Weave

And whatever happens in practices and preseasons. I’m pretty comfortable given that, what, 3 coaches now? see him as a wing and not a center. At this point I think anyone still clamoring for Sam at center is projecting.

I can’t put ny finger on it, but Sams game just didn’t show well from center. His effectiveness goes way up with a wall on his right. Total throwing ***** at a wall, but maybe his vision and awareness is more right justified? Is it that simple?

I'm happy with where our defence is at. Look at those names and ask yourself, when was the last time there was that much individual talent on the blue line? Obviously, they need to mesh. But that is a seriously talented set of players.

Sam is an outstanding winger and we have too few of them. I don't see the value in taking an outstanding winger and turning him into a mediocre center. He is in his best position to succeed.

Not speaking for NB, but for me that doesn't mean the 4 branches of the armed services have too much power. It means the military industrial complex has too much influence. Companies like Raytheon, Lockheed, McKesson, UTC and L3 have too much influence over foreign policy and budgets. After WWII, Eisenhower warned the country about allowing the military industry complex too much influence. He was right IMO. Hopefully, this doesn't turn into a debate thread about specific topics. It's really about discussing how you've come to your political leanings. Would like to hear yours.

I was kind of hoping this thread would get more action. I wonder how many folks retain the same political leanings they had as a young adult.

I dont temember a second iteration of the hardest working team in hockey under Nolan 2.0. It sounds very concept of Ted Nolan to me.

Not a single person that has posted regarding this subject dislikes tough, physical play. We just don't get a jimmie over two guys bashing their heads in anymore.

LTS, I think our political beliefs are more similar than different. I don't know how to avoid turning this into a novella. I grew up in an apolitical household. Neither parent voted. Dad often proclaimed that they were all criminals so what's the point. My dad's parents, however, were very politcal. Grampa was a die hard Republican and Gramma was a true blooded Democrat. We had terrific political conversations at their house. Those conversations are some of my most cherished memories. My moms parents never talked politics. Her dad was a Teamster though, so I assume if he did vote, it was probably blue. My family went to church, but I wouldn't call us religious. My parents were definitely going through the motions. I believed in God. Or rather, told myself I believed in God. But doubted. As an older teen I definitely leaned red. I was fascinated with military technology and already figured out that the military got fancier new toys under Republican Presidents than Democrats. And I hunted and messed around with firearms. NRA was sort of a given. My first job out of college was with a defense contractor. It was well understood that voting Republican helped assure job security. And that was reinforced when, under a Democrat controlled Congress, the funding for the project I was working on got cancelled and suddenly I was no longer working for a defense contractor. Now I was mad at the Democrats. I ended up in the auto industry and became quite frustrated with watching what bargained rules were doing to hamper my abilities to get things done. The rules bargained for by the UAW had every appearance of being intended for one thing, maximizing dues paying members. It was incredibly wasteful, but it didn't seem to matter to the UAW. The car companies were pigs to be bled. And unions being closely associated with the Democrats only served to further my dislike for the party. And then an interesting thing happened. Well... several interesting things. The unions were pretty much broken. The Religious Right took over Republican party influence. And mass shootings started happening. It didn't take long for me to notice that with weakened unions, employee benefits were trending downward. First retirement plans were changed to 401K's. Then the matching contributions started dropping. Health insurance benefits got trimmed, and the premiums increased. (Co-pays. What a shocker that was the first time I had to co-pay) And then the entire auto industry moved to a model where only core business functions were done by direct hire employees. By 2000, 2/3 of my co-workers were "bundled service" employees, employed by contracted agencies. Benefits really took a nosedive then. Corporations were clearly taking advantage of the loss of Labor's influence in American politics. 9/11 happened. And we started a war that we are still fighting. And the Great Recession hit. My son was now fast approaching draft age, and my good job (used to be great job) in the auto industry was gone. I struggled for 5 years taking positions I was overqualified for to keep employed. And watched our country protect and prop up the people and companies that were complicit in the economic crash. While only token gestures were made towards folks like me that made ends meet, but barely. And I worried that my boy, my only child, might get sent away to fight a battle only rich, powerful people seemed to benefit from and no longer seemed to have a purpose. Along the way I found myself working side by side with people from all over the world, of different religions, cultures, and sexual orientations. The automotive industry is nothing if not diverse. It is truly global. At some point during the ealry days of the recession I realized I was not a Republican. Still fiscally conservative, I found myself more and more anti-military action, pro diversity, and (surprising to me) I even got on board with the rationale behind legalizing drugs, especially marijuana. I now tend to sympathize with the labor side of labor/business issues as I believe the balance has tipped too far the other way. And I've come to accept that society just isn't responsible enough anymore to allow firearm ownership without background checks and limitations. I'm not a Democrat. They turned their back on labor when Ronnie broke Labor, and they chased corporate donations just as the Republicans did/do. And I cannot get behind the party changing their platform to a social platform over a labor platform. Not that I disagree with their stated stance, but IMO their platform is cake and circuses while they participate in handing over the country to business interests, just as the Republican platform on immigration, gun control, and global warming is cake and circuses for the same purpose. I am a firm believer that we are an oligarchy now, and the group in control is big business. And Democrats are in bed with them every bit as much as Republicans. I've labeled myself libertarian. Note the lower case L. I don't buy a good chunk of the Libertarian party platform. It seems to me that it tends to favor conditions that would allow the strongest to prosper and the weakest to whither. I think that mindset is counter to prosperous societies. We as a species formed civilizations for the purpose of maximizing the chances of survival for all, not just the strongest, smartest, boldest, most aggressive. But yet, I agree with the overall concept of personal freedom and accountability that is central to the libertarian idea. And with that, my brain is drained. It's been a long day. I've probably fleshed this out poorly. I am open and gutted for all to see.

Wow. Thanks NB. I’ll contibute when I’m home and able to type on an actual keyboard. My jounrney twists a bit.

A thread on how we (personally. us, as individuals) got to where we are politically would be interesting. I wonder how many would share their personal journeys?

Regarding the increase in scoring... there has been a league wide increase in scoring this season. You have to account for that. Last year Buffalo finished last in the league with GF with 199 goals. Right now there are 9 teams in the league with fewer goals for than Buffalo. I'd call that real progress. But I still think Duda's point still stands. The lack of improvement (and measurable decline for that matter) in the production of the middle 6 is alarming. He needs to show that he can correct it next season. Take away Skinner's goals and there are still 3 teams below us in GF.

CTE did it for me. If you want to watch guys permanently disable themselves for your entertainment, that's fine. But there is no need to judge me for not being entertained by that anymore.

INKYYYYYYY!!!!!

*whistles and looks around innocently*

So, who starts the pool for when the Montour Bunker thread is open?

Tempted to see the Reverend as well. and there are a ton of rock and metal shows scheduled for this summer. Its gonna be a loud concert year.

They did say noone quits Pegula. They neglected to mention it is because they are fired before they get the chance.

Totally off topic, but we’ve changed alot as a fanbase. We tore down the old core because we wanted more than a playoff appearance. 7 yrs in the desert will do that to a fanbase.

You better hate it now.

Man, that is how a powerplay should mmove.

Amen to this.

Looks like I’ll need a new roof this Spring. Some of it is in my back yard.

BTW, great thread idea, PA.

I'm not sure Risto was ever commended for having intangibles. I know its never crossed my mind.