nfreeman

Very nice.

Also, Ovi's teams have had a ton of success, even though they haven't reached the summit. I don't think it's a "putting up numbers on a bad team" situation.

Girgensons-ROR-Okposo Kane-Eichel-Pominville While I've been skeptical that Pommer can keep up with Eichel, I'd be very interested to see these as the top 2 lines, especially if it leaves Reino as the #3 center with a reinvigorated Pouliot and one of the kids as his wingers.

Good post, but what's with the lack of periods? I kinda think it is a liability, especially in OT and 4-on-4 situations. He had 30 goals the season before last. As for Guhle, I'd like to see how he develops, but I think he's getting a bit overhyped. I cringe every time I hear Hammy rave about him -- comparing his skating to Paul Coffey, saying he "dominated" the prospects tournament -- both are ridiculous assessments, IMHO. Good call.

Well, I agree on Moulson (kinda wasn't including him in current Sabres forwards, but I'm happy to concede on that), but not on Larsson, ROR or KO. I agree that Larsson, ROR and KO aren't particularly fast -- which is one of the reasons that a Reino-for-Duchene swap, which would clearly upgrade team speed, is interesting.

Well, there's no way to get a definitive ruling on this, but I don't agree. I think he's the slowest forward on the Sabres. I also don't know what you mean by "footwork."

There are certainly reasons to be concerned about Duchene. But as GB points out, the Avs were toxic last year, and Duchene has been a borderline NHL star for 8 years (7 if you don't want to include last year, which is reasonable). He has 5 20-goal seasons (1 with 30) and 5 55-point seasons (2 with 67+). He is a terrific skater and a Canadian Olympian, and is only 26. I think getting him now would probably be buying him when his value is at its low point. I have no desire either to give up on Reino before we see what he can do in a non-toxic environment. But there have been lengthy stretches in which he's been completely ineffective. He's also a below-average skater for an NHL forward and the Sabres need more speed. They also need more 5-on-5 scoring. I think Reino-for-Duchene would be a significant upgrade.

How about Nylander, Guhle, Moulson and the 2018 #2? Or Reino, Moulson and the 2018 #2? Or Reino, Guhle, Moulson and the 2018 #2 for Duchene and Zadorov? I would do any of those.

You are right that Pokey is way off on his factual assertions -- which of course calls into question his assertions about what he heard on TSN about Kane -- but I don't agree that his mistakes on the facts tear apart his theory about the cap preventing teams from having 3 top lines. Obviously a team can't give huge contracts to 9 forwards. OTOH, I think a reasonable response to his theory is that a team's top 3 lines don't need to be comprised of 9 expensive players. You can have, say, 4 or 5 expensive guys, with the rest being cheap younger guys that you cycle through and let go when they get too expensive -- as Pittsburgh and Chicago have done successfully.

OK -- we're going to discuss and resolve. It might take a little while for each of us to weigh in, though, so please give us a little time. In the meanwhile, I can confirm that the magic man has been purged.

What kind of "bias," exactly? Having an opinion on something that differs from someone else's opinion doesn't mean you have a "bias." It just means you have a different opinion. Kane has certainly created enough issues during his career to earn some skepticism.

Dude -- this is really becoming tiresome. I don't want to have to keep repeating this: the problem with your posts is NOT that people disagree with your views on Brandon, Whaley, McD, BB, etc. Many of us (including me) largely agree with these views. The problem is that you repeat the same stuff ad nauseum, and frequently in an off-putting tone. This has been made clear multiple times -- enough times so that you are being dishonest when you keep saying, essentially, "you guys don't like my posts because you don't agree with my opinions." It's not the opinions. It's how you say them (and how often). It needs to get better, or you need to move on.

Boy, it really changes the meaning when I forget to type "not."

Or be pessimistic. Or something in between. But FFS, don't repeat the same point a zillion times -- especially in response to nothing. No one wants to read a daily reminder of your opinion. (and of course by "you" I am not referring to Aud Smell).

No, and you need to knock it off.

Both of these are pretty obnoxious.

Maybe the last Sabre who surprised at a high level was...Pommer! Or McCabe. He didn't quite come out of nowhere though. Connolly certainly surprised in '05-'06, but that was more of resurrection of a well-known blue-chipper. It doesn't seem like there's room for a surprise at D. There is certainly room at F. I don't think Fasching, Bailey or Baptiste grabbing a spot and producing would be a huge surprise, unless that player had a really big season. Maybe Rodrigues or CJ Smith?

What is the point of this post? Just to remind everyone for the 100th time of your views on BB and McD? Enough already. It's not interesting and is affirmatively annoying.

Hey now! Don't be a stranger.

It sounds like he hasn't decided one way or another, but he's open to seeing whether Reino's best use is at center. I like it.

Well, I'd love to believe that Howie will be able to resurrect Bogo, teach Risto how to be a franchise #1, continue and accelerate McCabe's growth, put Beaulieu and Antipin on track to becoming good 2nd-pairing defensemen, realize Reino's potential at center, keep Kaner focused, develop Nylander, Baptiste, Fasching and Bailey, help Zemgus find his way and implement a 5-man attack that will unconstipate their 5-on-5 offense -- but it seems like a lot to ask.

Did they say specifically that Housely said it? Or were the meatheads themselves just speculating as to what might happen?

I agree that it will come down to Gorges vs Antipin for the last spot in the top 6. Risto, Scandella, McCabe, Bogo and Beaulieu are all locks IMHO. I do think though that Antipin will have to earn it, and that it's far from certain that he'll do so (although I sure hope he does).

The Bills didn't look great (other than McCoy, who was terrific), but it was a beautiful day at the stadium today. They'll need to play a lot better to beat a good team.

I will also note that the Harborcenter rink is really nice.