Timmy Fixed

[Chief Enabler]

It seems like I'm going against the grain here and probably some of my previous "Mr Glass" posts, but I've just got a good feeling about Timbo. If he gets through the offseason well and makes training camp in shape I think he's got a great year ahead of him. As a CENTER, first or second line. That said, I still think we need a good vet or two on this team to take some weight off Vanek.

I agree on the vet with Vanek part alot, but Timmy needs to go, he is so done. I'm not sure where you got that good feeling from :unsure:

 

I find it kinda funny how we are willing to carry 5 centers because we know one (Timmy) we always be out. Something has been fishy this whole time. <_<

[Wraith]

I agree on the vet with Vanek part alot, but Timmy needs to go, he is so done. I'm not sure where you got that good feeling from :unsure:

 

I find it kinda funny how we are willing to carry 5 centers because we know one (Timmy) we always be out. Something has been fishy this whole time. <_<

By your logic, we carried seven centers last year. Any problems with that?

[Chief Enabler]

By your logic, we carried seven centers last year. Any problems with that?

Oops! sorry, I was kinda leaning a nightly basis stance. :rolleyes:

[X. Benedict]

With all due respect, what you need is irrelevant.

Hey! Aren't we allowed to ask Hockey Santa for anything we want.

It's not like he asked for Lecavlier for the 3rd line. :)

[spndnchz]

I agree on the vet with Vanek part alot, but Timmy needs to go, he is so done. I'm not sure where you got that good feeling from :unsure:

 

I find it kinda funny how we are willing to carry 5 centers because we know one (Timmy) we always be out. Something has been fishy this whole time. <_<

I'd rather see Connolly centering Pommers and Hecht (move hime to LW)

move Paille to 3rd line with Goose and Bernie (move Bernie to RW, as he's a RW) or 4th line and move Stafford to 3rd line

Kotalik and Max gone, pick up a vet RW and try him with VanRoy

[Wraith]

Oops! sorry, I was kinda leaning a nightly basis stance. :rolleyes:

So was I. :rolleyes:

 

I'll spell it out for you. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the five centers you were referring to were:

 

1) Roy

2) Hecht

3) Gaustad

4) Connolly

5) Mair

 

Four of those five guys played the vast majority of the season and all were in the lineup by the end of the playoffs. Then you throw in Briere and Drury. That's six or seven depending on whether you want to include Connolly.

[shrader]

Of course I know there is value in both players, I was just exaggerating my hope to rid ourselves of both players. Timmy only makes sense for me if he is their 13th or 14 th forward, in others words not being counted on.

On of my pet peeves is when people always talk about what they want to add to a team, but never want to get rid of anyone. Buffalo can't add the two veterans I feel they need upfront unless they part with somebody.

The biggest problem when dealing with Max and Tim may be the fact that Max is apparently TG's favorite player and Tim seems to be of special interest to LQ.

 

They've hit a point where they must realize that moves need to be made (I'm sure Darcy realizes this anyway). The blue line is due for an overhaul thanks to the free agency status of the group. I really don't think too many changes need to be made up front so I'm sure Darcy will be ready to make the necessary moves to straigten out that defensive core, most likely through trades. The only question is will he be allowed to do so.

[nfreeman]

He's not durable to rely on period. If the Sabres go into next season with him being counted on as anything more than a spare part, I'll be pissed.

 

Ink, I'm sensing a growing unhappiness coming from you. FWIW, I'm PO'd too, and I think management should be held totally accountable for a season that can be described only as a complete debacle, but I'm willing to give them a chance at redemption this offseason. I also don't think this season's failures can be laid at the feet of guys like Vanek or Connolly.

 

 

Of course I know there is value in both players, I was just exaggerating my hope to rid ourselves of both players. Timmy only makes sense for me if he is their 13th or 14 th forward, in others words not being counted on.

On of my pet peeves is when people always talk about what they want to add to a team, but never want to get rid of anyone. Buffalo can't add the two veterans I feel they need upfront unless they part with somebody.

The biggest problem when dealing with Max and Tim may be the fact that Max is apparently TG's favorite player and Tim seems to be of special interest to LQ.

 

To be clear, I'm fine with getting rid of Connolly, Max (or for that matter pretty much anyone on our roster other than about 5 guys) if it means we get the guys we need to get back in the hunt. I just don't think Connolly has much trade value and I definitely don't see the Sabres buying him out.

 

With all due repect, I need that third line center to be a defensive specialist/ banger. If Gaustad grows into that role fine but please no finesse players need apply for that spot.

