GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[...]

I'm sorry, I don't mean to hog the end of the thread, but I am just so happy to watch a NEW Ruff postgame presser at Sabres.com. Yay! :clapping:

[darksabre]

Leino did look good ... that line will need to finish but they seemed comfortable together, maybe even too much with the overpassing.

 

Maybe Kassian was nervous, but he looked better a year ago when he got into that preseason game in the small town in Canada (forget what they call it) ... but as X says, I want him in Rochester a while anyway

 

I was surprised McIntyre could see the puck with the cage he was wearing ... not only was it not the "cat's eye" one most guys wear but it was like Hasek's x2 ... like something a 12-year old was required to wear. But whatever works for him.

 

The commercials were cool, I wonder if there are other versions with different guys ... there are certainly more guys still in the area.

 

It's just the standard goalie mask cage. For whatever reason he prefers it. I liked it over the cat eye cage as well because the way my head is proportioned, the cat eye didn't line up right, so the stock cage actually provided better sight. Might be the same deal for Drew. Plus they're safer.

[Bullwinkle]

No one has mentioned it yet, but I thought MAGS played a fair to poor game. Giving away the puck, missing passes, etc.

 

Other than that, I agree with most of what has been posted. Kassian's failure to impress has more to do with your expectations than his actual play - although I will admit the feed was poor. I was using Firefox on a Verizon internet connection.

[Derrico]

No one has mentioned it yet, but I thought MAGS played a fair to poor game. Giving away the puck, missing passes, etc.

 

Other than that, I agree with most of what has been posted. Kassian's failure to impress has more to do with your expectations than his actual play - although I will admit the feed was poor. I was using Firefox on a Verizon internet connection.

 

I only watched the first period and part of the second but that's what I thought too. He looked terrible out there at times.

[Andrew Amerk]

There are ways around that.

 

Not really. It's something called websense. It is monitored by one of the largest corporations in America. Kinda screwed there.

[...]

Not really. It's something called websense. It is monitored by one of the largest corporations in America. Kinda screwed there.

 

 

Dude. http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-bypass-websense.html

[Andrew Amerk]

Dude. http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-bypass-websense.html

 

"One can download HTTP Tunneling software programs from the Internet quite easily and inexpensively."

 

I bet our servers would block me from this.

[SabresMojo]

Looking forward to somesort of highlight video package.

 

Sounds like Leino did well!

[Two or less]

Was at the game, last second decision. Went to the slug day at the team store to buy jerseys and merch, and then went to pearl st for wings and beers, had a good time and decided it was too early to call it a day and drive back to rochester, so we stayed, drank more, and bought tickets from a scalper.

 

Quick thoughts-

 

1. Unlike some in this thread, i thought the Kassian/Foligno/Adam line was terrible. They looked like a bunch of kids who are gonna go back to OHL and were thrown onto a line randomly by the coach after the morning skate. They just played 4 games together at the prospect game. I didn't expect them to be world beaters, but that was just a very clumsy line, bad passing, not finding the open guy.

 

2. Like Biega a lot. Smart player obviously, tough kid, punished anyone who went near the goal. Made a brutal error which caused the Canes goal but rebounded nicely.

 

3. Gragnani was brutal. Unofficially, but he must of led the entire game in turnovers. His puck control was bad and his passing was awful. Couldn't find the space.

 

4. Gerbe was our best player out there. Lots of hustle, back checked, fought in the corners. Obviously he also had a goal and 2 assists. Very impressive game.

 

5. Enroth looked he Enroth of late last season when he filled in for Miller. First 5 minutes after he came in, he was tested probably 3-4 times.

 

6. Liked TJ Brennan a lot. Moved the puck well and didn't turn the puck over much. He rushed a lot on attacks and i thought he did well, created a lot.

 

7. Corey Tropp looked useless. Not really sure who Canes played, im guessing a very broken down squad just as we did, but Tropp didn't look like he belonged in this game at all. Pace was way to quick. Made poor decisions with the puck.

[LabattBlue]

And now is where some of you tell me it's all Lindy's fault ... and you might be right. But six months ago he was (supposedly) an out-of-control borderline headcase who hit everything that moved, and sometimes it was even legal. Not sure even Lindy can brainwash guys that well over an offseason.

Do you need to get me fired up before the season even starts? I'm not saying Kassian has to be an out of control maniac, but his toughness is exactly what the top 6 has been lacking for YEARS. I really hope he can stay a badass who can develop enough to become a 2nd line forward.

[BetweenThePipes00]

Do you need to get me fired up before the season even starts? I'm not saying Kassian has to be an out of control maniac, but his toughness is exactly what the top 6 has been lacking for YEARS. I really hope he can stay a badass who can develop enough to become a 2nd line forward.

