LTS

Well.. the solution was already created in that things were moved to another thread. But yeah.. they belong in another thread. Here's the thing. I completely appreciate your skepticism and I think you have a desire to find something that is being covered up. I'm not saying it is and I don't have the time or wherewithal to pursue such matters. It would seem that you would be best suited to be some level of investigative journalist and get the scoop on such things and bring it to light. Keep going.. But, the caution has to be that calling a duck a duck before you know how it quacks and walks is a bit risky and may undermine your point and weaken your overall positions. There is loads of corruption that occurs at these levels and I am not so naive to think it does not. However, there are also decent people doing things in situations that turn bad. You'll have to have to produce the fire though. It's not enough to just yell "Smoke".

Ahh XBOne for me so no playing. I've heard from friends who are happy with this release. The bugginess I refer to is in games like NHL 16 (awful), Battle front, etc. I'm pretty sure I am in at this point.. just need to find the right deal. :) Last night I gave up on NHL 16. They have done so much to try and make the game better that they've succeeding in making it awful. The network performance is terrible, the AI is brutal (I've had my defense score numerous goals on my own net in many ways). The players skate right past pucks and don't pick them up (and yet they introduced seamless puck pickups this year). I can't even begin to go on about just how awful it is. Each tuner they've released this year has made the game WORSE to play. It's kind of amazing. I used to play the game exclusively (NHL 13). I skipped 14 because I hated the controls and 15 I purchased for XB One and it was terrible. I had hoped the 2nd game on this generation console would be much improved and I was horribly incorrect. The beta play seemed so good too. I have no idea what happened between the beta and launch.. but never again will I drop a dime on it until I can read nothing but high praise in their forums.

If it's so important to get your message across then perhaps you should try doing it in a method where people don't immediately tune you out. Seems rather counter-productive. Granted you have the people who will sing your praises regardless of where and how it's said. But even a fool can get a few followers. Good to see some positive stuff about Buffalo: http://www.si.com/nhl/2015/12/04/buffalo-world-junior-championships-nhl-draft-combine-hockey-events-terry-pegula

Platform? I was thinking about getting it. I haven't been crazy about playing FPS games over the past year but I might give it a shot. I have friends who are playing too. Mostly disappointed with games these days that seem to be bug ridden and poorly executed. I do think the allure of big money is causing some seriously poor decision makers among the executives at these companies. It should settle itself down sometime in the future but I think it will take awhile.

http://www.tsn.ca/statistically-speaking-sabres-ristolainen-rising-1.403018 12 points in the last 12 games for Buffalo. He doesn't suck.

Okay... we've exceeded the quota for non-hockey talk in the around the NHL thread. :)

It's like speeding. That's all I will say. Got my shipper here.. ready to go when it's time. :)

Yea.. because I might start drinking one thread too early. Go Sabres! Can't wait.. it cannot be said enough... I look forward to games now. That's so refreshing.

Could they have that stadium built in time? If so, then could you imagine if the announcement was both the WJC, outdoor games, and that they will be held at the new stadium that will be built by then? I don't think they could get it build by then... Levi's Stadium broke ground April 2012 and opened July 2014. They would have to start now and beat that timeline to have it done in time.

I'd be interested... no doubt. Although you might be have a hard time with so many of us being in the same distribution area. :)

I suppose to make it fair to all teams they should each play 1 game outdoors... right? I mean the ice surface will be there! No matter what this is awesome and I know I will be attending games next year with my son. I cannot wait.

That was absolutely classic.

One Buffalo has a high wheat base. It's more of a lightly hopped wheat pale than anything if I recall the original description properly. Sigh.. someone needs to trade me some beers... :) If you like Christmas Ales then you should like this. I'm not a HUGE fan of Christmas Ales.

