nfreeman Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 It's been a while since the Sabres skated with the energy they had tonight. Is it too soon to anoint Kassian and Mcnabb as two new members of the 'New Core', joining Myers? The play Erhoff made on his own glove pass was one of the best/smartest plays I have seen any player make in a long time. Big game and Vanek shows up with a four point night. I'm not sure who it was, it was about the 5 minute mark and the Leafs were beginning to swarm and RJ had just mentioned how the Leafs were putting on the pressure when the Sabre stepped up and finished his check causing a quick turnover and a Sabres clear. It was such s simple play with great results. A good lesson learned by the team tonight, skate with energy and purpose and you will draw penalties. Good post. I don't remember ever seeing a play like that on the glove pass. Kassian and McNabb are definitely new core, but McNabb must've made a few mistakes because he was nailed to the bench in the 3rd period and got less than 7 minutes of ice time for the game. Whether I'm right or not is for others to debate, but in my mind I am sure. Roy plays great defense and it's very understated. It happens often when we'll be chasing our own tail in our zone and Roy will just come in, get the puck, and make the right pass to start out of the zone. Roy is often great on the backcheck. The problem IMHO is that he takes his foot off the gas (in all zones, not just the defensive zone) too often, and it infects the team. I definitely prefer an exciting Sabres win to a boring Sabres loss! Great to see a strong effort tonight, solid throughout despite some uncomfortable moments late. I'm starting to think all the injuries might be a blessing in disguise, having Kassian called up is exactly what this team needs. I'm hoping he keeps getting plenty of minutes. As reluctant as I am to break up Pomminstein and Vanek, the idea of Kassian and Vanek together with one of our big centers is intriguing. Fantastic goals by Vanek today, and a great shot by Ennis! I would love to see Ennis take more shots and hopefully this will get him to expand his game. On the back end Ehrhoff just keeps getting better. Seems he is adjusting well to being our #1 defenseman. Finally, I am really happy to have Weber back! Now let's make it two in a row tomorrow! Good post. I agree especially with the bolded parts. Weber has been a rock since he returned. He needs to stay in the lineup when everyone is healthy (if that ever happens again). I've been mostly absent for the better part of a month (travelling overseas for work). So I apologize for needing to catch up on a few things, I vow to read through some threads today. But, after watching last nights game, I have a very urgent question: Does Kassian come up with the puck every single time he goes to the boards, or is it only like 90-95%? Very nice. Where did you go? Just curious. Basically, yeah. As far as I'm concerned, Kassian has hit "untouchable" status -- no way he can be sent down, or included in any sort of trade. I don't remember the last time Buffalo had a player who could dominate the boards like that, he is such a useful proponent for this roster. He was incredible last night, NOBODY could separate the puck from him.. I like Kassian too, but if Anaheim or Carolina panics and puts Getzlaf or Staal on the market, they can have Kassian in the package. Neither Anaheim nor Carolina is going to do that, but let's keep some perspective. A few game notes: 1. That may have been the best home game effort by the Sabres all year. 2. Toronto's first 2 goals were the direct results of poor play by Vanek (missed a keep-in at the offensive blue line when he was covering for the defenseman, springing Kessel for the 2-on-1) and Roy (stupid, lazy offensive zone penalty). 3. Still far too much taking foot off gas by the Sabres following a goal -- ie allowing the opposition to dominate play and create scoring chances right after the Sabres score. 4. The Sabres also allowed the Leafs to dominate the game for the first 3-4 minutes. Miller had to make several excellent saves. 5. Miller generally was very sharp, although I didn't like Phaneuf's goal. 6. Phaneuf's hit on Kassian was suspension-worthy, although it was essentially the same play that Gerbe got concussed on, and that play didn't result in a suspension for some reason. 7. Bottom line is that the Sabres can be a very good team IF their top offensive guys (Vanek, Stafford, Ennis, etc.) produce like they did last night. It also helps a lot to get some offense out of the defensemen, like Reggie. 8. If they can get another W tonight and maybe another goal out of Stafford they might just be able to turn things around.
carpandean Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Agree 100% I would also think "bang for your buck" is even more important when you have many more bucks to bang. Yup. That's the biggest reason why teams that spend the most often don't do well (see the Rangers for many years); their GMs forget that they still have to worry about value, leaving them with a more expensive team, but not necessarily a better one.
