inkman Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 I've been noticing some former Sabres on other teams and thought this would be a good place to discuss them. Al Kotalik has the second most goals on the Rangers and Brian Campbell is not in the top 4 D with the Blackhawks.
X. Benedict Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 I've been noticing some former Sabres on other teams and thought this would be a good place to discuss them. Al Kotalik has the second most goals on the Rangers and Brian Campbell is not in the top 4 D with the Blackhawks. Happens every year with big Al. He starts every year with 3-4 power play goals and then nobody gives him that shot for the rest of the season. He'll help that team in shootouts though. Ranger fans are fickle...they'll hate Al by January.
sweeper Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 Campbell's contract was a huge mistake, I don't blame the Sabres at all for letting him go. I honestly think we already got his best years. Kotalik...I wish him all the best, just not against us. He'll most likely cool off like he always did here. Still a threat on the PP and in a shootout though, he'll give the rangers a good 3 or 4 points they wouldn't have had this year. It'll be interesting to see what Briere can do this year...so far 5 games, 4 points (3g, 1a). I think we also got his best years, although he may have a couple good ones left in him...but not to the tune of 6.5 mil per year or whatever he makes until 2015 (that might be his cap hit not actual salary, I can't remember). In hindsight, 5 for 5 probably would have been a good deal had the Sabres pulled the trigger. I'd take Briere over Pomilville, anyways.
carpandean Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 It'll be interesting to see what Briere can do this year...so far 5 games, 4 points (3g, 1a). I think we also got his best years, although he may have a couple good ones left in him...but not to the tune of 6.5 mil per year or whatever he makes until 2015 (that might be his cap hit not actual salary, I can't remember). In hindsight, 5 for 5 probably would have been a good deal had the Sabres pulled the trigger. I'd take Briere over Pominville, anyways. The thing to remember when talking about Briere's performance this year is that he is in a top six with guys like Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne. Plus, he has a defense behind him that includes Pronger and Timonen. Not saying that he wouldn't be good elsewhere or wouldn't help the Sabres, but he is going to have a bigger impact where he is because he won't be the focus of the other team's defense (much like why the RAV line was so great in 2006-07) and he's got great players to cover up any defensive shortcomings. I've said it before and I'll say it even more now, if Philly could trade Briere for a real goaltender, they'd be a cup favorite; not just a contender, a favorite.
Stoner Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 The great thing about the Internet is that you can go back and look at stats game by game. The bad thing about it is that for people like me, there's no time to take an adequate shower. Just jump in, hit the pits and jump out. Al's stats don't support the aforementioned statements that he scores a lot of power play goals early in seasons before opposing teams figure him out, or that he cools off after a hot start. 08-09: 20 goals, 9 on the PP, pretty evenly split first half to second half. 07-08: 23 and 12, with a modest dropoff first 40 games to next 39 (13-7 to 10-5). 06-07: Only three power play goals, but they all did come in the first half. He scored 16 goals overall, and this is one season where he did limp home. 05-06: 11-3 before January 1, 14-7 after. I'm trying to find game logs for HC Ceske Budejovice Jr.
Foligno's Nose Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 The Enigma had an assist in his first game with Les Thrashers. We'll see Mr. Dementieva (I'm jealous) on Saturday.
sweeper Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 The great thing about the Internet is that you can go back and look at stats game by game. The bad thing about it is that for people like me, there's no time to take an adequate shower. Just jump in, hit the pits and jump out. Al's stats don't support the aforementioned statements that he scores a lot of power play goals early in seasons before opposing teams figure him out, or that he cools off after a hot start. 08-09: 20 goals, 9 on the PP, pretty evenly split first half to second half. 07-08: 23 and 12, with a modest dropoff first 40 games to next 39 (13-7 to 10-5). 06-07: Only three power play goals, but they all did come in the first half. He scored 16 goals overall, and this is one season where he did limp home. 05-06: 11-3 before January 1, 14-7 after. I'm trying to find game logs for HC Ceske Budejovice Jr. The thing with Al...he seems to start a season really well, checking a bit and things of that nature...then he just starts coasting. He still gets his numbers generally... And I definitely think the 06 - 07 season left quite the impression. Wasn't that when he snapped like every other stick on the PP? Bottom line is people like to find things to complain about.
wonderbread Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 Max had an assist eh? It'll be nice seeing him actually giving the puck up this Saturday.
X. Benedict Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 The great thing about the Internet is that you can go back and look at stats game by game. The bad thing about it is that for people like me, there's no time to take an adequate shower. Just jump in, hit the pits and jump out. Al's stats don't support the aforementioned statements that he scores a lot of power play goals early in seasons before opposing teams figure him out, or that he cools off after a hot start. 08-09: 20 goals, 9 on the PP, pretty evenly split first half to second half. 07-08: 23 and 12, with a modest dropoff first 40 games to next 39 (13-7 to 10-5). 06-07: Only three power play goals, but they all did come in the first half. He scored 16 goals overall, and this is one season where he did limp home. 05-06: 11-3 before January 1, 14-7 after. I'm trying to find game logs for HC Ceske Budejovice Jr. His shot doesn't go away...the open lanes to shoot it do. I'll stand by that though....15 PPG in the opening full month of play since the lockout. 42 Career PPG. Incidently 1 PPG in Januaries since the lockout.
