GAME DISCUSSION THREAD GDT: Colorado at Buffalo 10-19-13 at 7:00 PM

[sicknfla]

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/GARTHS-CORNER/Sabres-Are-Two-teams-In-One/6/54982#.UmOSZhAauS0

 

Posting it because its the first good blog I've seen of him in a while.

 

Trade myers for yakupov now and throw in any goalie they want i'd say.

 

Just interesting that he is the only one who heard these interviews.

[North Buffalo]

Interesting watching, the game. Stafford moves to a line with Vanek and Hodgson and the whole line disappears during the game. The two lines Girgenson, Flynn and Larsson played great and adding Ott to the Foligno, Enis line was a great idea though Ott doesn't have the talent of the other two, it helped.

 

Colorado dominated the Vanek line all night. The fourth line was inept too, though at least they tried. John Scott doesn't have the wheels to keep up with the skating of Colorado.

 

For those who think the Sabres should go to more forechecking, I say great except two out of the four lines can't skate. I say bring up Baptiste and a couple of those second rounders and see who can play and trade Hodgson and Stafford and if you can get something for Vanek great him too.

 

I am not sure Rolston is the problem, other than he is dealing with subpar half talented vets and no effort vets. I am loving effort Larsson puts in every night. Given the minutes, it did look like Rolston played the Vanek line as a third line and it showed in the third with the effort of the other two lines.

 

Bring up McNabb now, between him Z, Weber, and Rostolanin, you have some Nasty to go with Erhoff, Psyk. Keep Tallinder and McBain to rotate in for experience and get rid of Myers, though I thought he had a better game this past one and was a lot more physical. Just my opinion sharing while barking at a harvest full moon.

 

I know I said I have given up on them, and wouldn't post til Darcy was fired. Sabres are still missing a glaring hole of at least one center in the middle. Though I think they might have found a 1a in Larsson... wow, he is a revelation. Can't wait til Armia joins that line. Send Hodgson to wing on a third line with Ott and Vanek and find another center for Foligno and Ennis and I think you might actually have a team. Use the fourth line for young up and comers or effort guys like Flynn, Porter and Kaleta.

 

Still been 5 years for this to happen and Darcy and Stafford are the first pieces that need to go.

[HopefulFuture]

Hey. Isn't this fun?

 

I'm not going to kid you Spndchz, it has actually brought a smile to my face, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Some of us believe that the organization had to get worse before it gets better. So yea, in answer to your question, it is kind of fun. The next couple of seasons will be tough pills to swallow, but we can look to brighter days ahead.

 

I really feel empathy for Miller, Vanek and a few other vets, they certainly know the writing is on the wall here in Buffalo, the clock is ticking on them, it's merely a matter of time before it strikes midnight for each of them. Must be tough on those guys really.

[deluca67]

I'm not one that goes daisy picking in manure patches, I have to say that I really liked the game Tyler Eniis played last night. There was an energy to his skating and a level of competing for pucks I haven't seen from him in a long time. It didn't result in his appearing on the score sheet. If the effort stays at that level and above, he will.

[26CornerBlitz]

Interesting watching, the game. Stafford moves to a line with Vanek and Hodgson and the whole line disappears during the game. The two lines Girgenson, Flynn and Larsson played great and adding Ott to the Foligno, Enis line was a great idea though Ott doesn't have the talent of the other two, it helped.

 

Colorado dominated the Vanek line all night. The fourth line was inept too, though at least they tried. John Scott doesn't have the wheels to keep up with the skating of Colorado.

 

For those who think the Sabres should go to more forechecking, I say great except two out of the four lines can't skate. I say bring up Baptiste and a couple of those second rounders and see who can play and trade Hodgson and Stafford and if you can get something for Vanek great him too.

 

I am not sure Rolston is the problem, other than he is dealing with subpar half talented vets and no effort vets. I am loving effort Larsson puts in every night. Given the minutes, it did look like Rolston played the Vanek line as a third line and it showed in the third with the effort of the other two lines.

 

Bring up McNabb now, between him Z, Weber, and Rostolanin, you have some Nasty to go with Erhoff, Psyk. Keep Tallinder and McBain to rotate in for experience and get rid of Myers, though I thought he had a better game this past one and was a lot more physical. Just my opinion sharing while barking at a harvest full moon.

 

I know I said I have given up on them, and wouldn't post til Darcy was fired. Sabres are still missing a glaring hole of at least one center in the middle. Though I think they might have found a 1a in Larsson... wow, he is a revelation. Can't wait til Armia joins that line. Send Hodgson to wing on a third line with Ott and Vanek and find another center for Foligno and Ennis and I think you might actually have a team. Use the fourth line for young up and comers or effort guys like Flynn, Porter and Kaleta.

 

Still been 5 years for this to happen and Darcy and Stafford are the first pieces that need to go.

 

The team just made a six year commitment to CoHo, so he's not going anywhere. It's far too soon to talk of bring up Compher, Hurley, Bailey, or Baptiste and it's simply not within the realm of possibility.