I think people need to look at the Sabres system before the talk about the front of the net. I don't see the Sabres prioritizing the front of the net at all. While you can trot out the mantra of "control the slot" there are systems that allow for the attacker to be there while the defender is busy preventing the puck from getting there in the first place. I'll watch more for that but off the top of my head I don't think any Sabres defenders hang out in front of the net for too long. The other key comparison is to note that Ristolainen's age relative to the others. Defenders aren't generally THIS good at THIS age. So, where does he project in 2 more years? He's definitely one of the best Sabres on the ice. He's definitely calculating but he makes the smart play most of the time and he usually doesn't get himself out of position. He's a threat in the offensive zone when he needs to be and he hits when it makes sense. He's not perfect... I recall Subban being almost a joke at this age. He had all kinds of flashes of talent but he was so emotional that he'd get himself out of position all the time. Now look at him...

I think the black pads that the Blackhawks goalies where are also a problem. It obscures the view of a puck and may make it harder to see if a puck crosses the line because it creates a larger black field.

It's not poopy scheduling. The general populace does not care about November/December games. Football is dominating people's minds. The NHL is getting the cross-country games out of the way early so that they can have the focus of the second half of the season on conference/divisional play (except for Tampa.. I can't explain that). In the second half, when people are interested in hockey more, they will be presented with games that have more meaning in the standings and probably carry a bit more animosity.

Well, the guy has a history of being a hothead so it's not necessarily isolated to this particular moment. However, I do think there have to be other issues at play for a blow up of those proportions to occur. Also.. the Lakeshore rink gates are just as bad these days, almost lost a finger in one. There are a lot of bad parents. I hear all kinds of stuff and it really bothers me how much some people put into the game and on their children. Coaches do get bombarded by parents with "ideas", etc. Most of the time you can just pass it off but I know there are some really toxic relationships in the area. It's sad... the kids are supposed to have fun and enjoy what they are doing. Taking away from that because of some screwed up belief that your child will be an NHL great is robbing them of some important years in their lives.

So, as I mention, I coach youth travel hockey (Age 11). Last night just blew my mind. We're losing to the other team 4-3. They are a local Rochester team as are we. Our head coach used to coach in their organization but moved last year. There is a bit of animosity between the two and they get a little jacked up when playing each other. So, just inside the start of the 3rd period there is apparently a missed offsides call right in front of the opposing coach. Then his player gets called for interference, no debate as he bowled over a kid without the puck. The coach lost his mind. He began screaming as loud as I have ever heard anyone. He let a few f bombs drop and got a bench minor from the ref. That's when he proceeded to lose everything else. He was so enraged that he tried to get on the ice and could not even get the door to open. Finally the ref called a forfeit against his team and ended the game. I'm waiting to see what USA Hockey does to this guy. He should be suspended at least 2 years from coaching (if not permanently). He's also a hockey referee himself and I've heard he's on the local board for officials. I can only imagine how that will go over. Talk about doing the wrong thing for all the wrong reasons. He cost his team the game and likely ruined his involvement with youth hockey for a long time. I bet he made his son proud too. Eeeeesh.

I should post here so this goes near the top. Go Sabres. Won't see much tonight, if any. Hockey tournament and we get a 6:50pm start and then a 7:20am start tomorrow. Go us.

I don't see it that way. They have been playing the majority of their games against teams that don't give up many goals. When they have scored more than 2 goals in a game they played: CBJ, NJD, PHI, PIT, PHI, VAN, FLA. Let's see how their scoring looks when they begin playing the teams that are in the bottom 50% for goals allowed.

Well.. Nashville is 8th best in lowest GA so things should be looking up. Sabres are now at 16 at least.

underrated by who? He's a beast.

Must be multiple threads.. so I am going to copy something I posted elsewhere 2 days ago.

Team psychology? They're fine. They have played hockey for their entire lives. They aren't freaking out. Hell the goal was a damn fluke to begin with. I think all the naysayers are missing one thing. More than anything it might actually get the CROWD fired up when it's not overturned and that might generate some energy for his team at a point when they need it. The timeout could have been important, but it wasn't. It's a risk. He had an opportunity and he took it. I would have challenged it.

Posted in the Ennis thread... summarized here: 17 of Sabres first 24 games are against teams that are higher than they are in the GA ranking in the NHL. The Sabres are 17. I don't think everyone else can say that yet. Give it time.