GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[BetweenThePipes00]

I would concur and would add a few of my own points;

 

1)Paille has been great so far but I still see him as a 10 to 15 goal scorer, which is alright if he keeps this other stuff up.

2)Stafford and Tallinder better be careful or they could soon be ex-Sabres

3)The power play and lack of center depth has to be addressed if this team is going to contend. Of the 5 PP goals, I can't think of what that seemed to result form any sustained pressure.

4)It continues to amuse me that people that continuously harped last year about moving on continue to bring up Drury and take shots at him

1) He'll score 15-20 a year easy if he keeps busting it like he is. But he won't be a 30-goal guy, which I think is your point.

2) I really liked Stafford against the Islanders, I thought he busted his ass and created some things. Last night, not so much, was invisible. Not ready to give up on him yet, though, he's SO young. On the other hand, if they can get something of value in a deal that involves Tallinder, i would not shed tears. he hasn't been the same since the broken arm in the 2006 playoffs.

3) Agree about the PP, that percentage is a mirage right now.

4) I wanted them to keep Drury but I can't deny I enjoyed Vanek beating him down the ice to score ... the Sabres screwed up but I also believe he betrayed them a little ... if you're not with us, you are against us. Thanks for the memories but ... let's just move on. And since hindsight is 20/20, given the contracts they have given out since, I am kind of glad their money is invested in younger guys.

[deluca67]

I only do it because Briere(the one who WANTED to stay) got kicked to the curb and Drury the golden boy who could do no wrong, told Larry to F*** off with his "I was willing to match the Rangers offer". B-)

Wanted to stay only if he were ridiculously overpaid.

[R_Dudley]

1...

2..

3) Agree about the PP, that percentage is a mirage right now.

4) I wanted them to keep Drury but I can't deny I enjoyed Vanek beating him down the ice to score ... the Sabres screwed up but I also believe he betrayed them a little ... if you're not with us, you are against us. Thanks for the memories but ... let's just move on. And since hindsight is 20/20, given the contracts they have given out since, I am kind of glad their money is invested in younger guys.

 

Definitely much easier to say/see now. I will admit as a fan I have whined about the way things were/are done(recently about relying on Connolly) but I also can admit when it looks like they have made some very smart moves with the core they have locked up.

 

It is impossible to expect them to be 100% perfect in all the decisions and guessing that goes into who to keep or send packing, who will bloom who will wilt.

 

I can say now with center ice I have been tuning into allot of other hockey and find my self drawn to ex-sabre teams, Campbell has not been earning that big new contract yet with Chicago, Briere is not quite earning his this year, Marty has looked very ordinary and sat in leiu of Nittmaki last game, Dumont still looks very good.

 

Last game thought.... Is it coincidence that our new defensive style first and the new farm team's old parent club style was a defensive first style? I wish I had CI a few years back to have seen more ducks games but I do recall from the few highligts and overall reading that the type of games we are playing now are allot like the Western league style and specifically Anahiem used to make it to there Stanley cup and more recently Detroit and I like an liking it....... very much. :thumbsup:

Next up a western league team......

[nfreeman]

Wanted to stay only if he were ridiculously overpaid.

That's it? Just a shot at Briere? Nothing about last night's game? No reconsidering of how great the Rangers' forwards are as compared with ours? No reconsidering of the idiocy of bringing Teppo back? No thoughts about whether Sabres' management knows what it's doing and did a pretty good job last summer?

[BetweenThePipes00]

That's it? Just a shot at Briere? Nothing about last night's game? No reconsidering of how great the Rangers' forwards are as compared with ours? No reconsidering of the idiocy of bringing Teppo back? No thoughts about whether Sabres' management knows what it's doing and did a pretty good job last summer?

 

Uh-oh ... poking the sleeping animal (no offense) with a stick ...

[LabattBlue]

That's it? Just a shot at Briere? Nothing about last night's game? No reconsidering of how great the Rangers' forwards are as compared with ours? No reconsidering of the idiocy of bringing Teppo back? No thoughts about whether Sabres' management knows what it's doing and did a pretty good job last summer?

:oops:

[Kristian]

I agree, and I'd have to watch it again, but from what I saw live and a couple replays, when exactly was he supposed to square up and fight him? kaleta missed him with the check and Mara grabbed him from behind and started punching him in the face ... it's not like he challenged him and Kaleta tried to skate away. Mara can rationalize it however he wants, but it was still a selfish play, even if Kaleta fights him he gets the instigator and gives up a power play. If kaleta bringing that kind of reaction out in opponents he's doing his job.

