Gaustad a wing? Hecht a center?

[stenbaro]

Chroise?

Please dont bring that crap over to this side..LOL....

[carpandean]

I just cant seem to get too excited about these lines...Somethings missing..

A shut-down right winger, who isn't a star top-line winger (i.e., Pominville.)?

 

Our right wingers are: Pommer, Max, Kotalik and Stafford (Kaleta, too, but he is there for banging, so it doesn't matter if he's left or right.) The only one that is consistently responsible in his own zone is Pommer, but there is no way that he should be on the third line. Stafford could probably become that player, but I doubt that Max or Ales could (too late to show those old dogs a new trick.)

[nfreeman]

other than my preference to see max moved (although i accept the likelihood that he starts the season here), free's post perfectly reflects my thoughts on the subject, albeit in a more coherent fashion than i can muster today (or ever).

 

there's been a fair amount of talk about how uninspired macarthur has looked -- didn't a rah-cha-cha poster or 2 then weigh in to say that this kid's desire/focus had been called into question in the ahl?

 

Thank you sir. At your service.

 

As for Mac -- While it might seem like this is fish-or-cut-bait season for him, OTOH, it's fairly likely that Max, Connolly and Kotalik will all be gone next year. That's quite a few slots to fill. If Mac produces even a just-OK season, I'd expect them to keep him around to take another shot at regular-skater status next year.

 

I just listened to the Ruff interview from yesterday and he said that he'd like his centers to be Roy, Connolly and Hecht, with Gaustad on wing. I'm wondering if he thinking of Gaustad-Hecht-Kotalik/Stafford as a third, shut-down line, with Paille-Connolly-Pommer as the second, scoring line. Of course, if Mair isn't healthy by the start of the season, then Gaustad will likely center the fourth line to start the season, so that would muck things up a little.

 

Well, that screws up my first set of projected lines. I still don't think Lindy goes for a "checking" 3rd line though. Maybe these:

 

Hecht-Pommer-Gaustad

Roy-Vanek-Max

Connolly-Kotalik-Paille

Mair-Kaleta-Stafford

 

I just cant seem to get too excited about these lines...Somethings missing..

 

I know what you mean, although I am definitely psyched for hockey season. To me, what's missing is the sense that any of our lines could light it up at any moment. Maybe that's because it's hard to shake the idea that Max will be gone and Connolly will be hurt. But Gerbe might be the cure for what ails ya.

 

 

 

As for PAFan and Tom Webster -- if you were my kids, I'd be warning both of you that you're each close to getting a time out.

[tom webster]

Thank you sir. At your service.

 

As for Mac -- While it might seem like this is fish-or-cut-bait season for him, OTOH, it's fairly likely that Max, Connolly and Kotalik will all be gone next year. That's quite a few slots to fill. If Mac produces even a just-OK season, I'd expect them to keep him around to take another shot at regular-skater status next year.

Well, that screws up my first set of projected lines. I still don't think Lindy goes for a "checking" 3rd line though. Maybe these:

 

Hecht-Pommer-Gaustad

Roy-Vanek-Max

Connolly-Kotalik-Paille

Mair-Kaleta-StaffordI know what you mean, although I am definitely psyched for hockey season. To me, what's missing is the sense that any of our lines could light it up at any moment. Maybe that's because it's hard to shake the idea that Max will be gone and Connolly will be hurt. But Gerbe might be the cure for what ails ya.

As for PAFan and Tom Webster -- if you were my kids, I'd be warning both of you that you're each close to getting a time out.

 

Looks like my original post although I see Stafford winning out and Max somewhere else.

[carpandean]

I still don't think Lindy goes for a "checking" 3rd line though. Maybe these:

Hecht-Pommer-Gaustad

My problem with that logic is that, while they would also be able to put up the points, this line doesn't scream "scoring line" to me. It would, however, be one of the best checking lines in the league. I see its role being confused. Pominville has both the offensive and defensive skills to be on a scoring line or a checking line, but his skill level in the former is more rare. Hecht has just enough offensive skill to be on a scoring line, especially if he is bringing a little balance to two more offensively-minded players (which is why Hecht-Connolly-Pommer makes so much sense), and he definitely has the defensive abilities to be an amazing checking-line player. In his case, I see that defensive ability as being more rare than his level of offensive abilities. I don't see Gaustad as having the offensive punch to be on a scoring line, but he could bring some physical presence to a checking line, while having enough skill to keep them from being relegating to a pure defensive role (i.e., they would still score some, too.) Ideally, I'd like a right-handed version of Paille to play with Goose-Hecht on a third, checking line. They would be extremely effective defensively and deceptively effective offensively, too.

