GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[Bmwolf21]

Ask Mike Peca about Witt..I dont count Mike Peca as soft and Witt pounded him..Probably took him off his game forever with that beating..

Peca isn't soft but he's not a tough guy like Witt. I have zero respect for guys like Witt who look to square off with someone they know isn't a true tough guy.

[stenbaro]

My mistake - they were 25% at home that year. I looked at the wrong column.

 

I don't agree that they don't have the talent to be a 20% team, though. They have a 40-goal scorer, two 30-goal scorers, a handful of 20-goal guys, and guys on the back end - Spacek, Sekera - who can move the puck efficiently enough to get them in that range. I was one of the guys banging the drum over the summer for a PP specialist, a guy who could distribute the puck on the PP and get it to the scorers up front. Most times I was told that we don't need a guy who can only play the PP and would have to be a 5/6 guy otherwise.

 

That 05-06 team didn't have a true point man on the point either. They did have playmaking centers in Briere and Connolly, but neither of them led the team in PP scoring or assists.

 

I think the biggest change that has to happen, short of adding a PP specialist on the point, is a change in system and strategy. I don't know what the plan is for the Sabres, but whatever it is, it ain't working.

I dont get all this Love for Sekera..I am not counting him out and I dont want to complain about anything really after a nice 2-0 start, however from what I have seen so far from him is a lot of bad passes bad clearout attempts and miscues at the point..You cant really complain about a defense that has give up 2 goals in 2 games either..I am just sayin he hasnt proven he is the answer at anything to me yet..

[nfreeman]

I dont get all this Love for Sekera..I am not counting him out and I dont want to complain about anything really after a nice 2-0 start, however from what I have seen so far from him is a lot of bad passes bad clearout attempts and miscues at the point..You cant really complain about a defense that has give up 2 goals in 2 games either..I am just sayin he hasnt proven he is the answer at anything to me yet..

He's made a fair amount of mistakes -- random wipeouts and failure to keep it in on the PP come to mind -- but I think he's playing pretty well overall. He looks like he's skating and carrying the puck with a ton of confidence, which is pretty nice in a guy with half a season under his belt.

[stenbaro]

He's made a fair amount of mistakes -- random wipeouts and failure to keep it in on the PP come to mind -- but I think he's playing pretty well overall. He looks like he's skating and carrying the puck with a ton of confidence, which is pretty nice in a guy with half a season under his belt.

He is still young I hope he can ease up on those mistakes as he gets older..He just doesnt look like he is an average defenseman yet..They have had to bail him out in both games this year..Carrying the puck out is what they need him for cuase they have no one right now..I do like how we play more of a chip it out of the zone defense more so this year,,

[stenbaro]

Peca isn't soft but he's not a tough guy like Witt. I have zero respect for guys like Witt who look to square off with someone they know isn't a true tough guy.

I understand but it takes 2 to tango...Witt isnt a goon he has been a pretty solid defenseman his career..

[mphs mike]

This is what i found regarding past game misconducts:

 

NOTE 2) When a player has played in 41 consecutive regular League games without being assessed a stickrelated major and a game misconduct according to Rule 27(b) - Major Penalties or Rule 28(f) - Misconduct Penalties, he will have the previous game misconduct penalties removed from his current record. They will remain part of his historical record.

 

Is your "historical record" only pertinent for determining the length of a suspension or is it the type of thing the nuns were talking about in grammar school when any misdeed could potentially be put on my "permanent record"?

[Bmwolf21]

I dont get all this Love for Sekera..I am not counting him out and I dont want to complain about anything really after a nice 2-0 start, however from what I have seen so far from him is a lot of bad passes bad clearout attempts and miscues at the point..You cant really complain about a defense that has give up 2 goals in 2 games either..I am just sayin he hasnt proven he is the answer at anything to me yet..

Never said he was "The Answer." Just that he is a solid, puck-moving defenseman with some offensive skills who could help the PP.

 

People forget that these two games were nos. 40 and 41 of his NHL career. He is going to make mistakes and have brainfarts. I am much, much, much more comfortable with seeing a 22-year-old defenseman making those mistakes and learning from them than I am seeing Tallinder or Lydman making those same mistakes at this point in their careers.

 

I understand but it takes 2 to tango...Witt isnt a goon he has been a pretty solid defenseman his career..

Again, never said he wasn't a solid defenseman.

 

I have more respect for someone who "moves up a weight class" and takes on someone tougher than they are, knowing that they likely going to get their ass kicked. I have little respect for guys who continually go after weaker opponents. It reeks of schoolyard bully/pseudo tough guy.

