X. Benedict Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 That's a big if. I hate obsessing over lines, because Ruff doesn't keep them together long ehough to worry about it. If you can dream up a line, chances are Ruff will have it on the ice at some point this year. Maybe Ruff gets his line ideas from the board. What's the over/under on seeing a line of Roy Vanek and Stafford? Actually Ruff in the past usually likes to keep the LW and Centers paired most of the time. He justed changes the RW to give lines a different look. For example: we'll probably see Ennis-Leino-(Stafford,Boyes,Pominville) Gerbe-Roy (Stafford, Boyes, Pominville) Vanek-Adam (Stafford,Boyes,Pominville) While it looks like line juggling is taking place all the time, most of the time he's just sending a different RW over the boards situationally, to give lines slightly different looks. Ruff is much less likely to change up his LW-Center combos unless he decides to double shift a player who is having a hot night. I have a hunch that the above LW-Center pairings are what we'll see.
RazielSabre Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Didn't we have this 'problem' in the Drury-Briere days? Except no-one was expecting it then, I don't think we have much element of surprise. No more being the plucky underdogs for us I suspect.
LastPommerFan Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Per the article in the paper today, Ruff has changed the lines with the return of Roy and Boyes. Going into our exhibition against Adler Mannheim our lines look like this: Vanek-Adam-Pominville Gerbe-Roy-Stafford Ennis-Leino-Boyes McCormick-Ellis/Gaustad-Kaleta http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article579583.ece That 4th line had 24 goals and 60 pts last year. 10% of our totals. Not bad for an energy line.
nostyle126 Posted October 3, 2011 Author Report Posted October 3, 2011 It's worth noting that none of those 3 lines appears to be a clear-cut #1 line. I would guess that the 3 lines will be pretty close in terms of 5-on-5 ice time most nights, and that it will fluctuate based on which line is playing better or worse. I consider whatever line Vanek is on to be the first line. I would expect his line to get more ice time than any other.
wjag Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Per the article in the paper today, Ruff has changed the lines with the return of Roy and Boyes. Going into our exhibition against Adler Mannheim our lines look like this: Vanek-Adam-Pominville Gerbe-Roy-Stafford Ennis-Leino-Boyes McCormick-Ellis/Gaustad-Kaleta http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article579583.ece That second line is kinda tiny... Lines by height 6'2", 6'2", 6'0" 5'5", 5'9", 6'2" 5'9", 6'1", 6'0" 6'3", 6'5", 6'1" Luke Adams is not listed on the 22-man roster on Sabres.com. Nor is Matt Ellis. Alex Kotalik is...
LGR4GM Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 That second line is kinda tiny... Lines by height 6'2", 6'2", 6'0" 5'5", 5'9", 6'2" 5'9", 6'1", 6'0" 6'3", 6'5", 6'1" Luke Adams is not listed on the 22-man roster on Sabres.com. Nor is Matt Ellis. Alex Kotalik is... ... yea well thats the same Roster that has Nathan Gerbe listed as a center so my guess is it isn't really kept up to date.
Andrew Amerk Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 ... yea well thats the same Roster that has Nathan Gerbe listed as a center so my guess is it isn't really kept up to date. Wait, I thought you said Gerbe was a center?
LGR4GM Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Wait, I thought you said Gerbe was a center? And now you know where I got that idea...
DumbPuck Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Gerbe is a center naturally ... it says so on the NHL.com site ...
Andrew Amerk Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Gerbe is a center naturally ... it says so on the NHL.com site ... Hmm. I wonder who Ruff will set up as his wingers? Maybe Leino?
X. Benedict Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Hmm. I wonder who Ruff will set up as his wingers? Maybe Leino? MAGs and Sekera have both played wing.
DumbPuck Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Well, I thought I could have incited some hate by Shrader with a silly comment like that... I guess I failed.
LGR4GM Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Gerbe is a center naturally ... it says so on the NHL.com site ... here we go again What are the chances of a line that has an average height of under 6' being able to suceed on a somewhat regular basis? I am curious because with all the talk over the last couple of years about the sabres not being able to be physical enough it seems we now have a line that may get beaten down and push around... of course Gerbe can hold his own but the other two I am not so sure. Maybe that line will be paired with Myers and Regehr to help ensure that no shenanigans take place.
Eleven Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 here we go again What are the chances of a line that has an average height of under 6' being able to suceed on a somewhat regular basis? I am curious because with all the talk over the last couple of years about the sabres not being able to be physical enough it seems we now have a line that may get beaten down and push around... of course Gerbe can hold his own but the other two I am not so sure. Maybe that line will be paired with Myers and Regehr to help ensure that no shenanigans take place. I don't think height matters as much as size (that is not limited to height) and strength, for forwards. Yes, there may be a reach problem, but Gerbe--and I am NOT sold on him, as regs like you know--plays STRONG. With a D-man, I want height only because of the reach that comes with it. With a forward, I am much more concerned with strength and quickness. Gerbe has shown flashes of both. Yeah, he's 5-foot-5, but he's listed at almost 180, which probably means 170, which is still a ton of muscle on a short frame.
