Neo

Peterman will be in statistical Zay Jone territory for career beginnings.

Maybe there’s something to protecting the ball ...

I mean, the NERVE of this league. A team, formerly of SAN DIEGO (or Saint Iago / James) is playing in LOS ANGELES (or The Angels). Tell me THAT doesn’t have something to do with Pegula, McDermott, the Kennedy Magic Bullet, the faked moon landing and the gender pay gap! Notice they’re NOT talking about any of it! Ah,HA! I see it everywhere ...

Stick around. I enjoy strong views whether I share them or not. The Valkyries ultimately perch.

THAT would turn an $8 million player into a $10 million player.

I’m going to say essentially this but with a slightly different emphasis. Effort is difficult for me to discern. I think effort, talent and coaching are the three levers one can pull. Talent is most obviously, to me, our weakest link. Talent takes the longest to address. I’ll trust the talent process for two years. With that said, last night’s product, a good road game that was exciting and entertaining hockey, “is good enough” for me. You are correct in that I’ve lowered my expectation bar. I flew 1,300 miles and bought eight tickets to watch last Friday’s “touch hockey” game against the Panthers in a mausoleum. I wondered if hockey had passed me by as a passion. The Penguin game reminded me why I watch. I’m with you on Gorges. I enjoy the game more when he’s playing. My feelings relate to the whole game, not solely to his play. There’s an engagement vibe. Am I manufacturing something?

THAT .. was hockey. I’d have preferred another outcome, but I believe this was the best game to watch all season.

It’s like a non union guy had to fill in ...

Well, this is a line combination I might leave together for some time.

I agree with Rico and generally with your GfaLT standard. At some point, such as when LT approaches 20 years, I reconsider. It would be interesting to come up with some other GfaLT names in the debate. I suspect you could rattle off ten names! For Dave, the Cup (Captain) and his number 1 all time Power Play status pushed him over the top. Oh, and I won a bet I made on the day he was traded, some 25 years ago. If I can only find the guy. The 80s were hockey’s most entertaining decade, IMHO.

Great honor, well deserved. I’m glad you recognized him, GASF.

“Awe” ..... some.

Observation, not a complaint or criticism: This was an historic home beat down in my recollection. I attended games in the Old Rockpile. I’m saying this more as a witness to history than an injured fan. The game was not as close as the score would indicate. The Bills experience was far better value, fun, entertainment than my Sabres ticket. I’m not sure what to make of my night at the arena. My Bills got creamed, but oh what a fun day ....

The Saints are a good football team.

I am completing a Neo and the NeoEttes sports weekend and attending today’s game. Go Bills!

I’m beginning to think that watching the Rochester rebuild will tell us more than watching the Buffalo rebuild. We’ll see evidence of good times there before we’ll see it here. I’m ok with this.

True .. that was post ankle.

I’m remembering a stat / most zone entries by Jack in the NHL. Sound right? I over worry high ankle sprains. Could be the different .. dare I say it ... systems.

No!

Say what you want about Gorges, but after sitting through the 60 minute no contact, no scoring, no drama snooze fest that was Friday night, I’ll take me a Josh any night. I hit and a fight. Wake me when something else happens in the 21st century NHL.

Snooze fest of an evening. The extra two discourages events that illicited the night’s loudest cheer.

I’m in Buffalo and it brought the temperature for me!

Good fortune smiled on my travel schedule .... I will be at the game in what I believe is the Military Appreciation section with my son, the veteran, his wife and kids, Mrs. Neo and my lovely oldest NeoEtte! Go Sabres ....

I could write for days. My managerial career has three phases. I can point to specific years. 1). I’m a good guy and smart, so I’ll just tell my team what to do! That’ll work, right? 2). I’m old school and tough, I’ll be firm and suffer no fools. That’ll work, right? 3). I’ll show them what success looks like, tell them I have every confidence in them, and let the stallions run. This works. 3 > 1 + 2 As I see it, but so much better said.

I envision JBot daydreaming about buildings and TM daydreaming about furniture. In time versus next month. Grand master tournaments versus speed chess tournaments. You can win at either. The approaches are different. If I had a dinner with Mr. Pegula, I’d ask him if he understands what I mean and if his approach to two franchises reflects a shift. We jettisoned splashy Rex and GMTM for steady Beane, McDermott, JBot and Housley. Questions: am I seeing something or imagining something? If I’m seeing it, was it deliberate or coincidence? I’d love a Stanley Cup this year. I’ll be encouraged by DeLuca .500 next year. What would PA say about maturation or learning curves? Sincere.