GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[thesportsbuff]

Yeah, we have an awesome team of goal-scorers who know how to finish. :rolleyes:

 

You have an incredibly astute eye for hockey. Way to single out the 20 year old rookie with 18 games of NHL experience and limited ice time as the issue with this year's Buffalo Sabres team.

 

Yes, because I clearly stated that I believe he's the only problem with the team. :rolleyes:

[Robviously]

Yes, because I clearly stated that I believe he's the only problem with the team.

You singled him out as the reason you didn't want to watch the game.

[Stoner]

Why is Neidermayer on this team again?? Its been a disaster.

 

That's what I wanna know? How is Neidermayer out there again? Typo on his jersey for the second straight game!

[rickshaw]

All I know is, tonight's result couldn't be better for the future of this team. Seriously, there are only 6 teams lower than the Sabres in the standings. Please, please, please Buffalo, go on a losing streak. I want a top 2 or 3 pick. New owner, new direction, good pick, quick rebuild. It can happen.

[Bmwolf21]

Because he's Scott's brother and the Sabres thought by throwing his name on the roster it would excite some fans. They were right.

Sorta like drafting Gretzky's little brother all over again, huh...

[bunomatic]

What's a looser?

Aparently someone that can't spell. :blink:

[thesportsbuff]

All I know is, tonight's result couldn't be better for the future of this team. Seriously, there are only 6 teams lower than the Sabres in the standings. Please, please, please Buffalo, go on a losing streak. I want a top 2 or 3 pick. New owner, new direction, good pick, quick rebuild. It can happen.

 

Last year was the year to tank. This year's draft class is much weaker. Can't remember if it was On the Fly or one of the radio shows on NHL Network but a lot of so called "hockey people" don't think there's an NHL-ready player in the draft. Definitely no Tavares/Hall/Seguin quality players.

[OverPowerYou]

Well, Tim Kennedy wanted $200,000 more than the team wanted to pay him. So we ditched him and spent even more money on Neidermayer.

 

Maybe Rob is pissed because the team can't even spell his name right on the sweater.

 

We don't even have the right Neidermayer on our team. We couldn't get Scott, we thought we got Rob, so we found some other guy named N(i)edermayer, maybe that's why he sucks.

[Hawerchuk]

And a terrible PP to go with it. I cant wait till new owner is announced at all star game

Amen to that brother!!

[rickshaw]

Last year was the year to tank. This year's draft class is much weaker. Can't remember if it was On the Fly or one of the radio shows on NHL Network but a lot of so called "hockey people" don't think there's an NHL-ready player in the draft. Definitely no Tavares/Hall/Seguin quality players.

 

It is what it is, but the lower pick can't hurt, that's all I'm sayin'

[Weave]

He's also whiffed on 4 or 5 that any other Sabre would have cashed. If Lindy wants to play him on the third and fourth lines and teach him how to HIT something or at the very least make contact with somebody, then that's acceptable. Don't play him on the first and second line and on the powerplay when the kid is a baboon with brick hands. But alas, that's the Lindy Ruff experience

 

You have seen the Sabres roster, right? Would you be happier with Gaustad centering the 2nd line? Center isn't exactly a position of depth on that squad.

[inkman]

I was watching end of Rangers game at Habs and with 6 skaters on the ice to try and tie the game Drury was on the bench

The sabres really had a roster full of players that benefitted from the "new" NHL more than any other team. Drury, Max , Roy, Vanek, Connolly, and to a lesser extent Breire and Campbell excelled in the no touch league. When the league went back to most of them were ineffective.

[darksabre]

Boy am I glad I don't have Miller as a fantasy goalie. What a letdown he's been this year. If he isn't gonna put the team on his back then why even play?

