MattPie

So there's a Max total value for an ELC. So kinda highest bidder if no one hits that max, or take your pick if multiple teams hit the max. I guess a CHL player could hold out for the two years after the draft and not sign. At that point, however, I think the player goes back into the draft, right?

That's one way to pass the time.

I'm obsessing over bike upgrades to make the hills around here a little easier to climb and make the brakes better for coming back down, when really I just need to get training and ride what I have.

I see your company is working from the "Bad Ideas in Management" playbook. I don't think they realize you shouldn't implement *all* the plays at the same time though.

I played in a band for a few years, and it was the same despite 3 of the 4 members having gone through the whole school band process from 3rd grade to high school. We could read and write music, but never did it for our own songs. Still remember some of the bass lines, lol. Only the first drummer made a career out of it, he's a session musician in Nashville and plays on cruises.

Maybe an Su-27 or 29, but I do think it's an F-18. Ah-ha! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDIxzSMp-0

I doubt it. Maybe the NHLPA would try to put that in the CBA next time around, but that only really affects players on entry-level stuff so I'm not sure it'd be a priority.

If there's one thing all Buffalo fans know, is you never talk about how things are going to work out in favor for Buffalo. We do not tempt fate.

Just by the numbers, they need to run the next 3 just to make up the 2 losses, then need to win at least 8 over the 10 after that to gain any ground.

You have a point. There is *not* an established NHL goaltender in Buffalo; the only guy that's played a season's worth of games is 41 and cannot possibly be around for another year (right?). While it looks like there are two prospects between Portillo and the starting job, it's hard to believe the situation is better on other teams. But, I don't blame the guy. Maybe he doesn't like Rochester, maybe he does want to pick where he plays based on other criteria (weather, proximity to stuff for his business, etc.) Maybe he's being conservative, but kicking around the AHL making the minimum for the next five years while he develops may not be as attractive as if he's worried that at the end of it he'll have spent his 20s with "nothing" to show for it if he doesn't make it. He has some business idea (right?) that maybe he's betting will be a better ticket.

I guess we're back at the same spot with the Joki/Fitz 1:1 moves; UPL is in Rochester, the Sabres are at 23 active players, so the Sabres need to drop another player if they want UPL back on the roster. Hinostroza, one of the waiver-exempt kids, or trade someone out for picks. I don't think they'll put Anderson on fake-IR, and I hope they don't. Those moves are for $(%*@ teams, I want to Sabres to play it straight.

Cozens potted one last game (or the game before). Now Quinn and JJP, that's a good question.

Lucky Hare out of Hector is pretty good too, and Aurora (not East Aurora) has some wild stuff. It's not the brewery scene in Philly, but still an embarrassment of riches.

I had Silo, although not there; I think they were at the Trumasburg Farmers Market one time. Nice! I have some Liquid State in the fridge, nice stuff.

Might not have been much of a market, really. All the Sabres had was the rights to a player that might walk next summer and wasn't ready for the NHL. Only Tim Murray trades picks for guys that are going to test FA.

I has it's moments. 🙂 Still getting used to living in a smallish town compared to Philly.

Ithaca NY now. My team is 100% remote now so we got to choose where to live.

The Philly games used to be the *most* important of the season for me when I lived there. Now? Meh. If I had to choose I'd rather see Buffalo beat Toronto or Boston and lose to Philly. But best to beat all three of them in a way that causes their coaches to get fired.

Even if Comrie was 100% ready, they'd have used the full two weeks to buy time with UPL playing well. Now they have to make hard decisions.

I thought it unlikely, but the Sabres are actually in striking distance of a wildcard spot. They can "catch" Washington if they win their games in hand as well was maintain the 7-2-1-ish pace they've been on. That's no small thing, winning 5 games over a 0.600 pace. (for 40 games, that looks like 27-16-2 or something), and assuming the other teams don't surge. Standings-watching here is kinda silly, even if it's fun; it doesn't matter where we stand now relative to other teams, because all it takes is 2 of the 6 teams in the neighborhood to surge and the Sabres would need even more wins to find a spot.

I doubt it happens, but sending one of Quinn or JJP down does make some sense. I doubt they want to break that line up, but those two have been getting low ice-time the last few games. I don't think anyone is going to trade for Hinostroza straight up since they'll be waiting to see if he shows up on waivers. The Sabres play here could be to trade and retain 50% of his salary to increase the possible landing spots. I think he'd be below the vet minimum at 50%.

The awful part of this season is Sabres fans have to root for Boston and Toronto a lot.

MIght still be on the breathing tube.

What's amazing about the whole thing is this isn't some early season or meaningless game and everyone still seems to be thinking about the right things. These are two of the three best teams in the AFC head to head at the end of the season. I'm too cynical to have predicted everyone involved would just toss out the football game for the mental health of the players.

I agree. I just hope it doesn't turn into a "well, my cousin is good with money" situation that you see with people/orgs that come into a bunch of money. The NFL Player Handbook does have chapters on money stuff and they do training classes for the rookies and whatnot, so hopefully everyone is thinking wisely. 🙂