 

This raises the interesting question of whether we need a true checking line as our 3rd line. I personally don't subscribe to this theory. In any case, Connolly when healthy is as defensively responsible as any forward we have.

[apuszczalowski]

They've hit a point where they must realize that moves need to be made (I'm sure Darcy realizes this anyway). The blue line is due for an overhaul thanks to the free agency status of the group. I really don't think too many changes need to be made up front so I'm sure Darcy will be ready to make the necessary moves to straigten out that defensive core, most likely through trades. The only question is will he be allowed to do so.

Don't we always say that? And yet..................................

[tom webster]

They've hit a point where they must realize that moves need to be made (I'm sure Darcy realizes this anyway). The blue line is due for an overhaul thanks to the free agency status of the group. I really don't think too many changes need to be made up front so I'm sure Darcy will be ready to make the necessary moves to straigten out that defensive core, most likely through trades. The only question is will he be allowed to do so.

 

I think they knew the moves they needed to make last year and TG vetoed. Even Larry, whose hockey acumen I wouldn't rank highly, voiced lack of surprise at their playoff downfall and seemed ready to tweak the roster accordingly.

 

I can see them trying to sell on us on exactly the same roster next year with Weber and Sekera replacing Kalinin and Campbell. They may be forced to move a forward because MacArthur can't pass through waivers next year.

Other than that, I see maybe a backup goalie and the possibility of a salary cap number near the bottom of the league.

[carpandean]

So was I. :rolleyes:

 

I'll spell it out for you. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the five centers you were referring to were:

 

1) Roy

2) Hecht

3) Gaustad

4) Connolly

5) Mair

 

Four of those five guys played the vast majority of the season and all were in the lineup by the end of the playoffs. Then you throw in Briere and Drury. That's six or seven depending on whether you want to include Connolly.

Hecht is not a center. They may have put a "C" next to him on the roster this year, but he is a winger who moved to center this year to cover when Timmy was injured. I'm happier when it's Hecht-Gaustad-Pomminstein as our second line than when it's Paille-Hecht-Pominville. Did he ever play at center last year? Mair has done well as fourth-line center this year, but is also a good winger for the third/fourth line. Last year, we had Briere, Drury, Roy and Gaustad with Mair when needed and Connolly for two regular season games.

 

A team should have five centers because injuries/illnesses do happen and centers require a certain skill set that not every winger has. Both Hecht and Kotalik have filled in as centers this year and neither has been a good fit. That's one of the things that has hurt as down the line with Connolly out. Actually, a funny note is that we did have five centers (not counting Hecht) this year, as Mike Ryan is listed as a center, too. Who knows how we would have done with Roy, Gaustad, Mair and Ryan centering our lines down the stretch. Damn those injuries! ;)

[apuszczalowski]

Ink, I'm sensing a growing unhappiness coming from you. FWIW, I'm PO'd too, and I think management should be held totally accountable for a season that can be described only as a complete debacle, but I'm willing to give them a chance at redemption this offseason. I also don't think this season's failures can be laid at the feet of guys like Vanek or Connolly.

To be clear, I'm fine with getting rid of Connolly, Max (or for that matter pretty much anyone on our roster other than about 5 guys) if it means we get the guys we need to get back in the hunt. I just don't think Connolly has much trade value and I definitely don't see the Sabres buying him out.

This raises the interesting question of whether we need a true checking line as our 3rd line. I personally don't subscribe to this theory. In any case, Connolly when healthy is as defensively responsible as any forward we have.

Well then who can you blame? The needed Vanek to step up and take over and become a top tier player, instead he regressed and has been inconsisstent. They also needed Connolly to start earning his pay and step up in a leadership role and make us forget about the offseason losses, and like usually, he can't finish a season healthy. (I don't get all of this love for him, he has had 1 good year his entire career, and before that year he was being held to the same level as Peters in that most would take a bag of used pucks for him in a trade)

 

It might not feel fair to blame them, but they have been a big reason why they have struggled this year even more then they should have after management handicapped the team this offseason (and then again at the deadline as they were still close to and fighting for a playoff spot). Those were 2 players management had put into positions to have to step up and they didn't, so the should take some of the blame.

[Chief Enabler]

So was I. :rolleyes:

 

I'll spell it out for you. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the five centers you were referring to were:

 

1) Roy

2) Hecht

3) Gaustad

4) Connolly

5) Mair

 

Four of those five guys played the vast majority of the season and all were in the lineup by the end of the playoffs. Then you throw in Briere and Drury. That's six or seven depending on whether you want to include Connolly.

