GDT: Game 63: Sharks @ Sabres 4:00pm NBCSCA

[Hodge]

Not to pile on Thrun but I don't think it's a coincidence that our defense has looked downright competent since he left the lineup. He needs to go away forever.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

I don't know if it's realistic at this point, but I feel like this could create a situation where you have Dickinson on your third pair to start the season (maybe with Liljegren to help insulate him), where you give him his nine games and if he's good, keep running with him (maybe like with Smith this year) with Thrun and even Vlasic in reserve--while you add a d-man to bolster the top pairing.

I think it is but there's obviously a lot of moving or movable parts here. I don't see it as realistic to not buy out Vlasic's last year especially if we're running this sort of development scenario. Maybe if they think that Pohlkamp is the guy that gets that spot but that seems like the least likely of a non-zero chance of happening.

 

[Anomie2029]

And yet drew will be the first to praise those 2 players for there play on that exact 6 on 5

It's almost as good as when they praised Ferraro for his battle on the puck, where he lost and the puck left the zone. Then proceeded to praise him for getting the puck deep despite it being Mukhamadullin.

Don't get me wrong, Ferraro has looked a lot better - but the way they go out of their way to praise him is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Skeksis25]

Man, I'm so happy for Smith. After taking so much shit for the first third of the year, its really awesome to see him become maybe our best offensive player since the break. Shows some solid mental fortitude.

 

[LadyStanley]

 

[Pinkfloyd]

It's almost as good as when they praised Ferraro for his battle on the puck, where he lost and the puck left the zone. Then proceeded to praise him for getting the puck deep despite it being Mukhamadullin.

Don't get me wrong, Ferraro has looked a lot better - but the way they go out of their way to praise him is absolutely ridiculous.

Muk and Ferraro have done pretty well together. Muk allows Ferraro to not have to make anywhere as many of the puck decisions because he's playing with someone who is not only fairly competent with the puck but is also pretty good at killing plays so he's not the only defensive guy out there either.

 

[The Nemesis]

Man, I'm so happy for Smith. After taking so much shit for the first third of the year, its really awesome to see him become maybe our best offensive player since the break. Shows some solid mental fortitude.

He sure showed up in the second half. How apropos.

 

[Anomie2029]

Muk and Ferraro have done pretty well together. Muk allows Ferraro to not have to make anywhere as many of the puck decisions because he's playing with someone who is not only fairly competent with the puck but is also pretty good at killing plays so he's not the only defensive guy out there either.

That is a very fair point, and I think Liljegrin and Walman have looked pretty good together too, though defensively it still isn't my favourite. But they play with a bit of pace which helps beating forechecks.

 

[OrrNumber4]

He sure showed up in the second half. How apropos.

Let's all start religiously calling the playoffs the second season, and we'll ensure a Conn Smythe.

 

[Star Platinum]

I do laugh hearing Drew talk about players needing to move their feet defending the 6 on 5, only to have Kunin and Goodrow literally standing still the entire time.

At least somebody is saying it

 

[Lebanezer]

He's on a HOF career arc now. Pretty good for a guy we got for free.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

That is a very fair point, and I think Liljegrin and Walman have looked pretty good together too, though defensively it still isn't my favourite. But they play with a bit of pace which helps beating forechecks.

It feels like the Ferraro-Muk pairing is more sustainable if Muk continues to kill plays and make puck plays like he has without cheating at all really. I need to see more of Walman and Liljegren to get a real feel for them but skills-wise it seems like they'll be able to produce but won't be able to defend.

 

[Hangemhigh]

Is that official? He's being held out for trade reasons but I haven't heard anything else. Sharks can't ride with Giorgiev for the rest of the season. Maybe Askarov is ready to go?

No, but somehow GMMG will get a goalie traded! Maybe both?

 

[TheBeard]

It feels like the Ferraro-Muk pairing is more sustainable if Muk continues to kill plays and make puck plays like he has without cheating at all really. I need to see more of Walman and Liljegren to get a real feel for them but skills-wise it seems like they'll be able to produce but won't be able to defend.

