LTS

I have not looked it up but I seem to recall that the NHL has begun pushing events to happen early enough that they won't interfere with the normal start time of the game. I think they allow for some ceremonial puck drops but anything that reaches the level of multiple speakers, etc. starts long before the game so that the game timing is not messed with too much. It seems to me that this is a more recent trend as I used to recall seeing longer events where the opposition team is standing around on their bench waiting through the others teams event.

As the game evolves it's really hard to nail down what a C is supposed to be. I think Thorny has it down. Face-offs aren't necessarily taken by the "C" any longer. They are taken by the forward who gives the team the best chance to the the face-off in that particular moment. Left vs. Right dot, defensive vs. offensive zone. I think if you had a "C" that is particularly strong on the dot then that helps, but ultimately it's not the end of the world. As far as of the offensive zone goes, it's such a cycling game at this point that you just need to make sure you have a distribution of skill sets that achieves the output expected from that line. In the defensive zone it can be a bit more defined if you want C who is better at assisting in closing down the net front area. I think the game has become so much more transitional now that it's not too often that teams end up establishing a zone presence (the Sabres defensive coverage notwithstanding) and that they play more F1, F2, F3 than anything. I think Kulich and Thompson work well together so far. So I'll be happy with that. Peterka seems to be benefiting as well.

Any relation to Ethan Bear?

Sorry, I didn't intend to make it sound like i was commenting on the person next to you. It was more in general. I've heard enough digs NOT made in jest in public settings. Not aimed at me... but in general. I'm glad he can at least remember that. My son hits 21 in 8 weeks and he's never known a relevant team. He did drive into Buffalo to meet a friend from UB and they went to the game... so he is still having fun. But he really wants a Buffalo team to win a championship and at least the Sabres in the playoffs. Don't we all kid, don't we all.

In a suit featuring palm trees. Sorry man, I just had to do it. 🙂 The question every hockey insider is trying to scoop now: "Will we see a return of the Doug Allen avatar by a certain Sabrespacer?"

Nah. It's reasonable. No one's value as a human should be judged just because they demonstrate fandom for a team like the Sabres (or any team). I think your willingness to put it on says all that needs be said about your fandom. You stick by them through the bad. You're not supporting the monetarily or with your time, but you remain a fan and hopeful of when better days return. What other option is there? You can write them off entirely. Stop being a fan and then come back? That's a bandwagon fan. Now, if you keep telling yourself that it will be different this time (assuming evidence to the contrary) then you might be in an unhealthy relationship.

Only once... that time at band camp.

Sure, a multi-part problem. Cut $20B and cut the federal deficit? I'm sure we wouldn't see it as a tax break and redistributing it isn't needed. Of course it's not as though they'd pull money from the military budget.. which they should. The states aren't getting it either. In the end, the states need to step up their game. The federal government needs to be smaller and less involved in a lot of things.

I agree, dissolving FEMA would predominantly impact Trump's strongest constituent states, and yet he's still doing it. I'm not arguing that FEMA has not been able to provide some measure of its purpose. I am arguing that en masse, FEMA is a federally funded program that does not provide equal benefit to the nation it covers. I am saying that in the fact of large scale disasters it has often proven inept at handling them in a way that I would consider an organization that's sole purpose is to handle disasters would handle them. Furthermore, in the event of a true nationwide disaster, FEMA would lack the resources to respond to all locations in an effective manner. As such, pushing emergency preparedness to the states, in full, would allow for a more effective emergency response program and also allow it to be appropriately funded directly from those living in the states. There are probably other ways to solve national disaster preparedness and response. What I know though is that most of what I have read about FEMA does not depict an agency that is well run or that responds as well as it should to events that it is specifically tasked with responding to. Some readings I pulled quick for background (I've been reading about FEMA off and on for some time) https://www.brookings.edu/articles/federal-disaster-management-is-a-confusing-patchwork-reforming-fema-and-improving-interagency-coordination-can-fix-it/ (2023) https://www.brookings.edu/articles/abolish-fema/ (2006) https://www.npr.org/2021/06/29/1004347023/why-fema-aid-is-unavailable-to-many-who-need-it-the-most (2021) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-the-u-s-disaster-agency-is-not-ready-for-catastrophes/ (2019) Centralized disaster response is a commonly used model by nations, but there are others as well. In the end, FEMA is a management organization that focuses on providing information on preparedness and coordination during times of disaster. They assist in coordination of local resources and provide some funding as needed. All of which is something that could be brought closer to "home" by moving these funds to a more localized and segregated management source. Overall? In the event of a major natural disaster FEMA is not going to help everyone. Individuals should be prepared to handle the disasters they will most commonly face and there is overlap in that preparedness (water, food, shelter, etc.). Like any response, the first response is going to be where it drives the most assistance and that will be in the denser population centers and critical infrastructure.

A player who has scored more points than another provides more offense. Goals and assists scored on the PP are still tallied in the points column by NHL statisticians. Players are generally put on the PP because they are the best at generating scoring opportunities during a period of advantage for the team. Scoring = offense. At the point you made the statement, it was in fact incorrect. There is nothing left to say regarding that.

So I've heard and yet in every disaster all I seem to read is how they are not good at actual disaster management. As for how to handle disasters, I think they'll still share information. It's not like states don't share information. I understand the "just in case" scenario and efficiency. However, in the event of multiple national disasters FEMA won't be able to handle all of the response either. There's something to be said for not putting all your resources into a single organization as well. I suppose, but I'm not sure what you are getting at here. This would further support my argument wouldn't it? Those red states are reaping the rewards of the blue state taxes? Perhaps if FEMA didn't exist then those red states would have to fund their own emergency response?