[shrader]

It could be a good thing to bring up Gerbe, but it could also be a bad thing. I guess it depends on Gerbe himself, if he were to be called up.

 

So our response to a lack of center depth would be to call up a non-center? He never played the position in college and isn't playing it now. Yes, there was some speculation going around that he would be switched, but right now, Kennedy is the one who has made the change to center.

[X. Benedict]

I dont get all this Love for Sekera..I am not counting him out and I dont want to complain about anything really after a nice 2-0 start, however from what I have seen so far from him is a lot of bad passes bad clearout attempts and miscues at the point..You cant really complain about a defense that has give up 2 goals in 2 games either..I am just sayin he hasnt proven he is the answer at anything to me yet..

 

I don't see what's not to like. The kid can skate like the wind, great gap control, he can play at speed, I'm betting he leads the team in minutes, can play all zones, and he just turned 22 is just going to get better and smarter.

 

He was a steal and he looks like he is still filling out physically as well.

 

Expect some hiccups...........but I really like this kid.

[darksabre]

Exactly. There's nothing not to like about Sekera. Sure he might make a few screw ups now and then, but he makes up for it with how well he plays the game the rest of the time. He makes a difference out there and it's noticeable. Hopefully we'll get many more years out of him and he doesn't go the way of Soupy.

[That Aud Smell]

I really like this kid.

boy do i agree.

 

i watched the opener at a house party with a bunch of folks -- the faithful who were assembled around the host's plasma screen reckoned we had almost 200 years of true fandom amongst us. the consensus in that group was that we would be hard-pressed to name a sabres blueliner who was a better skater than sekera -- no doubt, there've been a few who might be his equal in that department -- but none better. unless he somehow falls off the rails in his development, he should be a joy to watch for years to come.

[spndnchz]

boy do i agree.

 

i watched the opener at a house party with a bunch of folks -- the faithful who were assembled around the host's plasma screen reckoned we had almost 200 years of true fandom amongst us. the consensus in that group was that we would be hard-pressed to name a sabres blueliner who was a better skater than sekera -- no doubt, there've been a few who might be his equal in that department -- but none better. unless he somehow falls off the rails in his development, he should be a joy to watch for years to come.

Messes up here and there, seems to get back into position again fairly quickly after he messes up.

 

Now, if he would only stop tripping over that blueline. :chris:

[stenbaro]

I don't see what's not to like. The kid can skate like the wind, great gap control, he can play at speed, I'm betting he leads the team in minutes, can play all zones, and he just turned 22 is just going to get better and smarter.

 

He was a steal and he looks like he is still filling out physically as well.

 

Expect some hiccups...........but I really like this kid.

LOL....Gap control..

 

I am glad he can skate like the wind, I am glad he can play all zones, I will be more glad when he stops throwing the puck around in his zone like Lydman..He is logging alot of ice time..He is the only Sabre with a minus in the plus minus charts..Time will tell..He is only 22..

[shrader]

LOL....Gap control..

 

I am glad he can skate like the wind, I am glad he can play all zones, I will be more glad when he stops throwing the puck around in his zone like Lydman..He is logging alot of ice time..He is the only Sabre with a minus in the plus minus charts..Time will tell..He is only 22..

 

The biggest thing sticking out about in his play right now is that he's struggling with the puck a bit. That is one of his biggest strengths, so he'll be able to correct it. It's most likely nerves since he's never actually been here at this point in a season. I don't see much reason for concern.

[stenbaro]

Never said he was "The Answer." Just that he is a solid, puck-moving defenseman with some offensive skills who could help the PP.

 

People forget that these two games were nos. 40 and 41 of his NHL career. He is going to make mistakes and have brainfarts. I am much, much, much more comfortable with seeing a 22-year-old defenseman making those mistakes and learning from them than I am seeing Tallinder or Lydman making those same mistakes at this point in their careers.

Again, never said he wasn't a solid defenseman.

 

I have more respect for someone who "moves up a weight class" and takes on someone tougher than they are, knowing that they likely going to get their ass kicked. I have little respect for guys who continually go after weaker opponents. It reeks of schoolyard bully/pseudo tough guy.

