That Aud Smell Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 Interesting that only one of the five skaters on the ice for that goal is playing for Buffalo tonight. montador, butler, gaustad, vanek, and gerbe. so, you're excluding gerbe, yeah? I don't remember the circumstances, but seeing Vanek on the ice with that line surprises me a bit. mid-change? or was ruff double-shifting him in order to get that point?
Campy Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 Perhaps it's me.. the Sabres have the second best record in the NHL over the past 6 weeks and I don't see them really playing a physical game. What I see the Sabres playing is a much more defensively sound game with the ability to finally control the puck, both in and outside their own zone. Players are controlling the puck near the boards and they are making more intelligent plays. I haven't seen the Sabres knocking anyone around and I think that holds true when Derek Roy gets your Carubba Collision. But then you are talking about Tropp... I wouldn't take him out either. Playing Gerbe with Kaleta makes sense. Putting Boyes in the middle is fine. Pulling McCormick out of the lineup isn't going to matter in the least to the Sabres and while I like Turnbull he's green and no where near comparable to Gerbe and/or Kaleta for experience in playing at the NHL level. What you also ignore with Gerbe is how his teammates respond to him. Does he instill more in them because he's out there playing hard? Could be. It's hard to judge. I think he's well liked in that dressing room and sitting him could cause a problem there. So, in the end. Remove McCormick and Turnbull. Insert Kaleta and Gerbe and play the game. When I said "physical game" I didn't mean it in terms of fights and huge checks. I met a stronger physical presence, ie, pushing guys out of the way, making an opponent skate around and not through, being harder on the puck, driving the net, working the cycle and not being bumped off by a little contact. That type of stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love Gerbe's heart, his fire, his passion - all of that stuff. But on a team without a lot of big bodies, I think players like Tropp and Kaleta are more valuable.
dEnnis the Menace Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 montador, butler, gaustad, vanek, and gerbe. so, you're excluding gerbe, yeah? Gerbe isn't playing tonight...
That Aud Smell Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 Interesting that only one of the five skaters on the ice for that goal is playing for Buffalo tonight. montador, butler, gaustad, vanek, and gerbe. so, you're excluding gerbe, yeah? Gerbe isn't playing tonight... right. hence, my use of the matching bold fonts and the "yeah?" i initially read Eleven as saying rostered players ... then realized it was "tonight" ... and went with it anyway.
LGR4GM Posted March 27, 2012 Report Posted March 27, 2012 After the second half of last year it seemed to me that Gerbe could produce consistently and be a ~20 goal a year guy. He has yet to show that sort of production this year, so I am perfectly fine with him losing his roster spot either right now, and/or next season. I also wouldn't be opposed to giving him another go at it next season if and only if we get more size (and skill) in the top nine. If Catnasty makes it to the NHL, though. I think that Ennis and Cat would have to be the only midgets on the squad. Catenacci is 5'10" 185lbs... kids built like a Brick sh!thouse... wouldn't exactly call him a midget, considering Kaleta is only an inch taller and 10lbs heavier... Another thought is that when Roy's gone (hes 5'9") it opens up a spot for a player of the Cats size and it would actually be an upgrade. The cat has 72pts in 67games and 114pm.... I wouldn't screw with him.
fan2456 Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 I'm okay with a small player or two on the team, Gerbe isn't a small player in the NHL. HE is the SMALLEST player in the NHL. Really, I like him. but I have watched this team from day one, not the last few years. I want to win a cup. I'm way past falling in love with a favorite player. Vancouver is a much bigger team on average than we were at the start of the season. That is fact. They went to the cup finals last year, and still felt the need to get bigger. That too is a fact. It's not about Gerbe, it is about the old NHL rule book back in play. You can tackle and interfer all over the ice. That makes it a size league. Again that's reality, not hating Gerbe. Are you watching the lack of penalty calls tonight and for the past several months?? It will be MUCH worse in 2 1/2 weeks whether we make it or not.
TheChimp Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 I don't *want* to put that much cash on a 3rd line, but the reality is our GM has paid out that much money for players who are best suited to a two way role. Tell you what, how about you offer some substance and suggest an alternative. It'll take changes on at least two lines. ;) Edit to add-- rigth now Leino-Roy-Pommer isn't really a 3rd line. I think you can argue that Vanek-Hods-Tropp is closer to that distinction today. Still, is there some sort of negative connotation associated with putting Pommer and Leino on a defensively responsible line? L-R-P are arguably the 3 most defensivfely responsible guys we have in the lineup, why wouldn't we want them grouped up and sent out to counter another teams' top line. Especially when they have the skill to turn the tables and get some goals against the other teams' top groups. After the game against Washington, I'm going to say that the Leino/Roy/Pominville Shut-Down line was beauty. And it makes me re-think this whole idea of numbering lines 1-4. To me, the shut-down line is the one you wanna play against the other team's best scoring line, and if that changes during a game, you play that shut-down line against WHICHEVER line is doing the most damage against you. And if that means a couple minutes more or fewer ice time minutes than another of your lines, so what? Leino, Roy, and Pominville are clearly the most experienced and talented two-way players we have so I personally don't care if the line pays out 2 or 20 million between them, if the lines your coach has put together all have chemistry and each is doing what they do best, this "third" line is just fine with me. And seeing how well they are doing right now, if Kaleta's new injury takes him out of the lineup, I'm not going to cry if they call up a guy like Turnbull and keep Gerbe warming the press box barcolounger a while longer.
