Carmel Corn

Too busy choking. It would be nice if he played like he cared tonight.

I was in my car and had to listen to most of the 1st period. I hate to say it, but Dan Dunleavy is terrible from a play-by-play standpoint. I could not visualize the game with only his commentary. I never noticed this before because I had the benefit of television to see the action. I hope Rick sticks around a while.

Some of our better skaters really look slow tonight, including Jack and Skinner. Have to wonder if something is going on (bug?)

Don't understand why Pominville not on the PP....better shot. Okposo not really effective in my opinion.

I hate this officiating crew

Backtracked on the DVR to the first period. Saw several regular looking shifts by McCabe and he seemed to move fine, no physical incidents or events to suggest an injury. He started the 2nd period on the PK and was on the ice when Risto took the shot to the leg. Again nothing that I saw in terms of contact or incident. When he went to the bench, he then started heading towards the locker room. Wondering if it might be just a flu bug thing or other internal irregularity??? I just did not see anything otherwise.

Anybody see what happened to McCabe?

This! Scandella has been terrible all season. It's almost as if he is deliberately playing so poorly because he has fallen a few notches down the depth chart (ex. RR, McCabe, Dahlin, BOGO all playing better and deserve more minutes) and he is playing like he does not care. I think his antics in the corridor from the locker room to the bench are irritating as hell to watch. It's like he not taking the game seriously and being a goof-ball on and off the ice. He needs to look and play like he is serious about improving his game. He is a "passenger" on a team of others doing all the heavy lifting and needs to be put in his place.

Perhaps, but remember the 05-06 team had 100+ points, so winning the Pres. cup the following year was not as much of a stretch for that team. Going from last to first (albeit temporarily) against some of the best teams in the league with a new roster, inexperienced coach, etc. is highly unlikely IMHO.

They need to shoot the damm puck vs. playing with it.

Scandella on the ice for another one.....unable to slap the puck out of the zone....a few seconds later fails to clear the crease....please trade him.

A sloth has a faster wind-up

About the same size....except the Kraken has more arms.

Don't like Pominville being moved off the top line. Really don't understand why Sam is back up there.

Maybe Scandella can be his designated driver....since he can't play defense, make him do something else to earn his keep.

Scandella absolutely sucks. He is responsible for both goals and has had his head up his *ss all season. Terrible stick check attempt at the blue line on the Hab's first goal. He looked like he was covering nobody on the PK so Shaw had no problem with the deflection. Can't wait for him to be a former Sabre.

We are 1 injury away from disaster if anything happens to Jack. We have no secondary option to feed Skinner and Pommers. We are weak at center period. Sam as part of a package can get us more depth, whether it be picks or whatever.

Wow, yes that makes him really valuable.....sorry, I saw a bunch of lackluster, uninspired play, missed passes, etc. He was far less noticeable than some of the 3rd and 4th liners. Bottom line is that he can make things happen himself and needs somebody else to create the opportunities for him.

???? Okay, yes they're winning with line 1 scoring and strong goaltending. Where else is the offense coming from? Yes, we need a 2C!

Yes, trade him! Hopefully for a legit 2C, that is what we need right now.

This! I really don't like how Housley has messed up the lines. Pommers should absolutely be with Jack and Skinner...period! Sam has been putrid. Rodriguez should also be in the lineup vs. Tage or Sam.

It's not the players. It is the COACH! Disco Dan knew how to coach an effective power play with less talent. Buffalo had one of the top PP units in the league. Since Housley became coach, special teams have been dismal. He is in over his head and special teams will suffer as long as he is HC.

This ^ He inherited a mess left by possibly the worst GM this franchise has ever seen. If given time, he can evolve the Sabres like Beane & McDermott have done with the Bills. He moved out pieces that were not part of the long-term solution. He got rid of an overpriced supposed 2-way forward who had a putrid even-strength record and IMHO did the same thing here as he did when in Colorado. The head coach decision may be questionable, but there were few options and everybody here seemed convinced that anything would be better than keeping Disco Dan. I don't think the salaries in yesterday's trade coming back pose a significant problem and he has otherwise not generated new ridiculous contracts like Okposo's. He is filling the roster with reasonable talent at a reasonable price vs. overpaying for KO or Moulson types. I like what he's done with the Swedish invasion and investing in our defense in the future (Toronto will wish they had done this in the future). To rebuild Rome, you have to first tear it down.

I hope you are mistaken. My hope is that tonight is not what the roster looks like by training camp, meaning he converts the new acquired assets into something that can get everybody excited....but I am also preparing to be disappointed.

Toronto will have plenty of firepower to finish high in the regular season. I question whether they have enough physical presence to get far in the playoffs. They need more toughness and/or their stars to play with an edge.