 

Weber has been by far the worst defenseman on the team this season. Time for him to sit or be gone. McBain is not a good player beyond his value on the PP. Hank looks really slow out there and is nowhere near the player we saw in his first tour with the Sabres. All three of the guys are expendable.

 

Ott has been a major disappointment thus far this season and I'd have no problem with the team moving him in a deal. There's no way Vanek or Miller will re-sign here so ultimately they'll be gone before the deadline.

 

When Darcy mentioned suffering, he wasn't kidding. Both Black and Darcy all but said they're in full on tank mode in order to draft as high as possible to acquire "elite" players. Strap in and hold on for a long, bumpy ride.

[SwampD]

I'm not one that goes daisy picking in manure patches, I have to say that I really liked the game Tyler Eniis played last night. There was an energy to his skating and a level of competing for pucks I haven't seen from him in a long time. It didn't result in his appearing on the score sheet. If the effort stays at that level and above, he will.

That is his game: a monkey f#####g a football. A whole lot going on, but nothing actually happening.

[nucci]

The team just made a six year commitment to CoHo, so he's not going anywhere. It's far too soon to talk of bring up Compher, Hurley, Bailey, or Baptiste and it's simply not within the realm of possibility.

 

Weber has been by far the worst defenseman on the team this season. Time for him to sit or be gone. McBain is not a good player beyond his value on the PP. Hank looks really slow out there and is nowhere near the player we saw in his first tour with the Sabres. All three of the guys are expendable.

 

Ott has been a major disappointment thus far this season and I'd have no problem with the team moving him in a deal. There's no way Vanek or Miller will re-sign here so ultimately they'll be gone before the deadline.

 

When Darcy mentioned suffering, he wasn't kidding. Both Black and Darcy all but said they're in full on tank mode in order to draft as high as possible to acquire "elite" players. Strap in and hold on for a long, bumpy ride.

Agree about Weber and McBain. Not sure why Weber gets the love here. He constantly turns the puck over. If you're going to be this bad play all the young D guys. It won't hurt their development. They seem to have a good attitude.

[qwksndmonster]

Quote of the postgames:

 

"No I didn't nervous."

Nikita Zadorov

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

 

That is his game: a monkey f#####g a football. A whole lot going on, but nothing actually happening.

 

"Laces out Dan...LACES OUT!!!"

[inkman]

Quote of the postgames:

 

"No I didn't nervous."

Nikita Zadorov

Nikita didn't nervous, nervous got Nikita'd.

[Weave]

In soviet Russia, nervous gets..... nah. that doesn't work.

[qwksndmonster]

Last night I went to bed after the second period. About to start the third period now and go on Nikita watch.

[rickshaw]

Haha Myers saw Zadorov carry it down the right side and put it on net so he decided he had to answer by coming down the left side.

 

Ok, we get it. You don't like Myers. Try posting something other than your clear disdain for Myers. We get it.

 

I watched his pressor and he looked like he was going to cry. He cares, which I'm sure is more than a lot of them. Clearly confidence is an issue, and why wouldn't it be? He makes a tonne of money and he's carrying the pressure, but the team is horrible and he gets lots of minutes and he is a minus. His confidence is shot but make no mistake he cares and is trying. It might not look like it but he is trying. Guaranteed he goes elsewhere and gets his mojo back, you'll be pissed he got dealt.

[bunomatic]

Ok, we get it. You don't like Myers. Try posting something other than your clear disdain for Myers. We get it.

 

I watched his pressor and he looked like he was going to cry. He cares, which I'm sure is more than a lot of them. Clearly confidence is an issue, and why wouldn't it be? He makes a tonne of money and he's carrying the pressure, but the team is horrible and he gets lots of minutes and he is a minus. His confidence is shot but make no mistake he cares and is trying. It might not look like it but he is trying. Guaranteed he goes elsewhere and gets his mojo back, you'll be pissed he got dealt.

 

Thats where I'm at. On a bad team everyone ends up looking bad. Especially the guys that get the big shutdown minutes. Add some talent and depth in positions where its lacking and everyone looks better. He'll get better but it might not be here.

[JJFIVEOH]

Confidence and mental toughness are just as important as talent. If a player doesn't have it, he won't get far. Myers won't last long if he can't break out of his funk AND maintain a solid level. I hope for his sake that the Sabres trade him and give him a chance to excel. I think he was put into a position of a leading role way too early in his career and it backfired. I also fear that this trend will hurt future stars in this league. Nobody at 18-19 should be put into a leading position, deal with the media and handle the pressure and stress it takes to be a pro athlete. It will only hurt their future development.

[IKnowPhysics]

Not that I've been shitting on Myers a lot (I've actually tried to stay positive with him), but that's something that I hadn't thought about in a while. If the forwards on this team were better on the defensive side of the puck, his job would be a little easier.

[thewookie1]

Stafford seems to kill the 1st line, put a youngster up there so that Vanek gets energy and Hodgson isn't dead in the water with nothing to pass to.

[Robviously]

Stafford seems to kill the 1st line, put a youngster up there so that Vanek gets energy and Hodgson isn't dead in the water with nothing to pass to.

