irregularly irregular

I'm inviting Bergevin over for poker next week. Anyone want to join in?

Imagine the RHD of Parayko, Risto and Dahlin (if he is kept on the right) to start the season. Protected minutes for Dahlin to learn, Risto finally not seeing 30 minutes of ice time each night. It's a dream. But at what cost?

Knowing that, I have to be suspicious that StL is looking to move him. If they are looking, it's going to be for big return. ROR > Parayko in my book in todays value. 3 years from now could be a totally different story.

Parayko is tempting as a top pairing RHD. He is Risto+, but still has his shake your head moments. Young and has shown steady improvement over the past 2 seasons. StL would have to make a significant add to make this even close to something that I would consider. Not sure of his contract. Probably last year of his ELC is upcoming and he will be expensive. College kid, played at UAF, so that might make him a JBot kind of guy.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder. Apparently you got an early start on happy hour today. Hey, I'm relatively new and got 0 (zero) warning points. Gotta start somewhere.

Trotz was 2 losses against CBJ in the first round from getting canned this past season. How many years in a row now have many people expected the Caps to win it all? Yes, Pittsburgh. Excellent coaches overcome that roadblock. Did Trotz make the Caps win this year? Or was it Ovi deciding this was the year it was going to happen and put the team on his back? I will credit Trotz (or someone on his staff) for seeing the weakness in the VGK transition game and making the adjustment to clog center ice and force everything outside. Howie has to start the year at 2-18 before JBot will have to bow to the pressure to replace him. Howie has at least 3 seasons to show improvement (make the playoffs) and JBot has at least 5 years (and 2 coaches) to show improvement (win at least the first round of the playoffs). God forbid that we are looking at another coaching change anytime soon.

Not sure I could stomach adding pick #32. Parayko certainly answers some needs 1) young 2) top pairing RHD 3) peeper with a big shot from the blue line 4) still has room for improvement. That still is not enough return for ROR. Absolutely gets my attention, but does not blow me out of the water. Dumping Bogo's contract is not enough icing on the cake.

Just back from my prostate biopsy. Doc mentioned some "wonky areas" to my wife. Get out there and have those PSA tests done boys. Do not wait until it's too late.

Wasted energy worrying about what happened and who was to blame. The road ahead looks good. Look out the windshield, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride. The biggest concerns are missing the potholes called chronic injury and team chemistry. Forget about what you can see in the rearview mirror. It's only a distraction and not worth the time and effort.

It's playoff hockey..... the hot goalie wins. Flower is doing headstands and Helly is regressing to his mean. It helps when the players are hungry to show that they are not cast-offs and the coach is smart enough to turn them loose. They deserve what they earn in the small window of time that is the Stanley Cup playoffs. If they win it all, it is because they earned it over that 6 weeks. More power to them if they pull it off. There is still a long way to go before a team hoists the cup.

Worked so well that I think that I will be sticking with the svenska handle until Dahlin wins his first Norris.

My take: Giants and Bills are posturing to squeeze the Jests. Giants want Chubb, who they can get at 3, with Jests paying more to get their guy at #2. Buffalo waits to see what shakes out from picks 1-4 or 1-5 and attempts to move up if their QB is there. Beane willing to let the draft come to the Bills, but willing to take a shot if it presents itself. Old buddies, Beane and Gettleman, playing games to get NYJ to give up a little more. NYG get their guy and an extra pick. NYG repay the favor down the road.

Maybe it was what he was instructed to do, but the botched execution is well documented. What a slap in the face after Darcy screwed the pooch. The two of them combined in back to back administrations has left JBots with a huge hole(s) to fill. More than a couple of people are already calling for his head, or at least the head of his coach, after less than a year. At this point it's Go Amerks!!! and lets see a few of those young guys force their way onto the Sabres' roster next October.

Mission accomplished. Do I change my handle back to English now, or wait until we are officially getting the 4th pick in the draft? It's not easy being a fan of Buffalo's professional sports teams. But if they did not exist, I would have absolutely no use for the NFL and NHL.

OT should be 5 a side. But make it like lacrosse, where only 3 can be in the offensive zone/defensive zone at any time. Gives the offensive ability of 3x3, but still has the feel of a real hockey game with the 5x5. Eliminate the offsides at the blue line and have one linesman camped out at the red line watching for too many men in a zone. Shift changes become tactical and play should open up without the breakaway 1 on 1 that is common now. Biggest problem is the referees swallowing their whistles or getting suckered into seeing a dive as an interference call. It'll never fly, but it's better than the 3x3 and shootout. At least in my eyes.

