Two or less

They need to agree to a deal by the 5th, possibly extend it to 6th if talks going well, but after that it'll be over. Once CBA is signed, it will take about 5-7 days of lawyers signing and filing paperwork, then a very short training camp and opening of nhl on Jan 19th.

Yeah, but most (if not all) games are on TV... between NBC, NBC Sports and CNBC.

Very useful for everyone. Ive had it for about 6 seasons now (5 in a row), and would of paid for it this season too. But, with so many games in such short period of time, and who knows how sloppy some of the games will be, i really wondered if i would watch as much as i normally do? I would of taken the risk but having it free, i can use the money on something else and still enjoy hockey that i normally don't get on MSG or NBC Sports.

Finland came back from 4-2 down in the 3rd period to win it in overtime 5-4. Joel Armia had an assist on Marcus Granlund's game-tying goal with the net empty. (4:12 in this video) http://youtu.be/oQhdnH0U81Q Edit- added video.

Tough loss for USA. Canada wins 2-1 on goals by Nugent-Hopkins and Strome. Jacob Trouba for USA. Great goalie showdown between Subban and Gibson though. Both goalies were outstanding. For the first 45 minutes, it didn't even seem if USA belonged to be in this game with Canada and the last 15 minutes i thought they were the better team, despite taking few dumb penalties and being down 5v3 for 2 minutes. Jake McCabe took a pretty dumb hit to the head penalty with 7 min left in the 3rd so he missed remainder of the game. Hartline got the same penalty about 4 min left. USA lost their cool but when they got their confidence in them, they really put Canada on their heals. Good game, could of been better, now it means it's must-win for USA vs. Slovakia tomorrow morning. And they could def use a huge favor out of Peppy's boys later today.

ALL the games are live on http://onhockey.ru/ Apparently it's a Russian tv station that transmits the games on the internet. Updating the WJC- Grigorengo had 2 assists in Russia's 7-0 win over Germany earlier this morning.

Why? I'll be back the second they come back. Why wouldn't I? Even if i stay away, the owners will get richer and the players will get richer. Me? I'm gonna have self satisfaction of boycotting a sport and team I love because i was angry they couldn't agree to play a entire season? Don't be mad at yourself, you're human, you love hockey and love the Sabres.

How good can Leon Draisaitl be? If anyone gets a chance to watch Germany, i recommend it, just for watching #15. He's only 16 years old and looks like he belongs whenever he's played in the previous two games (missed game vs. Russia). When he was 14 years old, he scored 192 (97g, 95a) points in 29 games in a U16 league in Germany. In the playoffs, he scored 16 goals and added 15 assists in 5 games. At 16 years old, he plays in the WHL for Prince Albert, has scored 9 goals and 19 assists, 28 points in 33 games. He's not draft eligible until 2014. He may be the first player taken this draft.

Would it had helped to get his butt kicked every time out? I dont think it matters either way to be honest.

Or a 3 game win streak...

Blast from the past... speaking of the Spengler Cup, Anybody remember when the Rochester Americans were invited to play and represent the United States? They got killed in the first two games, i think Davos won like 9-2 but they won their last two, and finished in 3rd place? Also, interesting note, the Amerks wanted a legit backup goalie so they "loaned" Kevin Weekes to be the teams backup during the tournament from AHL's Carolina. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FbhOGJIDXY

Couple things: The Armia passes were sweet. But, the most impressive play of the night by Armia was at the end of the first period. He literally went through the entire Latvia defense, made a nice drag around the goalie but just missed the net. Not sure how his skill level will translate to a bigger/faster NHL but he sometimes looks like a Pawel Bure out there when he turns up his speed. Someone posted on twitter the Amerks game in Buffalo on Friday is near sell-out. Only 400 seats remain.

Makarov isn't eligible until after his CHL season ends. You might be thinking of promoting Nathan Lieuwen from ECHL, and that i do agree with. I can't believe he lost the job to Knapp. Lieuwen was outstanding last year in CHL, a MVP in the WHL playoffs and who can forget his dominating play in the prospects tournament in Michigan where the Sabres won? I like Knapp, but he was a part-time start in college. I think he needs to play every night, and thus ECHL would of been perfect for him. Speaking of Brennen, Bill Hoppe mentioned this also tonight on twitter. Brennen has 13 goals, 15 assists, 28 points in 28 games. He's on a absolute tear this season. I've seen several games and despite that being a small sample size, he was one of the best players on the ice each night. No way he clears waivers once the lockout ends. Something has to give. Sabres must have a trade brewing or something or we're gonna lose out on someone due to a waiver claim.

Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski. Really thick but very in detail book. Recommend it for any sports fan, but essp the soccer fanatics and i know there is a few on here.

He'll actually be eligible once the Saskatoon season ends, which is around playoff time for the AHL. So i doubt he'd even come, so you're right, next season he will battle for a spot on the Amerks.

Seeing the way he plays in Rochester, i'm sure the Sabres wish he went to Vermont.

Same. Still want to read it and havn't yet. Heard great things about it though.

Kind of a trick question because Friedman said "yes or no question, and can't say i don't know". Daly should of said something to sidetrack the question but saying no was not an option. They'd be viewed as not negotiating in good faith and would be a PR disaster. The only answer was yes or finding a way around it to get out of the jam.

Nice. After a few weeks and we've already run out of "classic" games... ? lol

So apparently, the shooter is 20 year old Adam Lanza, who had his brothers Ryan Lanza's ID. Ryan Lanza's facebook and phone was blowing up, so he made several messages on facebook saying "it wasn't me" and "cnn f you, it wasnt me!" all while NOT realizing his own brother was the shooter, and his mom being dead. Absolutely wild. Per the AP, the shooters girlfriend is missing as well. What a horror story.

NBC is saying he killed his mother at the school.

According to NBC's Pete Williams a second suspect has been arrested. wow. Two shooters and not one of these whack jobs could have talked each other out of it? Incredible.

Very sad story. Shocking. No words for it. Per NBC 26 dead, including 18 children. They said numbers will rise.

A good showing of former Sabres there.

Here's a story to cheer you up... http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-dirty-tackle/one-solitary-udinese-fan-showed-genoa-team-match-230323815--sow.html#more-17127