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Gameday – Sabres vs. Oilers
Three Players to Watch on Buffalo
- #25 Owen Power – It won’t be hard to spot the 2021 1st overall pick. He’s massive. The reason I think he’s a player to watch is because even though he’s one of Buffalo’s youngest players, he might be one of their most mature and cerebral skaters. He’s big like Chris Pronger was but he doesn’t have that snarl yet. Nevertheless, he went 1st overall for a reason and he’ll be handful for some of Edmonton’s forwards. Also, he skates very well for a man of his size.
- #77 JJ Peterka – Won’t this young man be jacked to lineup against fellow countryman Leon Draisaitl? Peterka is quick and very aggressive but not in a goonish way. He’s just very fast and relentless on the forecheck and he’s got a nose for the net as his two goals on the year (from the 3rd line no less) will tell you. He also score 68pts in 70 games in the AHL last year as a rookie if that doesn’t drive the point home enough. Edmonton’s dmen will have their work cut out for them when this young Deutscher is on the ice.
- #22 Jack Quinn – If Quinn is in the lineup this evening, you’ll want to keep an eye on him. He scored 26 goals in 45 games for Buffalo’s minor league affiliate in Rochester last year and he lit the lamp 52 times for the Ottawa 67’s in his last year of junior. He’s not yet scored this season but according to dailyfaceoff.com, he’s lining up not he Sabres’ 2nd line with Casey Middlestadt and Alex Tuch. He’s a sniper on the rise.
Three Players to Watch on Edmonon
- #74 Stu Skinner – Ron Low 2.0 stopped all 31 shots he faced against the Flames over the weekend and in fact, it’s been a while since he’s let a goal in. I think the streak is going back to the playoffs. Either way, he’s looked fantastic in each of his appearances this season and if he continues his strong play, some pundits in town believe there’s potential for a goaltending controversy to start brewing up. But of course they do, right? If it bleeds, it leads.
- #80(?) Markus Niemelainen – IF the giant Finn laces ’em up tonight, it will decrease Edmonton’s ability to move the puck out of their own zone BUT conversely, it should increase the defensive zone entries on his side of the ice. Also, we could be confident that a Sabre or two will get lit up by him.
- #93 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Nuge is scoreless to start the year and dash one. He’s got to pick up the pace (Picante!) or what use does this cap-strapped team have for a $5.5M third line center who doesn’t excel at taking draws and is a lefty. Do I think he’ll continue to put up goose eggs on the scoresheet? No. But at the same time, how long will it be until he’s moved up to Leon’s wing to spark some offense out of the guy?
BLH’s Thoughts: Lots of kids on this Sabres team. Like those early decade of darkness teams in Edmonton. It was hard just to pick three to keep and eye one because there’s also Peyton Krebs, Dylan Cozens, Rasmus Asplund, Mattias Samuelsson, Rasmus Dahlin (I love this player!), and Tage Thompson! Man, if management lets this team grow together and resists the urge to blow it up if it stumbles, they could be a really good team sooner than some folks think.
That said, the peaks and valleys are massive with a young team and these kids go balls out with the puck. In turn, it leaves them open to counter attacks and when you’re playing a club like the Oilers who play a similar brand but are older, there’s a good chance there’ll be a few goals against.
However, the Oilers are notorious for playing to the level of their opponents. So while they should be overwhelming favorites, I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. Edmonton’s defense has not had a good start to the year and the one thing they’re failing to do is move the puck quickly and efficiently out of their zone and up to the streaking forwards. They’re getting hung up by aggressive forecheckers and their forwards not coming back deep enough to help out.
Anything could happen tonight but the one thing that can’t happen is a slow start. Evander Kane said that won’t happen and I’m going to hold him to his word.
Trade Rumors
Spector’s Hockey
- THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Arizona Coyotes must move Jakob Chychrun now while his trade value remains high. He suggests the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild as three potential destinations for the 24-year-old blueliner given their early-season defensive struggles.
- Chychrun’s size and hockey smarts could improve the Oilers’ blueline depth and lessen the pressure on their other defensemen.
- THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports player agent Pat Brisson said his client, Patrick Kane, is taking a wait-and-see approach to this season. The 33-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
- Kane’s teammate Jonathan Toews is another Brisson client. His declining performance could affect his trade value but his leadership and playoff experience remain respected by contenders.
- Media speculation has linked Kane to the Colorado Avalanche, Dalla Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs.
BLH’s Thoughts: Bob Stauffer’s been pouring cold water on Chychrun since the summer. He’s not convinced that the Coyotes’ dman is that good. How well can you evaluate a guy when he’s playing in Arizona though? Mind you, this guy cannot stay healthy. He’s got VIP status to the LTIR club.
I wonder if Bob’s saying that because the ask would be Broberg plus plus and there’s a chance ol’ Phil Bruhburry might be at Chychrun’s level shortly.
Speaking of dmen who can’t stay healthy, there’s some talk going around that he’s dinged up. Must be one helluva stinger if he’s not been able to play or practise all this time… Oilers are keeping the Swede’s status pretty quiet too…
