...

I think fans CAN and DO understand the nuance, but the point is the fans want McEichel. They want to bask in the glow of a generational talent who will oooh and ahhh them for many seasons to come. That is the payment for respectfully accepting the tank. Sabres fans want their team to be THAT team with all of the bells and whistles. And, yes, it does smack of entitlement. I don't know if I disagree with the sentiment. Buffalo sports fans have put up with, and supported faithfully, and awful lot of dreck.

This has to be my favorite by far...

Good. Good. Yes...good. Good! Seconded, or maybe a "hear-hear" by this time since it took me a while to actually post this. I think you and dudacek are being a little snobbish on this point. The payoff for the fans accepting and living through the tank is McEichel. The payoff for season ticket holders is McEichel. You don't sell McEichel and, in the end, do not get him. Sure, there ARE other ways to build a team. This was the early anti-tank argument, and it's true. And, I would say, applies once picks 1 and 2 are not available to you. But...BUT...we were sold McEichel. Actually, we were sold, and have been sold, McDavid. McDavid played here, I believe a few times in the last year. Murray's comments, manipulated by the media or not, have been largely about McDavid. The argument stands that if there are other ways to build a team, and there are, why tank and put the entire community through this if you are not going to succeed. And, whether you as individuals think so or not, the tank has been about McDavid, with Eichel added later to sweeten the pot and make the entire effort more palatable. Success to, I would say, most Sabres fans, is McEichel. Do not stare down your noses at the masses here and complain that they do not understand the nuance of the situation. The situation, and the stakes, were and are clear. With all due respect, of course. As you may have noticed, this tank has really left its mark on our little rust belt community. Again, why put everyone through this misery in the first place and then fail? That's not nothing.

So, by mistake, I turned on my vehicle tonight and discovered I left the radio on. Before turning it off, I heard Kozial read a tweet (paraphrased) "The Sabres are winning because they finally have a common enemy to rally against; the fans..." At that point, I figured turning off the radio, or NOT coming here, before watching the replay, was foolish because it was obvious the Sabres won.

So, the thought occurred to me that if the Sabres drop to third due to the lottery pick, we will get to see the "There Are Other Ways to Build a Team" concept put into action.

I have something to do tonight, so will have to catch the replay. I would appreciate it if y'all would not talk about the game until after the replay. Thanks.

Maybe this will make them overconfident, then they lose to the Leafs, affecting then emotionally and mentally for the remainder of the season, so that they can barely score a goal.

I think so, the red- labeled stuff.

Talk us down, brother, I need the numbers.

The only consolation is that Lindback won't appear as though he's near suicide. I like the guy and his interviews when they lose are crushing.

I don't know who makes Trader Joes house brands, but the ones in the larger bottles are good, and boozy. And under $3 a bottle. Looks like we're going to need several.

Thank you, Zads. Now Weber is due to make it a 5 on 3.

This game needs more Sabres penalties.

Who are they playing Sweet Caroline for?

WTF I have never seen a team routinely fan on shots like Arizona does.

Okay, props to Hodgson for that slick pass.

Troof? I'm not their biggest fan, but I think they do the Matt and Phin's which I do like quite a bit. My complaint with the standard stuff is that I can always taste the sugar in it.

Your instincts are correct; the mystery beer won out. Turns out it's a Southern Tier double IPA.

Well, the quality of the game doesn't matter as much as the quality of the competition. How Arizona isn't the CHL leader is beyond me. At least our defense isn't afraid of the puck. I am tempted to grab a mystery beer from the 'fridge myself, but the idea is competing with the idea of having a sweet of some sort.

Penalties all around...please.

OMG, this game would drive anyone to drink.

Wasn't Mesz a shart award contender?

Zadarov needs to bottle that and make it better.

Yeah, but did you catch his missed check? He Jimmy Snuka'd into the boards.

Smith looks like he can barely skate at times.