Go Sabres

[North Buffalo]

Mitchell is a very good defenceman, but losing to Chicago two seasons in a row has taught Vancouver the importance of speed and mobility from the backend. While Mitchell is among the best in defending, you don't win games, especially playoff games, by just defending. You win playoff games, and series, by pushing the pace of games and controlling the flow. Last year Chicago had just ridiculous time in the offensive zone versus time in the defensive zone stats.

 

Yes, Willie Mitchell is blood-and-guts, but that has also made his durability and issue, especially now with a lingering concussion issue. Most Vancouver fans would have loved to keep him at around 2 million for 1 year, but were blown away by the numbers Los Angeles gave him. To be honest, I've never been a huge fan of him though, and was glad to see him go, though happy for the time he gave us. Just too painful seeing the puck come to him at the point. He did also make an unbelievable mistake in Game 5 of the 2008-2009 Chicago series that allowed Chicago to tie the game up and win it in OT, and was just generally awful against Chicago's fast, balanced, two-way squad.

 

I look at Buffalo and don't think they need a guy like Mitchell. I do actually think your team is very close. I think they need another top pairing, two-way defenceman, to give them a one-two punch like last year's finalists Chicago (Keith and Seabrook) and Philadelphia (Pronger and Timonen). Also a two-way heart and soul second liner a la Patrick Sharp would be huge. Difficult assets to acquire though, and no team is perfect at the end of the day.

 

Welcome to the board. Other than Luongo and Sedin twins, not really up on Vancouver's team. Still a fun team to watch and a Sabres Canucks matchup would be great, I agree. Where is Harold Snepps when you need him.

 

I can't wait till the year starts. Keep us posted on the Canuck progress and foibles this year. P.S. I couldn't agree more with your take on the Sabres forwards. Besides the Tin Man Connolly, fans would love get rid of to perennial under-performer Stafford another skills guys with no heart or courage. At least Kennedy had that. I am hoping that some of the young guns like Kassian, Adam and Foligno make the big club, though it doesn't sound likely early in the year. If Adam and Kassian can show some scoring touch with their toughness along with Ennis, the Sabres might be able to get rid of some of their dead weight.

 

Here is hoping, because they didn't do it during free agency.

[That Aud Smell]

The team was leading LATE in Game 1 when Harold Snepsts had some sort of a mindfart in his own end that allowed the Isles to take it to OT. They lost that one and then never really competed the rest of the series.

thanks taro. off to youtube for that one.

 

maybe i have another west coast team in mind. i have this memory of watching a game when i was a kid (a highlight, more likely) where a defensive player was along the right-hand boards in his own zone -- he could've been moving up ice or, maybe more likely, was moving towards his own goal line -- and he wrists the puck sharply in an effort to send it to a teammate (i can't recall if it was headed behind his net or across the crease) -- but the puck instead ends up behind his goalie (i think it actually went far side on the goalie, not near side).

 

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju1Gfa_muak

[MattPie]

Damn I miss hockey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and testys.

 

I'm not touching that with my 10" pole. ;)

[FogBat]

Welcome to the board. Other than Luongo and Sedin twins, not really up on Vancouver's team. Still a fun team to watch and a Sabres Canucks matchup would be great, I agree. Where is Harold Snepps when you need him.

 

I can't wait till the year starts. Keep us posted on the Canuck progress and foibles this year. P.S. I couldn't agree more with your take on the Sabres forwards. Besides the Tin Man Connolly, fans would love get rid of to perennial under-performer Stafford another skills guys with no heart or courage. At least Kennedy had that. I am hoping that some of the young guns like Kassian, Adam and Foligno make the big club, though it doesn't sound likely early in the year. If Adam and Kassian can show some scoring touch with their toughness along with Ennis, the Sabres might be able to get rid of some of their dead weight.

 

Here is hoping, because they didn't do it during free agency.

I was trying to figure out who would get my next gift avatar. You just made my job that much easier.

