Passion/Energy

[SwampD]

Darcy has scouts, now. His previous boss gave him video scouting. Are you blaming him for that decision too?

 

To the contrary. We've gotten some good talent out of it. Just don't use watching the games on TV as an invalid way for fans to evaluate the team.

[darksabre]

Does anybody else recognize that Sabretooth should be on his way out at this point? We have been complaining about the energy in the building for two years now and this cat's only job is to get us excited. I don't know if he is a personal friend of Darcy or he has a litter of kittens to feed at home but Pegula needs to wake up and hold him accountable.

 

I think we need to get a new Sabretooth, maybe a drug dealer. He can run around the arena sneaking cocaine into peoples drinks. The F'N Center would be hoppin!

[nobody]

No, but Darcy can pick good players by watching video.

 

Maybe instead of Darcy watching the Sabres in person he should watch the team on video.

[SwampD]

Maybe instead of Darcy watching the Sabres in person he should watch the team on video.

That thar's funny.

[LTS]

To the contrary. We've gotten some good talent out of it. Just don't use watching the games on TV as an invalid way for fans to evaluate the team.

 

You can't evaluate a player on TV as well as you can evaluate a player while you are at the game. Unless you get the ISO cam feed there are far too many intangibles you will miss. I'm not saying you can't get an idea of things but you can't get the whole picture either. In addition you have to listen to some jackass commentary at times on what a player should or should not have done. All right, perhaps I should not say that but I've never been a fan of Harry's and his comments aren't all bad.. but every time he speaks I expect to hear RJ say "Dynomite drop-in Marty, those broadcast classes are really paying off." Ray has much better insight into the game... but now I'm off topic (if I ever was on).

 

I think it's an incomplete way to evaluate a player, that's all. Just like in the Gerbe for Captain thread. People based their opinion on what you see from Gerbe.. but I want to know what ELSE Gerbe is doing. I want to know if a player is moving about on the PP down low while the puck is being passed up at the top. You don't get to see that on TV. It's a good thing we've seen Vanek's work around the net scoring because if he never scored we might not know just how hard he actually works there. Just the little things.. that's all.

[SwampD]

It is amazing to me the energy and passion I feel when watching any other game. It is really quite incredible and more than a little sad. I don't know what they have to do, but the Sabres have to do something to change the Culture of Glum going on.

 

You can't evaluate a player on TV as well as you can evaluate a player while you are at the game. Unless you get the ISO cam feed there are far too many intangibles you will miss. I'm not saying you can't get an idea of things but you can't get the whole picture either. In addition you have to listen to some jackass commentary at times on what a player should or should not have done. All right, perhaps I should not say that but I've never been a fan of Harry's and his comments aren't all bad.. but every time he speaks I expect to hear RJ say "Dynomite drop-in Marty, those broadcast classes are really paying off." Ray has much better insight into the game... but now I'm off topic (if I ever was on).

 

I think it's an incomplete way to evaluate a player, that's all. Just like in the Gerbe for Captain thread. People based their opinion on what you see from Gerbe.. but I want to know what ELSE Gerbe is doing. I want to know if a player is moving about on the PP down low while the puck is being passed up at the top. You don't get to see that on TV. It's a good thing we've seen Vanek's work around the net scoring because if he never scored we might not know just how hard he actually works there. Just the little things.. that's all.

As to this, LTS, I think it's time for you to upgrade to HD. ;)

 

I think you can see enough away from the puck to make a decent judgement on a player or scheme. Is it the whole pictuer, of course not, but it is definitely enough to make a pretty fair assessment. And don't forget, a lot of the people on this site probably see our players play in person a lot more than any GM who is just watching them on his HDTV.

[LTS]

It is amazing to me the energy and passion I feel when watching any other game. It is really quite incredible and more than a little sad. I don't know what they have to do, but the Sabres have to do something to change the Culture of Glum going on.

