JJFIVEOH

Of all those players, Gaborik is most notorious for being a streaky player and disappearing when times got tough. In terms of scoring Parise, Vanek and Nash are all near identical in terms of GPG average. By the way, as Minnesota continues to spiral out of control and very near mssing the playoffs........ how many goals does Parise have in the last 7 games? I'm sorry you missed my attempt at sarcasm, but to claim that Enroth's wins don't really count because (even though at the time the Sabres were very much in playoff contention) the opposing teams laid back because the Sabres dug themselves into a hole is pushing it. As exaggerated as my example was, the point was quite clear. I thought Enroth starting six consecutive games and carrying the team to the playoffs and set a couple of rookie records along the way was good enough to show he is starter material. Or the fact that he finished last year with a higher save % than the starter (despite playing the majority of his games during what was arguably the worst stretch in team history in terms of injuries and performance). Or the fact he has one less win in his last 5 starts than Miller has in his last 16. Not sure what more he needs to do.

I think a long term deal would be good. No, we're not talking about a 'few years'. The few years I was referring to is the next few years where the cap will be lower. As it increases to the point where the Sabres will need it long term, a high $$ long term contract for Vanek won't be as much of a hit. I don't consider Gaborik, Nash or Parise any better than Vanek. Why wait for one of those when we already have one? You can't ignore the fact that he heated up in the year Pegula took over and helped get them into the playoffs. Don't you think that's laying it on a little thick? I don't think we've seen enough of Enroth against teams between 5th and 10th in the conference, on a Wednesday, starting at 7:30, between games 25 and 35 of the season with three players shooting over 15% not coming off back to backs............... while wearing the alternate jerseys. ;) I can see your point about tougher teams, but that's digging deep.

Do you even watch what happens to Vanek on a nightly basis? Why did you ignore the other 90% of my post because that wasn't even close to my primary point. For the record, I didn't describe anything about how Vanek gets beat up every night. You might want to look up the meaning of the idiom 'Thrown under the bus' because apparently you're in the driver's seat.

I love how every time Vanek goes into a mini slump, so many people don't even hesitate to throw him under the bus. I don't know what games everybody was watching this weekend, but Vanek had more scoring chances by far than anybody else in the team. So he didn't bury them, even the best aren't going to bury all their chances. The fact still remains, Vanek is by far the best goal scorers this team has had in close to 20 years. The Sabres won't have any cap issues for the next few years (unless Darcy makes this a short rebuild and actually brings in quality vets) so signing an extension shouldn't even be an issue if Vanek is up for it. Vanek is still young with several good years left. It's not like Vanek is 35 and has one shot left at a Cup. Vanek probably wouldn't be as hurt if he hadn't been run over by a bus so many times. Your honor, exhibit A. I agree.

Perhaps, but he's had six straight equally good starts. Not like these are the only two.

For a second I thought you said 'beer'.

Yeah I just heard it on WGR, but some interesting TOI and shift stats for this game. I think character guys are just as tough to come by as scorers and might be even more important. Guys like Ott and Scott need to be here next year. Surely there shouldn't be an issue finding room for Scott for the next couple of years.

Everybody's favorite whipping boy Hecht now has as many goals as Stafford.

He should be on back to back shutouts, Pouliot should have been in the box for 4 instead of scoring. Oh well. Would be 10 or 12 if the score was 5-1 TB after 2.

Rochester

So instead of a 4 minute power play, TB gets a goal. That's fair.

Nice! I didn't think Ronnie had the nads to do it.

Future slackers.

I don't think I've ever seen a GTD so dead. 4 pages? He's too small to play in the NHL. :angel: I can't believe how bad the Flyers look with the lineup they have. I don't feel so bad now.

In last 6 games, Enroth is 3-0-1 1.65 GAA and .948 save %.

I bet that's what the Blues said when they got Leopold and had three consecutive shutouts. :rolleyes:

Good for Enroth! He deserved that shutout. He deserves to be the starter next year, let's move Miller for draft picks. 10:1 says Miller starts tomrrow.

Did NBC call up commentators and intermission guys from the minors to see what they have for next year?

As much as I hate to say it, I'd like to see Stafford stay. His trade value has dwindled to nothing and now cap space isn't an issue. If this team goes through a rebuild there will be holes to fill in the lineup for a year or two. There are going to be a few FA signings that will be far from groundbreaking.

I can't stand FL, but I'm not sure I've mentioned it here. We'll, maybe a couple of times, but only in OT threads. Ire I really think they are going to move on as planned with a rebuild. I don't think it will be a complete overhaul as the team already has young prospects to build around now they just need to add to it. A complete overhaul is usually for aging teams that traded away their picks and prospects and need to start from scratch. I also believe this is what their plan was when Pegula and Black got here. I think the two late season runs put those plans on the back burner. I also get the feeling that this was the year to prove whether they were capable of being a team that just needed tweaks, or it was time to scrap it and start over.

Maybe he can use the excuse that it's been broken all year to explain his bad season. It worked for Steven Weiss.

Not piling on him, just won't miss him.

Yup, I won't miss him. Too bad McNabb is out.

As usual people just look at stats when overvaluing players on other teams. Brennan has been OK. He's been up and down just like he was when he was in BFLO. He's already been scratched at least once and the only reason he is getting so much ice time is because of injuries and the Panthers are right in the midst bringing up the new core. Not saying Brennan has been bad, but don't read too much into it.

Yeah, it's whoever allows the game winner. Kinda like how Miller got the L against the Devils when Enroth had cramps.