A whole mess of stuff

[deluca67]

Right, which is why there needs to be some consideration for a #1 center. But, they didn't have a #1 center last year. Roy didn't put up his usual numbers so by his stats he wasn't a #1 either. And as much as you might want to hate giving Stafford credit, he is a top 6 forward. He finished with 50 points last year which puts him 91st. When you have 30 teams, how does 50 points not get you a top six forward? Where do you think Ennis would finish on that list if he played an entire season?

 

I agree, every team has their injuries.............. BUT very few teams had the injuries in such a short span than the Sabres did. It's a big difference to have a few injuries throughout the year and to have several gone for a couple of months.

 

Improvements include drafting of two new 1st round centers........ one may possibly start the year in the NHL (who knows maybe two). Ennis at center (may or may not work out, but at least he's healthy now). Foligno will be full time (there's no way he can keep last years pace but his physical style will compliment ANY player on his line). Hodgson (did you not see his potential last year?)

 

 

 

Sure it's not a throw-away year and time to rebuild? :doh:

If Stafford is in your top six forwards you have serious depth issues at forward. Stafford is a third line winger that will show flashes here and there. At his core he is a third lien winger at best.

 

Hodgson showed very little, he is another soft forward that had points spurt for a handful of games (7 points in 5 games) and was a train wreck at crunch time, -5 +/- and 1 assist over the final 5 games.

 

The rest are the same question marks every team has going into every season. Which of the group of young players are going to make a difference. Two seasons ago Gerbe looked like a world beater. Beginning of last season Adam looked great. At the end of last season Ennis and Foligno looked great. With young players in this organization there appears to be a problem with sustaining their level of play.

[LabattBlue]

Do you know how I know the Sabres are better this year over last? Hecht, Boyes, MAG, and Roy are not on the Roster to start the season. They have been replaced by Ennis, Hodgson, McNabb and Ott... This year may be well short of a cup run but it will be a great learning experience for the up and coming core and I have no doubt that we make playoffs. Hell are defense 2 years ago was Rivet, Morrison, Montador, an Butler and now we have Ehrhoff, Regehr, Sultzer, McNabb and a more experienced Myers, Sekera, and Weber... IMPO we are turning the corner finally after years of bashing our heads against the wall. This year may be a 1st/2rnd exit but for once there seems to be a plan and we are heading in the correct direction.

Placing McNabb on the roster is a huge assumption on your part.

 

1 - While he threw a few big hits, his skating is still a huge question mark as is his inexeperience at the NHL level.

 

2 - Brennan can no longer go up and down without clearing waivers, has more professional experience than McNabb, and can fill the role of 5-6-7 defenseman. McNabb can go up and down without clearing waivers, and would be better served playing top 4 minutes in Rochester, improving his overall game instead of playing 5-6-7 minutes in Buffalo.

[gohansrage]

I wouldn't consider starting Enroth as "throwing him to the wolves." He is a very good goaltender, there no reason to waste another season of his career on the bench. The Sabres can take that savings and put it towards acquiring a center via trade.

 

I think everyone here would trade Miller for a great first line center. (Or trade him to afford one.)

 

The disagreement comes with three other varieties:

 

1. Trading Miller (for anyone other than top line center mentioned above) is a big mistake because he is good and moving him would create an unneccesary hole in the roster. I am in this camp.

 

2. Trading Miller for a second line center is good. Enroth can give similiar production for less money. This is your position (I think), and I certainly see the logic in it. I just disagree.

 

3. Miller is part of the stale core and should go regardless. I don't understand this argument, but I see it used. This one puzzles me.

[Derrico]

I wouldn't consider starting Enroth as "throwing him to the wolves." He is a very good goaltender, there no reason to waste another season of his career on the bench. The Sabres can take that savings and put it towards acquiring a center via trade.

 

I'm going to have to ask the same question as d4rksabre. He has not anything to me in terms of proving he would be a capable #1. I understand Lindy has misused him but we'd have much more questions heading into next season without Miller.

[deluca67]

He's a very good goaltender based on...what...exactly?

From the games I watched him play. I would like see the kid get a real strong extended look at some point. I know many disagree, IMO, it is due to the fear of the unknown. I feel I have a really good grasp on who Ryan Miller is as a goalie and frankly I think now is a good time for a change.

[JJFIVEOH]

If Stafford is in your top six forwards you have serious depth issues at forward. Stafford is a third line winger that will show flashes here and there. At his core he is a third lien winger at best.

 

If there were rumors of the Sabres picking up a forward who has scored 51 goals the last two years this place would be jumping all over it. But since it's Stafford, he sucks right?

