Some Late Season Concerns Creep In With Sabres

What's up everybody welcome to another episode of talking Buffalo your weekday

daily driver for Buffalo sports talk and more. My name is Patrick Moran. Thank you so much as always for watching for listening. However, you are taken in this podcast. Appreciate you guys very much. Quick shout out to our sponsor for today's show. The law office of William at our her to the car call William at our 444 444 call William at our today to get the compensation that you deserve. The Buffalo Sabers still looking good, but

a couple concerns here and there so we got that the bills off season getting ready for the draft plenty of other stuff today. My man Chris Osterender from two in the box blogger personality good buddy of mine. What's up buddy. How you doing?

Not too bad. Not too bad. How are you doing? Pretty good hanging in there hanging in there. Lock going on. We're doing this during Chris's lunch hours so I'm conscious of his time. I want to kind of job running itself. Appreciate you being on me. I love having you on one of my favorite guests. You know, before we get into Sabers and build stuff real quick. I did this just kind of broke a little bit on Monday. Mike McDonald. Long time. Damon head coach.

Former can each his coach, former die coach. Pretty big news. He's going to be the next coach at Saber venture. Mike McDonald's has been dominant at the division two level 61 and three. Damon's been the past two years man. This guy's been around the Western New York college basketball scene forever. I had him on an Imperial pizza last February. Love that conversation such a such a nice guy. But it's pretty cool. Any man to see a guy.

He was going from D two back up to D one getting a crack with the with the bodies.

Yeah, it's kind of sacrilege to go to be a next you know, to coach a kinesis and go to bottom venture. He did rivals. He did the days of the big four and the little three.

You know, it's it's interesting, you know, because.

Bonas gets waged right and say, I think a lot of people like, okay, what's it going to mean for bottom venture?

Small school, small town, you know, there's not a lot that are going to drop people in. So.

In one way, and I'm not a huge basketball guy. So I'm kind of shooting up shoot from the hip here, but.

I just wonder like would would the bigger basketball like media sphere?

Look at this and say like, oh, is that a small time higher versus not, you know, a team trying to increase their footprint, but.

For sure. I kind of early indications feel like.

It's one of those inexpensive hires. In fact, the ESPN reporting actually has, you know, reporting in it that it is not an expensive higher.

Again, I'm really happy for him. We're not going to deep dive into college basketball today, obviously, or college football for that matter as well.

But it's kind of the way college sports is going, Chris, this is.

In these mid major type schools, the kind of, you know, you save money on coaches because you need to invest more money in the players because you're literally.

Playing or paying the players nowadays and.

I kind of feels like somebody said on Twitter, I wish I could find it so I can credit them.

I think it was one of the guys with train wreck sports, but anyway, he said the hiring about him. He talked to somebody.

It's like, well, if they do well, he's not likely to get poached by a bigger because he's closer to retiring.

And if it doesn't work out, well, he's just, you know, it's easy to move on from him because you're not paying him a big salary.

But anyway, like I said, it's a happy for him. Nice guy. I got a chance to sit down with him.

Sure. Yeah. I mean, it's great for him. He earned it.

It wasn't even like undefeated one year up until the tournament or some crazy.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Sure. They were number one in the country.

They were.

Yeah.

Which is impressive.

Yeah. They were number one team in the nation at one point last year.

Anyway, all right. Congratulations to Mike McDonald. Let's talk sabers. I mean, we'll get into some bills stuff a little bit as well.

Yeah.

You're my primary sabers guy here.

Season's shugging along. We're down to what?

Eight things left for the sabers. I'm pulling up on the screen on the video side.

As things stand right now, Tampa, the sabers are tied with 98 points.

We're recording this Monday afternoon.

Neither Tampa Buffalo or Montreal. None of them are playing on Monday.

So Tuesday when people listen to this, these days, this will be true.

Tampa and Buffalo are tied at top Atlantic division.

Actually, Buffalo's tied for the number one in the conference with Carolina as well.

Tampa does have a game in hand or to other tied.

They're playing next Monday. Obviously, that's going to be a huge game.

The sabers still have a four point lead over Montreal.

And the very important race for second place in the division.

If you don't win it, so you at least get a whole mice in the first round.

Before we get into a couple of concerns, I have with the team right now that we'll go through.

And I'm going to get your reactions on them.

Overall, even though the team is, you know, they've lost some points.

I don't want them to say games.

They've left some points on the table.

But this is still a very good architect versus in it right now.

Like we'll talk about some issues that they have.

But it's not like panic mode. Is it right now with the team releasing in your view?

What do you see him? Panic mode.

I wouldn't go so far as a panic mode, but it is.

I feel like it's getting a little stressful because the standings are gotten so tight.

I mean, just look at Boston down there wild card one.

There are six points back of Buffalo and Tampa.

That isn't a very attainable goal with with eight games left.

It's it's it is very doable.

It may be because all of these teams keep winning.

I guess they're all playing Western conference team.

The last is just terrible or something because I've just looking at the last ten for all.

I mean, even though say it was six two and two.

Yeah.

Kind of a crummy week last week with with the three losses.

But even still six two and two in their last ten.

Tampa's seven one and two and three.

Boston six two and two.

Ottawa six three and one.

I mean, Philly they're they're crawling their way back and they're eight one and one in their last ten.

