Carmel Corn

Rodrigues was not very helpful there on the goal. He should have tried to move it away from the crease instead of towards Hutton.

I was thinking more like a ship's anchor....keeping the ship stagnant and slow.

Speaking for myself, RJ is a legend....a naturally gifted PBP guy like a McDavid or Dahlin player. You have it or your don't. Dunleavy is probably a nice guy, buy it's like trying to develop Justin Bailey or Nick Baptiste into a premier talent....some talent, but will never be very good, let alone great. Duffer being pressed into emergency service already showed me that he has much feel and talent than Dunleavy. I would like to see the Sabres use him for now, but I suspect that would create too many issues and controversy internally.

Goods news to me that Risto's minutes were down....maybe having the best D-lineup all season tonight makes for more even distribution of tough minutes.

It would be wrong for them to speculate period....whether it be good news or bad news. Being a responsible media outlet means to withhold speculating and stick to facts.

I am guessing RJ would want the broadcast to continue with the focus on the game and not himself. Not trying to make this sound like a funeral.

WTF?!?! He's doing his job!

I don't know if the broadcast team really knows anything. I think there just trying to be pro's and act like business as usual, which is exactly what they should do. Agree, Duffer doing a good job....I already like him better than Dunleavy.

Let's keep the pressure up....don't let the Ducks get a quick one.

Maybe....but I always thought RJ could anticipate something happening and his voice would escalate to match the situation. I don't feel that Dunlevy has any instinct for the play until after it has already happened.

I don't know about Hamilton, but I can't follow Dunlevy if it is radio only....he's not the long-term answer IMHO.

Horrible call....impressive dive!

I can cut Sheary some slack. No production lately, but he needs to be playing with a legit 2C. Okposo is simply bad. Can't stick handle, can't skate, can't do much except slow down his other two linemates. A real nice Christmas present would be a trade to get him off the roster.

Geez, shoot the dam puck!

Too many games like this. ice is tilted in our favor, but can't seem to cash it in. Only takes 1 fluke goal by the Ducks and it's tied...anybody's game still.

Can't stand watching this team's powerplay. Does not look like the coaching staff has any idea what to do...too many players standing around, no movement. Please hire a powerplay coach.

This seems the most likely to me as well. Not reporting and bad attitude is not trivial and I would like to see the contract terminated, however I think that is more wishful thinking than anything else. He will come back crawling and begging for forgiveness and the team will be obligated to give him another chance to redeem himself.

Has he always been as slow of a skater as he seems this year?

I tend to agree. I don't see a plausible way to shed his baggage. Every team has some, but between Okposo and Berglund, some serious anchors there.

Not sure I feel the same way. I'd be happy if they got a strong 2C....but I get the feeling St. Louis is going for a lottery pick, so we miss out on next drafts #1 rounder from them.

That has nothing to do with this argument. You don't think Sam would bolt for another offer? I make the comparison based on what they did on ice. Drury's decision was a business one in the off-season. His leadership was no myth. Drury was the kind of captain who made players like Reinhart play better...not the other way around. Did you ever consider that deepest roster played like a President's cup team because the players had the influences to do so? If Sam plays a full season like he did the his second half of last year, then I might feel differently. He is getting better stats because he is playing with two stud players who help elevate his game. If you put him down a line or two, I say he disappears again.

Drury > Reinhart Not even close. I'll take leadership vs. a few less points any day. Drury made those around him better by setting the example.

I expect a #2 overall pick of being able to dipsy-doodle and draw players towards him. Just my expectation.

Interesting research thanks! I would be curious if you have also looked at it a different way. What percentage of total goals does each team's top 4 players represent? For example, if the Sabres top 4 goal scorers account for 75% of the total team goals, where would that 75% fall in comparison to other teams? I could easily be wrong, but I would not be surprised if the Sabres top 4% is higher than the middle of the pack like your other analysis....but again I could be wrong.

Sam is simply not able to dictate the play on the ice. He needs somebody else to create the opportunities and then he seems to have a knack of being able to capitalize on those actions by others. I think he is not a fit for a 2C as a result. Yes, he is better when playing with Jack, but I thought he showed some productivity too when playing with ROR late last season. That is still my point, he needs to be on the same line with a playmaker to achieve success. For the right price, keep him, but he is not worth any more than what he is getting on his new deal. I would not mind seeing him being sent off as part of a package deal to get a legit 2C.