X. Benedict

Actually, I see the most good coming out of this scenario. Samson gets a 9 game taste of life in the show, Grigo one last taste of life on a bus. Samson returns to juniors with a month to prepare for Worlds. Grigo comes up to Buffalo knowing the distance back to Rochester is figuratively and literally not that far.

Vets are often careful about taking the C. It isn't just for honor, or respect or show. It often means sorting lots of locker room crap out and handling the media. Many see it as a burden. I wouldn't be sure he'd want it.

Git up there mule, here comes a lock We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock One more trip and back we'll go Right back home to Buffalo Low bridge, everybody down! Low bridge for we're coming to a town! And you'll always know your neighbor! And you'll always know your pal! If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal! There was a time when every grade school kid in WNY learned it.

Excellent.

We'll see. Adding Boychuk and Leddy are really huge upgrades, but any NHL defense men would have been a huge upgrade. I think they are better, but still organizationally thin. Better than the Sabres though, especially up front.

Always a good time. My routine is early dinner and drinks at the Plymoth followed by a brisk walk to the ice.

For fair balance.....those teams were trying to win. When a team doesn't have a checking line on the roster, or anyone that can win a face off, you need to press people into those roles, even if it isn't a natural strength. Nolan says play to your strength, and he's not a line-matcher. He just has a strong preference for vets that do those things without being told they have to.

that sucks.

This.

It matters, but by :) not much more than you are suggesting.

The passing is sharper. I think this will be a more competitive team than last year. But ......... Sam Reinhart got a goal. But he got a schooling on face-offs. 25% 3-12. That's something that might limit ice time. I think he might get less than his 9 here. He just seems like a great kid though, doesn't he? Get him back to junior, let him captain the Canada World Junior Team. I don't think we'll see that much open ice for the rest of October, but those goals are fun.

I've been keeping tabs on McNabb too. I think it could go either way whether he sticks or not. And if he doesn't, and then whether he clears or not.

I'd rather be watching him. I think you are right. I love how strong he is on his skates in open ice.

The only question for me is where does McCabe start the season.

I think at his price-tag, Weber would have no trouble clearing waivers. Still a nice guy to have in the organization for emergency depth.

np ....... Only this from me, I have a preference for McCabe getting NHL minutes.

That looks more dangerous than having no safety word.

:lol: now we just need a photoshopper http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMjAwMjU1MTA4N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzAxNTc3NA@@._V1_SX214_AL_.jpg

Consistent being a neutral phrase. :lol:

I think it is okay to take a wait and see with Stewart. The payoff could be huge. He's about to turn 27. If he hits his stride, I think he could be a consistent 20-25 goal scorer. This is a new start for him. I'm willing to watch him have a crack at it.

I'm giving the entire team a long leash. I'm really just expecting to see compete. (Ouch, Im using compete as a noun now too). The only ones with shorter leashes are really Foligno, Hodgson, Ennis, and Myers. They have to show they belong here going forward.

Glad you did. It was an obvious error. I fell off the the third rung of a ladder yesterday. Ouch. Family telling me I'm not acting too sharp.

You are right of course on his handed ness. I'm slightly concussed myself.

He made the pass. It was a good one, especially on the backhand. Disagree on the DoDifficulty or percentage. He put it right on Grigos forehand. Grigo did a nice job handling it. But a pro should.

I'm not counting him out. He has been pretty impressive on the dot. He could certainly be in the situation mix if he shows consistency in just that. If I'm not mistaken, Nolan was matching him against JVR and Kessle - I liked that Nolan tried that.