, yes the roster has a lot.
- Buff36

That’s fair 🤝

I think we were both arguing different points.


We definitely have some underachieving prospects (1st rounders) . Maybe trade some prospects for a player and the deadline .

Is that fair?

Johnson- 31
Rosen- 14
Savoie- 9
Ostlund- 14
Kulich- 28
Helenius- 14

None of them are playing for Buffalo. One is sitting in the press box, atm. That's a lot of high picks.

One recent 2nd is playing for them. 6 aren't.
- Lunaion

Johnson- 31 D5, ha played 41 games, deemed not ready. IMO should be playing up on 3rd Pair, but blocked by Sammy, Joker, Byram, Cliffy for appropriate spots.

Rosen- 14 D4, undersized physically (weight & strength) likely a swing and a miss.

Savoie- 9 D3, 1st year in A after stupid CHL rule preventing him from playing there before this time. Traded, not our issue anymore.

Ostlund- 14 D3, 1st year in A adjusting to NA game.

Kulich- 28 D3, and playing
Helenius- 14 D1, people poopting all over having Benson in his D1 year playing. Pick a lane, lol.

Johnson and Rosen are the concerning ones for me. I suspect Johnson will plug in next year, or is trade bait.
Rosen is L3 at best, more like a tweener IMO

That’s fair 🤝

I think we were both arguing different points.


We definitely have some underachieving prospects (1st rounders) . Maybe trade some prospects for a player and the deadline .
- Boss34

We might be there Boss! I see promise with this lineup Boss. Unfortunately we are asking for basically the same thing we were 3 years ago. A top 6 Forward and Top 4 RD. But I think Lindy will help, but Adams has to help him. No more Conversations, it's time to do it.

If 1 game means he goes from splitting to watching, then it wasn't a real competition in any substantive way, to me. I get why there's a perception it was an open comp, just don't see it based on the over reaction to that game.

That being said, I get where you're coming from with the pressure. But this doesn't look like a playoff team. If that's the case, development of players should be pretty important, perhaps even more important than wins. If we miss again, but lose Levi and Kulich's ability due to not playing, it's a bigger loss than the standings will say.
- QuinnFan

Most of this boils down to wishing they had another game on their schedule the last 2 weeks.

I think Kulich is only still around because of Benson's injury.

I don't think either has a whole lot to gain in Roch, so I'm not worried about it. I think Lindy's made good calls so far.

Johnson- 31 D5, ha played 41 games, deemed not ready. IMO should be playing up on 3rd Pair, but blocked by Sammy, Joker, Byram, Cliffy for appropriate spots.

Rosen- 14 D4, undersized physically (weight & strength) likely a swing and a miss.

Savoie- 9 D3, 1st year in A after stupid CHL rule preventing him from playing there before this time. Traded, not our issue anymore.

Ostlund- 14 D3, 1st year in A adjusting to NA game.

Kulich- 28 D3, and playing
Helenius- 14 D1, people poopting all over having Benson in his D1 year playing. Pick a lane, lol.

Johnson and Rosen are the concerning ones for me. I suspect Johnson will plug in next year, or is trade bait.
Rosen is L3 at best, more like a tweener IMO
- IonSabres

Don't sleep on Rosen. He had a horrible prospect challenge and camp, but he's been fire down on the farm. Looks like he's back to form.

I'm really hoping (this won't happen) that the team's relatively good start and actual mostly consistent play puts KA in buy mode right now.

Friedman says he's heard GMKA is looking to add and not subtract gives me some hope.

Don't sleep on Rosen. He had a horrible prospect challenge and camp, but he's been fire down on the farm. Looks like he's back to form.
- QuinnFan

One thing we don't talk about much is how this new team philosophy impacts prospects. If the 3rd line is the go-to defensive line and 4th a no-talent checking line, it gets really hard for someone like Rosen to ever crack the lineup.

One thing we don't talk about much is how this new team philosophy impacts prospects. If the 3rd line is the go-to defensive line and 4th a no-talent checking line, it gets really hard for someone like Rosen to ever crack the lineup.
- Lunaion

I think this frees up some assets for GMKA to deal with

I think this frees up some assets for GMKA to deal with
- Shadman306

I think he tried last summer and didn't find any interest.

One thing we don't talk about much is how this new team philosophy impacts prospects. If the 3rd line is the go-to defensive line and 4th a no-talent checking line, it gets really hard for someone like Rosen to ever crack the lineup.
- Lunaion

And fair if so, but he should be decent trade bait. Any rebuilding team would enjoy having a ppg winger that's ready to make the jump. I think we both have the same worry, that Adams can't get fair value for anything.

True, but we also didn't draft top5, where an elite prospect is usually had. 1st liners do absolutely come out of the teen picks, but they are a small percentage. We basically have a lot of middle 6 prospects, as should be expected.
- QuinnFan

Solid post.
Not all Prospects in st round are the same. The Success curve shows it rather convincently.