 

Hodgson showed very little, he is another soft forward that had points spurt for a handful of games (7 points in 5 games) and was a train wreck at crunch time, -5 +/- and 1 assist over the final 5 games.

 

That's right, a rookie who was on the road for a month whilst getting traded......... had a hard time gelling the first 9 games with his new team. Yet he finished with 8 points his last 10 games.... how many other Sabres can say that?

The rest are the same question marks every team has going into every season. Which of the group of young players are going to make a difference. Two seasons ago Gerbe looked like a world beater. Beginning of last season Adam looked great. At the end of last season Ennis and Foligno looked great. With young players in this organization there appears to be a problem with sustaining their level of play.

 

Gerbe is still an important part of this team like it or not. How in the hell can he score when Ruff places him on the 4th line? Foligno isn't quite Adam, and if that isn't obvious to you I don't know what anybody can say to explain it to you. Ennis had a great spurt at the end of the year but he's always had the ability to put up the numbers. He scored 20 goals as a rookie, and came back to score often again AFTER he got healthy.

 

You seem to judge every player based on short spurts of games.... it's a good thing you're not a GM because you'd be trading half your team once a month. What young players in the NHL DON'T have issues sustaining their level of play early in their career?

 

I think everyone here would trade Miller for a great first line center. (Or trade him to afford one.)

 

The disagreement comes with three other varieties:

 

1. Trading Miller (for anyone other than top line center mentioned above) is a big mistake because he is good and moving him would create an unneccesary hole in the roster. I am in this camp.

 

2. Trading Miller for a second line center is good. Enroth can give similiar production for less money. This is your position (I think), and I certainly see the logic in it. I just disagree.

 

3. Miller is part of the stale core and should go regardless. I don't understand this argument, but I see it used. This one puzzles me.

 

#1 & #2 are viable. #3 isn't.

[dEnnis the Menace]

If there were rumors of the Sabres picking up a forward who has scored 51 goals the last two years this place would be jumping all over it. But since it's Stafford, he sucks right?

 

 

 

That's right, a rookie who was on the road for a month whilst getting traded......... had a hard time gelling the first 9 games with his new team. Yet he finished with 8 points his last 10 games.... how many other Sabres can say that?

 

 

Gerbe is still an important part of this team like it or not. How in the hell can he score when Ruff places him on the 4th line? Foligno isn't quite Adam, and if that isn't obvious to you I don't know what anybody can say to explain it to you. Ennis had a great spurt at the end of the year but he's always had the ability to put up the numbers. He scored 20 goals as a rookie, and came back to score often again AFTER he got healthy.

 

My god man, do you argue just to argue? You seem to judge every player based on short spurts of games.... it's a good thing you're not a GM because you'd be trading half your team once a month. What young players in the NHL DON'T have issues sustaining their level of play early in their career?

 

great points. I know we disagreed over other things, but this is just great.

 

A few other things to add:

Foligno only played in Buffalo at the end of the season... :huh:

Gerbe has looked consistent since day 1 midway thru his rookie season. He has never looked like a world beater, just a hard nosed hard working player that doesn't quit. Nothing has changed in his game other than maybe the minutes he gets.

Ennis was consistent was healthy last year...

I don't know what games you watch, but Enroth is not ready to be a number 1. FFS this argument is old. I'm not scared of getting rid of Miller, I'm scared of the fact that we have nothing but inexperience in the wings, and that is what Toronto has, among many other teams...frankly...I don't want to be Toronto. Our goalie situation is Freaking fine! It's the offense that needs changing, and the mentality that needs changing. Slowly the latter is being changed. We still need the right players, and we don't have all of them yet. The idea of getting rid of Miller doesn't scare...the idea of what we;d be/have instead does...and that is a huge question mark, and more rebuilding.

[deluca67]

If there were rumors of the Sabres picking up a forward who has scored 51 goals the last two years this place would be jumping all over it. But since it's Stafford, he sucks right?

I'm going to rely on Stafford because he a had a great 35 game stretch in a contract year. Stafford is a 15-20 goal scorer third line winger at best. he will occasionally get hot and show flashes like most players that end up being disappointments do.

 

And my apologies, I was not aware that Hodgson was 40 years old and travel would be an issue. :doh:

[gohansrage]

It is kind of funny that people (including me) are cautious about turning over the reins to Enroth but are ready for CoHo to be the best center on the team....

[darksabre]

From the games I watched him play. I would like see the kid get a real strong extended look at some point. I know many disagree, IMO, it is due to the fear of the unknown. I feel I have a really good grasp on who Ryan Miller is as a goalie and frankly I think now is a good time for a change.

 

So yes, opinion rather than fact.

