Who did I jump on? I was simply responding to Mike's post and putting in my two. Pretty sure I wasn't being "edgy" to anyone, and I don't think Mike perceived my response to him as "jumping on" him. You thought that post was me being edgy? Yikes...

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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

Blah...I guess you're right. I don't really care about the Sabres that much anyways. I just think Miller is cute. I just want him to have the best stats in the league so when I go to the NHL.com stats page I can see his picture.

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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

hahaha

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

No, I'm not saying you jumped on anyone here. I'm just saying if anyone actually says real doom and gloom stuff, go ahead and jump on them about it. They might deserve it anyway. You obviously got on me the other day and had me confused for a doom and gloomer, and you vented in this thread about getting edgy, more or less, with doom and gloomers. You might be ready for a fight at any hint of people saying the team isn't as good without Miller, whether they are really saying that or not, just because of a few jacks out there who've already said it.

Oh, I'm always looking for an internet fight. pew pew

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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

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mechaphil

This team hasn't regressed in any way shape or form from last season.

Everything about this team is better than last season.

Perhaps some individuals aren't having their best statistical year, but many others on this squad are.

The final determination is the team record, and I have a hard time finding any area that the Sabres have regressed from last season. It's certainly not the top 6.

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Wheelhouse

REGRESSED!

NOT DIGRESSED - REGRESSED!

AUGH!

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mechaphil

Fixed.

I'm really hung over. Cut me some slack.

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Wheelhouse

Ok, done

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mechaphil

Asshole, hahaha.

But it's true, I do fail at English sometimes, more often than not, and I don't care.

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I don't speak English. I speak American.

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Wheelhouse

yes, i did. i cried for two hours, then cut myself while listening to joy division.

for the record, joy division was awesome. also, i didnt cut myself. maybe i cried. maybe.

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The team is good. we will win many more games. Short post season.. No. We think miller is a beast now... miller is a constant beast in the playoffs.. "oh miller cant carry us forever!" Yes he can but he wont have to.... quit being dumb.

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The Board Drunk.

I think it's hilarious that people are trying to discredit this team.

All I have to say is I hope other teams in the NHL take the Sabres as lightly as their own fans do.

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Wheelhouse

adam, not everyone can be as "rah! rah!" as you. its perfectly fine for fans to be skeptical of a half of season of success after the past two years of buying in and going broke.

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Why is it that optimism is looked at as "rah rah?"

It's not "rah rah," and I'm not a cheerleader. There is plenty of evidence this season to suggest that this team is the real deal. And I'm happy about that.

The two seasons prior were a learning curve entirely necessary for the guys who are now leading this team to experience before they became successful.

They had to learn the hard way what it took to be a good team in this league, and they've put in the effort to get to the level they're at today.

Teams don't like playing against the Sabres because they have NO time to carry the puck, they're pressured from all sides, and even when they do break through, they've gotta score on the best goaltender in the game.

People can keep downplaying this thing all they want, but the fact of the matter is that the Sabres are among the best in the NHL.

That is just not possible unless your top 6 are good hockey players. A good goaltender does not make a good team. See Florida when they had Luongo.

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Wheelhouse

ah, but see buffalo when they had hasek. i think it was lindy in the 97-98 playoffs who said "detroits 4th line is better than our top line." luongos numbers in florida were also not on par with what millers are this year.

again, its fine to be skeptical. its a nice stretch they are on, its been a fun season so far. but if you cant see that there are holes in this team that need to be addressed via trade at some point, well, you are a braver man then i.

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They keep playing like this, I don't see many holes at all.

A defensive team prevents shots from good angles, and that is what they are. Glad they put the pressure on other teams.

Well except for Vanek, he just stands at the Blue line waiting for his team mates to pass the puck to him.

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Also, to point out a weakness somewhere is not to "discredit" the team. Simply showing where the team could improve is just that, nothing more. Hoping that they can improve there, as with more consistent scoring from the top forwards (or a better PP), is hoping to see a team that can not only compete with anybody, but have a real good chance at beating them too.

First, let me be real specific. I see the true Cup contenders right now as Chicago, San Jose, New Jersey, and maybe Washington. After that certainly Washington, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Calgary, and Vancouver are the 2nd tier teams in no particular order. Beating these teams once or twice in the regular season is one thing, but to beat Chicago, SJ, or NJ and overcome their size, skill, and discipline (as the case may be) in a seven game series is a tall order. Sure Buffalo could do it, but I wouldn't expect them to just yet. I wouldn't have them as a favorite in a series against those three teams, and Washington would probably be a coin toss.

So to assess the team that way, right now as maybe the 5th or 6th best team out there is hardly a "discredit". That's pretty good, but until they can get a consistent effort and consistent production from their best forwards I won't put them as a favorite over those top 3-4 teams. They may get there before the season ends, and I won't be surprised if everything starts to click. I just won't count on it just yet. I'll wait and see, and hope that they go into the playoffs playing well.