 

 

As to this, LTS, I think it's time for you to upgrade to HD. ;)

 

I think you can see enough away from the puck to make a decent judgement on a player or scheme. Is it the whole pictuer, of course not, but it is definitely enough to make a pretty fair assessment. And don't forget, a lot of the people on this site probably see our players play in person a lot more than any GM who is just watching them on his HDTV.

 

One thing on WATCHING is that it appears to me that they've turned down the crowd/ice sound channels. No, it's not because fans in FNC are quiet because it's true at other rinks too. When I watch Versus and other games on NHL NEtwork (using other team's feeds) in many cases the ice microphones are cranked (perhaps too much) and the crowd volumes are higher. MSG used to do that but they seemed to have strayed.

 

You can make a decent judgment. But when evaluating the nuances in talent there are other aspects you need to see. The people who are at the game often COULD be good sources. At least better than me who sits in Rochester most nights. Other GM's have scouts.. they see the players play.

[kdyehs]

I think if you would give Sabres the option to get paid WITHOUT having to play any hockey of the season, they would gladly take it.

 

You would enter the locker room and announce them it's holiday for the rest of the season, and they would be like: "oh for real?" with a smile on their faces.

[nbash]

I was initially shocked to hear how quiet the building is and put it on the fans to some degree, but the more I think about it I blame the team. This particular roster lacks the personalities and style to get Buffalo hockey fan's blood running.

 

Miller is too sensitive, Roy-Stafford-Hecht and all the familiar whipping boys are annoyingly mediocre AND all are way past their shelf life with the fans. No one really hits except Kaleta, and while we love the local boy angle in our hearts we know he's more of a pest/a-hole than a hammer. Top that off with how incredibly boring our three big free agent signings are and you have a fan base that is flatlining.

 

It goes in cycles. There have been other eras when the roster didn't connect with the city (maybe not to this degree) but the next wave feels like the right RX for the passion in the stands. Gerbe is a delight. Meyers is going to grow into his paws and be great. Lots too learn, but Kassian, Adam, Mcnabb, and hopefully Foligno already feel like players with an edge the Sabres have lacked for too long.

 

The way this season is circling the drain, I wish they'd scrap the joke that is our playoff hopes and reboot with the young bloods.

[TheChimp]

I think if you would give Sabres the option to get paid WITHOUT having to play any hockey of the season, they would gladly take it.

 

You would enter the locker room and announce them it's holiday for the rest of the season, and they would be like: "oh for real?" with a smile on their faces.

You know something we don't? ;)

[That Aud Smell]

I'm not pulling the trigger because of the Sabres. I still believe in my team, for better or for worse.

of this, i was aware.

 

i am loyal to the team, come hell or high water. but i don't feel obliged to believe in the team as constituted (now or at any other time), on a better or worse basis -- especially when the team has become the sort of team that i just don't like very much.

There you go. Loyal vs. Believe

 

<bump>

 

regardless of how this season turns out, i want to acknowledge that the believers did not believe in vain.

[I am Defecting]

Another thought related to the passion thing: Who is the LaFontaine on this team? The Andreychuk? The Perrault? The answer is: There isn't one. The Sabres have a lot of good players, but no one that simply takes your breath away. We'll look back on this era as the Age of Vanek: Not the best, but the best we had at the time.

 

Ennis and Hodgson and Pominville eclipse Vanek. As soon as Vanek gets his game on, we can call it the Vanek era.

[spndnchz]

 

 

 

 

<bump>

 

regardless of how this season turns out, i want to acknowledge that the believers did not believe in vain.

 

Tru dat mother ######.

[Eleven]

Tru dat mother ######.

 

Damned straight.

[TheChimp]

That's riiiiight, you doubting biotches!!! Eat it!!! We all believed and you didn't!!! Suck it!!! Yeaaaaahhh! High five, there, my fellow believers!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

[wnyguy]

I don't know, I really find it hard to love this team. I realize they're playing at a top notch level and I have always been the one around my group of friends to be the optimist; but not this year. That Luccic hit; and the lack of response; has hardened my heart towards this team, it's coaches, and all those responsible. I will continue to watch and cheer for this team but my fervor is tempered dramatically.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I don't know, I really find it hard to love this team. I realize they're playing at a top notch level and I have always been the one around my group of friends to be the optimist; but not this year. That Luccic hit; and the lack of response; has hardened my heart towards this team, it's coaches, and all those responsible. I will continue to watch and cheer for this team but my fervor is tempered dramatically.

