...

There are no leading issues; I think all of the issues with Cozens staying up carry the same weight. That said, one that has yet to be mentioned is the 82 game schedule and the toll it takes, the playoffs notwithstanding. Dahlin was a wreck by the end of last season''s campaign. We can't rely on Cozens to be any different and, Lord help us, if we make the playoffs we certainly shouldn't be relying on him to be a 2C this season.

Yes.

I can, but not a 2C. I like ERod, but he's a 3rd line player, mostly, who can travel on the wing. I wasn't pleased with his appearance the other day.

Pheromones.

This is more like it.

I don't, man, I think Botterill should let them all sweat. Three weeks into the regular season, several other D men get injured, they come crawling to him. "You have...many of them. What do you want. WHAT DO YOU WANT?!"

Ted Nolan agrees with you. http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/interim-sabres-coach-ted-nolan-moving-rookie-zemgus-girgensons-to-center/

I really can't. Without going into a @Randall Flagg-esque hyper-post. Otherwise, I conveyed my thought as efficiently as the language allows.

Oops, my bad. It should say "If..."

I'll admit to being part of that. if Samson is the baseline for a Sabre showing signs of improvement/development, then Mitts doesn't belong in the league.

If he's "our best young forward" then get him out of here. We need far better.

Mitts arguably suffered from being thrust directly into a NHL lineup. Cozens is likely to suffer the same way. Dahlin was the exception, not the rule. We don't need to screw up yet another prospect because our GM lacks the ability to find and make deals.

Sorry. I'm sure it will make sense to other people. Especially Dustin, if he reads it.

I didn't know Bill Gates and Dustin Byfuglien were clones. Learn something new every day, I guess.

He's made ~ $60mil from hockey. He'll be okay.

This is the only way we get a piece back that will actually be effective.

Hmm, can't talk about preseason hockey, now we can't talk about hockey until the season is over. So the time to talk about hockey is the summer?

What are you basing this opinion on?

I have not at all been impressed with anything he's said the past two post-game pressers. Not one iota of angst, no early signs of an internal monologue that repeats "what have I gotten myself into..." Where's the hope train, I need a ticket...

Holy Mother of God! Are we FINALLY there? I'm going to save all of you a lot of time. Mitts isn't a 2C and won't be. He shouldn't even be in the NHL.

Mitts got in a lot of XBox training all summer.

The roster-whisperer hasn't done his job.

Dump n' chase. Shots from the perimeter. Yikes.

Uninspiring.

Looking good!