 

The leaving his feet thing is a double standard, Peca did it ALL THE TIME and was praised as Captain Crunch. Guys do it all over the league every night. His antics do bother me a bit if he's not going to be willing to back them up ... but ... I gotta admit part of me wants a guy on the team who will ask "How's your broken face?" a full year after putting a guy out of the lineup. It's the classic "love him if he's on your team, hate him if he's not" guy.

 

As long as he's not pulling Darcy Tucker cheapshots, or play like a classless little puke like that nobody on the Rangers last year, I forget his name, then I'm totally OK with him pissing people off. Haven't had a player like that here in years.

 

Mara's a big boy, and needs to stop whining.

 

As long as the hit is clean, he needs to move a little faster or stop playing hockey.

[cdexchange]

That's it? Just a shot at Briere? Nothing about last night's game? No reconsidering of how great the Rangers' forwards are as compared with ours? No reconsidering of the idiocy of bringing Teppo back? No thoughts about whether Sabres' management knows what it's doing and did a pretty good job last summer?

 

B-)

[nfreeman]

Uh-oh ... poking the sleeping animal (no offense) with a stick ...

 

:oops:

That was a bit risky, wasn't it?

 

Live dangerously...

[tom webster]

I only do it because Briere(the one who WANTED to stay) got kicked to the curb and Drury the golden boy who could do no wrong, told Larry to F*** off with his "I was willing to match the Rangers offer". B-)

 

I actually don't count you because it is usually tinged with sarcasm although I must admit I am a bit puzzled that you and Ink have little regard for Quinn and doubt most everything he says except for his account of the Chris deal.

[inkman]

I actually don't count you because it is usually tinged with sarcasm although I must admit I am a bit puzzled that you and Ink have little regard for Quinn and doubt most everything he says except for his account of the Chris deal.

That's easy. Larry lacks Chroise!

[LabattBlue]

I actually don't count you because it is usually tinged with sarcasm although I must admit I am a bit puzzled that you and Ink have little regard for Quinn and doubt most everything he says except for his account of the Chris deal.

I don't doubt everything he says, I question everything he does(or doesn't do in some cases)! :nana:

[shrader]

The Kaleta hits: he may be leaving his feet, but watch almost every big check around the league. They almost all leave their feet. The one's that the league goes after are the ones where the player jumps up. Kaleta came in parallel to the ice (and didn't even connect this time). That exact play happens a hundred times each week. You don't see the hitter get attacked any other time. Mara's a whiny bitch trying to settle an old score (another clean hit).

 

 

I absolutely love the way this team played in the third last night. Yeah, it might not have been the most entertaining period, but they did what they had to to win. Sometimes it can be pure horror when a team throws out that defensive shell with a 3rd period lead, but they were damn near perfect at it last night. That's the kind of hockey this team is going to need to be successful this year. Defensively, this team look miles ahead of the last 2 years so far and I'm sure we're all very happy with that.

[nfreeman]

I absolutely love the way this team played in the third last night. Yeah, it might not have been the most entertaining period, but they did what they had to to win. Sometimes it can be pure horror when a team throws out that defensive shell with a 3rd period lead, but they were damn near perfect at it last night. That's the kind of hockey this team is going to need to be successful this year. Defensively, this team look miles ahead of the last 2 years so far and I'm sure we're all very happy with that.

During the intermission prior to the 3rd period last night, I was thinking that the 3rd period would be a good test for this team. They were up 2-1 on the road against a good Eastern conference team. They knew that they were 20 minutes away from a big win, but that it would be a tough task to close it out. Last year's team would have shrank from the pressure in the 3rd, given up the lead and then lost the game. Then, we start off the 3rd by getting a 4-minute penalty. Last year's team would've fallen apart at that point. This year's team just stayed calm, got the shortie, kept playing tight D, and closed out the win.

 

That 3rd period was, in a nutshell, the difference between last year's team and this year's team. We showed a ton of mental toughness, good decisions, and better defense, both on the blueline and team-wide. We also got great goaltending, which I expect we'll continue to see from Miller as long as Lalime plays well as the #2.

 

This team is going to do some damage this year.

[deluca67]

That's it? Just a shot at Briere? Nothing about last night's game? No reconsidering of how great the Rangers' forwards are as compared with ours? No reconsidering of the idiocy of bringing Teppo back? No thoughts about whether Sabres' management knows what it's doing and did a pretty good job last summer?

