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spndnchz

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Posted

Gerbe was a beast tonight. A real grizzly squirrel. And Tyler Myers was huge. Mancari don't look so bad on the big club. Too bad everyone on this board has him pegged as a career A.H.L.er

Gerbe was awesome tonight. He's really turning into something after a painfully slow start that had me worried about his future.

 

As for Mancari and this board's reaction to him, you have to remember that this board has hated pretty much everyone on the team at some point. Early in the year, Weber blew it in a game against Boston and people were coming out of the woodwork to say he sucks and doesn't belong in the NHL. Months later, he's had the second best +/- on the team (behind Montador) for most of the season.

 

Vanek sucked, then he didn't. Gerbe sucked, then he didn't. Pominville sucked, the he didn't. Miller sucked, then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't, then he did but maybe he was hurt, but maybe he wasn't, but now he doesn't suck anymore, but now he sucks again and maybe he shouldn't have gotten engaged, oh but now he's good again, but maybe he's not great, but but but...

Posted

Gerbe was awesome tonight. He's really turning into something after a painfully slow start that had me worried about his future.

 

As for Mancari and this board's reaction to him, you have to remember that this board has hated pretty much everyone on the team at some point. Early in the year, Weber blew it in a game against Boston and people were coming out of the woodwork to say he sucks and doesn't belong in the NHL. Months later, he's had the second best +/- on the team (behind Montador) for most of the season.

 

Vanek sucked, then he didn't. Gerbe sucked, then he didn't. Pominville sucked, the he didn't. Miller sucked, then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't, then he did but maybe he was hurt, but maybe he wasn't, but now he doesn't suck anymore, but now he sucks again and maybe he shouldn't have gotten engaged, oh but now he's good again, but maybe he's not great, but but but...

I get what you're saying but earlier in the year I made the mistake of suggesting that maybe Mancari deserved a shot ( as he was tearing it up in Portland ) and the venom I got in return for even having the nerve to suggest such a thing was quite over the top. The sentiment amongst many posters was that he would never make it because he never had. Anyways, he had a good game tonight ( 3 points ) and hasn't looked out of place in the games he's played.

Posted

Good ol' Timmy Connolly. As usual, he gets a power play goal in an 8-2 victory.

 

BURY ONE AGAINST CAROLINA, YOU STIFF!!!!

 

He likely saved a goal when he swiped the puck out of the Buffalo crease.

 

There's nothing wrong with the way Connolly's playing.

Posted

He likely saved a goal when he swiped the puck out of the Buffalo crease.

 

There's nothing wrong with the way Connolly's playing.

 

 

As long as if you think of him as the 3rd line - defensive center.

Posted

As long as if you think of him as the 3rd line - defensive center.

He practically put the puck on a tee for Pommer on the first goal and sprung Vanek on the post-head-crossbar break away. Why doesn't that count as offense?

Posted

As long as if you think of him as the 3rd line - defensive center.

I've been wondering if Connolly has been re-inventing himself in anticipation of being a UFA this off-season? He must know that no team will look at him like a top six forward.

Posted

Timmy has been doing alright lately. He's just not the goal-producer that he once was; his role has changed. The Sabres have Vanek, Stafford, Boyes, Ennis, Pominville, Gerbe, Myers, Leopold and, I guess you can say for right now, Niedermayer getting the pucks in the net with some consistency. Timmy has been a pretty good set up man since the beginning of the calendar year, and I'd rather players like Connolly, Weber, Grier, and Hecht blocking the shots and putting themselves in harm's way, which is what they do.

Posted

He practically put the puck on a tee for Pommer on the first goal and sprung Vanek on the post-head-crossbar break away. Why doesn't that count as offense?

 

 

It does - but if you expect that out of him every game you will be disappointed.

Posted

Today was a great day to be a Sabres fan!....

 

Rick Martin's number behind the nets... [RIP]

 

They show the national anthems on MSG...

 

I hear RJ's goal call from inside the arena after Pommers' goal A MINUTE in!... [can someone give credit to Myers on that one please for some AMAZING stick handling and composure??]

