nfreeman

Lesser of 2 evils. Nelson looked like a deer in the headlights in game 1.

Well, I think it's pretty well settled that bringing in TT was Rex's move, not Whaley's.

TT may be just OK as a passer -- although he's made several very good NFL throws today -- but the plays he makes with his feet elevate him to well above average. And maybe, just maybe, a future star.

Those lines look like Moulson and Zemgus have been demoted.

It's a beautiful day at the stadium! That was a great drive, with a number of great plays by TT. I really think his ceiling is very high.

To be clear, I have no desire to trade Nylander. I just think it is classic Sabrespace trade self-delusion to think we are getting him for anything less than that. I also think it's a real and interesting discussion -- the shiny new forward toy with nifty Euro skills (who didn't earn any serious consideration of making the roster out of camp, btw) who might be a good NHL forward in a couple of years, vs a good, young, fast defenseman who would move into the top pair immediately.

McDavid is freaking amazing.

I have no doubt that everyone in Winnipeg wants this to be the case, and plenty of doubts that it will prove out.

Are the odds better that Nylander becomes another Gaborik, or another Armia?

I think Ennis will make it back. It will take longer than we want, but he has the right attitude and he has the physical tools.

Thank you sir. So far so good.

Yes indeedly, although if we can get Fowler for Nylander we have to seriously consider it.

I'm enjoying "westworld" and "high maintenance" on HBO.

There is zero possibility that Anaheim gives up Fowler for a package in which the primary piece is Girgensons or Foligno, any other bottom-6 Sabre, or any player making more than Foligno.

Well, you're a fancystats guy, and I'm sure you're aware that Kane's Fenwick and Corsi numbers are much better than Stafford's. Boom!

I don't see how anyone with functioning eyesight can compare Kane to Stafford.

I agree with both of these points.

Good call.

All of this is fair -- but I was referring specifically to the first 10 minutes of the game, in which the Sabres looked like a deer in the headlights. That can't continue. Even if they aren't good enough to grind out wins, they need to be able to answer the opening bell and come out swinging -- and DDB needs to be able to make that happen.

That start to the game was terrible indeed, although it seemed like they got their intensity and skating up after about 12 minutes. Not sure it's fair to blame DDB -- I don't think there's a pep talk that can mask the losses of their #1 or #2 forward, their #3 forward and their #2 defenseman, plus the hobbling of their other #1/#2 forward. If they come out looking that bad in their next few games, though, I'll be right there with you.

I agree with Liger, although he's getting a bit too worked up about it. The Sabres need more guys who play as hard and fast as Kane does. And if he misses 15-20 games per year because of it -- that's a price worth paying.

How about we don't shout down those who disagree with us? The questions of whether Risto is a real #1 defenseman, and whether giving him a 6-year contract was a good move by the Sabres, are very much open. Risto -- among most of the team -- was not a positive difference-maker last night. It's entirely reasonable to criticize his play. If you want to refute the specific points that were made above about Risto's play with specific and factual points of your own -- please do. The board will be better for it. The board is not better for statements like "I don't want to hear about Risto's mistakes."

It's only one game, but I was pretty disappointed in Ennis. He was completely ineffective. And where was the speed? Hopefully he finds his groove again. If it happens, though, it'll probably take 10-15 games.

I will disagree with this. While I agree that Kane and Bogo haven't to this point delivered what we were hoping for, I think the Sabres didn't give up that much. In order for it to be a very bad trade IMHO (or even a bad one), the Sabres would've had to have given up something great.

I like GMTM, but no one should be under any illusions. He hasn't proven a GD thing yet.