GrassValleyGreg

Most of my observations followed the narratives emerging from camp. -Ennis looked good. Strong (see those biceps??) and vintage hands. Excited to see him with two smart players in ROR and Ok. -Okposo is so solid with and without the puck. His puck possession will be a factor this year, especially along the boards on the PP. -Mouls actually looked playable. Fought for pucks and it didn't look like he was skating in mud. More like dirt. Could be solid in front of the net on our PP2. -Lehner was the most encouraging obviously because of the importance of his position. His comments off ice have displayed a mental preparedness and toughness, and it showed on ice with his calm play and very sound positioning. And his offseason conditioning showed in his agility and recovery time. -Deslauriers played his game very well tonight. He'll be making a push for the bottom six. -Bogo was brutal. Does not have a good mental game and shouldn't be running the point of any kind of power play. -The kids played well and the Amerks will be fun to watch this year. Get to the War Memorial Rochester! I understand it's game two of preseason so please don't attempt to pop my balloon. I'm grounded. But this team is hitting all the right notes and I'm going to enjoy the excitement! Looking forward to seeing the team when it's infused with some elite talent.

Bogo brutal so far. Love to see Ennis and Okposo developing their chemistry. Beauty pass from Ok and deflection by Ennis just wide.

Lehner looks fantastic. Concentrated, agile and quick from butterfly to standing. Ennis showing evidence of old form with some nice hands on the PP. Tempered expectations but what a boost these two could be.

Sabres.com coverage has been markedly improved this year, adding to the overall competence of a well run franchise. For the first time in some time, the site's articles have added insight equal to this community. Highly recommend checking out LaBarber's articles daily. Can't help but be excited about the camaraderie, work ethic and overall positivity of the team. Good on GMTM for making a conscious effort to get character vets like Mouls (play was atrocious, but relationship with Eich alone may be worth half of his contract), Gorges and Gio. Definitely a solid blueprint for future tank copycats. Of course there may be no role model more valuable to the character of the team than ROR. Don't know if there is new training staff in place, but players look noticeably bigger and to a man talk about an increased workload this offseason. Also Reinhart is perfect. Toews-esque in his public persona. Very excited about the steps he takes this year.

Fair enough! But enough room for both I'd say! Edit: Although I don't know these "many people" who feel critics are out of touch. Generally just crappy. But good critics are more often respected for their opinion.

Haha ok pick out a single irrelevant word. Fair enough, not healthy but normal. When I raise the flaws of a movie or book I really liked, it is not a defense mechanism. It's discussing the imperfection of a near perfect product. I think it's important to identify any shortcomings in hopes they are resolved the next time around. It's the role of most critics. Difficult to improve without it. And its not like anything new was brought up. Many hockey observers "perceive" the coasting and over-reliance on talent of Eichel. This is not groundbreaking. The good (and frustrating) thing is that it is fixable and likely to change with maturity. Believe me, it's easier to try and find the elite talent of Eich than it is his failings.

Ok. I'm just saying you're not the first to broadly criticize a succeeding generation and probably not the last unless Trump or climate change hastens the apocalypse. WWII vets thought you were a bunch of long-haired pu$sies. It's progression of civilization, so don't recoil in fear or lash out in critical generalizations because the world seems to be rapidly changing around you. Take solace in that this is not new. But yea. Go Sabres. And go USA.

I like Bucci but really can't stand his schtick in the booth. Not looking forward to the return to ESPN. Appreciated the subcultural feel of NBC Sports.

Damn. You know someone whose a millenial who posted something on social media? And from this you drew a conclusion for the most populous generation on earth? I'm gonna say it: I know this old man on Sabrespace who used the forum to post a micro-agression to deride a generation for its micro-agressions. There's a generational tendency in this cohort to use narrow, combative definitions for subjects and actions they don't understand, akin to my grandfather and his iPhone. Team LGR and Card here for the most part. It's only healthy to criticize our sacred cow, especially after a brutal first when he did nothing to dissuade detractors of his low-effort floating rep. It's not a new criticism that he exhibits less effort while making things look effortless. I'll also take their scouting over national ESPN media who just needed to write a sentence about him.

And 76 pages later, we have our answer. Don't understand it from a "surrounding yourself with playmakers to boost your point production" standpoint. But whatever. Good luck little Jimmy. Time to move on.

Sorry this comes off as a d**k. Who cares? To each their own. What a thread!!

