R_Dudley

That 2nd Penguin line with Malkin, Tanev, and Galchenyuk is going to be dangerous glad they haven't played together much during preseason due to injury to Gal.

Not a bad 1st period. Hutton looked good when we needed him. Thank you Sabs may I have another.

So here we are once gain. Hope anew for something we can all get behind and get our fill of solid, exciting, have a chance to get the next level hockey. Can't wait to see how the team looks and plays. Looking for my chance to razz all my PGH penguins co-workers that have owned us for to long. Lets go Buffalo.

5-5-3, Still some jelling to do

Whoa welcome back. 4 years really, wow you didn't miss much but continued suffering. Guess the kids have grown a bit and need less Dad time. Hope this finds the family well.

I remember re-watching that unfold on TV after being evacuated and sent home from work because the jet that crashed in PA flew over Pittsburgh at a very low altitude before the passengers attempted to overtake the plane. So much angst and unknowns about how many other planes or what exactly else bad was in play. Sitting on my kids swing set on the perfect blue sky afternoon wondering what was happening as Taro mentions and seeing/hearing two F16 fighters blaze across the sky at low altitude. Its changed a lot especially knowing what it was like before and how it is now. I choose to remember the sacrifices, hero's and how it pulled us all closer together for awhile and honor those who paid them.

Time to by a new Jersey

Table 2 for me Please. My favorite captain and a chance to see who's got a bigger Peca

Yep and also maybe buying some goodwill showing the the Hockey player community that Bflo is fair and does the right thing for players...

Todd Bertuzzi vs Bernie Parent. I'm pretty sure that's eating dirt.

OMG. This funny and definitely not a smart thing to do to a bigger known for fighting team mate unless you are trying to start a fight.

Well now that was a lot to read. Good team player, experienced winning hockey player role model in the room. I like it, low risk high potential if he stays healthy and the lines jell. New coach getting some options to work with and possibly we aren't done yet. Maybe baby steps but they are getting better. Seems like a good reason to have my first beer today or 3. ?

Awesome. Thank you. Excellent analysis. Randall, that should be your resume to the Sabres to be their new video/tactic self scouting coach. Talent definitely makes the difference in the rough stats you show with the 53% - 47% range and 3% margin for difference but you also show how coaching plays a significant role as well. That supports the eye test for me and many here that said Howie was not a good HC. ??

Enjoy them when ever they are with you, watch em grow, young, adolescent, teenager, doesn't matter. Teach em to ride a bike, to fish, to drive, to live life while we're making our plans. Hug em, hold em, love em. Best thing that ever happened to me even though it's a shaught ton of work. Breakfast at our local dinner courtesy of my youngest high school'er and an afternoon movie John Wick 3 with my wife and youngest. Happy indeed. Best wishes to all on SS for your Dads that were, for those that are, and those that wanna be.

Ah so you'd rather Row away than Wade in I get it..

Nope. I never quite bought into the idea that no big name free agents want to sign here however things like this and what ROR said do make me think twice about it.

If schedule and travel work out I would be interested and would see some family while I am at it.

Yeah and I am not sure how I feel about. Yes I hate Boston and I am rooting for the Blues to win. What I have been disappointed with is what has happened to the Hockey. Its gone back to interference, pick play, clutch and grab muggings all over the ice and that is just that, a war of attrition with occasional great hockey played. It almost becomes more of a puck luck great goal tending exhibition vs a skilled hockey display. /rant

That is an interesting take and reasonable point. +1

Ahh just what this thread needed a little bit of salt for that wound, now we just need to rub some dirt on it and we are all good... ?

I sure would like to know understand what really motivated the trade. Was it that season ending interview I lost my love for hockey, did he really think he was done and that bad or did some one of the owners help make that decision ? I guess we will never know but boy it sure looks like we got hornswoggled.

This is quote below from an Edmonton paper gives me hope. I am going to posit that maybe this is just 1st step in a larger plan as a few here have also said. 2-3 year contract as coach to help set the culture and team in right direction and then a move up to president of Hockey. “What I see as the ideal model now, is a really strong triangle, for me the triangle of the head coach, the general manager and the president in a professional sports organization. If you get three people that have different strengths to fill each other’s weaknesses, which we all have, and they work in unison toward a goal on a regular basis, that for me is the basis.”

R, a, l, p, H ! That does sound like what some people here want to do. I'm in the wait and see crowd since that's really all we can do now !

I have been watching for a couple reasons. 1.) I like hockey especially playoffs 2.) To see how far my favorite team, Sabres are from being here. I can confidently say we got a ways to go to display the all out efforts, coordinated and quality play I am seeing. Last I am rooting for the avalanche to get another WC team to finals and ultimately to win it all...

Yes it was once about the love of the sport and the ultimate team challenge. Sad that ethos in american professional sports is almost non existent anymore.