Not built for the playoffs

[BfloSabresFan]

none of our shots were good scoring chances they were all wrist shots from far away and from outside the circle, and again none of our point shots got through

 

I Noticed the same thing.

The Bruins were able to keep the Sabres to the outside because very few Sabres were crashing the net. I thought Grier played one of his best games in a long time and few other times we got the puck in low, but for the most of the second and third there was no one the Bruins D had to worry about and Rask was never screened.

[scottnc]

Connolly's conditioning is questionable right now. Had he stayed healthy, he would've led the team in scoring during the season.

 

Conditioning? No excuses. This is the playoffs. I don't want to hear "had he stayed healthy" stuff. He has been absolutely invisible through 3 games and that is unacceptable for a guy who's supposed to be one of our top forwards.

[PromoTheRobot]

Conditioning? No excuses. This is the playoffs. I don't want to hear "had he stayed healthy" stuff. He has been absolutely invisible through 3 games and that is unacceptable for a guy who's supposed to be one of our top forwards.

Did someone mention Raffi Torres?

 

PTR

[Lucky's]

How did no one even get in boychuks face after his hit on ellis. ellis def deserved it for keepin his head down for way too long, but let boychuk no hes to not do that again.

[waldo]

It is 2-1 guys...geez..The team is what it was at the beginning of the year. There should be surprises here only for those fans that did not understand what they are watching on the ice during the regular season. Thank god Boston is also offensively challanged.It is not over yet, It takes three to beat Boston and elevated levels of testosterone, two goals on a good night.I must admit that watching this series andrew peters comes to mind three times a period. How Darcy could build a team with small contact adverse wingers and centers, who have problems with physical teams that trap, without also having an enforcer on the bench for the boychcks (sp)of the world is just beyond me. Yep i said it.An enforcer in the playoffs.Old school hockey.Andrew protected this team like a junk yard dog.If any team needed an enforcer it is ours. With all their hockey sense how could lindy and darcy have missed that? :w00t:

[Marvelo]

Stating the obvious, we have very little scoring talent.

 

Used to be we'd pick up free agents or trades that could be productive and actually score. Big names like Hawerchuk, Vaive, Peca, Briere, Drury and even Randy Burridge and Stu Barnes. Now nobody scores, let alone the failed free agent pickups of the last few years. We're just lucky enough to pull off one measly BS deadline deal for what turns out to be a failed first rounder that we flip during the off-season. We haven't even hung on to one and no one has produced. (Zubrus, Bernier, Torres and the list go on)

 

I like the fight in this team but physically we're over-matched. There are too many generics (Mair, Ellis, Gaustad, Hecht) and too many weak sisters (Connolly, Stafford, Kennedy) and we can't seem to understand this because we hang on to these guys for way too long.

 

This offseason, get a new GM and go get some more big dogs like Myers for a change!

[Stoner]

How about we get real RW Power forward and Centre to REPLACE Pommers and Connolly?

Kennedy isn't a Top 6 Forward yet, same with Ennis, but they haven't really proven they will never be, they are still rather young and Green, and would make great 3rd liners. But if they are to become third liners, Darcy needs to go out and get some guys that are better then themto be 1st and 2nd Liners

 

As for the retarded idea to trade Miller, Why get rid of the one thing that is right about the team? What does that say to the rest of the team and the league? Basically that they are a stepping stone organisation thats happy with underachievers and loves to rebuild. Your better off to try and move the real problems, pretty much anyone thats considered a "top 6" forward on this team, or a defencemen not named Myers

 

Hey, here's our garbage, give us something good?

 

Everyone can be traded for the right price. Miller's return will never be more out of proportion with his actual worth than this offseason. If there was anyone in the goaltending pipeline, it would make more sense. Hopefully someone other than Darcy and Lindy will get to at least consider it.

[dante23x]

Connolly's conditioning is questionable right now. Had he stayed healthy, he would've led the team in scoring during the season.

 

How can you say that? Vanek was out almost as long and scored 6 goals in 3 nights.

[nfreeman]

Trading Miller is a terrible idea.

