LabattBlue Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I know it is a stat that may not be 100% accurate(I am not even sure who keeps track of this), but the lack of physical play(especially amoung the blueliners) may be the only downside to a good start out of the gate. http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20102BUFSASAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats
inkman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I thought they would be more physical up to this point. Myers (despite him already being their best defender) has not been as physical as I thought. Same goes for Montador. Mair has been out of the lineup, and Grier, Kaleta and Gaustad have been themselves. Looking at the team, they just aren't going to be more physical than most teams. They have made strides, but a couple more rugged guys would go a long way. So far this season, they haven't been run out of anyones building, let's hope it stays that way.
LabattBlue Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 I thought they would be more physical up to this point. Myers (despite him already being their best defender) has not been as physical as I thought. Same goes for Montador. Mair has been out of the lineup, and Grier, Kaleta and Gaustad have been themselves. Looking at the team, they just aren't going to be more physical than most teams. They have made strides, but a couple more rugged guys would go a long way. So far this season, they haven't been run out of anyones building, let's hope it stays that way. Montador has better skating and offensive skills, but from a physical standpoint, I think we may have a guy similar to Nolan Pratt. Neither was very physical despite their size, but at least they were willing to drop the gloves and go.
BetweenThePipes00 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Like Ink said, they may be a little more physical but they are still not going to go out of their way to play like the 2006-07 Ducks ... it looks like they want to me more like the Red Wings, and looking at last season's hit numbers, they were not any more physical than the Sabres ... Sabres hits - 2008-09 - http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20092BUFSASAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats Wings hits - 2008-09 - http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20092DETSASAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats Part of that is that, as Labbat said, the recording of hits differs from building to building. But no one ever accuses the Wings of being soft ... they win battles and play aggressive and outwork teams, which is what the Sabres are doing so far ... if they keep doing that, I can live with the hit numbers. As for Myers, I think he will get more physical as he gets more experienced ... he may be a bit hesitant to get out of position ... so far, better safe than sorry.
nfreeman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I thought they would be more physical up to this point. Myers (despite him already being their best defender) has not been as physical as I thought. Same goes for Montador. Mair has been out of the lineup, and Grier, Kaleta and Gaustad have been themselves. Looking at the team, they just aren't going to be more physical than most teams. They have made strides, but a couple more rugged guys would go a long way. So far this season, they haven't been run out of anyones building, let's hope it stays that way. Well, I think they are noticeably more physical than they were last year. Last night their forecheck was very strong and had a really good Detroit team back on their heels for much of the game. I wasn't expecting Myers to be a physical, Phaneuf- or Pronger-type defenseman. That's not his game. He'll need to lay out a big hit when it's there, and more importantly to make forwards pay the price for getting too close to Miller. If he can do those things consistently I'll be happy with his physicality. Overall I'm pretty happy with the level of physicality, although if we could get a Brenden Morrow type for a spot on one of the top 2 lines obviously that would be ideal. Montador has better skating and offensive skills, but from a physical standpoint, I think we may have a guy similar to Nolan Pratt. Neither was very physical despite their size, but at least they were willing to drop the gloves and go. Good call. Monty doesn't lay out too many big hits but he plays the body. He'll also be in the middle of every scrum and will make someone fight for taking liberties with Miller. That's what the Sabres needed. But no one ever accuses the Wings of being soft ... they win battles and play aggressive and outwork teams, which is what the Sabres are doing so far ... if they keep doing that, I can live with the hit numbers. Right on.
Eleven Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I thought they would be more physical up to this point. Myers (despite him already being their best defender) has not been as physical as I thought. Same goes for Montador. Mair has been out of the lineup, and Grier, Kaleta and Gaustad have been themselves. Looking at the team, they just aren't going to be more physical than most teams. They have made strides, but a couple more rugged guys would go a long way. So far this season, they haven't been run out of anyones building, let's hope it stays that way. Did you see the Detroit player trying to bring the puck out of the zone during a second-period powerplay who looked up, saw Myers standing in his way, slipped, fell, and lost the puck? Awesome. And Myers didn't even have to breathe on him. It's going to be fun to watch opponents just get out of his way.
inkman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 It's going to be fun to watch opponents just get out of his way. Like Chara, opponents will have to skate way out of the way to avoid the spider web that is Myers' body, stick, arms and legs. You can't teach size, although I think they make a pill for it. :ph34r:
SDS Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 actually, if you have the puck that much more than your opponents... you don't hit when you have possession. :thumbsup:
todzilla Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I feel like I've hardly noticed Montador yet, and I mean that as a good thing. He is taking care of business and not getting exposed. The Defense seems much more stable, they are not giving up the odd man rushes and relentless pressure on Miller much. It helps that Tallinder (+5 last night) has been better so far, and my man-crush on Myers grows every game.
... Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 But no one ever accuses the Wings of being soft ... they win battles and play aggressive and outwork teams, which is what the Sabres are doing so far ... if they keep doing that, I can live with the hit numbers. As for Myers, I think he will get more physical as he gets more experienced ... he may be a bit hesitant to get out of position ... so far, better safe than sorry. This. The number of hits, the accuracy of the counting aside, is not as important as the quality of a hit and when it occurs during play. So, they may not be hitting more, but they are certainly hitting better. We're going to have to trust our eyes on this one, I think, because it sure looks to me like the hits are happening more at the right time, and are contributing to the play, rather than being ancillary.
K-9 Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Like Chara, opponents will have to skate way out of the way to avoid the spider web that is Myers' body, stick, arms and legs. You can't teach size, although I think they make a pill for it. :ph34r: A pill? Damn. And all this time I thought it had something to do with dangling heavy weights. Those darn Hindus. GO SABRES!!!
