LTS

He did get interference if I recall correctly. I would have tacked another 2 on for charging and his final 2 for roughing. Indeed. No harm in having a conversation, listening to the explanations and then saying it was not an intent to injure and the call on the ice was enough, at best they could have called charging but that's with the benefit of slow motion. The good news is that Wheeler came back after the concussion protocol so at least it wasn't worse.

Sadly this game aligns with a youth hockey game so I'll miss it (see this is why *I* hate afternoon games). Go Sabres. I enjoy watching the Blues play so I'm a little bummed I will miss it.

Are you blaming Kulikov and Bogosian for failures in the first half of the season (each has missed 26 of the 58 games the Sabres have played) or do you mean the whole group in the bolded part. Just trying to make sure I understand. As for the draft pick usage. I understand your point. I'd have to get more in depth to know who was passed over at each round when he picked a forward. At the same time, the Sabres have some forward prospects they can move for some D prospects I guess.

1:46 of the video you can see both of Malkin's feet in the air making contact with the head. https://youtu.be/UKfOuiRY8Io?t=1m46s

I don't need every player on the team setting up their teammates. Having a guy who can put the puck in the net is important and he's doing it. I haven't gone looking but things that would be interesting is his goal to assist ratio (not just this year) compared to some other big names as well as the average number of assists on his goals. That said, the guy has 19 goals on a team that is 22 in GF. Does he score more or less on a team that generates more offense? I wonder if Murray told Kane that in order to be able to move him sooner Kane would need to play better. :)

Look, there's plenty of reasons to go around and some blame can fall on many shoulders. The defense should be better, however the defense development timeline was conceded to the forward depth issue. The defense will be improved and that part of the game will go away. However, the Sabres needed far more forwards than they did defense and in order to get a few of those forwards Murray had to weigh giving up a pick or prospect that could be a D in exchange for grabbing a forward who would really help the team succeed. One can argue the 1st rounder for Lehner, but if Lehner has a better D do we believe he'll benefit and then he'll be the #1 goalie and that first round pick will be long forgotten. I don't this this is a mess, it's a situation where everything cannot be improved at once. The coach on the other hand needs to have players who can execute. Outside of Gorges this year I'm not sure any of the D on the Sabres are egregious at their position. Blaming the D for giving up shots is ignorant regardless of the coach. The defensive corps is comprised of 2/5 of the players on the ice. Many shots originate from players not covered by a defenseman. If the forwards are a defensive zone mess (they are) then they, in theory, could be to blame for 3/5 of the shots taken. If Bylsma is coaching his forwards to collapse (he is) because he believes his D need that additional help then he creates that opportunity for those shots to get through. At that point, if you are going to collapse you better be good at shot blocking. Quickly scanning... the Sabres are about 17th in blocked shots. So, they can't block shots and they aren't doing anything to stop the shots from coming in from the point and most games when I see shots attempted the other team has a LOT more than the Sabres. None of it is surprising given that you can't shoot if you don't have the puck. I'd actually love to see a chart of where shots are attempted against the Sabres. All of that to say... Dan is trying too hard to compensate for the perceived weakness of this team and its not working real well.

Okay.. I can get behind this game. Can't wait.

Possible alternative theory: The Sabres have a respected veteran who is a pending UFA. As a responsible GM I would ask him what his preferences were with regards to being traded and since he has a list of teams to make sure who those teams were. Also, this conversation about him being traded took place quite awhile ago as I understand it. if Gionta moves it will likely be with his blessing and the knowledge around the NHL would be that Murray honored his opinion and his position before making the move. As it was stated to me, the chance to play for another cup isn't necessarily high on his list compared to staying in the Buffalo/Rochester area. It's possible Murray could say screw that, but I just don't think that happens in this situation. If however, a great deal comes along that would help the Sabres I could see Gionta accepting the deal to help his hometown team for the longer term. It's the kind of person he is.

Regardless of your political stance, it is beneficial to have the type of hockey commentary you just submitted. If you feel so strongly about the current political situation of the country that you must proselytize to us in the realm of hockey I feel that this is both a boon for you and a bust for us. It's good to have a strong opinion and have an interest in what is going on. It's unfortunate that it consumes you to the point that it would bleed into the hockey forum where the moderators have decided that such conversations would detract from the primary purpose of the community. However, if this passion for speaking your mind allows you to take action and drive results that you see fitting to your position then all the best of luck to you. What's good for you may not always be what fits in every situation, but it doesn't make it wrong. Best of luck and if you feel it in your bones to drop in and provide the type of hockey post you just did we'll all be better for it. Onto the Dan situation... regardless of how you feel about Dan Bylsma I think it is clear that there are a group of established veterans who do not appreciate Eichel's go it alone strategy. Reinhart is probably in a tough position because of them being roommates, linemates, etc. However, I don't think Lehner was saying anything that others didn't already feel. His public pronouncement was probably already discussed by the groups of players on if, and or when, it would be appropriate. Whether they thought the other night was the right time it was clear Lehner was done with it. Jack Eichel needs to learn how to play a team hockey game and buy into the system because it might be possible for him to win in those situations too. If there is a strong contingent of the skilled players who would prefer Bylsma not be around I am sure they've expressed their opinions to Pegula and Murray. If they don't feel that way then Eichel may be in for a short ride in Buffalo if he doesn't want to change.