[LabattBlue]

My problem with that logic is that, while they would also be able to put up the points, this line doesn't scream "scoring line" to me.

In order to maximize Pominville's talents and the money you will be paying him starting next year, he has to be with one of the top 2 centers on the team and that is Roy or Connolly. Now that I have made that decision for Lindy, we can move on. :rolleyes:

[Stoner]

Yeah, things got awfully quiet. You stand up to a bully once, and it's Scut Farkas all over again.

[nfreeman]

My problem with that logic is that, while they would also be able to put up the points, this line doesn't scream "scoring line" to me. It would, however, be one of the best checking lines in the league. I see its role being confused. Pominville has both the offensive and defensive skills to be on a scoring line or a checking line, but his skill level in the former is more rare. Hecht has just enough offensive skill to be on a scoring line, especially if he is bringing a little balance to two more offensively-minded players (which is why Hecht-Connolly-Pommer makes so much sense), and he definitely has the defensive abilities to be an amazing checking-line player. In his case, I see that defensive ability as being more rare than his level of offensive abilities. I don't see Gaustad as having the offensive punch to be on a scoring line, but he could bring some physical presence to a checking line, while having enough skill to keep them from being relegating to a pure defensive role (i.e., they would still score some, too.) Ideally, I'd like a right-handed version of Paille to play with Goose-Hecht on a third, checking line. They would be extremely effective defensively and deceptively effective offensively, too.

 

 

In order to maximize Pominville's talents and the money you will be paying him starting next year, he has to be with one of the top 2 centers on the team and that is Roy or Connolly. Now that I have made that decision for Lindy, we can move on. :rolleyes:

 

2 good posts. I agree with each of them. The problem is that they can't be reconciled with Lindy's public statement about who his centers are going to be, UNLESS he splits up Pommer and Hecht. This is quite possible, but I believe it's more likely that they stay together. So that leaves them in need of a winger, which seems most likely to be either Paille (per the TBN article today) or Gaustad. Paille has more offensive ability, so I can see him getting there, but he'll need to earn it. Lindy isn't going to just give him a top-6 slot.

[inkman]

Yeah, things got awfully quiet. You stand up to a bully once, and it's Scut Farkas all over again.

 

It's like I don't even know you anymore. :( B-)

[SabresFan526]

I think as someone mentioned, Lindy has a tough time separating players that have good chemistry, but if it were up to me, I'd really want to have two solid scoring lines and one line that is an absolute shutdown line that you can play against every team's top line night in and night out. But, in order to have that happen, it involves separating Hecht and Pommer. I also think that offensively, Pommer is the best right wing on the team better than Max, Kotalik, Stafford, etc. Here's what I might do:

 

Vanek-Roy-Pominville

Kotalik-Connolly-Max

Paille-Hecht-Gaustad (the shutdown line against every team's top line)

Kaleta/MacArthur/Peters-Mair-Stafford/Mancari

 

By doing this, you put our best right wing on the top line with our two best scorers. This new top line now becomes one of the most lethal top lines in the NHL, and let's not forget, Roy and Pommer are both sound defensively and play on the PK (usually together) to where you don't have to worry about that line being a defensive liability. The Paille-Hecht-Gaustad line becomes a true checking line that is matched up night in and night out against other team's top lines. That leaves you with a decent second scoring line that should produce pretty well and a good energy fourth line. Stafford in my mind has not done enough yet to earn top line minutes in the opportunities he's had. He needs to earn that right.

 

With the amount of depth on this team, Lindy could actually have some fun with the fourth line depending on who they play. If he needs more offense, he can put MacArthur and Stafford to play with Mair. If wants more grit and physical play, he can put Kaleta and Peters. If he wants a combination of some skill and some grit, he can throw Kaleta or either MacArthur or Stafford. There's a lot of interesting things he could do with that fourth line, but I'd like to see the top three lines done this way in order to give us two scoring lines and a true checking line. Just my thoughts.

