Free Agency: Goose or no Goose?

[dEnnis the Menace]

You got me there. But I have to trust my gut on this one. Kassian doesn't have "it".

 

I concur with that assessment.

[K-9]

You got me there. But I have to trust my gut on this one. Kassian doesn't have "it".

 

Why does it seem that Foligno is light years ahead of Kassian on the development scale? He brought it in the A and continued after the call-up. Whereas Kassian just seemed to quietly fizzle out. I know there are those that accuse LR of "coaching" it out of him but that argument falls flat when you consider Foligno. Why would Lindy coach is out of one and not the other?

 

There is plenty of time in Kassian's career for him to develop into the player that everyone wanted to see coming out of juniors. But he still has to catch up to Foligno just to get to the starting point.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[darksabre]

Why does it seem that Foligno is light years ahead of Kassian on the development scale? He brought it in the A and continued after the call-up. Whereas Kassian just seemed to quietly fizzle out. I know there are those that accuse LR of "coaching" it out of him but that argument falls flat when you consider Foligno. Why would Lindy coach is out of one and not the other?

 

There is plenty of time in Kassian's career for him to develop into the player that everyone wanted to see coming out of juniors. But he still has to catch up to Foligno just to get to the starting point.

 

GO SABRES!!!

 

That's basically my issue with Kassian. Put him next to Foligno and Kassian looked...average at best. His work ethic seemed poor. Foligno's hockey sense and drive seemed much more NHL ready.

[shrader]

Why does it seem that Foligno is light years ahead of Kassian on the development scale? He brought it in the A and continued after the call-up. Whereas Kassian just seemed to quietly fizzle out. I know there are those that accuse LR of "coaching" it out of him but that argument falls flat when you consider Foligno. Why would Lindy coach is out of one and not the other?

 

There is plenty of time in Kassian's career for him to develop into the player that everyone wanted to see coming out of juniors. But he still has to catch up to Foligno just to get to the starting point.

 

GO SABRES!!!

 

I wonder how much Foligno's pedigree helps. Not too many have that many close examples to look up to.

[HopefulFuture]

And Hodgson looked poor his first year in the AHL....then ended up with 41 points in the NHL last season. While I didn't see the aggressive temperament out of Kassian I wanted....to say he won't amount to a hill of beans after one pro season (especially when he was routinely characterized as very raw in the first place) is a bit of an overstatement.

 

A bit much? Yes.

But the meter should have been on ;)

[drnkirishone]

If Myers cant be the next Chara because he wasn't born with that physical mindset then the case is made for Kassian not being the next Lucic.

[fan2456]

So if x+y=12, and y=4, x=8. Really, player development is a science and always the same? It's math? If this was the case. the Sabres would have gotten rid of Campbell during his first 5-6 years in the organization when he couldn't play regularly at the NHL level. Really folks, it's not that simple. Check his NHL career with the Sabres. Unfortunately, we developed him and he got good when he reached unrestricted age. 25 games or two years might not be enough to judge a player. Time will tell.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Campbell

[drnkirishone]

So if x+y=12, and y=4, x=8. Really, player development is a science and always the same? It's math? If this was the case. the Sabres would have gotten rid of Campbell during his first 5-6 years in the organization when he couldn't play regularly at the NHL level. Really folks, it's not that simple. Check his NHL career with the Sabres. Unfortunately, we developed him and he got good when he reached unrestricted age. 25 games or two years might not be enough to judge a player. Time will tell.

 

http://en.wikipedia..../Brian_Campbell

 

I doubt anyone here needs a wiki link to Soupy to know what he did and didn't do in a sabres uniform

[Wyldnwoody44]

So he asks you to keep it under wraps and then you immediately post it here? I know who I'm not turning to in the future if I ever have a big secret.

Well, it is my duty to keep everyone informed with information I have, and I highly doubt that anyone here is going to call nashville up and tattle, I typically don't have much juicy to offer, this is my sacrifice ;)

[fan2456]

 

 

I doubt anyone here needs a wiki link to Soupy to know what he did and didn't do in a sabres uniform

Good, I'm sure there are many like you who don't. Although I still bet many only remember his last 3 years.---------------So, can you a judge a player in 25 games in the NHL? Or even two years, based upon your knowledge of "Soupy". Whether Kassian flops or stars, this was his first pro year. There are a bunch of stories like Campbell's. FRankly, unless Kassian once again becomes a Sabre, I don't care if he makes it or not.