 

I have seen A LOT of jinxing today. In the car, GR was asking, "What are you most embarassed about in doubting the Sabres?"

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly. This past 20 games is pretty much a redux of last year where everyone got up in da business, and projected this year into the stratosphere. Come game 77 the Sabres are finally in the last playoff spot, and it is time for bowing to the Messiah.

 

I like having games mean something, and a chance at the playoffs.....but in all reality, it's like touting up Iraq's armed forces before the Gulf War. We ain't seen nothin' yet, and if you draw a team like NY...holy cow. There will be bodies left all over the ice.

 

I've shut up, much like last year as to not be a downer......but I think there is a better chance of Ron Paul being the next US president over the Sabres winning the Cup this year.

[Taro T]

I have seen A LOT of jinxing today. In the car, GR was asking, "What are you most embarassed about in doubting the Sabres?"

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly. This past 20 games is pretty much a redux of last year where everyone got up in da business, and projected this year into the stratosphere. Come game 77 the Sabres are finally in the last playoff spot, and it is time for bowing to the Messiah.

 

I like having games mean something, and a chance at the playoffs.....but in all reality, it's like touting up Iraq's armed forces before the Gulf War. We ain't seen nothin' yet, and if you draw a team like NY...holy cow. There will be bodies left all over the ice.

 

I've shut up, much like last year as to not be a downer......but I think there is a better chance of Ron Paul being the next US president over the Sabres winning the Cup this year.

Team still has flaws - nobody that can win a faceoff, an AHL grinder playing wing with the 40 goal scorer (25, whatever), not sure how the D will react to losing Ehrhoff's minutes, no true energy line; and they haven't clinched a playoff spot but it was a very solid win last night against a not-so-solid opponent. People are enjoying the moment. And the team has several bright spots as well.

 

I wouldn't say it's like touting the Iraqi armed forces in late '90; I'd say it's more like acing the midterm after partying all semester and then needing to pull a double-all-nighter to get ready for the exam knowing that if you don't ace the midterm daddy may tell you to start paying your own way. They're exhausted, but at a point where an honest effort from here on out could keep them in good stead. No reason for their friends not to celebrate with them a little Friday night (ok Wednesday) prior to them having to hit the books again hard on Sunday (ok Friday). Nobody (themselves likely included) expects them to be the validictorian, but they've shown with a little better prep they could be in the mix next year.

[TrueBlueGED]

I have seen A LOT of jinxing today. In the car, GR was asking, "What are you most embarassed about in doubting the Sabres?"

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly. This past 20 games is pretty much a redux of last year where everyone got up in da business, and projected this year into the stratosphere. Come game 77 the Sabres are finally in the last playoff spot, and it is time for bowing to the Messiah.

 

I like having games mean something, and a chance at the playoffs.....but in all reality, it's like touting up Iraq's armed forces before the Gulf War. We ain't seen nothin' yet, and if you draw a team like NY...holy cow. There will be bodies left all over the ice.

 

I've shut up, much like last year as to not be a downer......but I think there is a better chance of Ron Paul being the next US president over the Sabres winning the Cup this year.

 

Last year is actually what is preventing me from jumping fully on board (I was on the train last year like the biggest homer alive). It is a bit like deja vu. I think there's two reasons why people are getting on board in spite of what happened last season:

 

1) Before this year most rational fans expected the team to be better than last year given the offseason acquisitions--if not a division winner, then certainly a 4-5 seed as opposed to a 7-8 seed. A solid playoff team as opposed to a "best of the worst" playoff team. Obviously that was in the toilet for most of the season, but the past month and a half has shown the team to be what people thought before the season. When people have a predisposition it's a lot easier to convince them that their predisposition was correct than it was incorrect.

