Stoner Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 :lol: No, not in any way. I went back to see what Big Al's goals per game average was - to bolster my own argument - and realized I had inadvertently "stepped in it." I've debated resetting my short Ignored Users list, but haven't done it yet. Well I'm not on your SHORT list, I'm on the LONG one. Grrrrrrr tastycakes. Call me.
Two or less Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 The only "surprises" to me this year have been Paille and Lalime. Everyone else is doing about what I expect them to.. Vanek has impressed, but I can't say I'm surprised by it (off to a better start than expected, but if he keeps up a point per game pace THEN i'll be surprised). Everyone knew he had huge potential, now he's just living up to it. Kotalik is the same way. Obviously not as high as a ceiling, but he's getting the job that we expect him to do, done. Paille is a completely different player and has stepped his game up and earned a spot in the lineup. Going into the season I would have put him down as my guess for first player to be benched if things got bad... void now filled by Stafford. <_< Come on. Really? You're not suprised Vanek has started the season with 7 goals in 5 games, after he started off with 6 goals in his first 23 games last season? I find that shocking. You havn't been impressed with Clarke MacArthur endless work by the boards, his hard work, the nice passing and setting up on offense, and his 2 goals? Oh, not to mention he was a scretch on opening night until Tim Connolly came down with his injury? You're not suprised that Andrej Sekera has come into his sophmore season, and has become a consistant rock on defense and a work horse? Not only is he doing well on the PP after a bit of a shaky start, but he's playing like 22 minutes per night. He's up there with the team lead in that category. And Teppo Numminen? Guy misses the entire season due to his heart issues, you're not shocked that he's able to return and be as good as he was few seasons ago? So calm, so cool under pressure and still so strong, and have 4 assists in 5 games? And if the PK doesn't suprise you either, then idk, you must have had massive hopes for this team. We've played one of the toughest schedules so far in the NHL (based on current records) and havn't allowed a goal yet. Everyone knew he had huge potential, now he's just living up to it. I also disagree with this. Kotalik does have potential but he's always shown it. He's always been a consistant player, which is why i never disliked him. I hope we deal Max and allow Connolly to walk after the year, but we gotta keep Kotalik. He's always been a good player for the Sabres and his shot has still a lot of potential, but the guy plays hard, hits, fights by the boards and he's almost a certain lock to finish the season at the 20-25 goal mark. Not bad if you ask me. At $2.5 million, that's a solid contribution.
shrader Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 I don't get it. You're the most overly optimistic person on this board, yet you just went off on that long list of surprises. That makes absolutely no sense to me.
thesportsbuff Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 Come on. Really? You're not suprised Vanek has started the season with 7 goals in 5 games, after he started off with 6 goals in his first 23 games last season? I find that shocking. Like I said, he's off to a hot start, and I'm impressed. But it's not like he came out of no where. Darcy didn't just match Edmonton's offer sheet on some random third or fourth line guy; there's a reason Vanek got the money he did. And he's not going to keep this pace up all season, so when he finishes with between 40 and 50 goals, are you going to be surprised? I won't. You havn't been impressed with Clarke MacArthur endless work by the boards, his hard work, the nice passing and setting up on offense, and his 2 goals? Oh, not to mention he was a scretch on opening night until Tim Connolly came down with his injury? I'm impressed, not surprised. We all saw what Clarke brought to the table last season, albeit only for a few games before inconsistency introduced himself again. You're not suprised that Andrej Sekera has come into his sophmore season, and has become a consistant rock on defense and a work horse? Not only is he doing well on the PP after a bit of a shaky start, but he's playing like 22 minutes per night. He's up there with the team lead in that category. Again, I don't know if you were watching the Sabres last year, but Sekera was playing just as solid last year. He and Weber were arguably our top d-line. The only difference to this year is that he's a little more comfortable and has probably a slightly better partner in Spacek. Don't get me wrong, he's been real good. But nothing new. And Teppo Numminen? Guy misses the entire season due to his heart issues, you're not shocked that he's able to return and be as good as he was few seasons ago? So calm, so cool under pressure and still so strong, and have 4 assists in 5 games? Only surprise here is that he actually came back. I truly doubted he would. But once it was announced that he was back, and passed his physical, it's not really a shock that he's playing well. And if the PK doesn't suprise you either, then idk, you must have had massive hopes for this team. We've played one of the toughest schedules so far in the NHL (based on current records) and havn't allowed a goal yet. You have a point there, I didn't expect our PK to be as good as it's been. I also disagree with this. Kotalik does have potential but he's always shown it. He's always been a consistant player, which is why i never disliked him. I hope we deal Max and allow Connolly to walk after the year, but we gotta keep Kotalik. He's always been a good player for the Sabres and his shot has still a lot of potential, but the guy plays hard, hits, fights by the boards and he's almost a certain lock to finish the season at the 20-25 goal mark. Not bad if you ask me. At $2.5 million, that's a solid contribution. That last statement you quoted was directed towards Vanek. Kotalik never had "huge potential." We did, however, know that he's capable of playing as well as he has so far for short periods of time. Here's to hoping he stays consistent. I've never disliked Kotalik either, which is probably why I don't consider it a "surprise" for him to be doing well. At the same time, like somebody else mentioned earlier, he's probably at his peak. I'd be "surprised" if he popped off 40 goals this year and lead the team in scoring or points.
inkman Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 I don't get it. You're the most overly optimistic person on this board, yet you just went off on that long list of surprises. That makes absolutely no sense to me. His optimism is envious. :beer:
inkman Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 I'm impressed, not surprised. I'm impressed and surprised that I agree with every word of a post of this length.
