Eleven

I like Duff. I'm not sold on Dunleavy. But Duff is fine.

How is 265 to 254 even significant? The Sabres' problems are in goal and on defense.

Really?

The only linchpin missing is a goaltender. The other three wheels are secure even if Kulich falters.

You know, there are a few words that we're not allowed to use on this site, and that should be one of them.

I hope they're not changing the colors again just to match the Key logo on the away helmets.

Well, we know the county wants out of the business of owning the arena. So that's probably a good starting point.

It's called a hypothetical, wookie. Like "what happens if Lando turns coat against Han?"

Who cares? I'm half serious, here. If the Sabres acquire a "real" goaltender and need to trade UPL (full salary) for a fourth round pick, fine.

Adams? With his back to the wall. The rest, I'm not sure yet.

GOALTENDER.

Maybe with Adams. I think the rest of the world knows that he's not very good.

I don't know whether Ruff is confident in UPL. He certainly can't say otherwise; we've seen recently what happens there. Adams obviously does, and it is stupid, as you say. "Maybe this year he proves us wrong" is forever now. Unless he has some weird Tim Thomas arrival moment, he is what he's going to be, and that's not a playoff-caliber starter in the NHL.

Is the "as for the message sent" part yours or the articles? (My Athletic subscription lapsed and I'm not renewing.) There *is* an "ick factor" here. I couldn't agree more. But young people (and older people) do icky things, as all six of the individuals involved here did. In other words, whatever ick there was, was consensual. (And it does seem that Hart's participation was very limited and only involved doing splits.) Hart would be an improvement not only over Lyon, but also over UPL. And I wouldn't want any part of McLeod, either, but he's not the guy I'm considering in these posts.