So it is it is it is a tight race.

And so I think I wouldn't blame anyone for feeling a little bit of stress

because the the with the cushion his shrunk.

But it also imminent illustrates how how on these teams have to be.

But at the same time, I mean.

Friday's game against Detroit massively disappointing first period.

They were very sleepy and it cost them in the end.

But then they spent the last 40 minutes.

For the most part control and play.

And I think if they came out and played that way in the opening ten.

That's it's at least a different game script.

Maybe they don't win it.

But maybe there's a point in there who knows.

But it just it compounds that last two of last week's losses were against division foes.

Two teams in the race.

Two teams that conceivably the sabers could see in the first round.

So it may be the raises the profile of the games a bit.

And this week's going to be no different.

You got Ottawa and town.

You know, it's Islanders are in town.

There's you know, there's these are all.

Important games in the playoff race on both ends.

So I still think you saw you saw the Seattle you saw it against Detroit.

A little bit against Boston.

Where the things the sabers do well still.

Worked.

Yeah.

It was you know.

Maybe it ultimately doesn't end up mattering.

But Saturday night when he played Seattle, I was at.

A Byron West.

A rusty ball flow with with a couple friends.

Obviously fans are very much into the game.

And it was the first game in a while where.

I hate to use the word must win like they can get they needed to have two points.

Because I still think they're going to make the playoffs regardless.

But it kind of.

I felt like must win a little bit to me like there was as much of a sense of excitement.

I also felt a sense of relief when they won in the shootout because it just felt like.

A big point.

And as you said, you know, even when this team was just rolling along.

Every time you would look in the in the standings.

So is everybody from the east.

It's like Sunday, Montreal and Tampa bowl played.

And I forgot that they played.

And then Sunday night before I did a show with Joe from Queens.

I was like, Oh, shit, I gotta go look at the standings.

And of course Tampa wins.

My job is Carolina.

I was like, I wasn't even surprised.

Like I expect that now.

It's like, I don't expect to get help with any of these teams.

And it's just weird.

Yeah.

Anytime they play somebody for the West or somebody who's not in the race.

It seems like it's almost a given win.

Got eight games left over the last two and a half weeks.

And you just said it a big week here.

They they're at home Tuesday night tonight.

For most people listening to this against the islanders.

I think they hit the road Thursday and out of one.

Then they're on the road Washington on Saturday.

And of course, the big one next Monday, April 6th.

Chris, that's going to be, I mean, we're a full week out.

But that almost feels like a, that's a playoff game.

Or at least it's going to be a playoff game vibe isn't it?

Next Monday.

And you know, the other interesting thing is that the sabers

you mentioned, you're not getting help, but given some help.

Could clinch this week.

The magic number, you know, expect Chad from expected Buffalo has been doing

a great job keeping it updated.

I appreciate what he did.

He's not even just doing the pure magic numbers.

Like here's the match number as it relates to these like three teams,

because it keeps changing.

And it's seven as we record this.

So that is any seven points gained or lost by Buffalo and those teams in the race.

So the sabers win at the win three straight.

And they, at least one of those teams drops a game.

They're, they clinch.

And so assuming for a moment, let's just assume that things go well this week.

They knocked that out and Saturday is clinch day, right?

They clinch on Saturday.

Big party. Everyone's excited.

Monday then is purely division, division standings, right?

And so it's still a very, very, very relevant game.

Because clinching is one thing keeping your spot in the top three.

Or maybe more importantly, the top two is still going to be up for grabs until

it's possibly the way it looks right now at the last season.

Right.

Yeah, it's going to be, it's going to be wild.

And again, the fact, I've said this with you.

I feel like a million times.

But the fact that we're talking about like making the playoffs is pretty much a formality at this point.

And it's like to even be able to say, well, you know, they're going to make the playoffs

but there's some leaks going on right now.

Just even being the position to talk about leaks here.

This is March 30th when we're recording this.

I can't remember the last time there was a meaningful St. Patrick's Day, you know,

Sabers game.

Let alone April hockey right now, which we're going to enjoy some pretty

consequential April hockey.

And it's awesome.

And again, I'm still very, very, very excited about this team.

And I still feel, you know, they can continue with the good things that they've done.

They're very capable of winning a series or multiple series.

Who the hell knows?

But there are some concerns.

And to be objective, I kind of want to hit out a few of those with you right now.

And let's start with what I think anyways, the biggest one.

This line up when healthy lines one through four for the most part feels set

with the exception of that third line defense.

Mets, of course, got sent down.

I want to get your take on that.

I want your reaction to that because you can look at it both ways playing time,

playing on Rochester.

I don't know if that's beneficial to them.

I want your thoughts on that.

And I saw it one day practice before we recorded.

Kesselring was skating with Stanley.

So it looks like they might give that a look here on Tuesday night.

I just, are they trying to force Stanley into because it was a trade?

I mean, I don't know at this point, but it just feels like Mets are not being there right now

is not the best roster that they're putting for.

I don't know what's going on.

You tell me what's your reaction?

I know this third line defense is definitely at least mildly concerning if that more.

It is.

And so the Stanley thing for sure, the trade is absolutely a factor here.

And there are also the handedness is a factor too.

He's there only lefty on that third pairing.

And I think this is something you and I talked about at some point in the last month or two.

