LabattBlue

As I channel surfed a lot last night with the Center Ice preview, I realized that there is a lot of good hockey being played in the NHL...outside of Buffalo.

If you are talking about my thread title, I was referring to this years draft being the 1/2 way point with the draft next year being the end goal(McDavid/Eichel). I wasn't saying that the Sabres will instantly be great come 15-16.

Most discouraging is getting outshot 2 to 1 on opening night at home against an injury depleted team. All I ask for is positive signs from the young players, but as I look at the current roster, I wonder who that is right now beyond Risto, Zadorov, Rinehart & Girgensons(and two of them will probably be back in juniors by the end of the month). The rest of team is as likely to be gone as they are to remain by the end of the 15-16 season. As a STH, I see my money being flushed down the toilet right before my eyes. Please tell me we do not end up like Edmonton. :sick:

TANKITY TANK TANK TANK.

15 hits, 20 shots, 1 goal. What a surprise the arena was dead.

Outshot 40-22, CBJ hit 3 goalposts in the 1st period, it was fairly one-sided, and looked a LOT like last year....and this was against a team with several key injuries and whose star player just joined the team yesterday.

:blink: :blink:

Is it just me or does Reinhart flail his arms more than most players while skating without the puck?

I had no idea when I started out as an IT professional(civil servant) 30+ years ago, that I would stay in one place the entire time. Like I said, I consider myself fortunate, and never like to hear about people who HAVE to work into their mid-60's and 70's. I am not referring to people who have the means to retire, but choose to continue to work late into their life. Post retirement health insurance for so many sucks, it really makes retiring difficult. :(

AWESOME...Being able to retire at 55. I was fortunate to be able to retire earlier this year, and it is wonderful.

There is a saying about putting the cart before the horse. Ever hear of it? :doh:

Just curious...does anyone know if the Marriott, Tim Horton's and 716 will be owned and operated by the Sabres(Pegula)?

When I was in college, friends and I went on vacation and both cars we took were manuals, so I had no choice but to learn how to drive one. That being said, some 35 years later, I haven't driven one since, and have no desire to. :ph34r:

I will also try and abide by the above. PS Calgary making an early statement for #1 overall on opening night. :angry:

:( Don't forget Norm Wullen on the organ! ;) [edited]I'm feeling old. Just googled Norm and was reminded that he passed over 10 years ago. :(

My point about cookie cutter in-game presentations is being reinforced right now, as I listen to the player introductions for Calgary vs. Vancouver being announced by "Monster Truck" PA announcer. Between music being played at ear splitting levels, and the PA announcers "yelling" at me all game, they should include a couple of tylenol with every ticket.

The NHL season is a little over an hour from beginning, and I'd like to say... JUST TANK IT BABY!!!!

I'm already on record...except for the games I am at in person, I will be hoping for GREAT play by the young core, but may they lose game after game after game. If Gionta, Gorges, Moulson, Benoit, Mezsaros, etc... f*** this tank up, the blame will go at the feet of TM.

I go to 10-20 games a year and the in-game presentation SUCKS. It's cookie cutter crap that you see at most arenas. BLARING music during every interruption in play, kiss cam, BLARING music, funniest videos, BLARING music, tshirt tosses, BLARING music, etc... Do you remember the Nicholas Picholas fiasco? They trotted this poor fool out as the in-game presentation "host" game after game, and he would relentlessly get booed LOUDER each game. I have no faith that the people in charge of in-game presentation can choose the right song on their own. They will have 100's of meetings on the topic, and then still end up with a bad choice.

:blink: Then please explain how you go about getting the "perfect" song?

If I worked for the Sabres and was charged with finding a "fan participation" song(for lack of a better term)... - I would put together a focus group of 25 or so people. - Focus group criteria... STH, age 20-40, when at games you are willing to sing as loud as possible even if you are the only one in the entire arena singing - Song would have to be something that even Chet & Muffy would hop on the bandwagon about, because in the end, the more people singing, the better it will be - Find creative music talents to take 2 or 3 songs, polish them up, and then go back to focus group, in order to assist with making final choice

1 Enroth shutouts . 3.5 over/under 2. Matt Moulson goals - 24.5 over/under 3. Sabres Total Points - 68.5 over/under 4. Sabres total goals scored 195.5 over/under 5. Stewart Fighting Majors 4.5 over/under 6. Team Face-off Percentage 47.5 % over/under 7. Josh Gorges - Penalty Minutes - 34.5 min. over/under 8. Cody Hodgson total points - 51.5 over/under

Well... - I was going to draft goalies late, and all but concede wins and hope for the best with save % and GAA, but I didn't think I'd end up with what I did...in a bad way - Since most of my forwards aren't of the physical nature, I don't think I will win the hits category often...or PIM. I think those may put me behind the 8 ball in a big way. Some sharp drafting out there...kudos to my fellow owners.

Guy organizing the leagues gets the #1 pick. Inquiring minds want to know? :angel: :P

Detroit... Starting 3 of Verlander, Scherzer & Price, out they go in 3. Anaheim... Star studded lineup, out they go in 3. Nationals...Very good starting pitching and a solid lineup, they may also go out in 3. Cardinals and Dodgers...Your aces both get shelled in game #1, can't wait to see how this series plays out. I have found a renewed interest in baseball, after many years of disgust over the big spenders dominating for years on end.