NHL.com...30 in 30

[inkman]

Linky

 

The defense looks to get stronger soon with top picks like Tyler Myers, T.J. Brennan and Dennis Persson progressing nicely and pushed by Corey Fienhage, a 2008 third-round pick who was a standout at the Sabres' summer development camp.

 

Here is a look at the five biggest prospects on the horizon for the Sabres:

 

Tyler Myers -- The No. 12 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft presents a difficult problem for the Sabres. Myers had an outstanding season with the Kelowna Rockets in 2008-09, scoring 42 points in the regular season, and then leading WHL defenseman in the playoffs with 15 assists and 20 points as Kelowna advanced to the Memorial Cup. Myers was named to the tournament's All-Star Team.

 

NHL rules dictate Myers must play in Buffalo or be returned to his junior team, and there doesn't seem to be much point in the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder playing another junior season.

 

Mark Mancari -- The 6-foot-3, 225-pound right wing was a seventh-round pick in 2004 but has developed well in the minors. He played seven games in Buffalo last season, during which he scored his first NHL goal. Mancari led the AHL's Portland Pirates in scoring last season with 29 goals and 67 points. He should make the Sabres out of training camp.

 

Nathan Gerbe -- At 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds, Gerbe was the smallest player in the NHL last season. He had 1 assist in 10 NHL games, but was the AHL rookie of the year after totaling 30 goals and 56 assists. Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht seem secure at left wing, but Gerbe should give Clarke MacArthur, Daniel Paille and Matt Ellis strong competition for a job.

 

Marc-Andre Gragnani -- A 2005 third-round pick, Gragnani is caught behind a strong defense in Buffalo. He played four games for the Sabres last season and two in 2007-08. Gragnani led Portland defensemen in scoring with 42 assists and 51 points. He's 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, and the power play is his specialty. He needs to beef up and improve his defense to secure an NHL job.

 

Tyler Ennis -- Buffalo's second first-round pick (No. 26) in the 2008 Entry Draft again was named a WHL East First All-Star and the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player while finishing sixth in the league with 43 goals and 10th with 85 points. Buffalo is well stocked at center with Connolly, Roy, Gaustad and Mair, so Ennis likely will play a season with Portland.

 

Uh...Mancari and Gragnani are among the Sabres top 5 prospects?

 

Lines?

 

Up front, look for Connolly to center Vanek and Pominville; Roy to center Jochen Hecht and Drew Stafford; Gaustad between Clarke MacArthur and Kaleta; and Adam Mair centering Dan Paille and Mark Mancari. Defenseman Nathan Paetsch, like Montador, can play forward and defense.

 

That's news to me.

 

 

More BS spin from Darcy.

 

"I think our fans like watching players like Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Ryan Miller, Patrick Kaleta and Paul Gaustad," Regier said. "The fans appreciate what those players bring. They know we missed the playoffs two years in a row after going to the conference final twice in a row. :blink:

 

"Our fans do see new faces; they just don't see them on July 1."

 

How comforting... :rolleyes:

[shrader]

Take the highest scoring players at each position in Portland and put them on the top prospects list. There can't be any possible flaw to this approach.

[deluca67]

Linky

 

The defense looks to get stronger soon with top picks like Tyler Myers, T.J. Brennan and Dennis Persson progressing nicely and pushed by Corey Fienhage, a 2008 third-round pick who was a standout at the Sabres' summer development camp.

 

Here is a look at the five biggest prospects on the horizon for the Sabres:

 

Tyler Myers -- The No. 12 pick in the 2008 Entry Draft presents a difficult problem for the Sabres. Myers had an outstanding season with the Kelowna Rockets in 2008-09, scoring 42 points in the regular season, and then leading WHL defenseman in the playoffs with 15 assists and 20 points as Kelowna advanced to the Memorial Cup. Myers was named to the tournament's All-Star Team.

 

NHL rules dictate Myers must play in Buffalo or be returned to his junior team, and there doesn't seem to be much point in the 6-foot-7, 220-pounder playing another junior season.

 

Mark Mancari -- The 6-foot-3, 225-pound right wing was a seventh-round pick in 2004 but has developed well in the minors. He played seven games in Buffalo last season, during which he scored his first NHL goal. Mancari led the AHL's Portland Pirates in scoring last season with 29 goals and 67 points. He should make the Sabres out of training camp.

 

Nathan Gerbe -- At 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds, Gerbe was the smallest player in the NHL last season. He had 1 assist in 10 NHL games, but was the AHL rookie of the year after totaling 30 goals and 56 assists. Thomas Vanek and Jochen Hecht seem secure at left wing, but Gerbe should give Clarke MacArthur, Daniel Paille and Matt Ellis strong competition for a job.

 

Marc-Andre Gragnani -- A 2005 third-round pick, Gragnani is caught behind a strong defense in Buffalo. He played four games for the Sabres last season and two in 2007-08. Gragnani led Portland defensemen in scoring with 42 assists and 51 points. He's 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, and the power play is his specialty. He needs to beef up and improve his defense to secure an NHL job.

 

Tyler Ennis -- Buffalo's second first-round pick (No. 26) in the 2008 Entry Draft again was named a WHL East First All-Star and the WHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player while finishing sixth in the league with 43 goals and 10th with 85 points. Buffalo is well stocked at center with Connolly, Roy, Gaustad and Mair, so Ennis likely will play a season with Portland.

 

Uh...Mancari and Gragnani are among the Sabres top 5 prospects?

 

Lines?

 

Up front, look for Connolly to center Vanek and Pominville; Roy to center Jochen Hecht and Drew Stafford; Gaustad between Clarke MacArthur and Kaleta; and Adam Mair centering Dan Paille and Mark Mancari. Defenseman Nathan Paetsch, like Montador, can play forward and defense.

 

That's news to me.

 

 

More BS spin from Darcy.

 

"I think our fans like watching players like Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville, Ryan Miller, Patrick Kaleta and Paul Gaustad," Regier said. "The fans appreciate what those players bring. They know we missed the playoffs two years in a row after going to the conference final twice in a row. :blink:

 

"Our fans do see new faces; they just don't see them on July 1."

 

How comforting... :rolleyes:

Regier would better serve his interest and the interests of the franchise if he never addressed the media again. Every time he speaks he just proves how clueless he really is. The fans don't care about "new faces". The fans want difference makers. Players to plug the gaping holes this franchise has. In other words the fans want Regier to start doing his job and get players that will push this team into the playoffs. You don't get the job done by only looking through the bargain bins and clearance racks for players.