You know, it was my view heading into the deadline.

There's a lot of time.

I mean, and obviously the perico trade almost happened, right?

But and he's a righty.

But as the deadline approached, especially as that perico trade fell apart

and got vetoed, I looked at it and said they're probably looking more for a lefty than a righty

because they have Mets are cassering timons when healthy, all right handed guys

who were rotating or playing together on that third pairing.

And so getting a guy who could at least balance the pairs or balance that pair lefty

righty would be a valetum.

And while I don't know for sure if you're a militants of my podcast or read to my blog, it's possible.

It is possible.

So, you know, and so Stanley helps them in that regard.

And he is a, you know, quote unquote built for the playoffs.

He's a big dude.

Big plays a heavy game.

Big reach obviously because he's such a giant.

So I understand why they want to play him.

And my stance on Stanley the whole time has been if they can put him in the right minutes with the right partner.

He's probably going to be fine for them.

And just looking at natural statric, he's played 43 minutes at even strength with Zach Mepsa.

It's across five games.

They have over 50% of the shot attempts one around the ice, both by a coursey or Fenwick depending on what you prefer.

They have a four O goals advantage.

So they've not been nice for a goal against high definition scoring chance is expected.

You know, you, you name it except for expected goals, which is sub 50.

But a lot of the baseline metrics on that pairing is very good.

Timins and Stanley, they've only played three games together.

So it's a smaller sample.

Not quite as strong.

There's sub 50% in some of the puck possession.

The puck possession metrics 48% in coursey, for example.

Their expected goals is 50%, which is decent.

Don't need to go too, too deep into it, of course.

But these are just some of the factors under the surface.

The thing for me is just like Metz is just like so steady.

Such a smart player.

And it's just hard to argue with the record.

They're like 29 and three or something like that with him and a lot.

Something crazy.

Just like phenomenal record.

And maybe some of that has just happened.

Stance playing third pair in that.

The big run that they went on and and having.

I mean, there were some games that were like he and Bryson played like six minutes.

And so that's part of it.

I'm sure.

But it's just hard to say like, oh, this guy has been really good for us all year.

He's been there for us all year.

Steady Eddie.

Reliable.

And we're just going to cast him off for now.

And again, and there's some value in sending the Rochester.

I get it.

But it's just really hard to square it with where they are.

The race is not over.

They're still right in the thick of it.

And when it comes down to it, I, you know, you hope that the coach is going to pick the best players

when it comes playoff time.

I mean, it is very possible that Timon's played to get his legs back under and going back

from injury.

I know it was tweeted out.

Fairburn tweeted.

Kessler ring and Stanley were together at practice on Monday as we were for this.

So maybe they're feeling Kessler ring is getting back to health a bit or whatever.

They're going to give him some run.

So maybe this is just.

They're looking at this as a time to experiment that they're going to try to.

In the bottom pair.

And, and then when it comes time for game one of the playoffs, whoever it is, they're playing.

That's who they'll go with.

And it's very possible that Zach Mets is right back with him when that time comes.

But it's, again, it's just, it's just frustrating because.

I think part of it is a, like, a little bit of a speed wobble last week.

So you see three straight losses.

It happens to come inside with that's coming out of the lineup.

So it's like, I mean, the numbers don't lie with him at one point.

Astronomically better.

I mean, it's not even close.

Yeah, it's, it's pretty wild.

And like, and I'll pick on Timins here for, for, for a moment, just because he's, you know, kind of the focal point right now.

Sure.

And again, there are more factors than just having a guy in the lineup.

But they're like 500 with Timins in lineup.

And they're, again, their records in Saint was with Mets.

So like, again, like, just from a pure optics, it's kind of tough.

But again, I'm just trying to.

Trying to see how this all plays out.

Because in another week, you know, first of all, on Monday is Luke Shen going to play, because they're expecting a brawl.

Is, you know, is, is Kessler going to get this week Shen gets on Monday?

And then like, if they're clenched by, by then, then again, they have more, more wiggle room.

I really don't know.

It's, it's just, I think maybe my issue with it.

Again, not only you said you have the record piece of it, but because they haven't clenched and because it's so tight.

Any mistake feels magnified right now.

Yeah, because it catch up to them so quickly.

Yeah.

I don't like that idea of Shen playing next Monday, because there's going to be a brawl.

I like the fact that, you know, the, the, the sea of saber maybe beat up by the tip of a guy feels good in theory.

But again, that game might end up being for essentially the, the Atlantic division when, when it's all said and done.

And is he one of your best six defense, but I don't know he's one of your best eight.

I don't think he's one of your best eight defense men.

So, yeah, I don't know, man.

I, I really hope Metz is up for the playoffs.

And I think it comes.

I understand why he would give Timmins a look.

Why wouldn't they, you know what I mean?

He ain't coming back.

He was good early in the season.

I thought before the injury, but they got to figure that out.

Whether it's Timmins, whether it's Stanley, whether, whether it's Kesselring.

They got four guys basically for two spots.

And they got to figure it out before this becomes an issue come playoff time.

By far, everyone's not the same.

I have to double check this, but I don't believe that they tapered him down to Rochester on deadline day.

If he did, I missed it.

So, you know, if for anyone listening, if you know that they did paper on them, you know, point it out.

