Skibum

It looks like his face smashed into the support post between the panes of plexiglass. I'm guessing that's a big reason there was so much damage.

I know he looked amazing in the WJC, but 30 points in 34 college games hardly seems like a slam-dunk case for coming out early and burning a year of the ELC, just so he can get in six games with a historically bad team. Seems like another year in college would be more appropriate, but what do I know. I hope it works out.

I was treated to a dram of Blanton's bourbon last week - WOW! Never had anything that good before. I guess it's a little hard to find and in the $60 range, so I probably won't be picking up a bottle anytime soon, but this one really raised the bar for me. That said, $60 a bottle is still cheaper than drinking Jack Daniels at most bars these days...

Just a quick whiskey PSA: I just bought a bottle of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, and it is NOT good. Lots of harsh, chemical flavor. Sipped alongside standard Buffalo Trace at the same price, and the BT was much, much more enjoyable. And I am not super-picky; I am totally happy with Wild Turkey, Old Forester, and many other low-mid grade offerings.

No love for Sasquatch? A far more important legend than the Kraken ever was in the PNW region.

I see that you refer to the tank in the past tense... Anyway, Darcy missed the golden tank opportunity when he matched Edmonton's offer sheet for Thomas Vanek. Had he just thrown in the towel right there, they would have had two first round picks every year for four straight years! And Edmonton stunk all of those years, so their picks would have been great! You just can't get that kind of value, ever. The actual tank that followed just didn't have that kind of sauce. They blew a whole season just to get prime position for one draft, and they didn't even get the top pick. I love Jack Eichel, but I would rather the Sabres have four guys that are almost as good as him instead. To me, that will always be the move that killed the team long-term.

No. It's over, and it's only the first week of November. It's going to be a long season.

Since we're digging up the past - They should have started tanking years before that - by accepting Edmonton's offer sheet for Vanek. There was no saving that team when Drury and Briere left. The Sabres would be perennial contenders by now, had that taken place. Four first-round picks! For Thomas Vanek! Instead, Darcy doubled down on the rotten core. To me, the Sabres' extended, now seemingly endless futility begins right then.

Chad is rad. But I also thought Nilsson was the better goalie last year, and Lehner still got the contract. When I watch Lehner, I don't see a #1 NHL goalie - but at season's end, he put up worthy numbers last year. So I just don't know.

Probably more interested.

Anders Nilsson, by a long shot, although I guess he's technically not on the team anymore. I don't understand it - I saw most of his games last year and he looked really good in all of them. Often better than Lehner, I thought - same net-filling size, but he seems much quicker all around - snappier reflexes and faster at getting back in position after fighting off a tough shot. I thought he should have been given an opportunity to take over the starting job, but management is completely in bed with Lehner. Not that Lehner is bad, I just thought Nilsson looked at least as good, and at a much cheaper price.

Kariya had a really good NHL career, but I think his time at UMaine is really what puts him over the top for the Hall of Fame. He is arguably the best American college hockey player ever, despite the short career. Based on NHL careers alone, I think Mogilny could be considered a stronger candidate than Kariya.

The GWG was a classic Buffalo groin punch. In the most anticipated head-to-head contest of the year, our less-touted rookie sensation goes for broke and whiffs, their rookie sensation grabs the ensuing rebound, goes coast-to-coast, and scores the winner. On our pond. CLASSIC BUFFALO!!!

Dickel #12 is my go-to house whiskey, and so far I haven't found much reason to spend any more on a bottle unless it's a special occasion. THe same price as Jack Daniels and orders of magnitude better. Evan Williams makes it onto a lot of lists like this one, but I tried it and thought it was awful - that nasty petroleum burn in the back of your throat. It is truly cheap whiskey. I have never had the Old Grandad 114, but I have tried the original and Bonded versions, both of which are often cited as great bargain whiskeys, and I don't find them to be anything special. As for Wild Turkey, there's no reason to shell out for Rare Breed when the 101 is excellent bourbon and much cheaper. Often I can't find any Dickel around (for some reason it is weakly distributed in the North), so the dirty bird is usually plan B. High West is really nice stuff if you are splurging. Buffalo Trace is also excellent and very reasonably priced. For my money, of which there is not a lot, the best bargains I have found are Dickel #12, Old Forester (maybe the best value in whiskey), Wild Turkey 101, and Jim Beam Black. If you are going really cheap, I swear that Jim Beam white label is really not a bad bet - just put it on the rocks; it has great flavor if you cut the harshness a little. For good whiskey deals outside the bourbon vein, I like Canadian Club (unbelievably cheap for how smooth it is) and Bushmills (like a very light scotch, smooth and mild). I don't drink much scotch, because you really have to spend some bucks to get good quality. But I do like Oban and Glenlivet if your mom is buying.

