Playing hurt

[Orange Seats]

I know game 4 of a 2-1 ECF isn't the time to start risking your health for your team... but at what point does the lockerroom expectation become that guys will return sooner rather than later?

 

I'm thinking of Teppo for example... this could be his last chance at the Cup. You'd think he'd be willing to risk some serious off season surgery for the best chance he's ever had at Lord Stanley. Last I heard Teppo couldn't raise his stick, obviously thats not productive on the ice. But Mair was cleared to play yesterday. What about Kalinin's ankle? I can imagine him returning with some kind of soft cast if the team needed absolute desperation play.

 

When do they start pulling a Curt Schilling? My guess is if we went down 3-2 in the ECF or for any game of the SCF.

[RayFinkle]

I know game 4 of a 2-1 ECF isn't the time to start risking your health for your team... but at what point does the lockerroom expectation become that guys will return sooner rather than later?

 

I'm thinking of Teppo for example... this could be his last chance at the Cup. You'd think he'd be willing to risk some serious off season surgery for the best chance he's ever had at Lord Stanley. Last I heard Teppo couldn't raise his stick, obviously thats not productive on the ice. But Mair was cleared to play yesterday. What about Kalinin's ankle? I can imagine him returning with some kind of soft cast if the team needed absolute desperation play.

 

When do they start pulling a Curt Schilling? My guess is if we went down 3-2 in the ECF or for any game of the SCF.

 

Are you f-cking kidding me? If there was any way humanly possible these guys could play, they would be.

[Orange Seats]

Are you f-cking kidding me? If there was any way humanly possible these guys could play, they would be.

 

 

According to the doctors, it was humanly possible (and safe) for Mair to play last night. I'm assuming that Lindy didn't rush him into the lineup because he's going to be rusty and not up to game speed. Now, I can imagine, however, that under different circumstances (say if we were down 3-2 in the series) that Mair would have been right in there.

 

I get the sense right now that the team has leeway because we aren't down in the series and have been successful making roster replacements all season. At some point I think that goes away (like how many more replacements can we possibly make on D?) and the limits of "humanly possible" change a bit.

[topshelfcookies]

I just posted a reply in a different post, Shrader posted there as well. What's with the obsession with Mair? I can't think of anyone you take out of the Game 3 lineup for Mair.

 

What's up peeps? haha

 

Also, I think there's a diffence between "playing hurt" and "playing injured". These guys are competitors and have worked their entire lives to get to this point. They aren't going to simply sit out for an extra couple games, just for fun. This isn't November 25th. It's the end of May. These guys know what's at stake, and I think when they can play, and IF Lindy feels they'll be an asset on the ice, then they'll play.

[apuszczalowski]

Teppo is how old? When you to be his age, its harder to be able to just come in and play hurt like some kid in his 20's who will just play through the pain. The Sabres aren't in desperation time yet, there is no need to risk someone getting hurt even worse just because we feel they are needed back. THe problem is, I think these injuries are worse then the team is leading fans and opponents to believe. I think Timmy is done for the year atleast with another concussion, Kalinan is atleast done for the series, Teppo may be out for the series if its true that right now he is having trouble lifting his stick, and from the reports I have heard, Henrik sounds like he is done for atleast the series with something wrong to his arm.

 

As for Mair, I just don't understand how everyopne thinks he is going to just step in and look like he hasn't missed a step. He has been out way too long to come back and immediately have an impact. Had he started practicing and been cleared for practice at the start of the playoffs, he may have been able to have a big impact this series, or maybe in a cup series, but I can't see him being back into game shape and shaking off the rust in a little over a week

[Campy]

According to the doctors, it was humanly possible (and safe) for Mair to play last night

I could be mistaken, but I don't believe he's been cleared by the NHL's concussion specialist in Pittsburgh yet. Because of the number of concussions, the NHL requires any player that's diagnosed with a concussion to be approved by that guy. The guy is supposed to be the best head injury doc in N America.

 

I think the Sabres' doctors can only compare test results with a player's baseline results. When they're the same, which Mair's reportedly now is, the player can see the doc in Pitt to get cleared to play. But unless that doc gives the go-ahead, he can't go. My understanding is that he hasn't received that clearance.

 

In any event, I'm not so sure a forward played poorly enough to warrant Lindy's putting a rusty Mair in the lineup.

[topshelfcookies]

Mair was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday or Wednesday and was cleared by the specialist to play in games. Wednesday was the first night that Mair was eligible to play in, though Ruff opted not to dress him.

[matter2003]

I think in regards to Mair everyone is so anxious because when he came back after being out for so long for that 3 game span he played absolutely lights out, being a force, checking everything in sight and setting up quite a few good scoring chances...I was thoroughly impressed with the way he played after having been out for so long, and I think he is exactly the type of player that thrives in these situations in the playoffs.

 

As for who we would take out the only real person I can think of would be Novotny, even though I thought he played pretty well last night...

[Campy]

Mair was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday or Wednesday and was cleared by the specialist to play in games. Wednesday was the first night that Mair was eligible to play in, though Ruff opted not to dress him.

Ah, thanks for that - I didn't realize he had been cleared.

 

Wonder if he can play D.... ;)