That Aud Smell

^^ There’s also been speculation that the nudge into the boards against the Islanders wasn’t definitively when the injury occurred, but perhaps when it went past a point of something he could play through (sorta). I generally recall talk that season about how things seemed off with Eichel — his shot, his giddy up, and such.

Thanks for the review. I just can't click anything that would give him numbers. I just can't ... or won't.

I reckon I don’t recall the story. I viewed them all as crooks and swindlers.

Why’s the colour guy sound like a cross of Thurston Howell and the guy who did colour for the Bruins in the 80s and 90s? Edit: Johnny Pierson (sp?)

This is a potentially significant development. All cards are on the table, at least.

Good stuff @Hoss - this is a sort of correlation/causation issue. He has looked a smidge slow to launch (interesting long snapper tidbit); that had nothing to do with the one that got blocked.

I didn't see the WFT game - and I don't think the Bills punted much anyway - but I will say: When we were at the Pittsburgh game and then when we were watching the Dolphins game on TV, my crew all agreed that Haack's punting motion seems slow. This is a matter that is measurable and quantifiable -- of course, I have no interest in actually doing that work.

Same - all the reviews I've heard have been quite positive. I don't really watch that game, so I haven't had a chance to watch and form an opinion.

Oy. What an absolute shlamozzle.

Not in the least.

How gracious of you.

^^ PSL’s were absolutely inevitable. I wasn’t aware that the Pegulas would be looking at them as cash flow to support their contribution to the building of the thing.

He had other options in that regard. "You know, we're going to take things one step at a time. We'll sort out the matter of who will serve as the team's captain once this situation with Jack is resolved." But it's fair to say that the team was like "you know what? screw it. we don't want to wait. we're not his hostage."

Any such internal news would leak within hours.

He didn’t have to refuse to answer questions. He also didn’t need to concoct a ham-fisted soliloquy on the team’s heart beat and doing right by the steel workers (or whatever) sitting up in the 300s. Stick to the facts: Jack failed his physical. We disagree on the surgery issue. Jack won’t be here during camp. We continue to explore options that are best for the Sabres. The captaincy thing is just theatre. Bad theatre.

Agreed with all of this - especially this first bit. Super focking petty.

I posted it elsewhere: What was the point of this press conference? My kid's high school has a poster in the cafeteria about things that you say -- something like, Is it Kind? Is it Helpful? Is it Necessary? Something like that. For GMKA ... what was helpful or necessary about this statement about the captaincy?

Today's press conference is confusing to me. What's the point? How has this improved anything?

More than fair. I just feel like - every NFL team probably has at least one significant weakness on either side of the ball - a hobbled guard who can't really pull, a plodding TE, a linebacker who overreacts and shoots the wrong gaps (ha - a joke). Beane is clever, though. I'm sure he remains on the hunt for CB candidates.

When a team is structured such that they send QB pressure in waves from its front 4, has 2 very good linebackers, has a top-5 tandem at safety, and a shutdown corner, I'll venture that CB2 is among the very lowest priorities on the defensive side of the ball. If a defense like that is clicking, JAG CB's can look like pro bowlers.

I like the term, for both the team and player. Bit of a win-win. I'm reading that it's a little "rich." So be it. This team projects to have plenty of cap room.

Very interesting. It is no more than cold comfort, if that, for this to be the most complicated player-personnel issue in recent NHL history.

This is getting weird.

Epenesa was a BEAST. What a welcome development. Him + Rousseau (sp?) -- gimme gimme. Did Basham dress?