pi2000

optional skate = optional effort

A retractable roof hockey arena would be fun. However, the Bills absolutely must play outdoors.

Dahlin needs a guy like Seabrook to learn from. His growth will be stunted otherwise.

This would be a guy that would be valuable to a contender for a Cup run... a deadline deal maybe in 2 years when his contract is running out. And Buffalo isn't quite there yet.

hmmmm Miller retiring?

His on ice exploits cannot make up for all the air he sucks out of the locker room.... apparently.

With 3 regulation wins in their last 16 games, if this game goes to OT (even if BUF wins), I'll consider it a loss.

I'd do it in a heartbeat less Olofsson and 1 of the firsts. But I'd want Seabrook as well, and make them take on a cap guy like Okposo who will help with their tank-a-thon. The cap is going up and quality veteran leadership is at a premium.

Would rather snag Parayko from them. But yeah, if they start dumping guys that greatly improves BUF's draft position next year.

That was great. I love Tre', what a character.

BUF desperately needs him to develop so they can launch guys like Larsson and Rodrigues.

Not sure how the Indian theme would work if they play the Redskins or Chiefs? If we're going big... build the stadium on the Niagara River at the precipice of the Falls.... literally in the middle of the river overhanging the falls.

I wear one of these 90% of the day. Not because of work, it just makes me look important with it's pulsating cool blue light. I often pretend I'm talking to someone if I'm at a coffee shop, it makes me feel better about myself and I highly recommend trying it if you also suffer from low self-esteem.

Having a dual purpose stadium would be kind of gimmicky IMO. How would lay sod over ice anyway? I don't see how that would work. Watching a Sabres game in a giant building with all kinds of open space would be bad for aesthetics. Put them both on waterfront, connect them if you want with a giant tunnel or bridge or what have you. Or build a floating island just offshore in Lackawanna with ferries to and from the games.... or swim it if you drink enough... creates all sorts of business opportunities.

He said in his interview that he's been seeing signs of this for several games... why didn't he sound the alarm earlier? When things started going south against Philly, you need a veteran guy like KO to take the reigns and go out and play solid high effort 2-way hockey. He failed miserably by falling into the same traps as the younger players. I'm not placing all the blame on him, but for him to fall victim to the same lazy play is just very disappointing. I'm disappointed in Housley here too, not even one timeout to try and and right ship while the game was still within reach. Lot's of blame to go around here, but I'm disappointed that when looking closer at PHI's goals, that number 21 was a guilty party on more than one occasion. He's making too much money to let that happen.

I find it ironic that Okposo, whose lazy defense was to blame for a couple of PHI goals, is the spokesman here. For a veteran guy he shouldn't have those lapses. He says they addressed it and they're going to fix it... well IMO that's not something you should have to fix for a veteran like himself. I can understand the young guys having defensive lapses because of effort level, and not yet fully grasping the idea that defensive effort is just as important as offensive effort... but not a guy like Okposo. I'm sorry KO, but I don't forgive you for your lack of effort on those plays.... you're supposed to be a leader, but with play like that (and your negative TRpm) you're a detriment to the team and development of the young kids.

1st PHI goal: That was Pilut's man on the FO, but Thompson could've reacted better on his way out to the point. Also, clean loss on the dot for Larsson. Ullmark was on the goal line, could've challenged better... so mainly Pilut and Ullmark to blame, they'll learn from that, young rookies I give them a pass. 2nd PHI goal: Eichel not competing hard enough on the puck in the corner, gives too much time and space to the PHI player. Larsson makes a bad read and doesn't see Provorov sneaking down behind him... Larsson is staring at the puck then curls the wrong way... brutal brutal play by him, he's a vet, shouldn't happen. Lazy defense. Also, Ullmark was off his angle and too deep in the net. 3rd PHI goal: Entirely on Reinhart. WTF was that pass? Much too casual. Also Risto needs to challenge the shooter a bit more on the 2-on-1... don't completely commit to the shooter, but make some attempt to get stick on puck especially at the hash marks. Low hockey IQ again. Also, Ullmark too deep in his net again, Giroux noticed and fired over his shoulder before he got in too tight. 4th PHI goal: Lazy defense by Okposo, just waives his stick at the puck carrier instead of engaging him... Bogo whacking at the puck instead of locking up the PHI player. Need a stop from goalie their too. Ongoing theme of lazy defensive play continues. 5th PHI goal: Brutally lazy defense by Eichel and Reinhart. THey just wave sticks at the PHI player as he enters the zone. Eichel curls off his man before BUF gains possession, Reinhart spectates. I don't blame Tennyson here, he made an effort unlike his teammates. 6th PHI goal: Awful gap control by Risto, he backs in way to far giving the PHI player time and space to make a nice play. Then Risto decides to step up but after he let his man release. That was Pilut's man to step up on, not Risto... again low hockey IQ. And Okposo spectates as his man taps it home... He needs to lock up there... that's an easy play for a seasoned vet like himself.

You need to factor in the teams they've played against.... Pominville had his look against some of the worst Corsi teams in the league. Reinhart got his against some of the best CF teams.

Reinhart makes too many "hope" passes, 1 of every 10 connect, and then everybody gushes over it. He still falls down too much. His compete level sucks. Eichel had to move out of his apartment because he was a distraction. His shot sucks. 95% of his goals are cleaning up garbage around the net or deflections... which is nice, but doesn't mean he's top line material. His skating is better but still sucks compared to recent drafts. And he has a negative TRpm. He was supposed to have this high hockey IQ coming out of junior, with ability to distribute the puck. He has 75 career assists in 250 NHL games. That's not good enough... he doesn't make anybody around him better. Thank GOD JBOT only gave him a bridge deal. The organization needs to figure out what he is... is he a top line winger? middling winger? center? I think we need to reset our expectations for him. On a contender I see him as a 3rd line winger, maybe second line winger, but that's his ceiling at this point. Prove me wrong Samson.

The game is a now officially a toss-up.

This week will be 9 wins a row, will I beat the Sabre's franchise record?

2 D on PP1, 1 highly inexperienced D on PP2. What could possibly go wrong?

Guaranteed win next game.

hmmm