K-9

After listening to both Eichel interviews from today, my opinion is that any irritation he may have about his remark getting out barely registers. He himself said the remark is not a bad thing at all; it's a good thing. If he's miffed at anything, I think it's the incessant media that tends to make bigger deals out of things. He pointed to another example of that when he was asked about his earlier remarks about not wanting to play in a place he doesn't want to be next year. The media implied it was about being selected by a team he didn't want to play for, when it really was about where his heart might be at, either in the NHL or back in college. I agree with Hamilton's take and that is that both he and McDavid are simply weary from having had to answer the same kinds of questions over and over and over again. I also agree with Hamilton's impression that Eichel is more mature than McDavid when it comes to dealing with the media. Perhaps a better word to use would be savvy, instead. Eichel projects more of an air of confidence in his answers than McDavid at this stage. It's another thing I like about him, too. GO SABRES!!!

My apologies if this was already mentioned elsewhere, but did anyone hear Jeremy White's story yesterday about Girgensons interview when he attended the 2012 Combine? When asked by a team, "What is the one thing that could stand in the way of achieving your NHL dream?", Zemgus replied, "Death." White said it is the all time best answer to that question, ever. And I couldn't agree more. How can anyone not love everything about this kid's commitment to the game? Been saying it since learning he was blocking shots in the third period of a game his team was losing by 11 goals, you can't teach what this kid has. GO SABRES!!!

That looks a lot more like the contrast between a married guy vs. a single guy more than anything. I read a couple articles in the Vancouver Sun a while back and, from the way he describes his devotion to his parents and sisters, he seems to care very much about family. GO SABRES!!!

And all this time I thought it was an homage to Perreault.

Coach Q had them together in game 7 and what a great strategy it was, too. Toews, Kane, and Saad took the opening faceoff vs. the Kessler line and stayed on the ice for all of 4 seconds before Q pulled them off and waited to match them up against Getzlaf's line. The Ducks had no answer as Getzlaf had his worst game of the series being forced to play defense and he just couldn't. But yeah, Kane and Toews usually don't play on the same line, but Q puts them together when he targets something specific in the to other team. Can't wait to see what he does against Tampa. GO SABRES!!!

To those decrying the Sansa rape scene as gratuitous or otherwise lacking, I urge you to consider that scene in light of Sansa's earlier declarations to Ramsey's stable girl (I forget her name) who tried to intimidate Sansa while bathing her. When viewed in that context, the rape scene is very much about Sansa and makes perfect literary sense. Viewed through that prism, I would argue that rape, because of the sheer horror of it, was a powerful vehicle to illustrate her conflict and set the stage for her future resolution.

You really love those peaches.

In looking at some results from that 2012 Combine, it appears Jake McCabe has some good hops, comparatively. First in the long jump and fourth in the vertical. Helluva good grip strength, too. GO SABRES!!!

Perhaps. But in looking at his results from the 2009 combine, he wasn't doing what Eichel is doing at that age. I don't know if Kane can now clean as much or do as many pull-ups at 198 pounds, but there is no doubt he's a far better boxer. All I know is they are both explosive and fast as hell on their skates. Throw in Ennis and we finally have a line that is actually difficult to defend. http://www.topendsports.com/sport/icehockey/nhl-combine-results-2009.htm GO SABRES!!!

I think that chip is up to 350lbs now. GO SABRES!!!

Love reading this. Regarding the Eichel/Kane line pairing, I don't necessarily see Kane's preference to carry the puck as being at odds with Eichel. There may be times when that's actually desirable, depending on matchups. Anyway, it's a nice problem to have. From the same article: Power numbers like vertical, etc. are a measure of explosiveness. I've said it before, the minute Eichel steps into that locker room, he is already among the strongest buys on the team, and THE strongest among the forwards. At 18. Can't wait. GO SABRES!!!

In the interest of balance, it should be pointed out that Reagan wasn't the first to raid the SS coffers to pay for other things. LBJ dipped into the fund in order to pay for the ever-increasing Vietnam war costs in the 60s. Well, your generation doesn't hold any patent on complacency, that's for sure. I gotta wonder just how bad things gotta get before we are jolted into action, though.

Thank-your for this insight. How about Congress just leave SS alone? The Social Security Amendments of 1983, passed under the Reagan administration, made it possible for the bastards to dip into that fund to pay for all sorts of things it was never intended to and they've been raping it ever since. One of the biggest heists in history. And to think monkey boy and his Wall Street masters wanted to privatize it! Social Security is a social pact, a covenant, a custodial concept whereby today's younger work force takes care of those that came before in their old age in exchange for the same consideration later on in their own lives. A pay it forward agreement. Another damned good program demonized by the Friedmanites ever since the boys in basement took over in 1980. And we were asleep at the wheel as is so often the case. My apologies to today's younger workers for not having the courage to stand up when I was their age back then. It's no wonder that they are so bitter about having to pay into it now.

In honor of the upcoming 800 year anniversary of King John recognizing his noblemen were right and agreeing to sign Magna Carta, and as a way of furthering recent discussion on the meaning of the word, how do you interpret the General Welfare Clause in the Constitution? What does 'welfare' mean in that context?

Speechless.

The information is readily available, even via cursory searches. You will be astounded once you get past the outrage. One more thing. Our country is as far away as you can get from a welfare state. We are an oligarchy.

There have been countless reports by many people close to the situation that Eichel, as an incoming 17 year old at BU, really amazed them by how he was able to gain the confidence of the upper classmen on the team so quickly. My theory is that while his skill contributed to that most of all, his numbers in their strength testing last September did a lot, too. When you rip off 350lb cleans and 25 pullups, it tends to get the attention of your teammates. I think he may downright intimidate some attendees next week. GO SABRES!!!

Enjoyed the presser. Something about his countenance appeals to me; like he's ready to tell a joke or that he knows something but he's just not gonna let you in on it just yet. Anyway, nice first impression. GO SABRES!!!

The very definition of a labor of love. Good luck on your quest, PA. You honor your dad, Pappy, and the countless other Pappies, known and unknown.

So that would be a "no."

I think you are underestimating Ted Nolan, Mark Pysysk, or both. GO SABRES!!!

Is that you, St. Patrick?

Yes, if only the great hockey mind of Ted Nolan had Mark Pysyk in his lineup, everything would have been different. GO SABRES!!!

Hypothetical: Bylsma and Crosby for the rights to Eichel. Crazy as I may sound, I don't even consider the deal. GO SABRES!!!

Where's your Moses now!