nfreeman

Going to a friend's surprise b-day party tonight at a high-end NYC Italian restaurant. I've been there a few times and it has been outstanding each time. (BTW, one of the house specialties is a "suckling pig." It may not sound appetizing but it is delicious.)

I think this is fair to an extent, but the comparison is pretty distorted due to lack of information about the Kane incidents. We know more or less exactly what happened in the ROR incident. As you said, it could've been terrible, but it ended up being harmless. OTOH, we have no idea what really happened in either Kane incident, but what we did hear -- with zero verification -- was that both incidents involved alleged physical attacks on women. Those are sensational allegations that tend to stick in the reader's mind, regardless of whether the accused is subsequently exonerated. (And this is a good argument for either publicizing the name of the accuser along with the accused, or for publicizing neither.)

True, but GMTM sounded pretty annoyed when this happened. I wouldn't be surprised if he traded Kane.

Even in that case though they couldn't give him an extension until there is only 1 season left on his contract.

But if there were really no change in their thinking, why wouldn't the agent just reiterate what he's been saying all along -- i.e. "we had a great meeting with the Sabres, we appreciate their interest and Jimmy will strongly consider them on Aug. 15, but we are going to stick to our plan of waiting until Aug. 15 and considering all options?" Isn't the ELC a 3-year deal?

That quote represents an improvement in the Sabres' position -- i.e. "The meeting went very well...I can't comment on how it affects Aug. 15" is much better than "Regardless of what the Sabres did, we're waiting until Aug. 15."

I second the Bill Burr recommendation. I think he has a standup special on Netflix -- the one I saw was really good. And good to see ya SFiNS!

Was it witnesses, or was it accusers? From what I've seen, it's just been the latter, although I could've missed something.

11, I fully respect that many sober and intelligent people, including yourself, feel that the Democratic party platform comes closer to reflecting their personal beliefs than does the Republican party platform, and that as a result such people are inclined to support Democrats in elections. But you do not really believe that the Clintons are not deeply dishonest and corrupt, do you?

This is not OK. Please do not respond to other posts in this way. Both of these are much better alternative responses.

Being charged with an "offense," whatever that means, and a statement that there is a video aren't the same as "he did it." Nobody here knows what happened, and no one will know unless and until the parties admit it or the video is released -- and perhaps not even then. Everyone here is free to speculate that/whether an offense occurred, but it is just speculation. More from the TBN article:

I hope this time they remember to remove the green M&Ms from the dish. Jimmy can't stand the green ones.

I agree with this and I kinda expect Nelson to start the season in the lineup, with Franson as #7. I agree with this as well.

Well, qwk may be a little too optimistic here, but I would make a similar point in response to PA -- yes, the Sabres aren't there yet, but it's fair to expect them to make the playoffs this year, and all indications are that they are a team on the rise. I'd also say that if the Sabres were contenders already, they'd have presented a more compelling alternative for Stamkos. Perhaps next summer that will be the case for Tavares.

I agree with all of this, but I think this is a set of reasons that is more applicable to the question of new stadium viability than to the question of appeal to young professional athletes. IMHO, young professional athletes want good, winning organizations, big contracts, fun places to go out and glitz/glamor/celebrity. Buffalo now offers #1 and #2 and, with a less-blighted and more vibrant downtown, more and more of #3. It does not and never will offer #4 -- but #4 is for most of these guys a distant 4th on the list. So I think both the Sabres and Bills are in much better shape with respect to free agents than they have been in a generation.

TW -- I completely agree that Chicago is a major threat to sign him, and that he would definitely have the opportunity to play good minutes with their big guns. Very nice. Outstanding. While I would normally support this type of levelheadedness, we're very close to officially being in the dog days of summer. Cam Fowler ain't walking through that door tomorrow. Time to crank the hysteria up to 11. Or crank Eleven up to hysterical. Or something. They can, but they never would. Quenneville wouldn't consider it for a second.

Worth remembering that he's one of the few Darcy draftees that GMTM liked enough to keep and give an extension to. I think if healthy he'll have a good season. He's fast, creative, exciting and he plays with an edge.

Regarding the puck hog who doesn't see his linemates allegation-- he did have 42 assists last season. KO said in his conference call yesterday (which is on the WGR audio vault) that the islanders never made him an offer. That is kinda strange. He also said that he and Moulson are godfathers to each other's kids.

I just think it's kinda premature to assume Vesey is going to be in the top 6 this year.

good stat!

Oooooooohhh. That stings.

Couple more tidbits on KO: - His career started in the USHL -- same league as Zemgus - After 1 year in the USHL, in which he put up 58 pts in 50 games, he was drafted #7 overall. - He then went to the U. of Minnesota for 2 years. He had a big scoring year as a freshman, with 19-21-40 in 40 games. It looks like he was injured and missed half the season during his 2nd year. - He then turned pro. In his first pro season, he may have been recovering from the prior year's putative injury, as it looks like he only played half the season -- mostly in the AHL. - After that season, he was full-time in the NHL, with 18 goals in his first season and 19 in his 2nd.

Very nice. Separately: if they add Vesey and Fowler, then, with the additions of KO and Kulikov (and perhaps a fire lit under the meatheaded Kane), that is a big offseason. Kane-ROR-Ennis Reino-Eichel-KO Vesey-Larsson-Gionta Deslauriers-Schaller-Bailey Kulikov-Risto Fowler-Bogo McCabe-Gorges (Foligno & Zemgus & other pick/prospect traded for Fowler)

Here are some non-fancy stats: - 6'0", 217. - Age 28 -- turns 29 next April - Averaged over 22 min per game in ice time in 11 playoff games this year, in which he scored 2-6-8 (including 4 PP pts and a SHG), with 44 SOG. - In the last 4 non-lockout seasons, he had 24, 27, 18 (in 60 games) and 22 goals. - Last year, in the regular season, he had 22-42-64, with 202 SOG, in just over 18 min per game. That is a legit top-6 winger.

I'd say this qualifies as a big move -- any dissenters?