Stoner Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 No. Grier joined the Sabres after they had missed the playoffs 2 years in a row. They then won their division, finished with over 100 pts, were #4 in the NHL in defense and #9 in offense. That is the right direction. Everyone here, including me, wanted the Sabres to get a good forward in the offseason. It didn't happen. But they've added 2 guys in Niedermayer and Morrisonn who are tough SOBs and grownups. I expect them to have a positive impact on the young douchebags in the top 6. Either way, though, I don't see how anyone could claim the Sabres aren't heading in the right direction. In an ideal situation, these are good moves. Unless they come in and see the culture. I hope they can fight through an absentee owner, a psychopath non-hockey "president, a comfortable GM and coach for life, a franchise that's buying out good young players, a comfortable -- there's that word again -- underachieving Core, fans who don't cheer, no tradition of winning, an arena in a blighted area and so on... Speaking of owners, I watched the Wings clinch the Cup in 97 and it was incredible to see the emotion with which they embraced their owner, Mike Ilitch. Can anyone envision such a moment in Buffalo? I mean, one after which Golisano doesn't reach back to make sure he still has his wallet?
wonderbread Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 Let's remember that Tallinder was a huge disappointment for 3 out of the 4 years of his last contract. The invective around here regarding Tallinder was at least as bad back then as it is now about TC and Stafford. Then, in his contract year, Tallinder gets paired with the Natural, and lo and behold he is reborn. I'm confident that by the 2nd half of this season, we'll consider Leopold an upgrade over Tallinder. I also think Leopold will help the PP and that Myers will continue to improve and will help the PP and the offense. As for sideways -- we'll see. I am pretty confident that most of the following players are going to improve markedly over last year: Stafford -- contract year Vanek -- healthy Ennis -- full-time Niedermayer -- good on faceoffs, grownup, tough, size, and Cup experience -- will represent an improvement to last year's team Rivet -- healthy Myers -- transition from great rookie to great player Sekera -- experience In addition, I wouldn't be surprised if Gerbe showed something this year and I would like to see what TC can do in the playoffs if healthy. Nice post! I too remember many crucifying Tallyman. The thought of seeing them again play soft in the front of the net made me want to regurgitate. Glad some new D blood has interjected. I'm still not sold on Stafford improving markedly but I can't wait to see the team compete. PA you might want to talk to your doctor about adding Lyrica/Pregabalin as part of you MOA Inhibitor routine.
Patty16 Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 I concur. They have done nothing to help their offense, their PP, or to effectively replace Tallinder. (I don't consider Morrisonn nor Leopold an equal to Tallinder. Leopold = Lydman IMO. Morrisonn is a third tier defenseman. Yea but they got some big mean guys who will keep the guys watching the games in crappy sports bars happy.... yea we'll bash their heads in yeaaa. This team sorely lacked scoring depth, more so than toughness. They are not better than last year. Cant count on mIller to have another vezina season again.
nfreeman Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 In an ideal situation, these are good moves. Unless they come in and see the culture. I hope they can fight through an absentee owner, a psychopath non-hockey "president, a comfortable GM and coach for life, a franchise that's buying out good young players, a comfortable -- there's that word again -- underachieving Core, fans who don't cheer, no tradition of winning, an arena in a blighted area and so on... I suppose you could look at the "culture" this way. You could also view the owner as wealthy and stable (unlike about half of the NHL owners), the coach as widely respected and part of the Olympic gold medal (which is treasured in the GWN), the franchise as one that spends close to the cap every year and has given big contracts to many of its young players recently as they have grown up with the team, and the city as a great hockey city that fills the arena with knowledgeable fans every night (and sold out a football stadium for a game).
Stoner Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 Nice post! I too remember many crucifying Tallyman. The thought of seeing them again play soft in the front of the net made me want to regurgitate. Glad some new D blood has interjected. I'm still not sold on Stafford improving markedly but I can't wait to see the team compete. PA you might want to talk to your doctor about adding Lyrica/Pregabalin as part of you MOA Inhibitor routine. I threw out all my pills -- 27 bottles -- and I feel great!!! Lyrica -- tried that. The side effects (sense of contentment; hairy tongue) were too bothersome. Wait, what's Lyrica for? Didn't I see them at the Aud in 85?
