nfreeman

Interesting. Howie seems to like Sobotka's game lately. Let's see how Reino does as primary playmaker with 2 lesser linemates. I'm ready to healthy-scratch Pommer in favor of CJ. I'll predict that Larsson's line gets more ice time than Casey's line.

I think most people agree with you, but I didn’t like it.

I’d be interested in others’ rankings of the Coen Brothers’ oeuvre (is that a fancy enough word for this thread?), for anyone who’s so inclined.

Interesting. I’d probably put it in my 2nd tier for them — ie pretty good to very good, but not great. My top 3: 1. Miller’s Crossing 2. True Grit 3. Raising Arizona 2nd tier: No Country for old Men Ladykillers Blood Simple Fargo

So I watched "The Ladykillers", a Coen brothers movie that I hadn't seen before (starring Tom Hanks!), on the plane home the other day. Pretty good if you like their movies. I'll give it a B-plus.

Do you or do you not want the Sabres to sign him?

It all comes down to the price another team would require to take KO's contract. A 3rd-round pick? Definitely. A good D prospect like Guhle? NFW, unless the Sabres are convinced that Guhle isn't going to be an NHL defenseman.

Bio -- I think you should go to the concert with your mom.

I like this line of thought, and I'm sure you're right about the deliberate plan. I would very much like for the bolded to be true -- I just haven't seen any Amerks games, so I have no way of knowing. Based on the way JB and Howie have handled Dahlin, Mitts and TT, I don't think they are wedded to old-school notions of hierarchy. But I think Nylander, when he gets his chance in the show, should and will have to earn a spot higher up in the lineup.

I have been thinking of the Zemgus-Larsson line as a traditional "checking line," which, back in the day, was also often thought of as the "third line." OTOH, the "4th line" in prior generations was usually a bunch of fighters/bangers/mugs. Now it seems that the 4th line is often made up of kids trying to break in or vets on the downsides of their careers -- but still guys who can score and want to work their way up the lineup.

I like your top 2 lines, although it's likely that your 2nd line would get pushed around a bit too much to be effective, so I could see Sobotka there instead of ERod. I also like CJ-Mitts-KO as the 4th line (which I think would be the case in terms of ice time). I like these lines too, although I think keeping Skinner with Eichel is an important factor in convincing Skinner to stay (in a perfect world, it wouldn't matter, but I think it does). Totally agree on bringing in a 2C, not getting giddy over that win, and benching Pommer, who looks completely spent to me. Nylander seizing that spot would indeed be ideal, but he certainly hasn't earned it yet. TT, OTOH, is making a strong bid for the RW spot on Jack's line.

I don't remember anyone feeling confident before Black Sunday.

Thanks @Wyldnwoody44 and @LGR4GM.

Well, I've seen it and I wouldn't call it a "must see." Don't cancel your night out clubbing with the Kardashians for it.

Can anyone point me to the Bogo nasty play that others have referred to upthread? I got home late last night and only watched the 2nd period (on my son's recommendation). If someone could let me know approximately when it occurred, I'll go back and check it out. Thanks.

Fair point. I'd say that Stimson's articles should pretty much always include a sentence (or a clause) for each stat that summarizes the general meaning of the stat (e.g. "Corsi For %, which for each player is the percentage of shots and attempted shots by that player's team relative to total shots and attempted shots (including by the opponents) while that player is on the ice..."). I agree that a deeper dive into strengths and weaknesses of the stat in each article is unnecessary, although I think it should appear the first time, with a link in subsequent articles. I like: Risto-Pilut Bogo-Dahlin Scandy-Beaulieu/Nelson -- with this pair getting the fewest and most sheltered minutes.

I'm not opposed at this point to reshuffling the lines, including the top line, because the status quo clearly isn't working well enough to win consistently. However, on a somewhat related point, while I like the fact that Stimson does deep analytical dives on the Sabres, I don't think his articles are well written. In particular, I don't think he explains well enough the analytic stats he relies up. Today's article seemed, IMHO, to say, in effect, "the analytics show that the lines should be reshuffled as follows" without explaining the analytics themselves -- not to mention the theoretical strengths and weaknesses of the stats he uses.

I've generally had a meh view of Wilson, so I think the most logical conclusion is LTS' -- i.e. they want to see him play in Rochester to evaluate whether he's good enough for the NHL team and aren't too concerned about losing him.

Serious question: why would Philly trade Couturier? He's still pretty young, he's good and he's on a good contract.

Oh, yes. Yes please with sugar on top. Some facts: - Toews will turn 31 at the end of April. - He's scored 20 goals or more every year in his 11-year career. - In his last 3 seasons, he had 58, 58 and 52 pts -- and has 37 pts in 43 games this year. - He's 6'2", 201 lbs. - 2-time Canadian Olympian - Captained the Blackhawks to 3 cups, won the Conn Smythe in one of them He would be an incredible addition and a great #2 center. I would give Chicago Guhle, Nylander and a #1 for him, but they have to take Okposo. And if they wanted McCabe instead of Guhle, I would probably agree. A lot of things *could* happen, but Mitts looks miles away from being an effective #2 center. I don't mind the Staal idea and it probably is more realistic than Toews. I don't want Bozek under any circumstances. Good call. I'm sure JB would speak with Skinner about Staal before making a move.

Awesome. Thanks. So Laaksy led his team in ice time in Finland’s blowout win the other night and was 3rd among the D in the prior game, which was their epic win vs Canada. Sammy was 4th among the D in ice time for the US the other night vs Switzerland and 3rd among the D in their prior game. Not bad a-tall.

Big opportunity for Linus. Also college homecoming for ERod and CJ. Do we know Sabres line combos?

And I'll in turn invite you to recall (but not re-read, unless you have a masochistic streak) the frequent and unpleasant imbroglios on this board about political discussions, and the agreed solution of keeping them in the politics club. A key component of that solution was, for parties on all sides, forbearance from indulging in taking periodic shots at the other side outside of the politics club. Put more plainly: you may feel that "Trumpism = evil/stupid/racist/etc." You are entitled to your opinion. But it is offensive and inflammatory to those who don't hold that opinion to keep throwing it in everyone's face. That's what the politics club is for.

We're having a conversation about how comedians are pushing back against PC orthodoxy/censorship -- and your posts indicate support for the push-back. Does that make you a "Trumpist?"

This doesn't seem necessary or for that matter relevant to the conversation or anything other than gratuitious.