K-9

Never change, John, never change. Your unbridled optimism is always needed in an ever growing cynical world. Per the bold text, the only one I can see as a top pair D man is Dahlin, in time. Risto is fully baked as a mid pairing talent, Montour simply isn’t very good in his own end, and while I like Joki, I just don’t see a top 2 D man, even when he matures. Granted, our forwards need to do a much, much better job of support in the D end, but our D men just don’t strike fear in opponents as far as shutting them down. They’re just too easily outmanned below the end line and that’s how teams play us.

No team wanted him? Can’t blame JBotts for not getting something in a trade then.

But, but, that’s Jack’s best friend! Oh, the humanity!

Thanks for correcting my mis-memory about Housley. I could have sworn Bowman used him at forward much earlier.

Two dozen pucks? For ERod? That was a nice play last night, but let’s not get carried away here. Take the dozen pucks and be happy. I’m holding firm on those pylons, though.

I agree. Those days are long over. There should be an asterisk though, as Housley played games at forward as well.

Will wonders cease?! Evan “boobs on a nun” Rodriguez actually made a great play and scored a goal! I’ll give them all the credit in the world for coming back and winning the game as Columbus is not an easy team to come from behind on. Three games vs. Columbus and all three went to OT. The Blue Jackets must be sick of seeing Eichel with the puck, too. Sure, his giveaway in OT against Columbus in the first meeting this season lost us the game, but it’s almost like Eichel remembers that and carries it with him when we play these guys cause he has atoned in a huge way in the last two games. Agree with @JohnC about Eichel’s vision. He’s a good goal scorer, but an absolutely elite passer. Just a great play in OT to Olofsson to win it tonight.

How do you spell “bridge quarterback?”

Ah, the good old chuck and duck.

The Bills have been successfully tapping into those areas for twenty years. Is there that much more to be tapped, corporate wise, that hasn’t already been? Has that much more new big corporate money moved into those areas? I honestly don’t know.

Regarding improvement in processing the blitz, the same goes for his receivers. There were a number of times when Allen correctly read the proper route adjustment for the look presented only to see his receiver miss the hot read and Allen had to come off that route and go to another option which impacted the timing involved.

Regarding the convention center, Buffalo should tear down that abomination currently in place. That monstrosity ruined that great vista up Genesee St. from Niagara Square and that corrugated concrete look has always been fugly.

I’d like to see him vs Gase in a staring contest. One or both of them might spontaneously combust.

It’s cruel and unusual punishment to have Skinner on a line with ERod and Frolik, two of the most useless players on the team. You mentioned above that Frolik is useful. In what way? PK? Big whip. The next good thing he does for this team will be the first. Then again, his complete lack of production is fits in nicely with the rest of the stiffs populating the roster currently.

Was the coaching and talent around him enough to win 10 games and get to OT in the playoffs with Matt Barkley at the helm? You make it sound like Allen was just along for the ride.

Not my point. I’m just curious as to what the Canadian market contributes to the Buffalo/WNY economy.

I’m not taking about game days. I’m talking about Canadians who routinely come to Buffalo for other reasons on other days, like for shopping as mentioned above.

That’s farther than I got. I couldn’t make it past “McD let Gilmore go.” It’s impossible to “let go” of a player you have no control over.

Absolutely. IIRC, Canadians represent 20% of the Bills’ customer base. That’s nothing to sneeze at. I wonder what kind of percentage they represent for Buffalo businesses overall.

Talk about going to any lengths to secure a sponsorship deal.

Right.

Can we stop including the Jest game just to satisfy a narrative about losing 4 of our last 5? That game needs to be tossed for obvious reasons. We lost 2 of our last 4 each by a touchdown in the tougher portion of the schedule in games where even though our offense played like ass, we had a chance none the less. While it can be said we weren’t as good as out 10-6 record, it can also be said 12-4 wasn’t that far out of reach, either.

I understand the idea that this may signal a commitment to Jordan Phillips, but I won’t be surprised if they take a run at Vernon Butler instead.

The time for the airing of grievances has passed. You will have to wait until next Festivus on 12/23/20.

I agree entirely about needing better talent but, unfortunately, JBotts has shown little aptitude for making that happen in his three years here. I agree we need to have good drafts and build foundations for the future, but unless you get the first or second player pick in a draft, the overwhelming odds are that the player you get will take several seasons to contribute in any real meaningful way. The Sabres have been screwing the pooch in player acquisition for years now which is a big reason why our prospect pool is so thin down on the farm compared to other teams. JBotts has yet to show he’s up to the task in re-stocking the farm system, let alone the Sabres.