I was always referring to this season, and would even throw in Mike Ryan (45 GP) in the mix, or even the General (37 GP).

[Wraith]

Hecht is not a center. They may have put a "C" next to him on the roster this year, but he is a winger who moved to center this year to cover when Timmy was injured. I'm happier when it's Hecht-Gaustad-Pomminstein as our second line than when it's Paille-Hecht-Pominville. Did he ever play at center last year? Mair has done well as fourth-line center this year, but is also a good winger for the third/fourth line. Last year, we had Briere, Drury, Roy and Gaustad with Mair when needed and Connolly for two regular season games.

 

A team should have five centers because injuries/illnesses do happen and centers require a certain skill set that not every winger has. Both Hecht and Kotalik have filled in as centers this year and neither has been a good fit. That's one of the things that has hurt as down the line with Connolly out. Actually, a funny note is that we did have five centers (not counting Hecht) this year, as Mike Ryan is listed as a center, too. Who knows how we would have done with Roy, Gaustad, Mair and Ryan centering our lines down the stretch. Damn those injuries! ;)

Agreed. That was exactly my point. The Wee Man suggested it was fishy that we carried five centers all year (to cover for Connolly's durability issues, no doubt). My point was that using his logic to qualify all five of those guys as centers was foolish as only three of them are really centers and the others wingers. In reality, he's completely wrong. We've really been playing with two to three real centers all year. His point that carrying five centers is odd and "fishy" is also wrong, as you've nicey refuted.

[bob_sauve28]

Ink, I'm sensing a growing unhappiness coming from you. FWIW, I'm PO'd too, and I think management should be held totally accountable for a season that can be described only as a complete debacle, but I'm willing to give them a chance at redemption this offseason. I also don't think this season's failures can be laid at the feet of guys like Vanek or Connolly.

To be clear, I'm fine with getting rid of Connolly, Max (or for that matter pretty much anyone on our roster other than about 5 guys) if it means we get the guys we need to get back in the hunt. I just don't think Connolly has much trade value and I definitely don't see the Sabres buying him out.

This raises the interesting question of whether we need a true checking line as our 3rd line. I personally don't subscribe to this theory. In any case, Connolly when healthy is as defensively responsible as any forward we have.

I can't say I'm there. Yes, we will probably miss the playoffs. But let me ask you this. How much different do you see between us and, say, the Canadians? I don't see a broad, yawning canyon seperating the top Canadians and our Sabres. The league is so tight and pariety is here. Still, we haven't been good enough, no doubt. Yet, look at all the young emerging talent on this team. Have to feel good about that. Let's give management credit for all these players we will be seeing for years to come in Buffalo. While I'm disappoitned about the season, I'm pretty happy about the future.

[Wraith]

I was always referring to this season, and would even throw in Mike Ryan (45 GP) in the mix, or even the General (37 GP).

So, why is it fishy to carry so many "centers" this season but not the year before, when we had all of the same "centers" plus two more actual centers, Briere and Drury.

[inkman]

Ink, I'm sensing a growing unhappiness coming from you.

 

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

inkman

 

My feelings about Vanek have been well documented but I am going to really start questioning this young man's character. Years before McGahee was shipped out of Buffalo, I smelled something rotten and I'm getting a familiar scent.

 

 

Timmy Fixed

inkman

 

 

He's not durable to rely on period. If the Sabres go into next season with him being counted on as anything more than a spare part, I'll be pissed.

 

 

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

inkman

Not to mention he looked disappointed as the puck was crossing the line...

 

 

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

inkman

 

...but having a 10 million dollar lump of laziness in the corner doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

 

 

Cane hate?

inkman

 

At first I hated it but it actually distracts me from reading his posts, so I guess it's okay then.

 

 

GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

inkman

 

...and that is why this team is #%^$#!ed as long as he is their face. Nobody wants to follow a lazy piece of crap...

 

 

another day, another story about Campbell

inkman

Larry Quinn told him to draft Vanek as he would benefit from the hulking nets.

 

 

inkman

MSGHD now on in Rochester

I guess this plan should have been researched by someone with hockey knowledge

 

 

MSGHD now on in Rochester

inkman

No home games remaining on the sched right? Just one more reason not to watch this #%^$#! anymore.

