Porous Five Hole

I remember that too. What a silly decision. I’m not sure how I convinced my parents that Empire was vital to my teenage life, but somehow I won that trade.

This is me. The sole reason for being a cable subscriber is for MSG/Sabres broadcasts.

Oof (Roblox sound)

It was packed for sure. Felt like 9k and loud like 9k. Sunday is looking a lot more sparse, which is kind of a bummer. But I plan to be there.

AHL team’s main revenue stream is from ticket sales. So they’re scheduling weekend games only to maximize that (for now). I’ve been to early round Amerks playoff games on a Tuesday night and have seen 1,500 people in the building.

The Amerks aren’t dead yet. After last night’s win, they host game four tomorrow. A win puts them in a series-deciding game five in Syr on Derby Day 🏇🏿 By all accounts, the Syracuse defenseman were more mobile and physical in games one and two. In game three last night, Rochester set the tone physically. Many more hits. Pressure forced Crunch turnovers. Quick hits from last night: -Subban was bad. Like, maybe Houser should play game four bad. -officiating was worse than Subban. Nothing was consistent. However, the Crunch took two penalties on the same play and were both called…giving ROC a 5 on 3, which they converted both PP’s to essentially win the game. -Kulich’s goal on the PP looked like a VO heavy shot. He might just make the Sabres next year. -Miersch with a hat trick. Needed someone to step up. He did tonight. -Jobst with a pretty short handed breakaway goal. -attendance wasn’t announced, but it was packed and loud. Concession lines were embarrassingly long. Eat before you come on Sunday. -Season ticket holders got the game free, and that could explain why it was so well attended. Many tix available for Sunday afternoon.

I think people are reading much too deeply into what a GM says to the media. He pumped the tires of everyone he was asked about. He is 1.5 seasons from trading Jack (that was the true reset button for me), so he isn’t putting timelines on anything. He has identified and locked up the core of Tage, Cozens, and Muel to seven year deals (and signaled the intent to lock up Dahlin & Power—obvious, but relevant to note). I got what I needed from this press conference…and that is that he is setting up this team for long-term success. I don’t have any need for him to announce the goal is the playoffs next year for me to believe it.

How many teeth did he lose tonight? 😬

I think what I’ve read from all of these posts are true. 1) Tage was an arrogant first round pick who was successful at every level prior to the NHL when he showed up to St. Louis. 2) Tage was humbled to the point of nearly washing out his career. 3) Tage’s meteoric jump was unfathomable based on his first 145 games. 4) Berglund is a D Bag.

At least when Buffalo blows a three goal lead in the third, we can look at each other and say, “Yea, but it’s UPL.” Tampa cannot say this.

Wow, the Lightning have announced that Cernak is done for the series.

I taught my kid how to ride a bike today. He is 11, so obviously late to the game. Already planning some rides along the canal path and to the Abbott’s this summer.

I would like to know how last night the ref lost sight of the puck and blew his whistle before the Panthers second goal, but the league thought the right thing to do was count the goal. However, tonight for Tampa against Toronto and the same situation plays out, it is disallowed.

ROR trade

The AHL teams make their money at the gate. So the weekend games are where it’s at. I’ve been to Amerks first round playoff games in front of less than 1,500 people because it was early in the playoffs and a Tuesday night.

I know you’re kidding and I love that Canada doesn’t win cups, but the better team is winning this game and it isn’t because of officiating.

Hedman skated in a regular jersey in the morning skate for Tampa and Cooper said he will take the warmup skate. But stopped short of saying Hedman will play. For Tampa, the series depends on how quickly he can come back and be himself. If not, Toronto’s offensive speed and talent will continue to run over the likes of Perbix, Bogo, etc. No sign of Cernak at practice.

I wanted to like Bucci. He is vintage ESPN hockey and he was a good hockey twitter follow (Bucci overtime challenge). But he really sucks at PBP. We aren’t the only ones who have noticed: https://deadspin.com/espn-nhl-hockey-bruins-mcdonough-buccigross-mlb-madbum-1850356404

Feelings about the Sabres relationship with the Bolts aside, Tampa has gone to three straight cup finals in the salary cap era. It’s incredible. I’m rooting for them because 1) eff the leafs, and 2) they’ve built the core of their team from homegrown talent and I find that admirable, and 3) they play the brand of hockey that I like to watch (an offensive approach).

They’re a two seed, but we’re only a point away from winning the division.

I agree with this. Someone stated that it has only been 1.5 seasons since the Sabres jettisoned Jack. That really hit home with me. If the tear down and rebuild is based off of that moment (which is arguable, but if you accept that as fact for the moment), the Sabres are still laying the foundation of a rebuild. It might have been too early to expect the GM to accelerate the rebuild GMTM style prior to this off-season, but the window is opening. I hope aggressive action is coming. Lock up the D core of Dahlin & Power, bring in another top four D, get the upcoming goaltending decision correct (Levi and a vet?), maybe supplement the top nine, and away we go!

Yes I agree, but I don’t think VO walking to UFA has nearly as much value on the open market as Casey. Top 4 D is my number one priority.

You’re right that Casey was the 5th best forward last year and it was not close. Barring injury, do you believe that Casey is a 60 pt player for the next four years? I’m not buying that and would prefer to sell high. I could be wrong, but the prospect pool at the forward position makes me worry less about that.