Spun

Beat the Bruins.

High as a kite Stadium.

Chokers. Where is that guy who went on that infamous radio post a couple of seasons ago? What is the over/under on departures before the deadline?

Off to the races. Addition by subtraction. Posturing for the Kraken smash and grab. Good luck with ‘dem over ‘dere...

A coaching change is inevitable. There is no need to rush the inevitable. There is a need to make a careful, smart pick. I trust that this move is in the works. Some roster moves are also needed to shake up the team. I don’t watch the games. I listen online from the west coast (outside the WNY bubble). Some are jumping on the coach while others blame the players. I sense that this crop of players doesn’t mesh well together despite their individual skills. I can’t tell from listening if the players have quit on the coach. What is the take from those of you who watch the games? The Sabres didn’t seem this bad before their covid shutdown. Rebuilds are not supposed to last this long. I miss winning.

Little known fact, they play ice hockey in Mexico!

They have got to be coming up with who the will be the next coach. Once they figure out who, it will happen. I sense that the next hire will be a Sutter, Tortorella type.

That was rough.

I didn’t want to bring it up!

I would say Pepe Le Pew...

Just a goal, one goal... One stinking goal... Please.

The best would be Roberto Duran as a sparring partner in Rocky 2. There actually was a boxer named Rocky Balboa.

I agree with everything you said. I would add that every team is a budget team these days -for an undefined future. The numbers must be stressy right about now. One or more teams at various levels may fold. A franchise can only bleed so long until they chop it. The bubbles have worked at the top but those conditions will not be available for all or most. Economics may push management to lean towards bettering draft performance as opposed to paying a lot for FA hope. The Sabres have struggled with both. I would like to see some of the Sabres surge upwards a level or more. And a youth movement would help the cause. The first two draft picks are supposed to be offensive. Skinner? Step it up. Olofsson, more of the same. Cozens. ??? Don’t ruin his development. End the frustration.

I listened to the TB radio feed (WFLA) for a couple of games earlier in the playoffs. They have a guy doing the play-by-play. Not bad, very passionate on the TB goals. And they have this other guy who sounded rough and very unpolished. I knew I had heard the voice before. Phil Esposito! Openly rooting! Moaning and groaning! It was very hard to listen to the broadcast. But then some of his analysis was spot on.. I guess he is about 78 y.o. He was never popular in Buffalo as he was part of the Big Bad Bruins when the Sabres entered the league. Still not!

Hooking one’s vulnerable zone for what reason? I doubt it was stimulating nor invigorating. Dallas caught a break on the 5-hole hook and got screwed on the GWG. The officiating was bad tonight.

Did anybody attend? Impressions?

Don’t the Av’s hold the Sens #1 pick?

Well said. It happens in many sports and undoubtably some of the kids learn to act in kind. Comtois is getting raked online for his missed penalty shot against the Finns. Think of how the Chicago Bears kicker is being roasted now and forever for his missed kicks. And Scott Norwood is endlessly ripped for his infamous missed kick. Traditionally, the umpires are trashed in baseball. We all lose in life at something. We are imperfect animals.

United by Cory Booker Ashley’s War by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon I just stamped a couple of holds through my local San Diego library on books recommended in the original post, The Boys of Winter and also A First Rate Madness... Tomorrow, I will be picking through the last offerings of a local bookstore that is closing down. I hate these closures. I must get out and BUY books from our dwindling bookstores. Thanks for starting this thread and all the recommendations!

The WJC starts tomorrow with Russia vs. Czech Republic at noon, Canada vs. Finland at 4 pm and the USA vs. Denmark at 8 pm. The forecast for the USA vs. Canada game at New Era Field on Friday is a high of16 degrees and a low of 8 with some snow!!! It is going to be cold up there in section 332! Can't wait! Go USA!!!