 

 

 

 

What gives you that idea? :D :angry:

[nfreeman]

Well then who can you blame? The needed Vanek to step up and take over and become a top tier player, instead he regressed and has been inconsisstent. They also needed Connolly to start earning his pay and step up in a leadership role and make us forget about the offseason losses, and like usually, he can't finish a season healthy. (I don't get all of this love for him, he has had 1 good year his entire career, and before that year he was being held to the same level as Peters in that most would take a bag of used pucks for him in a trade)

 

It might not feel fair to blame them, but they have been a big reason why they have struggled this year even more then they should have after management handicapped the team this offseason (and then again at the deadline as they were still close to and fighting for a playoff spot). Those were 2 players management had put into positions to have to step up and they didn't, so the should take some of the blame.

 

I don't blame Connolly (or any player) who is unable to stay healthy, unless that player is just lazy and out of shape. Although I could be wrong, I don't think that was the case this year with Connolly. I think his body is just not built to take the pounding of playing the NHL -- just like Rob Johnson wasn't built to play in the NFL. I also think if management was expecting him to play 20 min. per game for 82 games, after missing 20-odd games 2 years ago and 80 games last year, they were irresponsible if not insane.

 

Vanek was 23 when this season started. While I think management expected him to have a year roughly comparable to last year, I don't think they expected him to fill the leadership void left by Drury and Briere. FWIW, after an atrocious start (but no worse than the starts experienced by, say, Miller, Pominville and Max), Vanek is 2nd in the NHL in goals since the all-star break.

 

While I personally hold management accountable to a much greater degree than I do the players, I don't disagree that the players are highly paid professional athletes and should accordingly bear much of the blame. If you are looking for players to single out as accountable, though, I would look more at guys like Tallinder, Lydman, Kalinin, and Max. I think veterans are more accountable than guys in their first 2-3 years as full-timers. If you believe that it's fair to hold younger players accountable, then I think Gaustad (not enough consistent fire in the belly), Pominville (terrible start), Roy (still too inconsistent), Stafford (terrible start and didn't really step up) and Paetsch (very average) are more responsible for this year's disappointment than Vanek and Connolly.

[nfreeman]

I can't say I'm there. Yes, we will probably miss the playoffs. But let me ask you this. How much different do you see between us and, say, the Canadians? I don't see a broad, yawning canyon seperating the top Canadians and our Sabres. The league is so tight and pariety is here. Still, we haven't been good enough, no doubt. Yet, look at all the young emerging talent on this team. Have to feel good about that. Let's give management credit for all these players we will be seeing for years to come in Buffalo. While I'm disappoitned about the season, I'm pretty happy about the future.

 

I agree about the young talent. Darcy and our scouts deserve a lot of credit for guys like Roy, Pominville, Paille, Sekera, Weber, Miller, etc. I also agree that we aren't that far removed from the Habs. I've said a number of times that if this team had Drury and Teppo, we'd be right there at the top of the East. But I also think that missing the playoffs after winning the President's trophy (something that's only happened 3 times in 40 years) can only be described as a debacle.

[Chief Enabler]

So, why is it fishy to carry so many "centers" this season but not the year before, when we had all of the same "centers" plus two more actual centers, Briere and Drury.

I wish there was a fishy icon to use here. Common sense would say dump the unattractive ones.

[ROC Sabres]

I noticed the one sentence blurb in one of the news articles that mentioned that Timmy's surgery was a success and he would be ready for training camp. We should start a pool now on which body part he will likely hurt next. Maybe he needs more vitamins or something.

You haven't heard. Turns out after that surgery was completed he developed a season ending hang nail.

[shrader]

I think they knew the moves they needed to make last year and TG vetoed. Even Larry, whose hockey acumen I wouldn't rank highly, voiced lack of surprise at their playoff downfall and seemed ready to tweak the roster accordingly.

 

I can see them trying to sell on us on exactly the same roster next year with Weber and Sekera replacing Kalinin and Campbell. They may be forced to move a forward because MacArthur can't pass through waivers next year.

Other than that, I see maybe a backup goalie and the possibility of a salary cap number near the bottom of the league.

 

I think the part about Golisano and Quinn getting in the way last year is a bit over simplifyed, but yeah, I really have no problem with that thought as a whole.

 

I really have no problem with bringing back a very similar roster. The forwards are such a young group as a whole and should be kept together. As for moving one forward, at the start of the year that guy will end up being Kaleta since he will still be waiver-exempt. I'm willing to wait until training camp to see whether or not I agree with that move.

 

The blueline does need to be addressed though. If you take the current group, replacing Pratt with a good upgrade (I'm talking top 4 d-man here) and it could be a good group. A trade may be their best option here.