[JJFIVEOH]

I really don't think it's fair the criticism that Kassian got in the short time he was here. I think too many people got way too excited about what we thought he was going to be. The guy had to deal with his legal issues, then criticism all around the hockey world for his dirty play and then the rigors of having to find his niche to become a professional hockey player. The kid's only 21. Give him some time. i hope he turns out to be a great player. I don't think he deserves the negative criticism he gets. I also hope that everybody isn't expecting Foligno to have a full year the way he finished this year. If he doesn't perform the way he did at the end of the year people will get down on him too.

[TrueBlueGED]

I really don't think it's fair the criticism that Kassian got in the short time he was here. I think too many people got way too excited about what we thought he was going to be. The guy had to deal with his legal issues, then criticism all around the hockey world for his dirty play and then the rigors of having to find his niche to become a professional hockey player. The kid's only 21. Give him some time. i hope he turns out to be a great player. I don't think he deserves the negative criticism he gets. I also hope that everybody isn't expecting Foligno to have a full year the way he finished this year. If he doesn't perform the way he did at the end of the year people will get down on him too.

 

If anybody thinks Foligno is going to continue at last year's pace, they're.....well I'll put this mildly--they have unreasonable expectations.

[shrader]

If anybody thinks Foligno is going to continue at last year's pace, they're.....well I'll put this mildly--they have unreasonable expectations.

 

Yeah, those people are crazy. Clearly he's only going to get better. We really could use a hall of famer. :P

[bunomatic]

I do have expectations that Foligno will continue to learn his game and the 'game' and mature and become a very good player for us. Based on what he showed in only his first partial year there's no reason to assume he'll fall way off of how he played this past season. Afterall he is still learning. On the one hand some say come on give Kassian a chance ,he's only 21. Why is it such a stretch to think that perhaps Foligno will end up as good as or better than he already showed? He is a young guy in what will still be considered his rookie year and with his work ethic and pedigree he can only get better as he matures.

[TrueBlueGED]

I do have expectations that Foligno will continue to learn his game and the 'game' and mature and become a very good player for us. Based on what he showed in only his first partial year there's no reason to assume he'll fall way off of how he played this past season. Afterall he is still learning. On the one hand some say come on give Kassian a chance ,he's only 21. Why is it such a stretch to think that perhaps Foligno will end up as good as or better than he already showed? He is a young guy in what will still be considered his rookie year and with his work ethic and pedigree he can only get better as he matures.

 

To clarify, I was referring to point production. I fully expect Foligno to grow his overall game and be a more complete player (defensive game, first-step quickness). But the kid had 13 points in 14 games and shot 28% in less than 16 minutes of ice time. Even elite players don't shoot at anywhere near 28% for an extended period of time. His offensive production is simply unsustainable.

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

To clarify, I was referring to point production. I fully expect Foligno to grow his overall game and be a more complete player (defensive game, first-step quickness). But the kid had 13 points in 14 games and shot 28% in less than 16 minutes of ice time. Even elite players don't shoot at anywhere near 28% for an extended period of time. His offensive production is simply unsustainable.

 

God's truth right there. Yet I remember when Lindy Ruff made the same comment, the gates of wrath opened in Sabreland and to say such a thing could only serve to hamper Foligno's development.

[qwksndmonster]

Bring him back and trade him for another first rounder at the deadline!

We'll be forced to trade him at the deadline for a third line winger because of our tremendous center depth. That 3rd line winger will balance our lines and get us set for a successful playoff run. I'm just not sure if we'll win the cup in 2013, or 2014 yet.

To clarify, I was referring to point production. I fully expect Foligno to grow his overall game and be a more complete player (defensive game, first-step quickness). But the kid had 13 points in 14 games and shot 28% in less than 16 minutes of ice time. Even elite players don't shoot at anywhere near 28% for an extended period of time. His offensive production is simply unsustainable.

If he keeps playing with Ennis and Stafford and Ennis continues his Giroux-like career progression, then who knows? :lol:

[spndnchz]

From the Tennessean

 

Gaustad’s agent, Michael Gorman,

 

“We have spoken with the team. Both parties are interested and looking at options for the future,” Gorman said. “I know that Nashville is interested in keeping Paul and Paul definitely enjoyed his time in Nashville, so it’s our intention to see if we can get something done, and there’s still plenty of time for that.”