But I don't think they sent him down so that he would be on like the, he'd be qualified for HL playoffs.

So, if going on that assumption, he is only going down there for A playing time and B

to help Rochester block their playoff.

Right.

But he probably won't be eligible to play for them.

So, he, you would almost have to be back up to Buffalo once playoffs go around.

Which is, frankly, like, where he deserves to be.

He's been, I think he's shown to be a capable NHL defender this year.

I'm going to, I'm going to run three guys by you right now quickly here.

If you, if you could give me a kind of a take on what you're seeing right now.

And I want to be upfront and admit this.

I am doing some box score scouting right now.

You know, there's stats on always tell the story.

And especially basic stats.

But you look at three of the better scores on this team.

Offensive, three of the better offensive players on the team.

Through this second half of the season, hot streak.

And for various reasons, at least statistically, they're not getting it done lately.

Josh Norris, one goal and one assist in his last 11 games.

Just two goals and three assists in the month of March.

Noah Oslin, who's banged up right now and still he missed last game.

Sounds like he's going to miss this one.

And we'll see how it goes throughout the week.

But anyway, Noah Oslin, one goal and seven assists in February and March combined.

So he slowed down the production a little bit offensively.

At least, you know, your box score stats scouting like I am.

And then the last guy, Alex Tuck.

One goal, one assist, last seven games.

I don't remember what game it was, but he had it.

I tweeted about it.

I just thought he had a really rough night.

I can't remember what that was.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That was a game to forget for him.

He looked with logic and tired, at least to be in that game.

But anyway, Norris Oslin, Tuck, what are you seeing from those guys?

Any lingering concerns on your end?

The thing about Norris is I start to wonder.

Not that he's not playing.

I mean, look, he had a nice hit in that game on Saturday.

He's doing other things as well.

But he's not, he's maybe seen that he's playing games because he's been hurt so many times.

I said that to be funny, but I'm not really being funny there because it's kind of true.

But what are you seeing from those three guys?

What's your, what's your, where you at with them?

Norris is definitely the most interesting one.

I'm going to hold on him for a moment.

Oslin, I think, is this twofold for me with Oslin.

A, we got to see what this intro is all about.

They're being a little coy with it.

So is this a injury that can be worse?

Or are they just being, are they being super cautious knowing that they need him in the playoffs?

He has been, like his finishing isn't quite there yet, just from a pure goal-scoring perspective.

What I really appreciate about him, which, and I don't think it's dropped off at all,

is where, what you see him do off the puck.

And him, Benson and Don all have that dog-id forward-checking ability,

and it makes them so difficult to play against, and it helps create.

It doesn't always show up in the score sheet, but it does help them create.

And it would be nice if he had a few more goals.

I do think it speaks to the fact that, like you mentioned Norris, he's not going.

So it doesn't surprise me that his line isn't really going.

And Oslin still had, I forget what you gave him.

We had that really, really nice dish on the power play to Jack Quinn, I believe.

Across Chris one, and that was just recent.

So I'm less worried about him outside of the injury.

And I do think, you know, concerns about him and even Josh Don probably extend out from Josh Norris.

For the tuck piece of it, I was thinking the other day,

I think it was during the Detroit game.

I was like, man, he's been ghostly, he has me.

But then I went back and looked, and like the West Coast Swing, he had points.

Yeah.

Yeah, he had some production.

So it's not as if he's gone three weeks without scoring.

But last week was a tough one for him, you know, and I think maybe it's just the grind of the season.

One thing I've been thinking about lately is like this team's been playing phenomenal hockey for four months,

but they've also been effectively having to play like in a way playoff mentality hockey for four months,

because they've been on, you know, they're in such deep a hole.

And so I wonder if there's just a mental strain on some of these guys on all of these guys.

Maybe lose your head a little bit.

Yeah, they're just, you know, they're just maybe a little mentally exhausted having to be on all the time.

You never know.

But, you know, they, they need tuck to go.

And I think, you know, that Seattle game was a real grind, real grind.

Obviously, they go down to nothing that doesn't help, but they had, they really had a scratcher claw on their way back into it.

Detroit, they're trailing the Boston game.

You know, I actually think, and when I look back on the Boston game, I actually think they play pretty well.

I thought they had that game in full control.

Goofy bounce poor play from the gold tender on the tying goal.

And then, you know, they lose an OT.

But that was a game I thought they had and more and more, they were in more control in that game than like Anaheim.

The game prior.

So, tuck though, they need him to get going because they need their stars to drive the bus.

And I even think you're seeing it from, like, Dahlene.

Both, you know, back to back games, scoring big goals in the third, right?

To get the team going.

Thompson has been producing a bit.

Yeah, so they're looking to those stars to carry them and then tuck has got to be part of that group.

But the drosh norris piece, you guys say it's most interesting because.

You have to ask, is he injured?

If he is injured, how injured is he?

But he is a goal scoring center that's been his MO for his career.

And he's not scoring goals.

I think the last time he scored a goal on a goal tender was like early February.

I think there was maybe that that barnburner against Tampa when they lost and they lost an OT to Tampa.

He had maybe a goal or two and that was like his best game in a while from a pure production standpoint.

And so they, just like I said, would tuck that you really need him to step up because.

He in a perfect world, his line should be drawing some matchups to alleviate matchups for the Ryan McLeod line.