 

Playoff race really starting to heat up and the team shows its true colors...

 

I often sit back and really, honestly think about moving back to WNY, and days like today really make it tough.

Posted

He likely saved a goal when he swiped the puck out of the Buffalo crease.

 

There's nothing wrong with the way Connolly's playing.

As long as if you think of him as the 3rd line - defensive center.

nobody's right.

 

Timmy has been doing alright lately. He's just not the goal-producer that he once was; his role has changed. The Sabres have Vanek, Stafford, Boyes, Ennis, Pominville, Gerbe, Myers, Leopold and, I guess you can say for right now, Niedermayer getting the pucks in the net with some consistency. Timmy has been a pretty good set up man since the beginning of the calendar year, and I'd rather players like Connolly, Weber, Grier, and Hecht blocking the shots and putting themselves in harm's way, which is what they do.

Sorry, I have to disagree. Timmy is not paid $4.5M to block shots and put him in harm's way. He's paid $4.5 to produce points and create offense.

 

It's really a testament to how far his game has slid when we are mentioning him in the same breath as Grier and Hecht.

Posted

 

Sorry, I have to disagree. Timmy is not paid $4.5M to block shots and put him in harm's way. He's paid $4.5 to produce points and create offense.

 

It's really a testament to how far his game has slid when we are mentioning him in the same breath as Grier and Hecht.

 

 

I don't see what's to disagree about - he's being paid to be something he isn't anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't performing well in this new role. Is he helping the Sabres get into the playoffs? I think he is, as much as anyone else on the team. Do I want them to pay a dude $4.5M to perform the role Connolly does? No, but what option do they have at the moment? None, really. They can take care of that issue in the off-season - right now I want to see them get into the playoffs.

Posted

He likely saved a goal when he swiped the puck out of the Buffalo crease.

 

There's nothing wrong with the way Connolly's playing.

 

As factual as that statement is, it had to hurt to type it out, didn't it?

Posted

I don't see what's to disagree about - he's being paid to be something he isn't anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't performing well in this new role. Is he helping the Sabres get into the playoffs? I think he is, as much as anyone else on the team. Do I want them to pay a dude $4.5M to perform the role Connolly does? No, but what option do they have at the moment? None, really. They can take care of that issue in the off-season - right now I want to see them get into the playoffs.

What does that mean, "he's being paid to be something he isn't anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't performing well in this new role"? Are we assuming that he is never going to be a big offensive producer again, and that his best years are behind him at 29?

 

If the Sabres have asked him to evolve into what is, in essence, a 3rd-line center, then sure, he's playing alright. But I really doubt the team asked him to do that and the fact that he is on his way to his worst statistical season since 02-03 means he is definitely not playing alright.

 

Am I glad he's chipping in on the back end and being responsible defensively? Of course. But he's on the roster to produce offense first and foremost, so in that context he is not doing alright lately (or at all this year).

Posted

Gerbe was awesome tonight. He's really turning into something after a painfully slow start that had me worried about his future.

 

As for Mancari and this board's reaction to him, you have to remember that this board has hated pretty much everyone on the team at some point. Early in the year, Weber blew it in a game against Boston and people were coming out of the woodwork to say he sucks and doesn't belong in the NHL. Months later, he's had the second best +/- on the team (behind Montador) for most of the season.

 

Vanek sucked, then he didn't. Gerbe sucked, then he didn't. Pominville sucked, the he didn't. Miller sucked, then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't, then he did but maybe he was hurt, but maybe he wasn't, but now he doesn't suck anymore, but now he sucks again and maybe he shouldn't have gotten engaged, oh but now he's good again, but maybe he's not great, but but but...

 

More than likely it was different people chiming in about the different players. It isn't like the core of this board was hating on all of them at one time or another. Everyone has their favorite whipping boy. And only a couple see the team as one big whipping boy.

 

And really, if you want to be honest about it, there wasn't nearly as much "so and so sucks" as you are representing. There was alot of "so and so isn't playing up to expectations". But that isn't nearly the same as saying they suck.

 

Just sayin'...

