X. Benedict

I still think Boston loses this series - Pitt will find their sea-legs.

How do you explain Slats? 13 years and counting. I don't think you are looking at much greater competence.

I can take no pleasure in Boston winning.

I think it is more a matter of how many contracts a team can tenure. Sabres already have 34 contracts. If they bring back all the RFA's that's 43. They'll probably want to sign 5 two way vets for Rochester. 48. Those last few contracts better be worthwhile and the team hasn't drafted yet.

Pittsburgh really missed on their opportunities. At least 3 plays they had Rask beat and hit pipe.

I'm not expecting a good series. I think the Bruins will trap and limit room and will lose doing it.

Honestly, I don't think most Sabres fans fret much over who the GM is. Despised? I really don't think it goes that far. I, for one, don't despise him, but would welcome a change. Could you imagine the NY media and fans turning on Messier or Gretzky? No way Sather would survive that.

So you think he wouldn't help the PP? I think Briere could still get 40-50 pts. Which with Pominville gone....would probably make him 4th or 5th on the team.

If he won a couple faceoffs, it might be a wash. :lol:

I actually think Torts and Lundquist made that defense look a lot more talented that it was. I don't know if they can really play a full court game needed to press the pace. I don't think they have the horses on the blueline to open it up. I suspect there will be some growing pains in NY if they try to change styles.

10 more powerplay goals and this team, as bad as it was, was probably in the playoffs. Briere would help with that immediately.

I think this is a perception I just don't agree with. Except for the Hasek years, Lindy never had a defense first style. His optimal game would be to roll lines with two way players and with a defense that is very active in the offensive zone and even making entries - and almost never shooting out of the defensive zone. (Rolston so far is much more defensive minded). Torts I think it was much more a matter of personnel. Having Lundquist meant a defensive style was the best way to win in tough East.....Torts in Tampa never had great goaltending, or much in terms of defense.

I could. Actually I think both coaches were asking for the same thing in terms of passing out of the defensive zone.

I really think Ruff is more like Vigneault than Torts.

in a Hurricane, no. Wildfire or locust plague, yes.

I haven't really thought about that. I think uncalled penalties benefits the Bruins. I think they let them play. (i.e. let Chara and Boychuk mug). But I don't think it will much matter.

Pens in 5 - Really liking how the Pens match up over Bruins battered D. LA in 7 - tough call. Should be a great series.

Pyatt is an NHL player...but as far as drafting goes, he's pretty much the poster boy for talent not always following size. Of course the 1999 draft was probably one of the weakest ones I remember. Janik, Jillson, Zigomanis, Leopold, Pyatt, Connolly, Ryan and probably other sabres were in the top 60 in that draft. I think it is a fair comment about not knowing for sure. But Lindy might have been a little stale, I don't think he ever had a revolt. NY sounds like a revolt.

I don't think Lindy ever lost the room. Which was probably the most important one. Torts did.

I've always liked Torts, but I have to imagine that asking your players to block everything probably has a limit. Shot blocking is a bit of a two edged sword. Sure the shot doesn't get through, but there is chance for injury, there is probably a higher chance of a deflection into the net (take the winner in Chicago for example), and over a long season, injuries add up. There is probably as good a case for just letting your goaltender see it. Anyway, Lindy Ruff is leading the buzz for Torts replacement.

Buffalo is Latin for self-medicating.

In hockey Feaster? Tambellini was just fired. I don't think Darcy is very much hated myself if you put him on the feelings of intensity that Burke created.

I think he's shown ability to coach a number of different styles. He's made the playoffs with no defense or goalie at all. Those Tampa teams were hardly D first.

Hmmm. A coach of Torts caliber on the market. I can't help but feel that Darcy removed the interim label too soon from Rolston.

You oughta know by now?