Sabres defense options

[LastPommerFan]

I'm pretty sure there is a mathematical rule that describes this phenomenon, but there are like 4 threads that have converged on the same exact points...

 

And my head hurts.

[Skibum]

Are we just assuming Montador is gone? Too bad, he was really good about 85% of the time.

 

Does anyone think that the emergence of MAG makes Sekera expendable? He could be part of a nice package deal if they can get him signed for a low cap number.

[X. Benedict]

Are we just assuming Montador is gone? Too bad, he was really good about 85% of the time.

 

Does anyone think that the emergence of MAG makes Sekera expendable? He could be part of a nice package deal if they can get him signed for a low cap number.

 

I don't expect him back - unless more than two pieces are moved.

 

Myers-Leopold-Sekera-Butler-Weber-Gragnani-Morrison

[Weave]

I don't expect him back - unless more than two pieces are moved.

 

Myers-Leopold-Sekera-Butler-Weber-Gragnani-Morrison

 

 

*shudder*

[X. Benedict]

*shudder*

 

Having said that...I think 1 piece will be moved.

 

It's not a bad defense as is....they just had no puck support through the middle to beat the forecheck in the postseason.

[Taro T]

Having said that...I think 1 piece will be moved.

 

It's not a bad defense as is....they just had no puck support through the middle to beat the forecheck in the postseason.

There HAS to be another vet coming in as that D is simply too young. The only true vets in that group are Leopold who will be top 4 and Morrisonn who I'd expect to be the #7.

[X. Benedict]

There HAS to be another vet coming in as that D is simply too young. The only true vets in that group are Leopold who will be top 4 and Morrisonn who I'd expect to be the #7.

 

I think they get one.

[Weave]

Having said that...I think 1 piece will be moved.

 

It's not a bad defense as is....they just had no puck support through the middle to beat the forecheck in the postseason.

 

I agree with this assessment for teh most part. They didn't get puck support to counter that forecheck but this D is heavy on soft puck carriers. I like the scheme of using a mobile D but aside from 2 players that is a pretty soft group overall.

 

I think they get one.

 

I hope you are right. The 7 mentioned upthread do not strike me a group to lean on for a playoff run.

[LastPommerFan]

Have 5 young D-men also creates a problem because you have to put at least 2 of them on the far side. This causes disasters in with the long change in the 2nd.

 

Now, if part of the renovations is to make the Home/Away locker rooms rotate positions during the intermissions so that they skate out on the other side afterwards, that could eliminate the long change.

[X. Benedict]

 

 

I hope you are right. The 7 mentioned upthread do not strike me a group to lean on for a playoff run.

I would be fine with the 7 to start the season - sometimes you have to keep playing to see what you have.....

 

But I don't imagine that that 7 would hold for a season.

[inkman]

2. The Sabres have bigger problems in there own zone and I'd rather go after a defensive centerman than one that gets 80+ pts a season. Side benefit...They're cheaper.

Couldnt they do both, and even a top pair D as well. Their only goal is to win a cup, right?

[sabres1970]

What about Bogosian from Atlanta? He's a RFA, ex 3rd overall pick. Been a little dissapointing but maybe we can steal him, still very young.

[LastPommerFan]

Couldnt they do both, and even a top pair D as well. Their only goal is to win a cup, right?

 

 

sure:

 

1) Top Pair D-Man

2) Defensive Centerman

3) Veteran 3rd Line D-Man

4) Offensive Centerman

 

 

Stop when you hit the cap. I think they hit it before they reach #4.

[Derrico]

sure:

 

1) Top Pair D-Man

2) Defensive Centerman

3) Veteran 3rd Line D-Man

4) Offensive Centerman

 

 

Stop when you hit the cap. I think they hit it before they reach #4.

 

I agree those are our needs and we probably won't be able to address them all without hitting the cap. Therefore my order would be:

 

1) Offensive Centerman (to play with Vanek and get him going)

2) Top Pair D-man

3) Defensive Centerman (preferably a veteran)

 

 

4) Veteran 3rd Pair D-man

[LastPommerFan]

I agree those are our needs and we probably won't be able to address them all without hitting the cap. Therefore my order would be:

 

1) Offensive Centerman (to play with Vanek and get him going)

2) Top Pair D-man

3) Defensive Centerman (preferably a veteran)

 

 

4) Veteran 3rd Pair D-man

 

This is a common disagreement. I've come to my conclusion by looking at our goal scoring with the team as is. We finished 9th in the league. We were 5 goals out of 5th. And this was all after we were in the bottom 10 in scoring on January 1. IMO the scoring is not the problem, and if we improve our play in our own zone, we will score even more. So the offensive centerman falls to the bottom after we address our needs at D, clearing the zone, and Backchecking.

