Doohickie

The Pats' defense his as firm as room temperature butter.

I can't argue with you, but he's also his own worst enemy.

It was a good breakdown but honestly, these guys who do these videos are so choppy with the replays- start-stop-reset-start-stop-startstop-start-etc., it's just hard to watch. Showing the whole play every slightly slowed down at the start of the analysis would be wonderful.

16 years as coach is just too long for any NHL team. The Sabres needed a change of coach and Lindy needed a change of scenery. If you look back far enough you can see me saying, "Lindy's been through so much with this team he deserves to stay as long as he wants to" and later "He's lost the room, it's time to go." I still think I was right on both occasions and I'm sure Lindy is well aware of what's on the line both for him personally and for the franchise. I think he's up to the task. I really do.

I was thinking more along the lines of

Two scenarios: We have two strong leaders, both which are fit to be captain, so let's have co-captains. We have no clear cut leader so what the heck, let's have co-captains. Drury/Briere were scenario #1. Dahlin/Tuch might be either one. Hard to say.

Finnish guys too. I guess it's a Scandinavian thing.

Or maybe it's because he's Swedish. Swedish dudes always look pissed.

@Thorny explained to me that's not how it works.

See? SEE?

My point is Lindy and staff have ample window to adjust the system to his absence and give the players a chance to get lots of reps at these positions (Top Pairing, PP, PK). I have no concern that Dahlin needs all those reps to prepare. He might just need a game or two to adjust once he's back but he knows all that stuff and knows it well.

We who are familiar with last years team would tend to agree. But there's a new coach and several new players. If one of the additions really sets the tone in training camp, maybe Lindy gives him a letter.

Looking at it another way.... If Dahlin is going to be injured, I'd rather see it early in camp. It gives him more time to recover without the pressure to play, and it gives the team ample practice with the remaining players to adjust to different roles.

I suspect they just decided that they want to shut him down for a bit to make sure he's good for the start of the season.

On the other hand, if Dahlin misses a handful of games at the beginning of the season and the Sabres start strong, injecting him into the lineup will give them a further boost. If the system is strong the team with withstand a key player injury. Look at the Bills: Next Man Up. The Sabres need to be the same.

Not saying it will affect the selection. Just saying I want a healthy captain.

Because so far he's missed no game action. Worrying on your part doesn't affect the outcome. There's no indication that it is a long term thing.

Healthy.

I dunno, I'm really not that worried about Dahlin. Not yet anyway. If he has something that could turn into a nagging injury if he were to play through it, I'd rather shut him down until October.

Love the old school look pads.

I dunno. I think RJohnson is gonna turn out to be pretty nice.

Credit mattered a lot when I was poor and living on float. It also mattered for years afterward while I paid it off.

Just wait until you hit 60 and put your back out tying your shoes.