nfreeman

Serious question: when was the last regular-season game that left that much optimism? My game notes: - They beat a very good team and took it to them most of the game until it was time to cover up and get out with a win. - The improvement at goalie over last year is like night and day. Hutton is playing extremely well AND, it would seem, exerts a strong, calming, positive veteran influence. (Although Lehner had 35 saves in a shutout win today vs SJ -- good for him.) - Compared with last year, their passing is so much more precise and integrated into a team system that quickly exits the D zone and creates offense from multiple spots. - They have won their last 2 without much from the celebrated rookies -- Thompson and Mittlestadt aren't scoring or getting big minutes, and Dahlin has been good but definitely not the tip of the spear. It's the vets, both holdovers and FNGs, who are leading the way. - A big factor IMHO is that McCabe, Nelson and even Beaulieu are all improved over last year. - ERod is playing very well and earning his ice time -- 5th among forwards today, with over 17 min. I wouldn't mind seeing him with Mittlestadt. Colorado is up next. That's a winnable game.

It would be nice if KO produced some offense today. Flagg's KO rants have made me notice each time he coughs it up for no reason in the offensive zone. It only happens once or twice per game, so I don't think it's quite as destructive as RF thinks it is. but they definitely annoy me each time. I'd also like to see TT create some chances.

In honor of this thread and Columbus Day, I’ll say it again: I freaking love Indian food.

I don’t think the post fight melee was at all staged or phony. I recognize that UFC isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re at all interested, I’d also recommend watching the Derrick Lewis fight (and definitely the post-fight interview with Lewis) and the Tony Ferguson fight from that card. Both were awesome.

That UFC card was great.

Link? I don’t recall seeing this.

I was thinking this morning that on a "terrible start" scale of 1-10, this was a solid 8. It didn't get to 10 because: - no injuries - they did look faster and had the better of the play and possession in the 1st period - Dahlin looked good

Yuck. Unpinned.

I'm all in on Dahlin.

Random prediction: Marchand cheap-shots Dahlin and someone we wouldn’t normally think of for this comes flying in for immediate retribution.

Yeah, baby! Yeah!

I find it kinda interesting that Bogo is an alternate. He must be doing something right.

Devastating.

Good writeup -- thanks. He sounds like a real threat to Larsson and Zemgus.

I was going to say that Flagg gets like this every now and then -- but really, who among us hasn't despaired of this team at some point during the past few seasons? I admit to feeling unwarranted optimism every year 'bout this time, but still: - New goalies - Possible new superstar defenseman - New speedy, scoring winger in a contract year in Skinner - 2 new high-ceiling kid forwards in Mittsy and TT, plus Nylander if and when he earns a trip back here - A year of HC experience under Housley's belt - More team speed - Less team psychodrama with departures of Lehner, ROR and Kane - Healthy KO - Healthy McCabe, who looked good in preseason with Dahlin - More guys in Rochester like Pilut, Guhle and Nylander pushing the incumbents I'm telling ya: it's going to be a good year! In fact, I guarantee it. (Please contact Eleven via PM with all guarantee-related inquiries.)

Possible Larsson replacement, if Larsson is waived?

Marvino’s at the plaza at Sheridan & Hopkins? Near the Pop Shoppe and Schony’s? Me too!

Thanks boys. However: even with the 30-day limit, there was no reason to waive Tennyson now, right? i.e. they could've done so when Bogo/Hunwick returned instead of doing so now? So maybe the idea was, as Thorny said, just to sneak him through during a period of heavy NHL activity?

Clearly this was a glorious victory for @Hoss. However, can anyone explain why they bothered to waive him since they evidently were going to keep him with the Sabres for the time being anyway? Also, while I understand the disappointment with Nylander being sent down, I will note: - if he plays well in Rochester he'll be back up pretty quickly -- and if he doesn't play well in Rochester then he shouldn't have made the NHL roster. - I think what really left an impression was how much better he looked over the past few weeks than he did in prior years -- i.e. not so much that he clearly was better than his competitors for the spot.

RHD, age 22, 6’2, 196 lbs, drafted #51 overall by Nashville in 2014. He played 1 year at the U of Wisconsin, then 2 full years in the AHL. Looks like he regressed last year after a solid pro debut season the prior year. So maybe a guy with some potential who needs a change of scenery — kinda like Baptiste.

Yes indeedly. AJ Green had a great catch in the end zone to win the game for Cincy today that none of the Bills' WRs would've been within a mile of. Separately: I thought Allen was terrible in the 1st half and missed a ton of open receivers. This put the game into very-close-to-unwinnable territory, since they were down 16-0 at the half. His INT right before halftime was Peterman-like. I did think he threw it much better in the 2nd half, but it was against a softer D and he still took a bunch of sacks, and either way he still didn't put together any scoring drives. Losing Micah Hyde early was a major blow, but they responded and played respectable D without him. I sure hope Allen plays better next week.

Wilson’s injury may have just created a spot for one of TT or Nylander.

That’s a bummer. At least he was able to get a new 2-year contract a couple of months ago though.

Took wife and daughter to “Black Klansman” tonight (daughter’s 1st R-rated movie in a theater, BTW). Pretty good — if you like Spike Lee, I think you’ll probably like this one. More comparable to “Inside Man” than to “Do the right thing” IMHO.

Sabres' Final Record: 42-33-7, 91 pts, 5 pts out of playoffs Total Goals Scored: 250 Total Goals Allowed: 240 Power Play Ranking: 6 PK Ranking: 20 All-Star Players: Eichel, Skinner Award Winners/Finalists: Dahlin - Calder Player Predictions Top 3 goal scorers 1.). Skinner — 33 2.). Eichel — 32 3.). KO — 26 Top 3 point totals 1.). Eichel — 81 2.). Skinner— 59 3.) Reino — 55 Sabres' best rookie:. Dahlin Biggest surprise: Nylander Biggest disappointment:. Ullmark How many games/wins for the goalies? Ullmark: 26 games — 11 wins Hutton: 56 games — 31 wins other(injuries):