Iron Crotch

I didn't know JR was headquartered in North Carolina. You learn something new every day! On another note, today is national hotdog day. Eat 'em if you got 'em.

Grig is 18 years old and many are already penciling him into the team (not you, just a general statement). Fans need some patience. Very, very few players make the jump straight from juniors and immediately thrive in the NHL. I always figured 2-3 years for Grig and Girg. But, Girg may have the physical game to make the jump earlier and be a 3rd or 4th line guy while he learns how to play in the league.

I've seen the Blue Jackets play live quite a bit (they're in Nashville's division) and they were about the worst defensive team I've ever seen in terms of breakdowns that created odd-man rushes the other way. So.... maybe they're trying to get forwards who play defense a little bit? (I'm trying here!)

I like this post: "Oh well, the cellar is where we keep the beer. Where it's cold."

I'll take a shot at defending Columbus... They had a malcontent who wouldn't play for them, and Nash specified precious few teams he'd consider being traded to, which limited their options. So maybe it was just time to make a move and get onto other things... Maybe one or some of the guys they got will set up other moves? And, the Jackets are so devoid of talent that maybe adding 3 legitimate NHL players helps them overall - especially since they don't have a lot in their farm system? (I'm trying to defend Howson)

Just saw that. About freakin' time! I was getting sick of the constant Nash-watch.

Bobby Bowden is happy. It re-writes the record books and puts him on top of the all-time D1 college football coaching wins column.

Twitter (SabresBuzz) saying Doan's next stop is Pittsburgh on Tuesday or Wednesday. No word on if he'll visit Buffalo.

Was messing around with stats on NHL.com this morning and I was surprised to see that Drew was tied for 55th in the NHL in even-strength points with 42 (second-best of the Sabres, closely trailing only Pommer). Tied with Stafford: Eric Staal, Daniel Sedin, Brad Richards, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, Joe Pavelski. http://www.nhl.com/i...ngthPoints&pg=2 As a side-note, Ray Whitney was 6th in the NHL in even-strength scoring at age 40. No wonder Dallas threw a big contract at him, despite his age!

Sweet! When I was in college we marched halftime at a Bills game and it was awesome! What instrument do you play?

This is exactly the kind of rumor a savvy agent would float to up the bids for his client. I'm skeptical the $30/4 number is true. All of the thousands of re-tweets trace back to a talk radio guy in Phoenix... That said, Doan literally willed his team to the Western Conference Finals this year. Great leader and competitor. He'd be a great fit on any team, regardless of age.

Since we're on the subject... http://www.huffingto...&comm_ref=false

Carey Price is Doan's cousin, so some think he might go to the Canadians. The usual suspects are being thrown around as possible Doan destinations: Rangers, Philly, Detroit, San Jose, Kings... If there is a bidding war, someone will certainly offer him more than 2 years.

Got to use my new Sabres luggage (a rolling carry-on bag with a giant Sabres logo on it) this week! Several former Buffalonians identified themselves after seeing the bag. Good times...

I agree that retaining Weber is "iffy" after Suter decided to walk. But I've always thought that the press played up this assumption that Weber and Suter were joined at the hip, have to play together, share the same brain, etc. I'm not sure it is impossible to retain Shea without Suter, but it'll certainly take a monster contract to do so. Plus a commitment to spend more money on players (they're always at the bottom of the league in spending). Preds fans would not react well to Weber being traded this off-season, regardless of the return. I don't think losing Suter will hurt ticket sales much, but losing Weber, who is the face of the franchise, certainly would. So for that alone, I think they keep Shea as long as possible.

IMHO, Weber isn't leaving Nashville this summer. No way they let their two best players go along with their most popular player (Tootoo). The fallout among the fans would be devastating. The Preds will try to throw huge money at Weber and if he isn't going for it, will trade him at the deadline. Edit: Wonderbread and I think alike on this one!

Today's Buffalo News article that discusses the glut of left wingers (6) on the club, coupled with Vanek's monster salary, make me think it is possible.

Good for the Wild. I'm glad they went to a team that hasn't been good for a while instead of one of the usual suspects (Detroit, Philly, Pittsburgh, etc.). The only problem is spending $200 million on two players (and $50 the next two years) doesn't leave much room to do a lot else. And if one or both turn into a Brad Boyes, they're in big trouble. I've had Preds season tickets the last 3 years and Suter is NOT anywhere near Weber as a defenseman. He is very, very good, but also can be mistake prone from time-to-time. He isn't as fast, nor as physical as Weber and he doesn't have the same offensive skill set as Weber. If Suter gets this kind of money, Weber is going to break the bank!!!

Article and Weber & Suter from the Tennesseean newspaper: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120704/SPORTS02/307040112/Weber-s-future-hinges-Suter?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Sports%20Nashville%20Predators I think Suter and Parise both go to the Wild. Not sure what this then does to the Weber - Nashville relationship. On the one hand it does free up a whole lot more cash for the Preds to throw at Weber... and the Preds will go hard after Carle. On the other hand, Weber might not want to stay without Suter (although I tend to think that is more based on press conjecture and not anything Weber has said). Free agency is fun!

Two or three years ago, Hecht quietly led the team in even strength goals. The guys who get the power play time (Vanek, Pommer, etc.) tend to put up the bigger stats, of course. But, Hecht was a pretty good 5-on-5 player for a lot of years in this league. IMHO, he was always under-rated by Buffalo fans.

I see the mostly likely scenario as the Sabres grabbing an aging, veteran center who has a few years left in the tank and doesn't cost a ton of money. A character guy ala Scott's brother a couple of year ago. That would allow time for the two new first round draft picks to develop, while the team remains competitive and isn't cash strapped in the short-term (not that Terry has shown he cares much about spending large amounts of cash!).

That is Sabres13! He is, of course, 1/2 of Sabres26 (as pointed out by Carp). :P

Nash is a right winger and so is Pommer, so I'd think that would be a possibility. Ennis makes no sense to me since the Ott deal means he and Hodgson are clearly slotted as our #1 and #2 centers this year. Definitely a d-man would have to be moved... you think Myers?

CBJ would no doubt want young players and picks plus a proven veteran or two. We'd certainly have to move one of our young d-men. Would you move Pommer for Nash? (I would)

2 years / $ 9 million Big contract for a 40 year old and interesting landing spot for him.