[Best Coast]

I forgot to ask you guys a really obvious hockey question.

 

What do you guys think of the Canucks signing Torres?

 

I know he didn't play well for you, but is there reason for optimism?

[rickshaw]

Well,well,well, another Canucks fan in the midst. Welcome. I do live in Kelowna but was born in Vancouver so they are most definitely my 1-A team, with the Sabres my definitive #1.

 

I for one would absolutely hate it if the Sabres and Nucks made it to the Finals. I obviously want both teams to win one but I would despise the Canucks if we played head to head.

 

I know how much it would mean to Vancity to win it all but I don't want to see that at Buffalo's expense. It's funny but when the Canucks aren't playing Buffalo I am right there cheering them on, getting pissed at the refs etc. But when they play Buffalo it amazes me how much I hate Burrows and Rypien etc. I really don't want a Canucks win. Ultimately I always wish for a Sabres OT victory but I don't get my way too often. Having said that, the teams are remarkably close head to head all time. I believe Vancouver has one more win overall.

 

Anyway, welcome to the board. It'll be interesting to see if Morrison gets back on with Vancouver again.

 

Rickshaw.

[rickshaw]

thanks taro. off to youtube for that one.

 

maybe i have another west coast team in mind. i have this memory of watching a game when i was a kid (a highlight, more likely) where a defensive player was along the right-hand boards in his own zone -- he could've been moving up ice or, maybe more likely, was moving towards his own goal line -- and he wrists the puck sharply in an effort to send it to a teammate (i can't recall if it was headed behind his net or across the crease) -- but the puck instead ends up behind his goalie (i think it actually went far side on the goalie, not near side).

 

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju1Gfa_muak

 

 

Why Harold, why? Off the boards and out my man, not up the middle to Mister 50 goals! I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Marvelo]

I forgot to ask you guys a really obvious hockey question.

 

What do you guys think of the Canucks signing Torres?

 

I know he didn't play well for you, but is there reason for optimism?

 

Not sure what to make of Torres. It could be Steve Bernier Pt 2 for the Nucks, but I think he's more skilled and more physical, and more instinctive...he's a bit of a freelancer.

 

Apparently Torres reported out of shape to Buffalo at the trading deadline, and skating (apparently not shooting and scoring) is the name of the game in Buffalo. Still, at 19 goals, he was 2nd on the team in goals when he joined for the playoff run. I think he was effective physically and made plays, but did not have one goal while playing for Bflo. The fans got on him for that and he eventually got benched. I don't think he was ever in synch with Ruff's "system" and maybe he couldn't keep up. He's a power FW and Buffalo doesn't have a recent good history with those or with deadline pickups in general. IMO Ruff's system I think is suspect too and Lindy might have felt his hand was forced into playing this guy.

 

Torres should be a better fit in Vancouver with the more skilled players you have. I understand he's a streaky player so he can pile up goals and I think he'll be good on the PP, open up space for your skill guys and will have opportunities to put some garbage goals in. I see at least 25 if not 30 goals from him.

[bunomatic]

He looked pretty good in that slug Jersey last year only because it fit like a second skin. He defined the term unproffesional with the sabres showing up in terrible condition and was perhaps one of Regiers worst deadline signings in recent memory. If he shows up in good condition he'll help the nucks. Too bad he $hit the bed in Buffalo. We could have used A determined Torres against Boston.

[shrader]

Well,well,well, another Canucks fan in the midst. Welcome. I do live in Kelowna but was born in Vancouver so they are most definitely my 1-A team, with the Sabres my definitive #1.

 

I for one would absolutely hate it if the Sabres and Nucks made it to the Finals. I obviously want both teams to win one but I would despise the Canucks if we played head to head.

