inkman Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Okay, I'm impressed. He really showed his offensive chops last night. He didn't play a perfect two-way game, but he certainly showed he's capable of playing in the top 6. Very nifty plays.
todzilla Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I haven't been a fan, but yeah, he was good last night. The goal was gritty and the pass to Vanek was sweet. He's had stretches of good play before, now he just needs to avoid the 3 week slumbers he tends to go into.
nfreeman Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 He's got hands and, I think, a pretty good hockey IQ. He's 24 and has a decent build for hockey -- 5'11, 190 lbs. He's a pretty decent skater too. If he keeps his intensity and confidence up, he could stay on TC's and Pommer's line and score 25 this year.
LabattBlue Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I haven't been a fan, but yeah, he was good last night. The goal was gritty and the pass to Vanek was sweet. He's had stretches of good play before, now he just needs to avoid the 3 week slumbers he tends to go into. Cut him some slack. Last year was his first full year at the NHL level. If you want to hammer on guys for prolonged slumps, there are plenty of candidates on this squad who have been in the NHL a lot longer. ;)
LabattBlue Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 There were many who wanted to kick MacArthur to the curb in the offseason because "he is just another guy who is nothing special, doesn't fit on a scoring line nor a checking line and can easily be replaced". I could be wrong, but I see a 20-25 goal 50+ point season out of MacArthur.
Stoner Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 The guy scores one goal, and look at the talk. Funny. I'm sure The News will have a General ball-washing at some point in the next 24 hours. Â We always tend to do this!
inkman Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Posted October 9, 2009 The guy scores one goal, and look at the talk. Funny. I'm sure The News will have a General ball-washing at some point in the next 24 hours. Â We always tend to do this! We do, and it's fun. He also had the pretty set up to Vanek. I think he's made strides, but only time will tell.
Stoner Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 We do, and it's fun. He also had the pretty set up to Vanek. I think he's made strides, but only time will tell. Â But it's more fun to build him up and then bust him back to private, eh?
deluca67 Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 There were many who wanted to kick MacArthur to the curb in the offseason because "he is just another guy who is nothing special, doesn't fit on a scoring line nor a checking line and can easily be replaced". I could be wrong, but I see a 20-25 goal 50+ point season out of MacArthur. A 2009-2010 Buffalo Sabres Playoff team needs exactly what you described for MacArthur. I thinks it's safe to say they also need a similar, if not better, season from Stafford.
North Buffalo Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 A 2009-2010 Buffalo Sabres Playoff team needs exactly what you described for MacArthur. I thinks it's safe to say they also need a similar, if not better, season from Stafford. Â Agreed, but don't see it happening from Staff man... too much time chasing girls... not enough time showing grit. IMO he has the talent just not the heart. Mac kept working last year despite not showing it and I have always liked his hustle.
Two or less Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Okay, I'm impressed. He really showed his offensive chops last night. He didn't play a perfect two-way game, but he certainly showed he's capable of playing in the top 6. Very nifty plays. Â I thought he looked ok in the Montreal game but i agree with you, i thought he looked great last night. Playing at that level several times during the season is a way to stay in the league, but, if he wants to truly help this team as a top 6 player he needs to do that on a consistent basis and that is to be seen. I do agree though, so far i am impressed as well. I think someone mentioned it this off-season (actually i think it was Clarke himself) that he needs a 25 goal season. I agree with that. He needs to step up and so far after 2 games, i like what i see.
Taro T Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I thought he looked ok in the Montreal game but i agree with you, i thought he looked great last night. Playing at that level several times during the season is a way to stay in the league, but, if he wants to truly help this team as a top 6 player he needs to do that on a consistent basis and that is to be seen. I do agree though, so far i am impressed as well. I think someone mentioned it this off-season (actually i think it was Clarke himself) that he needs a 25 goal season. I agree with that. He needs to step up and so far after 2 games, i like what i see. True. The tough thing for him is, if he isn't on a top 2 line he shouldn't be in the lineup because he isn't cut out for 3rd or 4th line duty. But, so far, so good. Â Hopefully he can keep it up.
inkman Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Posted October 9, 2009 True. The tough thing for him is, if he isn't on a top 2 line he shouldn't be in the lineup because he isn't cut out for 3rd or 4th line duty. Luckily for him, the Sabres aren't dripping with top line talent. The options after him are Paille, Hecht, Gaustad, Gerbe and Ennis. Looks like he'll get plenty of opportunities.
Two or less Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Luckily for him, the Sabres aren't dripping with top line talent. The options after him are Paille, Hecht, Gaustad, Gerbe and Ennis. Looks like he'll get plenty of opportunities. Â True. But sooner then later they will need to play Stafford on one of those top 2 lines and then you basically get the debate between Kennedy and MacArthur. Although, i saw last night Ruff moved Gaustad to the 4th with Ellis and Kaleta and had Kennedy playing center for Grier and Hecht.
Taro T Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Luckily for him, the Sabres aren't dripping with top line talent. The options after him are Paille, Hecht, Gaustad, Gerbe and Ennis. Looks like he'll get plenty of opportunities. I expect Stafford to get back on the top 2 lines fairly soon. When that happens, assuming the injury bug hasn't hit, either Kennedy moves back to Portland or the General moves to the press box. Â Maybe that's the plan for when Mair is back healthy: Stafford reunites the Voodoo Chiles, Connolly centers the General and Poms, and Kennedy waits for the inevitable injury callup.
nfreeman Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I expect Stafford to get back on the top 2 lines fairly soon. When that happens, assuming the injury bug hasn't hit, either Kennedy moves back to Portland or the General moves to the press box. Â Maybe that's the plan for when Mair is back healthy: Stafford reunites the Voodoo Chiles, Connolly centers the General and Poms, and Kennedy waits for the inevitable injury callup. That's my prediction.
inkman Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Posted October 9, 2009 Voodoo Chiles Had to google the reference. Stevie Ray Vaughn!
nobody Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 We need to see consistency from MacArthur, Stafford, Roy, Vanek, Pominville ...
Stoner Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 That's my prediction. Â Yeah, but would you have phrased it that way? I think not!
nfreeman Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Had to google the reference. Stevie Ray Vaughn! I must note for the record that Hendrix wrote it and his version was far superior.
... Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Had to google the reference. Stevie Ray Vaughn! Â I thought it was JMH?
SabresBillsFan Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I don't think MacArthur is a top six forward in this league more of a third liner. He needs to keep skating hard to be a factor on the Sabres. Connolly, Vanek , Roy , Poms, Stafford are true first and second liners.
LabattBlue Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 I don't think MacArthur is a top six forward in this league more of a third liner. He needs to keep skating hard to be a factor on the Sabres. Connolly, Vanek , Roy , Poms, Stafford are true first and second liners. ...and if MacArthur isn't in the top 6, who is?
SabresBillsFan Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 ...and if MacArthur isn't in the top 6, who is? Unfortunately MacArthur is a top 6 forward on the Sabres but on a better team more of a third liner.
Calvin Posted October 9, 2009 Report Posted October 9, 2009 Unfortunately MacArthur is a top 6 forward on the Sabres but on a better team more of a third liner. I'll take him in the top 6, he works as hard if not harder than anyone else in the top two lines.
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