Two or less Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 Jack- I know what you're saying, but if that's the case, i think all players you shouldn't be "suprised" about. Just "impressed". Vanek to finish with 40-50? That would be a great season. Many people around this forum should be very suprised if that's the case. As for Sekera and MacArthur, i know they've shown signs, their still young. MacArthur wasn't supposed to be on the opening night lineup and yet he's one of the brighter players thus far. I do agree with Sekera played great last night and i've always been a huge fan of his, but i didn't even expect him to play like a #1 d-men at age 22 in his second season in the National Hockey League. I'm just wondering, if you're not suprised by Sekera or MacArthur, then why Paille? Why Lalime?
Two or less Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 I don't get it. You're the most overly optimistic person on this board, yet you just went off on that long list of surprises. That makes absolutely no sense to me. I hold alot of faith in the players and i always have high hopes for my team.
thesportsbuff Posted October 20, 2008 Report Posted October 20, 2008 Jack- I know what you're saying, but if that's the case, i think all players you shouldn't be "suprised" about. Just "impressed". Vanek to finish with 40-50? That would be a great season. Many people around this forum should be very suprised if that's the case. As for Sekera and MacArthur, i know they've shown signs, their still young. MacArthur wasn't supposed to be on the opening night lineup and yet he's one of the brighter players thus far. I do agree with Sekera played great last night and i've always been a huge fan of his, but i didn't even expect him to play like a #1 d-men at age 22 in his second season in the National Hockey League. I'm just wondering, if you're not suprised by Sekera or MacArthur, then why Paille? Why Lalime? I'm surprised by Paille because he's playing considerably BETTER than I ever expected him to. He's not meeting expectations, he's so far been exceeding them. He's been throwing hits, making plays (i think he assisted on both Vanek's shorties... don't quote me though). He shows great work ethic and I've already lost count of how many would-be icings that he's beaten out. I remember one play in particular where he dumped the puck in, chased after it, got beat to it... but as the defenseman brought the puck through center ice, Paille comes out of no where from behind and makes a real nifty steal and breaks back towards goal. Nothing amounted from it, but the effort is there. He's been just as good of a two-way forward as Hecht. As for Lalime, needless to say after the last two years, I sort of figured he'd just be the guy to throw in when Miller needed a break. But in two starts so far he's proven that he can actually WIN games. If it wasn't for him vs Atlanta we could have gotten blown away in the first period and not even gotten a point. He made some real nice saves and kept us in the game all night long. I was surprised by that. I didn't expect him to play that solid.
LabattBlue Posted October 30, 2008 Report Posted October 30, 2008 No points in his last 4 games. Classic Kotalik...now you see him, now you don't. ;)
carpandean Posted October 30, 2008 Report Posted October 30, 2008 No points in his last 4 games. Classic Kotalik...now you see him, now you don't. ;) Vanek's not much better in the last 4 ...
Two or less Posted October 30, 2008 Report Posted October 30, 2008 No points in his last 4 games. Classic Kotalik...now you see him, now you don't. ;) He still has Adam Mair as his center..... let's wait until he has a real center before we judge Kotalik for this season. I think he's been playing well, it's just that it's a 2-men line.
Bmwolf21 Posted October 31, 2008 Report Posted October 31, 2008 He still has Adam Mair as his center..... let's wait until he has a real center before we judge Kotalik for this season. I think he's been playing well, it's just that it's a 2-men line. I hope I'm not reading too much into this, but I think that was sort of Blue's point - let's not judge Al's entire season based on the first five games any more than we'd judge his entire season on the next four.
LabattBlue Posted October 31, 2008 Report Posted October 31, 2008 I hope I'm not reading too much into this, but I think that was sort of Blue's point - let's not judge Al's entire season based on the first five games any more than we'd judge his entire season on the next four. :thumbsup:
bob_sauve28 Posted November 1, 2008 Author Report Posted November 1, 2008 No points in his last 4 games. Classic Kotalik...now you see him, now you don't. ;) He's playing with Mair, no offensive engine, though a good player, and Mr. I Put My Teamates Offsides Max. Kotalik is playing pretty well on that line, but I swear they look lost out there when Max gets the puck and starts skating all over the place. Put Alex with better linemates and he would be doing better.
tom webster Posted November 1, 2008 Report Posted November 1, 2008 It appears Kotalik will get a chance to skate on the number one line. No more excuses.
Stoner Posted November 1, 2008 Report Posted November 1, 2008 It appears Kotalik will get a chance to skate on the number one line. No more excuses. I don't get "no more excuses." He's there because he's played so well.
tom webster Posted November 1, 2008 Report Posted November 1, 2008 I don't get "no more excuses." He's there because he's played so well. No more excuses directed towards those making excuses for why after starting so strong, he has no points in five straight games. No more excuses with regards to those who claim he never got a chance to play on the top line and get quality minutes. This is his chance to prove he is a top 6 forward and not just a good value third liner which he has been for the past couple of years.
Two or less Posted November 1, 2008 Report Posted November 1, 2008 I don't get "no more excuses." He's there because he's played so well. Finally someone gets it. Kotalik is playing very well. He was scoring early on in the season when all our lines played well but since many players have gotten back to reality, Kotalik's "stats" have suffered but his overall play has not. It's not really easy to play with ADAM MAIR as a center and a total bonehead winger in Max. Kotalik played well and has earned a spot on the top line.
bob_sauve28 Posted November 2, 2008 Author Report Posted November 2, 2008 Alex looked a little out of place last night, but he is still getting use to his new line mates. Still had a nice assist on one of Vanek's goals
bob_sauve28 Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Posted November 3, 2008 Nice article on a Kotalik today http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnh...ory/482561.html
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