Or if Ryan McLeod's line is going to get more attention,

Josh Norris's line is got to be the one that starts feasting on those better opportunities.

And so come playoff time.

Let's just say, for example, the Sabers and Bruins are first round opponent.

Let's just say all things and as they are and the Sabers manage first in the division, they're playing boss in the first wall occurred.

Like if they're drawing Casey Middlestad on a night tonight basis, that's a matchup.

Josh Norris has got to win on the scoreboard.

And right now, I don't think he's capable of doing it.

He's just in a rut. I don't know what's going on.

I know Chad wrote a really nice piece on him recently talking about like some of the stuff he's doing under the under the surface that's positive.

But at some point, he's got to start finding that.

And he hasn't been doing it lately and it would be huge if he could start doing it because only as we talked about it,

at the top of the show, are they still waiting to clinch?

It's I think he I think he's a very crucial piece of the puzzle for them offensively, especially.

I couldn't agree more. Let's take a real quick break.

Plenty more coming up right after this with Chris Assrandor.

All right, back here with Chris Assrandor talking Buffalo was added by William.

We don't I just want to glance over the penalty kill.

I'm just going to say that it has been walkie and it needs to be consistently better.

They gave up two short in the goals against Detroit last Friday.

They gave up three and had a time eight days ago.

So that obviously is a concerning issue.

But the last thing I wanted to hit on with you with with the Sabers is goal tending.

Alex line has been awesome for the most part this year, but you know, he's giving up four goals.

I think it's six in his last two steps.

He's five and one in March, but his Sabers settings for the month.

And again, I'm kind of box score scouting here, but just 886.

That's been a Sabers and it's just month. Meanwhile, UPL.

I thought it was great against Seattle on Saturday.

Five one and one for the month with a 920 Sabers sentence in seven games in March.

So he's been the better goal tender lately.

And I think it's worth mentioning that I'm practicing here on Monday as we're recording this.

He had the starter net to himself.

So this, you know, rotating the goalies every other game.

Maybe that might be coming to an end.

They might look like they're going back to UPL against the islanders here on Tuesday night.

You're your thoughts right now on the goal tenning.

I think it was assumed.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Alex line kind of had the edges.

He'll start off the playoffs and see where it goes.

And if he stays out, you roll with him.

But maybe that might be UPL right now.

What's going on?

I have not been ruling out UPL as game one starter for a while.

I've been hammering in the expected Buffalo discord chat.

I'm like, don't rule out.

I'm like, you guys think he's not going to make it like he's in the fight.

And part of it's just because he was playing well.

But I also look at it like he's under contract.

He's the bigger goal tender.

He's a few inches taller than Alex lion.

He doesn't play big, but he is bigger.

And so you get into the playoffs where there's going to be more traffic in front.

There's going to be more jams, more screenplays.

You name it.

And I just, you know, I would look into it like, you know, I think a lot of NHL coach would be like,

I want the bigger guy in that because maybe he'll just get hit with that.

Not the way to do it, by the way.

But I just, I think that's a mentality that a lot of coaches would have.

And so you add all of that into the fact that he's had a good season.

Like, I don't, I have not been ruling him out as game one starter at all.

That being said, certainly prior to that and like right before that Anaheim game,

you know, I'm back to back shutouts.

They've been playing phenomenal hockey.

I would have gone with flying because I just think he's a little bit more

consistent than UPL overall.

But that being said, his career has been, you know, hot stretch of play,

cold stretch of play, hot stretch, cold stretch.

So the fact that they've gotten this much run out of him over these last 30 games, say,

in this rotation that they're running speaks to,

yeah, I think it speaks to the effectiveness of the rotation,

but it also just illustrates that he's been having a really, really good season,

in fact.

And, you know, line's really interesting.

He does not have a crazy long resume that 22, 23 season when he, you know,

he stole that game against the Sabers late in the year to help get Florida in.

He played a, you know, huge role for Florida, getting them into the playoffs.

That season's the eighth seed.

He played like 10 games that season, 12 games.

And three of them came in like September or October.

And so like, he's never had a ton on a ton of games played.

So you've got to, I think, load management properly.

And it's some crack showed last week.

He was not super sharp against the Anaheim.

And then didn't have his best game against Detroit.

But I also didn't think UPL played particularly well against Boston.

The winning goal, obviously, you know, you could beat five, well, that's an ugly one.

But, and I just said it earlier, like, I don't think he played the tying goal well.

I think it's a little bit of a control on that.

And so, you know, they both had a tough week for the most part.

UPL rebounded.

I think I agree with their decision to start him, potentially start him on Tuesday.

I think he earned that right.

And you're getting into the nitty gritty now with given how tight this is.

Like, you got it.

If you think he's giving you the best shot to win, that's you got to play.

And I won't be surprised though of lions back against the Sabers.

You know, if they run him right back into the engine, they just give you PL back to back start.

So, you know, never say never we'll see how the how the week unfolds.

Because this rotation has worked.

It's just that they were playing at such a high level.

Both goal tenders that they were bound to come back to earth a little bit.

And now you just have to hope, you have to hope two things.

And I hope that they can rebound in the short term so that they can get this playoff.

So you locked up and stay in that fight for the top two spots in the Atlanta.

Keep your home ice.

But also a little bit longer term that whatever regression they may suffer now does not carry over to the playoffs.

