SabresFanInRochester

I don't know. That sounds scientific but Bill Nye didn't say it so I am going to have to just dismiss the validity.

Hmmm, I guess I didn't know that was fact.

In all fairness, your doctor measures your cholesterol in a very scientific manner. You can combine that data with other cholesterol numbers to come up with averages. That's great for present time. And I would not argue with a stat that shows my level of cholesterol versus someone from 20 years ago. But to compare modern cholesterol levels to the cholesterol gathered from an Egyptian mummy, and make a scientific assertion that people today have higher cholesterol than 2000 years ago, based on that measurement, is giving too much credence to other variables and a small sample size. It might be true, but the cause and effect are whatever the author wants it to be.

Your logic is sound -- not too far off from the "we cannot trade Kane because we don't have the depth" argument. But, would you be surprised if Kane was shipped off? I am not advocating trading McCabe. I love him as a player and I think he will have a good year. However, I could see it happening. I am pointing out that even though there are depth issues, there is an abundance of 2nd and 3rd line defenders. I think something will give there and it is a situation where some of that depth just can't be moved. I am excited about Guhle and I hope he outplays Antipin. There was a thread started here about how the 2018 draft class is loaded with defensive talent and a majority of those defenders are under 6'. Antipin will have to get used to smaller surface, but I see him being able to do it.

All I can say is that when this topic started, I KNEW it was going to turn into a global warming argument.

Here's my thoughts: I think Buffalo has too many 3-6 defenders. If one assumes that Ristolainen and Scandella are the top pair, that leaves a log jam of 6 viable players fighting for the remaining 4 roster spots: McCabe Bogosian Antipin Beaulieu Gorges Guhle (Might not project out to a 3-6 in the future, but that's where he fits now.) NOT GOING ANYWHERE Antipin can only go back to Russia if he doesn't make the Sabres roster. I have a feeling he will land nicely on the 2nd line, and worst case scenario; they will find a place for him on the 3rd line or press box. I think Bogosian will make a very solid 2nd line defenseman. I am basing this on his past, and the fact that there is a new coach/system, and with a little depth, he will not be asked to do too much. With his contract, he is not going anywhere. VIABLE BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO LEAD A TRADE I see Gorges as the 7th guy. Beaulieu should be a competent component on the 3rd pair. HAS TRADE VALUE I think Guhle put on enough of a show where they are going to want to get him up to their 2nd pairing. I don't think they will trade away this asset. After he seasons for a little bit in Rochester, he will get the call-up. I can see McCabe being part of a trade to get Duchene. He will show well under Housley and a before the trade deadline, this will go down. McCabe and either a 1st or 2nd, or a high ranked prospect not named Middlestadt, to Colorado for Duchene. I am not gaga over Duchene, but this roster needs someone else in their top 6. Duchene fills a void and although I believe McCabe is a valuable piece to Buffalo, you have to trade someone who is wanted. Again, just my two cents.

I wonder if the scrutiny of the language regarding bonuses has anything to do with missing last year's $1M bonus by such a narrow margin -- finishing 12th in P/G, instead of in the top 10, with one of the Top 10 only playing in 17 games.

eh, I was just thinking, I really do look forward to seeing Risto show he is a top defenseman, but I am VERY excited to see a press conference from a head coach who shows more emotion than dismal/dreary Dan

Count me in, too. I am excited to see how he steps up this year under a new coach, and how much defensive pressure is taken off of him by (what I will call) more competent defensemen compared to last season.

Evidence that Risto not only looks like a solid hockey player, but analytics that finally support that assertion.

This is right on. And I believe the opposite of this is true -- on breakaways, a la shootouts, he was not very good. In a system where the defense is mobile and joining the Rush, there could be more odd-man rushes coming back, or breakaways. He is not the answer for that. My guess is that Buffalo needed a one-year stop gap for goalie. I don't think Lehner will be the long-term answer in Buffalo with system that is in place.

Was that both through the VPN and from attempting to access directly in the local market? (I am assuming you are in the Buffalo-area.)

