LaFontaineToMogilny

No reason for gloom today! We finally found out how to get the Sabres to give a solid 60 minutes effort: Just fire the coach after every period.

Only issue I have with this is it's breaking up the only line that has been above disastrous this year. I am hoping to see Grigorenko between Vanek and Pominville at some point soon though.

too late

So Stafford on the 3rd line and a Foligno - Grigorenko - Ennis line are out of the question since you have already predicted them?

I can only imagine that Regier is skating on extremely thin ice and that if there was a solid candidate available and vetted he would be gone already. It would have made my respect Regier a lot more if he had done the right thing and fired himself as well yesterday.

Thanks for heart, soul and effort put in over several decades for the Buffalo Sabres, and to the bolded: I feel exactly the same way.

Don't worry, 2nd period coming up, we'll get them then ....

If Vanek played with Mogilny and LaFontaine would he score OVER 9000!!!!!!!!?

Don't think so, it's total points. Still would only had tied for first anyway. Can Vanek win it outright?

I probably do, but I try to keep my posting of asinine comments relatively low and I see that others post asinine comments much more frequently than me so I'm not to worried about the time waste. Anyhow, am I right in assuming that when someone wants the crowd to be more enthusiastic to increase their view pleasure it's demaniding conformity, but when someone doesn't want to sacrifice their view pleasure by conforming to normal seating procedures it's being a bully? Ameriacan arena culture is indeed foreign to my European self. Anyhow, it is obvious that not everyone who goes to a game wants to stand up all game and scream their lungs out. There are others who do however, and the more people who do bring high energy levels to the game, the more it will charge up the home team. My suggested solution is to have someone (preferably the Sabres Booster Club or similar) negotiate with the Sabres that parts of the 300 level is reserved for the booster club and given to fans who yell, sing, chant, dance, play the drums, whatever. That way the people who like to get up and rowdy can fuel eachother along, and the elderly peanuts enthusiasts and families with small children can be left in peace. A simple arrangement like this would probably be enough to create a much more thrilling experience for all the fans, and help motivate the Sabres to new hights. This is the model that is used by most organized fan groups in European soccer, hockey, hurling, what have you and it creates a gameday experience that is unmatched. This is an area where the fans can acctually have an impact on what happens on the ice. It does require more effort then posting Fire Lindy Ruff!! 20 times on a message board, but it is also much more effective in improving the Sabres.

I thought you found the entire perspective that people ought to conform; think and act a certain way in certain situations, especially innocuous and ultimately shallow situations like a sports game, both childish and scary?

The terrible crowd support is 100% the fans fault. It's the only real chance fans have to influence what happens to the team, and the opportunity is not taken seriously. I've said before that there is a huge potential in getting a much more energetic crowd. It really can have a huge impact in bringing out the very best of the team; instead, the fans opt to sit back and wait to be entertained. In my opinion that approach is the same as not taking your role as a fan seriously. This is not particuar to the Sabres however, it's a general trend in American arena culture. I have never been to a football game, but in any other major sport event I have been to the crowd engagament is extremely low. If there is still a Sabres booster club this would be an area with huge potential to improve the team. Get some excitable fans together in one section, make up some songs and chants and get some organized fan participation going.

Yes

Extend John Scott

I again admit to limited sample size, but I don't see a big difference in offensive skill in those two players. Kassian getting the nod in shootouts over both Sedins seems to indicate that he has better hands than Marcus, but I haven't seen it. Obviously way to early to tell anyway.

I watched Kassian against the Kings last nigth and I'd make the trade all over again. He skated hard, but didn't hit anything, didn't create ANYTHING, hardly ever did anything along the boards, and sticks out like a sore thumb on the Sedin line. Talk about being the beneficiary of playing with better linemates. He was in the right place for a puck that bounced of Scuderi, but that was it. He ended the night by losing the puck on a weak shootout attempt to lose the game. On an admittedly small sample I still think Foliogno is an upgrade.

Nobody (except Maradona) can do it on their own. Like the linemen in pretend football, the workhorses in the midfield gets overlooked but do the important work. Anyhow, I am a traditionalist and prefer the classic hexagon design style balls, but the design is prone to poor handling if the ball is not of good quality. I have always been an Adidas man myself, I don't know what Kendis is though. Some of the kids I coach use Nike balls, and while I don't like to admit it, the balls are pretty good. Perhaps a Diadora ball would fit your Italian flair well? Most important thing is to spend a little bit of money though, and make sure the ball is inflated to the preassure you like so you can see that it holds shape well and the surface is totally even. I'd put down at least $30.

Props for 'trequartistas'. I am quite fond of the defensive midfield position myself and hold it to be the most important position on the field, but I still say that the 10 position has produced better footballers over time.

All kidding aside, I think you have to ranke Keane above Seedorf, especially if you're ranking grater type midfielders. Of course, if you are just ranking midfielders outright none of them makes the top 5 in my book. Pelé played midfield in America ... :ph34r: .

I had to look up what precludes means, and the list makes more sense. Still, Vierra and Seedorf over guys like Dechamps and Souness? Or how about Neeskens who covered for Cruyff always?

No Zidane?

Don't care much for Swansea, nor Wales, but Michael Laudrup is a true legend. Top 10 European midfielders all time for sure, perhaps even top 5?

Due to timezone constraints I usually end up listening to the first two periods of weekday Sabres games on the radio. I am not among Kevin Sylvester's biggest haters, but listening to him call the game on radio is not great. Very difficult to follow the play, Jeanerette is in a different league when it comes to conveying the flow of the game on the radio.

Three hits from Drew Stafford in one period? Thank you Steve Ott!

This is the exact opposite mindset that I have (and I see other Europeans in the thread share as well). As a fan you have very limited options to affect the outcome of the game. The only impact fans can have is to drive the home team forward by being engaged, loud, and enthusiastic throughout the game. The way I see it, not cheering on the team regardless of what goes on in the ice is a complete waste of a seat. Especially when the team struggles is when the team needs the fans the most. The players already know that the fans wants a win, there's no need to boo and turn quiet as a clam to demonstrate disgust with poor games. Instead, stand up and let everyone know that this is the Buffalo Sabres and we are their fans. Even if the team gets blown out, a huge push from the crowd will carry over to the next game and will help establish a culture of wanting to push even harder for the fans. I see people say that "professional athletes" should not need fan support to get up for the game, but what is the upside to sitting on your hands all game and break out the occational golf clap? Nothing! It has never happened that a team has performed worse because the fans are too enthusiastic at home, so get up and sing. That's a fans role in the whole thing anyway.