...

Not in Mitts' case, as far as I'm concerned.

Wish I could do two reactions @Doohickie, because I'd put the laugh in there, too. For some reason I though this might have come from an unofficial press scrum.

You don't sit a bad contract because you want to pout about it. The situation with Okposo is clearly, obviously not Botterill's doing. You know how Botterill "solved" it? You do what RK is doing and make the most of it. People can bitch about the ROR trade and it's valid, especially because we're missing details. Bitching about the cost of our "fourth" line because Okposo is on it is absurd.

Is there video/audio of this? I went looking but so far no luck. Absolutely. All of this. These are the kinds of stones I needed to see from the guy, and they're very big and solid stones to be sure.

Why? Z makes it possible. We have seen that line without Okposo and it's equally effective. Z hasn't done anything but be on a line that is as effective in its role as the first line is in producing points. He's still young and takes a pounding every night without complaining.

Scandella can take all the slap shots he wants so long as they injure enemy players.

Is it tonight, or does it seem like that immature cockiness is missing from Jack's demeanor?

I didn't miss them, and was glad they were scratched! Actually, the team missed their roster spots being taken up by non-contributors. That's one of many differences since they emerged from November. This. If the PP were working, this team would look dangerous again.

Nice. This is the Sabres we all have been waiting to see. Everyone is "on the same page" and, darn it, RK is making excellent coaching decisions.

Yup. Rob Ray read it clearly, too. With emphasis even.

Victor. I know we thought he was pretty good, but honestly, who thought we had a 50+ point guy brewing in Rochester? Victor is the nicest surprise this season so far.

So, the theory is that Botterill told him to expect to be in the defense rotation and he pitches a fit because he's concerned about his next contract? That doesn't sound like the loyal, locker-room favorite type of guy he's been described as up to now. However, I actually buy this narrative.

Nice period. Seems that when the Sabres turn on the skill, the opposition turns up the violence.

Wow, three pages already. A highly anticipated game.

My man...

It is confusing, isn't it? There are conflicting opinions, and if memory serves, conflicting interpretations of data, on whether time spent in the AHL is worthwhile. Frankly, I see moving Mitts in particular to the AHL doing two things: freeing up a roster spot for a player who will contribute more and giving him a chance to raise his trade value.

Oh, I remember my brother and I going to see Metallica there. Loudest show I have ever been to. We didn't stay for an encore. And then riding the rail home and some dude walking up and down the car saying "Metallica number one! Bobby Brown number two!" Steep.

They gave tours of the very upper decks, where Rick sat and above in the catwalks above the floor where the lights and rigging and all that was. All I remember is how nappy and small everything there seemed, including the foyer. I also remember that super long escalator that went up to the oranges and how it seemed like going to the seats there looked like a near 90 degree drop. I also remember seeing people leaning up against the divider or half wall or whatever you call it that was standing room only and wondering what that was all about.

Now is the time to trade him! NOW!

I don't think they should rush Dahlin, but when he's soundly ready, put him in. I do think they should permanently adopt that colour scheme for the seats. It looks great.

You must be bored. Not only is word choice important, but it's also important who is making the choice. Just because a certain type of poster might have called Jack elite before Jack actually demonstrated that he is among the elite, doesn't mean A) all of Sabrespace believed that, and B) it was true. All "elite" means is superior in quality, rank, skill, etc.; a class above an arbitrary level. After that, you're inviting perpetual, circular discussions on what defines elite in whatever whatever you're talking about. We won't define elite here for the rest of the hockey world, we won't even define elite for a majority of SSers. You're going to have to qualify whatever you decide on in this thread by calling it something like Deluca Elite.

Well, I guess we need to see if they can sustain it, first. Make it to Christmas playing well again and we might have something here. They certainly looked good last night.

Don't disagree, but if we sneak into the playoffs, I think we'll appreciate the depth.

Clearly an OPTICal illusion.