 

If the Sabres lose this round, though, everyone else on this roster other than Myers and Vanek should be available. The Sabres need new blood and guts in their top 6 forward group.

 

The Sabres have been dying for a guy like Ryan Smyth since Black Sunday. He was available last summer. The Sabres should do what needs to be done to bring in this summer's equivalent. They cannot delude themselves into thinking that adding Tyler Ennis into the mix for next year will solve their problems.

[scottnc]

Hey, here's our garbage, give us something good?

 

Everyone can be traded for the right price. Miller's return will never be more out of proportion with his actual worth than this offseason. If there was anyone in the goaltending pipeline, it would make more sense. Hopefully someone other than Darcy and Lindy will get to at least consider it.

 

While that is most likely true, there's no way they would do that. Some teams have looked for years to find a franchise goalie (I'm looking at you Philly). You don't give one up that's playing as well as Miller. There haven't been many Stanley Cup champs that didn't have a solid netminder.

[Stoner]

Trading Miller is a terrible idea.

 

If the Sabres lose this round, though, everyone else on this roster other than Myers and Vanek should be available. The Sabres need new blood and guts in their top 6 forward group.

 

The Sabres have been dying for a guy like Ryan Smyth since Black Sunday. He was available last summer. The Sabres should do what needs to be done to bring in this summer's equivalent. They cannot delude themselves into thinking that adding Tyler Ennis into the mix for next year will solve their problems.

 

Wouldn't you have to know what the trade is? All kinds of teams have playoff success without elite Vezina goaltending. The "franchise goalie" model really hasn't worked out all that well in Buffalo, has it?

[Hartman]

there is no quick fix. the current roster is overwhelmingingly small, soft, and 'skilled' in the worst sense of that term.

the fault for this debacle lies squarely with the guy who traded for Timid Connolly, and drafted Pominville, Stafford, and thankfully departed MacArthur. The question whether our absentee owner cares enough to fire Regier, or just looks at the season ticket sales from the blindly loyal fan base.

[Stoner]

While that is most likely true, there's no way they would do that. Some teams have looked for years to find a franchise goalie (I'm looking at you Philly). You don't give one up that's playing as well as Miller. There haven't been many Stanley Cup champs that didn't have a solid netminder.

 

Solid and franchise are two adjectives for goalies that are far apart in meaning.

 

Miller will be back of course, barring something unforseen. But can we all at least agree it's time to blow up this front office and coaching staff and "core"?

 

That something unforseen could Miller bailing like Dom did. His frustration level has to be at an all-time high. He might be at the Dom stage right now. He knows the score in Buffalo. And he's a guy who, like Dom, probably feels that burning desire to win a Cup. And like Dom, he's had a taste of the world stage and celebrity life outside of Buffalo, NY.

[Foot In The Crease!]

Guys, We're only down 1 game in the series!! Still alot of hockey yet to be played

 

No need for trading miller :wallbash: or talking about how we should get rid of Pominville, timmy, Roy etc.

[Mbossy]

 

What? I didn't do it. You did.

[Kristian]

Guys, We're only down 1 game in the series!! Still alot of hockey yet to be played

 

No need for trading miller :wallbash: or talking about how we should get rid of Pominville, timmy, Roy etc.

 

It's not that they're down 2-1, it's they they're being owned in every aspect of the game except goaltending where Rask only has a slight advantage.

 

This translates into "things have better change and change fast, or the series is over".

 

It's not a question of bad bounces or bad calls etc., it's a question of the Sabres not being able to compete with the Bruins atm.

 

It needs to change, or it'll be 3-1 real soon.

[nfreeman]

Wouldn't you have to know what the trade is? All kinds of teams have playoff success without elite Vezina goaltending. The "franchise goalie" model really hasn't worked out all that well in Buffalo, has it?

In theory, yes, I'd need to know what's being offered, but elite players are almost never traded for other elite players. Usually it's a pu-pu platter of mediocre-to-decent players in exchange for the star (like the Heatley and Thornton trades). We're not going to get a top 10 NHL player for Miller, and if not, I'm not interested.

