nfreeman

So it's: VO-Eichel-Reino Skinner-MoJo-Sobotka Vesey-Mitts-Sheary Zemgus-Larsson-KO Extra: ERod Dahlin-Miller Risto-McCabe Scandy-Joker Extra: Gilmour IR: Bogo, Montour Right?

So is that it, or are more moves needed to get to 23?

My guess on KO is that he gets marginalized and healthy-scratched a number of times this year and then gets Moulsoned to the AHL next year, allowing him to stay on and collect his cash so long as he can tolerate the AHL lifestyle. I hope you're right about Ullmark. I think it will be Hutton.

How so?

Maybe before you assert that someone else's post is false, you could do 30 seconds of google: https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/robert-kraft-opens-goodell-deflategate-donald-trump-article-1.2958959 https://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/robert-kraft-deflategate-nfl-roger-goodell-tom-brady-statement-war Of course, it's much easier to just blast away with whatever half-baked notion happens to be residing between brain and fingers. It was indeed great, but probably not the best -- the Pats were shorthanded and the Bills have had some very good defenses in the past 7-8 years.

"Truther" refers to believers in whacked-out conspiracy theories. The shoe fits. Wrong. Any data on this? For the record, I agree that the same hit on Brady would've gotten the defender ejected. But that's not the same as what you are saying here.

There is no "seeming ref assistance." There is just sour grapes from the fans of teams that lose to the Pats. (The Bills are now 3-31 vs Brady, and McD is 0-5 vs BB.) And if there is any team that the league would be biased against, it's the Pats, since Goodell has a longstanding beef with both Brady and the owner. But we lost! It must be someone else's fault! It's ridiculous on its face.

No one is disputing the bolded, but I don't think the bolded is your "theory." I believe you typically argue (and have done so in this very thread several times) that "the refs" are biased against the Bills and thus "intentionally" give the other team critical calls because they want the other team to win and the Bills to lose. Those dastardly refs are thus "not fair." No?

It's his first full year as a starter. He got beaten by the top D in the league -- the same D that didn't give up a TD in the Super Bowl. He may or may not turn the corner and become elite, but to think the story is written at this point is nuts. Separately: for the referee truthers: did you have the same opinions when the refs gave the Bills the benefit of multiple questionable calls on scoring plays vs the Jets and the Giants (2 teams from a not-so-small market that ref truthers often think are favored by the refs)? Or is this just a loser's lament?

For all the times that @PASabreFan makes me want to whip a dodge ball at him, there are just as many when he writes something amazing that, among other qualities, makes me realize that he loves some of the things that I love. Thank you good sir. This year will be better, I'm pretty sure.

I saw "Ad Astra" today and really enjoyed it. Some of the scenes were incredible. Solid A-minus and maybe an A.

I'm going to nominate "take asvantage of" (or maybe "take assvantage of") as a new Sabrespace expression.

Sitting by the fire in the backyard on a cool night is one of my great pleasures in life. Add a friend and some cigars and whisky? That’s gold, Jerry, gold.

I think there's a more-than-negligible chance that he stays on the top line for the bulk of the season and scores over 25 goals. For a 2014 7th-round pick in his 1st NHL season, that would be freaking fantastic.

Well, I'm not feeling quite as generous as 11 is on this, but I did read the article based on you gents' recommendations, and it was pretty good. So give MH credit for that.

So do they need to trade someone to fit Connor?

God bless you gents.

Since you are complimenting yourself here, it should also be noted that there is often a fair amount of drama before a realization and an admission. For God's sake man. This gushing is both indecent and premature. (But he has looked good in the few periods of preseason that I've seen.) This was actually a delightful surprise in the midst of another grim, apocalyptic sea of pessimism you've graced us with. I'm not there yet although admittedly some signs are there. I'd be interested in any data anyone might have about how often good GMs started their careers with a few lean years.

It's the right call, and IMHO a point in JB's favor that he's sticking to the development plan instead of getting desperate and rushing him.

If Sobotka makes the team and plays on the 4th line until Larsson returns, I won't really mind, although I might mind the hysteria that is sure to ensue around here. I am much more focused on goaltending and on whether Mitts plus 2 of Vesey, Sheary, KO and TT can produce a viable 3rd line. I think those are the 2 variables that are going to drive the outcome of this season. The good news IMHO is that I think VO-Eichel-Reino will be a strong top line and Skinner-MoJo-Erod will be a good 2nd line, and that the coaching and the D will be moderately to significantly improved. I also think Eichel-Reino-Skinner-VO-Dahlin will be a very good top PP unit.

I only saw the end of the 2nd and all of the 3rd. My impressions: - Olofsson can definitely hang with Eichel and Reino on the top line. - Skinner-Mojo-Erod looked like a creditable 2nd line. Mojo looks like a very good addition -- maybe JB's best FA signing. - I can see Vesey-Mitts-KO going either way as the 3rd line, and the same goes for each of the individuals. Certainly none of them looked like he should be slotted higher in the lineup. _ I can also see TT pushing his way onto the 3rd line from the 4th, and any of Vesey-Mitts-KO getting dropped to the 4th or healthy-scratched (or sent to Rochester in Casey's case). - I did not like what I saw from Hutton.

That one wasn't Hutton's fault. Great (or lucky) deflection by Gerbe.

Skinner- MoJo-Erod has been pretty effective this period.

Mitts shot that one wide from the doorstep (in addition to failing to lift it).

Didn't love that work by Hutton on that CBJ goal.