 

The salary figure being towards the lower end next year is very possible, but could be a bit misleading. IFthey lock up Miller and Pominville ahead of time, they'll have more committed money for the future that won't yet hit the cap.

[tom webster]

I think the part about Golisano and Quinn getting in the way last year is a bit over simplifyed, but yeah, I really have no problem with that thought as a whole.

 

I really have no problem with bringing back a very similar roster. The forwards are such a young group as a whole and should be kept together. As for moving one forward, at the start of the year that guy will end up being Kaleta since he will still be waiver-exempt. I'm willing to wait until training camp to see whether or not I agree with that move.

 

The blueline does need to be addressed though. If you take the current group, replacing Pratt with a good upgrade (I'm talking top 4 d-man here) and it could be a good group. A trade may be their best option here.

 

The salary figure being towards the lower end next year is very possible, but could be a bit misleading. IFthey lock up Miller and Pominville ahead of time, they'll have more committed money for the future that won't yet hit the cap.

 

I beleive Jason and Miller will be off set by the leaving of Tim, Max and Alex as well as the reduction in actual pay for Vanek.

I also believe a big time d-man would be nice. I ,too, like a lot of the young players but I think some are too quick to assume that they will all continue to progress. A big part of DR's job is to determine which will develop and trade the others before everyone else finds out that they have hit the wall. This has always been one of his weaknesses.

[darksabre]

Timmy healthy? Maybe he can go be our AHL team's vet player that we can call up when we feel like it, providing he's healthy.

[Taro T]

I think the part about Golisano and Quinn getting in the way last year is a bit over simplifyed, but yeah, I really have no problem with that thought as a whole.

 

I really have no problem with bringing back a very similar roster. The forwards are such a young group as a whole and should be kept together. As for moving one forward, at the start of the year that guy will end up being Kaleta since he will still be waiver-exempt. I'm willing to wait until training camp to see whether or not I agree with that move.

 

The blueline does need to be addressed though. If you take the current group, replacing Pratt with a good upgrade (I'm talking top 4 d-man here) and it could be a good group. A trade may be their best option here.

 

The salary figure being towards the lower end next year is very possible, but could be a bit misleading. IFthey lock up Miller and Pominville ahead of time, they'll have more committed money for the future that won't yet hit the cap.

I really don't have a problem with Pratt and would actually like to see him back next year. He is clearly only a #6 D-man, but seems comfortable with it and plays within himself.

 

I agree the team needs another SOLID top 4 d-man. I'd be willing to part with Lydman and Max to try to upgrade that spot. Lydman has been a very serviceable top 4 in the past (heck, last year he was part of the top pair) and is under contract for 2 more years and Max would seem to be the type of player a lot of GM's could want (a guy that's been a point per game player for a couple of seasons AND will sell a lot of merchandise). If that wouldn't bring in an upgrade, I'd be willing to offer Tallinder and/or Kotalik as well. If a guy that can only play fired up against Filly like Gratton can have trade value, I believe that Kotalik COULD have trade value for the right team (one looking for a pp point man and one that has a good passing center that he could play with). Heck, IF Connolly could stay healthy, Kotalik could be a good player for the Sabres.

 

I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Sabres try to bring in a "leadership" veteran to fit on the 3rd line, as all those blown 2 goal leads indicate a severe leadership shortage.

 

Under that scenario, I'd see the lines as:

 

Vanek - Roy - Bernier (Stafford)

Kotalik - Connolly - Stafford (Bernier)

Hecht - Leadership Vet - Pominville

Paille - Gaustad - Mair

 

Spacek - New Guy (Tallinder/Sekera)

Sekera (Tallinder) - Weber

Pratt - Tallinder (Weber)

 

Spares: MacArthur, Peters, Paetsch

 

If the "leadership vet" isn't brought in on the forward ranks, then Gaustad moves to the 3rd line and Kaleta bumps past MacArthur and takes a regular shift on wing on the 4th line. If the "leadership vet" is brought in and Timmy misses most of the year, move Hecht or the new guy to the 2nd line (most likely bringing Pominville wherever Hecht goes).

 

Bernier may still not be ready for top line duty (power forwards take some grooming time usually).

 

I'd have Spacek taking a regular turn on pp and pk; Sekera taking a regular turn on pp; Tallinder a regular turn on pk; and new guy a regular turn on pk (most likely). Weber would probably be my 4th pk d-man, but Sekera would get some work back there. Basically anyone but Pratt on special teams.