Neo

Joining the sentiment with a belated tip of my hat ...

A decade .... awesome game and post. I remember Volchenkov (edit) losing the puck in water after the resurfacing before OT. Connolly was awesome. Roy looked good, as well.

To the learned: Are this year's 5 to 10 slots much better than last year's, or am I simply paying more attention because last year was a McEichel feeding frenzy?

Best Rookie: McDavid Best Rookie Season: Ghost NHL ROTY: Panarin

This is what I was referring to, with way too many words to be clear, in my prior post. I see this as much more likely with Edmonton at four than at 1,2,3. We may learn how GMTM feels about Sergachev.

My takeaways. The significant results are Buffalo keeping #8 and Edmonton getting #4. I think we agree with who goes 1,2 and 3. Had Edmonton seeded there, the players picked wouldn't have changed. Picks 4,5,6 and 7 would be made from a group of 3 remaining forwards or 2 defenseman, with the forwards likely to have been 2 or 3 of the four. With Edmonton at 4, I think the odds of D going 4 increase, Buffalo at 8 is more likely to be looking at their third best D, or a forward that otherwise wouldn't have fallen, as a result of Edmonton picking 4. Let's assume Buffalo has Juolevi, Chychrun, Sergachev in that order. With Edmonton in the top three, Buffalo's looking at Chychrun or Nylander. Chychrun is likely the choice. With Edmonton at 4, the choice between Sergachev or Nylander is more likely than with Edmonton at 3. Of course, this is far from a prediction. I don't have one. But Edmonton seeding 4 adds some certainty to that pick in terms of position. A defense starved team is now picking after the undeniable 3 best forwards are gone. Arizona may now be looking at Chychrun or Nylander instead of Juolevi or Chychrun. You can adjust the defense ranking any way you like and keep the concept of "two D gone" at 8 and "1 unexpected F" remaining at 8 being more likely with Edmonton at 4 than with Edmonton in the top 3. Afterthought: I don't have the Leafs Loathing some have. The thought of Ten years of Matthews / Eichel excites me as a fan.

I think you're on it! Gabriel - maybe my favorite concert ever - Shea's. I especially like your Beethoven / Bach conversation. I use similar analogies with my kds, young friends. I'll hit operas, symphonies, and try to make the case that these "old names" were the trend setting pop stars of their era. I had my kids Google "Stravinsky Rite of Spring Paris". These weren't high brow, old, monied ... Stravinsky innovated pop culture.

Every word you wrote, right down to the bands. Add punk and alternative to progressive, for me. But I found me some Prince. I wrote "genius" when eulogizing Bowie. Prince made my very small list, too. It seems odd I'm using it twice, in months. Coincidental timing, I assure you, and not profligate use of the term. With Michael Jackson gone, I'm out of personal geniuses as regards musicians of my era. I'd love suggestions if anyone feels I'm missing a biggie. George Clinton? David Byrne? I'm thinking so ... Prince shared Bowie's showmanship and disregard for labels when risk taking was involved. Less warm, more bad. Awesome "bad". What a streak ... Dig if you will, the picture ... and rest in peace.

PA, Josie and Taro ... I'd devour your work! Busy schedules, no assignments ... just know the thought of you three engaged, with your talents, is .... well, awesome. Great find, WildCard.

Modo ... Sorry for the relegation. You put the consequences into such meaningful context. It's more than a disappointment and a broken heart. The camaraderie of sports and the economics of sports, together. Ornskoldsvik and Buffalo are 6,000 km from one another, but you've made the cities, and people, neighbors. I'm glad you're here. We'll cheer the rise of MODO and The Sabres for years to come!

I logged in simply to say .... awesome!

Hockey and the Allegory of The Cave. Ah, SabreSace ...

Is it my "settings" or did the official Sabres Twitter account tweet a picture of Gordie and Jack with their heads cut out of the picture?

I've chimed in after your Samson posts at least once before. I'm a huge WJC fan. The only comparable I have is each of them in that setting. Samson absolutely amazed me. Now, I'm not a talent evaluator in the class of many here. I was unable to "see" how that translated to the NHL. I see now, with Samson. I remain amazed. Matthews may translate just as well or better. I'll leave that prognostication to the learned. In the meantime, if you're building a "Reinhart > Matthews" bunker anytime soon, save me a seat. Anyone snickering please recognize my limitations. At least I'll have good company.

I'm going to guess Gare's first shot. 18 second mark.

Ray, Gare, Mogilny ... to name three ...

Fasching Scouting report: Big body with speed, strong along the boards, will go to dirty areas, good hands for a power forward, game translates to NHL Or, just hit rewind on your DVR.

Awesome, MODO. Man, do I want MODO Hockey to do well. Thanks for the prospect updates. I've followed some of your earlier comments to highlight reels.

Two Moulsons make me wish for two Molsons.

Very good listen. I was especially interested in his commentary on quality "hockey play" goals, and the unintended consequences in terms of play and players that resulted from the red line's elimination. Essentially, and in my words, the elimination resulted in more speed, north to south, and puck chipping to get the puck in deep. We see less of the three man, intact line, tic tac toe skill play that we all love. Further, we see more of the north south big bodied player. Correct me or add to my understanding of your take's different!

I'll know after the draft. If we draft outside of five and grab Chychrun or Juolevi, I'd go $10 million X 7 yrs. for Stamkos. That may not be enough. If we're picking top top four, I take a forward and reserve my $10 million for FA/trade defensemen (2 at +/- $5 million per). Picking at 5 is the tipping point. Finding a Moulson solution is another. He may cost us Kane. Kane, Ennis, Girgensons, Foligno and draft picks are the cards you hold. Which do you play? The internal assessments of Fasching, Bailey and Baptiste will inform. Add McCabe and Pysk to the discussion. I voted $10 to $10.9 million for each choice. I am not concerned by the position/captaincy issues. No promises. Stamkos gets the only vote on those issues. Stamkos at $10 million is a "best of the rest" contract I can live with at his age, our situation, and my expectations with regard to the cap. Elites will see $10 to $12 million during the next five years. Good discussion, all. I've found my framework.

Good stuff from many of you. We can discuss this team's physicality. In some ways it sets a tone and in some ways it provides a response. Valuable, both. LGR draws the distinction I'm most interested in with his sentence, quoted by me, above. Lehner remains a question mark for me because of: 1) his concussion, and; 2) his ankle (I had a grade 2 high ankle sprain 15 years ago; nasty stuff), and; 3) his focus when things get hairy. LGR's ".. being taken off his game" captures my feelings and worries me a bit. I'll admit a small sample size, but last night's power play goal after Lehner's penalty made me think of the Marchand penalty shot. The guy just didn't seem ready after the incidents. Again, small sample size acknowledged. Can I say it's worth watching? I'd rather have a team respond and a goalie with ice in his veins watching placidly while remembering the game situation. I've never tended goal on ice that wasn't a pond.

Happy Pi Day ...

To the learned who have memories and are of a certain vintage - does Reinhart remind you of Howerchuck? I think Kruppstahl said it first ... I dig it. Style, physicality, sense, results ...

If you mean DisneyWORLD in Orlando, let me know. I'll buy you and/or your family a drink/dinner. I'm not the most exciting reason to visit Florida, but I'm a good host! Probably an hour from me. I live in a car. I'll be in Orlando with MrsNeo 3/18 through 3/19 for a wedding that Friday night.