Richard Noggin

You both probably know this all, but here's my piece anyway. There have been times when both Tage and Tuch have looked too soft to lead such a young (and soft) team...but one thing is unmistakable: Alex Tuch has some of the best mitts in the league. A huge part of why he probably shouldn't take the body is that he's one of the best stick checkers leaguewide. Takeaway machine most years (not so much this year, though). And the sick hand-to-eye on all kinds of deflections, especially recently...so slick. Wonder if he played baseball.

Agree if he's not commenting on a live game. But he's much better at that live color analysis than he is at the more free form, rambling call-in show where every sentence turns into a meandering, circular mess. He's smart, and funny, but he needs the confines and content provided by a live game. Thought he offered some better-than-expected commentary.

Muel wasn't wearing a Letter tonight. I expected this thread to cover that potential development. So...what gives? He definitely hasn't behaved like a team leader recently (ZERO heart or fight in him on multiple occasions when his teammates needed him), but did he actually have the designation revoked? That seems like a rare move.

No.

I'll bet he's got working knowledge of another language or two beyond Swedish and English.

So let's say Adams IS actually fired prior to the deadline...who is in charge of landing a replacement quickly enough and competent enough to better maximize any trades? Who's running the search and advising Terry? Isn't that conundrum at the core of the org's futility? I guess Lindy would have valuable insights? Kind of like McDermott picking Beane after Whaley's removal (but more experience/potential connections in the league)? Might as well emulate the Bills model. What choice does Pegula have, other than doing nothing at all? Anyone ever perish the thought that the Amerks success this season is evidence that Adams HAS been fundamentally stocking the cupboards, despite continued futility at the NHL level? Like maybe 3-5 more years would produce an actual winning NHL on-ice product LOL.

that tracks

Or trying not to get scored on with a late 3rd period lead. Alamo mode (so far).

Thievery

Thoughts on the current Gotham Sports app? I like having the Sabres and Yankees to distract me during the NFL "offseason"...but neither franchise/front office is exactly giving it their all to earn subscription viewers these days.

You can't force most Hughes-level guys into an actual fight without either a) taking an obvious instigator penalty by jumping him while he keeps his gloves on AND/OR b) getting urgently intercepted/engaged by a bigger/grittier guy on the ice who will have a brief window of advantage to do damage against whichever distracted Sabre is assaulting a reluctant Hughes (and STILL the Sabres would be conceding a penalty disadvantage). Agree with the baseball-style retaliation mindset, except that the Sabres are poorly constituted for that kind of escalation, and there aren't similar disadvantageous penalties/power-plays in baseball...

That's exactly what Ruff claims to be selling to his team all the time: process over results. Bigger picture, honest evaluations over short-term, results-based feedback. A complete lack of retaliation seems more like a bigger picture failure in favor of chasing short-term results. Especially with this franchise, and these submissive young talents during yet another lost season. Gotta choose blood brotherhood over a fleeting special teams opportunity. Try to turn that competitive corner and play more like angry, tribal grownups.

I actually think Benson is one of the grittiest players on the team already. He takes too many stupid penalties, but then again, teams get away with absolutely mauling him off the puck. With his grit and relentless in front of the net, imagine what he'd look like on a different team's top-six. He has the compete that so many Sabres lack. He just needs a better, tougher team to stick up for him and limit the cheap retaliations.

LMFAO until I feel nothing

Perfect 🤌