Look and you shall find.

 

What happened last night? Let's look. Vanek came through big. The Sabres out special teamed the Rangers. And Miller came up big. If you look when I posted yesterday the Sabres pretty much followed the three points I posted yesterday. Miller played well, they had a great PK kill and they played an ugly road game. The Sabres generated nothing offensively 5 on 5 and Vanek had 7 of the teams 19 shots. They basically played Bruins hockey.

 

Spacek and Sekera seem to leading this team on the back end. Rivet has been physical and Teppo has been OK. I would still rather have Weber in the line-up. Teppo remains as physical as a anemic 13 year old girl.

 

As far as giving the Sabres front office credit for the job they did over the summer? I gave them credit for getting Rivet. The problem is that's all they did. Sure they signed their own players and draft picks. I don't give extra credit for completing the tasks that should be a no-brainer. The Sabres are soft upfront and thin in the forward ranks. They may be able to get by short term and hopefully continue their good start until Hecht and Gaustad are back in the lineup. Which will add a little depth and force Ellis and Peters to the press box or Portland where they belong.

 

You may not have noticed but every opinion I posted is in regards to the entire season. If the Sabres are to make the playoffs with the current roster Vanek, Roy and Pominville need to stay healthy. The Sabres can't afford an injury to the top three because they have no one to replace them. Kotalik seems to be steady and Paillie is really excelling this season so far. It would be nice if Stafford got it going. As far as the rest of the forwards, Max, Connolly, Mair, Ellis and Peters? The Sabres could cut them tomorrow and I couldn't care less.

[Kevbeau]

Stafford had one play where he outworked 2-3 Rangers in the offensive zone, starting behind the net and continuing all the way up the half-wall. If he can produce that kind of effort consistently I think we'll all be happy.

 

Thought MacArthur had a decent game.

 

Roy is making bad choices and you can see his frustration when the camera focuses in on him. I think he'll get things going in the next two games.

 

Vanek...one thing to add. On his rush up ice for the SHG, when Paille gets the bank of the boards at the red line, Vanek is at the defensive blue line. Paille wasn't exactly dogging it up the boards and Vanek still had the speed to make the play. I've never considered him overly fast, but color me impressed.

 

I can't remember anyone beating the defensive team to the puck like Paille is lately. He's negated a few icings in the two games I've watched.

 

Tallinder, had a few good tie ups in front of the net, but continues to be weak in the corners IMO.

 

Spacek had a couple of grenades, but overall wasn't too bad.

 

Max. I think he is the playing a safer game this year and as much as people dog him, nobody creates space or can play keep away for a line change like he can. I think people need to temper expectations for him, he's never going to be a premiere scorer. But watch how opposing defensemen set up for him. They definitely fear getting toasted.

[X. Benedict]

He doesn't have to drop the gloves all the time. He's out there to make the other team get the penalty not himself. He puts the manhood in the back pocket and let's people beat on him once in a while doesn't make him a girlie girl. He'll learn how to fight well soon enough.

 

And my elbow comment meant that he keeps 'em down he won't get a penalty for his hits, not that he shouldn't throw a few when he gets the chance. :thumbsup:

 

I agree with this...but I think the issue is if he is leaving his skates.

[Bmwolf21]

To add to what Ink is saying, Pat did fight a couple of times toward the end of last year and both current Sabres and Rob Ray on the telecast mentioned that he had to in order to "earn" the respect of his own teammates. And its not like he ran from Witt in Monday. On top of that, there was a story that he was working with I believe Rivet and Mair after practice on certain aspects of fighting (note no Peters). So the kid does get it.

Yep.

 

Take it FWIW, but according to HockeyFights.com, Kaleta's fight card includes 4 fights in 50 regular-season NHL games since the 06-07, once every 12.5 games.

 

By comparison, Avery has fought 11 times in 144 games since 06-07, or 1 fight every 13 games.

 

I only do it because Briere(the one who WANTED to stay) got kicked to the curb and Drury the golden boy who could do no wrong, told Larry to F*** off with his "I was willing to match the Rangers offer". B-)

I will never believe that LQ's offer to match came in a reasonable amount of time. My gut tells me that LQ made that offer well after Drury's mind was made up and about 15 minutes before the Rangers were set to make the announcement, and he probably did it to save face, knowing full well that Drury was gone.