Has anyone with either TW/Spectrum or DirectTV tried to stream MSG or NHL Network? Does that work?

Good feedback -- thank you. When I use Popcorn Time, it recommends that I use a VPN. Is anyone familiar with that setup?

I appreciate the guidance. Is there a free, reliable VPN service that you'd recommend? Also, is there anything preventing someone from streaming on multiple devices? To be more specific, if I were to go in with someone else and split the nhl.tv package, could we both use one account log in, which means only one bill, and watch from separate streams?

I just cut the ties with cable a month ago. The only thing I want to watch would be the local networks, and Sabres games. From what I have read here, it sounds like if I am logged in through a VPN, I can get the NHL ticket and stream games. Is there any other way to watch Sabres games with DirectTV or Spectrum?

Atlantic 1.) Tampa Bay* (Balanced team with strong goalie) 2.) Toronto* (Defense still needs to improve, and goaltending will be unreliable, but offense will light it up) 3.) Buffalo* (Defense improves dramatically, goaltending hurts them this year) 4.) Ottawa* (Anderson comes back to Earth; if Karlsson gets injured for any significant time, they finish in the NHL bottom 10) 5.) Montreal (Price will pull out a monster season) 6.) Boston (Will start slow, and never recover... just hover at .500 hockey) 7.) Florida (Team will struggle to score, and analytics critics will feast on them) 8.) Detroit (Too much key roster turnover in past few years) Metro 1.) Pittsburgh* (As much as I hate it, their goalie and defense will shut down opponents, and Crosby and Malkin will lead their lines to win close games) 2.) Washington* (A lot of scoring, but defense will be exploited; goalie will bail out a little) 3.) Columbus* (Good goalie; team has a lot of confidence under Torts, but this will be their swan song.) 4.) NY Rangers* (Lundqvist posts pedestrian numbers, but the offense does enough to claim the final wildcard spot) 5.) Philadelphia (Reminds me of a team that needed to rebuild but tried to hang on for too long) 6.) Carolina (Went through a rebuild the past few years, but without superstars filling in the holes) 7.) New Jersey (NJ has the stigma of boring hockey... for a good reason) 8.) NY Islanders (This team will be at the bottom 5 with Vegas, Colorado, Vancouver, and Detroit) Central 1.) Nashville* (Will continue to thrive based on fast team defense) 2.) Dallas* (Will be my most-improved team, along with the Sabres, based mostly on bringing in a new coach with fresh blood) 3.) Minnesota* (Team is built with the new model of offensive D) 4.) St. Louis* (Offense will keep them in games) 5.) Chicago (Their roster will see a major shake-up after a season that reflects their 2017 first-round playoff exit) 6.) Winnipeg (Great fan base, but that doesn't win games) 7.) Colorado (Will be in the final 3 worst teams) Pacific 1.) Anaheim* (Team defense... common theme throughout my rankings) 2.) Edmonton* (Goalie will not be as strong this year) 3.) Calgary* 4.) San Jose* 5.) Arizona (Improving but lacking superstar depth) 6.) LA (Rebuilding) 7.) Vancouver (Worst 3) 8.) Vegas (Worst 3) * playoff team

I am (and have been) in the camp that a different coach will lead this roster to the playoffs, with the additions that have already come on D. I think that upgrading a third of your defense (2/6) is significant. That means, I am only counting on two of the following to make an immediate impact: Beaulieu, Antipin, or Guhle. If only one is ready, I would be disappointed, but the team will still be better. Just one guy will take pressure off Bogo, Risto, and McCabe. Two guys will take this from the worst defense to the middle of the pack ranking, at worst. You should be able to get enough out of the current roster to fill out a solid top six: Okposo, Kane, Eichel, O'Reilly, Reinhart. We had Carrier in the top 6 last year: I think we can do better. I think either Girgensons or Ennis will be the most logical, but who knows what the rookie camp will bring to 716. Maybe Nylander comes in ready to go. Or Baptiste, Bailey, or Fasching. I think out of that pool, you can find one guy that adequately fits the role. I think the forwards are fine, and to make Ennis, Moulson, or Girgensons a whipping boy just yet is premature because you are going to see them used differently with Housley. Moulson is the odd-man out here, as I don't know how well he fits, but if he turns into a limited line player with PP time, it might make sense. That leaves a crew that I am satisfied with for the next two lines: Larsson, Foligno, and whoever remains that didn't take the spot on the top six (that I listed above.) Since I am really hoping Girgensons excels in the top 6, that would leave Moulson, Ennis, Baptiste, and Bailey to round out the bottom 6. I wouldn't mind Gionta coming back, but I also think if the kids show they are ready for a full-time role, let them have it over Gio. I think the forwards are fine, and to be a whipping boy to Ennis, Moulson, or Girgensons is senseless because you are going to see them used differently with the new coach. Moulson is the odd-man out here, as I don't know how well he fits, but if he turns into a limited line player with PP time, it might make sense.

