nfreeman

...said no one on SabreSpace, ever. (but I'd like to see him back and coached by Howie too.)

Interesting theory. I too would like to know those #s. Now that is some PhD level work right there. Gracias.

Something something Bylsma long passes something freedom.

What isn’t right yet, but what I think is gonna get there, is the power play.

Is it OK to make a similar statement about other sports and their predominant racial composition?

Correct. This one probably wasn't needed either though. Well, I suspect you already knew this, but the problem, if there is one, arises in how and how often the narrative is pushed.

So with Zemgus, that means: Kane-Eichel-Okposo Reinhart-ROR-Pominville Zemgus-Pouliot-Bailey Moulson/Nolan-Larsson-Griffith/Nolan OK -- I'm interested. KO's new spot could work, and Howie may have decided to give it to him as a reward for better play (which may have been invisible to the naked eye, but Howie did praise KO's play vs the Bruins).

It kinda depends on the assumption as to how good Cody would've been in the alternate scenario IMHO. If we're asking whether the Sabres would've tanked if he'd turned into, say, Toews or Kopitar -- then probably not, as a player that good would've likely elevated the team to the point where mgmt wouldn't have felt like it needed to tank. (Although years of poor drafting and roster construction might've come home to roost anyway -- so who knows.)

I too am looking forward to seeing what ERod can do.

No one is trading for Moulson!

Go on...

I wanted to like the Deuce, but I bailed on episode 1 after 35 minutes and there is a good chance I am out for good.

This stinks.

Of course we need more time to evaluate.

I think the distaste many have for TT is mostly attributable to: - being brought in by previous failed regime - as QB, being accountable for hugely disappointing failure of prior regime - inarguable repeated failures to bring team back from 4th-quarter deficits - poor #nonfancystats ranking of team's passing offense under TT I don't think the above reasoning is sound, and as I've said before, I'm a fan of TT's, but it's not like the desire to find someone else is from outer space. In any case, I think TT is winning some people over so far this year.

So is Fedun banged up, or did Howie not like what he saw? Also, it looks like the Sabres are going to 2 d-men on the PP in response to the SHG epidemic.

I don't agree with this at all. There was plenty of speculation about whether the Sabres would go for Reino, Bennett or Draisaitl.

IMHO, Pokey's entitled to his pessimism and to post it in conversation. He's perhaps done so a bit too often, but not that much, and I haven't found his tone to be off-putting. I don't agree with Pokey's "new poster-old poster" reasoning. I would also say that, for any poster -- if a lot of other posters take issue with your tone, then the problem isn't with everyone else -- it's with you. I wouldn't say that Pokey's reached that point, but I don't think he should just automatically dismiss the feedback he's gotten either. I don't think this situation calls for much if any drama.

Well, it looks like Howie is pretty committed to keeping Kaner and Eichel together. Maybe: Kane-Jack-Bailey Zemgus-ROR-Pommer Pouliot-Reino-KO Griffith-Larsson-Nolan Moulson

A strong defensive showing vs the Raiders, after 2 consecutive lousy ones, would be great. Dareus acting like he gives a crap would certainly be helpful in that regard. I'll tell ya what else is different about this version of the Bills: they have a real QB. Yeah, I said it.

Quite fair, as long as you do indeed talk seriously about turning a corner if they deliver a few good ones in a row. Yes indeedly. The ROR resurrection is a very important development for the franchise. Now he just needs to awaken KO.

Did anyone hear JBott with Schopp and Bulldog on Friday? They asked him about Kane and whether there is a plan to try to sign him. He was quite complimentary of Kane but mostly dodged the question IMHO. I can see this going either way.

Troof. If ROR has turned the corner and brings it every night like he did last night, that will go a long way in this crucial aspect.

To overhaul the D, JBott brought in: Scandella Antipin Tennyson (whom Howie called “Tenner” last night, btw) Beaulieu Right now, Scandella looks like either the best or 2nd-best defenseman on the team, depending on whether Risto is bringing it on a given night. That may be a tallest-dwarf distinction, but even in a vacuum he has delivered quality top-3 defenseman minutes IMHO. Tenner is a new SabreSpace whipping boy, a bit unfairly IMHO, but in any case has seized a spot in the lineup, including reasonably good 2nd PP time. Antipin and Beaulieu have been up and down but each has shown promise. If Scandella continues to play at this level — and I see no reason why he wouldn’t— and if they can get the equivalent of 2 #4-#6 defensemen out of Antipin, Tenner and Bloo, which I think Howie can deliver, that is a very nice job by JBott.

BTW: I’m nominating LTS as SabreSpace MVP for the first 9 games. Like ROR working the boards last night, he’s been relentlessly bringing the optimism while the rest of us fragile little children have been hiding under the bed from the big bad crappy start to the season. Well done sir.