[carpandean]

Vanek-Roy-Pominville

Kotalik-Connolly-Max

Paille-Hecht-Gaustad (the shutdown line against every team's top line)

Kaleta/MacArthur/Peters-Mair-Stafford/Mancari

My first thought is that you have two right wingers on the second line and two left wingers on the third (actually, Goose is a lefty, but I don't know which wing he likes to play on; however, all three players are left-handed.) That raises a big question about whether a player can switch sides. Kotalik is a righty and Max is a lefty, so both would tend to shoot from the center and on rushes (facing the opposition's net) would be passing with their backhands. Obviously Max would be used to it, but would Al be able to handle it. If I'm not mistaken, he plays that side on the PP so that he can boom the one-timer, but I don't know how it would work 5-on-5. It did get me thinking, though, that maybe Max should be put on the left wing. It might force him to look for the pass instead of always shooting. He could dangle enough to still shoot, but passing on the rush would be easier.

[cdexchange]

Vanek-Roy-Pominville

 

All I know is I'm salivating right now at the thought of this line... :wub:

[tom webster]

Yeah, things got awfully quiet. You stand up to a bully once, and it's Scut Farkas all over again.

 

Maybe if you bring something of value to the table people will engage in some healthy dialogue but your predictable, agitating responses are really quite boring and rather surprising for someone listed as historian and senior advisor on what is a relatively respected message board.

[tom webster]

My first thought is that you have two right wingers on the second line and two left wingers on the third (actually, Goose is a lefty, but I don't know which wing he likes to play on; however, all three players are left-handed.) That raises a big question about whether a player can switch sides. Kotalik is a righty and Max is a lefty, so both would tend to shoot from the center and on rushes (facing the opposition's net) would be passing with their backhands. Obviously Max would be used to it, but would Al be able to handle it. If I'm not mistaken, he plays that side on the PP so that he can boom the one-timer, but I don't know how it would work 5-on-5. It did get me thinking, though, that maybe Max should be put on the left wing. It might force him to look for the pass instead of always shooting. He could dangle enough to still shoot, but passing on the rush would be easier.

 

I think that the comfort level playing the right side or left side is often overlooked. Some players just can't handle it. That being said, I would love a Pominville, Vanek and Roy line if the other two lines could be worked out.

One other thing, as Blue and I have said in the past, I hope Pominville gets to play forward on the power play this year.

[SabresFan526]

My first thought is that you have two right wingers on the second line and two left wingers on the third (actually, Goose is a lefty, but I don't know which wing he likes to play on; however, all three players are left-handed.) That raises a big question about whether a player can switch sides. Kotalik is a righty and Max is a lefty, so both would tend to shoot from the center and on rushes (facing the opposition's net) would be passing with their backhands. Obviously Max would be used to it, but would Al be able to handle it. If I'm not mistaken, he plays that side on the PP so that he can boom the one-timer, but I don't know how it would work 5-on-5. It did get me thinking, though, that maybe Max should be put on the left wing. It might force him to look for the pass instead of always shooting. He could dangle enough to still shoot, but passing on the rush would be easier.

Fair point. The reason I suggest the Kotalik-Connolly-Max line is there has been precedent of those three guys playing together. Specifically, in the 2005-2006 season when Lindy broke up the Vanek-Roy-Max line, he put Roy with Drury and Grier, put Vanek on the fourth line with Gaustad and Pominville, and put Connolly and Kotalik with Max. Towards the end of the year and early portions of the playoffs, this was one of the most effective lines for Buffalo, so I've got to believe they can get that magic going again.

 

Also, Kotalik has played on the left wing before. He basically spent the entire 2005-2006 season and even the 2006-2007 seasons on the left wing. When he played on a line with Drury during those two years, he was on the left side when Grier was there as Grier is a natural right wing. I think you're right and he played the right side in 2006-2007 when Gaustad played on that line, but then moved back to the left side after they acquired Zubrus who played on the right side. Whether you like him or not as a player, Kotalik is pretty versatile and can actually play all 3 forward positions. So, I think he's fine playing on the left side, but that's my opinion.

[tom webster]

Fair point. The reason I suggest the Kotalik-Connolly-Max line is there has been precedent of those three guys playing together. Specifically, in the 2005-2006 season when Lindy broke up the Vanek-Roy-Max line, he put Roy with Drury and Grier, put Vanek on the fourth line with Gaustad and Pominville, and put Connolly and Kotalik with Max. Towards the end of the year and early portions of the playoffs, this was one of the most effective lines for Buffalo, so I've got to believe they can get that magic going again.

 

Also, Kotalik has played on the left wing before. He basically spent the entire 2005-2006 season and even the 2006-2007 seasons on the left wing. When he played on a line with Drury during those two years, he was on the left side when Grier was there as Grier is a natural right wing. I think you're right and he played the right side in 2006-2007 when Gaustad played on that line, but then moved back to the left side after they acquired Zubrus who played on the right side. Whether you like him or not as a player, Kotalik is pretty versatile and can actually play all 3 forward positions. So, I think he's fine playing on the left side, but that's my opinion.

