Buffalo Fan Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Despite the playoff run swoon, Gaustad seems to have stepped his game up in the last month or so. Still not scoring a whole lot, but when he does, they seem to be important. Also creating a lot of chances for others. It'd be nice if he had someone with him who could bury their chances on a regular basis. I'll reitterate, that if you take the emotion out of it, this team is not far off from contending next year, and I think this guy could be a big part of it.
carpandean Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Gaustad may not have the hands of a truly great player, but in every other way, he is one of my favorites. He's big, he hits, he can win face-offs and he plays hard every night. I don't know if he has the skills to be a top two line center, but if he is our third line center for the long-term, I would be very happy with that. I'm even ok if he does have to step up to the second line between Pominville and Hecht on occasion.
tom webster Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Despite the playoff run swoon, Gaustad seems to have stepped his game up in the last month or so. Still not scoring a whole lot, but when he does, they seem to be important. Also creating a lot of chances for others. It'd be nice if he had someone with him who could bury their chances on a regular basis. I'll reitterate, that if you take the emotion out of it, this team is not far off from contending next year, and I think this guy could be a big part of it. I thnk most people on this board think Buffalo is not that far off. The difference is that some of us have no confidence that management will take the necessary steps to improve the product. And if they don't do anything, they will once again find themselves battling for the final spot because the rest of the conference seems to be young and getting better also.
wonderbread Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 I think most people on this board think Buffalo is not that far off. The difference is that some of us have no confidence that management will take the necessary steps to improve the product. And if they don't do anything, they will once again find themselves battling for the final spot because the rest of the conference seems to be young and getting better also. Once again today we have found common ground. Unfortunately I think that Darcy and Co. will see the progress these two young D-men have made and refuse to bring any additional talent. Once again leading to use being "less competitive" (not my words mind you)
Bmwolf21 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 I thnk most people on this board think Buffalo is not that far off. The difference is that some of us have no confidence that management will take the necessary steps to improve the product. And if they don't do anything, they will once again find themselves battling for the final spot because the rest of the conference seems to be young and getting better also. Agreed 100%. To our "untrained" eyes the Sabres' needs are quite obvious - no.2 center who will play more than 40 games, gritty top-4 defenseman, PP QB, solid backup goalie who can be trusted to start more than 6 games - but the question is whether management sees the same areas of concern and whether they plan to/want to/are able to upgrade & improve those areas.
apuszczalowski Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Agreed 100%. To our "untrained" eyes the Sabres' needs are quite obvious - no.2 center who will play more than 40 games, gritty top-4 defenseman, PP QB, solid backup goalie who can be trusted to start more than 6 games - but the question is whether management sees the same areas of concern and whether they plan to/want to/are able to upgrade & improve those areas. Every year, us fans always say that there are certain things management needs to go out and address, and it never gets done (usually more opening in the roster are made). Also every year people here praise a certain young superstar that is going to be an "untouchable" and the future, and then they disapear. Stafford, MacArthur (earlier this year), recently everyone was praising Kaleta, now its Sekera and Weber (people are already making them the top defensive pair next year). They may become great players in the future, but this team is in serious trouble if they decide to go into next season with a rookie top defensive pairing.
Bmwolf21 Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Every year, us fans always say that there are certain things management needs to go out and address, and it never gets done (usually more opening in the roster are made). Also every year people here praise a certain young superstar that is going to be an "untouchable" and the future, and then they disapear. Stafford, MacArthur (earlier this year), recently everyone was praising Kaleta, now its Sekera and Weber (people are already making them the top defensive pair next year). They may become great players in the future, but this team is in serious trouble if they decide to go into next season with a rookie top defensive pairing. Why? For the record, I have no problem with what we got from any of the guys you mentioned. Kaleta has surprised me by sticking in the NHL, Stafford - for all the grief he has gotten lately - is still in just his second year as a pro and is in the neighborhood of 15-20 goals, MacArthur struggled with consistency but made some big plays when he was up - and until a couple weeks ago had more goals than Max in half the number of games played (and still has more than Tim-may.) Sekera and Weber will have games where they struggle but I'd rather have struggles with young guys who are learning than overrated, soft overconfident veterans.
carpandean Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 ... unless I missed the part where you guys talked about Gaustad. I realize that you don't agree with JSII's final comment ... well, actually, you don't disagree that we're close, but that by extension that means management needs to make moves, which you don't think they will do ... but would it kill everyone to say anything about the original point without turning this into a management sucks thread. We don't know what they will do, we can only guess based on our interpretations of previous decision. However, this should not change your assessment of Gaustad.
wonderbread Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 ... unless I missed the part where you guys talked about Gaustad. I realize that you don't agree with JSII's final comment ... well, actually, you don't disagree that we're close, but that by extension that means management needs to make moves, which you don't think they will do ... but would it kill everyone to say anything about the original point without turning this into a management sucks thread. We don't know what they will do, we can only guess based on our interpretations of previous decision. However, this should not change your assessment of Gaustad. I like Paul. He is an ok 3rd liner and a decent/serviceable special teamer. He is they type of player that every team needs.
apuszczalowski Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Why? For the record, I have no problem with what we got from any of the guys you mentioned. Kaleta has surprised me by sticking in the NHL, Stafford - for all the grief he has gotten lately - is still in just his second year as a pro and is in the neighborhood of 15-20 goals, MacArthur struggled with consistency but made some big plays when he was up - and until a couple weeks ago had more goals than Max in half the number of games played (and still has more than Tim-may.) Sekera and Weber will have games where they struggle but I'd rather have struggles with young guys who are learning than overrated, soft overconfident veterans. I am not saying they won't be good, or that they shouldn't be regulars in the lineup, but if the best the Sabres could do for their defence is have 2 rookies with limited NHL experience as their top defensive pair, then they are in trouble. And fine, just so we don't get any more crying over the thread being de-railed, Gaustad is pretty good, and has a good future with the team. I don't ever see him being a top tier player, but a good role player
carpandean Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 And fine, just so we don't get any more crying over the thread being de-railed
apuszczalowski Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Wheres the beer smilie? I was going to offer you one to get you to stop crying?
carpandean Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 Wheres the beer smilie? I was going to offer you one to get you to stop crying? Best I could find with a quick search:
apuszczalowski Posted March 31, 2008 Report Posted March 31, 2008 I just went through the ones on the side of the reply box, and theres mostly just red "X's"
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