...

This is interestin':

At this point in the exchange you're asking me how I "know" something when it's pretty clear I don't know anything. Like you don't know anything. We are making assumptions based on our observations and individual abilities to string together a narrative from available data and experience. In fact, you allowed yourself an out in every statement you've made in this exchange: "I'd[sic] he's such a strong leader, why the alleged problems in the locker room before? He's getting credit for a good locker room when it's good, but no blame when it's bad." Alleged. And, by the the by, it reads to me, here, like he is getting blamed for the locker room being bad - by you. "...why didn't he do anything about the alleged cancers in the room?" Alleged. "I personally think the cancer claim in[sic] BS, the whole organization was a large tumor." I personally think. Note that I posited my thoughts as questions since I am aware that, in the end, I really don't know for certain what was going on inside or outside of the group. If the entire organization was cancerous at the time isn't it pretty easy to presume that the GMs and coaches weren't supporting Okposo - or anyone in particular - in an effort to fix the locker room? Or, if they were supporting a particular person, that person wasn't Okposo since we know that what Okposo has done for this group has worked?

Not surprising. Relative to the other discussions about the roster next year, this is a perfect opportunity to collect data on where this guy is at and whether it's realistic that he has a shot of being on the NHL roster next season.

Great post. To add: where are you going to find that kind of guy with veteran NHL experience for the paltry price you'd pay to re-sign him? Again, if you look at the Panthers and Vegas - they have guys just like Z. Z is a prototypical grinder who can shut down offense while providing the potential to capitalize on opportunities if they arise. He will have offers if the Sabres don't re-sign him. Remember, the Sabres' really don't have a problem generating offense. Acquiring a solid second or third line forward would be icing on the cake to the team we had this past season.

Because he didn't have the backing of the coaches and GMs to accomplish anything meaningful to the average observer?

Not sure what you're asking. Are you suggesting Okposo take the players with the bad attitude and cliquey mindset out behind the arena and learn them a good one?

I mean, we got to see this filthy, filthy move from Barkov this series. So tasty. I hope the SCFs go more than four games.

Boy, this thread has it all! Just want to point out that every successful team has their vet. Eric Staal - age 38 - regular season 29 points (and a -5). Phil Kessel - age 35 - regular season 36 points (and a -7). We have ours, we know that what he has contributed to the team behind the scenes works, and he wants to be here. I would say, too, as a fanbase we owe him this shot at a playoff season.

That was some good hockey. Was it Carolina that went 3 lines at the end or Florida? It looked like it was Florida but I don't understand why they would have done that (the win notwithstanding).

Going to quote myself from earlier. I think a lot of us called this in some manner or other. "There is absolutely no dismissing how important it is to have that atmosphere in there and my impression is that it took not only Meatballs doing his thing, KA cleaning house of the locker room cancers, but also KO putting his foot down and showing the way. Is that worth giving the guy a shot at a final season of a glorious playoff run for ~$2.5mil for the year? I think so. I think KO has more to teach these guys and he can help make sure there are no embers of locker rooms past. If we carry two goalies there's room for him on the roster and still add a solid player to the third line."

Worthy of its own thread?

Yeah, I just can't abide this perspective. Did we not witness the sh%t-show the Sabres were for the entire time both were here? I'm happy for them to be free of it and having success. It's not like they didn't work hard. All those players work hard to be where they're at. It's just hockey, which is just entertainment. In my view, being humiliated over the poor decisions of a team is putting way too much value into it. Frustrated is about what its worth but not enough to be envious of some kids who walked through the valley to earn the position they're presently in.

Just awful. So embarrassing. The way it's looking, a Panthers/Knights SCF will actually be pretty good.

The lack of attendance should have been embarrassing enough, let alone the play of the Stars, then the fans have get all stupid. Dang.

Oh wait, he just said Kulich and Subban.

The PBP guy doesn't seem to know any of the Amerks names.

I'm with you on not missing the "touch icing" but disagree on the calls. I used to think the calls were bad as well so I paid attention to them over the course of the season and I think they get it right far greater than 66% of the time.

What's interesting to me is that the forward group for the Panthers have the same penchant for attempting those frustrating cross-ice passes in the offensive zone when the better choice was to clearly shoot the puck on net or try and drive in closer. That characteristic hasn't seemed to matter much in the outcome of these games. There are two distinct differences between these two teams: forward skill and goal-tending. We have one of those two covered I think.

By a lot. And this series is only going to get grittier from here.

This is a great series.

You have to admit that was a great play at the end there.

The coffee finally kicked in for both teams in the third. What a weird game. Both teams looked rusty at the start.

You can say the same thing about McDonalds.