That Aud Smell

Let's make hay while the sun does shine ... or, while the Sabres are playing the Devils. Prediction: Eichel hits another post tonight ... and pots 2 (one on the power play). Sabres may need OT/SO to get 2.

Evidently. These are stats that the NHL maintains.

I had it on the radio at that point, and lordy, the sound of those in an empty arena. They'd actually be cool as hell, if they weren't so frustrating.

There has absolutely been some bad player evaluation. And some awful contracts. I infer that Krueger is really the guru, motivator in chief, psychologist, big picture guy. And I think he's probably pretty good at that kind of stuff. The X's and O's, again I infer, are handled by the assistants. It's not a leap to say that they're not getting the job done. It makes me wonder whether this model of coaching can work in the NHL.

I don't think a team has to be filled with pals and buds in order to win. They do need to respect each other, and not be afraid to hold each other accountable. Anyhoo. The team's PDO* is second-worst in the league. I keep saying it: They're not a truly good team, but they are also not (quite) as bad as their record indicates. But even accepting what I say as true: The frustrating conclusion is that, even if their luck were more normal, they'd not be any better than what they have been (at best) over the past few years -- a playoff bubble team. * This is the sum of your team's 5v5 SH% and SV% -- aka "puck luck."

He does seem not as strong, not as explosive. OTOH, I saw this as a Retweet and believe I understand what's being said despite the language barrier. Eichel's shooting % is horrific this year. He clanged (another!) one off the iron last night. Also just ran the text at the end through a Google translator: "The most disappointing are those from whom you should expect the most"

This cannot be. I was assured by posters here who played competitive hockey that McCabe had a manageable knee sprain.

Yep. Yep. The Sabres are nothing more than background noise for me nowadays. Many nights, they're not even that.

Disagree. So does Raekwon.

PSE is just killing it with engagement with non-traditional portions of the hockey market (read: Black Americans). I love the logo, too. Watch the video to get the backstory. Oh, and you will do yourself a favour if you find this artist's public murals around the City of Buffalo.

I'm gonna cross-post this in a PSE business/creative thread. I love the logo.

This is ridiculous. I'm pretty much done with the season, at this point. Of course, if the team improbably goes on a tear after they return to action, then my interest will be re-kindled. I doubt that's going to happen.

Interesting. Maybe I watched more Looney Tunes than most Gen Xers?

I was with a group of pretty hetero-normative guys for that game - we were all standing in a living room - we dogpiled on the rabbit like a bunch of giddy pre-schoolers

The high points for me were amidst the 2005-2006 run - the Drury OT goal against Ott’wa is a dark horse. Also big ups to the 1999 ECF. That was fun. I went to the game when Peca plastered Domi coming out of the penalty box. We sat next to some Canadians (not Leaf fans per se) who advised us that the Leafs were destined to win the Cup because a Canadian team had won the Cup in every year ending in a “9”.

This is where I'm at. I'm honestly unsure whence the optimism. But good for you for having hope.

By the sounds of it, the concern for a potential infection of Sabres assistant coach Granato is perhaps more serious.

Oy - this is very concerning:

In my mind, I immediately pictured Lindy Ruff up on the bench screaming at Bryan Murray's counterpart from New Jersey: "YOU DON'T GO AFTER OUR EFFING COACH!" In all seriousness: Get well soon, RaKru.

You can know and accept all of that, and still be miscast, if you're just not cut out for it.

That's messed up.

Livid! There it is. Sheesh. I hope everyone gets well soon.

The Sabres have to be just livid with the Devils. I saw a Tweet to that effect. Holy crow. This is adding to my feeling that this season isn't even really a real season. In 2 years, I'm gonna have a daydream and wonder: "Like, did Taylor Hall ever even play for the Sabres?"

Ooof. Yeah. That is bad. Okay. So there is a team, are teams, out there with worse contract situations than the Sabres. Yay? 🥺 I like the thought process that led them to RaKru. I do. And I still think he could play a role in a successful hockey organ-eye-zay-shun - maybe as HC? Or maybe as a POHO.