 

Besides, it never should have gotten to that. Without rehashing all the offseason talk from last summer, the team backed themselves into a corner with their negotiation policies, and let their key FA sniff the free market. Once that happened you knew there was going to be trouble.

 

Wanted to stay only if he were ridiculously overpaid.

:thumbsup: Agreed.

[stenbaro]

Only three games, but it looks like Lindy and the crew came into the season will a plan that so far is being well executed. Very inspiring start, let's keep it up!

The defense is playing damn good..Playoff hockey in October...Blocking shots cutting off passing lanes..Teams that do that win Stanley Cups..

 

Just got off the phone with a buddy of mine saying the same thing. But we both thought that while he was here too.

Why all the HAte on Drury?? He didnt want to play in Buffalo or BUffalo screwed up and didnt sign him early enough..Not goin down this ridiculous road again but give the guy his due..He played his ass off here and scored big goals and led this team and probably taught a few young ones the ropes..

 

No one insults Captain Awesome! He is Mr. Win, remember! A #%^$#!ing ray of mutha #%^$#!ing sunshine!

You must still be in love with JP... :nana:

 

Game thoughts...

 

-Big win for the Sabres despite the injuries.

 

-If Vanek continues to skate hard(at both ends of the rink) like he did driving to the net on the two goals he scored, the sky is the limit. Great start for him!

 

-Paille another solid game...just practice those empty net shots! One play in particular stands out where Paille picked the pocket of a Rangers forward right at their blueline and in one motion turned and headed into their zone. :thumbsup:

 

-It appears that Lindy has the guys more focused on defense. I am not sure if this is going to lead to boring hockey, but as long as they have success doing it, I am all for it.

 

-Despite scoring 5 PP goals in two games, their doesn't seem to be a lot of confidence coming for the PP units. A lot of "hot potato" going on. Hopefully Connolly can help when he gets back in the lineup. :)

 

-I don't know if Lindy has told Kaleta to tone down his aggressiveness, but he seems to be a lot less noticeable. Don't get me wrong, I don't want him running around out of position trying to hit someone, but being a pest is his game.

 

-Where were the intangibles last night? :D

 

-I noticed Sekera on several occasions successfully skating the puck out of his own zone with a Ranger in pursuit. Hopefully he will continue to do this and become more of a weapon on the backline.

 

-Is Ellis the slowest skater in the NHL or is his skating motion just awkward?

 

-Peters...another embarrassing, turn my head, tug on your sweater, throw a wild punch or two and fall to the ice "fight".

 

-Roy, Stafford & Vanek all got caught up ice on the Rangers goal. I'm trying not to focus on him too much, but Stafford needs to put forth a better effort. He is a big boy who doesn't seem to like to use his size. I don't want him to be a huge physical force...just use your size along the boards to help your game offensively. It's early in the season and I hope sooner rather than later "he gets it".

 

-Miller very solid when called on.

 

-Did I say how impressed I am with Paille? :worthy: -Not many giveaways in our own zone. Good job by the blueliners handling the puck.

 

-Congrats to Lindy on win #400!! :thumbsup: GO SABRES!

Paille is solid..

 

Do you get the feeling Lindy will be here another 10 yrs?

[wjag]

Five biggest surprises so far in this young season based on a three-game sampling

 

1. Defense has returned to Buffalo... This style of game looks like the true LR style of play.

2. Miller/Lalime allowing 3 goals in 3 games...

3. Defensive pairings that looked so odd in preseason look very natural now.

4. 2 SHGs with Vanek playing on the PK

5. Team toughness.. Are these the same guys we had last year????

[nfreeman]

Look and you shall find.

 

What happened last night? Let's look. Vanek came through big. The Sabres out special teamed the Rangers. And Miller came up big. If you look when I posted yesterday the Sabres pretty much followed the three points I posted yesterday. Miller played well, they had a great PK kill and they played an ugly road game. The Sabres generated nothing offensively 5 on 5 and Vanek had 7 of the teams 19 shots. They basically played Bruins hockey.

 

Spacek and Sekera seem to leading this team on the back end. Rivet has been physical and Teppo has been OK. I would still rather have Weber in the line-up. Teppo remains as physical as a anemic 13 year old girl.

 

As far as giving the Sabres front office credit for the job they did over the summer? I gave them credit for getting Rivet. The problem is that's all they did. Sure they signed their own players and draft picks. I don't give extra credit for completing the tasks that should be a no-brainer. The Sabres are soft upfront and thin in the forward ranks. They may be able to get by short term and hopefully continue their good start until Hecht and Gaustad are back in the lineup. Which will add a little depth and force Ellis and Peters to the press box or Portland where they belong.

