Iron Crotch

I don't think any coach in the league can turn this crap lineup into a winner. This team doesn't have anywhere near the talent of the contending teams. One thing I like to do is take a really good team and go down the lineup player-by-player comparing what we have vs. what they have. Nashville is my other favorite team (season ticket holder for 8 season)... when I look at the Preds, they have 2 goaltenders better than any of the Sabres goalies. They have 4 defensemen better than Risto or anyone else the Sabres have. They have several wingers (Forsberg, Arvidsson, etc.) better than any Sabres winger. They have quality 2-way depth down the middle with Johansen, Bonino, Turris, Jarnkrok and others. Top-to-bottom our talent just doesn't match up. We can do this comparison with any of the better teams (Pittsburgh, Tampa, etc.) and it is obvious that we're nowhere close. IMHO, we have to start drafting defensemen with our first-round picks. Build from the back. Otherwise, we're looking more-and-more like Edmonton 2.0.

Lehner makes the spectacular saves but gives up the softies. And, he is the worst shootout goalie in the NHL (not even debatable). I kind of think Johnson is the opposite of Lehner - doesn't give up many softies but doesn't make the spectacular save.

He just isn't very good - certainly not #2 overall good. He is a non-physical drifty drifter. I'm tired of the "he needs time" stuff... year 3 he should be coming into his own as a real threat in this league. IMHO, put him on the wing and move Girgs back to #3 center.

Reinhart isn't a center. If he's not on Jack's wing, he pretty much doesn't do much of anything 5-on-5.

Our sucking aside, I'm tired of 2-1 (plus empty netters) ugly games decided by lucky bounces. I still find the NHL's product to be flawed.

It's official. We suck.

Reinhart just can't score. He needs a slump buster.

She scores? Ugh. Down 2-1.

Pysyk for Kulikov. That was a gem of a trade. :angry:

These might be the two most bulked up goalies in the league. Huge guys wearing massive pads. If they're in position there just isn't much room for the puck to go through.

I don't mind that they call all the little stick jabs and slashes, but it'd be nice if they call interference once in a while.

Florida deserved that one. The Sabres are running around like chicken's with their heads cut off.

"He's pouching down on the stick" -Rayzer

Wow, we got some serious puck luck there. Phew.

I really like how Girgs has been playing the past couple of games.

Our zone entries aren't exactly stellar so far in this game.

Antipin has had some monster giveaways the past few games. I disagree with everyone who claims he is getting better. He still has a long way to go.

There it is! Tip in for Kyle!

I actually get to watch a game real-time. Go Sabres!

My understanding is Real Madrid and Barcelona really do have an eye on Pulisic, but it is for marketing purposes as much as anything. The US is a massive media market and signing the best US player opens up a lot of revenue opportunities in the States. Everyone assumes Pulisic will end up at Liverpool because of Klopp. But, I think he is playing at a level that can take him to an even bigger club. My completely uneducated guess is Bayern Munich.

Very cold down here in New Orleans. It actually dropped below 60. :angel: Only 95 days until Mardi Gras!

Rumors of Christian Pulisic to Real Madrid in the January transfer window. Soccer rumors are worse than Ek rumors though. Personally, I like Pulisic at Dortmund for now since he gets a ton of playing time that he might not get at a club like Real Madrid.

I'll just call him Balls 2.0 Good hustle last night from a lot of players (definitely Girgs). We don't miss anything defensively when Risto is out. I personally think he is suspect in his own zone. But, we miss his passing and offensive ability from the back-end for sure. Need him on the power play.

I don't see playoffs for a couple more years. IMHO, our roster just isn't very good. We have below-average defensemen, average (below average?) goaltending. We have some good forwards, but not much depth up front. Our new GM has a ton of work to do. And, just because we have a new GM doesn't mean he is any better than the two before him.

I know both Girard and Kamanev. Kamanev is the better prospect of the two IMHO. He'll be an NHL winger soon. Girard is skilled, but is a dime-a-dozen defensemen in the Preds defense-heavy system. He'd be hard pressed to get minutes in Nashville (and many other places). I don't know much about the guys Ottawa gave the Avs. BTW - A couple of years ago Center was a major weakness for the Preds. Now they have Johanssen, Turris, Bonino, Jarnkrok, Gaudreau, .... many solid forwards who can play the pivot in Nashville.