thesportsbuff

Let's see what Leino can do in a 48-game season before making any decisions. I'm not convinced anyone is bought out yet -- certainly not two players.

It is most definitely a chili pepper. Not a "red banana." :lol:

oh, just saw it's starting the 19th. all good then!

i am opposed to draft day being on the 15th if the NHL season also starts on the 15th -- i know it'd only be one night of games but i mean, you wouldn't start a fantasy football league after week one !

I think it's more of a CHL rule than a NHL rule, which is why it won't change. The reason the 10-game rule exists is because they don't want kids like RNH and co. playing half a season in the NHL and then going back to playing vs kids if the team changes their mind -- it's not there just to make life hard for GMs, it's there to protect the competition of the junior leagues. So I don't think NHL teams can "push hard" to have the rule nullified. I tweeted Garth several months ago asking about this, and yes the 10-game tryout rule applies. Good to hear that Grigo will be at camp, though I expect it will be more challenging for him to make the team than if the season had started on time. He's in the middle of a great season with his team mates, and could end up going to the Memorial Cup -- let's see what he can do there. Give him another shot at it, see what kind of leader he is. I think it almost makes more sense developmentally to leave him in juniors, despite how bad I want to see him with the Sabres.

I love EJ Hradek. Probably stems from 3-4 years ago when I used to watch NHL Live w/ him and Don LaGreca every week day -- I hated him at first, but he grew on me a lot during the year or two I watched their show. He's not any better or worse than other hockey media personalities out there. He actually offers up pretty honest opinions on a lot of things, I didn't sense all that much homerism from him in the tournament but perhaps that's just my own homerism agreeing with his. :P

1. trade paul gaustad for a first round pick 2. draft paul gaustad

Awesome collection. Wish I had some extra cash to throw your way for some of those Sabres cards. I always wanted to start collecting but was overwhelmed by all the different brands and collections that I had no idea where to start. Good luck with your auctions, looks like some quality stuff!

LOL

It was announced about two weeks ago that ESPN will be showing a handful of KHL games on their ESPN 3 (online) network. However, the appearance on ESPN 2 kind of came out of the blue at the last minute; So I'm not sure how many of these games will end up on live television, but either way I'm excited to have the option to watch these games in high definition rather than streaming a AHL game in less than 480p quality. Interesting side note: The KHL will also be playing two games at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY this January. Another interesting side note: "This isn't the first time ESPN3 has carried KHL games in the U.S. More than 50 games were televised during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, and in January 2010, ESPN3 carried the league's All-Star Game." - http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8466483/seven-kontinental-hockey-league-games-slated-espn3-october Give them a break. Neither is fluent in Russian, and it takes time to learn how to properly pronounce a player's name. Remember how many North American announcers struggled to say "Afinogenov," even after several years of him playing in the NHL? I'm sure the same is true for the examples you mentioned -- nobody got it their first try. When the KHL/ESPN deal was first announced (although prematurely, at the time), it did not include an ESPN 2 broadcast OR a Melrose/Levy commentating team -- these guys had maybe 5 days (at most) to research ~50 players and learn their names. I doubt you knew every Sabre on the roster after watching your FIRST Sabres game. Yes, the commentating was atrocious, but you can't really hold it against them.

I think it's good for a coach and GM to work together on roster decisions. I also think both coach and GM are equally responsible for the failure and success of the athletes they choose. I also think the team is heading in the right direction.

You discovered him by reading someone else's piece about him? :P Just kidding, I know you're joking. There was actually quite a bit of talk around Makarov all tournament long. I streamed several games online (TSN Feed) and they talked him up quite a bit -- and he backed it up with a pretty good tournament. IIRC, Sabres invited him to summer camp following the tournament, and subsequently signed him. Edit: And by "Tournament" I really mean the Canada/Russia Challenge.

I've unlocked a few slots through OTP, though no actual boosts. But I hear you, I just can't believe the load times in the Be a GM mode (not so much Be a Pro, haven't tried that).

I wouldn't get too excited. EA has clearly shifted their focus towards the online portions of the game. To be honest, I don't know how you guys are even doing Be a GM mode -- the load times are absolutely unbearable for me! It takes literally 5 minutes to simulate a week! Be a GM is my favorite mode usually but this year is 10x as slow as previous years... going to have to play more EASHL.

All these Canadian hockey teams are towards the bottom. Hahaha ESPN is clueless.

http://instagr.am/p/PPjB5hL9fv/ http://instagr.am/p/PPjUXoL9f-/

News breaking on Twitter that Shane Doan is staying with the Coyotes. Will link when an article goes up.

So he wore a different number in his first game? That's what I figured, but I assume he wears #74 for the Alumni team?

Didn't he JUST get a new mask last year? It does look sick though.

Just a heads up, NHL 13 will be available for digital download from the PlayStation Store on release day (around 3AM on release date, if it follows suit with Madden 13). Since you won't need a physical copy, you'll be able to play even with your busted blue ray drive, and will be able to transfer it to a new system if you ever buy a new PS3. So if you have a high speed internet connection available, all you'll need is a debit card and something to do for about an hour while it downloads. On a side note, my blu ray drive also died in my old PS3 last summer. I did a lot of googling trying to find a solution and while it probably is fix-able, I had problems finding the exact model numbers and everything you'd need, so I eventually gave in and just bought a new one. If I had known NHL and Madden would be digital downloads this year, maybe I wouldn't have -- they are the only games I play. :P Anyway hope that helps, at least it would be something to do until you can no longer resist the urge to buy a new one.

Big fan of the NHL series, so you can bet I'll be getting it. I'm a "EA Season Ticket" subscriber, which gives me "early access" to the game starting on Friday. As for the graphics, I believe (can't confirm) that the demo is in 480p, possibly to make it a smaller download? I'm sure the graphics will be much sharper in the real game.

I'm sure they'll come up with something we can all appreciate.

Never liked Boyes. I just used Connolly because I was the only one on the board who liked him after 05-06 lol If me joining the league is taking up your space then by all means, you can have my spot. I just always get pumped about fantasy hockey and then by January, if I'm sucking it up, I'm just out of gas as far as finding time to update. It also doesnt help my football leagues are all over by then so I have less incentive to look at yahoo and sometimes forget. Hey, I wasn't arguing with them lol. I think I've only tweeted them twice in my entire twitter existence. She posted a picture of a ticket to a hockey game in 2010... said "this was soo long ago!" I was just jokingly like "that wasn't even two years ago lol" and was chewed out... I couldn't tell if she was joking too, or if she was legitimately calling me an ass LOL.. either way I promptly shut up, so there. :nana: It's only an argument if I respond more than once!

Tim Connolly's Ghost lol

I will give this another shot if you'll welcome me. Admittedly I've kind of fallen inactive towards the end of the season a couple years in a row now, so I understand if you don't want me. It's hard when you're already out of playoff contention by December! lol