Because you got to.

You think get 90 gold telling on the playoffs.

They're going to be in a heck of a spot.

They'll be really good.

Keep going back to next Monday's game, feeling like a playoff game when they go against Tampa here in Buffalo.

Um, if they're, if they play well, maybe they lock up the playoff spot before they even get to that game.

Again, it's, it's going to have a big feel flight.

If they struggle this week, it's still going to be a very important game because that means Montreal and or Boston is maybe gain ground on them.

So I feel like it's going to be a telling game and what they do, whether it's the third line defensive pair.

But even more so like who plays goalie in that game?

That might give you a little bit of indication.

I want Wendy's thinking going into the playoffs.

Speaking of Lenny Ruff, let me ask you this quickly.

No matter what happens, how the season ends up playing out, whether they losing the first round or they win multiple rounds.

Do you feel like Lenny Ruff is back next year?

I don't know.

The conversation has not been that of of a coach or GM expecting to have a back.

We're taking it one day at a time.

That's all I'm concerned about.

Right.

I forgot to take a line and decline a comment or if he just kind of like pushed it off.

But neither of them have said like, I don't want, like, like, like, like, like, Kekalainen has not said like, oh, we're negotiations, right?

So I do think there's a bit of a bit of an unknown there with Ruff.

And part of it is, you know, he's out of contract.

Kekalainen didn't hire him.

Are they looking at this?

And even just saying like, it's been four months of good hockey.

It's not two years of good hockey.

I mean, I don't know.

It's hard to say it would be very poetic if and when they break the drought here that Ruff is the guy to be at the helm.

Yeah.

Because he was at the helm when it started, right?

So that's, there's a, there's a poetry to it.

But at the same time, he can't be, I can't imagine he's looking to coach much longer.

He said it again on, I think it was on 32 thoughts.

He was, he had a short interview with Elliot Freeman that they played on last week's podcast and he said something effective.

Like, you know, I wasn't sure if I was going to take this job when they first approached me.

So it's, I'm not counting any chickens when it comes to Ruff.

I think, uh, I've got to think they're like that they're looking at all their options from, from the saber sign.

Not even just from Ruff said.

Yeah.

I, man, you know what?

I don't do it.

I'm a big advocate of players and coaches kind of like writing off in the sunset on a great note because it just leaves that memory that kind of legacy.

I've always been that way.

I remember writing a blog post back when I used to blog all the time about Ronda Rousey at the time.

She was at, she was unbeatable.

She was undefeated, absolutely invisible.

And I remember saying, you know what?

She should retire.

And she retired.

She's going to be an all time superhero.

Nobody could beat her.

The baddest woman on the planet.

All this stuff.

And then sometimes you stick around too long.

And then you get a catch a couple ass weapons.

And people remember that more than anything else.

I'm a big boxing fan Roy Jones Jr.

For a long stretch.

I would have debated with anybody that he's a top three to five pound for pound fight during the history of boxing.

But he just fought for too long.

He too many fights.

And again, he caught some ass weapons.

And now a lot of people will remember that at the end of his career.

Look, Mike Tyson too, another boxing example.

But big advocate of getting out when the going is great.

And if this is Lindy Rouse last season as a coach.

And he's the coach who breaks the 14 year drought quite possibly wins the Jack Adams trophy.

Although what you said a couple of weeks ago in Florida is really when I was in Florida,

I should say resonates with me that this could be the job Cooper coaching lifetime achievement award.

We end up getting air, especially if they do end up winning the Atlantic division.

But still breaking the drought being a finalist for coaching the year.

That just feels like an awesome way to kind of go out on top.

And the legacy that he has still be remembered finally no matter what, of course.

But that just feels like the legacy would just be a little more cement and a little more shiny.

That's the way he ends up going out.

Yeah, I think it's again, it's a very, it'd be a very nice way to put a bonus career.

Yeah, obviously I'm sure he's also thinking like, well, I have never won a cup, right?

And so let's say the savers win a couple rounds.

Yeah, but they lose in the conference final or they lose in the second round even.

Does he look at this and say like, I still have unfinished business and then he won't come back.

And so like, I think that's a factor that needs to be considered for sure.

But I do, I do look at the way that it's been talked about here in the last week or so as it's come up as a topic now and the season.

And the fact that rough spin non-committal, that kick of line has been non-committal,

leads me to believe that this could be your Lindy's last ride.

We'll see, we'll see, but I'm just reading the, reading the tea leaves that are available to me now.

I got an inkling that maybe this is it for him.

I'm with you there and I was looking it up to what could also make him come back.

As he could be just the out the third coach in NHL history to coach 2000 regular season games.

If he coaches one more season, in fact, he would end up had a palm tree.

He would actually end up second only to Scotty Bowman where he to come back and coach one more season.

So maybe that's a factor, at least in him wanting to come back.

No, that doesn't mean you are going to want to back for another season.

But I'm just saying that could be a factor in Lindy wanted to come back to as well.

Real quick to one last question.

Do you currently have a sink stand right now?

Do you have a preference?

Like if you could say, all right, well, I want to say it was to play this team,

whether it's the finish first, second, whatever.

And maybe do you look at the, the rest of the field right now again in any,

in a conference where it seems like everybody's good right now.

Would you like to see in the first round?

