gohansrage

That's fine with me. But Darcy is good with trades, and it would be a shame to lose that. LaFontaine can still fire him though. He deserves it.

Will this let Darcy still make trades but let Lafontaine do literally everything else? Because that would be ideal.

100% this. God, so this. It's way worse to watch him play like that and know most nights he simply chooses not to. That's awful. There's no shame in trying and failing. But to have the talent he has and squander it? That's a sin.

I don't think he thought Gaustad wasn't a threat, but Goose was closer to his weight class than Scott is. I honestly think Lucic would punk down from Scott and Thornton would step in. I really do. My argument overall is that guys like Scott end up fighting guys like Orr and Thorton. And while entertaining (and that Orr/ Engelland fight is AMAZING), I don't know that it has the effect you're describing.

This is EXACTLY the problem. If what the media said of Lewis "He's a good linebacker. He hits hard and clean. He diagnoses the defense and gets to the right spot" then I would probably move on from hating Ray Lewis. But it's not what is said about him. I hear "he's pure class." Or "he's a leader." Or other things that horrendously gloss over the fact that he (at best) was in a group that murdered two guys.

I think this is pretty great. I have noticed the loudest Sabres crowds are often games against Toronto and Montreal. I think the large level of opposing fans brings out the Buffalo rowdiness, and it goes directly to your second factor.

I don't think we really disagree here. I'm not saying there is no value in winning a fight, I'm saying being willing to fight is more important than winning. Additionally, I don't think having Scott will guys like Lucic/Marchand/Tootoo/Neil. Let's say Lucic runs Miller again. Scott then tries to fight Lucic (who he would pummell) but there is no way Lucic engages him--Thornton simply steps in for Lucic. Again, I think Scott probably beats Thornton up. Because they know that Thornton will just get back in the ring with Scott if he tries anything, I don't think the Bruins are scared of Scott. And even if the bully had to fight Scott, I don't think that prevents cheap shots and dirty hits. Having to answer to McCarty didn't stop Claude Lemieux.

They make a large amount of money by having the BCBS of WNY dance cam and other stuff like that. I agree with you that it stinks, but I don't think it's a modest haircut. And also I wasn't just taking exception to this example. People will reference Pegula's deep pockets to complain about ticket prices, concsession costs, parking costs, etc. I just find it crazy.

Do we know when the date of the League Cup Final?

First, I hate the commercials and in game "entertainment." I agree it doesn't allow the fans to get their own buzz going. But I sort of take exception to this idea (no offense to you) that Pegula should automatically just throw away all revenue streams we don't like. The "drill a well" comment was an indciation that the Sabres wouldn't be bound my budget limitations anymore (which they aren't). It doesn't meant the team is going to not care about making money.

We didn't have that last year--we had a bunch of players who didn't want to ruin their manicures. I see your overall point, and I'm not saying Scott should be cut. I just think defending your team is more important than winning the fight. Besides, the ultimate win is winning on the scoreboard.

I have seen others make this point, and I don't understand it. He absolutely needs to hit that open net, but I don't get what that has to do with his Captain-ness. Am I missing something?

QFT. On that note, I think the idea that you have to "win" the fight is antiquated. You just need to make guys know they need to answer for dirty shots. Stafford going up against Hartnell was proof of that. It meant so much to the team that it was Stafford that went after Hartnell (even though he lost).

For some reason "Around" 2.10 made me laugh.

The Sabres are an interesting team. The second half of last year showed the great play thisteam is capable of, but the first half last year showed the crap this team is capable of as well. For the Sabres I think everything from making the Conference Finals to missing the playoffs is on the table. Since we're making guesses, I say the Sabres get the sixth season and lose to the Hurricanes in a very physical seven game series.

I was 13 in 1998 and my main memory from that summer is Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. It was the biggest athletic phenomenon of the past 20 years. Keeping them out of the Hall will not take away those memories--it just makes the Hall look stupid. Put them in and say "May have used steroids." Done.

There goes my productivity today

I just need you to know that this post did not go unlaughed at. Well done.

He might be, but I don't know that I am ready to blame him. The defence and goaltenders are OK AHL players but are really suffering in the super talented AHL we have here. I don't think Rolston can make Joe Finley any less of a pylon.

Abysmal is far too weak of a word for the defense, but Leggio and Knapp have been playing pretty poorly this season. All you need to know about this year's Amerks team: - 4th in the AHL in Goals For with 98. - 3rd in the AHL in Goals Against with 96 (Lake Erie feels our pain, they are 101 for and 103 against)

I know what you mean Hank. That's not really my style but I'll give it a shot... - Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger). - Song of Ice and Fire books (Give it a chance even if you don't like fantasy). - Stephen King's Dark Tower series That's all I can think of now sorry. Like I said they are not my cup of tea.

He always scores from there. He's so money. I also thought Hodgson had a good game today. My main complaint with him is that gets too fancy. But he is so much more creative than anyone on the ice. The Amerks first goal tonight was a beauty.

When he was on the shootout I just knew he was going to score. Just knew it. He's so good.

Is it a memoir or fiction?

Bumping because I like this thread and I don't want it to be buried: 1. Children and Fire was OK. I won't complain but I'd pass. 2. I enjoyed The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Heinlien much more than I expected. I usually find his work too militaristic but this was very fleshed out. It's strengthe was sentient computer Mike's desire for human interaction. Mike really paved the way for my all time favorite sci-fi character, Lt Commander Data. 3. Watchmen by Alan Moore is so much more than a comic. It was the fourth time I read and I really took the time to admire the use of paneling and what can really be described as shot structure. It's a brilliant novel that happens to be graphic. 4. On the note of graphic novels, I read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. A story of a girl before, during, and after the Islamic revolution. It's split into two parts, and I found the first considerably more enjoyable than the second. 5. I read Martin Dressler by Steven Millhauser. A close observation about the American Dream at the start of the 20th century, I enjoyed it immensely. I would like to warn here that the majority of people in our book club did not like it, but those who did liked it a lot. Next on my reading list: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin (I finished Book 2 in July and still haven't started 3. I have to get on it.)