Who Else?

It's because the Sabres refuse to use the center of the ice on clears. Yes, it can be risky but so is giving the puck away constantly at the blue line. One of the things that Myers did two years ago that made him look great was to take the puck and skate it up the middle. If the D did this every once in awhile it would pull the oppositions defense off the boards. If the D does not move off the boards then the sabres d can rush the puck all the way to the net as Ehrhoff did late in the third last night and Myers did so often his rookie year.

It safe to say that the Vanek Hodgson Pominville line has been one of the best in the league this year. These three have started with terrific chemistry. Enough so that Vanek leads the league in points. The other lines have been pretty insufficient and the line switching between them hasn't created any sustained scoring. I was going to wait until the PP had a good night so it didn't seem like I was piling on, but that does not appear to be coming. I can not understand how or why these two units are together. The first PP unit has consistantly been Vanek-Ennis-Foligno up front with Pominville and Ehrhoff at the points. The second unit have the dynamic duo of Myers and Leopold on D. Hodgson centers this line with ususally Stafford and Ott although other players have been thrown in. Why seperate one of the top lines in the league? Are these three not capable of scoring together because there is one less defender? (And don't tell me it is to get other players going, because the goal is to score.) Why have a forward on D with a Ehrhoff who is notorious for shooting the puck into the PK forwards shin pads from the point? If this team is abundant on 1 thing other than soft forwards, it is "puck moving" Defensemen. Use them. Thomas Vanek is probably the best forward in the league in front of the net with the puck. His position is usually standing a few feet in front of the crease and look for deflections or rebounds. Tyler Ennis' job is carry the puck in the zone where he usually dumps it behind the net for the goalie to play or make a horizontal pass along the blue line. So what exactly is Foligno's duty? It is not the sniper that other PP's use. The front of the net is taken. He is not a great passer. I guess he is the guy that is supposed to get the puck from the goalie after the dump in?? Why switch lines up for the PP when you don't for PK or 4 on 4 situations? Hodgson and Pomminstein kill penalies together. Hecht and whoever is on the other one. When you switch lines up for the PP and mix and match players, the subsequent shifts at full strength are usually played by fourth liners or a collection of random players which can kill any momentum created by a PP. For example with Vanek on the first unit, he plays the first minute of the penalty. Hodgson however plays on the second unit and he plays for the second minute. Now not only has the hottest line in the league been seperated for the two minutes, they are going to have to wait several more before they can come back on the ice together. I understand that other teams switch up lines to get their scorers better opportunities with the man advantage. You just can't tell me by seperating the top line increases this team's chances of scoring.

Tonight's excuses. Montreal plated last night and were ready to go. We're a young team that is going to go through some growing pains. Or is this the game they win to a team not playing at it's best, but the Sabres act like everything is right? Go Sabres!

And we thought Darcy over valued his players!

Tallinder's strength is his positioning. This also happens to be Leopold's biggest weakness. There may be no majic between Tallinder and Myers. Maybe the sabres need to find a d-man who plays a similar style without breaking the bank.

I think Myers might look great in a Devils Sweater

I'm starting to believe that there is also a "concept" of Ott around here, much like the "concept of Kassian"

Doesn't really look like he belongs in the league. Unfortunately he fits right in on this team.

Drury Briere Hecht Grier Connolly Dumont Lydman Numminen Last Time the Sabres were relevant in the post season the roster make up was almost the opposite.

Mike Weber should hold a d- only practice and shoe=w the rest of the softies how to take the body and how to crisply move the puck.

I'm guessing Sekera is out. There can be no way Lindy puts leopold and Myers together again today. So this is what is going to happen. Whoever plays next to Leo today is the scapegoat. Unfortunately I think it will be Weber since they played a few shifts together last night. Leopold will be running around not covering his man trying to stick check everyone and pinch when it is the wrong time. This will make the other D look horrible now matter how they play.

Worst Trade Ever. Oh wait what happened last night? It's a trade. Both teams are supposed to win in the end. I remember people jumping all over Darcy after Burke's "fleecing" comments. Now Vancouver doesn't get "fleeced" and people are yapping about that.

Next plaque. Boychuck breaking Vanek's ankle with a slash.

When has this staff every worried about chemistry? I complete agree with you though. The right answer last night was planting the two stooges on the bench.

Leopold and Myers have to be one of the worst D pairings I have ever seen. Neither guy ever seems to know what the other is doing. Sometimes it looks like they are chasing each other. After the first couple goals/shifts with these two clowns last night shouldn't a coach try to change something? As for a D partner for Myers, why not try Weber. I know they both play on the right side, but maybe Myers could use the switch. He really couldn't play any worse.

Where's the love for Mike Weber here? This guy is exactly what the sabres need on D everynight. He actually takes the body.He do esn't throw that stupid blind back pass behind the net to the other defensemen. He actually passes the puck directly out of the zone when he gets it. Sekera and him played great together last night. Why the hell han't he been in the lineup?

On a good note Mike Weber looked good. Now that Kaleta is down he is going to have to stay in the lineup. Why the hell were they changing lines with 6 seconds left in OT when Toronto had the puck? Are these players that unaware of when and where they are in the game. If they can't put their heads down and get back for the final 6 seconds, they have no chance of getting anywhere. As mentioned above, Ellis in for Gringo in a tied game in the third after he scored? The lockout was a big FU to the fans of the NHL. Keeping Lindy is a big FU to the fans of the Sabres.

Who is this Leino guy? I thought he plays for the Isles now or something. If Ville is any kind of answer, this team is a lot worse off than I thought.

One can dream.

If there is one thing this organization has done well over the last few years, it is making excuses. If they are concerned that benching Myers would damage his psyche, perhaps they could wind up that excuse making machine and provide a reason why he is sitting and still protect the little confidence he has left. 3 games in four days, and Brennan still hasn't seen the ice really bothers me. So much for the momentum he built up in the AHL. When was his last game time? Lindy will now put him in like the backup goalie to fail.

Send him down and hope for a start with a new coach next year.

Fire him for this! Fire him for That!. Just get rid of him. I'm sick of watching veteran player skate around in confusion. And I'm really tired of watching the Sabres lose to teams they should beat year after year.

Back on in PA

Caps devils on 642

Nothing like flipping between DTV logos when you want to kill em. The logo does make a nice target for a remote throw.