irregularly irregular

Okay, you don't HAVE to admit..... To my eyes, on those rare opportunities we get to see Bogo skating for the Sabres, there is a better team on the ice. His presence seems to act as a catalyst. Just what I've noticed. Although it has been so long ago, it is but a fleeting memory.

Let us all hope that Bogo is healthy and productive all season and throughout the playoffs. No matter if he plays well, or poorly, you have to admit that the intensity that the team plays with when he is on the ice is much better than when he is out of the lineup. My hope is that he is really hungry for the playoffs and has learned some lessons about taking care of his body. Bogo providing solid (not spectacular, just solid) play for the entire season would be a huge, and totally unexpected, bonus.

I'm liking these one year deals. Sending a message. Prove to this organization that you are more than a marginal player. If you stay all year in Rochester, show that you are a professional that works hard to improve your game and plays well with the other kids in the sandbox. No crime to be an AHLer, just be ready if your chance comes to wear blue and gold. And work like hell to make sure you get that chance.

It's really nice to have a place to enjoy the company of like minded individuals, and not have to worry about all that crap infiltrating every single discussion. About all I watch on television is sports and documentaries, because I can't stand to listen to all the other garbage out there with people trying to directly or indirectly tell me how I should think. My vote is "NO" to any politics. Even if it's in a separate forum. Keep Sabrespace pristine.

Nice work by his agents PR intern.

Exactly spot on. Older, experienced guy with a solid history of not being psychotic. Hope the contract doesn't cause problems.

Not terribly interested in any trade with StL that does not include Parayko as their major piece to the puzzle. I won't say no to other ideas just yet, but Parayko is the piece that makes ROR going away tolerable. Or, as mentioned above, StL gives up enough choice pieces to flip for the equivalent of Parayko. Sabres need that young, top pairing RHD to solidify this defense for the next 5+ years.

Get out there about a mile from the Bell Tower, on a line with the south end of Dewittville Bay. That's the deepest part in the lake and a good place to have that sucker slip out of your hand and go overboard.

I will warn against reading too much into this. It's development camp and lots of new faces since last year. The Sabres have had an entire year of watching Nylander since last years development camp, training camp and a full season (less injuries) in Roch. I suspect they know what they are looking at. Now that I've said that, he'll be baggage in a multi-player trade this weekend. Nylander is a total enigma at this point. The could be on his last inch of rope, or he could be the unexpected breakout sensation rookie this coming season. I suspect if he doesn't provide compelling improvement in his game this year, it's back to the SHL for the 2019-20 season.

I'll take that. There is still plenty of time to fill holes and push guys like Okposo and Zemgus down to the 3rd and 4th lines. Franchise is reloaded with Dmen top to bottom. And they need to find a #1, or #1B, or really solid and reliable #2 goalie soon, before that market dries up.

Lots of time until training camp starts. Free agency has not even opened yet. Patience grasshopper.

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.