nfreeman

I didn't answer the poll questions, because there isn't enough data on him at C. What I want to see, though, is him succeeding at #3 C and continuing to play on the top PP.

Further to the "fun to watch" comments -- yes -- that factor was well improved. I am looking forward to the next game, instead of it feeling like a chore.

GA can certainly speak for himself, but I don't think his point was that GMTM's drafts didn't produce a good pipeline -- it was that the Sabres' pipeline stinks, including the parts of it produced by both GMTM and DR -- since there was a ton of turnover from a lousy roster, and none of it came from drafted players.

I was hoping to see this post!

Also: I am totally fine with the slashing penalties, although I agree with Marvelo on the face off penalties. Slashing a puck carrier on the hands has become the new clutch and grab. It’s an illegal play that impedes the offensive flow.

Reino’s line, right? Interesting stat, and convincing. I did think Zemgus was pretty effective, although I wanted to see more chances from Reino and Griffith.

My 2 cents: - ROR wasn’t terrible, but he did very little offensively and had 2 awful giveaways in the 1st, one of which ended up in our net. - I thought KO was pretty solid and Pouliot was OK. - Jack’s line certainly created chances but also got hemmed in the defensive zone quite a bit. - Lehner was solid until giving up the cheapo shortie. I don’t blame him for giving that one up in the SO — Drouin made a really sweet move. - Risto was a maniac. I don’t say this lightly— he reminded me of Pronger. He seemed to carry himself like he knew he was the biggest and fastest guy out there and he was going to use those gifts to indulge himself in his great pleasure — throwing the opponents into the boards on planting them in mid-ice as he did with Drouin. He also seemed very confident with the puck. He could be ready to uncork a huge season. - Antipin seemed kinda shaky in the first — I think he missed the net on 3 shot opportunities— but settled down and played respectably in the 2nd and 3rd. - Tennyson seemed pretty decent — another Pysyk/Fedun type. - pretty respectable minutes from the 4th line. - Not much offense from Reino’s line, but they weren’t bad either. - Scandella looked pretty steady. - Beaulieu is a really good skater and seems to have pretty good hands. - overall they definitely looked better than last year. Much more entertaining, although the 3rd was kinda dull. - I thought both teams looked like bubble teams. I didn’t think the Sabres dominated.

It seems like the complete silence on talks regarding a Kane extension probably indicates 1 of the following 3 scenarios is in play: 1. JBott wants to get a good, long, up-close look at Kane, both in terms of his game in Housley's system and in terms of behavior, before he decides whether to make a serious attempt to re-sign him (with this evaluation likely including an evaluation of the other guys on the team who have or will need big contracts). or 2. JBott has already decided to move on and is going to see how the season plays out before deciding whether to move him at or around the deadline. or 3. Kane has told the Sabres that he intends to go to FA. Since JBott seems like a smart and prudent guy, and since option #1 seems like the smartest and most prudent option, and since option #3 seems like it would be a foolish and unnecessary move by Kane, I think option #1 is most likely where we are. However, options #2 and #3 can't be dismissed. If Kaner has a good first half, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about contract discussions starting around New Year's.

Reino on the PP.

Very nice.

Liger has now officially come full circle.

I agree with most of this, although I think the "Bailey as a potential replacement" concept (and you are far from alone in mentioning it) is crazy. The guy hasn't made an NHL roster yet despite multiple chances -- there is almost zero possibility that he becomes a 25+ goal scorer.

But I think (and I could be wrong) that after this season, the cap hits are quite different for cutting him vs trading him -- i.e. it's still crippling if they cut him, but not if they trade him (acknowledging that as True pointed out someone needs to be willing to trade for him).

My understanding is that trading Dareus this year would indeed be crippling financially, but trading him after this season would not be.

...and not giving a poop about character as long as the athleticism was there -- hence Karlos Williams, Dareus, Seantrel Henderson, etc.

Well, as a "great news but" guy, I'll say that the last 6 years have left me cold and dead inside. Also, the preseason wasn't exactly inspiring. Although that "get ready for this season" video someone posted in a different thread did get the blood flowing a bit...

Good call gents. Thanks.

It is a bit strange that both guys cleared waivers and then were traded for each other. Does anyone know if there are any cap consequences for trading vs picking up on waivers that might've played a role in that decision? Not that it really matters.

That is awesome, Josie.

I’m glad to hear this, but like so much else about the Sabres right now, it’s quite possible that the results won’t live up to the hype. Eichel can’t just put up numbers on a bad team. His line can’t get dominated and outscored by the opponent’s top line. And he has to lift up his team by inspiring/demanding/intimidating his teammates to do better. There’s reason for hope but by Xmas the results need to be there on the ice and in the standings.

I have a chromecast, which I detest (mostly because of the inability to simply pause, FF, rewind, etc.), and a roku and amazon fire stick, both of which work well and which I recommend.

Great story, Aud. Thanks. What a terrible day yesterday was.

His set at Live Aid was one of my favorite rock'n'roll moments of all time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cq-2-Y4fM0 [could not find The Waiting but it was fantastic.] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RN7lv9Xn2I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Is9mZQhaarM

Conflicting reports, but in grave condition. He's one of my all-time favorites -- since high school. I saw him a number of times, including in the Aud in 1983 and at Darien Lake in 1987. He and his band are great in concert. Please don't go just yet.

Ooooooooooohh.