dudacek

They weren't a playoff team last year and the lost to a bad Detroit team on Saturday. They should be better than that though, and do have, however, far and away the best goalie we've seen so far.

Vancouver radio has been fun today (Paraphrasing): "This seems really weird to say this, but this is kind of a big game for the Canucks. I know it shouldn't be, because it's the Buffalo Sabres, i mean look at that roster. But if the Canucks expect to be a good team — and they do — good teams don't lose back-to-back games to the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres, they just don't."

I'm seeing Asplund replacing Girgensons down low on PP1? Good call, IMO. I like what Rasmus does close to the net. Not as big as Girg, but a better decision-maker and just as tenacious. Semi-related, I think he's been the Sabres best defensive forward so far this year.

Paul Hamilton giving a ringing endorsement of Jack Eichel right now on Vancouver radio in true Paul Hamilton fashion. Eye-rolling, entitled, bad leader who has never really been fully embraced by the fan base and gave up on being a Sabre one month into the season last year.

All this. Its also exactly what Granato promised he would do. Another point in his favour.

He certainly checks the “wants to be here” box. Hope he’s as easy to root for on the ice. What a personable kid. Had some fans with the Senators.

It is not and has not. One interview with Jack's physician of choice does not represent that. Previous and subsequent reports do not do this. Friedman has been very clear in his reporting Eichel favours this surgery, the Sabres do not want him to have it on the advice of their doctors. He has also been very clear that a number of teams interested in Jack's rights are willing to let him have the surgery. Statements like the bold misrepresent the facts.

Media reports are out there mostly because this is the most interesting off-ice story in hockey right now and guys like Friedman are paid to tell it. Not aimed at you, but there seems to be a prevailing thought among some here that any Eichel reports are agenda-driven lies eagerly gobbled up and relayed by Friedman as he knowingly prostitutes his professional integrity in order to get future scoops. Oddly enough, this seems to surface most frequently when he reports something that doesn't fit their personal agendas. I assume this is because it is an easy way to deflect and deny without having to demonstrate why a report is "wrong." Like all of us, he makes mistakes, but in more than a decade of paying close attention to most of what he reports, I have generally found Friedman to be fair and professional in his reporting, and tenacious in his pursuit of stories. It's how he has risen to the where he has. Friedman isn't sitting on a beach somewhere waiting for a text from Pat Brisson to tell him what to write next. He chases and writes stories about Eichel because that is his job. He reports what he's told - typically in careful fashion - by multiple sources around the league that he trusts and who are willing to talk to him. Of course those sources often have agendas. Good reporters - and Friedman is one - take that in to account in what they report and how. What he reports 9 times out of 10 is going to be a pretty fair reflection of what is out there in the industry. And if it is lacking in the Sabres perspective, it is because the Sabres have complicated his process by being unwilling to share their side. It was reported a couple weeks back that Jack is willing to go anywhere. This was not Friedman's opinion. It was him reporting that he has been told the Sabres feel that by waiting long enough on Risto, they maximized the return. They are applying that lesson to Eichel.

LOL. If the best piece currently being offered for Eichel is worse than Hague, why is Vegas still in this conversation?

Seasons are long, memories fog.

I’ve watched it 6 times and I’m still not sure exactly what he did. But I’m convinced it involved some pretty amazing hand-eye.

2 and 0 BABY!

Coyotes have a player named Clark Kahler?

Nervous about Tokarski in this situation.

Mitts would have. Think we will see some Olofsson.

Cozens has a rough shift. So Granato double shifts him.

Coyotes have even worse hands than we do. Dahlin going to win this one.

Yes. Put that one in a box and lock it.

Kyle ***** Okposo

He’s looked like the best player on the ice, two games in a row.

Barely played the past two years. Dont know what the story is there (yet)

Great play by Bryson. Damn, he’s looked good so far.

I’d heard they had interest. Vaguely remember him from Ottawa. Big minor league point producer.

It’s night and day how they have been going to the net this year.

Yep. Clearly the better team so far, IMO. They’re defending well, Pysyk’s mistake notwithstanding. Keep the feet moving, get some stops, we can win this.