He's just filling in.

He's not on the top 4 lines currently.
- kingcong39

throw him to the AHL and see how he works on the PK there..

He's just filling in.

He's not on the top 4 lines currently.
- kingcong39

I agree with you that it’s a situation this team doesn’t need. How does Ralph get out of this one or end it without some type of controversy. I can imagine we all are watching this unfold and being somewhat nervous and so is the rest of the team.
- Camel

This is exactly when the team leaders need to become involved.
Eichel, Staal, Sam and Hall need to pull him aside and pretty much demand it.
In fact, IMO Staal should be the one pining for him to acquiesce to get him on his wing for the superior 5v5 production proven over years

I think that's what Ralph believes.
- kingcong39

Why then does Ralph, the master communicator and motivational expert say different things. Yes, he believes that...but their is other motivation to push him down.

This is exactly when the team leaders need to become involved.
Eichel, Staal, Sam and Hall need to pull him aside and pretty much demand it.
In fact, IMO Staal should be the one pining for him to acquiesce to get him on his wing for the superior 5v5 production proven over years
- IonSabres

that group also knows skinner is who he is, especially staal...they know he's a 10-yr. vet who can put the puck in the net, but also one who's never been the type of player ralph wants him to be...

i'm really, really hoping this lineup with cozens on his right works out, that tage can pot some 15-20 goals riding the coattails of jack/hall and that skins can get 20-25 on that line with cozens...if they can get that going, the second line should be able to do some damage...

and then there's the other line

Vogl's line predictions for the Athletic make sense if, as it looks, ralph is intent upon moving tage up and skinner down (again):

hall - jack - tage
olofsson - staal - skunk
reider - eakin - okposo
new whipping boy - lazer larry - cozens
- Michael Pachla

I would argue Reider Eakin and Okposo is line 4

I wish Skinner was with someone better than Lazar, but at least Cozens is on the Line.

I sort of wish the sabres would take a stab at PLD.

He fits our timeline, and would have no problem parting with Cozens for him.

No idea if it is enough, but Montour, Cozens, 2021 2nd, and 2022 1st for PLD.

Hall Eichel Thompson
Olofsson Dubois Reinhart
Skinner Staal Lazar
Sheahan Eakins Okposo

and then there's the other line
- Michael Pachla

I would argue Reider Eakin and Okposo is line 4

I wish Skinner was with someone better than Lazar, but at least Cozens is on the Line.

I sort of wish the sabres would take a stab at PLD.

He fits our timeline, and would have no problem parting with Cozens for him.

No idea if it is enough, but Montour, Cozens, 2021 2nd, and 2022 1st for PLD.

Hall Eichel Thompson
Olofsson Dubois Reinhart
Skinner Staal Lazar
Sheahan Eakins Okposo
- Mentalorgasm5

I agree with you about Eakins line being the true 4th line

Since it's more active on this page

Where is a good place to stream games? I live in the UK and miss watching hockey

that group also knows skinner is who he is, especially staal...they know he's a 10-yr. vet who can put the puck in the net, but also one who's never been the type of player ralph wants him to be...

i'm really, really hoping this lineup with cozens on his right works out, that tage can pot some 15-20 goals riding the coattails of jack/hall and that skins can get 20-25 on that line with cozens...if they can get that going, the second line should be able to do some damage...

and then there's the other line
- Michael Pachla

Staal is the least surprised person in the room.

One thing we can be certain about is that the lines will change, by choice or forced by injury. I don't really expect Tage on the 1st line all season, or Skinner to be buried all season.

- homiedclown

the "you can tune a piano but you can't tuna fish line" line

the "you can tune a piano but you can't tuna fish line" line
- Michael Pachla

their two best songs were on that record






they rocked when they were not singing sappy love songs

Staal is the least surprised person in the room.

One thing we can be certain about is that the lines will change, by choice or forced by injury. I don't really expect Tage on the 1st line all season, or Skinner to be buried all season.
- Lunaion

truisms through and through

Since it's more active on this page

Where is a good place to stream games? I live in the UK and miss watching hockey
- dmarsden2988

Bilasport has worked well for me

So Skinner signed before last season after speaking with Ralph, and likely believed he would play next to Eichel having potted 40G's just the season before.
Hall signs with Sabres and reportidly did so to play next to Jack, to boost his value in FA.