It’s also kinda nuts that Ferraro is only 3 years older than Mukh.

I hope so, but we've been saying this for like three years now, so...

Either way, you could replace him with Thompson as another alternative, ideal since he plays on the right and seems pretty competent.

I think the fact that he’s only playing cuz Ruuta of all people is hurt says a lot.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I’m happy we’ve gotten to see Smith grow at the NHL level and not in the AHL. What a lethal shot he has

So I was summarily roasted in April 2023 for claiming Smith had a better offensive toolkit than Leo Carlsson. I think Carlsson's all-around game and size makes him a better overall player in the end, but I maintain that Smith's playmaking, hands, and shot are elite traits and all are better than Carlsson's.

 

[Jargon]

So I was summarily roasted in April 2023 for claiming Smith had a better offensive toolkit than Leo Carlsson. I think Carlsson's all-around game and size makes him a better overall player in the end, but I maintain that Smith's playmaking, hands, and shot are elite traits and all are better than Carlsson's.

If Smith manages to get his speed and strength up significantly over the next couple of years, he’s going to be downright amazing. Even if he doesn’t, he’s a real special player. I don’t think I’ve seen a guy pass like he does since Joe.

 

[CHALUPA]

He's on a HOF career arc now. Pretty good for a guy we got for free.

Even better, we were paid to take him

 

[timorous me]

Funny tweet. Not only is there some important info missing (the word defenseman), but 32 (by Blake) isn't actually more than 32 (by Walman).

 

[drunksage]

SNOG announcement​

We had some predictions in the ballpark, but the Sharks have stumped the SNOG'ers again.

Spoiler: 2024-25 First-half SNOG Results

#	Date / Opponent​	SNOG Winner(s)​	Result​
1	Oct. 10 vs Blues	none	Blues 5-4 OT
2	Oct. 12 vs Ducks	none	Ducks 2-0
3	Oct. 15 at Stars	weastern bias	Stars 3-2 SO
4	Oct. 17 at Blackhawks	weastern bias	Blackhawks 4-2
5	Oct. 18 at Jets	none	Jets 8-3
6	Oct. 20 vs Avalanche	none	Avalanche 4-1
7	Oct. 22 at Ducks	Timo Time	Ducks 3-1
8	Oct. 24 at Kings	Friday	Kings 3-2
9	Oct. 26 at VGK	none	VGK 7-3
10	Oct. 28 at Utah	none	Sharks 5-4 OT
11	Oct. 29 vs Kings	MackAttack71, bluefunnel, sharks_dynasty	Sharks 4-2
12	Oct. 31 vs Blackhawks	none	Sharks 3-2
13	Nov. 2 vs Canucks	none	Canucks 3-2
14	Nov. 5 vs Blue Jackets	none	Sharks 2-1 OT
15	Nov. 7 vs Wild	timorous me	Wild 5-2
16	Nov. 10 at Devils	none	Sharks 1-0
17	Nov. 11 at Flyers	TheBigDrunkPanda	Flyers 4-3 SO
18	Nov. 14 at Rangers	none	Rangers 3-2
19	Nov. 16 at Penguins	PattyLafontaine	Penguins 4-3 SO
20	Nov. 18 vs Red Wings	none	Sharks 5-4 OT
21	Nov. 20 at Stars	weastern bias	Stars 5-2
22	Nov. 21 at Blues	bullslugg, coooldude	Blues 3-2 SO
23	Nov. 23 vs Sabres	none	Sabres 4-2
24	Nov. 25 vs Kings	none	Sharks 7-2
25	Nov. 27 vs Senators	coooldude, PattyLafontaine	Senators 4-3
26	Nov. 29 vs Kraken	none	Sharks 8-5
27	Nov. 30 at Kraken	bluefunnel	Sharks 4-2
28	Dec. 3 at Capitals	none	Sharks 2-1 OT
29	Dec. 5 at Lightning	none	Lightning 8-1
30	Dec. 7 at Panthers	none	Panthers 3-1
31	Dec. 10 at Hurricanes	Timo Time	Hurricanes 3-2
32	Dec. 12 at Blues	MackAttack71	Sharks 4-3
33	Dec. 14 vs Utah	bullslugg	Hockey Club 4-3
34	Dec. 17 vs Jets	SJSharksfan39	Jets 4-3
35	Dec. 19 vs Avalanche	anthonyyy	Avalanche 4-2
36	Dec. 21 at Oilers	PattyLafontaine	Oilers 3-2 OT
37	Dec. 23 at Canucks	Timo Time	Canucks 4-3
38	Dec. 27 vs VGK	SJSharksfan39	VGK 6-3
39	Dec. 28 vs Flames	none	Flames 3-1
40	Dec. 31 vs Flyers	none	Flyers 4-0
41	Jan. 2 vs Lightning	none	Sharks 2-1

