nfreeman

I am not coming around on him, but that was a very good save.

ref-cam is pretty cool.

Sabres have allowed 14 shots in less than 10 min.

Correct.

I like it. No more shots, drams or snifters. The Bills are in the playoffs and the gloves are off.

Drane and I did. Very nice here too. Maybe the ocean liner has turned in the right direction.

Very nice. And: awesome!

Holy mackerel.

3rd and 15. Looking grim.

End of discussion. Separately: As a frequent critic of Lehner's, I will note that the GTG was not saveable and while a save would've been nice on the GWG, Risto let a decent NHL goalscorer cruise into the slot and coil up for a wrister. That's a much bigger fail by the supposed #1 defenseman than by the goalie.

This.

I saw it today with a bunch of family members. About 1/3 of us liked it and 2/3 did not. I was in the group that liked it, but like the superhero movies I don't expect much out of these other than popcorn entertainment. There were some amazing scenes, to be sure. I read the thread but didn't see any suggestions as to when the spoiler ban should end. Does anyone have a preference? Jan. 31?

Great stats GA.

i too would rather keep Kane than KO, but no one is going to take that contract.

Optimistic, but interesting and certainly possible. This too. The problem is that he looks bad enough that this is certainly possible too. Also somewhat optimistic but also quite possible.

yes indeedly.

LTS -- i don't disagree that the emotional reaction doesn't necessarily signify incompetence. But the key point remains that IF his plan relied on getting McD, it was a bad and foolish plan.

For me a lot will depend on how many wins he puts up. I know it's a team game, but I gotta see him close out games, including in the SO, to feel like he gives his team confidence in front of him.

Good work Flagg and congrats on getting past that 1st semester.

But I think arbitration only yields a 1- or 2-year deal, innit?

Depending on what the alternatives are this summer, I can see bringing Lehner back for another "prove it" 1- or 2-year deal, but I don't think it's possible for him to play well enough this year for me to want to give him more term than that.

This. I would like to keep Kane, and would rather pay him a big number for the next 5 years than ROR, but Kane is no dummy and definitely understands the value of really pouring it on this year. this is certainly true as well, however. interesting.

Kids done with school this afternoon, we're heading to Massachusetts to visit my wife's family for xmas, then chilling out upstate for about 10 days while they are off school...and my son got into college last week so that process (which has gotten really complicated and labor-intensive) is over and we can relax over the break. Fantastic.

Tom Petty-Bruce Springsteen-Jerry Seinfeld-Chris Rock

Well, the excuse would've been that Nylander was a substantially better player than Sergachev -- but only if it actually works out that way. If Nylander were in the NHL this year, flying around the ice making nifty Swedish moves and on track to score 30 goals, no one would be complaining. I think this is what XGMTM thought would happen. It still might, but if it doesn't, XGMTM is accountable. Murray took over a few months before they drafted Reino, and was 100% responsible for maintaining the tank to get Eichel. And you said "Every GM's plan would have relied upon getting McDavid." As for the squandering of picks -- the more you have, the better your chances of hitting on one. I am fine with trading picks, but the trades need to work out. Again, the GM is accountable for the results.