LabattBlue Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 This. The number of hits, the accuracy of the counting aside, is not as important as the quality of a hit and when it occurs during play. So, they may not be hitting more, but they are certainly hitting better. We're going to have to trust our eyes on this one, I think, because it sure looks to me like the hits are happening more at the right time, and are contributing to the play, rather than being ancillary. I'm anxious to see how they stack up against the teams that want to play it more physical. Boston? Philly? Other EC teams?
wjag Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 actually, if you have the puck that much more than your opponents... you don't hit when you have possession. :thumbsup: I feel like I've hardly noticed Montador yet, and I mean that as a good thing. He is taking care of business and not getting exposed. The Defense seems much more stable, they are not giving up the odd man rushes and relentless pressure on Miller much. It helps that Tallinder (+5 last night) has been better so far, and my man-crush on Myers grows every game. I agree on both and think SDS makes a great, but often overlooked point. It's a much different game when you out chance and out possess another team. There aren't as many penalties, turnovers, hits, etc. The game takes on a less tense feel when the play is in the enemy end, almost dare I say boring. If the play is in your end, the game is more tense, turnovers are exacerbated, hits become more important, etc. Because of the style of play and O-zone production, Miller and the D haven't really been tested. That day is surely coming.
SwampD Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 This. The number of hits, the accuracy of the counting aside, is not as important as the quality of a hit and when it occurs during play. So, they may not be hitting more, but they are certainly hitting better. We're going to have to trust our eyes on this one, I think, because it sure looks to me like the hits are happening more at the right time, and are contributing to the play, rather than being ancillary. Yep. Hits are nice and all, but I don't really care about the number. I have never equated hits with playing physically. I care more about not being manhandled off the puck and being able to knock people off the puck.
nfreeman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I'm anxious to see how they stack up against the teams that want to play it more physical. Boston? Philly? Other EC teams? Philly in particular is the team I want to see whether the Sabres can handle themselves against. They manhandled the Sabres last year.
tom webster Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I'm anxious to see how they stack up against the teams that want to play it more physical. Boston? Philly? Other EC teams? I was waiting for the opposition to come up. Its way too early to look to stats for trends, amd I realize you acknowledge this. They haven't played anybody that has required them to be physical yet.
LabattBlue Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 I was waiting for the opposition to come up. Its way too early to look to stats for trends, amd I realize you acknowledge this. They haven't played anybody that has required them to be physical yet. I'm getting way ahead of myself, but I'm looking at this team now and wondering how they will fare down the stretch and in the playoffs when the going gets a little tighter and the battles get tougher.
tom webster Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I'm getting way ahead of myself, but I'm looking at this team now and wondering how they will fare down the stretch and in the playoffs when the going gets a little tighter and the battles get tougher. I understand and don't mind the specualtion but as others have said, I don't think we will know till then.
Two or less Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I understand and don't mind the specualtion but as others have said, I don't think we will know till then. Exactly. When i think of toughness i didn't think we needed to add goons like Toronto did. And seeing their games on center ice, every whistle it seems theres a little fight and they are getting in guys faces almost every shift. It's like they focus more on that part of hockey then the actual part of playing the game. When i think of needed grit, it's what they will do when they get pushed around, what they will do when Miller gets run at, and what they will do to protect their teammates. So far, honestly, i don't think there's much examples to look at because we have not been in that situation yet. One thing i liked last night was Patrick Kaleta and Todd Bertuzzi going at it. They both were on the ice to start the game and were going at it by the boards. Kaleta and Bert went at it all game long. I saw 3-4 times they were going after each other and at the end both got penalties. On versus, they were too busy talking about BS, but since Bert and Kaleta got penalties at the same time, i assumed it was going after each other. I know Kaleta isn't a player to worry about when it comes to that style of play, but that just stood out to me. But i agree with TW, we havn't been in that type of game to judge just yet.
Calvin Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Philly in particular is the team I want to see whether the Sabres can handle themselves against. They manhandled the Sabres last year. Agreed. We looked terrible against the Flyers last year.. The Caps and the Flyers look to be the standard in the EC so far.. i'm not sure we'll be able to play that kind of run-and-gun, shootout affairs that they've been in so far.. that was more the style of the '05-'06 Sabres. I have yet to watch the Rangers this year, are their ten points a hollow reflection or are they really good?
LabattBlue Posted October 14, 2009 Author Report Posted October 14, 2009 Agreed. We looked terrible against the Flyers last year.. The Caps and the Flyers look to be the standard in the EC so far.. i'm not sure we'll be able to play that kind of run-and-gun, shootout affairs that they've been in so far.. that was more the style of the '05-'06 Sabres. I have yet to watch the Rangers this year, are their ten points a hollow reflection or are they really good? Pittsburgh??
inkman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 One thing i liked last night was Patrick Kaleta and Todd Bertuzzi going at it. Not to mention Bertuzzi's got about 6 inches (insert joke here) and 50 lbs on Patty.
wjag Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 Agreed. We looked terrible against the Flyers last year.. The Caps and the Flyers look to be the standard in the EC so far.. i'm not sure we'll be able to play that kind of run-and-gun, shootout affairs that they've been in so far.. that was more the style of the '05-'06 Sabres. I have yet to watch the Rangers this year, are their ten points a hollow reflection or are they really good? I watched some of their game the other night.. Gaborik is making them a better team...
nfreeman Posted October 14, 2009 Report Posted October 14, 2009 I watched some of their game the other night.. Gaborik is making them a better team... Yes. I hadn't seen much of Gaborik over the years, but he is really something. Really fast, excellent shot (with a quick release), excellent vision, good passer -- he's got the whole package. He's exactly what the Rangers needed, as long as he stays healthy.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.