[Derrico]

This is a common disagreement. I've come to my conclusion by looking at our goal scoring with the team as is. We finished 9th in the league. We were 5 goals out of 5th. And this was all after we were in the bottom 10 in scoring on January 1. IMO the scoring is not the problem, and if we improve our play in our own zone, we will score even more. So the offensive centerman falls to the bottom after we address our needs at D, clearing the zone, and Backchecking.

 

That is a good point. I guess my counter would be that although the league is somewhat reverting back to pre-lockout days in terms of penatly calls and goals for etc., look at the teams remaining. The four teams remaining in the final four were: Vancouver (1st in league in goals for), Boston (5th), San Jose (6th) and Tampa Bay (8th). All the teams in the conference finals have scored more goals than us regular season. Yes your point regarding we were were 5 goals from 5th is valid. My point is let's get that guy that increases our goal total (by more than 5).

 

Just for fun, let's look at the ranking of goals against: Vancouver (1st in league), Boston (2nd), San Jose (10th), Tampa Bay (21st).

 

In conclusion, it looks like we had better be good in both ends of the rink! I'll be very happy if we just get a legit #1 Center and top end D man to play with Myers.

[OverPowerYou]

What about Bogosian from Atlanta? He's a RFA, ex 3rd overall pick. Been a little dissapointing but maybe we can steal him, still very young.

 

I think we should try and get him. I liked what I saw from him when we played him 3-4 times this year. He's a feisty player with a temper though. haha

[X. Benedict]

What about Bogosian from Atlanta? He's a RFA, ex 3rd overall pick. Been a little dissapointing but maybe we can steal him, still very young.

 

Raw talent that should still be in the AHL, IMO. He's not the answer for next season.

[inkman]

Stop when you hit the cap. I think they hit it before they reach #4.

I think with a few key moves (sending players to minors, buyouts or trades) the Sabres will have plenty of room to accomplish all of their goals. The 3 to 4 players they need to aquire will cost what, 12 - 15 million? What are the projections after signing the RFA?

[inkman]

The four teams remaining in the final four were: Vancouver (1st in league in goals for), Boston (5th), San Jose (6th) and Tampa (8th).

This

[X. Benedict]

This

Of course Vancouver and Boston were #1 and #2 in Goals against.

 

San Jose #10.

 

 

Tampa....22

[shrader]

Of course Vancouver and Boston were #1 and #2 in Goals against.

 

San Jose #10.

 

 

Tampa....22

 

This one made me curious to see if Tampa ever got their goal differential back out of the red. They finished the year at +7. Such a strange team.

 

Edit: That's right off the TSN standings page, so I have no idea if it factors in those mythical goals awarded for winning shootouts.

[X. Benedict]

This one made me curious to see if Tampa ever got their goal differential back out of the red. They finished the year at +7. Such a strange team.

 

Edit: That's right off the TSN standings page, so I have no idea if it factors in those mythical goals awarded for winning shootouts.

 

I haven't been a believer in Tampa...I wasn't surprised by Washington going down, but Tampa does have some high end talent and pluck.

 

Ruff tried to use some 1-3-1 against Boston in the playoffs last year...I don't see Boucher's 1-3-1 holding Boston off for long (although Boston is a deeper team this year). The thing Boston has the most trouble with is speed.

[shrader]

I haven't been a believer in Tampa...I wasn't surprised by Washington going down, but Tampa does have some high end talent and pluck.

 

Ruff tried to use some 1-3-1 against Boston in the playoffs last year...I don't see Boucher's 1-3-1 holding Boston off for long (although Boston is a deeper team this year). The thing Boston has the most trouble with is speed.

 

I didn't see the game, but stories on TSN suggested that Boucher didn't run with the 1-3-1 in that game.

 

As for Tampa and their chances with that team they have, I think we're seeing the weakness of the Eastern conference right now. It was an absolute crap shoot and the eventual winner will get smoked in the finals.

[X. Benedict]

I didn't see the game, but stories on TSN suggested that Boucher didn't run with the 1-3-1 in that game.

 

 

They came out skating. But I think that is the only way to open a series. You don't want legs with 9 days rest to be sitting back.

 

They were def. playing 1-3-1 by the second period. ...the difference with Boucher is how far back he sets up the 3.