NowDoYouBelieve Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 We need to talk some more about this http://youtu.be/uSI4pWn1H1M After looking at it with sober eyes I'm not sure it's suspendable. Dion hits him from the side and because of Kassian's position (look at his skates @ .55) he falls awkwardly. I agree, no suspension. The on-ice punishment suffices. Phaneuf's body language immediately after the hit is enough to tell me it wasn't intentional. Sorta like "Ah, dammit".
DR HOLLIDAY Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I agree, no suspension. The on-ice punishment suffices. Phaneuf's body language immediately after the hit is enough to tell me it wasn't intentional. Sorta like "Ah, dammit". I am sure The Kassian will let that douchebag know how he felt about the hit the next time they play........... :flirt:
nfreeman Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I agree, no suspension. The on-ice punishment suffices. Phaneuf's body language immediately after the hit is enough to tell me it wasn't intentional. Sorta like "Ah, dammit". I don't really agree with the post, but I like the avatar. No one I know watches "Breaking Bad." What a great show. I am sure The Kassian will let that douchebag know how he felt about the hit the next time they play........... :flirt: Hopefully Kassian is still up with the Sabres for the next Leafs game.
thesportsbuff Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 <p> <br /><br /> I like Kassian too, but if Anaheim or Carolina panics and puts Getzlaf or Staal on the market, they can have Kassian in the package. Neither Anaheim nor Carolina is going to do that, but let's keep some perspective.<br /> <br /> I'm keeping perspective just fine. This team has lacked size, strength, physicality, and the will to go into corners and battle for the puck for the better part of a decade, probably longer. Now we have a guy who is all that rolled into one plus has shown suffice offensive ability, too, and you're willing to trade that away? Not me. I don't care who's coming back -- Getzlaf, Staal, Stastny, etc. Kassian and McNabb are a healthy dose of exactly what this team has needed forever and are young enough to project to be an integral part of the next "core "of the team. Myers has been considered untouchable by most fans since the day he was drafted. And don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on Myers panning out into a true star defenseman, but for the most part he hasn't lived up to the hype yet. If I'm starting a team and had a choice between Myers or Kassian, I'd take Kassian. It's a small sample size for him, but nobody on the Sabres roster since pre-lockout has been able to use their body and size as well as Zack. He is one of kind, and has all the makings of a TRUE star player down the road. Better than Vanek, better than Myers, maybe better than Getzlaf and Staal. I know I'm just gushing at this point, but seriously, I've never seen a player like him -- certainly not in a Buffalo uniform. I'm sure Getzlaf is a great player, but I'm not sure adding him to this group gets the job done anyway. By the time Kassian hits his prime, this will be an entirely different team.. maybe built solely around him. Getzlaf is one thing -- I wouldn't do it, but I could understand it if you would -- but I definitely wouldn't include Kassian in a deal for a guy having the worst year of his career (Staal). He used to be a 40 goal scorer, this will be the third year in a row he doesn't, or barely, cracks 30.
NowDoYouBelieve Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I don't really agree with the post, but I like the avatar. No one I know watches "Breaking Bad." What a great show. :thumbsup: Best show on television if you ask me. I got tired of looking at Connolly's poop-eating grin, so I switched. "I don't think we're alike at all, Mr. White. You're not a cautious man." As for the hit, the boarding penalty was more than deserved but Kassian did exacerbate the issue (unintentionally I'm sure) by turning to the board. Suspensions should be reserved for deliberate intention of harm and I don't think that's the case here.
darksabre Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I don't really agree with the post, but I like the avatar. No one I know watches "Breaking Bad." What a great show. Best show on the tube, hands down.
