Punch

Yes, it does! Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie Jochen Hecht's one year deal with BUF is now official. $1M plus potential for GP bonuses of $250K. Cap hit, tho, is $1M.

Technically, today the 4th line is John Scott-Matt Ellis-Cody McCormick. Kaleta was skating with the injured Gerbe before Hecht showed up. Logjam needs to be sorted out.

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham1717 Hecht has arrived as players tapped their sticks. Between 42 and 36

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2013/01/sabres-take-the-ice-for-first-time-grigorenko-skating-in-middle-of-ott-leino.html Jochen Hecht is rumored to be in the building but is likely completing his physical and contract. ---John Vogl

Are you looking at the correct week? The listed start times for today's games are 1pm and 4pm. Next week's Conference Championship games are listed as 3pm and 6:30pm at NFL.com.

Puckdrop for Sabres-Flyers is 12:30---- the NFC Championship begins at 3:00pm. There shouldn't be much of an overlap.

There were a lot of snarky comments in that thread by the anti-Doan contingent (not that many of their concerns weren't legitimate--- they were) mocking Doan's PaulBunyon/Pecos Bill/John Henry style mythology. Recalling that made me laugh when I read this Globe & Mail story essentially crediting Doan's character and integrity with ending the lockout: "The untold story: How Shane Doan’s sincerity paved way to the deal" http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-untold-story-how-shane-doans-sincerity-paved-way-to-the-deal/article7270557/

Paul Hamilton ‏@pham1717 Sabres on the ice today 3 6 9 21 23 26 36 37 63

I must have seen it as merely a suggestion for how the NHL could "make good" with the fans, because I can't find an actual reference to it as a real thing. It doesn't appear that cost is strictly up to the NHL anyhow.

Sylvester really came off as a d-bag, and Hamilton as out of touch with that argument. The whole thing was embarrassing.

I thought the NHL announced it would be free if/when the season began?

I like the hire for a lot of reasons, but remember what was said the last time: Chan Gailey comes highly recommended by a guy that Bills' fans have treated as a God (Bill Cowher).

Sabres prospects update: http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=643002&navid=DL|BUF|home "Quebec Remparts centerman Mikhail Grigorenko (2012, first round) continued his torrid start to the QMJHL season, collecting three goals and three assists last week as the CHL’s top-ranked club earned six of a possible eight points. The productive effort vaulted Grigorenko into the league scoring lead with 17 points (6+11) through the Remparts’ first eight games."

I'd rather they just burn all remaining slug inventory. In fact, I'd pay a $25+ ticket to attend such a public bonfire.

A blue and gold goathead with the classic logo on the shoulders would be perfect. Allegedly, the goathead was originally designed to continue the classic blue and gold color scheme until Doug Moss' wife saw the top selling sports merchandise of the time was black, red and white--- which at that time belonged to the Chicago Bulls.

That's almost definitely true at this point, unless there's a major salary rollback.

I understand the concern over the cap hit. That theoretical steep price is what it costs, to obtain such a player at the moment. The alternative is Daymond Langkow, which would have been great about 4 years ago, but this upcoming season he's Rob Niedermeyer. You can't tell the difference between players like Ennis and Roy? Ennis, who is so driven to win that he breaks down in the lockerroom and professes to be in pain once eliminated from contention? I'm not sure what examples you want me to cite--- I think it's all there on the ice. Foligno's game against Toronto late in the year--- what do you call that?

Pominville is debateable--- he's definitely a standup guy and willing to do whatever it takes on the ice, but he's one guy. The Sabres with which I associated leadership following the lockout all left after the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons--- Roy, Stafford, etc never gave me that vibe at any point in their careers, although I think Stafford would be much better if he'd had more of an opportunity to be influenced by strong leadership. Roy was at his best when "kept in check" by Drury and Grier. Ennis, Foligno, Hodgson, Tropp, (even Girgensons) and a few others all have intensity and competitive fire--- it's not just about whether they played well during a callup. It's clear as day that this group of young players is a different breed than that of the previous "core". I'm not assuming anything about Doan's influence, either. Some of them would come out the other end better and more mature players, but they wouldn't all make it. I'm not sure why choosing a strong leader to mentor young talent (even at a steep price) is a worse solution than leaving things as is.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the next step--- I bet it's one of the most common requests to the Sabres suggestion box.

It's a good thing I didn't actually compare the plight of struggling people but rather the way political arguments are framed--- faux outrage is an interesting distraction, though.

I'm not sure anyone in particualr is voicing the specifics you've outlined--- but when the modern day Republican party spouts State's Rights as a reason to outlaw gay marriage, are you suggesting it doesn't sound more than a little familiar?

Even the most fervent Doan fans aren't suggesting that and you know it. Which of the former "young players" that played with Drury exhibited any leadership capabilities at all whatsoever? Drury himself referred to them as "passengers"--- I'd argue that the young players on the current roster have shown they have the drive and competive fire which could be galvanized by Doan's presence: Ennis, Hodgson, Foligno, Myers, McNabb, etc.

That's the first I'm hearing that the Rangers would match. Aside from this Vancouver Province blog, I can't find any reference online to such a statement. Is it just perception that they'd match?

I'm not totally clear on the full contract amount being guaranteed--- I was sure I'd read that it was but maybe I'm thinking about the cap hit. I've read the pertinent section within the CBA but it doesn't mention retirement and references an insignificant cap relief of $100,000 in the event of injury or the player being sent to the minors or overseas. CBA reference: Section 50.5 (d-i-B-5) (P. 203) http://www.capgeek.com/NHL_NHLPA_2005_CBA.pdf

He'll be over 35 when he signs the contract, so it is fully guaranteed whether he is waived, injured or even if he retires. The salary cap also remains for the life of the contract: http://sportsrantz.com/rantz/2012/07/14/the-35-nhl-contract/