So we did this on the podcast last week.

I got, let me forget to, I got one more Lindy note to add,

but we did this on podcast last week.

And I think that when we recorded on Tuesday,

the islanders were in ninth or even tenth and now they're second in the metro.

So like we went through about eight teams and said,

like, okay, do we want Montreal, do we want New York, etc, etc.

I do not want the Canadians.

Let me say that's the Canadian series would be electric.

Like it could make for an incredible series.

I just hate the matchup.

I think they're Goldtender, Jacob Zobas has Buffalo's number.

He's playing phenomenal hockey right now.

Not a team I want the servers to see.

I think Boston, despite last week's outcome,

would be a very good matchup for the savers.

They're not especially fast team.

They're not an especially deep team.

And so I look at them as a team that I think the savers will match up well with.

Good Goldtender though.

Ottawa has some of the best possession metrics in the league.

And so I would argue that like no one would want them to get in.

Just because they could really make some noise.

But right now they're on the outside looking in.

We'll see what by the time people listen to this,

they could be above Montreal for I know even how this keeps changing.

Ottawa doesn't doesn't give me great vibes.

Detroit does.

Again, bad week to come off of.

But I think Detroit is a decent matchup for the savers in a first round series.

So like Boston Detroit I'm on board with.

I think they would do okay with Columbus.

I'm not too worried about Columbus.

The Islanders are an interesting one because they're Goldtender's phenomenal.

And he could completely steal a series on his own.

But the rest of their lineup's not that great.

And so I could just as easily see a series with the Islanders.

And anyone, not just savers, but a series with the Islanders could be a four game sweep.

And the Islanders just don't touch their opponent or they win in six or seven

because Ilya Sorokin has three shutouts or something and singing.

So there's no perfect answer to this.

And I think a part of it's just because in the playoffs every team is good.

But Detroit definitely a team I would be comfortable seeing.

Boston a little bit less.

So pastor next year is me.

Honestly, but like it's like Boston Islanders Detroit are probably the three teams

I favor with Columbus in that mix as well.

Before we get out of here real quick, again, us recording this on Monday.

The NFL league meetings are going on in Phoenix brand and Dean spoke to media on Monday.

A few things of note.

And I'll kind of dive more into my own show.

Matt Warren from Espionage.

It'll be out with me.

We'll kind of dive into these topics a little bit more.

But don't decayed officially.

Got his fifth year option.

That's not a surprise at all.

Brandon Bean said to Josh Allen is on track to be fine for all off season activities coming up.

Brandon Bean said that he spoke with Brandon Cook's agent.

And it felt like something that they would probably circle back to maybe after the draft,

depending on how the draft goes.

But Brandon Cook's coming back is still potentially on the table.

And Brandon Bean also said that draft in a wide receiver in the first round is still very much on the table as well.

Which that's what I wanted to point out today here as we wind this down.

Chris, I think I'm starting to after focusing all my efforts on the defense.

And I still think it's going to be a defensive heavy draft literally.

But I'm starting to really warm up to taking a wide receiver.

If the right ones there at 26 within like an emphasis on defense, the rest of the way.

If you could go get another playmate.

Casey gets up.

She owns a guy.

I'm sure you're hearing and seeing a lot about on Twitter.

People are talking about him.

Omar Cooper Jr.

From Indiana.

A wide receiver.

Matt Miller from Espionage did a seven round bills mock draft.

I'm mundane.

He had them being other bills first pick at 26.

You could go get another wide receiver playmaker.

I feel like Chris's offense skill position wise.

It'll be set for multiple years because DJ Moore is going to be here for multiple years.

Khalil Shakir.

Dalton K.

We know he's going to be at least here two more years now.

James Cook.

You go get another bona fide.

You know, wide receiver prospect at least anyway.

And I'm starting to say, you know, I don't trust.

I want to trust Josh Palmer.

But I don't trust Josh Palmer to say healthy and productive.

And if you could have a more Shakir wide receiver first round pick.

Tannum for years to come.

I think that should be very much be on the table.

Even though defense linebacker defensive tackle.

Maybe edge rusher corner depth stuff like that is a bigger need as a whole.

But that top premium pick.

Maybe it should be a wide receiver.

What do you think right now?

I just I'm on I'm on the the the page.

If you will is at the proper way to use the term.

I'm of the opinion that they should be getting a difference maker.

And we've seen him draft a lot of dns and linemen here.

The bottom half of the draft as they've been a good team.

And none of them are difference makers.

Now the draft in 26th the ability to go get a real game breakers is somewhat limited.

And I grant you that.

You know, Dalton can keep being a great example.

You know, he was very highly touted in that draft year.

And he's been okay.

Right.

You know, he's had his ups and downs.

Right.

And you know, he was even a higher pick than 26.

I'm not mistaken.

Either way.

I just look at it and say like go get someone who could make a difference.

And I also kind of wonder like.

Not that any GM operates this way and be like, you don't have enough you to the fans to the media to the to the.

Share morning show host like here's your receiver.

Let's see how it goes.

But I do kind of wonder if it if they look at it and say like listen, we've been doing it this way for a while.

Elam.

Boogie Basham.

Russo.

At Oliver.

You know, pick your poison of these highly drafted defensive players that have come through and they've had mixed results.