SDS Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Suspensions should be reserved for deliberate intention of harm and I don't think that's the case here. No they shouldn't. Dangerous, preventable plays need to be severely punished. It's time to change the thinking about the game. That was not a hockey play. The only thing that comes out of that play is injury. Suspend him and start changing attitudes.
Eleven Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 No they shouldn't. Dangerous, preventable plays need to be severely punished. It's time to change the thinking about the game. That was not a hockey play. The only thing that comes out of that play is injury. Suspend him and start changing attitudes. It's not the worst hit we've ever seen, but I agree with you. If the league wants to get serious about preventing injury, it needs to issue suspensions for hits like that even where the injury isn't severe. Dion lying about it after the game (says he was just trying to finish his check and Kassian turned into the boards at the last second) doesn't help.
NowDoYouBelieve Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 No they shouldn't. Dangerous, preventable plays need to be severely punished. It's time to change the thinking about the game. That was not a hockey play. The only thing that comes out of that play is injury. Suspend him and start changing attitudes. And you won't find a bigger proponent of reducing head injuries than me. I started this thread over at TSW a couple weeks ago... http://forums.twobil..._1#entry2329128 But to me, the play in question looked like it began as an honest attempt at taking the puck and then turned wrong quickly. Not accidental by any stretch, but not head hunting either. Just my opinion. Losing Phaneuf for the game's remainder seemed an equitable return.
nfreeman Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 :thumbsup: Best show on television if you ask me. I got tired of looking at Connolly's poop-eating grin, so I switched. "I don't think we're alike at all, Mr. White. You're not a cautious man." As for the hit, the boarding penalty was more than deserved but Kassian did exacerbate the issue (unintentionally I'm sure) by turning to the board. Suspensions should be reserved for deliberate intention of harm and I don't think that's the case here. While Kassian did face the boards as he was getting the puck, I don't think it was anywhere near a last-second turn into the boards. I think Phaneuf just lined him up and plastered him from behind. Best show on the tube, hands down. That season finale was amazing. No they shouldn't. Dangerous, preventable plays need to be severely punished. It's time to change the thinking about the game. That was not a hockey play. The only thing that comes out of that play is injury. Suspend him and start changing attitudes. It's not the worst hit we've ever seen, but I agree with you. If the league wants to get serious about preventing injury, it needs to issue suspensions for hits like that even where the injury isn't severe. Dion lying about it after the game (says he was just trying to finish his check and Kassian turned into the boards at the last second) doesn't help. Agree 100%.
SDS Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 And you won't find a bigger proponent of reducing head injuries than me. I started this thread over at TSW a couple weeks ago... http://forums.twobil..._1#entry2329128 But to me, the play in question looked like it began as an honest attempt at taking the puck and then turned wrong quickly. Not accidental by any stretch, but not head hunting either. Just my opinion. Losing Phaneuf for the game's remainder seemed an equitable return. Wreckless is as wreckless does. I don't care if he wasn't headhunting and I don't care if Kassian was not severely injured. Drilling someone from behind head first into the boards can only be prevented by the person staring at the nameplate on the back of the jersey. And equitable return should NOT be the goal. It should be a sledgehammer on a fly.
Bullwinkle Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 It's not the worst hit we've ever seen, but I agree with you. If the league wants to get serious about preventing injury, it needs to issue suspensions for hits like that even where the injury isn't severe. Dion lying about it after the game (says he was just trying to finish his check and Kassian turned into the boards at the last second) doesn't help. I'm not so sure...it worked for Lucic.
james duncan Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Thoroughly enjoyed that game and hope for more. Had a high school rivalry feel to it that the players clearly fed off of. When he's hot, Vanek can make scoring look easier than any Sabre I can recall. I loved Kassian's game start to finish and McNabb's hit.
wjag Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 We need to talk some more about this http://youtu.be/uSI4pWn1H1M After looking at it with sober eyes I'm not sure it's suspendable. Dion hits him from the side and because of Kassian's position (look at his skates @ .55) he falls awkwardly. I'm going out on a limb here. Ten minutes was over the top. Five minutes was sufficient for that. Oh and Kassian sure got hit with the ugly stick...Getting checked face first into the boards isn't helping that either,...
