nfreeman

Here's a way-too-early conclusion from last night's game -- especially since I've only seen highlights! -- there is a reasonable likelihood that at least 3 of Asplund, Olofsson, Tage and Nylander are going to force their way into the lineup at some point this year.

ICYMI: very nice Dahlin hit. Instinctive, perfectly timed and executed, and powerful.

What is the point of even trying to have a conversation if the responses are just wild overstatements, straw men and sarcasm?

Maybe both teams have to consent? There is NFW this was out of cheapness. Correct. Separately: Dahlin is the One. And Asplund to Olofsson was freaking beautiful.

For the record: I think Smell is a very fine and honorable guy. I object to the notion he expressed in the Bills thread about the anthem protests being code for racist unhappiness with "uppity ________" Having seen that, followed by the comment about people who refer to athletes as "ignorant" also being driven by racist views, I felt compelled to note what I thought was an unfair assumption -- and one that I think, when voiced/written, has destructive consequences. Now, is the assumption true in some cases? Sure it is, and it stinks that that is the case. But not, I believe, in most cases. And nothing good results when the vast majority is tarred with the brush of the miscreant small minority. (And I certainly recognize that one's views on that point may vary, and that there are many other factors that contribute to the problematic state of our society.)

On a lighter note: here is Evander Kane's response to Ramsey:

Dude. That's 2 different threads in which you've imputed -- in the same day! -- racism as the motivation behind the actions of others whom you don't know. Although you are far from alone in this unfortunate mindset, it is highly destructive and, IMHO, is a big reason that our society finds itself polarized and attacking one other with increasing intensity.

This is a really important one, and one that could go any of a number of different ways. No one should kid himself that a complete flameout is impossible. OTOH, a lot of knowledgeable hockey people have spoken quite highly of Hutton and of the positive potential of this move for the team. The Sabres need top-10-level goaltending if they want to have a real shot at the playoffs IMHO. But if Hutton provides that, especially early in the season, it could result in a synergistic feedback loop on the team's confidence, execution and belief in each other and in the coaches. I really hope it works, as I'm kinda skeptical that Ullmark is ready.

May I suggest the politics club for this discussion?

OPEN

Just listened to it. I agree with your description. Ooooooooooohhhh, it would be pretty sweet if Nylander, out of nowhere, forced his way into the lineup and played like a Nylander.

Chris Taylor (Rochester HC) was on with the Instigators yesterday -- worth a listen if you're so inclined. The 2 guys in particular they spoke about the most were Nylander and Guhle. Nylander -- Taylor said some positive things, but reading between the lines, IMHO Taylor thinks Nylander still has quite a ways to go in terms of on-ice focus and determination. He mentioned the need to go get the puck instead of waiting for it to come back to him. Guhle -- Taylor spoke quite highly of him. He said Guhle improved his body quite a bit over the summer, has a great attitude and he expects big things from him. So maybe we'll see Guhle as a regular in Buffalo at some point this season, but I'm still pretty skeptical on Nylander.

NS -- that looks awesome. Please make sure there's a high-quality bed in the guest room!

I may have already posted this, but a month or so ago, Rob Ray was on with, I think, Schopp and the Bulldog. He was telling stories about his playing days. There wasn't a long story about Dom, but Razor did say that he and a few other guys had to take turns babysitting Dom on road trips -- i.e. Dom would get so sauced at night that someone had to look after him and get him into bed at the end of the night.

Good stuff here boys.

Straight As from me! Good intentions, honorable behavior, spending on the teams and learning from mistakes go a loooooooooonnnng way in my book. Good results are coming as well.

I had zero fun watching the Bills until last season. They were effectively not part of the NFL for well over a decade until TP bought the team. They weren't trying. The Sabres were trying until they fired Lindy. Since then, they've been even more awful, and IMHO less fun, than the Bills. The good news is that I think there is a good chance that both franchises finally have the right guys running things -- and I completely agree with Neo that once that is in place, everything flows from there. I think both teams will have moments of stink this season, both will have plenty of fun moments too.

Sorry Weave. That stinks.

OPENED.

Well, my wonderful wife has agreed to get up at 6:00 AM on Sunday, drive to Baltimore with me, tailgate with 3 of my best friends in the world and their wives, attend the game and then drive home afterwards. Pretty psyched!

You gents might be interested in a movie from a few years ago called "Rush." It's based on a true story about the rivalry between 2 F1 drivers in the 1970s -- a party animal Australian (played by Chris Hemsworth, a/k/a Thor) and an uptight Austrian. It was directed by Ron Howard. I thought it was excellent.

This is pretty obnoxious. Improve your tone.

If the bell curve is limited to top-6 forwards and top-4 defensemen, Reino is well into the slow end of the curve. That’s why JBott only wants to give him the league minimum.

Me too.

Good thread and I like the predictions, but no one is trading for Larsson.