 

2) Ryan Miller. He's in pure Olympic form, and he never was last year...maybe a game here or there, but never for a sustained stretch. It's hard not to be confident in the team, despite its flaws, with Miller playing the way he is.

 

Do I believe we're going to make the playoffs? At this point I'd be surprised if we missed. Do I think we'll get out of round 1? If we face the Penguins or Bruins, I say no. But the Rangers? I'm a known Ranger skeptic, but I'm sure we'll discuss this more if the matchup is actually them. I think the team is better than last season when they got to a game 7 (yes, a gift from Philly goaltending, but whatever) and I'm not going to let last season's playoff letdown influence my opinion of this year's team.

 

PS: I can promise you the Sabres have an infinitely better chance of winning the Cup than Ron Paul does of becoming president. And I literally mean infinitely, since Ron Paul's chance of winning is 0%.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Team still has flaws - nobody that can win a faceoff, an AHL grinder playing wing with the 40 goal scorer (25, whatever), not sure how the D will react to losing Ehrhoff's minutes, no true energy line; and they haven't clinched a playoff spot but it was a very solid win last night against a not-so-solid opponent. People are enjoying the moment. And the team has several bright spots as well.

 

I wouldn't say it's like touting the Iraqi armed forces in late '90; I'd say it's more like acing the midterm after partying all semester and then needing to pull a double-all-nighter to get ready for the exam knowing that if you don't ace the midterm daddy may tell you to start paying your own way. They're exhausted, but at a point where an honest effort from here on out could keep them in good stead. No reason for their friends not to celebrate with them a little Friday night (ok Wednesday) prior to them having to hit the books again hard on Sunday (ok Friday). Nobody (themselves likely included) expects them to be the validictorian, but they've shown with a little better prep they could be in the mix next year.

 

I like the spunk....but it's more like needing a 3.0 to get into graduate school and the boys pulled a 2.9, 2.5, 2.3 and have a 3.8 with the final exam to come and counting for 20%.

 

Then once you get in....y'all still need to pass to get the goods.

 

I'm not begrudging excitement......it's over the top at this point. With this crew, and Pitt, Philly, NYR and 2 vs. Toronto...pretty much 4 away games and 5 or 6 points if solid. I'm happy with getting there if it happens since Status Quo is a given, but it's like saying you've never felt better after an ice cream headache goes away. You are just happy with getting rid of the pain.

 

Last year is actually what is preventing me from jumping fully on board (I was on the train last year like the biggest homer alive). It is a bit like deja vu. I think there's two reasons why people are getting on board in spite of what happened last season:

 

1) Before this year most rational fans expected the team to be better than last year given the offseason acquisitions--if not a division winner, then certainly a 4-5 seed as opposed to a 7-8 seed. A solid playoff team as opposed to a "best of the worst" playoff team. Obviously that was in the toilet for most of the season, but the past month and a half has shown the team to be what people thought before the season. When people have a predisposition it's a lot easier to convince them that their predisposition was correct than it was incorrect.

 

2) Ryan Miller. He's in pure Olympic form, and he never was last year...maybe a game here or there, but never for a sustained stretch. It's hard not to be confident in the team, despite its flaws, with Miller playing the way he is.

 

Do I believe we're going to make the playoffs? At this point I'd be surprised if we missed. Do I think we'll get out of round 1? If we face the Penguins or Bruins, I say no. But the Rangers? I'm a known Ranger skeptic, but I'm sure we'll discuss this more if the matchup is actually them. I think the team is better than last season when they got to a game 7 (yes, a gift from Philly goaltending, but whatever) and I'm not going to let last season's playoff letdown influence my opinion of this year's team.

 

PS: I can promise you the Sabres have an infinitely better chance of winning the Cup than Ron Paul does of becoming president. And I literally mean infinitely, since Ron Paul's chance of winning is 0%.

 

How about Ron Paul as Vice President vs. Sabres making conference finals?