 

Enroth will get his shot no doubt, but I see it as a half-and-half combo like the Miller-Biron days. He'll either end up splitting time with Miller next season, or with a veteran goalie that comes in on trade or FA.

 

I just want to avoid having Enroth be our full blown starter. We miss the playoffs for sure if that happens.

 

It is kind of funny that people (including me) are cautious about turning over the reins to Enroth but are ready for CoHo to be the best center on the team....

 

Because Miller is our best option in net. Why remove him? We don't have a better option at center. Cody gets his shot.

[deluca67]

It is kind of funny that people (including me) are cautious about turning over the reins to Enroth but are ready for CoHo to be the best center on the team....

Great Point.

 

Not just Hodgson, how about the two 1st round picks.

[shrader]

2 - Brennan can no longer go up and down without clearing waivers, has more professional experience than McNabb, and can fill the role of 5-6-7 defenseman. McNabb can go up and down without clearing waivers, and would be better served playing top 4 minutes in Rochester, improving his overall game instead of playing 5-6-7 minutes in Buffalo.

 

One minor nitpick there. Once Brennan clears waivers, he doesn't have to clear them again until he has been on the Sabre roster for 10 games. So assuming he clears the first time, he can in fact ride the shuttle back and forth between the two cities when there is an injury.

[dEnnis the Menace]

I'm going to rely on Stafford because he a had a great 35 game stretch in a contract year. Stafford is a 15-20 goal scorer third line winger at best. he will occasionally get hot and show flashes like most players that end up being disappointments do.

 

And my apologies, I was not aware that Hodgson was 40 years old and travel would be an issue. :doh:

 

early 20's, new team, new atmosphere, new coach, new teammates...a little overwhelming for a young kid in the big leagues if you ask me.

[gohansrage]

Because Miller is our best option in net. Why remove him? We don't have a better option at center. Cody gets his shot.

 

I agree with you. It's just funny.

[JJFIVEOH]

I'm going to rely on Stafford because he a had a great 35 game stretch in a contract year. Stafford is a 15-20 goal scorer third line winger at best. he will occasionally get hot and show flashes like most players that end up being disappointments do.

 

And my apologies, I was not aware that Hodgson was 40 years old and travel would be an issue. :doh:

 

I kept hearing about Stafford being distracted last year because of "family issues". I don't know what was involved or how true it was. But if that's the case I'm willing to give him this year to prove he has what it takes. He came on strong last year when lined with Ennis and Foligno. I don't know how ANYBODY in their right mind would break that line up right away. If the line falls apart and Stafford disappears, he still has a traceable contract.

 

I don't care how old you are. But the fact is you pick and choose which games AND which stats you use to gauge a player. In Hodgson's case it's the first 9 games, and then his +- in the last 5. I have to give you credit, you certainly do make a great effort in cherry picking your stats.

 

Great Point.

 

Not just Hodgson, how about the two 1st round picks.

 

Because if either one of them has 0 points in 5 games you'll want DR to trade them.

[Trettioåtta]

If Stafford is in your top six forwards you have serious depth issues at forward. Stafford is a third line winger that will show flashes here and there. At his core he is a third lien winger at best.

 

Hodgson showed very little, he is another soft forward that had points spurt for a handful of games (7 points in 5 games) and was a train wreck at crunch time, -5 +/- and 1 assist over the final 5 games.

 

The rest are the same question marks every team has going into every season. Which of the group of young players are going to make a difference. Two seasons ago Gerbe looked like a world beater. Beginning of last season Adam looked great. At the end of last season Ennis and Foligno looked great. With young players in this organization there appears to be a problem with sustaining their level of play.

 

Stafford got 50 points...on a down year....how is that a third line winger? What does a player have to put up to be a top 6 forward?

[deluca67]

So yes, opinion rather than fact.

 

Enroth will get his shot no doubt, but I see it as a half-and-half combo like the Miller-Biron days. He'll either end up splitting time with Miller next season, or with a veteran goalie that comes in on trade or FA.

 

I just want to avoid having Enroth be our full blown starter. We miss the playoffs for sure if that happens.

 

 

 

Because Miller is our best option in net. Why remove him? We don't have a better option at center. Cody gets his shot.

Did I forget the IMO?

 

Best option? We don't know that because Enroth has never been given a chance. People are comfortable with Miller and are afraid of change. This team is just as likely to miss the playoffs with Miller in net. The Sabres with Miller had a chance to make the playoffs last season and Miller crapped himself going 1-3 with 15 goals against and a .877 save percentage over the last four games. Those numbers are fact, not IMO.