 

Solid and franchise are two adjectives for goalies that are far apart in meaning.

 

Miller will be back of course, barring something unforseen. But can we all at least agree it's time to blow up this front office and coaching staff and "core"?

 

That something unforseen could Miller bailing like Dom did. His frustration level has to be at an all-time high. He might be at the Dom stage right now. He knows the score in Buffalo. And he's a guy who, like Dom, probably feels that burning desire to win a Cup. And like Dom, he's had a taste of the world stage and celebrity life outside of Buffalo, NY.

It's not time yet. The series is 2-1. Last night's game was much more even than many here are painting it.

 

As for world stage and celebrity life outside of Buffalo -- you're singing a different tune on this, eh? Weren't you arguing last summer that players don't care what city they play in?

[Stoner]

In theory, yes, I'd need to know what's being offered, but elite players are almost never traded for other elite players. Usually it's a pu-pu platter of mediocre-to-decent players in exchange for the star (like the Heatley and Thornton trades). We're not going to get a top 10 NHL player for Miller, and if not, I'm not interested.

 

 

It's not time yet. The series is 2-1. Last night's game was much more even than many here are painting it.

 

As for world stage and celebrity life outside of Buffalo -- you're singing a different tune on this, eh? Weren't you arguing last summer that players don't care what city they play in?

 

You have the memory of an elephant, or a woman.

[Marvelo]

add into the equation that whoever the Sabres get would have to be happy in Buffalo. You don't want to trade for someone who'd be disgruntled in this environs. Someone like a Olli Jokinen.Not too many want to actively go to Buff outside of a Patrick Kane...

[Mbossy]

add into the equation that whoever the Sabres get would have to be happy in Buffalo. You don't want to trade for someone who'd be disgruntled in this environs. Someone like a Olli Jokinen.Not too many want to actively go to Buff outside of a Patrick Kane...

 

You think that Kane wants to leave Chicago right now? And come to Buffalo?

Ha.

Ha ha.

Ha, ha ha ha.

[Swedesessed]

Not going to disagree about being too small and too soft, but did you see last year's draft class? They may end up being Gaustads and Mairs, but they definitely won't be munchkins:

 

Zack Kassian - 6'3", 210lbs

Brayden McNabb - 6'4", 200lbs

Marcus Foligno - 6'2", 200lbs

Mark Adams - 6'1", 187lbs

Conner Knapp - 6'5", 215lbs (big goalie)

Maxime Legault - 6'2", 195lbs

 

 

Good post.

 

The Sabres are just an incomplete product at this point...still a young core that will get better.

 

Don't fret Sabres fans, this isn't a veteran riddled team that will be broken up after the season, they will be better in the near future.

[Rabbit151]

this is not a team built for the playoffs at all. but, i will say this...if they could move their feet they can be successful. they play way too scared. we have a fast team, but when you get caught watchin the play, and stop moving feet, you're playing right into the hands of a bigger team.

 

i know everyone is frustrated with our inability to battle for pucks and so on, but there is no substitute for speed and if they don't figure out how to use it to their advantage right now...yes, they are done.

[FearTheReaper]

Conditioning? No excuses. This is the playoffs. I don't want to hear "had he stayed healthy" stuff. He has been absolutely invisible through 3 games and that is unacceptable for a guy who's supposed to be one of our top forwards.

 

I wasn't making a point that if Tim stayed healthy he would be taking the lead in the post. I was stating that Tim was playing so well in the regular season, he would've led the team in scoring.

 

I'm not excussing him for his play right now. Just stating his conditioning is off, and that is a factor.

[FearTheReaper]

How can you say that? Vanek was out almost as long and scored 6 goals in 3 nights.

 

Well i'd say that should be almost effortless for a player with Vaneks skill set, especially after being invisible for almost half the season.

[zow2]

The Bruins look faster to me and they seem to hit much harder. Even Kaleta is just bouncing off guys when he tries to make a hit.

 

I'm not getting too down. This club is not a threat to win the cup this year. I'm just trying to enjoy being in the playoffs and not being too stressed out. I think next season is the one when we really make a serious run.