That Aud Smell

Same. This certainly appears to be the plan. This prompted to think about how much trust Allen has in him -- likely because he's a vet who puts in the work, and is where he needs to be when his QB needs him. And while I'm not crazy about him being a featured element of the passing game, the reality is that he doesn't need elite separation skills when the play is breaking down and it's a scramble drill with one of the league's best QB's. (Otoh, I can recall several planned, in-rhythm passing plays where his inability to separate is painfully obvious.) Anyway. Credit to Hollins, he's been coming through for the team.

Elaborate, please. The guy had the filthiest hands I've ever seen (at least, as far as the Sabres go). Same. One of these years, I'm thinking the winter trip to Florida will be replaced by a winter trip to Quebec.

This is reminding me -- was it @Eleven who was just furious with the signing because the guy hadn't scored a goal (or come close to it) in his however many NHL games? I remember defending the signing at the time. Saying the Sabres had a cost-controlled 4/5 and PK d-man for the foreseeable future. That position didn't age well.

Pegula's toady. Nothing more.

I ... I would be down for this if only for the comedic value. It would be pretty incredible. Especially if the player they got for Byram was objectively (or even arguably) not as good as Mittelstadt.

Fair enough. When I see a guy in a position that he's fooked up and fumbled a dozen different ways, I tend to think about whether he should have been hired (appointed) in the first place.

Good stuff - maybe especially the part I snipped. The timeline is a fascinating one. How'd he get in the front door like he did? And by what process(es) did he so firmly entrench himself in Pegula Land? I guess it may also be a dull story. Garden variety sycophant sh1t.

I think we're talking past each other. I'm not talking about his job performance. In response to something you'd said (about there being a narrative that Adams was/is unqualified), I was asking about his qualifications for the job. Which I understand to be a separate issue from job performance.

I was (am) asking if there's a competing narrative that Adams was/is qualified for the position he holds. Not whether he's been good at the job. Also, I agree with this.

Infuriating that he's trying to make hockey trades in-season. It's (almost certainly) too late, Opie. The time to get this sh1t done was this past offseason. Is there a competing narrative that he's qualified? Do tell, if so. I take things as they come. Assess each situation on its own footing and merits. The rumour mill saying that Adams is eager to make a big move in November has me #smdh as the kids used to say. I won't bash Adams for failing to make a meaningful (and helpful) in-season hockey trade. Because as far as I'm aware, those generally don't exist. I also respect the pool of hockey knowledge here. If there are examples of such trades from the past, I'd love to be reminded of them. (But be prepared for me to rejoin: Those are exceptions that prove the rule.) Fair play on other GMs who've been fully turbl. To be clear: I haven't said Adams is the worst GM ever. I have been stuck on - and pissed off by - just how flipping unqualified he was when he was anointed -- errr, appointed to the post. I also remain intrigued by the idea that there are some who view Adams as an "evil genius." Whomst among us thinks Adams is an evil genius? (Or something close to it.) Whomst, I ask!

Infuriating, if true (which it presumably is). Further proof that Adams is a rube — an under qualified Opie.

Marcel? With shoes on?

Holy hell. Btw, when he was in the lineup this year, he was ... not great? Sorta bad? That's my sense of things, anyway.

Indeed! I think I was deceived by pixelation and shadows.

Dang. I can't picture or recall him with a boooshy 'stache like that.

With regard to that video: While the lyrics call out "the likes of Luce and Ramsay," the corresponding video footage appears to show a different #20. Maybe Brent Peterson? I just don't recall Luce ever having that combo of hair and moustache.

Pegula was a speculative oil and gas man who took huge risks and got extraordinarily lucky. As for the Bills, blind squirrels find chestnuts too. Before he hired McDermott, Pegula got bamboozled by Russ Brandon and Rex Ryan. (And it was McDermott who hired Beane.) Pegula has ruined the Sabres.

Putting clichés under a microscope and divining meaning from them. Sabres Fever: Catch it!

i hear you. it helps to have credible WR’s opening up space for the shakir-friendly routes. hopefully cooper can go.

~350 words later": lol - kidding, sort of. i appreciate the effort!

As a dude trending toward being an old, I occasionally wonder: "When am I getting off the train?" Metaphorically, that is. With social media, I added and used apps as my kids became teenagers and started using them (so that I could keep an eye on them). In that regard, SnapChat was where I got off the train. I couldn't do it. I didn't get it. This chart here? This chart is probably where I get off the train with #fancystats. I have no earthly idea what that thing means. And, as I found with SnapChat, I probably won't do the work needed to understand it! If they want to make the playoffs, they really and truly need to win 3 of the next 4 or 4 of the next 5 or 5 of the next 7. Something like that.

It's probably stated upthread, so sorry for repeating it. The good guys definitely had good jump and jam and were playing with terrific confidence (and I think the latter generally follows the former). That said, it stood out to me how bad the Rangers looked. It's hard for me to sort out whether and the extent to which (i) a hockey opponent looks bad because your team is playing great and/or (ii) a hockey opponent plays bad and as a result your team looks great. Go Sabres.