I am bracing myself for this likely scenario -- the return is going to be horrible. I think Buffalo is holding out for this grand deal, but it is instead going to be: E. Kane is traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2019 5th round pick and Tobias Lindberg.

I seem to remember a lot of talk that Eichel and Kane both want the puck and wouldn't work well on the same line. Yet, I haven't seen evidence to support that claim. Anecdotally, I think Kane's best stats are with Eichel. Does anyone have those numbers?

This is right. If you look at the pundits predicted lineup for VGK, Carrier doesn't even figure in as a starter on any of their four lines. And we had him in our top 6??? Do you think we overvalue our players? I know unloading $$$ in contracts would have been nice, but do we have any cap issues this year? Bogo, Ennis, and Moulson might be given a try-out with Housley before deciding which contracts should be unloaded. I am okay with that. I think 2 out of the 3 will be more productive than they were last year. Right now their trade value is at rock bottom. If we see something positive out of any of them, they can either continue as Sabres, or be a more plausible trade option.

I went with Moulson. McPhee owes Buffalo/Murray a favor. I think McPhee will do something that helps Buffalo without receiving a draft pick or supplemental action to make it work. Could also be Bogo, but I believe JB and Housley may want to keep him for depth or role right now.

I think that was Bylsma -- j/k :w00t:

I was a little relieved to see the comment was made 17 years ago. I question the basis for it. I hear that Ray used to be quite the womanizer. Maybe that's something Housley detested and looked down upon Ray. Or maybe he was jealous of Ray for it. Regardless, duly noted, but I don't see a pattern here of people hating Housley. I know my immaturity as a 20-year old led to me rubbing people the wrong way.

The bold-faced (above) was my biggest complaint about DB when he was hired. I thought he was too rigid and was going to make whatever roster he had fit into his system. Coupled with a lack of people skills and/or ability to discipline and earn respect from the team, it spelled disaster. I feel a lot better about this coaching hire as opposed to when DB was hired. Whereas you cannot predict how somehow will behave, you can look at past tendencies. When DB left Pittsburgh, no one cried. No one stood up for him, and the same thing happened in Buffalo a few months ago. 'I was shocked' was muttered by a couple players, and I am pretty sure that is due to both FGMTM and DB being released. When I read about Housley, Tocchet, or Rierden, I hear nothing but their players paying major accolades to them. Although it is not directly tied to a system, I see this as a good sign. I hear the respective defensemen exclaiming that their coach is great and made them what they are. Perhaps PK was taking a shot at Montreal with his praise of Housley. Regardless, these are coaches that are going to help our defensemen. I am not going to discredit them because they had talented players to begin with -- they still brought marked improvement and development. (We certainly know a coach can screw up a player -- at least we have three candidates who seeing improvement.) I have a lot of belief/hope that J-Bott's is looking for a coach who has a plan for the existing roster. I am giving J-Bott a ton of latitude that J-Bott understands the existing roster, and knows what they need for a system to get the most out of them. I then have to honor his decision to hire the right guy to put that system in place. If it is anyone of the aforementioned three, I am on board. If it is someone else, I can only hope it is because it was a better fit, but I honestly don't see that scenario.