nfreeman

I think the value from the Sabres' perspective is unloading KO's contract. I think Scandy's value has improved, but he's still a lower-pairing defenseman on an expiring contract. It's hard to see the Sabres getting more than a 3rd-rounder for him under any circumstance (which would probably be a low 3rd-rounder if it's coming from a playoff team looking to bolster its D group for the stretch drive) -- and I'd rather be rid of KO's contract than pick up a low 3rd-rounder.

Am I missing something, or did you just take both sides of this?

Scandella and KO for Kovalchuk. Who says no?

Bumpity bump.

My wife and I binged season 2 of "Jack Ryan." I thought it was OK, but not great, and about as good as season 1. About a B. We are currently binging "Succession" and are most of the way through season 1. It's good, but not as good as the hype IMHO. B-plus.

This seems like a likely move to give JB a bit more time. Separately: for those demanding a trade ASAP -- I think it's pretty likely that the right trade hasn't presented itself. i.e. no one is offering a good forward for Risto -- more like their version of Erod or TT or KO, or maybe a draft pick. I doubt anyone here would be satisfied with that kind of return, or with a 5th-rounder for Scandy or similar move that wouldn't bring in a clear upgrade at forward.

I know Sobotka is a whipping boy around here, but I'm glad his injury -- which looked potentially quite bad -- isn't a season-ender.

Or maybe it's about whether certain expectations of certain groups of people are reasonable, and about whether and how those expectations may be voiced, and whether those with whom one disagrees can fairly be dismissed as bigots or hate/fear-mongerers. All of these are political issues. And didn't you argue, during the not-so-glorious days of the debate over whether we should have a politics thread, that everything is political?

OK boys. Let's take this to the politics club please.

Well done gents.

I thought overall they played two pretty solid games against Tampa, a very good team and almost certainly a cup contender despite its lousy start. I thought the effort was there and the goaltending was as well, and that Tampa, which is loaded with offensive playmakers, was able to convert its chances better than the Sabres were. IMHO, and as others have noted, the main problem is that secondary scoring has again dried up. The third and fourth lines, both of which contributed offense during the winning streak, have not been able to do so in the last couple of weeks. Same goes for Dahlin and the rest of the D, although the group is much better defensively than it was last year.

Awesome.

I watch on DVR probably 90% of the time -- work and family obligations generally prevent me from being on my couch at 7:00 pm. I definitely enjoy skipping the commercials and intermissions, and if the Sabres fall behind by 3, I'll fast forward to see if they get back in the game. I probably "catch up" to live time by the end of the game for about 1/3 of the games. (I will say that both football and basketball are better uses than hockey for the DVR due to the higher number of play stoppages that can be fast-forwarded through.) Having said that, when I have the chance to watch a game live, I enjoy doing so and hanging out here for real-time game commentary.

Well, @Eleven's hands are far from clean in this area, but he's right that this kind of little dig doesn't belong here. Keep it in the club, please.

Went looking for Pu, eh?

Not getting much from Eichel or Reino yet.

This is turning into a really good game. Sabres have found their game. Islanders are a really smart, well-coaches team.

Dudley, Gare, Hajt, Korab and Lorentz. The lions in winter. It’s too bad the ceremony wasn’t good on TV — it was great in the arena. Among other things, they played “y’know y’know we’re gonna win that cup.” Come on boys. Every seat is taken. We’re here for you despite an 8-year poop sandwich. Give us some new memories to hold on to.

They look OK to me and they are hustling and playing the Isles, a good team, pretty evenly, but the execution isn’t quite there. They’ve had a few good chances in tight and have whiffed. Hutton has made a few good saves after that softie too.

Lines changed up. Crappy goal allowed by Hutton. Montour looks good. Rick Dudley looks like he can still kick someone’s butt if the occasion demands it.

So it turns out my brother got us good seats for tonight...

OK, the Sabres got dusted last night and are back on their heels a bit after an unexpected and thrilling start to the season. Let's see how they respond. So far this year, they've followed each of their two prior regulation losses with shutout wins the following night. Your humble mod is making my annual pilgrimage back home this weekend and will be in attendance tonight as well as at the Ralph tomorrow. It's my first Sabres game in Buffalo since game 3 of the 2006 ECF vs Carolina, which they won (and which was one of the loudest and most exciting live sporting events I've ever attended), but in which Tallinder broke his arm, beginning the crushing run of injuries to the D that ultimately robbed that fantastic team of a Cup. I'm hoping for a much better outcome than last week's debacle vs the Rangers in NYC, which I also attended. It's 70s night, baby! Shagadelic! The Islanders beat Tampa last night and have won 8 in a row. Following the loss of John Tavares to Toronto, the Isles managed 103 points last season and swept Pittsburgh in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in April before falling in four games in the next round to Carolina. They opened this season by dropping three of their first four games, but their eight consecutive wins thereafter represent their longest streak since taking nine straight from Dec. 1989 through Jan. 1990. The Islanders' leading scorers are Josh Bailey and Matthew Barzal, with 11 pts each, and Brock Nelson with 10. Defensemen Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock are the ice time leaders with 21 min per game. LW C RW Forwards Anders Lee Rating: 73.8#45 LW Mathew Barzal Rating: 76.8#25 C Josh Bailey Rating: 73.8#38 RW FL1 Rating Rating: 74.79#22 FL1 Anthony Beauvillier Rating: 72.1#75 LW Brock Nelson Rating: 74.7#46 C Derick Brassard Rating: 70.1#105 RW FL2 Rating Rating: 72.31#26 FL2 Michael Dal Colle Rating: 71.0#108 LW Casey Cizikas Rating: 71.4#123 C Cal Clutterbuck Rating: 70.1#106 RW FL3 Rating Rating: 70.83#30 FL3 Ross Johnston Rating: 71.5#93 LW Cole Bardreau Rating: 73.2#71 C Oliver Wahlstrom Rating: 73.3#49 RW FL4 Rating Rating: 72.64#2 FL4 Defensive Pairings Defense Adam Pelech Rating: 73.9#41 LD Ryan Pulock Rating: 75.4#21 RD DL1 Rating Rating: 74.66#15 DL1 Nick Leddy Rating: 75.1#19 LD Johnny Boychuk Rating: 74.0#31 RD DL2 Rating Rating: 74.55#7 DL2 Devon Toews Rating: 75.5#13 LD Scott Mayfield Rating: 73.1#51 RD Go Sabres.

Risto vs Ovi is always entertaining. Hutton or Ullmark?

And Tkakzuk wins it on an insane between-the-legs goal with 1 sec to go in OT!

Barnburner in Nashville. Nashville went up 5-4 over Calgary with 2.5 min to go, and Calgary just tied it at 5 with 36 seconds to go. EDIT to add: Calgary came back from down 4-1 in the 3rd before the frenzy at the end.