erickompositör72

brief climaxes followed by tears "no, I don't want to talk about it"

I remember watching the Umberger hit in my college dorm lounge, with the only other guy from Buffalo and a few casual hockey fans. We all lost our minds- we thought it was the greatest thing ever. I showed the replay to my wife (who works in the ER) not long ago, and her response was basically "your sport allows this?!" Shes watches hockey with me, but I realized how much less of this we see today. And I'm glad- speed and skill is watch attracted me to the game, and I never really enjoyed the fights. Times have changed, and I'm glad that hockey can evolve this way with much less fear about "ruining the game" than, say, the NFL...

It can work as long as the room perceives him as genuine and not just trying a new schtick. I could possibly appear that way to those that know him, but if the vets buy in, it could be effective.

I hope he's lying, because a) that's our narrative and b) it shows Jacks' become a true professional

I'm intrigued by the idea of Housley being poised to take a new approach to the team this year. Normally, a coach doesn't have this luxury, as the players have already made up their mind about him. However, in our case, the locker room looks so different that Housley actually has an opportunity to make a first impression on a sizable amount of our roster. I think much of our success will depend on the impression Housley makes on the newcomers. He has an opportunity coaches rarely have. Let's hope he's learned a whole lot his first year and is ready to be better.

I think, if Allen's doubters at draft time are not starting to feel (at least) cautiously optimistic, they are severe pessimists and probably need a hug. I was neutral at draft time (maybe "ignorant," as I don't follow college ball); at this point, I'm quite excited.

If I'm not mistaken, that's where he was in Colorado (top line wing) when he wanted a "larger role"

Ouch- not the large role ROR likes to have... this may make him feel even more useless...

Many are very reluctant because it would mean having to disavow #footballfancystats

I like the theory that if JA had a full career with a top college team, he would have gone 1st overall. Maybe not true and/or hyperbole, but it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling ?

I love RJ's call when the opposing team scores. It's a clear, excited/surprised disappointment then there's the Minnesota guy, when the opposing team scores: TWO-ON ONE, PASSES IT ACROSS AND they score

I think it's been tempered by the expectations we put on Eichel early in his career, and the lack of team improvement. While I think Eichel is our franchise-center and can be a top-5 scorer in the league, Dahlin truly is a generational defensive talent.

absolutely love the announcers for Darnold: "Look at the feet of Darnold to escape and throw the ball away! That was a highlight-reel throw-away!"

I think by the time Samuelsson is ready, all Dahlin will need as a partner is a warm body, and he'll do the rest ? I think we don't even realize what we're about to get with young Rasmus. This is going to be an exciting year.

At least they actually go back to the game when something important happens (i.e. A GOAL)- as opposed to Dunleavy, who continues telling his non-hockey story, but STARTS TELLING IT LOUDER, AND NEVER ACTUALLY SAYS THERE WAS A GOAL

I have to think Beaulieu has some value. He has talent that may make some coach/GM think "I can fix the other stuff..." ...but the truth is, that might be what JBot and Wowie think, themselves... I'd like to see how he plays when the rest of our team is better, and he has a better goalie behind him.

The idea that "signing him to some sort of 'prove it' deal is beneficial" is flawed- it is really just self-defeating. If he lacks effort and only plays for a contract, he will put up great numbers for his "prove it" years, and then demand a big pay-day. If we leverage his fall '17 against his 2018, we are more likely to get him long term at a good value for his skills. If he doesn't reach his absolute ceiling, we're paying him what he's worth. If he does, it will be one of the best contracts out there. If he plays amazing in his "prove-it" contract, we will have to pay him much more, and almost guaranteed he'll demand 8 years. Nothing is to stop him thereafter from not trying, if he is what some fear (lacking effort). I see locking him up long-term right now to have the least risk/highest reward potential.

First, let me say, there is a lot of mediocre pizza in NYC. But for me, the good ones are my favorite. But when I'm back in Buffalo, the pizza is a real treat. It's nice to mix it up, and there's really no pizza anywhere like Buffalo. And I feel it's much easier to get a good pizza anywhere in Buffalo than in my neighborhood in NYC (I live uptown). The place we're stuck ordering from (because my wife likes it) isn't as good as the average pie you can get in Buffalo.

I remember the last Bruins feed I watched, the play-by-play guy kept being outraged when a delayed penalty was whistled, because he didn't think the Sabres had true possession. It was a bit waaay to much. I do remember them being very complimentary of Vanek the night he had a hat trick against them, so it's not beyond them to praise another team. They were very bitter when the 30th/31st ranked Sabres were beating them, though ? And I thought Biron's English is fine- he just has a heavy Quebecois accent- no?

It's hard to believe we could downgrade from Vanek on a defensive-awareness standpoint, but we certainly did with Moulson I remember watching a Sabres preview out-of-market. They showed a clip of Moulson playing defense. He was falling down trying to change direction covering a pass from the point to the boards. The commentary was something like "having defensive responsibilities like that- this is anti-Matt Moulson..."

I just rewatched the highlights so I cheated, I won't answer you are closest. he's all you need to know- Vanek wasn't on the team anymore, so...

People always knock Rolston's system, but it was unique. They should have given it a chance. I heard they were working on the "flying V" in practice, too

I'm glad you addressed it, and I'm sure you didn't mean it in a hateful way. But of course, latino friends of yours who know you may not be offended, but other who don't may not feel the same way; knowing latinos doesn't give you carte blanche to talk publicly like that. *steps off soapbox*

I could see him fitting that role and being useful and he was the only player who took off his skate and tried to stab somebody ?

Yeah, that was new ?