[JJFIVEOH]

BTW DeLuca, I meant to ask you................in today's NHL where only 30 players scored 30 goals (average of 1 per team), what team are you dreaming of where a 15-20 goal scorer is 3rd line?

[deluca67]

I kept hearing about Stafford being distracted last year because of "family issues". I don't know what was involved or how true it was. But if that's the case I'm willing to give him this year to prove he has what it takes. He came on strong last year when lined with Ennis and Foligno. I don't know how ANYBODY in their right mind would break that line up right away. If the line falls apart and Stafford disappears, he still has a traceable contract.

 

I don't care how old you are. But the fact is you pick and choose which games AND which stats you use to gauge a player. In Hodgson's case it's the first 9 games, and then his +- in the last 5. I have to give you credit, you certainly do make a great effort in cherry picking your stats.

 

 

 

Because if either one of them has 0 points in 5 games you'll want DR to trade them.

5 games at the end of the season with the playoffs on the line? i just might.

[Stoner]

your an idiot. I really believe all you want is the sabres to finish last so that your agenda of ruff being fired happens

 

If that's what it would take, you're right. In the long run, it could be the best thing that ever happened to the Sabres. What good does another middle of the road finish do?

[TrueBlueGED]

I don't know how many more times I can possibly read "make cap room by trading/cutting/killing/burying X, then get a top center" before my head explodes. First of all, cap space is currently not an issue. Secondly, top centers don't get traded...and if they do, it's probably because they A) demanded it or B) are no longer a top center. It's a nice fantasy, but it remains, a fantasy. I can see acquiring a 3rd line guy, but we're not getting a top-2 center.

 

Enroth has 41 games of NHL experience, and worse numbers than Miller. If Enroth is a "very good goalie" then Miller is an elite goalie, and thus, should not be traded. And for the last time, if Miller is just a vastly overpaid average goaltender...you're not getting a return for him.

 

I think a team can win with young players up front. I think a team can win with a young goaltender. I think if a team has young players up front and a young goaltender, you're the Oilers/Islanders/Blue Jackets. Right now the Sabres have youth down the middle, and I think they're still a playoff team. If they trade Miller for cap space in hopes of the mythical top center trade, they're looking at the draft lottery.

[darksabre]

Did I forget the IMO?

 

Best option? We don't know that because Enroth has never been given a chance. People are comfortable with Miller and are afraid of change. This team is just as likely to miss the playoffs with Miller in net. The Sabres with Miller had a chance to make the playoffs last season and Miller crapped himself going 1-3 with 15 goals against and a .877 save percentage over the last four games. Those numbers are fact, not IMO.

 

I'm not afraid of change. I'm afraid of stupid decisions.

[Claude_Verret]

To be more accurate, the problem with Miller is he doesn't make enough of a difference to justify keeping him here at his current price.

 

That's a fair point, I'm not against moving Miller as long as another proven NHL goaltender comes back in the trade.. PA advocated dumping Miller and throwing caution to the wind and going into the season with Enroth and ?? as your Buffalo Sabre goaltenders. Even if they could get a top six center for Miller, which I don't believe they could, you don't fix one hole only to create another.

[apuszczalowski]

It is kind of funny that people (including me) are cautious about turning over the reins to Enroth but are ready for CoHo to be the best center on the team....

I think it has to do with a couple factors

1. Goaltending is a big key to teams success, unless of course your team is stacked with Superstars (Even Pittsburgh couldn't get out of round 1 with their stars adn Fleury in net). Some teams can get away with riding an inexperienced goaltender because they are a stacked team in front of them, but thats not easy to do and its why Philly has been searching for a #1 goalie since Hextall, and the Leafs since Cujo. Having a great goalie and a mediocre #1 centre can take you further then having a star #1 centre and a mediocre goalie.

 

2. Hodgson has the potential and is expected to become a #1 Centre. Enroth has the potential to be a decent goaltender, but outside of Buffalo, not many expect him to do much.

 

3. Theres no one currently better in front of Hodgson, so they have to make a move to bring in someone else to go ahead of him. They expect him to become a #1 C for the team. Enroth has Miller in front of him, so moving him looks more like taking a step back to try and improve because it weakens the goalie position to try and improve the C position. Basically "cutting off the nose to spite the face"

 

If the Sabres had a true #1 C in front of Hodgson, I'm sure there would be plenty of aprehension with moving that #1 C to hand it over to Hodgson

[JJFIVEOH]

5 games at the end of the season with the playoffs on the line? i just might.

 

Where do all these ultra-consistent, 6'6" 250# speed skaters who can score 40 goals (1 exactly every 2 games) never get hurt or affected by daily life and cost next to nothing exist in your fantasy world?