Skinner does not drive play himself, but is an elite finisher, top 10 5v5
Hall can and does drive lines with MVP results when going so.

Tage has balked-up and can skate fast in a straight line. He doesn't defend particularly well, has generally played like Jane in the past, and is just horrible in change of direction on his skates (tall people usually aren't nimble so it is generally expected) and therefore not the best as a 200 foot player...IMO.

I still continue to believe the best lineup given all that is
Skinner - Eichel - Cozens
Hall - Staal - Sam
Olofsson - Eakin - Tage
Reider - Lazar - Okposo

I'll wait to see Ralph's lineup over the 1st 5 games or so and evaluate then.

their two best songs were on that record






they rocked when they were not singing sappy love songs
- homiedclown

gonna check out their first few albums when i get the chance...was listening left of the dial to a college radio station and they played something off of their first album and it was so anti-sappy couldn't believe it was them

gonna check out their first few albums when i get the chance...was listening left of the dial to a college radio station and they played something off of their first album and it was so anti-sappy couldn't believe it was them
- Michael Pachla

start here

So Skinner signed before last season after speaking with Ralph, and likely believed he would play next to Eichel having potted 40G's just the season before.
Hall signs with Sabres and reportidly did so to play next to Jack, to boost his value in FA.

Skinner does not drive play himself, but is an elite finisher, top 10 5v5
Hall can and does drive lines with MVP results when going so.

Tage has balked-up and can skate fast in a straight line. He doesn't defend particularly well, has generally played like Jane in the past, and is just horrible in change of direction on his skates (tall people usually aren't nimble so it is generally expected) and therefore not the best as a 200 foot player...IMO.

I still continue to believe the best lineup given all that is
Skinner - Eichel - Cozens
Hall - Staal - Sam
Olofsson - Eakin - Tage
Reider - Lazar - Okposo

I'll wait to see Ralph's lineup over the 1st 5 games or so and evaluate then.
- IonSabres

Just curious as to how you’d define play driving?

Just curious as to how you’d define play driving?
- sbroads24

Hard to define, but generally I look at
- eye test...who's carrying the puck, who us setting up plays
- Stats of CF% less Oz Starts...if negative it reflects poorly on the line...then I compare linemates using the same
- Counting Stats of G's vs A's
- Stats, if I have access to GF vs xGF, I like to look at it.

My impression of Skinner is he needs a set-up guy and generally feasts of that...he gets to the net in open areas and is able to finish at a pretty good clip.

I am interested in yours and others thoughts...always willing to learn more

Peters and Biron pretty specifically broke down what they think Skinner is and isn't doing. Basically they said he's waiting for the game to come to him rather than attacking or back checking - he's below the puck in the offensive zone waiting for a pass rather than attacking or back checking. Floating and cherry picking basically. Biron likened it to playing with Gaborik under Torts which didn't go well. Rivet basically said he didn't come here to play with the Lazars and Sobotkas of the world.

It was informative to hear specifics rather than generic coach speak.

Skinner wants to play the game in the way that got him $9m and Krueger wants him to change. Who blinks first will be interesting
- jcragcrumple

My guess is Skinner goes to Seattle somehow and that money is used to resign Hall.

At least that would be a best case scenario the way I see it.

Skinner seems to work best with a Center or Winger that works the boards well, gets in on the forcheck well, maybe Lazar can be that guy and Cozens be the set up man. Maybe a little synergy.

My guess is Skinner goes to Seattle somehow and that money is used to resign Hall.

At least that would be a best case scenario the way I see it.
- dadeadhead

Could see that, cost us though

My guess is Skinner goes to Seattle somehow and that money is used to resign Hall.

At least that would be a best case scenario the way I see it.
- dadeadhead

I think they re-sign Hall regardless, or try

I think that money actually should go to Reinhart (not 9 mil) because I think they’re trading him as it stands now after this season

Could see that, cost us though
- Buff36

It’ll be worth it if it means we can keep Hall long term.

I think they re-sign Hall regardless, or try

I think that money actually should go to Reinhart (not 9 mil) because I think they’re trading him as it stands now after this season
- sbroads24

Hall slides into Skinner’s $9 mil and that frees up Hall’s $8 mil for Dahlin.