In order, I'd like to see:

1. Girgensons

2. Foligno

3. Larsson

 

on that line instead of Stafford. Any of those guys could do a better job digging the puck out of the corner. Hell, Brian Flynn could do better. Even Brendan Flynn could do better according to NBC Sports.

[darksabre]

 

 

Ok, we get it. You don't like Myers. Try posting something other than your clear disdain for Myers. We get it.

 

I watched his pressor and he looked like he was going to cry. He cares, which I'm sure is more than a lot of them. Clearly confidence is an issue, and why wouldn't it be? He makes a tonne of money and he's carrying the pressure, but the team is horrible and he gets lots of minutes and he is a minus. His confidence is shot but make no mistake he cares and is trying. It might not look like it but he is trying. Guaranteed he goes elsewhere and gets his mojo back, you'll be pissed he got dealt.

 

Listen, I started this season pushing the idea that he did in fact look better. But he doesn't. I was lying to myself. He's the same old Chief Woodenlegs and caring isn't going to make him any less of an awful skater.

[26CornerBlitz]

Listen, I started this season pushing the idea that he did in fact look better. But he doesn't. I was lying to myself. He's the same old Chief Woodenlegs and caring isn't going to make him any less of an awful skater.

 

I couldn't believe his clueless pirouette in the middle of open ice in the offensive zone last night. He's lost as a player.

[dudacek]

I'm not one that goes daisy picking in manure patches, I have to say that I really liked the game Tyler Eniis played last night. There was an energy to his skating and a level of competing for pucks I haven't seen from him in a long time. It didn't result in his appearing on the score sheet. If the effort stays at that level and above, he will.

 

Since I ###### all over him after the Vancouver game, I have to say it was his best game all season.

I will also have to say that most of the good stuff happened after Colorado's focus had already headed to the bar.

[nfreeman]

Since I ###### all over him after the Vancouver game, I have to say it was his best game all season.

I will also have to say that most of the good stuff happened after Colorado's focus had already headed to the bar.

 

Exactly. The same is true for all of these late-game "comebacks." The opponent knows it's playing one of the worst teams in the NHL, gets out to a 2- or 3-goal lead, and takes its foot off the gas.

[Jsixspd]

Exactly. The same is true for all of these late-game "comebacks." The opponent knows it's playing one of the worst teams in the NHL, gets out to a 2- or 3-goal lead, and takes its foot off the gas.

 

I call it "The Prevent Defense" to use a football analogy. It was clear that the Avalanche came into the 3rd period just looking to run down the clock. And that made the Sabres look better.

 

This is a really bad team - amazingly, shockingly bad given how much money Pegula has infused the organization with since Day 1 of his regime.

[LGR4GM]

I call it "The Prevent Defense" to use a football analogy. It was clear that the Avalanche came into the 3rd period just looking to run down the clock. And that made the Sabres look better.

 

This is a really bad team - amazingly, shockingly bad given how much money Pegula has infused the organization with since Day 1 of his regime.

It actually is about as bad as I would have guessed to start the year. Now that doesn't let DR off the hook for being an ass and sticking us with them. However if you watch, they are ever so slowly molding into a team. G-L-F line is looking like they can actually play. Foligno at center is progress as I have seen more of Ennis and Foligno. Stafford could shoot they would have goals on that line. Hodgson and Vanek and Ott are still struggling but that is because there is 0 secondary scoring.

 

It sucks but Patience. The real surprise is that DR is still GM after putting us in this Situation.

[LGR4GM]

This pleases Nikita.

OHL!!!!! I love Zadorov. He is big. He shoots first and gets it on net. He runs ppl over because he thinks its fun. His passing is oustanding. He skates better backwards than forwards and he is smart. Add his natural charisma to that and this kid has 1st pairing written all over him. Not right now. This team is a dysfunctional disaster. London is a great OHL team going to the Memorial cup and coached by the Hunters. Another year under their tuteledge and he will be a hardened defender. He can explore his offense more and he can play 25minutes a night. OHL just for this year and then next season I am all for Nikita "Godzilla" Zadorov.

 

For those who think the Sabres should go to more forechecking, I say great except two out of the four lines can't skate. I say bring up Baptiste and a couple of those second rounders and see who can play and trade Hodgson and Stafford and if you can get something for Vanek great him too.

Although already commented on, Bringing up 2013 2nd rounders is neither plausible or wise. That move would indicate a complete lack of understanding as opposed to the general incompetence we see at the top from DR. He did that and I would be writing letters every day to Pegula explaining why DR should be fired.

 

I think Z is about 10 pounds heavier than Myers. Z and Risto are both big, big kids.

Zadorov is heavier and he will only get bigger. He turned 18 in April so expect him to grow.

 

It seems to me that Z is a bit more aggressive than Risto.

He is and that was the book on him coming out of the draft. He loves to hit ppl. Actually I think in some interview he said hitting was fun.

 

Zadorov > Risto based on the ultra small sample size thus far.

Zadorov has a lot of untapped potential and a very high ceiling. Risto is more of a known commodity. Hard to tell at this juncture but I think Zadorov has the possibility of being better.