Kelly the Dog

Gionta should have had an easy goal off the Eichel pass.

Terrific hustle play by Gionta.

What I liked was he started on the left side with the Leaf in the middle of the ice, and then he beat him by so much distance that he was able to move to the center of the ice to shoot and score without the guy close enough to even poke check him from directly behind. That was insane. I didn't catch who it was that he beat but is that Leaf supposed to be a poor or slow skater?

He's skating like a tremendous machine.

Just ridiculous speed and stride in his skating. Terrific shot, too.

Sloppy game all around for both teams. Hasn't been one decent play yet in 11 minutes.

Agreed. Samson is a unique player. There aren't a lot like him. I assume, and I'm pretty sure, that guys like Bylsma and Murray see it different than we do and see how good he is in the little things.

I still want Sam to be third line C between McGinn and Gionta, with Larsson between Foligno and Deslauriers on fourth.

Larsson, Foligno and Deslaurier would be a tough fourth line to play against. Sit Foghorn Legwand.

I think they have to keep this speed and talent together. OReilly between Moulson and Gus would be a dangerous tough line, too.

Ennis is going to be great this year. It's going to be so good for him to play with talented linemates and centers.

We have a lot of fun players to watch this year. Eichel is great to watch, as is Kane. Ennis is primed for a great year. Gus we know is fun. OReilly is just a very solid player. Sam. Even the fourth line, if it's Larsson, Foligno and Deslaurier should be fun.

Probably not. But even though he turned it down it doesn't mean that he will turn it down when all is said and done. Now that he knows he's probably not going back to the Hawks he's waiting for the final offers from teams like the Stars. The 3-15 might look pretty good when those come in, or the Sabres up it just one tick.

If he was actually clocked at a .08 I would think that was rather sober for 4 am.

Looks like Lady Byng had one too many Zimas.

It was in homage.

Oduya reportedly going to make a decision within a week.

True. But was he really that important to his team? He only won the MVP trophy in each of his first eight seasons in the league. Then he turned 26.

It's amazing sometimes seeing guys like that. I was in a bar in Buffalo, Casey's on Elmwood, during the early 90s, and in walked Jim Kelly, Marino, Elway, Boomer, Tommy Kramer and a couple other NFL guys. Kelly and Marino and Boomer were pretty big guys. But Elway was WAY bigger than all three of them. His chest was enormous. It really surprised me how much bigger he was in person right next to Kelly and Marino and Boomer.

Agreed. I liked Justin Bailey's interview, too. He really comes across determined and driven. He could surprise in a couple years. Looking forward to see how he does for the Amerks.

Hudson Fasching said an interesting thing today about Eichel after playing with him, that "it seems like a lot of things for him are effortless, but he still puts the effort in." That's almost as good a compliment as you can get. I always remember how one sportswriter described Michael Jordan as saying somehow he was the best athlete, AND an overachiever. Meaning he was the most gifted but still tried harder than anyone else. Eichel seems not only generational but special. Don't want to get too carried away too soon but there ain't nothing not to like. https://twitter.com/buffnewsvogl/status/618168033329217536

I can't believe Bucky Gleason wrote that article. It was quite good. I keep liking him more and more everything I read and hear about the kid.

If your goal is to win every single game you play in, how is your goal possibly anything short of making the playoffs or even winning the cup. Even if you cannot reach it, that is your clear goal.

The signing bonus option is interesting. I assume NHL players get contracts like other leagues, paid out during the course of the season. The signing bonus gives the player it all upfront. That wouldn't affect play at all but it's more money to invest or put in money making accounts, especially when you're talking 10 or 8 million.

Florida took Savard contract, too.