Disclaimer: This is going to sound like me finding a silver lining or making lemons into lemonade. I'm not trying to be all unicorns and rainbows, and I would love to see NHL hockey as much as the rest of you.

That said, is there anyone out there that thinks that this lockout could be, once again, exactly what the Sabres need? Think about it. Another year's experience with plenty of ice time is exactly what most every player on that team needs. In Rochester, you get Hodgson and Adam working at center on the top two lines. They have Foligno, Tropp (I know he's hurt) and others developing chemistry up front with them. Then you have Pysyk, McNabb, Brennan, and the rest of the young core of D working together and logging lots of ice time. The new draft picks like Grigorenko and the other big guy get another year in juniors instead of being rushed into the lineup. And even some of the more "established" players that could use another year of experience like Myers, Ennis, and Enroth get to hone their skills in Europe instead of playing through their growing pains in Buffalo.

Really, the only true drawback for the Sabres I see is Miller's situation. He will lose another year in his prime or late prime, and not playing at game speed could make him rusty. Add on a year of hanging out in Hollywood with his actress wife, and he might not be all that psyched to head back to Buffalo.

Overall though, I'm not entirely sure that the lockout didn't come around at exactly the right time for THIS Sabres team. Thoughts?

You're better than this.

Thanks, I think.

What specifically do you take issue with besides the fact that the team is not playing together? You can't deny how much their playing time in Rochester last lockout helped the Roy/Vanek/Pomminville/Miller core of the team over the last 7 years.

And to go back to the Roy trade, Buffalo was about to go into this season with nothing but hopefulness at center. Ennis has played wing most of his NHL career, Hodgson has never had top line minutes for a long period. Hell, I heard quite a few people on here talking about how Grigorenko was gonna be playing center in Buffalo. Those guys aren't ready yet IMO. More playing time at a lower level will do them all a world of good.

The bolded is all I took exception to. The 'Miller has a hot wife in LA so he hates it here' meme is, frankly, absurd.

How about "Miller has spent a year going to parties and the beach and getting photographed by the press. Now he's heading back to rinky-dink Buffalo" theme? Is that far-fetched? Maybe. Absurd? Doubt it.

But let's throw out the Miller in LA stuff. What do you think about the rest of my argument.

I live in glamorous LA and I freakin love going back to Buffalo.

Sure, there are definitely some parts of the team who will benefit for the extra season of work at lower levels, but at what expense? It's not worth that much to me.
We did well coming out of the last lockout because the rule changes were actually enforced for a season.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

There's a big expense to the yougins gaining that extra experience for all of us. True.

Rule changes helped last time. But I'd argue by season #2 post-lockout, calls were almost back to previous norms, and that was Buffalo's best (regular) season ever.

But yeah, when I think about it I guess I really am looking for a silver lining.

Personally, my silver lining would be a CBA that lasts 10 years or longer.
This league needs long term stability. They completely screwed the pooch right when they were starting to get mainstream traction.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

I hope you're right.

(Not about the Miller stuff, obviously!!)

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

guys, anyone else think miller is hanging out in LA, plotting his exit to the west coast, while balls deep in his old lady? i think so.

so, lets allow this to happen. miller to kings, and we get quick back. sound good? good. done deal.

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I'd do that in a heartbeat.

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anyone would do that. its a lopsided "trade" idea. as much as i love miller, and i feel hes a legit star, quick is top 2 in the NHL.

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and im being sarcastic about miller "plotting" his escape to LA.

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We were probably going to be weak at Center this year after the Roy trade, good point Stu.
As for Miller, God bless him, it's been great, but maybe it is time to get what we can for him. If we're not going to keep him after this contract, let's move him ASAP.

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This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson