K-9

You know what I think is truly generational? The universal condemnation of a social program that has helped countless millions since its inception by those that point to exceptions as the rule.

I can only conclude that American players are superior to Canadian players when it comes to NHL playoff hockey. GO SABRES!!!

Well, since I mentioned the purchase of lobster specifically, I assumed we were talking about SNAP benefits (food stamps). I'll ask again, what percentage of recipients are gaming the system and is that enough to do away with a program proven to help millions?

You can add beer, liquor, tobacco products, prepared deli foods, and a ton of other non-grocery items to the list of things you can't buy with a SNAP card. But yeah, it's a fast track to a lifetime of easy livin'.

And what percentage of recipients are gaming the system, in your estimation?

Anecdotal evidence is weak at best but it makes for a nice sound bite to rile up the masses. Why, I even heard a white man bought lobster with his food stamps! Yes, these statistics, which have been remarkably consistent for decades, are part of a vast government conspiracy to trick you into thinking things are all fine and dandy, regardless of which party is in power at the time. What other areas of thought do you let the exception prove the rule?

You may want to better acquaint yourself with the actual statistics rather than paint with the ususal stereotypical broad brush. But you do raise a legitimate point about economic opportunity which, I feel has always been the crux of the issue.

If Canada doesn't run away with this, I'll be amazed. Anyone else girding for the onslaught of criticism for Eichel when he's not putting up three points a game in this tourney like McJesus is in the OHL playoffs? That said, this is a great guage for Eichel to use and can only serve to inform him as to where he needs to develop his game moving forward. GO SABREE!!!

Biggest loser on a team with many losers. Needed to wait 74 games before deciding he just "needed to work harder." He is a disgrace to the game. GO SABRES!!!

Great point about the rigidity of the USSR economy, which made it particularly vulnerable to the oil bust in the 80s. But defense spending had always been a burden for the Soviet Union and their spending on defense had always remained consistent, regardless of who was president and regardless of how many dramatic increases in our defense spending occurred before Regan. Here's an article from 'The Atlantic in 1994 I found interesting, especially in how early-on Gorby had been advocating for reforms: http://www.theatlantic.com/past/politics/foreign/reagrus.htm Like most empires before it, the USSR collapsed due to internal pressures from a myriad of directions that converged at the right time in history. External forces had little to do with it, but it amuses me that there are still those so insecure about his lasting legacy that they need to prop up Regan by imagining that SDI or his demanding that they "tear down this wall" played any large part in the fall of the Soviet Union. Regan's policies and rhetoric barely moved the needle in that regard.

Well, he really only had two goals tonight, but I'd give him four just for this shorty. Kid is deadly on his skates. GO SABRES!!!

If one needs to look for a single overriding factor as to why the USSR collapsed, look no further than the oil bust of the 80's. The idea that Reagan was some major force in its demise is overstated, like Thatcher's. But the theme serves to further gild the legacy.

Kewl! Please provide a complete list of completed pull-ups for every player there. GO SABRES!!!

Hasek is the greatest Sabre ever. GO SABRES!!!

Ghost just felt it move. GO SABRES!!!

Oustanding! Needless to say, I agree with your assessment of Bogo entirely. His effort vs. the Penguins, especially near the end, reminded me of Girgensons blocking shots when his team was down by 11 goals in the third period. You simply can't teach or coach that kind of hockey character. I doubt Myers will ever reach his level on the D side of things. I don't care how much offense he brings, he's not a winger, and so it's a wash for what he give up in his own end. GO SABRES!!!

Bet I can guess which one is which in this gif. Do you know how much tin foil it takes to cover a horse's head? Ghost isn't above using smaller mammals when it suits his purpose. GO SABRES!!!

I was ecstatic to get Bogosian, whom I think is a better player for us than Myers by far. In his first game with us, he had 25% of Myers' total hits to date for the season. IN ONE GAME! And the work he did against Crosby in the season finale, when it still meant EVERYTHING to the 'Guins, should be a blueprint for every D man in the league. I've said it before, the gap between Myers and Bogo offensively is a puddle compared to the ocean of a gap between their defensive games. Myers was victimized in the D zone in that series. Nobody can convince me they couldn't have used Bogo's D game. GO SABRES!!!

I'd be worried about that aspect, too. A coach who is so insecure that he can't tolerate youthful gaffes because he's too worried about the W column isn't a coach I'd prefer. GO SABRES!!!

I really appreciate all your input on various prospects as I can't even fake a strong knowledge of the vast majority. But all these reports, even on the lower ranked players, make them all sound like HOFers in the making. Being familiar with how NFL scouts assemble and disseminate data in their reports, I have to wonder if these write-ups are more from a talking head perspective vs. an actual scout's opinion. I'm struck by the stark contrast in the styles. GO SABRES!!! You mean the Mooseheads tried to tank and the players and coaches didn't play along? Oh the shame! GO SABRES!!!

The minimal distance between the talents of McDavid and Eichel just doesn't justify this kind of deal. Not even close. GO SABRES!!!

Atlanta's "demographics" has nothing to do with the unpopularity of hockey in the region. And "marketing" to that "demographic" by selecting players of a certain race wouldn't even begin to move the needle in that regard. Very short-sighted thinking and I can't believe a newly minted marketing graduate would even conceive of the idea, let alone a VP in charge of marketing for a professional sports franchise. Let alone a GM who would think of passing up better talent simply because that talent doesn't appeal to the targeted "demographic." GO SABRES!!!

Like that we get a bye before starting our crucial November stretch. If we make hay in November, we should be sitting pretty heading into December. November is key. GO BILLS!!!

SCHWING!! GO SABRES!!!

There's so much more to developing a winning team than just drafting high-end talent and saying, "OK, have at it boys." What kind of leadership qualities do these guys possess? What kind of "hockey" character do they have? I submit Edmonton, for all its high draft picks, doesn't value that aspect as much as they should or they just did a terrible job of scouting that component in those players. Contrast that with everything we've heard of Reinhart and Eichel. Both mature beyond their years, great leaders, great teammates, and possessing the necessary work ethic. Even if Reinhart needs another year to develop physically and has to spend it in the A, he's still gonna be worth it. Eichel is flat out gonna be one of the strongest, if not THE strongest, guys on the team the moment he walks in the building. Unless the Oilers get serious about their back end and goalie situations, they are gonna be looking up at us for a while, regardless of how good McDavid is. GO SABRES!!!