 

You may not have noticed but every opinion I posted is in regards to the entire season. If the Sabres are to make the playoffs with the current roster Vanek, Roy and Pominville need to stay healthy. The Sabres can't afford an injury to the top three because they have no one to replace them. Kotalik seems to be steady and Paillie is really excelling this season so far. It would be nice if Stafford got it going. As far as the rest of the forwards, Max, Connolly, Mair, Ellis and Peters? The Sabres could cut them tomorrow and I couldn't care less.

 

Well, here's your prediction:

Rangers 4-1.

 

Unless Miller stands on his head and steals a point or two. The Rangers are 5-0 and their top three of Drury-Gomez-Naslund have yet to really get going.

 

Three keys for a Sabre upset :

 

Miller

Staying out of the penalty box.

Playing ugly, clog up the neutral zone maybe even trapping all night.

You also said:

That [the Sabres' forward lines] is one unimpressive lineup. The Rangers are playing really well to start the season. Miller better be ready to steal one for the Sabres to have a chance.

and

Come man it's time to get real. The Rangers are rolling four lines that are playing well early in the season. The Rangers second line alone has 19 points in 5 games. The Sabres top of the lineup can compete with any team in the NHL. The depth however is lacking horribly. Clarke MacArthur a #2 center and you want to make a case the Sabres have depth? They may have depth but it is currently playing in Portland.

I read these statements as saying essentially that the Rangers are much better than the Sabres, especially at forward, and for the Sabres to have had a chance last night, it would've been because Miller stood on his head. Well, that's not what happened. The Sabres as a team earned that win. Miller played well but hardly carried the team. Kotalik (from our 3rd line) had a goal, while the Rangers' allegedly superior 2nd and 3rd lines did absolutely nothing. The Sabres were the better team at both ends in the first 2 periods and then played tight, well-executed defensive hockey in the 3rd to close it out.

 

As for Teppo, he played 21 minutes last night. I think most observers (including Lindy!) would say that he was highly effective. Teppo may not be a physical player, but not everyone needs to be. Pominville, Roy, Vanek, etc. are not physical players either.

[carpandean]

Some interesting Sabres stats:

- #1 in points earned per game played, 2.00 (tied w/ Oilers, Wild, Sharks; Oilers & Wild have 2 GP, while Sharks have 4; Rag did through 5 GP)

- #2 in goals for per game played, 4.00 (Caps have 4.33; tied w/ Wild, Canadiens, Blues, Canucks)

- #1 in goals against per game played, 1.00 (tied w/ San Jose)

 

Those last two together are quite impressive. You usually see one or the other, but not both.

 

--------------------

 

As for that same old Drury/Briere decision: Chris is and always has been human, however, with this team becoming one of the better (best?) two-way teams in the league, he would have fit in with that style better than Danny and as well as just about anybody in the league (Pavel Datsyuk aside.) There are others who are on the same level and we could still use one them who can be relied on to stay in the lineup.

[shrader]

Yep.

 

Take it FWIW, but according to HockeyFights.com, Kaleta's fight card includes 4 fights in 50 regular-season NHL games since the 06-07, once every 12.5 games.

 

By comparison, Avery has fought 11 times in 144 games since 06-07, or 1 fight every 13 games.

 

Nice, those will go well with a point I just made on another board to an idiot ranger fan. The one thing missing in those numbers though is their amount of ice time. Last season Kaleta averaged around 6:19 per game while Avery was out there for 15:50 a game.

[Bmwolf21]

Nice, those will go well with a point I just made on another board to an idiot ranger fan. The one thing missing in those numbers though is their amount of ice time. Last season Kaleta averaged around 6:19 per game while Avery was out there for 15:50 a game.

If it helps, here are the links to Avery's Hockey Fights page and Kaleta's page.

 

Good point on the TOI, hadn't thought to look that up.

[carpandean]

As for Teppo, he played 21 minutes last night. I think most observers (including Lindy!) would say that he was highly effective. Teppo may not be a physical player, but not everyone needs to be. Pominville, Roy, Vanek, etc. are not physical players either.

Yeah, I could see wanting Weber in the lineup, but Teppo would be low on my list of players to swap him in for. Hank? Sure. Toni? Maybe. Not Teppo.