Do they just do they look at this and say like, you know, we do need to get another weapon.

We have DJ Moore.

Like you said, Pat.

Got more secure.

You go get another outside threat so that you don't have to rely on Gabe Davis or Brandon cooks.

You know, Marie Cooper mid season pandates.

Go get someone who can be a day one starter for you.

And I realize the key on Coleman was kind of supposed to do that for them.

And he hasn't gotten there yet.

But you know, maybe you can write that wrong with this pick.

Yeah.

So yeah, I'm fully on board for a weapon.

Whether that's an offensive or a defensive weapon, get a weapon.

I just I also think, you know, receivers are sexier, right?

It's it's it's a hell of a lot more fun to watch receiver highlights day one of the draft than it is to watch a detackle.

And they're paid sexier.

They're paid sexier.

So to get a receiver on a rookie contract could be huge.

You see what these receivers are getting nowadays atop ones.

It's it's crazy.

I agree with your point completely about playmakers as well.

You look at the bills first picks this decade.

And Greg was always the only court on quote difference maker.

And you can even argue if he is he really a difference maker.

Is he just a really solid defensive edge?

I would say I do think Delta arcade has legit true different playmaker.

Difference maker potential.

But get out there and play for 17 games healthy.

And you know, whether missing games are even hampered on that end.

And the last thing I'll say to your point again, which I agree with.

Man, when it comes down to the end of the season, you don't want to have to rely on the game.

You know, you can do some things.

All right.

But I don't want the ball in his hands and the most important play of the entire season.

And even the play before that, Michele Hardman, you're throwing a ball to Michele Hardman.

Yeah.

You got Michele Hardman and you got Brandon cooks.

You're two biggest throws of the year.

Literally.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's the point play of the entire season.

And even the play before that Michele Hardman, you're throwing a ball to Michele Hardman.

Yeah.

You got Michele Hardman and you got Brandon cooks, you're two biggest throws of the year.

Literally in overtime of a divisional round playoff game.

You're two, your last two throws were two Michele Hardman and two Brandon cooks.

So if you can go get a first round receiver, that's not going to be, you know, hopefully won't be cooked,

or it won't be hard man, I need to spin back because I screwed up. You told me you had

another Lindy rough thought and then I cut you off and I want you to build. Do you remember

what your Lindy rough thought? I do. That's all good. Go ahead. What was it? The rough thing

because you mentioned like the 2000 games thing and how, you know, how good of a PR bump would

they get, you know, next season. So he's going to finish this year with like 1930 or something

like that or 35 years. So game 50 of next year or whatever it is, you know, wherever he finishes

this year and he has to get to like your next home game where if it falls on a home game, you have

the Lindy rough 2000 game celebration, you put up a Lindy rough 2000 banner in the in the

rough and you induct into the Savers Hall of Fame before that game. Like, there's your, you know,

they're already doing a Savers Hall of Fame next year. They got a vanic and Palm andville but like,

why not? Like he's is hurt. I don't think he's in there yet. Like, they'd be a heck of a way to

to cap it off for him. Now, you don't know what next year's going to bring them but at least

at least is a really good like, you know, really good vibes day. Like, that's a sell out for sure.

For sure, but you know what? And don't get me wrong. It'd be great and I agree with you.

But it's funny because now that the team is actually good, you don't, they kind of market themselves.

Don't get me wrong. No, it's a great idea. But I'm just thinking about for 14 years how much

it seems sucked. And let's just say he had another year in his contract and he does come back.

They would build their whole season around this one night where this would just be because the team's,

you know, gives you something to look forward to itself on the ice. That would just be one great night.

You know, Terry Bagullo had a birthday last week. I didn't look, which kind of proves my point.

A Savers Twitter put out a happy birthday to Terry Bagulla. I am telling you one of my favorite things.

One of my favorite things over the past handful of years,

statistically has been every time it's Terry Bagullo's birthday or it was Kevin Adams's birthday.

I would spend the bulk of my afternoon on the Twitter mentions just from that tweet. I would bet you

a lot of those mentions with Terry Bagullo's birthday were actually complimentary towards him

this past week. So I thought that was really cool. Anyway, all right. Let's put a bow on this.

Again, appreciate Chris and it's time. Make sure you're following them on Twitter at two

ITB underscore Buffalo 200box.com. Excellent blog. The instigator podcasts,

Chris and Tyler do a great job with that as well. And by the way,

Chris did appear on Joe from Queens is, um, column, you know, I actually, I hate to give him credit,

dude. But first of all, I've always had his pretty good blogger. I think he writes about

interesting things and I think he phrases things interestingly, but that weekly column he's

putting out is some good ass shit. It really is as much as I, it pains me to, uh, to admit it.

But anyway, he had a conversation with you in that blog. I'm not going to give spoilers

away. Go read it. But it was about who's closer to winning a championship. The bills and the

servers was pretty new. So there's a lot of fun. Good stuff with Chris and Joe. But I appreciate

your time. Do it as always, man. Yeah, no, happy to do it. Thanks for the invite. And hopefully

next time we talk to the servers got next next to their name for, uh, for a lot of clenching.

Definitely, man. Definitely. All right. Thank you, Chris. Thank you, everybody, for watching,

for listening brand new show. I'm right back at tomorrow. Met war from SB Nation.

Join me. Talk to you then.