Punch

Thanks for that. Some interesting stuff. The mutiny of Kevin Sylvester appears to have been a calculated move. Ted Black is a shrewd mofo.

Sylvester has called several games--- it's best to not discuss that dark chapter any further and just be glad it is no more. Yea, at one point I thought it would be pretty cool for Rick's son to take up the mantle after RJ stepped down. In fact, it even appeared that may have been the plan when he was hired to do PBP for the Portland Pirates--- but he was too much of a pale imitation at the time he called that Sabres game. Whether or not he's improved, I can't say. I agree with you on Paul Hamilton as an analyst. His whining gets to be grating and I think he's guilty of often drawing conclusions where it's really just a case of him being clueless (more often with the Bills than the Sabres). I could be relatively content with him doing PBP, but I'm very interested to see if Brian Duff has interest in the job. I don't know that he has PBP experience, but he has a very clean and smooth broadcasting style, an affable personality and is a quick wit--- not to mention a superior grasp of the game. His lifelong love of the Sabres gives him a broad sense of the franchise's history and a feel for the fanbase. He reminds me very much of Ted Darling, who had a similar start as Hockey Night in Canada intermission host and national commentator before coming to the Sabres. Of course, if that were currently in the cards at all, today's game would have been a perfect time to try him out as he was not needed for hosting duties with the game being on NBC. He talked with Koziol on WGR during the intermission. Anyway, my $0.02.

Like you said, Stafford may have lost the battle but not the war. The individual fight is still weighted partially by the punches themselves, and because it was largely in Hartnell's favor, I'd have a hard time actually calling Stafford the winner. I think all of the elements taken together are enough to bring it into balance. Again, IMHO.

I guess the question is, how are fights to be judged? On the merits of the fisticuffs alone, clearly Hartnell is the winner. On the other hand, Stafford gets credit for: challenging Hartnell in the first place, holding his own, getting a good shot in, the takedown and ultimately the momentum shift. Arguably, Hartnell loses points for playing loose and a bit dirty which provoked the ire of a Sabres' lineup clearly looking to prove it's grit in a potentially season tone setting home opener. Seeing that, IMHO, no hockey fight is defined solely by the punches thrown but is instead tighly knitted into the fabric of the game, I'm calling it a DRAW.

IIRC, in addition to last season, there was an earlier year where RJ took an extended medical sabbatical and Hamilton filled in. PASabreFan suggested 2009 in the GDT. The Sabres are the only NHL team he has called games for, and only in emergency relief of Rick. nucci, make sure to tell him he was a big hit! When Rick was out on medical leave a few years ago, the old Winnipeg Jets PBP man called at least one game on the west coast trip. He was fantastic, and I had hoped that if Rick retired, he'd get the nod. Without looking it up, I'm not sure if he's calling the Jets games now, though. Former Bisons' and current Nashville Preds PBP announcer Pete Weber also called a game or 2 that year--- of course, he was the Sabres radio PBP man briefly after Ted Darling passed and Rick moved to TV--- post Gurtler and prior to the simulcast.

Just for sake of comparison of two youngsters both playing today in the midst of a 5 game tryout: M. GRIGORENKO, Sabres: -1, 2 shots, 56% on faceoffs, 11:13 TOI. S. LAUGHTON, Flyers: E, 3 shots, 2 hits, 44% on faceoffs, 10:12 TOI. Pretty comparable, although it doesn't specify situations. I'd say Grigorenko was more noticeable but that may be because I was specifically looking for him.

Miller is 6-1-1 on opening day according to Doc--- anyone remember the 1 loss? I bet Miller does.

5 points for Vanek--- new career high.

Dear god. 2 Philly goals waved off.

4 point game for Vanek.

I will say this--- I'd like to see Grigorenko get done PP time, especially after drawing the penalty.

I'm not faulting Mikhail for the goal against, just pointing it out. We have a whole 3rd period to play, and possibly OT. As much as I'm clamoring to see him out there early and often, I think it's reasonable to ease him into NHL action especially considering the lack of training camp and a preseason.

Also a -1 and 4/7 on faceoffs. He doesn't appear to playing on special teams and there have been a number of penalties. I'd like to see him get some more ice time in the 3rd period of a tie game, but I think it's about what we should've expected for his first career game as an 18 year old.

Wow, good for Stafford. That took some guys. I'd live to see Foligno take on Hartnell.

That was sick!

Failing that, at the very least consciousness.

Leafs sign Lupul to a 5 year extension. Renaud Lavoie ‏@RenLavoieRDS Les Maple Leafs s'entendent avec Joffrey Lupul sur un extension de contrat de 5 ans.

Is it safe?

Dear god, I've already had enough of Doc and Pierre for an entire season. Had to turn to Winnipeg-Ottawa after 5 minutes.

The Penn State/Bill O'Brien questions were inevitable. I'm not sure the answers did anything but muddy things more. I don't mind Regier being extended--- it's difficult to find fault with his performance under Pegula's ownership, which is how he's being evaluated.

That was likely the case, and not just with Brown, but Kopitar as well. There were also rumbings of a rift in the lockerroom between the Richards contingent and Brown's, although it was possibly a part of the same press leak and not necessarily based in fact.

There was a brief moment sometime prior to last year's trade deadline where this seemed possible--- actual contact between Buffalo and LA regarding Brown was discussed by national media. Unfortunately, it is almost a certainty that that door has been emphatically slammed shut.

Infamous? Celebrating the anniversary? What a joke. Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington ICYMI from this AM, it's anniversary of Lindy's infamous "Mike, you coach" episode. And we bid it farewell. #Sabres http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/01/happy-anniversary-and-a-fond-farewell-to-mike-you-coach.html?ref=brp Eric Schmitz ‏@3rdManIn Trying to retire jokes that mock you is about as legitimate as giving yourself a nickname.

It wouldn't be the first time someone was confused by Harrington's attempts at communication. Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington Grigorenko: "I'm real happy that I'm on an NHL team now. I'm really excited and hopefully I'm going to be playing." #Sabres Grigorenko II: "Hopefully I will score and it would be awesome to hear my name." #Sabres

Harrington can be a douche, but this is a pretty sweet moment. Good luck to the kid: Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington Grigorenko didn't know he was on the team until I told him. "I"m on the team?" Yep. Pretty wide smile to say the least. #Sabres