inkman Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 I like Tropp's hustle, but to me he is Matt Ellis with about 10lbs more of beef on him. OOF! I don't agree with this at all. The biggest difference is their skating. Tropp's skating i s light years better than Ellis'. Tropp also adds fighting and hitting (and a little dirtiness, google tropp/kampfer). Their hands may be similar, although I'll take Corey's, but Tropp adds a much needed dimension that Matt just can't. No to mention, how many times has Ellis played with Vanek?
shrader Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 OOF! I don't agree with this at all. The biggest difference is their skating. Tropp's skating is light years better than Ellis'. Tropp also adds fighting and hitting (and a little dirtiness, google tropp/kamfer). Their hands may be similar, although I'll take Corey's, but Tropp adds a much needed dimension that Matt just can't. No to mention, how many times has Ellis played with Vanek? Come on Inky, don't glorify that play. All Tropp did was the equivalent of kicking a guy while he was down. Conboy was the true villain there.
inkman Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 Come on Inky, don't glorify that play. All Tropp did was the equivalent of kicking a guy while he was down. Conboy was the true villain there. True but Tropp sure isn't going to win any Lady Bing's.
That Aud Smell Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 if Gerbe's motor was put into Tyler Myers body, the NHL would have the most fearsome machine ever. if gerbe had myers' body, he never would've developed the motor that he has.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 OOF! I don't agree with this at all. The biggest difference is their skating. Tropp's skating i s light years better than Ellis'. Tropp also adds fighting and hitting (and a little dirtiness, google tropp/kampfer). Their hands may be similar, although I'll take Corey's, but Tropp adds a much needed dimension that Matt just can't. No to mention, how many times has Ellis played with Vanek? I think the essence is long term, Tropp is the kind of filler you want on your team. He can be a career 4th liner on a contender as opposed to a career 4th liner on a non contender. To me he doesn't have a lot of downside but not a lot of upside. At least he is gruff. I always respect that.
nfreeman Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 Regier > Burke Absolutely, but at this point that's more a comment on Burke than on DR.
I am Defecting Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 If Burke sucks, then Darcy must be pretty good.
LTS Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 When I said "physical game" I didn't mean it in terms of fights and huge checks. I met a stronger physical presence, ie, pushing guys out of the way, making an opponent skate around and not through, being harder on the puck, driving the net, working the cycle and not being bumped off by a little contact. That type of stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love Gerbe's heart, his fire, his passion - all of that stuff. But on a team without a lot of big bodies, I think players like Tropp and Kaleta are more valuable. Gotcha. I think that in reality the most pronounced aspect of the game that has improved them is your last statement "working the cycle and not being bumped off by a little contact". That's been huge for them over the past stretch. I think the only thing Kaleta is better at than anyone is throwing his body in front of things. Sometimes that's good (when it's the puck) and sometimes that's bad (when it's a penalty like last night). I like Kaleta but he's tough to watch this year and it's mostly because he's been marked (and it's his own doing).
TheChimp Posted March 28, 2012 Report Posted March 28, 2012 Regier > Burke Sure is looking that way. ######, more crow?????? I'm FULLLLL! :ph34r:
DumbPuck Posted April 1, 2012 Report Posted April 1, 2012 Has anybody heard any updates on Gerbe's health status? When this thread was formed, it was made public that both Kaleta and Gerbe were going to be game time decisions.
I am Defecting Posted April 1, 2012 Report Posted April 1, 2012 Before the Pittsburgh game, Ruff said on WGR that Gerbe was 80-90 percent in practice. I haven't heard any updates since then, but he could have played in either game, the way I understood it.
Marvelo Posted April 2, 2012 Author Report Posted April 2, 2012 I think with all the problems Gerbe had this year (including concussion or concussions) 80-90 percent isn't enough, as he just doesn't stack up physically either...
korab rules Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 Before the Pittsburgh game, Ruff said on WGR that Gerbe was 80-90 percent in practice. I haven't heard any updates since then, but he could have played in either game, the way I understood it. Gerbe at 100% is arguably not an NHL player. I don't want him anywhere near the ice at anything less than 100%
Punch Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 Who would come out for Gerbe? Boyes? I can't see Ruff justifying anyone else. He may actually be an asset, at least for tonight, against the speedy Leafs. Paul Hamilton @pham1717 Looks like Weber in for Brennan. Gerbe came off with the team and Ruff said he's a possibility.
I am Defecting Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 He is a "maybe" for tonight, says Ruff, according to Hamilton. Skating on a practice line with Hecht, and Ellis, though, so I doubt we'll see him tonight.
nfreeman Posted April 3, 2012 Report Posted April 3, 2012 I'd like to see Gerbe in the lineup tonight. This team needs a heart injection.
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