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

Last night on NHL tonight Paul Gaustad was named as the most desirable UFA center available this off season.

 

If the rest of the league shares this sentiment I am sure he'll be able to drive up his cost above what most people here would have a stomach for.

[IKnowPhysics]

Last night on NHL tonight Paul Gaustad was named as the most desirable UFA center available this off season.

 

If the rest of the league shares this sentiment I am sure he'll be able to drive up his cost above what most people here would have a stomach for.

 

Odd, if Stoll is signed by the Kings (he should be), I would've picked Olli Jokinen.

[2ForTripping]

Last night on NHL tonight Paul Gaustad was named as the most desirable UFA center available this off season.

 

If the rest of the league shares this sentiment I am sure he'll be able to drive up his cost above what most people here would have a stomach for.

that sure is a shallow puddle of talent if he is the cream of the crop

[fan2456]

I can think of a more appropriate word than "talent".

[deluca67]

I can imagine Paul Gaustad's return being as popular as Bob Corkum's.

[...]

As much as I like Gerbe's character, I have to second this.

 

The Sabres are going no where if they keep players like Gerbe around and/or re-hire the likes of Gaustad. Although, in fairness to Gerbe, re-acquiring Gaustad is a more unforgivable offense.

 

 

Okay, as alluded to elsewhere, I think the Sabres have a definite plan they're working with. First, though, I would like to take back at least half of what I implied in the above quote regarding Gerbe.

 

I actually now think Gerbe may have the season we have all expected him to have. Here's why:

 

The Sabres are seeing the game as a crash-the-net, move bodies game. All of these signings of big, tough guys lead to this conclusion. Every line will have at least one guy who is fearless and strong who will bulldoze other players where ever they need them to go.

 

There are less skill guys because they are fundamentally worthless right now without being able to shoot on net. You can't even see the net unless you:

 

A) can make it across the blue line

B) can get to the net

C) can see the goalie

 

The Sabres had woefully few players capable of this. Until today, where they now are chock full of players who can not only clear the net, but can bring a psychological and physical advantage.

 

No more will Kaleta be the only guy for the Sabres taking risks, and getting under the skin of the opponents. EVERY LINE will feature someone who can do this to some degree, and to the extent they can't play the pest, they can play the true intimidator. That means Kaleta's role is essentially "diluted", which means even if the refs still hassle Kaleta, there are others on the team who will take his place during the game. I suspect the focus by the refs on what Kaleta does will be diminished in the face of the other threatening players on the Sabres' roster.

 

All of these guys will clear space for the likes of Vanek, Gerbe, Stafford, Leino, Pominville, Ennis and Hodgson to do their jobs more effectively. Miller will be able to see the puck better, and have all the muscle he needs to keep his crease as clear as possible.

 

Anyway...I think this is the plan and some of the reasoning, superficially. I really like it and it's difficult not to be optimistic about it. If they sign Doan, or someone with the stuff that he can bring, this could be a hell of a season.

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

I have been saying for a while that I wish the Sabres construct a second line similar to the Ennis line. They seem to be going above and beyond that and tooling up for three lines at least with the same makeup:

 

Vanek, Hodgson, Tropp (but please make it be Doan!!!)

Foligno, Ennis, Stafford

Ott, Leino, Pominville (shuffle center here as per your desire, I've seen all three suggested as centers)

Gerbe, McCormick, Kaleta (or similar)

 

At least one if not two of those three top lines will get some really interesting match ups on most nights. I think the Ennis line provided the theoretical breakthrough that the Sabres are trying to spread through their lines: A bulldozer to clear room, a playmaker and a finisher.

 

Weakest of the three top lines from this stand point is the Vanek line in my view. Vanek and Hodgson has not (yet) shown me the speed or chemistry that Ennis and Stafford has. Also, Tropp is an obvious potential for an upgrade (though I am not as down on him playin gon that line as some others on this board) and why I would be most thrilled to see Shane Doan land in Buffalo.

 

I get that Leino had a disappointing year, but I saw some budding chemistry between him and Pominville and I am very optimistic that Ott will be at least as successful as Foligno. As you say, it's hard not to be an optimist right now.