Marc-Andre Gragnani

[inkman]

So, it's seems as if there is a large divide between Sabres fans about the future of MAG. I personally think he never sniffs NHL duty, what's your take?

[tom webster]

So, it's seems as if there is a large divide between Sabres fans about the future of MAG. I personally think he never sniffs NHL duty, what's your take?

 

 

As I said in another thread, strictly 6th or 7th d-man, if that. His greatest value to the team may be as a throw in. He is the kind of guy that another GM can convince his fan base has some potential.

[LabattBlue]

I personally think he never sniffs NHL duty, what's your take?

I agree.

[shrader]

There's a slot available for either him or Weber. Gragnani's going to be the odd man out there. If by some chance they open the year with both guys on the roster, that blue line is in a lot of trouble.

[static70]

Gragnani has shown great offensive defenseman capabilities in the AHL. He is going to be the new 7th Dman for the Sabres.

I don't like what is coming here, but honestly, I think Buffalo deals either Sekera or Butler this off season. If its Sekera, Gragnani comes up, if its Butler, Gragnani does not come up.

 

Just a hunch though.

 

As I stated in earlier posts, I had a chance to catch over 50 Pirates games this last season, he looked good, especially on the PP.

[nfreeman]

Gragnani has shown great offensive defenseman capabilities in the AHL. He is going to be the new 7th Dman for the Sabres.

I don't like what is coming here, but honestly, I think Buffalo deals either Sekera or Butler this off season. If its Sekera, Gragnani comes up, if its Butler, Gragnani does not come up.

Just out of curiosity -- why do you think this? They've historically been pretty patient with defensemen.

 

As for MAG, he's had 3 full years in the AHL, with pretty solid scoring numbers for a defenseman, so it seems like it's about time for him to step up.

 

I hate to say it, because like everyone else I want Weber to grab a top 6 slot this year and become a physical presence on the Sabres' blue line, but he hasn't seized the opportunity yet. I could see Gragnani beating Weber out.

[Two or less]

You ask me this two years ago and I would say def makes it. The last year in rochester he had a very strong year. Something like he was 3rd in ahl in pts in the final 30 or so games. However, he hasn't improved at all last two years. He needed to improve on his success but didn't step up his game. So I'd be shocked if he plays in the nhl with any regularity.

 

Although, I never thought nate would play as many games as he did either but he's not as soft as MAG.

[LabattBlue]

You ask me this two years ago and I would say def makes it. The last year in rochester he had a very strong year. Something like he was 3rd in ahl in pts in the final 30 or so games. However, he hasn't improved at all last two years. He needed to improve on his success but didn't step up his game. So I'd be shocked if he plays in the nhl with any regularity.

 

Although, I never thought nate would play as many games as he did either but he's not as soft as MAG.

If I remember correctly, Gragnani played forward for most of the 2nd half of the season you are referring to. Based on his point totals and his mediocre play in the defensive zone, I have no idea why they didn't move him to forward permanently the next season.

[static70]

Just out of curiosity -- why do you think this? They've historically been pretty patient with defensemen.

 

As for MAG, he's had 3 full years in the AHL, with pretty solid scoring numbers for a defenseman, so it seems like it's about time for him to step up.

 

I hate to say it, because like everyone else I want Weber to grab a top 6 slot this year and become a physical presence on the Sabres' blue line, but he hasn't seized the opportunity yet. I could see Gragnani beating Weber out.

The comments made by Dineen and Regier in both in season and post season interviews as well as some of the comments made by his team mates that they feel he is playing very well this past season.

 

Just a hunch, but Gragnani may push Sekera or Butler out, it depends on his training camp I would imagine. And I don't disagree with many on here that his time in the AHL hasn't been all star spectacular, but this past season he was a solid member of the PP down in Portland.

When I watched him with the puck he was tape to tape passing and putting the shots where he wanted on net, both in close as well as from the point. To me in any event, that was a marked improvement over past seasons.

[Two or less]

The comments made by Dineen and Regier in both in season and post season interviews as well as some of the comments made by his team mates that they feel he is playing very well this past season.

 

Just a hunch, but Gragnani may push Sekera or Butler out, it depends on his training camp I would imagine. And I don't disagree with many on here that his time in the AHL hasn't been all star spectacular, but this past season he was a solid member of the PP down in Portland.

When I watched him with the puck he was tape to tape passing and putting the shots where he wanted on net, both in close as well as from the point. To me in any event, that was a marked improvement over past seasons.

 

I am not too sure about this. Butler did struggle, so i will be interested to see what kind of player he comes in at next year but i don't think he's a top-6 d-men right now. I think he's a spare part. I think Buffalo will re-sign one of Hank and Lydman and then sign someone else. I don't think they will give the spot to a young player like they did this past off-season at forward.