nostyle126 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Report Posted October 8, 2011 I was never in love with the Gerbe-Gaustad-Kaleta line, so I don't mind the change-up. But again this goes to show that Ruff always changes his lines, even when it seems like he has found a combination that makes sense. I think we can all agree to that. As for these combinations, I actually like the 2nd and 3rd lines. I am also curious to see how Adam does on our "top" line. I think Adam is really ready to be in the NHL and by midseason can earn his way onto the 3rd line, but 1st line??? He must be loving life right now getting to center our top line for at least this last preseason game. The Ennis-Leino-Boyes line intrigues me because Ennis and Leino are the kinds of setup men that Boyes needs. That line could really be dangerous, AND they should get favorable matchups since they're the 3rd line. Rather than start another thread I figured I'd comment here. I LOVE what I've seen out of our lines through two real games. Adam is more than ready for the NHL and has made our top line a true top line. Wow. The 2nd and 3rd lines are also very dangerous. Our 4th line is awesome, because they can give quality minutes, check the H-E-double hockey sticks out of the opposition, and even get you some real scoring production. I know these lines will likely change if Ruff does what Ruff always does, but right now, I really like these combinations, in particular having Adam on the 1st line.
Eleven Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 Rather than start another thread I figured I'd comment here. I LOVE what I've seen out of our lines through two real games. Adam is more than ready for the NHL and has made our top line a true top line. Wow. The 2nd and 3rd lines are also very dangerous. Our 4th line is awesome, because they can give quality minutes, check the H-E-double hockey sticks out of the opposition, and even get you some real scoring production. I know these lines will likely change if Ruff does what Ruff always does, but right now, I really like these combinations, in particular having Adam on the 1st line. Ruff won't juggle these lines until and unless (1) someone gets hurt or (2) the combinations stop working. He might find a spot for Hecht (I hope he doesn't change a thing), but I don't see him making too many changes with such a strong start.
thesportsbuff Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 Ruff won't juggle these lines until and unless (1) someone gets hurt or (2) the combinations stop working. He might find a spot for Hecht (I hope he doesn't change a thing), but I don't see him making too many changes with such a strong start. Eh, I don't see him changing the top line, but wouldn't be shocked to see him swap some players around. Staff got a goal but overall that line hasn't been too impressive, other than Gerbe. And on the flipside, Boyes/Leino/Ennis was a little disappointing and Ennis was the only one I thought had a noticeably good game.
TheChimp Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 Usually I find at least one person I agree with after three pages about line combinations, but I'm seeing stuff that is blowing my mind. Hard to even know where to begin, so I'll just list some thoughts as they come to me: 1. Vanek-Adam-Pominville is a league-leading line. Leave it alone. 2. The only guy I see Hecht replacing when he gets healthy is Ellis. In the press box. 3. Gerbe is not looking like a guy who needs his linemates to be super amazing in oder to succeed. He's making his own space out there and that's exactly what we need from him. 4. If Boyes is challenging anyone for a spot right now it could really only be Stafford. Kaleta's obviously a better choice on the 3rd (shut-down) Line than a strictly offensive guy like Brad. 5. I like the problems this team has right now. 6. I see us being active at the trade deadline, shedding one or two "big" names for even more developing stars.
Bullwinkle Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 Usually I find at least one person I agree with after three pages about line combinations, but I'm seeing stuff that is blowing my mind. Hard to even know where to begin, so I'll just list some thoughts as they come to me: 1. Vanek-Adam-Pominville is a league-leading line. Leave it alone. 2. The only guy I see Hecht replacing when he gets healthy is Ellis. In the press box. 3. Gerbe is not looking like a guy who needs his linemates to be super amazing in oder to succeed. He's making his own space out there and that's exactly what we need from him. 4. If Boyes is challenging anyone for a spot right now it could really only be Stafford. Kaleta's obviously a better choice on the 3rd (shut-down) Line than a strictly offensive guy like Brad. 5. I like the problems this team has right now. 6. I see us being active at the trade deadline, shedding one or two "big" names for even more developing stars. I agree with 1-5. I'm not sure we will be making any major changes IF we continue to have a good W/L record. And if we do, it would be to bring in a big star rather than shed them. Our time is coming...maybe not this year, but we're getting much closer. Pegula might be right - a Stanley Cup in three years!
Eleven Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Eh, I don't see him changing the top line, but wouldn't be shocked to see him swap some players around. Staff got a goal but overall that line hasn't been too impressive, other than Gerbe. And on the flipside, Boyes/Leino/Ennis was a little disappointing and Ennis was the only one I thought had a noticeably good game. Let's not forget Game 1 just yet; I mean, it's not like it was just yesterday or anything.
Marvelo Posted October 10, 2011 Report Posted October 10, 2011 I don't see much wrong going on right now...why complain? These lines need time to gel.
Sabres Fan in NS Posted October 10, 2011 Report Posted October 10, 2011 ... yea well thats the same Roster that has Nathan Gerbe listed as a center so my guess is it isn't really kept up to date. Sabres.com is linked to NHL.com ... garage league!!
Sabres Fan in NS Posted October 10, 2011 Report Posted October 10, 2011 ... yea well thats the same Roster that has Nathan Gerbe listed as a center so my guess is it isn't really kept up to date. The roster report on Sabres.com is a little more current now ... Still does not have updated photos of the 3 new guys though ... still using last years photos creatively aquired from their previous teams web sites roster pages. NHL ... garage league!!
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