Posted

What does that mean, "he's being paid to be something he isn't anymore, but that doesn't mean he isn't performing well in this new role"? Are we assuming that he is never going to be a big offensive producer again, and that his best years are behind him at 29?

 

I don't know about you, but it seems pretty clear to me he lost several seasons ago, now, whatever scoring mojo he once had. I haven't had high expectations for him since last season, frankly, so, whatever they're paying him is irrelevant; it was a mistake to give him that contract in the first place. I don't know how to more clearly lay out this thought. Anyone expecting Connolly to score goals and be the offensive threat he was in the past is a fool.

 

That being said, the only metric I have for any player right now is if they're contributing to a playoff run, how much are they, and in what manner. It's wasted time and energy to wish and hope player X will perform like mystical player Y. Staying with what's real, Connolly is feeding the puck pretty well and with consistency, he's been good on the PK and PP. He's greatly reduced his errant passes and therefore, despite his contract and the expectations others lay upon him, he's contributing to the team's bottom line.

Posted

Gerbe was awesome tonight. He's really turning into something after a painfully slow start that had me worried about his future.

 

As for Mancari and this board's reaction to him, you have to remember that this board has hated pretty much everyone on the team at some point. Early in the year, Weber blew it in a game against Boston and people were coming out of the woodwork to say he sucks and doesn't belong in the NHL. Months later, he's had the second best +/- on the team (behind Montador) for most of the season.

 

Vanek sucked, then he didn't. Gerbe sucked, then he didn't. Pominville sucked, the he didn't. Miller sucked, then he didn't, then he did, then he didn't, then he did but maybe he was hurt, but maybe he wasn't, but now he doesn't suck anymore, but now he sucks again and maybe he shouldn't have gotten engaged, oh but now he's good again, but maybe he's not great, but but but...

 

this post had high entertainment value. well done :clapping:

Posted

I don't know about you, but it seems pretty clear to me he lost several seasons ago, now, whatever scoring mojo he once had. I haven't had high expectations for him since last season, frankly, so, whatever they're paying him is irrelevant; it was a mistake to give him that contract in the first place. I don't know how to more clearly lay out this thought. Anyone expecting Connolly to score goals and be the offensive threat he was in the past is a fool.

 

That being said, the only metric I have for any player right now is if they're contributing to a playoff run, how much are they, and in what manner. It's wasted time and energy to wish and hope player X will perform like mystical player Y. Staying with what's real, Connolly is feeding the puck pretty well and with consistency, he's been good on the PK and PP. He's greatly reduced his errant passes and therefore, despite his contract and the expectations others lay upon him, he's contributing to the team's bottom line.

Several seasons ago? I find that interesting, since he is coming off his three best seasons in terms of offensive production. I can't stand TC and his style of play as much as anyone here, but he had 65 pts in 73 games last year. He's always been a setup guy and not a goal scorer (save for one season when he scored 18 in 48 games, which would have paced him out for around 32-34 or so).

 

I understand that all you are thinking about is winning down the stretch run and into the playoffs, but this team needs consistent offense as much as they need guys to be defensively responsible, and when he is your only true scoring center on the roster because of injuries and lack of depth, then he needs to be doing more on the score sheet.

 

Bottom line is he is an offensive center, a playmaker who can put up points. They need him to find ways to create offense. The other stuff -- blocking shots, being defensively responsible, good on the PK (would be nice if he could nudge that FO %age up closer to 50%+, though) -- is a bonus.

Posted

So Connolly talk aside...great win by the Sabres. With Nashville tomorrow on a short turnaround (5 p.m. start according to Sabres.com? How did I miss that?) and Montreal looming on Tuesday we should probably see Enroth tomorrow, no? That would give Miller two full days off until the Friday/Saturday back-to-backs with Florida and Jersey.

Posted

So Connolly talk aside...great win by the Sabres. With Nashville tomorrow on a short turnaround (5 p.m. start according to Sabres.com? How did I miss that?) and Montreal looming on Tuesday we should probably see Enroth tomorrow, no? That would give Miller two full days off until the Friday/Saturday back-to-backs with Florida and Jersey.

 

And Nashville's backup is scheduled to play as well.

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