Stoner Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 I suppose you could look at the "culture" this way. You could also view the owner as wealthy and stable (unlike about half of the NHL owners), the coach as widely respected and part of the Olympic gold medal (which is treasured in the GWN), the franchise as one that spends close to the cap every year and has given big contracts to many of its young players recently as they have grown up with the team, and the city as a great hockey city that fills the arena with knowledgeable fans every night (and sold out a football stadium for a game). Strip down to your waist and wrestle me. For all the marbles.
nfreeman Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 Strip down to your waist and wrestle me. For all the marbles. And then what? All the will-they-or-won't-they tension will be gone. It's way too soon to jump the shark. Maybe this will tide you over.
nfreeman Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 Back to Mancari for a minute -- I didn't realize until I checked Sabres Edge that he's led Portland in scoring for 3 years in a row. I wonder what the main hitch is with him making the NHL. Does anyone remember Mal Davis? He was another AHL scoring machine for the Sabres/Amerks that never made it in the NHL. Wicked wrist shot, and it seemed like he pumped it in every chance he got. He never got more than 47 games in an NHL season, although he played 14 years as a pro (6 of which were in Europe).
jpgr909 Posted August 11, 2010 Report Posted August 11, 2010 Back to Mancari for a minute -- I didn't realize until I checked Sabres Edge that he's led Portland in scoring for 3 years in a row. I wonder what the main hitch is with him making the NHL. I haven't seen enough of Mancari to give an opinion, but I'll speculate that it's his slothlike skating style and lack of defensive acumen. That said, he has lit it up in the minors like you said, so I wouldn't mind at least giving him a solid, non-Ruffian shot. The guy scores and sets up his teammates pretty regularly. Maybe that won't translate to the NHL, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get a chance to prove folks right or wrong. It'll never happen though.
bunomatic Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Regiers simply treading water, I don't see a big improvement over last season. The problem is that the sabres have missed a real opportunity to 'build' off of last years regular season success and 'learn' from their post season collapse and they've decided to do neither which is sad for the franchise and for the fans.
Marvelo Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Hopefully Mancari will become Gaustad 2.0 and they can let Paul and his zero goals in thirty playoff games go to "greener" pastures.
Kristian Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Hopefully Mancari will become Gaustad 2.0 and they can let Paul and his zero goals in thirty playoff games go to "greener" pastures. But, but, but..... He wins faceoffs....! And he hits..!!
Marvelo Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 But, but, but..... He wins faceoffs....! And he hits..!! Sure. And he's a good community man too. He makes great commercials like...blue plus yellow equals green. (blah!) I really don't have to explain that Gaustad is a 7th rounder who plays like one and for his size, he gets injured alot and of course, there's those legendary hands of stone... I'd love to see him go somewhere else. Isn't Mancari a 7th rounder too? It would be a classic Regier move to replace a 7th rounder with another 7th rounder.
korab rules Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Back to Mancari for a minute -- I didn't realize until I checked Sabres Edge that he's led Portland in scoring for 3 years in a row. I wonder what the main hitch is with him making the NHL. Does anyone remember Mal Davis? He was another AHL scoring machine for the Sabres/Amerks that never made it in the NHL. Wicked wrist shot, and it seemed like he pumped it in every chance he got. He never got more than 47 games in an NHL season, although he played 14 years as a pro (6 of which were in Europe). Everything I have seen says he doesn't use his size, doesn't back check, and is generally lazy. Add an affection for guitar hero and he's stafford.
korab rules Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 But, but, but..... He wins faceoffs....! And he used to hit..!! Fixed that for you :thumbsup:
nobody Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Everything I have seen says he doesn't use his size, doesn't back check, and is generally lazy. Add an affection for guitar hero and he's stafford. Now now - Stafford actually plays a real guitar.
Kristian Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Fixed that for you :thumbsup: Actually, I should've have written "he bounces off people" :-)
inkman Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 I really don't have to explain that Gaustad is a 7th rounder who plays like one and for his size, he gets injured alot and of course, there's those legendary hands of stone... I'd love to see him go somewhere else. Isn't Mancari a 7th rounder too? It would be a classic Regier move to replace a 7th rounder with another 7th rounder. Gaustad is the Sabres 4th line center. He fills the role adequately.
Patty16 Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Gaustad is the Sabres 4th line center. He fills the role adequately. he makes way too much for 4th line center
inkman Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 he makes way too much for 4th line center Almost everyone on the Sabres is overpaid. Who isn't? Derek Roy & Mike Grier?
Marvelo Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Gaustad has heart and he's from Fargo, ND-USA which I like. But he's been injured way too much: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=2616 Then again he could have career year, but I think the injuries have caught up to him.
Patty16 Posted August 12, 2010 Report Posted August 12, 2010 Almost everyone on the Sabres is overpaid. Who isn't? Derek Roy & Mike Grier? Miller. myers. etc show me 4th line centermen making more than him ?
inkman Posted August 13, 2010 Report Posted August 13, 2010 Miller. myers. etc show me 4th line centermen making more than him ? No argument there but Myers is on his rookie deal and I'm not so sure teams need to spend 6 mill plus on a goalie.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.