[tulax]

Unfortunately, this team is filled with too many complimentary players who have been pieced together under a delusion that a "system" will be enough to carry them to the playoffs. Large investments have been made in skaters, Vanek and Pominville, who, while responsible in their own zone, are very one-dimensional on offense. The "play-makers," Connolly, Roy and Stafford, have fallen to injury or complete ineffectiveness due to what appears to be often extended hangovers that carry over for weeks/months following a poor game or two. When I watch Sabres games I find that many of the players are completely ineffective at making/finding space on their own, an essential skill for top 6 forwards in todays NHL. I feel it's what has made Cody McCormick, as depressing as it is to say, their most effective player in recent games. He is able to use the physical component to enhance his offensive effectiveness rather than negate his offensive opportunities. Yet, it's not even about being the biggest, strongest, fastest, or toughest. Players with smaller frames and slighter builds, St. Louis, Gionta, Parise, and our good friend Briere, have been very effective because they have a knack for finding soft spots in the defense and capitalizing on their opportunities. The Sabres clearly are going in the way of size and physicality by drafting players like Foligno and Kassian, but, I would argue that a player of most sizes and shapes can play in the league as long as they possess the above attributes.

[thesportsbuff]

Unfortunately, this team is filled with too many complimentary players who have been pieced together under a delusion that a "system" will be enough to carry them to the playoffs. Large investments have been made in skaters, Vanek and Pominville, who, while responsible in their own zone, are very one-dimensional on offense. The "play-makers," Connolly, Roy and Stafford, have fallen to injury or complete ineffectiveness due to what appears to be often extended hangovers that carry over for weeks/months following a poor game or two. When I watch Sabres games I find that many of the players are completely ineffective at making/finding space on their own, an essential skill for top 6 forwards in todays NHL. I feel it's what has made Cody McCormick, as depressing as it is to say, their most effective player in recent games. He is able to use the physical component to enhance his offensive effectiveness rather than negate his offensive opportunities. Yet, it's not even about being the biggest, strongest, fastest, or toughest. Players with smaller frames and slighter builds, St. Louis, Gionta, Parise, and our good friend Briere, have been very effective because they have a knack for finding soft spots in the defense and capitalizing on their opportunities. The Sabres clearly are going in the way of size and physicality by drafting players like Foligno and Kassian, but, I would argue that a player of most sizes and shapes can play in the league as long as they possess the above attributes.

 

+1

[Marvelo]

This team was built just to eke into the playoffs and get eliminated in the first round, so that Lindy and Darcy can keep their toeholds on their jobs. It certainly wasn't built to win the Stanley Cup.

[deluca67]

And a terrible PP to go with it. I cant wait till new owner is announced at all star game

The announcement is going to improve the power-play? New ownership doesn't mean a white knight is going to ride into the Sabres Nation and instantly make everything OK. All it means is that one of the names we will complain about is going to change. It's not going to make any of the players on the roster better and it is not going make a roster full of bad contracts disappear. Just because he donated $88 mil to a college doesn't mean he is going to pay $21 mil to Pominville, Hecht and Gaustad not to play hockey by buying them out.

 

The state that Regier has this franchise in right now is dire. It's a situation much like the Bills. It has to get much worse before it starts getting better. That process doesn't begin until Regier is fired and a new GM is brought in.

[donteatyellowsnow]

Boy am I glad I don't have Miller as a fantasy goalie. What a letdown he's been this year. If he isn't gonna put the team on his back then why even play?

 

 

Miller stinks. Bad rebounds, out of position too much. He's not a good goalie.

 

Why in the world would he go down to his knees on that kind of odd man rush play when Sekera flopped to take away the bottom to Ryans right. The shot went over Millers shoulder for a goal but why would he go down, there was zero chance of the puck going in low as Sekera had taken away the pass and the low part of the space in front of Miller. There was only one place to shoot the puck, up high, and that is exactly what the shooter did. Problem was Miller didn't seem to understand that situation. He needs to be better. Bad goaltending is not good for a teams playoff hopes.

[Stoner]

The announcement is going to improve the power-play? New ownership doesn't mean a white knight is going to ride into the Sabres Nation and instantly make everything OK. All it means is that one of the names we will complain about is going to change. It's not going to make any of the players on the roster better and it is not going make a roster full of bad contracts disappear. Just because he donated $88 mil to a college doesn't mean he is going to pay $21 mil to Pominville, Hecht and Gaustad not to play hockey by buying them out.