 

As for Sekera, i thought he struggled early in the season but had a very strong Olympics and played very well i thought post-Olympic break. It's taken him a while to arrive but i think he'll be a mainstay in the Sabres lineup next year.

[shrader]

The funny thing about all of this is as the roster currently stands, Sekera is our second most "seasoned vet" on the blue line to start the year. They absolutely cannot go into the year like that. Either they bring back at least one of the Tallinder/Lydman combo or they find another vet somewhere else.

[deluca67]

There's a slot available for either him or Weber. Gragnani's going to be the odd man out there. If by some chance they open the year with both guys on the roster, that blue line is in a lot of trouble.

It can't be any worse than this year's corp. Myers was the only saving grace.

[shrader]

[/b]

It can't be any worse than this year's corp. Myers was the only saving grace.

 

Take that group and replace Tallinder and Lydman with Gragnani and Weber. Then see if you'd still say the same thing.

[nfreeman]

[/b]

It can't be any worse than this year's corp. Myers was the only saving grace.

 

Tallinder had a very good year.

[tom webster]

[/b]

It can't be any worse than this year's corp. Myers was the only saving grace.

 

 

That's just stupid. They were 4th in the Jennings race. They may not be as physical as you like, but they were effective.

[Stoner]

[/b]

It can't be any worse than this year's corp. Myers was the only saving grace.

 

I thought he was pretty good. Started a lot of gameday threads.

[deluca67]

That's just stupid. They were 4th in the Jennings race. They may not be as physical as you like, but they were effective.

What is "stupid" is to think their 4th place finish in the Jennings race had anything to do with anyone other than Miller. The Sabres were 20th in shots allowed and 23rd in blocked shots.

[inkman]

MAG=Marc Mancari

 

great ahl player with serious holes in their games preventing NHL success

[nfreeman]

MAG=Marc Mancari

 

great ahl player with serious holes in their games preventing NHL success

 

This is a very possible outcome, but I don't think we've seen enough of MAG at the NHL level to make the call yet. He's been surpassed in the organization by Myers, Sekera and Butler, although Sekera was drafted in 2004, a year before MAG (Butler was drafted the same year as, and one round later than, MAG). MAG is only 23 and I think will have a real opportunity this year to fight it out with Weber for a top-6 spot.

[TheChimp]

What is "stupid" is to think their 4th place finish in the Jennings race had anything to do with anyone other than Miller. The Sabres were 20th in shots allowed and 23rd in blocked shots.

Ouch, Owned. :lol:

[tom webster]

Ouch, Owned. :lol:

 

 

Please, the team wins the division, is among the best in penalty killing, finishes 4th in goals against and he thinks its all about Miller with a little assist from Myers.

On top of that he keeps falling back on one of the most un-official stats in the game. Maybe he can post the link for those blocked shots.

[SwampD]

Please, the team wins the division, is among the best in penalty killing, finishes 4th in goals against and he thinks its all about Miller with a little assist from Myers.

On top of that he keeps falling back on one of the most un-official stats in the game. Maybe he can post the link for those blocked shots.

Not to high-jack or anything but your post would have meant so much more if you had just left out "wins the division." I can probably go back ten years and tell you who won the AFC East in football because it actually means something. I couldn't tell you who won the Northeast last year, because in hockey it just doesn't matter. It's all about 1 through 8.

[VansTheMans]

Never really been impressed with Gragnani.

 

I would much rather see Weber up for NHL duty next season. He is what our blueline could use. Mean, hard hitting physical stay at home defense.

[deluca67]

Please, the team wins the division, is among the best in penalty killing, finishes 4th in goals against and he thinks its all about Miller with a little assist from Myers.

On top of that he keeps falling back on one of the most un-official stats in the game. Maybe he can post the link for those blocked shots.

The Sabres do very well in stats that Miller directly effects. You have yet to help your case one bit.

 

Except on a few occasions Miller faced far too many shots and far too many quality scoring chances each night. Other stats that reflect poorly on the teams defense are the Sabres being dead last in hits and 23rd in takeaways.

 

To recap, in the statistical categories that you can measure a defense on that are not directly effected by goaltending the Sabres consistently rank in the bottom third of the league. In statistical categories that are directly related to goaltending they rank at he top of the league.

[deluca67]

Never really been impressed with Gragnani.

 

I would much rather see Weber up for NHL duty next season. He is what our blueline could use. Mean, hard hitting physical stay at home defense.

Why not just commit 100% to a youth movement on the blueline. Go with Myers, Sekera, Butler, Weber, Gragnani and Persson. Is keeping hacks like Rivet or Montagor going to make any difference? No! If the Sabres aren't going to go big-time and bring in a true #1 blueliner to play along side Myers they might as well stick to what they have. Continuing their same old half a$$ed efforts won't make a difference at all.