Assuming the substance abuse has to do with the pressure of being in the NHL.
We don't know it was substance abuse. There can be any number of reasons to be in the league assistance program.
Assuming the substance abuse has to do with the pressure of being in the NHL.
I'm not sure you're watching the same games I am.2. Sabres d-men randomly play the shooter instead of the pass, so Levi needs to practice 50/50 of both.
Safe assumptionAssuming the substance abuse has to do with the pressure of being in the NHL.
He already burned a year by signing. Do you honestly think anyone would be hoping he played a game this year if he only burned a contract year by playing?Don't want to see him play up here at all this year on this team. I know he'l wants to burn a year, but it could be really ugly.
He has to get in to a game for it to burn the year towards his UFA status.Safe assumption
He already burned a year by signing. Do you honestly think anyone would be hoping he played a game this year if he only burned a contract year by playing?
No. UFA status comes when a player turns 27, or has 7 accrued seasons (as of June 30 of the final season of his contract). An accrued season requires 40 games on the active roster (or 30 for a goaltender). That doesn't really matter here, though, as at Levi's age, he'll be UFA eligible the off-season following his 27th birthday, regardless of anything else.He has to get in to a game for it to burn the year towards his UFA status.
Speaking of goalies that are not 6'2"+...
They gave Vladar a two year $2.2M AAV extension that runs through the 2024-25 season.I can't imagine Wolf not in the NHL next year as Markstrom's backup/1B.
That said -- anyone expecting Levi to step right in......this is your case study. 100 games in the AHL.
Now that Levi is in the fold and Eric Comrie is healthy, the Sabres have four active goalies on the roster. The goalies in the room have already welcomed the rookie. And they, like his peers around the league, are ready to see him in action. Levi has been spending the games up in the press box with a notepad, studying the structure of Buffalo’s defense and where the chances tend to come from. He’s also been closely watching the visiting goalies to pick up whatever tips he can.
His notepad just said "Chances come from everywhere, there is no structure. What did I get myself in to?"
Interestingly enough, I looked up Miller to see how many games he played in Rochester before he became a full time starter. 170. Granted one of those was a lockout year, but even without that he still played something like 110 games in AHL. The Sabres did give him a small taste of the NHL during that time frame and IIRC he got lit up so bad in one of those games he needed a sports psychologist to set him straight.I can't imagine Wolf not in the NHL next year as Markstrom's backup/1B.
That said -- anyone expecting Levi to step right in......this is your case study. 100 games in the AHL.
He was crying in his locker after getting lit up in one of those early games.Interestingly enough, I looked up Miller to see how many games he played in Rochester before he became a full time starter. 170. Granted one of those was a lockout year, but even without that he still played something like 110 games in AHL. The Sabres did give him a small taste of the NHL during that time frame and IIRC he got lit up so bad in one of those games he needed a sports psychologist to set him straight.
a Detroit game, IIRC.He was crying in his locker after getting lit up in one of those early games.
That is why I think rushing Levi is a bad idea and not learning from the past.
Every person is different. Some might cry after getting lit up, and some might look at the tape and take it as a learning opportunity. It would be up to the coaching staff and Adams to try to understand which Levi is.He was crying in his locker after getting lit up in one of those early games.
That is why I think rushing Levi is a bad idea and not learning from the past.
Some of the refusal of switching goalies has been the score and part of it was not wanting to put Anderson in mid-game while Comrie was out and Anderson was the backup to UPL.Every person is different. Some might cry after getting lit up, and some might look at the tape and take it as a learning opportunity. It would be up to the coaching staff and Adams to try to understand which Levi is.
The only thing that gives me pause is Granato’s absolute refusal to switch goalies in-game. For the love of god, if Levi gives up three softies in the first period, then swap him out. Don’t let them hang 10 on him.
I'm not saying we should rush Levi but for Miller, he played decent in 02-03. 15 games .902 2.63. Then got crushed in the 3 games in 03-04 with the Sabres. So they were trying to get him into NHL games but he happened to play well and then take a step back. Add to that the Marty/Noronen 2 headed monster already in net and wasn't really any sense of urgency to push him either. I guess the moral of the story is to create a situation where there is no sense of urgency.Interestingly enough, I looked up Miller to see how many games he played in Rochester before he became a full time starter. 170. Granted one of those was a lockout year, but even without that he still played something like 110 games in AHL. The Sabres did give him a small taste of the NHL during that time frame and IIRC he got lit up so bad in one of those games he needed a sports psychologist to set him straight.
Or, some might cry after getting lit up, go look at the tape, take it as a learning opportunity, and go on to become the all time franchise leader in wins and most wins by a US born goaltender. I guess there was no mutual exlusivity concerning Miller's reaction and career path. But you're right - every player is different and Levi's development path is TBD.Every person is different. Some might cry after getting lit up, and some might look at the tape and take it as a learning opportunity. It would be up to the coaching staff and Adams to try to understand which Levi is.
The only thing that gives me pause is Granato’s absolute refusal to switch goalies in-game. For the love of god, if Levi gives up three softies in the first period, then swap him out. Don’t let them hang 10 on him.
"How is it possible the bumper on the PP, and the forward on top of the crease always uncovered?"Other notes might include:
"The back post play is always uncovered, the pass almost never defended and when it is, expect a deflection on your own net."
"Wow, that bumper on the PP is always open."
"Expect both odd-man rushes AND the Spanish Inquisition."