...

Their passing, in the main, is looking sharp.

The goalie of the team we root for is looking pretty okay so far.

I'm not sure, yet, what to make of this, but when I watch other games, I generally don't see games with the same pace and sense of urgency as I do with Sabres games this season. Maybe it's me, but it seems since the Sabres are playing at a higher tempo this year, the opposing teams are matching (of course), but, again it's a higher energy level per game compared to other teams throughout the league.

I think your logic is backwards. The crowds at games are chanting "no means no" to him. He HAS to pursue a defamation suit if he can to help clear his name. As this thread illustrates, just having the case dismissed won't be enough PR for Kane or the Blackhawks.

I agree with this whole-heartedly. Both! Duh.

1) He didn't say that. He said "If the woman's claims are false...". That's a not in the same universe as "if no charges are brought". And, then, what happens...JJ gets beat down again because his statement is being twisted and the board goes to hell for a day because of it. Let's not go there. 2) Whether you can imagine it or not, nfreeman's point was predicated on a situation where it's provable the accusations WERE (known to be) false. I will add to nfreeman's and, I think, wildcard's thoughts by saying if Kane's legal team determines they have a shot at winning a defamation suit, then they should go in with both barrels blazing. The damage done to Kane's reputation is disgusting. The target of the suit doesn't have to be the accuser, either, just the source of the leaks. If this weren't leaked, no one would have known about the charges and impending dismissal, Kane would still be the NHL's favorite party boy, and the accuser wouldn't have to live with the public discussion weighing on her. I think exploring the possibility of extortion is just as valid as considering the possibility the accusations are true...until we have the facts to steer us in the right direction.

Wait. So let me get you all straight: if this doesn't go to a grand jury and the case is dropped, some of you still want to believe Kane is guilty of something and the accuser's claim still has merit?

That stands to ruin a lot of narratives.

What "antics" has Kane pulled since he's been a Sabre? That's the important question. This conversation started with someone asking how O'Reilly will handle Kane's "antics". Again, he hasn't done anything negative since he's been here and there's nothing to say he will in the future. As TBPhD pointed out, if you believe Kane is likely to pull some sh?t, then you must believe ROR is likely to be charged with DWI again. All I have seen of Sabrez Kane so far is a loyal company man.

The Sabres and the Oilers are tied for points. I thought by the way people were gushing over McJesus that the Oilers were far ahead.

I'm opposite of TBPhD here; my expectations were a little high, and only in this second Philly game did they come close to meeting the expectations I had. Presently, I have moderated what this team is and where I think it's at. I have reconsidered Murray's statements, Bylsma's musings, and things I've read here from posters I respect. The point I am at now is to not move assets to "solve" the goalie issue. I would rather wait until Lehner gets some real time in. I want to be patient and see how the band gels together, goalies included, because we're down high value assets and each move hence forth won't be as epic as the stuff we've seen from Murray hitherto. My guess is that we may prefer to spend on shoring up the D corp, see how that settles, and keep an eye on the goalie market. Between D-lo and Foligno, I am reminded that players can all of a sudden climb up to another plateau. I wouldn't want to regret spending anything on a goalie before giving the ones we have a decent chance to fit in. Miller could never get it right in St. Louis, and it took him a season to fit in with Vancouver, but now he looks pretty good.

Ryan O'Who: "...oh gosh..."

Anyone notice Leenus got his stick stuck in the net sometime before the Gorges hit? It was funny, like trying to walk through the gate with your stick horizontal.

Leenus is going to need to spend some time with the goalie coach. He goes down like a sack of potatoes.

Franson is like Pigpen: where ever he goes he brings his own mud to skate in.

Gionta needs a maintenance week.

Foligno has looked very good this year so far. Much better than I was giving him credit for last season. Makes me wonder what Eichel, Girgs, and Samson will be like in 3 or 4 years.

Great play. D-lo is having a break out season. What is his ceiling, now?

This is how I expected to see this team play from the start of the season. Better late than never.

Ryan O'who?

I like playing with a longer stick than a shorter one. For Eichel, don't forget he skates upright, so that characteristic alone will necessitate a long-ish stick. I think the long stick helps him steal the puck from behind a player, something we haven't seen any other Sabre do with consistency since I don't know when. Another thing with the sticks is the mechanics behind a shot: many times a stick is dragged along the ice, bending the shaft to create energy, which is released like a leaf spring at the moment of the shot's release. A longer stick makes this action easier to accomplish.

Franson spoiled his chance.

I would support this.

Pull the goalie! See, it works.

It's all a learning experience. Maybe the entire D should take the night off tomorrow to watch from the press box. I'm sure that will help.