NowDoYouBelieve Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Thoroughly enjoyed that game and hope for more. Had a high school rivalry feel to it that the players clearly fed off of. When he's hot, Vanek can make scoring look easier than any Sabre I can recall. I loved Kassian's game start to finish and McNabb's hit. Vanek might be the most versatile scorer in hockey, but throughout his career I think he's gone through stretches where he has zero confidence in his game. This hasn't happened yet in 2011, so we can only hope he's outgrown it.
darksabre Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I'm going out on a limb here. Ten minutes was over the top. Five minutes was sufficient for that. Oh and Kassian sure got hit with the ugly stick...Getting checked face first into the boards isn't helping that either,... I love it. He's like our Scott Hartnell.
Eleven Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I love it. He's like our Scott Hartnell. That is EXACTLY who I want him to be like.
Robviously Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 There's an idea: what about a Vanek, Adam, Kassian line? Hello, Lindy? I'll never understand Lindy's approach to lines. When the season started, we had Adam between Vanek and Pominville and that line was responsible for about two goals a game. Then he broke that line up and, right around that time, the season started to go downhill. Wouldn't it help to have one really great line?? Why do we have a 26 year old AHLer centering our two best forwards?
Iron Crotch Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Did anyone miss Leino and his team worst -7 last night? ... didn't think so. It felt like we fielded one of the most physical lineups we have in years last night (McNabb, Weber, Regehr, Kassian, Goose, McCormick). It was nice to see. I agree with everyone that there is no way Kassian can be sent down right now. But, what to do with the glut of small, skilled wingers? Fun, fun game last night!
wjag Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I do have to say, while I don't agree with the game misconduct Dion got last night, that sure looked good on my Fantasy Team. That play alone ensured I win the PIMs category this week.
beerme1 Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 So maybe what we can say is you've had some bad experiences with Leaf fans. Do you have the same problem with visiting Canadiens fans? Canadiens fans are equally ignorant and usually Ottawa fans too. I will say however the the game on Tuesday Ottawa fans were good and last nights game was probably the most respectfull I have ever seen Leaf fans in our building. Usually they are chanting go leafs go during the entire US anthem. = a holes to me. Everything was good natured last night not stupid and ignorant a holes. Even while they were entering the building and chanting go leafs go, i hollered back while sitting down eating to get a lets go Buffalo counter chant going. As the leaf fans quieted down while going up the escalator to the 300 level they saw that i was wearing a Miller jersey and started the Miller, Miller, Miller taunt. It was all good. Leaf fans were amognst the first people to get out of their seat and applaud the soldiers that were saluted twice. I appreciate the respect that shows as half the time our own damn fans dont get up an applaud them. Stand up and let them know they are appriciated for Christ's sake. The last Leaf game I was at we had a fight in the Club level. Our crowd was still lamo for a lot of time last night. I have no voice left today and am very happy about that. My club section looked at me when I turned shouting Lets Go Buffalo like i had an infectious disease. Losers.
beerme1 Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 Some random thoughts - -This game showed us all why it is better for us all, when both the Sabres and the Leafs are good at the same time. At times, it felt like playoff hockey and it was great. It was a playoff atmosphere in the rink. Best feeling by a mile all year. It was a blast! I was surprised there weren't more signs on the walls but one that caught my eyes said Taro Sez and had something in Arabic maybe that I couldnt read.
LabattBlue Posted December 17, 2011 Report Posted December 17, 2011 I missed most of the game. Good to see them score some goals. Here's hoping for two in a row tonight.
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