Well, if the Sabres had a Martin Necas and Jesperi Kotkaniemi on their roster perhaps they could play. The rumor is that the deal does not include any extension and Rantanen is already reportedly wanting to be the highest paid player in the NHL. So.. any deal the Sabres made would be moving their best roster pieces for a partial year of service. You really need to stop interrupting my replies with your breaking news. 🙂

The NFC East.. minus the Eagles. 🙂

You literally said, Byram had more offense than Power. It was literally not true. You had no qualifiers so don't start responding to me with them after the fact. I am well aware of the statistics. If you want to talk about their overall contribution to the team that's different, but I won't know that unless you say it. Your speculation on the cost to retain Byram is interesting. Do you not think Byram is sitting there saying to himself, "Hey, I have a higher +/- and nearly as many points as this other guy. I am on your top pair. How am I not worth $8M?" Byram's agent enters the arbitration room. When asked for his justification he says two words "Owen Power" drops his mic and walks out. I don't know what we need Power for, I did not make a case to keep him. All I said is that if your justification for trading Owen Power is that he's not a big, physical defenseman then you are using the wrong metrics. You keep repeating the $27M statement as if somehow saying it over and over again will be relevant to my response. It won't be. I am also not arguing that point. If Power or Byram is traded then they better bring back something that can fix the offense. A big, physical defenseman can be obtained for far less or even as part of the deal. Of course the coaching staff is the worst problem this team has, so I don't think bringing any player in here is going to change things.

C'mon man. I was replying to your first post speculating Necas and you posted again before I could even finish it. This is a serious trade... I love it.

I'm not sure i have a problem with dissolving FEMA. Is it really not a situation that states can handle themselves? I don't usually hear positive stories about FEMA involvement anyway. The money that funds FEMA comes from the entirety of the United States, yet certain geographic regions are more prone to disasters that require FEMA assistance. It seems that if people want to live in states that experience greater amounts of disasters the state itself should take care of its citizens and the cost of living in those areas should reflect that. This is very different than blocking national health initiatives. FEMA is an emergency response team. There's plenty of emergency response in this country that has nothing to do with the federal government. The states have national guard which is often used as well. Utility companies send workers across multiple states to help recovery. Also, people need to learn how to protect themselves. Far too many people look to the government. If a nationwide large scale disaster hits FEMA will be useless and those sitting around waiting for help will end up dead. Interrupt the supply chain nationwide for 5 days and see what FEMA does to alleviate that.

Owen Power: 6G, 18A Bowen Byram: 5G 18A it's not really a debatable point. Bowen Byram is nearly 18 months older than Power as well. This still makes a difference. Owen Power sacred? No. But I'm not going to unfairly judge him either. He's not worth his contract now, but his contract wasn't signed for now. This team has been nothing but a cap management mistake. I'm not worried about it. Like I said, I'm not against trading Power, but it's not because he's not a big, physical defenseman.

So he wants money over winning? It's possible and if so it's likely a 1 year deal so he can be moved at the trade deadline. I think they are moving Cozens all over to try and get something to click. I don't think it hurts his value as I think other GMs see this roster and the team success and blames a lot of it on the management, not the players themselves. Right. It's like expecting LGR4GM to not engage in debate on topics. It's not going to happen. (I do not mean that as an insult in any way). Power has a lot of room to improve on defensive play, but he is a 22 year old player who is in the top 30 for defensive scoring. I'm not opposed to trading him but it's not because there is a need for a big, physical player. They can get one of those AND keep Power. He was here because they waited to see what would happen. We already know the Sabres had a trade to move him out and it was ultimately killed by Detroit. I think it's safe to say that early on they identified that Cozens hasn't improved (or doesn't want to be here) and are trying to move him. He might still be moved in season but as it approaches trade deadline Cozens is not the player that playoff teams want to add right now. He's more likely an off season trade at this point.

The only thing that keeps me from getting to this point is that we continue to talk about players who are better when they leave Buffalo. This is why I keep focusing on the coach, GM, and most importantly the owner. If the Bills are to lose, then the second part of your dream is the only acceptable outcome. I have no real words for this game overall. it's more of the same. So, I can't be upset because if I thought they would be different, that's on me. Counting the days until NFL is over so I can cancel FUBO.

Zucker and Greenway won't be there. I don't think Byram, JJP, or Quinn get long term contracts. I also don't think Cozens will be on this roster next year. All of that said, it's just about February, next season is a long time away and frankly this season is bad enough without me wanting to begin thinking about next season and any doom and gloom.

Point of parliamentary procedure. I did not read that the guy ever knew the machine was not working. I also did not read that the guy did not go and put a sign on it afterward. We are also assuming that in the gas station the person working inside is in a good position to leave the register area and the inside of the store unattended. Lots of assumptions being made for someone whose job is to sell what the gas station sells, not care for that which it does not. And as a person who worked at a gas station and had a shotgun put into his chest I can confirm that the fear of an irate customer or being robbed at gunpoint is a very real thing. I was concerned about it before it happened and I quit working there after it happened.

Those are no longer allowed either.

Is this an Uber Eats commercial? Matthew, is that you?

I'll be the exception to the rule. It's not that I hate sweets.. but I can live without them. That said, I can see how it could play into things for people.

I don't know about that.. but certainly is true if you do not give him the ball. Either way.. it worked.