Jerry, Jerry, Jerry

I'd love to cheap shot Jerry Sullivan after his latest column.

I'd love to say that the newspaper industry hasn't improved immensely since their customers have started to go away.

But, I won't go there. Instead I'll just point to Jerry's own indecision on the Drew Stafford contract situation as an example that even Jerry can't make up his mind about what the Sabres should do.

I mean, he suggests that the Sabres shouldn't play hardball with Drew. But, he also says that they shouldn't overpay him.

Well, aren't the odds of overpaying a guy pretty good if a team doesn't play hardball with a Restricted Free Agent like Drew? I would think so.

Get ready for another CBA war

TSN.ca

Paul Kelly has been whacked as the NHLPA head honcho. It appears that he was let go because he was actually developing a good working relationship with the NHL brass.

Apparently the NHL players want someone to go to war with Bettman and company.

We all know how well that approach went last time around.

NHL owners have already shown that they have the stomach to shut the league down for a season to get what they want.

I have yet to see the players hold together long enough to out wait the owners in a stare down. I hope the NHLPA doesn't go hard liner and we lose another NHL season (or more).

But, I'm not liking this situation at all.

Scratch Vancouver from the list of teams that might want Tallinder

TSN.ca

I'd take Schneider at $1.55M for one year on this roster to replace Spacek.

But, that's just me.

Why are people freaking out over the Cowan signing?

Sabres.com

I don't get the freak out over the Sabres signing Jeff Cowan to a two-way contract.

Too many people are freaking out that the Sabres have too many 4th line energy guys with the signings of Cowan and Cody McCormick.

I guess the fact that they both signed two way deals and one, or both, could be headed to Portland didn't register.

- I also don't get the piling on of Patrick Kane.

A 20yo kid did something stupid after a night out partying on Chippewa. I'm sure Kane is the first 20-something to do something regrettable after a night out on the town.

I just hope that Patrick learns from his mistake and grows up quick. I also hope that he has an attitude adjustment and shuts the haters up.

- Puck Daddy is having a cool series where various people give 5 reasons why they love hockey.

Here are my 5 reasons:

1) The 1980 US Men's Olympic Hockey team. Nuff said.

2) The orange seats in The Aud. I still remember climbing up to the upper deck at The Aud, feeling like I was going to fall forward and onto the ice, and watching the good old Blue & Gold.

3) Playing goal. I may be nuts, but there is nothing like playing goal in hockey. From the gear to being the one person that plays the whole game to the feeling of making a miracle save, it's just awesome.

4) The feeling of the wind in my face when I skate. It is this feeling that I love every time it happens, especially when the long summer break is over and new season starts.

5) Passing the love of the game along to my kids. My boys went to Amerks hockey camp a couple of weeks ago and seeing the huge smiles on their faces was priceless. Strapping goalie gear on my oldest son was so much fun as he develops the goalie bug.

What's new?

So, Sabres.com got an anti-slug facelift.

Teppo Numminen retired.

The Sabres signed another sub-6 footer to back up Jhonas Enroth in Portland in J-P Lamoureux.

The Sabres added a gritty 4th liner to a two way deal in Cody McCormick. The rumor mill is spinning with talk that Adam Mair may have a major hip injury and that's why McCormick was signed.

If you want to get your hopes up, check out this Twitter feed.

I mean, if you can believe that the Sabres could possibly be in the running for Todd Bertuzzi and close to re-signing Dominic Moore. If those two things happen, that would make for a tense first few days of camp.