Tondas

Didn't see much of Hunwick but he seemed to play with passion and heart. I'm sure this is not the way he wanted his career to end. Hope he fully heals and can retire (if that's what he wants) on his own terms.

Agree. They have a good team and a good coach. I see 8-8 or thereabout. If they want a franchise QB, they're going to have to do it like most teams: Cough up a 1, and a 2 at the very least.

Great. A surging Buffalo jumping out of our pants. I don't need Dr. Freud to explain this one to me.

Have been with GEICO for well over a decade. Being a former federal employee (GEICO stands for Government Employees Insurance Company), I got a good discount that carried through into retirement. Haven't found anywhere cheaper but haven't really looked in years. You can save even more to bundle insurance. I have Auto, Renters, Homeowners, Jewelry rider, and Umbrella. One "claim" being a windshield chip repair. No hassle at all and at no cost. The app is good. My good friend is an insurance agent and I've told him no way I'm leaving GEICO.

I meant this for the future, not this year. I should have specified.

Guerin and JBOT Pittsburgh connection. Another JBOT trade partner or another crony friend who he won't offer sheet?

<E4>. Pics or it didn't happen.

Quadruplets? Forget Morse, I think Mrs. White will be wearing a no-contact jersey from now on.

Good for me too. However, I think it's agent "leak" to pressure the Leaves.

Lucky her name wasn't Veronica or the name of the team may have been "Vomits."

Frankly, I'm tired about talking about Risto. If he's here opening day, great, he's an asset to the club. If he's not, great, we will bring an asset(s) in return. I'm just going to let JBOT do what he thinks is in the best interest of the club. To me. it's a win-win.

Talent is important. Culture is important. It's not all one or the other, you need both. Some players bring more talent, some bring more "not going to lose" attitude. It's up to RFK to blend them all into a team. To be successful, the whole must be greater than the sum of its parts. It takes both talent AND culture.

Best pro coaches of all time: 1. MLB - Casey Stengel 2. NHL - Scotty Bowman 3. NFL - Bill Bellicheat 4. NBA - Red Auerbach

Double Maker's Mark on the rocks watching late night TV.

This board is great. Is there any skill set or experience that is not represented? Thanks, Ogre.

Do OSHA regulations apply to the NHL? It seems that they should. It's all about workplace safely and keeping employees out of harms way. If a coal miner wanted to take the risk of working in an unsafe mine, would the employer let him? It's not always up to the employee i.e. Kyle.

This hypothetical discussion began with a debate over health vs. freedom, not finances. Finances were a by product. Kyle wants to play. The Sabres are concerned about his health. Doctors from either side disagree with the risks. I would be more soured on the organization if they let a player play knowing the risks and didn't protect the player from himself. Again, this is similar to the LaFontaine case. Who was right and who was wrong? Each side believed in their principles.

Great info Taro. I think the Sabres are more concerned with the cap hit since the insurance company is picking up the largest part of his salary. Their motivation may be to get Kyle to admit to LTIR (along with his doctors approval).

The LaFontaine history: The 1996–97 season was the beginning of the end of his career. In a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, LaFontaine was hammered by François Leroux with a high hit to the head, knocking him out with a concussion, and resulted in post-concussion syndrome. He was determined to return, even though the doctors advised against such an attempt. Sabres management, in conjunction with team doctors and specialists, refused to clear LaFontaine to return, and recommended he retire. LaFontaine, still believing he could play, was traded to the New York Rangers in a cost-cutting measure for a second round draft choice in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and future considerations on September 29, 1997. The difference here is that no team would trade for Kyle with his contract. Truly, uncharted territory.

Agree. And that mindset Comes. Before. Winning. Let's hope RFK gets this instilled ASAP.

I'm sorry I'm so old. ? Fair enough. But I think LTIR has less to do with the player's wishes than it is has to do with the doctors. lawyers and the players union.

Curt, you said, "I have no doubt that a player who has suffered multiple concussions and almost died from complications of one could find many doctors to agree that they are not fit to play a highly physical contact sport professional." Why can Kyle get doctors to certify that but not the team? Didn't the Sabres walk away from LaFontaine because of the same situation. I think I'm trying to say that the Sabres are uncomfortable putting Kyle's health at risk, being a good employer. but Kyle is saying, I'll take my chances. Can the Sabres say they won't take that risk (from their doctors) as they did with LaFontaine?

OK, but shouldn't the Sabres be able to get a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion on that fact? If a doctor says Kyle is not fit to play, the Sabres get out of a 4 year albatross contract. Are the Sabres just stupid? Is it up to Kyle entirely? Do the Sabres have a say in his medical clearance? All I hear is that the Kyle contract is a drain on resources. Then why not get a doctor to certify this and put him on LTIR?

Admire - NO. Begrudging respect - YE (I can go through with it).

He can get concussed in Rochester just as easily as in Buffalo. I think there's more to it than Kyle just wants to play. And if it were the Sabres choice, they would LTIR him tomorrow if that was at all possible.