nfreeman

Totally agree on both Power and Johnnie, and think both are going to keep getting better. I can definitely see Johnnie beating out Joki and/or Muel next year for a spot with Dahlin or Power. It was pretty close between the 2 teams, IMHO. Certainly the Sabres needed Levi to shine, and he did. 2nd bolded: and TT and Skinner!

Yes -- and this move is very much evidence of that goal. There are some nice-looking forwards in Rochester, and a certain UFA, all of whom likely would contribute more towards a playoff run than Savoie or Benson. I am pretty bullish on both prospects -- they just aren't ready yet IMHO. OK, time to read your posts and take a breath before clicking "submit." I agree but I also think it's 80% likely he goes down before game #10.

Great post. I would just add that Edmonton is now 2-9-1! That is freaking terrible.

Interesting. Do you think they've worked him out or otherwise given him a physical exam? Or maybe the offer is contingent on working him out?

This, more than anything else, is what I need to see. The Sabres can't be taken seriously until they start showing up at home determined and aggressive from the opening puck drop. That has happened maybe 10% of the time last season and so far this season.

OK, but what I meant by "pass with flying colors" was that they would work him out on the ice pretty rigorously, to the point where they were very comfortable that he has his legs all the way back. I just find it impossible to believe that they would do a cursory physical exam and then hope for the best. I don't doubt it, but again, I gotta believe that their agreement on this is conditioned upon being very comfortable with Kane's physical abilities. Separately -- let's say, just for poops and giggles, that Kane is all the way back. The season before last, he had 92 pts in 78 games -- for a 68-pt Blackhawks team. And his fancystats were good too -- 54.5% XG% and 56% FF%. Who here doesn't want that guy on the Sabres PP, which is really freaking bad right now? Or getting 5-on-5 minutes over, say, Krebs, VO, KO, Zemgus, etc.? It all depends on his physical condition.

Serious question: does anyone really think the Sabres would sign Kane, especially to a multi-year deal, if he didn't pass a physical with flying colors? It's fair not to want to give the Sabres the benefit of the doubt, but still. It would be such an ill-considered, incompetent bozo move. This isn't the way KA operates.

Well, it’s 75% likely that he only goes to the Kings, the Rangers, the Panthers or Vegas.

This doesn't match the eye test at 5-on-5 IMHO, but he's been terrific on the PK, as has the rest of the team. (I think the OP's #fancystat includes PK, but please correct me if I'm wrong.) In any case he has clearly made significant improvements defensively, which is great.

You've been here plenty long enough to know that political posts go in the politics club.

The D played pretty well last night after the 1st quarter IMHO. They lost that game for the same reason they've looked crappy since beating Miami: there is something fundamentally wrong on offense. To beat the best teams in the AFC, you need to score 34-ish points. The Bills look miles away from a team that can produce that kind of offense. I don't the fault is entirely with Dorsey -- they have major issues on the OL and at WR, and JA has been up-and-down this year too -- but the offense isn't working, and he's accountable.

The Bills may or may not hold the Bengals below 50 pts, but that commercial with Diggs and Von was gold.

Does he have any history with DG or KA?

Just noticed that Edmonton, which won 50 games last year, is getting dusted at home by Nashville, who is 4-6. The Oilers are about to be 2-7-1.

I think IR is something like a 3-game minimum — does anyone know the rule?

BTW, I recently did a re-watch of Season 1 of "Fargo" -- which is a solid A, for anyone who's interested -- and I love the fact that a fairly sleazy character has a personal security guy named "Semenko." I agree with most of this, but I think most of us were taken by surprise when the axe fell on GMTM and DDB. (YMMV, of course.) And in that regard, it's worth noting that KA has already had a longer tenure than GMTM had, and if DG lasts the entire season, he'll have been here longer than DDB was.

I don't think there was hanky-panky with GMTM and DDB -- just incompetence (and some rumored poor behavior on GMTM's part that didn't include any removal of pants IIRC).

I agree that TP has most likely decided that he trusts KA and that he's going to give KA plenty of time. However: - It's quite possible that TP doesn't have the same level of confidence in DG. - We've seen TP get PO'd and fire people suddenly. I would be pretty surprised if TP were to fire KA during the season -- or even next summer for that matter. But could he get in KA's ear and pressure him to make a change at coach, especially if they keep pooping the bed at home for another 6 weeks or so and they are bottom-5 in the conference at Xmas? Would anyone be shocked if that were to happen?

Serious question: what if they come out in a coma again, get smoked by the Leafs, the only cheering in the building is by Leafs fans and the boos rain down again from the Sabres fans? Does TP do something precipitous? I don't think he will, but the likelihood is greater than zero.

I hate to say it, because I like DM, but I am pretty close to concluding that the Sabres have an issue at coach. The consistent failure to show up at home is 100% between the ears. It’s the coach’s job to get them ready and focused, and it is clearly not happening. If it’s still like this at New Year’s I think I am going to want to make a change.

One thing I really wanna see this season is a permanent end to their habit of, whenever there is a home game with a chance to build some excitement around the team and increase the chances of creating a home-ice advantage with a raucous crowd, coming out in a coma and pooping the bed for most of the game. It hasn't happened yet. If they want to be a real team, it needs to start yesterday.

It seems like Cozens started slowly, had a strong few games and then tailed off again. I really like his game, his spirit and his upside, but he was totally ineffective the other night vs. Philly. I'm pretty sure he'll work his way out of it.

I really don't like Steely Dan.

Sorry John. Hang in there. God bless you and your family.

Sorry for the spam — just trying to help a friend who can’t make it. PM me if interested.