Spun

A lot has been considered on Grigorenko so far. I wish to throw a couple more thoughts to the mix. If Grigorenko's QMJHL team the Quebec Remparts do make it to the Memorial Cup Final, his season will extend to May 26th. The AHL regular season winds down for the Rochester Americans on April 21st. 16 teams make the AHL playoffs. That means the Calder Cup (the AHL Finals) will be the last of four series most likely extending into June. Grigorenko may or may not make it to Rochester this season. I saw Grigorenko play (via internet) in the most recent WJC. He played well against a lot of guys that will also play in the NHL - one day. As for the level of play in the QMJHL / CHL. These players are not so beneath Grigorenko that he cannot significantly develop by playing against them in however many games the Remparts have left this season. No one player just skates their team to the Memorial Cup Championship. Crosby and his team Rimouski, didn't win the Memorial Cup. Same goes for the AHL caliber of play. Many very good players hone their skills in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL. A lot of us would rather forget all about the lockout. However, consider that one part of the lockout that hurt a lot of teams is that they did not get adequate time to fully evaluate the newest and youngest players. They took a gamble on Grigorenko. However, he needs more time. There is nothing wrong with that. He is going to get better. He is eighteen. We want so bad for this kid to be the next Gilbert Perreault! We want so bad for the Sabres to win the Stanley Cup! We know it isn't that easy. Most of us were not ready for the Sabres fall after barely missing the playoffs last season. Look at the Sabres roster. Look at the career numbers. There are very few players with twenty goal seasons. Goal scorers are sorely needed and so are dominant centers. Keeping Grigorenko on the roster is not going to change this season for the better. I am also angry and frustrated. Be patient with the kid. Help is coming,with or without Regier. Stay away from the edge of the cliff.

The kick save prevented a goal! That was funny! There are a lot of unhappy Canadians on tsn.ca. Ripping the goalies, the coaches, the heart of the team. Losing hurts so much when the expectations are so high. Every year the Canadians get so amped for this tourney. They were venomous in Buffalo. I get why the Canadians are so into the tourney. Slowly, Americans are catching on. It is a great stage for prospects. The Sabres prospects have done better this tourney than they ever have before I believe. The Swedes await. It is 4:30 am (PST) and I am so tired! I hope it is worth it. I have watched all the American games. I don't want to caffinate or I won't sleep until dinnertime! Go USA!!!

justin.tv has the feed. SHHH....

Way to go USA!!! It wasn't the outcome that I expected! I thought for the US to have a chance, they would need a good start. The skating is what really impresses me, especially by the defensemen during the breakouts. The US has really improved since game one against the Germans. An interesting thing to consider is that this team really hasn't played together very much since many of the college players had final exams to attend to before the WJC. As for Latvia not playing Girgenson, I was surprised by this decision. If Edmonton could let Nugent-Hopkins play then why can't the Rochester Americans let Girgenson play? From what I read, Girgenson would have been Latvia's best player. It isn't like Girgenson is an instrumental part of the Amerks effort (at this point). It also isn't like Latvia makes it to the WJC every year. I think the competion could have done Girgenson some good. By the way I think Nugent-Hopkins should play. N-H is of age and shouldn't be penalized because of his skill level. He was available, so let him play. I do like the Sabres prospect parade in Ufa! Grigorenko, McCabe, Makarov and Armia are all young and still developing. I wouldn't read too much into their flaws at this point. I will take joy at their success!. Both Russia and Sweden have very good programs. The US skated circles around the Swedes two years ago in Buffalo. But the Swedes skated circles around Canada two years ago and beat Russia last year in the final 1-0. The US can't take either team lightly. And they can't let up after todays (tonights?) win. Wins against Canada don't happen all that often so for now, celebrate! Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Until you get there, embellish! Or fill the pages with anecdotes of others (fluff)! A lot of people don't know that the pronunciation of Pi is like pea not pie. The character's name is Piscine (the French word for pool!).

Great thread everybody! Most recent: Illicit: how smugglers, traffickers, and copycats are hijacking the global economy by Moises Naim Current: Life of Pi: a novel by Yann Martel Next: Live From New York an Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live by Tom Shales & James Andrew Miller

I am considering attending the game in Berlin. Sabres ticket office say they are sold out. AAA package will not work for me as I am on the west coast. Kings site and ticket office does not even acknowledge the game. Berlin ticket office has the pricey tickets left - 270 Euros. Any tips on tix...