 

Miller is a whole issue on it's own. He's getting a bit skinny now...not bad yet, but any run is going to be out of the question.

 

I think it is bad juju to bet against the home team in the playoffs, but if I catch a -150 on Ny against Buffalo....I can't leave it sitting there. 4 or 5 games in my opinion. The playoffs are a different animal. How many Sabres have you heard now tell the media that they are playing better because there were no expectations? Roy did it...Miller did it.....it's a lot more than a trend..it's reality with these guys.

 

Again, I love spring weather and hockey. I like letting the kids have their fun...but grabbing 16th overall in the league is being met with roses and candy....and the hold on it is questionable.

[qwksndmonster]

Again, I love spring weather and hockey. I like letting the kids have their fun...but grabbing 16th overall in the league is being met with roses and candy....and the hold on it is questionable.

The reason that people are getting on board with this late season success is because it's really fun to root for a winning team. The Sabres are winning, so people (myself included) are happy. A lot of us get excited and optimistic during the season because we know that if it goes wrong, we'll have the entire offseason to be critical of the team. None of this makes us children.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

The reason that people are getting on board with this late season success is because it's really fun to root for a winning team. The Sabres are winning, so people (myself included) are happy. A lot of us get excited and optimistic during the season because we know that if it goes wrong, we'll have the entire offseason to be critical of the team. None of this makes us children.

 

 

I hear you

[LastPommerFan]

One big difference between this year and last is that last year was a poor team that overachieved late to make it in. The Defense was absolutely over-matched against anyone they could have possibly drawn in the playoffs. The loss of Lydman and Tallinder was too much. This year, the D is markedly improved. This is a good team, a very good team that massively underachieved for 30 games because, imo, with 25% roster turnover (connolly/nieds/grier/hecht/morrisonn out, Boyes/Ehrhoff/Leino/Regher/Grags/Adam in) and the loss of anything that resembled elder statesman (grier, rivet, and neids) the team was not prepared to deal with disaster. So the end of last year was the team playing away from it's base level. This season, the good play is the real team, the underachieving winter team was away from it''s base level. This can be illustrated by the fact that last years squad was terrible right off the bat. This years team was very good (10-5-0) for a good stretch before disaster struck.

 

I like our chances.

[dEnnis the Menace]

One big difference between this year and last is that last year was a poor team that overachieved late to make it in. The Defense was absolutely over-matched against anyone they could have possibly drawn in the playoffs. The loss of Lydman and Tallinder was too much. This year, the D is markedly improved. This is a good team, a very good team that massively underachieved for 30 games because, imo, with 25% roster turnover (connolly/nieds/grier/hecht/morrisonn out, Boyes/Ehrhoff/Leino/Regher/Grags/Adam in) and the loss of anything that resembled elder statesman (grier, rivet, and neids) the team was not prepared to deal with disaster. So the end of last year was the team playing away from it's base level. This season, the good play is the real team, the underachieving winter team was away from it''s base level. This can be illustrated by the fact that last years squad was terrible right off the bat. This years team was very good (10-5-0) for a good stretch before disaster struck.

 

I like our chances.

 

I get what you are saying, and I want to say you're right, but i think the truth is somewhere in the middle with this team. The way they've been playing, IMO, can't be sustained for the entirity of the season.

 

Now I challenge them to go prove me wrong, because for once, I would be happy as can be to be wrong.

[LTS]

Whatever...

 

I'm going along for the ride. I don't really care at this point. The team is what it is and nothing is going to change now so you might as well sit back and see what happens. No trades being made, no signings, nothing. This team is set in stone now and short of pulling a Lamoriello and firing Ruff today that's the way it will stay.

 

This bellyaching about whether they are for real or not.. I suppose it's fun if you have nothing better to do but I'd much prefer to save it for as later as possible.

 

Outside of the Sylvestre/Gare influence I have not felt compelled to switch of a Sabres game for some time now. I'm happy about that because 2 months ago I was good for about 1 period most nights before I considered a waste of my time to continue watching.