Make 13 payments in 12 months. Example: $1000 monthly mortgage x 13 = $13000 / 12 = $1083.33 monthly payment That 30 year mortgage is paid in just over 23 years and you have the ability to dial back a little if you have some months were you need that extra $$$ somewhere other than on the mortgage payment. 15 year mortgage is best, but sometimes it's just too big a pill to swallow if you get into a bind (laid off, whatever)

To be a successful buyer (first time, or fifth) get out there and kick lots of tires. Learn the markets, learn what neighborhoods are trending up, which are trending down. Lots of time looking and a lot less time at the end with buyers remorse. Talk with lots of agents, until you find the one that is on the same wavelength you are. Many agents are not interested in first time buyers since that usually means entry level homes and a smaller check from their broker. Sounds like you have a plan to buy in the future, so you can hit the open houses every weekend between now and then to do your research. If nothing else, you'll gain a few pounds eating cookies.

Hopefully it is addition of a player that actually complements Jack, rather than sucks the life out of most plays where the puck ends up on his stick. Kane is at his best when on Jack's wing, but only when he scores. Otherwise, it is often a wasted attempt. Subtracting first and then adding could give the first line and exponential return.

Those are sabres, not swords. And obvious style points given for such. Still not what you want for the sandwich wearing the C.

Thanks y'all. Horrific day at work, followed by horrific hockey by the Sabres. But I've got cheap ass booze being guzzled, crashing planes, 11 smoking unfiltered Camels in the men's room, Gerbe back for an encore and more! Life is grand! Thank you for being here for me and giving me a laugh or two, as I endure my daily dose of crap.

Jag är i. Blockerin' för Dahlin.

Jack, everyone but you is for sale. Could it have been RB's job to convey that message to Eichel? Better that message come from the business man, as a business decision, rather than from JBot or Howie (certainly not Howie, he has more important/immediate issues to deal with)…… Jack, it's just part of the business of running a hockey team.

Young captains on teams that have solid coaching and an established core. Cindy was destined and so ordained, but the team was there. What has McDavid done to elevate the play in Edmonton since he was given the C? Eichel's time will come, and hopefully soon. I feel that he needs someone to show him the way. Living in Moulson's spare bedroom did nothing for his development and it could be argued has hindered his development. Another black mark left from the reign of XGMTM. I think you mean to say ACCEPT, and I agree. There seems to be plenty of lame excuses and floating going on with this team. It's late and I get a bit foggy at that point as well. I'm certainly not the grammar police, as I can butcher the English language like nobodies business. Particularly after a few fingers of single malt. I hope I'm not coming off as totally negative toward this years team. Just deeply disappointed. As the new guy here, I am very appreciative of the knowledge and committment of the people that post here. It's been fun to lurk, and I finally decided that I had to vent a little about this current team. Here is to an improved team for the remainder of the season! :beer:

The only things I have to see from the players for the remainder of this season is dedication to playing hard and smart hockey every shift, for 60 minutes. They can lose 90% of their games, but if they show that they have the hearts and brains of real NHL level talent, I'll take that as a positive leading into '18. Howie, has lots of work to do to prove he can be a head coach in this league. He's shown that he is not a savant behind the bench. No indication of any D whisperer talents as many had dreamed. Barring a total meltdown, he is back next year and he better be ready because the door is ajar and he might be thrown out if this team is not at least .500 at Christmas. There might also be some Asst. Coaching changes that would be helpful. JBots, is the sorry soul that has an unenviable task ahead of him in the coming 8 months. He has to figure out every single player on this team, the Amerks, the guys still in juniors, free agents, etc., etc., etc. Eichel may be the only player truly safe from being moved. I foresee at least 2 new tenders, 2-3 new D men and 4-8 new forwards for the start of next season. Lots of change, but 2 changes that MUST happen…… a real #1 NHL quality goal tender and a Captain (not Eichel, there is a reason there is not a skater wearing the C this year. Credit to Howie and JBots for seeing that). The Captain needs to be an established and experienced guy with impeccable credentials and the ability to lead. Everything from the wise old grandpa to the kick ass drill sergeant. That guy is not in this organization, and is sorely needed. I hope for several moves by the trading deadline and I want to see the kids in Rochester stay intact and get a good playoff run together, without having to fill in for late season injuries. Let the Sabres play it out, while allowing the kids to grow and develop together. I've given up hope for this year. Maybe they get to 60 points, but I'm not holding my breath.