tom webster Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year.
Knightrider Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. Yes, although I'd like to add a fourth... Lalime plays 25-35 games.
nucci Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. Then we are a contender for Eastern Conference.
SabresFan526 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. I'd say if all of those happen, then the Sabres immediately become a playoff team if we also add Knight's caveat of Lalime playing about (my estimate) 15-20 games. The team in its current incarnation, I don't believe is good enough to be a championship contender, but definitely in the playoffs if all of the above take place. I think the team is still missing that one or two pieces to the puzzle. Specifically, I think they are missing one more centerman to play with Hecht and Pominville. I see Connolly anchoring the third line with Kotalik and Max, Gaustad given a heavy dose of defensive ice time with Mair and Paille and that line effectively becomes the checking line. I think adding one more piece like a Demitra or Morrison or some other center to play between Hecht and Pominville will make this team a more serious contender in the East. I think one more defenseman will finish the puzzle. That defenseman could very well be Teppo, but I think the Sabres still need one more defenseman in the top 6. These two things happen along with what you have above and I think the Sabres immediately become a Cup Contender.
RuffRuff Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. If two of those three things happen, we're a playoff team. Our coach is good. Scary etc.
X. Benedict Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. If those things happen, then yes, they could be 5-7 games better. 10 to 14 points. I do think Lalime needs to get, at the very very least, 15 starts.
RuffMuff Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. NO. 1. NO Soupy 2. NO Brierre 3. NO Drury Last time we were contenders we had your 3 and my 3........ Wake up Larry.
Bmwolf21 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. I'm fairly certain that if nos. 1 & 3 happen in the same year, then Armageddon is nigh. Yes, although I'd like to add a fourth... Lalime plays 25-35 games. Ratchet that back a little and we're in good shape. 20 should be the magic number, and anywhere from 20-26 starts is fantastic. That reduces Ryan's workload to a much more manageable 56-62 games.
nfreeman Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. Thanks Tom. Now I'm happy. Yes, although I'd like to add a fourth... Lalime plays 25-35 games. 20 games is my magic number. Any more means Miller got either hurt or traded. But I totally agree on the concept of a rested Miller and a strong backup whom the team is confident in. Then we are a contender for Eastern Conference. Yeah Nucci. Also: if Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games, he's our #1 center and he has a big year.
deluca67 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 #4 Andrew Peters learns a hockey skill. If we are going to dream, dream big.
Two or less Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. Connolly is gonna be clutch. He played 48 games last season and had 40 points. The guy has unreal talent it's just that he's made out of glass. I also think Thomas Vanek will have a huge year, thus taking pressure off Max Afinogenov. I don't know about Hank or Lydman, i think they peaked and were better then they were supposed to be. I think we need some real good back checking to help them out.
Two or less Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Also: if Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games, he's our #1 center and he has a big year. As good as Connolly may be, he's no Derek Roy. I read somewhere a few days ago, that after the all-star break, Roy was like 4th in the league with most points, behind Malkin and like 3 other super stars. Connolly in 70 games is good for like 80-85 points. Roy is good for like 90-100.
JujuFish Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 As good as Connolly may be, he's no Derek Roy. I read somewhere a few days ago, that after the all-star break, Roy was like 4th in the league with most points, behind Malkin and like 3 other super stars. Connolly in 70 games is good for like 80-85 points. Roy is good for like 90-100. Connolly in the 2005 playoffs was absolutely amazing. Best player we had until his injury.
Two or less Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Connolly in the 2005 playoffs was absolutely amazing. Best player we had until his injury. I'm not doubting that, i think Connolly, when healthy, is a great player. I just think Derek Roy is a better player. And Roy has the advantage of playing with Thomas Vanek. Who IMO will be a scoring machine this year.
deluca67 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Tim Connolly - the greatest player to never have scored 20 goals or even have 40 assists in a season. If Connolly can contribute this season consider it a bonus. For the Sabres to rely on him to be healthy and produce is suicide as it was last season. The Sabres should have a plan in place to shut him down and replace him as soon as the injuries start.
Knightrider Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Ratchet that back a little and we're in good shape. 20 should be the magic number, and anywhere from 20-26 starts is fantastic. That reduces Ryan's workload to a much more manageable 56-62 games. I think we get in the playoffs with Lalime starting 15. I went high, assuming we wouldn't want him to hit the wall on game 1 of the SCF.... :thumbsup:
inkman Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 NO.1. NO Soupy 2. NO Brierre 3. NO Drury Last time we were contenders we had your 3 and my 3........ Wake up Larry. In what order do you peruse the pictures of #51, #48 and #23 while you beat off to them?
inkman Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? No. The toughness issue needs to be addressed. Rivet can't be the only physical force on the team.
R_Dudley Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. Yes Yes, although I'd like to add a fourth... Lalime plays 25-35 games I am in agreement with a few others with saying 20 is perfect 23-26 'fan' tastic.. Then we are a contender for Eastern Conference. Yes sir when do playoff tickets go on sale. #4 Andrew Peters learns a hockey skill. If we are going to dream, dream big. :lol:
apushms Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 In addition, I would like to see the Sabres get a power play "quarterback" ... I know Sekera shows promise and is solid for the 2nd power play unit, but who will lead the first - Pominville? Connolly? If that gets addressed and leads to some power play success, I can see them being much improved.
rbochan Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 No. The toughness issue needs to be addressed. Rivet can't be the only physical force on the team. It's contagious though. He'll do nothing but help.
apuszczalowski Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Living in my land of Oz. Let's pretend that Miller and Pominville sign in the coming weeks and everyone is happy going into camp. If these other three things happen are the Sabres' a contender in the Eastern conference? 1) Tim Connolly stays healthy and plays 70 games. 2) Tallinder and Lydman regain their form of two years ago. 3) Max plays like he did in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. I know there are a lot of other factors but lets assume that the above three things happen in conjunction with everyone else playing as they did last year. I hope #1 & #3 don't happen, why would Timmy finally being able to play a full season and Max playing like the first 2 years after the lockout help the Sabres if they have been dealt to free budget space????? Seriously though, I don't think they are cup contenders yet if those things happen, but they should make the playoffs. They were somewhat close last season and they played bad, with all that happening I can see them a middle of the pact playoff team, with just #2 happening and a solid 20-25 games from lalime in goal and they will be in the playoffs. Even with the 3 that shall remain nameless on the team, they still couldn't make it into the SCF's, with the rules favouring their style of play. Without replacing what they brought to the table, and continuing to play the same style of play even though the rules have been going back to pre-lockout rules, they are still a few steps away from a true SC contender.
shrader Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 Yes, although I'd like to add a fourth... Lalime plays 25-35 games. Having a competant backup goalie last year would've been enough to get us into the playoffs. I have no problem saying the same exact thing about this year. Add that into the proposed positives from TW and they're right back up at least in the middle of the east. Just look how close things were in this conference. It will be the same way this year and every little bit helps.
fiftyone Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 In what order do you peruse the pictures of #51, #48 and #23 while you beat off to them? What he said is true... realism isn't an option for you?
carpandean Posted July 8, 2008 Report Posted July 8, 2008 I read somewhere a few days ago, that after the all-star break, Roy was like 4th in the league with most points, behind Malkin and like 3 other super stars. Connolly in 70 games is good for like 80-85 points. Roy is good for like 90-100. I don't remember where they ended up, but with only a few games left, Roy and Pominville were tied for third since the all-star break behind only Malkin and Ovechkin. Roy had more over those remaining games than Pommer, so he finished a little higher.
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