#	Date / Opponent​	SNOG Winner(s)​	Result​
42	Jan. 4 vs Devils	LadyStanley	Sharks 3-2
43	Jan. 7 vs VGK	weastern bias	VGK 4-2
44	Jan. 10 at Utah	none	Hockey Club 2-1
45	Jan. 11 vs Wild	weastern bias	Wild 3-1
46	Jan. 14 at Red Wings	none	Sharks 6-3
47	Jan. 16 at Blue Jackets	weastern bias	Blue Jackets 4-1
48	Jan. 18 at Islanders	TheBeard	Islanders 4-1
49	Jan. 20 at Bruins	none	Bruins 6-3
50	Jan. 21 at Predators	none	Predators 7-5
51	Jan. 23 vs Predators	Great Makohead Shork	Predators 6-5
52	Jan. 25 vs Panthers	SJSharksfan39	Panthers 7-2
53	Jan. 27 vs Penguins	none	Sharks 2-1
54	Jan. 30 at Kraken	none	Kraken 6-2
55	Feb. 4 vs Canadiens	none	Canadiens 4-3
56	Feb. 6 vs Canucks	none	Canucks 2-1
57	Feb. 8 vs Stars	none	Stars 8-3
58	Feb. 23 at Flames	Star Platinum	Flames 3-2
59	Feb. 24 at Jets	none	Jets 2-1 OT
60	Feb. 27 at Canadiens	bullslugg	Canadiens 4-3 OT
61	Mar. 1 at Senators	SJSharksfan39	Senators 5-3
62	Mar. 3 at Maple Leafs	none	Sharks 3-2 SO
63	Mar. 4 at Sabres	none	Sharks 6-2

Rank	2024-25 SNOG standings​	# of SNOGs
1.	weastern bias	6
2	SJSharksfan39	4
T-.3	bullslugg, PattyLafontaine, Timo Time	3
T-6.	bluefunnel, coooldude, MackAttack71	2
T-9.	anthonyyy, Friday, Great Makohead Shork, LadyStanley, sharks_dynasty, Star Platinum, TheBeard, TheBigDrunkPanda, timorous me	1

 

[Wedontneedroads]

I just want the audio from the bench after Toffoli scores that EN and Smith and Celebrini are chirping him. You love to see it.

 

[coooldude]

So I was summarily roasted in April 2023 for claiming Smith had a better offensive toolkit than Leo Carlsson. I think Carlsson's all-around game and size makes him a better overall player in the end, but I maintain that Smith's playmaking, hands, and shot are elite traits and all are better than Carlsson's.

Really? I would have thought that would be consensus. Smith had the offensive creativity, passing, and shot, But Carlsson looked like a better franchise center, with solid tools all around, the frame, commitment to defense, etc.

I think everyone knew Smith had a decent shot (you could certainly see it last year at BC) but I don't think anyone would have expected him to be such an assassin so quickly in the league.

 

[NathanCouture]

Had a Human Monk a long long time ago before Iskar was introduced. EQ is an incredible game but there's so much to catchup on now as I stopped playing in 2002.

I still play but have switched to an emu server. After many years I got tired of playing catchup with every new expansion in order to stay in an end game guild. I played many other games but always returned to eq in the end.