nfreeman

At my son's request, I made meatloaf for the first time last night. It was also, I think, the first time I'd eaten meatloaf since I was a kid. Served it with baked beans, broccoli and those buttered rolls from a can that you bake in the oven for 15 min. Pretty simple and pretty tasty.

I don't feel any moral entitlement to a free ticket to the draft. I also don't think the Sabres are morally wrong for charging admission. Being the first host city to do so, though, puts the Sabres in an unfavorable light. They are now the first ones to extract money from the public for something that everyone who came before them gave away for free. It just feels like they are gouging here -- and for what will end up being a pretty small amount of cash, relatively speaking. Also, like others have noted, your comment about not wanting to sit with someone that couldn't spring for the ticket was not your finest hour here. I think he's done a world of good for the city and the fans of the teams too. I just don't like the vibe of being the first ones to charge for something that has previously been free.

Well, the facts appear to be that prior host cities have generally not charged admission. Assuming that is correct -- this is a bush league move by the Sabres.

At Stamkos? Interesting.

I think the question can't be answered without knowing whether prior host cities have charged admission, and if so, how many years that has been the case.

Yes, and educational. I learned something about SFiNS' homeland from those photos and feel am glad to have done so. Me too, and the execution by those posting photos. Very nice contribution by JJ.

I'll dispute it all day, every day. Kaner was so much more impactful on the ice, especially in the 2nd half of the season, than Stafford has ever been.

mustache and LTS -- very cool stuff there. Did anyone else suspect all along that PAFan had a bug fetish?

11 -- the thread is pinned to provide some entertainment and enlightenment during a dead period for Sabres news. This is a full service operation, mister.

I'm pinning this, for now anyway. The pictures can provide some entertainment while we await the offseason action.

It's certainly a fair point -- none of these guys is likely to develop into a full-blown star NHLer. But it's possible, and more broadly, the Sabres getting him -- a coveted player with plenty of options -- would be a nice indicator of their rising league status.

Oh, yes. Peak RJ and peak Sabres. Those were the days.

Unforgettable, and probably the best Sabres game ever -- until we get a Cup-clincher. Connolly was really something that year. After years of underachieving and disappointing fans (who were disinclined to like him since he was the primary return for Peca), plus missing the entire pre-lockout season with a concussion, no one expected anything from him -- including Lindy. Then he showed up in camp with a shaved head and a ripped physique, and played a beautiful game all year. Anyone who's interested should look for TC highlights on youtube -- he was a great skater and had more moves than any Sabre since #11. 7-6 was Connolly's last game (and what a game he had!) before getting concussed again at the beginning of game 2 of that series. He missed most of the following season and was never the same after returning. Neither were the Sabres.

He's obviously saving 5,000 or so seats for the high-value target fans from Toronto.

Outstanding.

Howdy neighbor! If you haven't already done so, you should check out the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens for good photo opps.

Great thread. I think every photo posted has been excellent.

For the record, I am and have always been an independent. I voted for Clinton and for Gore. At present, I usually vote Republican, mostly because I think the Democrats are completely out to lunch on the key issues of the day. As for how Trump ended up as the nominee: I really think people are sick of being lied to and are thoroughly disgusted by the political class generally (and this is also, IMHO, why Sanders, who is a complete space cadet, has gotten as much support as he has). They know the economy is in terrible shape, homes, college, etc. have become prohibitively expensive, there are fewer jobs, zillions of dollars in debt, the world has become increasingly dangerous, and all they get from their politicians is a steady stream of BS. So I don't think it's so much a statement of support for Trump/Sanders as it is a rejection of Washington status quo. It's a real shame. I think there were at least a half-dozen serious grownups in the running on the Republican side that would've made for good presidents -- and none of them made it very far (i.e. Cruz was not one of them). I will not be at all surprised if Trump wins, but if he does I think there is a high risk of it turning into a major debacle. And if Hillary wins I think we'll just get more of the same terrible domestic and international policy we've had for the last 8 years. If you're inclined to think a great nation is crumbling much like ancient Rome did, there's much to support your view.

But this didn't really happen with Beric Dondarrion, did it? He came back pretty much the same, albeit still bearing the physical wounds of whatever killed him pre-resurrection. Melisandre has a number of strong qualities, but she's not an Old Gods kinda gal. I think the father-trying-to-have-him-killed, girlfriend-betrayal, champion-getting-head-smushed, fleeing-into-exile series of events did make Tyrion a bit sadder and darker. As for Jon Snow, I think there might be a bit of the "kill the boy so the man can rule" coming, but that's just a guess.

What is this based on? Here's the official description: I would interpret that as not "who had the best season" but rather as "who is the best player out of all players in their first NHL season." And that is McD. I agree with this. And this. Good post. Keep 'em coming!

Indeed. Plenty of wise and kind-hearted folks here, but I don't think we're a bunch of rock stars. Good man.

"Cynicism" is not the same as "paranoid and delusional." Good to see you sir! I don't think anyone really wishes anyone any real injury -- just a bit of over-the-top venting, I'm guessing. My 2 cents: the Leafs are at long last building a real team. I will not be a-tall surprised if they get Stamkos. And I kinda hope they do, if the Sabres don't get him. I want the Sabres and Toronto both to be really good for a long time and have one epic battle after another, in both the regular season and the playoffs.

I don't see how anyone over 14 years old can possibly think the NHL fixed the lottery.

Interesting. So the Sabres have over a 19% chance of making a big move up. That's higher than I had thought. Keep hope alive!

Just asking -- what 3rd line usage would enable Zemgus to surpass Larsson?