This is the development that makes him better. Other players are still learning to put that arm out, high or not. At some point the tweaks become that specific.

Yep.. was typing fast. I meant arrogance, I've said it before but got it wrong that time. The easiest way to prove the point to a primadonna? Put him out there, 1 on 5 and see if he can dominate the game. What development are speaking about? Eichel will develop core hockey skills for as long as he plays but how they are applied is a determination of the game plan. It's like saying a wide receiver doesn't know how to run a post route because the coach only calls receiving routes that are 15 yards or less. You can hate the system, but you have to do what the other guys on the ice are expecting you to do or you fail. I think the plan is to play more like the Ducks. They are widely regarded for playing a "heavy" game in the offensive zone. It might not be that they are pounding the hell out of the other team but they want to play a heavy game. They aren't able to execute that yet. I consider O'Reilly a guy who plays a heavy game. You can't get sloppy with anything or he will take the puck and many times he's hounding a player so much he'll take it anyway. He never lays out big hits but playing against him is like wearing an O'Reilly coat. Because players are not the same? They can be similar but not the same. Chemistry matters too. Leadership matters. if the coach can't inspire then it won't matter what system is being called either. I think the answers to your questions lie in the intangibles arena and venture into a realm of conversation that isn't easily answered by number or analysis.

Some people have bad reactions to bleu cheese. I think the market is bigger than you think.

Ahhh, I knew about Nilsson's flag, etc. I must have missed Lehner's stuff.

When a hockey player turns down more money to stay with a team then I'll THINK about chiding people for not showing some loyalty. You know why the argument "don't boo the players" falls flat? They got booed off the ice and then showed up in the 3rd period. They weren't happy about getting booed by the fans. They can complain about it but something turned their butts around between periods and I doubt it was a fiery Bylsma speech. I don't like getting chewed out by my boss, but if I earned it I know I did, even if I don't want to admit it.

What NIlsson digs? I missed something? I think Jack's attitude is mostly okay. He's right in not too high and not too low. However, I think Jack is going to need to learn the NHL. It's not college hockey. I think that's the key. Look at his quote about Toronto. I understand his mindset there but it's not prevalent among NHL coaches to continue to attack. He wants to just "go" and the NHL doesn't work that way. His other quote about "I'm going to keep doing the same things" underscores a prior criticism I have made of him. He has a certain confidence, bordering on ignorance, about what he can do in the NHL. He still tries to put pucks in places that are high risk. If it works 1 of 5 times he thinks it's worth it. If it causes a turn over and it ends up in his net 1 of 5 times he thinks its a breakeven so he might as well keep trying it. He's going to need to learn some humility. He just isn't that good. Oh.. and as for "outside things" I think he means the system and that jives with Gio. A system is a system. Some might be better than others or better suited at certain times but one thing is definitely certain, if all players are not on the same page then every system will fail. You can look at it from the outside and say the system is a failure but you can't if you know the players are not playing the system to begin with.

Well, at least it gives us something to talk about. More is bound to come out now that the chum is in the water. There's no stepping back from what Lehner put out there. This is a good thing. If the team had some differing opinions on how they are supposed to play then this will force the issue. It's clear Lehner stepped up to vocalize it but if there is a decent contingent in the locker room who feel that way then I doubt it goes over poorly with them... it might with those who were the target of his words.

Wes McCauley with the penalty call. https://twitter.com/RDSca/status/830944340927250432 This builds on his already awesome goal call from last year.

... a chicken sandwich?

Whose fault is that? ;) Truthfully, I would normally miss most afternoon weekend games because I'd be busy at youth hockey. Of course tonight our game starts at 6:10pm... so I'll be home just after puck drop.

Murray would trade anyone if he thought it would improve the team. I don't hesitate to think that at all. But, I don't think anyone is going to offer up enough for Kane at the trade deadline. The deal might come after the expansion draft when teams are more certain of their roster. Murray will know where Kane's head is at as well because he can attempt to sign him on longer. For now, enjoy the Evander Kane show... I am.

Can't wait to watch another game. This time I might stay sober for it!

Ok. I'll drink more on that one. Damn.

Living the dream... that's just absolutely perfect. Every time this story gets updated a new level of awesome is achieved. Oh... man...

My mistake on the wording.

Certainly what you describe is in the realm of possibility. It is however, not very probable. This team has not shown a threat of getting really hot. They have not shown any indication they would do anything other than limp into the playoffs. If they managed to do it while selling off assets that improve the team for next season I am fine with that. Addition by subtraction is possible. It's not a discussion about never making the playoffs... it's a discussion about this year.