 

Me too, I was just saying I haven't see it in two games so far. In his one preseason game last year I at least saw energy ... he looked like he was lost out there last night.

[LGR4GM]

The Ennis-Leino-Stafford line was very interesting to watch. My concern is that a more physical team could beat them and also that they make 1 to many passes. Any thoughts on this crucial line? (No offense I just don't care that Adam, Kassian, Foligno looked meh, they have some growing to do in the AHL)

[waldo]

Hard to judge players in their first , basically no contact, pre season game but i thought Biega played well positionally, he moved the puck effectively, made quick instinctive outlet passes,looked like he belonged and only made a couple of minor mistakes, Leino looked like a center,but the one line was overshadowed by the energy line. Leino delivered the puck but his wingers were unable to convert on more than a couple of ocassions.He could have had a three or four point night with some luck.

[LabattBlue]

Me too, I was just saying I haven't see it in two games so far. In his one preseason game last year I at least saw energy ... he looked like he was lost out there last night.

I know Lindy loves to preach about not taking yourself out of position to make a hit, but I just hope Kassian doesn't take it to the extreme and stops playing physical for the most part.

[shrader]

Mid-season call up and then Biega can lead us to the promised land right after Fitzpatrick already did the same?

 

Seriously though, I've always liked what I've seen from Biega. He usually plays such a smart, mistake free game. To do that with the horrendous team he had at Harvard was one hell of an accomplishment. I really hope he makes it at some point, no matter where it happens.

[waldo]

Mid-season call up and then Biega can lead us to the promised land right after Fitzpatrick already did the same?

 

Seriously though, I've always liked what I've seen from Biega. He usually plays such a smart, mistake free game. To do that with the horrendous team he had at Harvard was one hell of an accomplishment. I really hope he makes it at some point, no matter where it happens.

 

In that game he made far fewer mistakes than Myers did. I probably watched twenty or so of his games when he played for Harvard and was always impressed with his play.

[shrader]

In that game he made far fewer mistakes than Myers did. I probably watched twenty or so of his games when he played for Harvard and was always impressed with his play.

 

Myers still hasn't stopped kicking your puppy yet?

[Andrew Amerk]

Myers still hasn't stopped kicking your puppy yet?

 

With or without skates on?

[waldo]

Myers still hasn't stopped kicking your puppy yet?

 

 

All i said was that i thought Biega played better than Meyers.I should have added and others. Which he did! He played a positionally sound game, made no mistakes in either zone, moved the puck well when necessary,backchecked nicely on two ocassions, made quick decisions on his outlet passes, blended nicely into the system and most importantly he looked comfortable.On the other side of the equation he was being matched up most of the time against lesser lines. I think he will be a real positive playing in the AHL , :D

[X. Benedict]

The Ennis-Leino-Stafford line was very interesting to watch. My concern is that a more physical team could beat them and also that they make 1 to many passes. Any thoughts on this crucial line? (No offense I just don't care that Adam, Kassian, Foligno looked meh, they have some growing to do in the AHL)

 

I think that line stays together.

 

I would bet that Lindy switches Hecht with Ennis when they are locking a lead.

[X. Benedict]

I know Lindy loves to preach about not taking yourself out of position to make a hit, but I just hope Kassian doesn't take it to the extreme and stops playing physical for the most part.

 

I'm not very worried about that.

 

I think more important this time of year, is for that line to show they can get the back-checking assignments right. Adam struggled in that department last year.

[LabattBlue]

I'm not very worried about that.

 

I think more important this time of year, is for that line to show they can get the back-checking assignments right. Adam struggled in that department last year.

They have whole year in the AHL(maybe more) to hone their skills. I just don't want to see the toughness coached out of him.

[DR HOLLIDAY]

They have whole year in the AHL(maybe more) to hone their skills. I just don't want to see the toughness coached out of him.

 

I think Kassian is to crazy to have the "toughness" coached out of him

[Two or less]

I think Kassian is to crazy to have the "toughness" coached out of him

 

Disagreed. During the prospects tournament, he fought the first game and in each game he was a target and players tried to make him drop his gloves. Teams wanted him gone for 5min and take a dumb penalty. Kassian never bit on it. First game was the only time he fought out of 4 games. Pretty sure coaches made it clear to him, for his to be successful, he needs to be on the ice.

[LGR4GM]

So i just read the article about Gaustad and I didn't know that Gerbe, Goose and Kaleta (well kaleta yes, he lives here) stayed in buffalo and worked as a line all summer... after seeing them play, I think they made an improvement and if they are truly better I think our 3rd line could be quite good... of course if thats the 3rd line who is the 4th line? Or do you put those 3 on your 4th line...