Next time Kaleta goes after Witt I am sure Witt will say I cant fight you I am bigger... :thumbsup:

Just a joke but come on Kaleta wanted to fight just as much as Witt

[Two or less]

I really don't think the Sabres will make any moves to add anything. The young kids are playing great. MacArthur was awesome against Montreal and has seen time on the PP. Paille is playing great. Stafford is playing very good as well. They don't need to add anyone to this roster and face major problems down the road with a logjam at forward. We already are facing that problem and only reason why it's not a problem is because of injuries. We also have several ready-to-go kids in Portland. Most specifically, Marek Zagrapan, who i do think will only be a band-aid type player in the NHL and Nathan Gerbe.

 

What we got, we'll have for most of the season. Until atleast around the deadline.

[Bmwolf21]

Next time Kaleta goes after Witt I am sure Witt will say I cant fight you I am bigger... :thumbsup:

Just a joke but come on Kaleta wanted to fight just as much as Witt

You would have a point if he hadn't made a career out of picking on smaller guys. Look at his fight card - he's got some fights with true tough guys, but he's got a lot of questionable fights with guys like Aaron Ashom, Ryan Malone, Mike Komisarek, Mike Commodore, and even Thomas Vanek.

 

He started out fighting the true tough guys, and ever since the lockout all he does is fight smaller guys who can't kick his ass.

[jimiVbaby]

The biggest thing sticking out about in his play right now is that he's struggling with the puck a bit. That is one of his biggest strengths, so he'll be able to correct it. It's most likely nerves since he's never actually been here at this point in a season. I don't see much reason for concern.

 

For being a similar player, Sekera is miles beyond where Brian Campbell was at 22.

[stenbaro]

You would have a point if he hadn't made a career out of picking on smaller guys. Look at his fight card - he's got some fights with true tough guys, but he's got a lot of questionable fights with guys like Aaron Ashom, Ryan Malone, Mike Komisarek, Mike Commodore, and even Thomas Vanek.

 

He started out fighting the true tough guys, and ever since the lockout all he does is fight smaller guys who can't kick his ass.

I see where youre coming from..Look at the guys you mentioned..All except for Vanek and Ashom are guys that have a little edge to them..There really arent that many tough guys out there like there used to be....

 

His fight card is pretty impressive..He doesnt back down from anyone..

[Two or less]

For being a similar player, Sekera is miles beyond where Brian Campbell was at 22.

 

How so? Sekera and Campbell have similar offensive numbers to this point but Sekera is the better defensive player. Sekera looks like a rock on defense, doesn't make too many mistakes in his own zone and doesn't turn the puck over as much. Heck, Sekera even hits as tough at the age of 22 as Campbell did.

[Bmwolf21]

I see where youre coming from..Look at the guys you mentioned..All except for Vanek and Ashom are guys that have a little edge to them..There really arent that many tough guys out there like there used to be....

 

His fight card is pretty impressive..He doesnt back down from anyone..

His fight card until the lockout was respectable. After the lockout it's a complete joke.

 

I see an established pattern of stepping down in terms of opposition. Going from guys like Brashear, Oliwa and Langdon to Mike Commodore and Komisarek is a definite step down, and thanks to the beauty of Center Ice I've had the opportunity to see him play over the last few years, and I've seen him run around and try to intimidate skill players and lesser fighters, and his own edge seems a little less sharp when true tough guys are on the ice.

[Bmwolf21]

How so? Sekera and Campbell have similar offensive numbers to this point but Sekera is the better defensive player. Sekera looks like a rock on defense, doesn't make too many mistakes in his own zone and doesn't turn the puck over as much. Heck, Sekera even hits as tough at the age of 22 as Campbell did.

You do realize that "beyond" means "better" right?

[nfreeman]

You would have a point if he hadn't made a career out of picking on smaller guys. Look at his fight card - he's got some fights with true tough guys, but he's got a lot of questionable fights with guys like Aaron Ashom, Ryan Malone, Mike Komisarek, Mike Commodore, and even Thomas Vanek.

 

He started out fighting the true tough guys, and ever since the lockout all he does is fight smaller guys who can't kick his ass.

 

Komisarek and Commodore are both 6'5" and 230+ lbs and both are bruisers.

[Two or less]

You do realize that "beyond" means "better" right?

 

LOL wow sorry, i read it quickly and thought it said behind. Opps. My bad.

[Bmwolf21]

Komisarek and Commodore are both 6'5" and 230+ lbs and both are bruisers.

So his only fight last year was against a similar player - Komisarek - who is exactly the same thing, a pseudo-tough guy. Color me unimpressed.

 

Although I can't stand his schtick, Commodore has never struck me as a bully/intimidator who picks on skill players. Over the last couple years I've seen Komisarek as the same player as Witt - chasing around skill players and picking on lesser fighters.