May Day 10

Rangers already clinched the President's Trophy.

Columbus has been scorching and is having fan appreciation night. Pittsburgh playing for a playoff spot. Both teams arizona are playing are locked in. In other developments, the Islanders are still dropping and if all the dominoes fall right, we could have a 1% chance at full mceichel

I think it is a good thing this thing is very likely going to get clinched either in an Arizona game or an away game. Would have been kind of awkward if they lost to clinch it at home. People would have probably tried to give an ovation or something and it wouldnt be received well and it would add to the kind of awkward relationship. Im hoping its wrapped up and we have a cool atmosphere Saturday

I do remember hearing a lot about Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, and even Malkin well ahead of their draft year. I remember going to a Niagara Ice Dogs game about 2 1/2 years ago. It was opening night against the lowly Erie Otters. There were like 2 bus-loads of Erie boosters wearing these homebrew t-shirts with "McDavid" on the back. We were like WTH? McDavid himself was very small, looked like a baby. Did pretty well. Didnt get a point, but he seemed fearless for a small guy, and was able to go right through traffic at a few points without getting touched. It was in St Catharines so I couldnt use my google machine until we hit the border. There I learned about how the guy was 15 years old, was granted exceptional status, 1st overall, etc... That Niagara team was pretty stacked still as well with NHL guys waiting out the lockout with Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Strome, Brett Ritchie, etc. and he seemed to hold his own.

Im talking about pre-draft hype. Ovechkin and Kovalchuk were both extremely hyped as phenoms coming into the draft, almost as much as Crosby. Kane, and Tavares were just behind that level. Kane was consensus #1 for most of that year I believe. wasnt a great 1st round, Van Riemsdyk (sp) went #2. Philly got screwed out of Kane via lottery. Thinking about it again, maybe Id leave Nash off that list. Maybe bump Stamkos to the Tavares/Kane level.

No doubt Eichel is very very good and worth all the worry we have gone through this season to ensure #1 or #2. My boosting of McDavid sometimes make it look like I'm discounting Eichel, that isnt my intent. Eichel would be #1 overall most recent years, probably like 9 times in the past 16 years (Stamkos, Tavares, Nash, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Crosby, Kane). I have been following CHL/Junior hockey, going to and watching games for almost 25 years and I have never seen anything like McDavid. With that said, I wasnt able to watch much QMJHL back in the day and didnt watch Crosby in Junior. McDavid's potential has me geeked out thinking that he could potentially be on the Sabres. People are talking on a level with Howe, Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux.

The thing with the NHL is... and what the Sabres figured out.... Teams are able to lock down the best players for long-term. The economic system allows for that and even gives incentive for players to sign where they are. Any decent free agent that does hit the market isnt/wasnt coming to Buffalo because we lack the talent and promise. The Kane trade was a rarity. This tank is designed to prime the system. The plan is to make it sustainable. Decent talent coming up, good trades, smart FA signings and the team will be good short and medium term. Then we hope that Murray and the scouting dept can hit on enough picks going forward to keep the system going like Detroit does.

Knott and dunn who are a winger and d man are currently projected mid to late round 2 now. Also it's nice to know we will have the 31st pick

I'm thinking more likely the 2ND second rounder.

Older players in ncaa... but the chl has a much higher talent level. The chl also is a real grind of a season with 68 games, 4 full rounds of playoffs potentially, and possibly the memorial cup. That prepares players to be a pro. Just look at the local niagara ice dogs. They have 2 1st rounders from 2014 (ho sang and perlini), and 2 potential late 1st/2nd rounders this year (Knott and dunn). Also have a few other serious prospects including leafs' carter verheague.

Im still pretty-very optimistic. The 2 wins came against awful teams. One just got back West from a tough trip East, and the other was gassed playing back to back nights. I dont think they beat Chicago, dont think they can beat the Isles tomorrow on back to back on the road vs a rested and much better team. In this case, if Arizona picks up a point, or even a win against a somewhat shake Sharks team (Sabres beat them twice), we are on the green, a few feet from the hole. If everything goes perfect, it can be clinched by Sunday

Under the Dome is the worst thing I have ever seen. Loved the book.

Well they still have a win in their back pocket. So 1-4-0 or 0-3-2 still get it done regardless.

Netflix series http://www.avclub.com/article/netflix-orders-new-sketch-comedy-series-bob-odenki-217444?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ShareTools&utm_campaign=default

I wonder if the move into cny was an attempt to claim more fans in anticipation of the bills bolting for toronto or la. The bills should hold an event or 2 there

I used to let that bother me. I guess I've grown softer and just learned to accept them at this point. I do hate the Panthers though. I see them on the schedule and its instantly a game I could care less to attend. Boring. It sucks watching a game when you know that there are no fans on the other side watching the game save a few hundred people maybe in Miami? They are like nothing games. No history. Crap uniforms. No atmosphere. Do away with em.

this is exactly how it is done and why Russ' Toronto explanation of our market being "tapped"/wah December games never held water. The slightest success/excitement along with current low pricing is going to create a perception of perpetual sellouts and demand. One home playoff game (if not sooner) and they will need to cap season tickets and we will see a waiting list.Then they will be able to shimmy the prices higher and higher while not eroding the tickets sold numbers.

I think it would just let them and Nolan know that it isnt personal. We still rabidly support the team, but we deeply desired this team to finish 30th for the greater good.

Toronto series

you guys are taking the bait.

I always said that if the Bills stayed post-Mr Wilson, I would lead the movement for a statue. I guess I didnt need to.

yeah. He did the Sabres too briefly. I wasnt a real big fan of him for hockey. I am really glad he found such a long-term home for a major sports team. Very nice guy who cut his teeth right here. We got a good one as RJ's replacement. Dunleavy. Pretty much as good as they can do. he does radio for the Indians and also hosts a few Indians-centric radio shows. Also does some random events on SPorts Time Ohio. I worked for the Bisons when he was there. I remember for many years he would send his resume/portfolio to MLB teams hoping to catch on for a job (his wife was with the Bisons too) and I remember how frustrating and discouraging it must have been for them. Im glad he found his way with Cleveland.

I like RJ a great deal. IMO he hasnt really aged well behind the mic. It doesnt help that the NHL has become a pretty dull league night to night and the Sabres have been pretty bad for most of the last 8 years. Back in his heyday, every NHL game was on edge, never knew what could happen. A 5-1 game could turn exciting and fight filled. There was always a possibility of craziness and his edge put the excitement over the top. He does get points off though for being a little over the top when it came to complaining about officiating or making the other team into complete villians while the Sabres were somehow angels. Im really hoping we get another playoff run before RJ has to hang em up. Pete Webber was amazing PBP for the Bisons back in the day too.

Vin skully. Football. Van Miller not being a homer. The guy was the best at painting the picture and ratcheting up intensity preplay. You knew down, distance, players etc... Hockey- bob Cole... just the sound of his voice makes me feel like I'm in front of a fireplace on a Saturday night. Basketball- dick Vitale when he was fresh aND before he turned into a characture. It was authentic and new and you never knew what youd get

Crunch time. Phoenix win and a buffalo loss tomorrow in dallas... then an Arizona win vs buffalo Thursday all but seals it