ska-T Palmtown

oh ... THAT kind of movement ... carry on.

It would appear the Team has ...

I think, overall, I am a Rye Guy. Love the peppery burn from a high-proof rye. oh my! I think I have already outed myself previously as a Metallica fan-boi, so I will say that the Blackened x Willet Rye was one of the finest bottles of Rye I have tried. I am far from a total rye junkie, but I have tried several dozen. I'd comment on the price point as follows: there are very serviceable, if not very good, whiskies in the under $40 category. Dollar for dollar, a $30 bottle of buffalo trace is hard to beat. But, going up in price point gives you three things: First: higher alcohol %, or put another way - less water added after they take it out of the barrel. I think that leads to a more intense and enjoyable flavor, just my personal preference. I have a terrible palette, so more intense flavor means I don't have to try as hard! (it also means fewer bottles per barrel are produced, meaning higher price to maintain revenue. Often, the cost per oz of alcohol in the bottle is pretty much the same. pay more, get more). Second: Aging. This is more important for climates like Scotland where they get relatively small season-to-season variations in temperature/humidity, so you have to store it longer to draw out the complexities from the barrel aging. US single malts (and bourbons, etc) from someplace like KY or TN ... much larger seasonal temperature variances meaning more expansion and contraction allowing for a faster route to more complex taste. I would say beware of shooting for age as a criteria for bourbon, but at least 3 yrs. Third: experimentation. Trying things like sherry cask finishing or other finishing techniques or even experimentation with wild mash bills results in smaller batches, more handling and higher prices. Hopefully, it pans out with a unique flavor profile that grabs you. One of my true favorites is a Balvenie scotch that was finished in ex-port barrels. Ohhhhh, that sweet hint of raisin at the end! The thing of legend!

Sadly, no. And I mean that from the angle of what a sad state of affairs this franchise has become. I am older than some here, younger than others. I remember listening to Mike Foligno win a playoff game in OT in 1988 against the Broons. I was listening to it on the radio because it was past my bedtime ... but man - listening to that crowd roar! "We will rock you" playing ... chills. Absolute chills. Now ... meh.

ugh. again? why?

So it is settled. @Thorner will be the next GM, but all moves must be made by posting a poll on Sabrespace. 50 vote min. For regular stuff, simple majority - major moves 60%. It's a better plan that what they have now.

lol, lost 6-2 last time, only 6-4 this time ... is that what "progress" looks like? lol

so is THAT what you do with a puck and the empty net?? oh. interesting.

you could hear the frustration in Ray's voice "you can't just back off, you gotta keep pressing", lol

I mean, Sabres were carrying play for quite a while, then a crappy deflect off Tage ... and you could seeeeee the air come out of the team.

It really is hard to actually talk about this team. It has all been said. I think it is fine for fans to keep expressing frustration and I come here to read comments just so people feel heard, lol - but there are no "new" thoughts on this team. sigh.

During the 'Canes game, the crew went on and on (and on and on and on) about how having Staal around to help guide the kids was such a great thing. I am still a bit surprised that "the kids" did not get more from Okposo ... but maybe Okie did not get the support from the coaching staff that I imagine Rod the Bod gives Staal? Staal's statline is a bit more impressive than Okie's but not tremendously ....

But Quinn has been picking up it as of late!!

They do need to do it well, tho. Throughout the season, we have seen what happens when our PK'ers got too chasey-wasey and the whole D structure turns to pudding. But, they DO need a few more quick darts to the puck when the opposition makes a bad or lazy pass. Too often the defenders just hold their spot. In fairness when COL had MacKinnon, Makar, and Raaaannttaananananen (sp?) slinging the puck all over - not much you can do there but hope your goalie can see the shot. Oh, and not leave Druin wide ferking open in the bumper ...

Wayne implying Carolina just isn't interested in playing us and just isn't into it, lol Edit: and Bizz: "get one in the first 5 mins and watch their arse holes shrink up" lol

Dammit - the intermission guy leads off with "carolina has the most third period comebacks in the NHL" ... stop!

I've seen worse hockey ...

Is this the right thread for a humble brag that after much hand-wringing, consternation, and much finagling the wife and I finally booked a trip to Australia? I went there on a trip with People to People 30 years ago this summer when I was in HS, so that is pretty cool, too. First time back since then - excited AF!

I am outside the MSG viewing area and do not have cable, so TNT is not really a viewing option for me. Edit: Dammit, I have Max. Although I have it through Prime video so I have no idea how that works.

I am kinda relieved this will be hard for me to watch, honestly. Games on ESPN+, I mindlessly turn out without really considering the consequences.

Probably pretty calculated, if you aske me. Young popular players who have been doing "alright" so far this year. No TT to have to answer "why can't you keep the puck in at the point?" 🤣

I'd add that my rage/anger/disappointment that is suddenly bordering dangerously close to apathy is directed at the team. The Sabres organization. For me, it does not extend to the players, as people, because I think they have been set up to fail. All the too-numerous-to-count threads about why management has failed this team are the reason I think this is beyond whether or not Player A competes hard enough on a given night. The entire organization is not set up for that to matter.

Awesome work. BTW, I mean absolutely no disrespect when I assign you arbitrary titles related to Cozens, your attention to detail on why he is such a likeable person but such huge disappointment as a member of the Sabres is legendary. This latest bit is staggering, honestly. He is the poster child for "But he should be good, no?" He has fire and passion. He has skill. He just can't seem to stitch it together. For a 7th overall draft pick, "average" being taken at ~50%, the expectations for Cozens would be: Between 500 (57.4%) and 700 (31.1%) games played. He is at 323 games by age 23, safe to say he will hit the average. (556 games would be 50%?) Between 100 (62.3%) and 300 (41%) points scored. He is at 187 points by age 23, safe to say he will hit the average. (225 pts would be 50%?) So, based solely on two statistics (all the Hockey News had, sorry) - the Sabres likely got an above average return for their 2019 7th overall pick. Kinda crazy.

I'll add that he seems to cough the puck up a lot. Like, A LOT. I knew I was correct in summoning you for that wonky stat! Thanks! (on the topic of coughing up the puck a lot on the powerplay, can we end the TT at the point thing? holy cow is he bad there.)

I will tack this one on at the end: ESPN's mid-season grades:(ESPN+, so I snipped it for ya) "Every bright spot is swiftly darkened by another poor showing" ... yup. I am curious for @mjd1001, our President of the "Not a Fan of Cozens" Club ... I don't recall the 18 powerplay goals in your in-depth looks. That is alarming that over 50% of his breakout season goals were powerplay ... and now they can't buy a goal.