extremely unlikely they bench EJ (though they should)

Why are Savoie’s 9 games spread out?
That seems like a terrible idea
1- bc he’s spending time in the press box instead of playing
2- how do u get into any kind of rhythm, etc if you’re in for 1 game, out for 2, and so on
Don’t see how it makes sense

What does make sense (to me anyways) :
-play Savoie for his 9 games & when those are up, send him back to juniors
-play Benson for his last few games allowed (3 i think?) & then send him back
*at this point, Quinn is still likely not ready to return
-so call up Kulich & then Rosen, or Rosen & then Kulich, whatever order doesn’t matter much to me. Just get them both some time w the Sabres till Quinn is ready to return

What are the reasons for benching EJ?

Not very good at hockey?

Lame

hey you asked lol.

His shot attempts and expected goals for/against ratio is the worst of any regular d-man on the team. Clifton's numbers away from him look insanely good by comparison. He's bottom 3 in penalty kill goals above replacement as well. What exactly does he do well? He's routinely gets hemmed in his own end too and worst of all he's terrible in transition, which is like 90% of the sabres identity lol.

Poppycock.

To the bolded, Johnson is second only to David Savard (MTL) in SH TOI/GM at 4:15 while anchoring the top unit on the 5th most penalized team in the league (6:27 SH TOI/GM). Of the 50 times Buffalo was shorthanded, the opposition scored 6 goals for an 88% kill rate which is 5th in the League. Although Johnson has been on the ice for four of those goals against, three other Sabres have been on the ice for three goals against--Sammy (3:38 SH TOI/GM), Power (3:36) and Krebs (0:45). And those four goals came against four teams that are in the top-7 in the league in PP: NJD 1st, NYR 2nd, Laffs 5th, CAR 7th.

He's doing what he was brought in to do, help revive the PK.

But, something something, expected-expectations.

You literally just said it though, he's been on the ice for the biggest chunk of those goals against lol. The bottom line is the opposing team generates the largest and highest quality chances at 5v5 and PK when he is on the ice. That's not insigificant, not to me. If you don't care about that it's fine. But you asked me why I want him out of the lineup. And my answer hasn't changed, they are worse with him on the ice. Even if i subscribe to your premise that he's the PK whisperer, his special teams play doesn't negate him being a tire fire at 5v5 defensively.

Right on cue, EJ lost on the PK.

EJ is doing what he was brought in for. He's a third-pairing d-man who anchors the PK. He's a veteran presence with a Stanley Cup ring who's directive is to get these guys thinking more defensively. Simple fact is, it's the NHL and there are great players playing for great coaches making great plays all over the ice.

The age of analytics has turned a portion of the fan base into whiny-ass nitpickers who fail to see the forest for the trees because their noses are so deep into spreadsheets and colorful charts.

Sit back and enjoy the games instead of trying to be some undiscovered hockey guru with Rupert Pupkin syndrome.

Do you not see the irony here? This reply doesnt actually do anything to prove EJ is doing well in his 3rd pair role, but rather a long whiny ass reply about how you are annoyed by others who don’t view or enjoy the game the way yo do. Gatekeeping how people enjoy content isn’t cool.


EJ is a bad third pair d-man, relative to other 3rd pair d-men. If you have anything that proves otherwise I would love to hear it.

The pk also gives up the most quality when he is on the ice. The Sabres spend the most time in their own end 5v5 when he is on the ice, and concede a ton of shots and quality chances there too. I don’t understand how anyone feels the need to take a bullet for this guy because he won a cup.

You know it’s a team effort, right? Like at minimum mackinnon, rantanen and makar were equally responsible (probably more if you take off your EJ goggles)

Why this effects you so deeply is beyond me. It's hockey. It's a game. Nobody inside the hockey world cares what you or me or any fan thinks. Coaches and players are around each other day-in, day-out. Every team has an analytics staff that communicates with the coaching staff. Are you a coach? Are you part of the analytics staff? Do you know more than those that are around the players on a daily basis?

Stuff like we're doing amounts to nothing more than sandlot opinions that ultimately mean nothing.

Watching the game for what it is, entertainment, is the way I prefer to watch and this edition of the Sabres has me feeling good.

*shrugs*

But, you do you.

100% right, and this edition of the sabres has me feeling bad. Neither one of us is wrong to feel that way. Saying the age of analytics is the problem with some fans is totally unfair. You enjoy this team for your reasons, i don't for mine. The analytics are just a tool.

Cool.

Cool

They look great again tonight!

You may want to consider abandoning the Sabres. For your health.

you are 1000 percent right and it is under serious consideration.