Skibum

This seems like a fairly normal (or even light) injury situation, especially when you consider none of the 'star' players are hurt. I would argue that overall, the injury Gods have been pretty kind to us this season.

Of course Laine scores FIVE goals to move past Skinner for the league lead tonight...

Most definitely! I thought there would be some improvement, but I wasn't convinced it would be really amazing. I have not been able to watch the Sabres much during this win streak, but I just watched the first period of the Detroit game, and I can't believe what I'm seeing! These guys are CRUSHING IT. They look like a very, very good team on so many fronts I don't even have time to comment on all of it. They haven't played anything like this in years, not even for a few minutes here and there. It's only one period, but again, this kind of thing simply was not part of the program, ever, in the last five years.

Relax, everybody - it's early yet! Remember when Drew Stafford had runs like this and we all thought he was the next big thing?

Found a new favorite recently - David Nicholson Reserve. There are two versions of David Nicholson, "Reserve" being more rye-oriented, and "1843" being wheated like Makers Mark. I have not tried the 1843, but I hear good things. I first found it in downtown Chicago for $28/fifth. I guess it's not widely distributed (mostly midwestern states), but I have also recently found it at the NH State Liquor Store in Portsmouth for $35. For the price, I've never had anything better. The only thing I've ever liked more is Blanton's, which is out of my price range. Very, very smooth at 100 proof. I'm not an expert at describing flavor profiles, but there's definitely some vanilla going on in there. It's like bourbon crossed with a high quality Canadian. Looking forward to someday sampling the 1843.

Perhaps folks are reading a little more into this than is necessary? A little context would be helpful. Just because Mr. Lehner thinks the Isles are a real team, does not mean he is throwing shade on the Sabres. But if he was, could you blame him?

I actually didn't think it was that bad. Individually, they seemed like much more confident and competent players than what we saw last year. Unfortunately, they have not been playing together for very long, and many of them are quite young. They were playing a veteran team, and their lack of established team chemistry showed through. The only player who was really disappointing to my eye was Eichel, with all his non-shots and drop passes to nowhere. I think it's going to be pretty rough through the All-Star break, but I saw a much improved skill level all around. There's no question in my mind that this is a better group of players - they just aren't a team yet. But I saw far more potential last night than I have in the past few years, when they looked lost and hopeless from top to bottom.

https://www.harrisseeds.com/products/11477-pumpkin-captain-jack-f1?variant=28918527313

This is how I will always remember Ray Emery. Sabres-Senators was such a great rivalry at that time, and this donnybrook was up there with the 'Scary Good' goal as one of the top highlights of the era. Great theater for sure, and also one of RJ's finest calls. I still watch that video once in a while to remember the better times. RIP Ray Emery. He was a gamer.

I hope he uses one or two of them to engineer a trade for an impact player. They still don't have a hands-down #1 goaltender. Maybe that's an option?

"Number 2" seems to accurately describe the outlook for next year.

Of all those things, I think the goal song is the one that absolutely must change. "Let Me Clear My Throat" has become the soundtrack to failure, although with the current offense at least we don't have to hear it that often.

These guys all say the same things about mindset. If they are all so mindful of the mindset, why is it still a problem?

It looks like his face smashed into the support post between the panes of plexiglass. I'm guessing that's a big reason there was so much damage.

I know he looked amazing in the WJC, but 30 points in 34 college games hardly seems like a slam-dunk case for coming out early and burning a year of the ELC, just so he can get in six games with a historically bad team. Seems like another year in college would be more appropriate, but what do I know. I hope it works out.

I was treated to a dram of Blanton's bourbon last week - WOW! Never had anything that good before. I guess it's a little hard to find and in the $60 range, so I probably won't be picking up a bottle anytime soon, but this one really raised the bar for me. That said, $60 a bottle is still cheaper than drinking Jack Daniels at most bars these days...

Just a quick whiskey PSA: I just bought a bottle of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, and it is NOT good. Lots of harsh, chemical flavor. Sipped alongside standard Buffalo Trace at the same price, and the BT was much, much more enjoyable. And I am not super-picky; I am totally happy with Wild Turkey, Old Forester, and many other low-mid grade offerings.

No love for Sasquatch? A far more important legend than the Kraken ever was in the PNW region.

I see that you refer to the tank in the past tense... Anyway, Darcy missed the golden tank opportunity when he matched Edmonton's offer sheet for Thomas Vanek. Had he just thrown in the towel right there, they would have had two first round picks every year for four straight years! And Edmonton stunk all of those years, so their picks would have been great! You just can't get that kind of value, ever. The actual tank that followed just didn't have that kind of sauce. They blew a whole season just to get prime position for one draft, and they didn't even get the top pick. I love Jack Eichel, but I would rather the Sabres have four guys that are almost as good as him instead. To me, that will always be the move that killed the team long-term.

No. It's over, and it's only the first week of November. It's going to be a long season.

Since we're digging up the past - They should have started tanking years before that - by accepting Edmonton's offer sheet for Vanek. There was no saving that team when Drury and Briere left. The Sabres would be perennial contenders by now, had that taken place. Four first-round picks! For Thomas Vanek! Instead, Darcy doubled down on the rotten core. To me, the Sabres' extended, now seemingly endless futility begins right then.

Chad is rad. But I also thought Nilsson was the better goalie last year, and Lehner still got the contract. When I watch Lehner, I don't see a #1 NHL goalie - but at season's end, he put up worthy numbers last year. So I just don't know.

Probably more interested.

Anders Nilsson, by a long shot, although I guess he's technically not on the team anymore. I don't understand it - I saw most of his games last year and he looked really good in all of them. Often better than Lehner, I thought - same net-filling size, but he seems much quicker all around - snappier reflexes and faster at getting back in position after fighting off a tough shot. I thought he should have been given an opportunity to take over the starting job, but management is completely in bed with Lehner. Not that Lehner is bad, I just thought Nilsson looked at least as good, and at a much cheaper price.

Kariya had a really good NHL career, but I think his time at UMaine is really what puts him over the top for the Hall of Fame. He is arguably the best American college hockey player ever, despite the short career. Based on NHL careers alone, I think Mogilny could be considered a stronger candidate than Kariya.