 

I know how much it would mean to Vancity to win it all but I don't want to see that at Buffalo's expense. It's funny but when the Canucks aren't playing Buffalo I am right there cheering them on, getting pissed at the refs etc. But when they play Buffalo it amazes me how much I hate Burrows and Rypien etc. I really don't want a Canucks win. Ultimately I always wish for a Sabres OT victory but I don't get my way too often. Having said that, the teams are remarkably close head to head all time. I believe Vancouver has one more win overall.

 

Anyway, welcome to the board. It'll be interesting to see if Morrison gets back on with Vancouver again.

 

Rickshaw.

 

You've been very clear on the Kelowna thing in the past, but I don't remember you ever mentioning that you were born in Vancouver. How did you end up as a Sabre fan? I always assumed you moved from here out to BC, but now that's not so clear anymore.

[nfreeman]

Why Harold, why? Off the boards and out my man, not up the middle to Mister 50 goals! I remember it like it was yesterday.

Wow. I don't remember that one. Painful way to lose a playoff game. It actually reminded me of the one the Sabres lost last spring when Recchi took the puck away from Kennedy in the corner.

 

And Bossy was indeed the worst guy to turn it over to -- you might have called him Mr. 60 goals, as he scored 60+ in 4 out of 5 years and 5 out of 8 for the Islanders (starting the year after he introduced himself to the NHL with 53). After Gretzky, he was the greatest goalscorer I have ever seen.

 

Not sure what to make of Torres. It could be Steve Bernier Pt 2 for the Nucks, but I think he's more skilled and more physical, and more instinctive...he's a bit of a freelancer.

 

Apparently Torres reported out of shape to Buffalo at the trading deadline, and skating (apparently not shooting and scoring) is the name of the game in Buffalo. Still, at 19 goals, he was 2nd on the team in goals when he joined for the playoff run. I think he was effective physically and made plays, but did not have one goal while playing for Bflo. The fans got on him for that and he eventually got benched. I don't think he was ever in synch with Ruff's "system" and maybe he couldn't keep up. He's a power FW and Buffalo doesn't have a recent good history with those or with deadline pickups in general. IMO Ruff's system I think is suspect too and Lindy might have felt his hand was forced into playing this guy.

 

Torres should be a better fit in Vancouver with the more skilled players you have. I understand he's a streaky player so he can pile up goals and I think he'll be good on the PP, open up space for your skill guys and will have opportunities to put some garbage goals in. I see at least 25 if not 30 goals from him.

Good summary. I agree with most of this, although I think Zubrus was a good pickup who unfortunately got hurt in the playoffs when they really needed him. I also think Torres has the ability to rebound and be a good asset for the Canucks, but it's hard to be confident that this will happen since he kinda crapped the bed during his chance to showcase himself for a big UFA contract.

 

He definitely has a taste for laying out a big hit when a kill shot presents itself, as well as the physical frame to deliver it.

 

He looked pretty good in that slug Jersey last year only because it fit like a second skin. He defined the term unproffesional with the sabres showing up in terrible condition and was perhaps one of Regiers worst deadline signings in recent memory. If he shows up in good condition he'll help the nucks. Too bad he $hit the bed in Buffalo. We could have used A determined Torres against Boston.

Another good post on Torres. I agree in particular with the bolded part.

 

 

 

[rickshaw]

You've been very clear on the Kelowna thing in the past, but I don't remember you ever mentioning that you were born in Vancouver. How did you end up as a Sabre fan? I always assumed you moved from here out to BC, but now that's not so clear anymore.

 

 

I lived in the Lower Mainland area until I moved to Kelowna at age 33. I started getting into hockey when the Sabres made the Finals in '75. Cool unis (like now again) and the French Connection, fog bowl game, Rick Martin bat slap and I was hooked.

 

Went to many Canucks/Sabres battles over the years with the Canucks winning more than they lost. I haven't been to a clash since I moved to Kelowna (it's a 5 hr drive in good weather) but I plan to next year. I do hope to get to see a game in Buffalo one day.

 

That is my story.

[nobody]

The Canucks play an even more up tempo game then the Sabres - so Torres will have to be in extra good shape.