Stoner Posted October 12, 2009 Report Posted October 12, 2009 His shot doesn't go away...the open lanes to shoot it do. I'll stand by that though....15 PPG in the opening full month of play since the lockout. 42 Career PPG. Incidently 1 PPG in Januaries since the lockout. I think I messed up my 05-06 numbers. Al and I will now slink off into oblivion together.
Stoner Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I think I messed up my 05-06 numbers. Al and I will now slink off into oblivion together. Yes you did, you cross-eyed, fat #%^$#!. 05-06 is probably where the legend of Kotalik began. He scored 10 power play goals before the first of the year, and none after. That season really skews the overall numbers. I'll stand by my characterization of the other seasons. And his first two full seasons in Buffalo, 02-03 and 03-04, don't really support the arguments either. I'm not going to go out on a limb and be a Kotalik defender. The most important numbers are 6 and 0, the number of goals and power play goals he scored in 34 playoff games. Kotalik goals by month (overall and PP), 02-03 through 08-09, regular season. October 20-10 November 18-9 December 25-8 January 20-3 February 14-3 March 16-6 April 7-1 Note that Kotalik's second half numbers would be helped a bit if he hadn't missed significant time toward the end of the season two of those years.
inkman Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 I'm not going to go out on a limb and be a Kotalik defender. The most important numbers are 6 and 0, the number of goals and power play goals he scored in 34 playoff games. I always thought he elevated his game, at least physically, during the post season. I could be making that up though...
Stoner Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I always thought he elevated his game, at least physically, during the post season. I could be making that up though... Maybe. Al was big and could show a nasty streak. You just get the feeling this was another player Ruff didn't get nearly enough out of. This was a one trick pony who might also have been able to give kids rides outside the arena before games and provide fertilizer for Darcy's herb garden out back.
korab rules Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 Maybe. Al was big and could show a nasty streak. You just get the feeling this was another player Ruff didn't get nearly enough out of. This was a one trick pony who might also have been able to give kids rides outside the arena before games and provide fertilizer for Darcy's herb garden out back. I agree with this - he did seem to come alive in the playoffs, and definitely turned up the physical play. Problem was, he didn't do enough in the regular season to get them to the playoffs.
shrader Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I always thought he elevated his game, at least physically, during the post season. I could be making that up though... He was definitely one of the more noticeable forwards out there along the boards in 2006. But then again, Kalinin may have been the best defenseman on the ice before he got hurt. It's funny how those things work.
nfreeman Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I've been noticing some former Sabres on other teams and thought this would be a good place to discuss them. Al Kotalik has the second most goals on the Rangers and Brian Campbell is not in the top 4 D with the Blackhawks. I beg to differ -- he led the team in ice time last night. He's also #3 in ice time for the season.
inkman Posted October 13, 2009 Author Report Posted October 13, 2009 I beg to differ -- he led the team in ice time last night. He's also #3 in ice time for the season. My info was second hand, so I stand corrected. I was looking over their roster and found it hard to believe he couldn't crack the top 4 D.
nfreeman Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 My info was second hand, so I stand corrected. I was looking over their roster and found it hard to believe he couldn't crack the top 4 D. Since I'm now a fantasy hockey geek, I'll go so far as to predict that Soupy has a better year (at least viewed through the fantasy prism) than Bouwmeester, who is on my team and who somehow manages to play 28+ minutes per game but still stink as a fantasy player.
X. Benedict Posted October 13, 2009 Report Posted October 13, 2009 I beg to differ -- he led the team in ice time last night. He's also #3 in ice time for the season. What I think you'll find is that Quinevalle (sp) platoons him. Campbell gets more time if the team is behind. Much less if they are playing with a lead.
tom webster Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 What I think you'll find is that Quinevalle (sp) platoons him. Campbell gets more time if the team is behind. Much less if they are playing with a lead. What you will find also is that while it is early in the season, he is averaging a point per game. There is no doubt that Campbell is not worth the contract he got but his type of defenseman is worth around $4.5 million per year. Finally, I think you will find that while Myers and Butler have been tremendous so far this year, a puck moving defenseman may be the Sabres greatest need.
SwampD Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 What you will find also is that while it is early in the season, he is averaging a point per game. There is no doubt that Campbell is not worth the contract he got but his type of defenseman is worth around $4.5 million per year. Finally, I think you will find that while Myers and Butler have been tremendous so far this year, a puck moving defenseman may be the Sabres greatest need. You don't think that Myers falls into that catagory?
tom webster Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 You don't think that Myers falls into that catagory? I think he has been great so far and may turn into that but I think its way too early to put that much pressure on him especially late in the year and hopefully in the playoffs.
SwampD Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I think he has been great so far and may turn into that but I think its way too early to put that much pressure on him especially late in the year and hopefully in the playoffs. I agree. I'm really trying to temper my excitement. I've been hurt too many times before.
mercury Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 Bottom line is people like to find things to complain about. Indeed.
shrader Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I think he has been great so far and may turn into that but I think its way too early to put that much pressure on him especially late in the year and hopefully in the playoffs. But he's played 4 strong games, so clearly he's guaranteed to be a superstar. I'm amazed how quickly some people forget that nothing is guaranteed in this league. Look no further than Tallinder. He looked like he was headed to the upper echelon of NHL defensemen until that broken arm. I'm glad to see at least one person say it's too early to annoint Myers as the chosen one. Yes, he looks really good, but as you said, it's early.
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