X. Benedict

For want of a nail the kingdom was lost logic. Interesting. But it isn't a cover up, the news cycle just doesn't do cause and effect.

FBI Agent 1: So this Vanek guy, keeps flaring his nostrils in the interview, making this sucking in noise. FBI Agent 2: Yeah, hockey player, right?

My only recommendation in NYC with time is go to the better restaurants for lunch. Cheaper specials, no waiting, save moolah. Go ethnic for dinner - lot of great little places in the west 40s for stuff I can't pronounce.

I actually think NY laws are sensible. Personal wagers are legal but unenforceable contracts - as long as a bookmaker isn't taking a cut. Once a bookie is making a profit - that leads to thumbs getting broken. Just remember - they got Capone for tax evasion.

He would have gone low.

Laundering 76 Million Dolllars - is that lame too?

Early days for Grigo. I don't think his professional debut impressed anyone, but debuting him at all was based on the fact he has talent. Twenty years old. I think he gets there, but I'm not happy that this is already a contract year for him.

It is sport. No guarantees. I watch very little football these days, and I hate making cross sport comparisons, but the Bills 1987 season was 7-8 or something....the team was on the cusp of turning the corner. Great season to be a fan though. 1979 was a good season to watch too. You could see the pieces coming together. I don't know if there is a Sabres season that is quite equivalent, but you get the drift. I want to see a team that competes, plays hard, and starts to coalesce. Less than that would be a failure in my opinion. But we ain't getting a cup this year, and we ain't getting the playoffs either. But it is really up to you if you think it isn't worth watching. If in your evaluation it ain't, I wouldn't blame you or anyone.

where are you meeting this guy?

wait a second - marketing is about sales - Swamp doesn't buy tickets or anything else - (his words) - but he's angry about the Marketing job. no? So what he's really angry about is other people (and maybe you too?) buying stuff. Am I wrong? What does this ripe for the picking stuff mean other than thinking Buffalo Hockey fans are not savy? I hold that the season ticket holders more than the non-season ticket holders know exactly what product they are getting.

He's frustrated with the losing. That's all. Understandable.

He probably said it. Darcy called it suffering. It is pretty much the opposite of marketing. Marketing is specifically to make money. There is very little evidence the Sabres are trying to maximize profits in this whole scheme. If they are they are 100% incompetent. Perhaps I'm quibbling with a word, but it ain't marketing.

Whoops bologna. Bad speller.

Yes. I went to Canisius one day years back and Mike Gilbert sold me my own pants. They fit great. Years later Ted Black sold me the same pair. They fit great too. Man I love these pants. Where can I find pants like these? That was marketed to you? Baloney.

Fans dumb. No understand hockey business. Hand over paycheck. Ape no kill ape.

Marketing? How? The team stinks, but beyond Buffalo's capacity to stay interested, I haven't seen any extraordinary efforts to market this as something it is not.

He was 226 at his draft. He could probably play over 245 in a few years.

Oh no doubt. If you need D depth it would be silly not to call GMTM .

Just taking an inventory - I am pinching myself over Risto - I know it's summer and exuberance should be in check - but he's looking like the complete package in terms of -- everything you want a young defender to be.

I wouldn't count him out at this stage, but the blue line is crowded. He's got some skill though, and righties never seem to go away. It might not be the Sabres, but I could see him getting short term call-ups.

The Washington Capitals: a team that's always happy to see you.

stempniak is just about the definition of journeyman.

He'll be pressing his body weight by the fall. One thing that differs between the NCAA and juniors is the amount of time spent in the weight room. Juniors you play a lot more, but half your life is on a bus. The D1 weight rooms are serious business even for the women's programs.

Zadorov is a very good skater. I don't equate skating with just speed, especially for a D man. He is strong on his skates, skates backwards well, and keeps his gap. I actually think he has decent speed and can jump up into the play. Not a liability at all. For a 240 lb kid. His skating is ridiculously good.

Never won a year supply of her.