 

The state that Regier has this franchise in right now is dire. It's a situation much like the Bills. It has to get much worse before it starts getting better. That process doesn't begin until Regier is fired and a new GM is brought in.

 

I was thinking about this yesterday. An owner with the financial wherewithal of TP has the luxury of allowing the team to get worse before it gets better. So what if attendance slumps? They have no leverage on TP if squeaking out a few million dollars profit isn't his thing. Do the right thing, Terry. No Bandaids. Get this team into radical reconstructive surgery stat. Some half-moves could get this team back into the playoffs and appease the fan base, but that's not the goal.

 

So, yes, I think the honeymoon could be short. Which is fine with me as long as the right moves are being made.

[bob_sauve28]

The announcement is going to improve the power-play? New ownership doesn't mean a white knight is going to ride into the Sabres Nation and instantly make everything OK. All it means is that one of the names we will complain about is going to change. It's not going to make any of the players on the roster better and it is not going make a roster full of bad contracts disappear. Just because he donated $88 mil to a college doesn't mean he is going to pay $21 mil to Pominville, Hecht and Gaustad not to play hockey by buying them out.

 

The state that Regier has this franchise in right now is dire. It's a situation much like the Bills. It has to get much worse before it starts getting better. That process doesn't begin until Regier is fired and a new GM is brought in.

I don't think its that bad at all. This team could use a free agent up grade and turn it around pretty quick I think

[spndnchz]

Poor defense and bad giveaways. That sums up last night.

[donteatyellowsnow]

Poor defense and bad giveaways. That sums up last night.

 

I hear that, and they need to improve, but at what point is the goalie held responsible for failing at his job?

 

If blame is going to be thrown around, the goaltender needs to be mentioned in that blame.

[inkman]

Poor defense and bad giveaways. That sums up last night.

Aww...and you got to watch a ###### hockey game.

[deluca67]

I don't think its that bad at all. This team could use a free agent up grade and turn it around pretty quick I think

It really depends how deep the apathy runs within the franchise. Is it limited to Regier's office? You are also talking about a Montreal style free agent spending spree. Even if a new owner came in and demanded a "free agent upgrade" I'm not sure if the front office, as it is currently situated, would know how to get this done. This is a front office that has no experience in the A and B level free agent markets. They have only dabbled a bit in the D and E level free agent markets. If there is going to be a purge of the roster that is replenished by free agency it needs to be done by someone who is currently not part of the organization's hockey department.

[carpandean]

It really depends how deep the apathy runs within the franchise. Is it limited to Regier's office? You are also talking about a Montreal style free agent spending spree. Even if a new owner came in and demanded a "free agent upgrade" I'm not sure if the front office, as it is currently situated, would know how to get this done. This is a front office that has no experience in the A and B level free agent markets. They have only dabbled a bit in the D and E level free agent markets. If there is going to be a purge of the roster that is replenished by free agency it needs to be done by someone who is currently not part of the organization's hockey department.

Teams aren't successfully rebuilt through free agency alone. Montreal is not significantly better than they were before their rebuild. There are rarely, if ever, A level free agents; there are usually just B level free agents at A level prices (you've already balked at Brad Richards for $7 million, but that's the best FA center deal you will get this year, if he's even available come July 1.) That is fine for one or two players, but to successfully rebuild a franchise takes shrewd moves in all methods of change: free agency, trades and drafting. I haven't been as impressed with Regier's draft history as some - his early picks haven't been that great, he's admitted to relying on scouts more for latter round picks where they've done better, and the high % that become NHL players is artificially inflated by the fact that he has built a mediocre team with his own draft picks - and he has done very little in recent years in terms of significant trades or signings. Whether or not that is because he has had his hands tied, nobody here knows, but if this team is going to get where we all want it to, we're going to need a GM who explores all options available, has the courage to utilize each of them, but also the smarts enough not to get drawn in toward any one too far. That includes free agency (see, for example, the New York Rangers.) This team has been too far in one extreme and the solution is not to go too far in another; its to have a balanced, but aggressive approach.