Take it easy fellas. I was referring to CT Fab, who sounds like he had a traumatic experience there. Like I said not for people who don't like cities. Absolutely. But I don't think you'll find a more international metro with such unique density, allowing for limitless cuisine, art, comedy, or any other cultural pleasure all within a city block. Not to mention a one-of-a-kind (at least in US) transit system, beautiful early century architecture from brownstones to bridges, iconic Olmsted parks, underrated beaches within a short drive, etc etc etc. As an urban planner and a resident of NYC, San Fran and now LA (among others), I can say this is a general consensus among those interested in American cities.

My god this has devolved into a bunch of small town boys ripping on what is arguably the greatest city in the world? No, not for everybody, but LOL at the guy who said you can pretty much find what you find in NYC anywhere. So is NJ out? My darkhorse pick never had a chance. :(

Why not after all is said and done, a simple: "after careful deliberation, we felt x was the best fit for jimmy"? Simple. I guess "too far from home" is polite but it was poorly handled and not helping the kid's image. And I'm not anti-JV; count me in the apathetic "who cares I want the season to start now" camp. I say NJ. The train point makes sense (especially after the Detroit rejection). I think their forwards are underrated. Schneider obviously. And why the hell are they being considered if there wasn't something about the franchise and/or environment that he liked? Wants to be close too mommy so maybe he prefers the quiet, coddled experience of an empty Prudential Arena (just kidding...sort of).

I know posters are either in the "petulant little child" or "earned his right to choose" category (you're only two options), but Detroit too far away from home? Why would his management team let this go public? It's a 2 hour flight. There has to be 10+ flight options per day. You are an adult now Jimmy, a member of the workforce. You might have to go further east than the I-95 to earn your multi-mill salary.

Absolutely. My mistake. Better keep your head up Lawson. It was still nice to see Fitz line a guy up at his size.

Good write-up here and I agree with most of the author's analysis. Fitz was on ice in all situations and looked smooth. He even had the biggest hit in the Canada blowout. Didn't get a chance to see much Rasmus but read his two-way play was on display. No doubt Thompson was on another level and looks like a steal for the Blues.

Love this thread.

Highlights from Jack and Jim's Beer League (aka offseason porn). Lil Jimmy is #19, Eich of course #15. The duo showed the camaraderie of old pals out there. Subtle stick taps on the ass between whistles, exchanging smiles on the bench, even embracing as they congratulated their goalie for the win; all the stuff you look for in a strong on-ice relationship. Optimistic about our chances. Highlights include: 5:25. JV showing escapability and gaining the zone with balance to lead a 2-on-1 with Jack who finds the trailer. 9:30 another 2-on-1 with Jim and Jack, showboatin a bit. 11:15 JV with a snipe (from Eich) 20:00 JV showing off the handle and Hobey Baker finish 22:05 2-on-1 with Jim and Jack. Jimmy prepared for Jack's common last-second pass. A result from knowing each other's game? 24:28 Jack feeds Jimmy for a breakaway. Tries five-hole but misses his spot.

Damn, shouldn't have clicked on the politics thread. Really an incredible display of ignorance and obliviousness to a reality outside of your own. Victim blaming two innocent dead men in a racially charged post on a hockey fan site message board. Try breaking out of the shell you must live in and see the amazing diversity and good of the world. Won't check back so no need to respond. And I'll do my best to forget your username!

Talk about needing to find your chill. Most people here are raising concerns about the character, not the process. If you can't see why some would be concerned about a kid who has never played an NHL game, yet is courting each team in the NHL in search of his most lucrative second contract, then you are being willfully ignorant and/or in a crappy mood.

With such authority and self-certainty? Kane is the perfect 3rd liner on a Stanley Cup squad. This is an incredible contract for a top 6 forward who drives puck possession, works the boards and is a pest in front of the net (especially when looking at the other FA deals). Those saying his stats are a product of playing with Tavares (actually haven't seen many saying that; rather they were curious if it was) did not watch much Island these last few years. First, Okposo didn't play much with Tav last year. Second, the guy has high skill (he has plus speed), matched with even higher effort, to stand on his own. I think he will be a crowd favorite here. Nice blue collar player. Also we are building a nice little collection of American players (come on Vessey!). Hockeytown USA.

Thanks Hoss. Great read. I'm in on the Pu hype. The tape looks like Taylor Hall-level speed and quickness. Great stick length too. Like Dudacek said, it's a highlight reel, but as the announcers reference, that "other gear" he found this year in his development is promising.

Maybe. But in Round 3, the board gets clustered and BPA can be 6 equally rated skaters. One might emerge because of fit, position, or possibly in this case, to complete the holy Boston youth triumvirate. Playing with the kids you grew up with is an awfully nice bonus. Who knows, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't on TM mind.

Could this have played into Tim's calculus with the pick? I wonder how much.