I keep the landline for a variety of reasons. Smart phones have their flexibility but the constant need to charge is annoying. The sound quality can get frustratingly bad. The neighbors carrying on with calls in the back alley to get better reception is bothersome to many of us. I also maintain an "A" list and a "B" list whereby not everybody gets access to my cell. Some friends constantly call to b.s. and for the most part, I don't have the time nor patience for such calls so they get the landline # (the "B" list treatment). I have my landline set up so there is no ringing. Either I hear a voice from the antique voice machine and pickup if I wish or I retrieve the message later. Everybody gets the message machine - tough if they don't like it. I am not a big phone person. E-mail is a Godsend. Contact (bother) me by e-mail and I will or will not reply when I feel like it! When I do make longer calls to family and friends, the landline is preferable. I am on the "do not call" list which has helped the clutter I use to get on the landline. All credit card companies have a standing order not to telemarket me. The only group who cannot comprehend the numerous requests (10-15?) not to bother me at home is the American Red Cross - it has unfortunately cost them in less donations. Also, a few years ago we had a major blackout in the southwest. The blackout lasted about eight hours. Traffic signals were down and businesses had to close. Cell phone service was limited because people had no way to charge their phones. I laughed while listening to the neighbors go through withdrawal. For those who need instantaneous access most anywhere and anytime, especially for business, the cell phone is ideal. I just don't need the leash.

A lot has been considered on Grigorenko so far. I wish to throw a couple more thoughts to the mix. If Grigorenko's QMJHL team the Quebec Remparts do make it to the Memorial Cup Final, his season will extend to May 26th. The AHL regular season winds down for the Rochester Americans on April 21st. 16 teams make the AHL playoffs. That means the Calder Cup (the AHL Finals) will be the last of four series most likely extending into June. Grigorenko may or may not make it to Rochester this season. I saw Grigorenko play (via internet) in the most recent WJC. He played well against a lot of guys that will also play in the NHL - one day. As for the level of play in the QMJHL / CHL. These players are not so beneath Grigorenko that he cannot significantly develop by playing against them in however many games the Remparts have left this season. No one player just skates their team to the Memorial Cup Championship. Crosby and his team Rimouski, didn't win the Memorial Cup. Same goes for the AHL caliber of play. Many very good players hone their skills in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL. A lot of us would rather forget all about the lockout. However, consider that one part of the lockout that hurt a lot of teams is that they did not get adequate time to fully evaluate the newest and youngest players. They took a gamble on Grigorenko. However, he needs more time. There is nothing wrong with that. He is going to get better. He is eighteen. We want so bad for this kid to be the next Gilbert Perreault! We want so bad for the Sabres to win the Stanley Cup! We know it isn't that easy. Most of us were not ready for the Sabres fall after barely missing the playoffs last season. Look at the Sabres roster. Look at the career numbers. There are very few players with twenty goal seasons. Goal scorers are sorely needed and so are dominant centers. Keeping Grigorenko on the roster is not going to change this season for the better. I am also angry and frustrated. Be patient with the kid. Help is coming,with or without Regier. Stay away from the edge of the cliff.

The kick save prevented a goal! That was funny! There are a lot of unhappy Canadians on tsn.ca. Ripping the goalies, the coaches, the heart of the team. Losing hurts so much when the expectations are so high. Every year the Canadians get so amped for this tourney. They were venomous in Buffalo. I get why the Canadians are so into the tourney. Slowly, Americans are catching on. It is a great stage for prospects. The Sabres prospects have done better this tourney than they ever have before I believe. The Swedes await. It is 4:30 am (PST) and I am so tired! I hope it is worth it. I have watched all the American games. I don't want to caffinate or I won't sleep until dinnertime! Go USA!!!

justin.tv has the feed. SHHH....

Way to go USA!!! It wasn't the outcome that I expected! I thought for the US to have a chance, they would need a good start. The skating is what really impresses me, especially by the defensemen during the breakouts. The US has really improved since game one against the Germans. An interesting thing to consider is that this team really hasn't played together very much since many of the college players had final exams to attend to before the WJC. As for Latvia not playing Girgenson, I was surprised by this decision. If Edmonton could let Nugent-Hopkins play then why can't the Rochester Americans let Girgenson play? From what I read, Girgenson would have been Latvia's best player. It isn't like Girgenson is an instrumental part of the Amerks effort (at this point). It also isn't like Latvia makes it to the WJC every year. I think the competion could have done Girgenson some good. By the way I think Nugent-Hopkins should play. N-H is of age and shouldn't be penalized because of his skill level. He was available, so let him play. I do like the Sabres prospect parade in Ufa! Grigorenko, McCabe, Makarov and Armia are all young and still developing. I wouldn't read too much into their flaws at this point. I will take joy at their success!. Both Russia and Sweden have very good programs. The US skated circles around the Swedes two years ago in Buffalo. But the Swedes skated circles around Canada two years ago and beat Russia last year in the final 1-0. The US can't take either team lightly. And they can't let up after todays (tonights?) win. Wins against Canada don't happen all that often so for now, celebrate! Go USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!