I think the biggest problem is just general fan apathy. When you have an overwhelming majority of the arena seats accounted for by season ticket holders, you have a lot of people for whom game night is just another night. Someone mentioned that the Bills' games are much more raucus. A big part of that is that there are 8 Bills home games per year (sometimes only 7). There are 41 Sabres games. The lack of enthusiasm is especially pronounced in a small market city not known to attract a lot of tourists, people who might consider a Sabres game a special experience. It doesn't help that we haven't had a really entertaining, playoff caliber team for almost a decade. 41 games is a lot of mediocre hockey. I live pretty far from an NHL arena, but I try to get to a couple of games every year. When I go, I'm really pumped up for the game because it's something I don't get to do very often. But lately, when I do go to First Niagara, I am amazed at how dead it is in there. I want to make some noise, but it seems inappropriate in that kind of atmosphere. It's as if everyone is subconsciously watching the game at home on their couches. I feel embarrassed for the players. I went to a game in Vancouver a few years back and it was completely different. Even though they were hosting a lousy Sabres team with a bunch of warm bodies they had probably never heard of, the crowd was still hyped from the intros to the final horn.

I never understood why everyone was so in love with Ennis. I think he's a good guy and I love his effort, but I don't see him ever breaking the 50 point barrier. For a guy who doesn't have the size to win battles, he needs to be putting up 65+ to justify a spot on the top scoring lines. I just see a lot of dangling leading to turnovers. In a perfect world, he would be the guy that makes someone like Matt Moulson a star, with slick passes leading to easy finishes. It just hasn't been the case.

Not one penalty called on either team the entire game. Nice win, but it was kind of a snoozer to watch.

The price would be insane, but if any team has the assets to do it, it's the Sabres. I'm betting the Lightning would want two firsts and two young players who have already proven that they are likely to meet their potential, such as Ristolainen and Girgensons. I think Reinhart and Pysyk are still a little too questionable in that regard, but maybe Stevie Y could get talked down. The 'Ning are good enough now to continue winning with that trade, and they should still be winners for a few years - they are in a great position to start stocking the cupbards for 3-4 years down the road. All that said, I still think the price would be too high for just about anyone. I think the more fun question is, would you trade Eichel for Stamkos, straight up, right now?

Can someone please explain to me how this guy is worth $7.5 per year? When I look at the list of guys making that kind of money, he just isn't in the same category: Ryan Suter, Pavel Datsyuk, Shea Weber, Kris Letang, Steven Freaking Stamkos, Tuukka Rask, both Sedins, and the list goes on. These are full-blown stars, scoring machines, and even some centerpiece players. I understand it's a new year and contract values go up with the higher salary cap, but any more than $6.25 million per for this guy is going to be a massive albatross, especially when it comes time to sign all of this blue-chip talent Murray has drafted. 60 points and some leadership and grit is great, but in what universe does a guy like this command $7.5 million long term??? He's only had two good seasons, and they were GOOD, not GREAT. This is a classic Kool-Aid situation!

I could be wrong, but after watching all the highlights I feel like Eichel's style of play will translate better to the NHL than McDavid's, and I also think he's a better fit for the Sabres right now. He appears to be a much more aggressive player, stronger on the puck, and supremely confident. I'm sure McDavid will be a star, but I am not convinced that there is enough open ice in today's NHL for him to be as dominant as he has been in juniors. My gut tells me that this is the better scenario for Buffalo. I'm only bummed that of all teams, Edmonton had to win the lottery. With all the blue chip talent they have drafted in recent years, they still stink. What a waste! Columbus would have been nice. But oh well.

I love me a rye Manhattan, and I have been looking around for a good one at a decent price. Thanks for the tip - I'll be on the lookout for it. I recently tried George Dickel rye ($23 / fifth) and was really impressed. As perfect a Manhattan - maker as I've ever tried. I liked it a lot better than Bulleit, which is a few bucks more and is the only rye I can find in my home town. I have been a devotee of Dickel No. 12 sour mash for a while, but sadly no Dickel products are distributed in my immediate area.

I would trade Vanek or Miller before Pommer. Both have higher trade value. A Vanek trade would be hard to pull the trigger on because he's our only world-class talent at forward, but it seems like every year he wears down throughout the season until he's a non-factor. Miller could net a big return from the right buyer, and there are a lot of goalies who can provide a marginal drop-off for a significant savings. Pommer is just so consistent and durable year in and year out. He's like the government bonds of hockey. In diversifying your portfolio, you have to have a little Pominville to hedge your bets.

Pretty decent trade. I know it's in vogue to bash Leopold, but I thought he was a pretty good player until this catastrophe of a season started. I wish Leo luck and a return to form in St. Louis. At least he's going to sniff the playoffs this season!

It seems that the consunsus among NHL players is that Miller is one of the best. I'm inclined to believe them over anyone in this chat.

"Seasons in the Abyss" might be more appropriate...