 

Valid points and I think I may like your lines best. Think you can give Lindy a call? To get his number all you have to do is walk up to the guy in the wheelchair throwing peanuts in the air and whisper Tom Webster says Lindy loves the taste of Billy Smith's butt end. That is the code for the week.

[Stoner]

Maybe if you bring something of value to the table people will engage in some healthy dialogue but your predictable, agitating responses are really quite boring and rather surprising for someone listed as historian and senior advisor on what is a relatively respected message board.

 

This is like watching the debate last night. No one will answer a question.

 

What offers were or are on the table for Max?

 

I don't expect an answer, so I'll just say, listen, Buffalo is a small city -- a big small town really -- and everybody knows somebody who works for the Sabres or somebody who lives by a Sabre or whatever. I find absolutely no value in the wannabe "insiders" who populate message boards from time to time. They know Jack Squat.

 

If you're for real, tell us who you are and who your sources are, and over time if you develop a track record of accuracy, people will start to respect what you're saying. Otherwise, it's just a guy getting a vibe from some people at the arena. Join the crowd.

[LabattBlue]

This is like watching the debate last night. No one will answer a question.

 

What offers were or are on the table for Max?

 

I don't expect an answer, so I'll just say, listen, Buffalo is a small city -- a big small town really -- and everybody knows somebody who works for the Sabres or somebody who lives by a Sabre or whatever. I find absolutely no value in the wannabe "insiders" who populate message boards from time to time. They know Jack Squat.

 

If you're for real, tell us who you are and who your sources are, and over time if you develop a track record of accuracy, people will start to respect what you're saying. Otherwise, it's just a guy getting a vibe from some people at the arena. Join the crowd.

Real simple...If you find no value in his posts, then don't read them. Give it a rest.

[Stoner]

Real simple...If you find no value in his posts, then don't read them. Give it a rest.

 

Refs. They always catch the retaliation.

[FearTheReaper]

Want to mix things up, why not:

Hecht-Roy-Pommer

Vanek-Connolly-Max

Paille-Goose-Kotalik

Kaleta-Mair-Stafford

(Using LW-C-RW notation)

 

The big concern there is goals against on the V-C-A line. They would likely have a lot of goals for, though, too. The HRP would be a great line to matchup against any line. They would be as defensively responsible as any line in the league, but at the same time, would be able to score against just about anyone. The PGK line would be decent offensively and defensively, though not stellar in either direction.

 

I agree with you 100 percent. I said last year,around March that a V-C-A line would be spectacular. They might let alot of goals against in,but they'll also light up the scoring sheet. Hecht-Roy-Pommer is a great line as well. Everything you need on a line. Roy sets up Pommer,and Hecht does the dirty work. That would a very reliable top line. Paille and Goose together is almost as soild as Hecht-Pommer. This would allow Paille to get into more of playmaking role and would almost make Max expendable. This would be a smart move if Darcy plans on trading Max at the deadline for a big,physical player. I would have to switch Kotalik with Stafford though. Putting Stafford with Paille gives him a solid playmaker who might bring Stafford out of his slump. Putting Kotalik on the 4th line, with Mair and Kaleta,might also put him into a a power forward role.

The Sabres dont have alot size or enough physical players to make a "checking line" consisting of Goose-Hecht-Paille. Imo it makes more sense to put 1 on each line.

 

So my lines would be

 

1.

Hecht-Roy-Pommer

2.

Vanek-Connolly-Max

3.

Paille-Goose-Stafford

4.

Kaleta-Mair-Kotalik

 

I really hope that Ruff putts together better lines this year. I dont want to see Pominville with Vanek and Paille with Hecht. Its almost idiotic.

[R_Dudley]

While I would not have Goose-Jochen-Poms as my 1st choice for a shutdown line, it does conjure memories of when Gare played on the checking line and scored 50 goals. Hecht and Poms have been together for 2 years, I doubt Lindy will separate them.

 

At least until Max is gone and assuming Paul is right about the "shutdown" line, I'd probably go w/

 

Vanek-Roy-Stafford

Kotalik-Connolly-Afinogenov

Gaustad-Hecht-Pominville

Paille-Mair-Kaleta

 

and I would roll all 4 lines.

 

Thats's a combination I can agree with that...