Preparing for Playoffs + Next Year

[ko12010]

Even though the Sabres are obviously a top team in the NHL, I think our lack of being able to have 4 consistent, balanced lines is hurting the team's overall consistency and putting more and more pressure on our Captains and Goalie to be their best every night.

 

Many people express their dismay at Andrew Peters being on the team. I have to say that I now agree. Keep him in Rochester as a reserve, but he is just simply not talented enough of a hockey player to be on this team now.

 

Our ability to roll four good lines last year was the main reason we were so good and became even better as the season progressed. If I were Lindy, I would get this team ready for the Playoffs and next season NOW. To do this, let's get four lines together that have the ability to be consistent producers. Our fourth line right now is a joke. Peters just skates around out there and does nothing, along with Novotny and Mair when that line is together. Now I like Mair, and we need to let Novotny continue to develop, but I just do not believe in the so called "energy line." That is just an excuse for a line that does nothing.

 

I propose that our first three lines are made up from our normals. The fourth line should be like a rookie line. But these rookies actually have the ability to add the box score unlike our current fourth line. Plus they will be growing at the NHL level, and being the fourth line they will not have as much pressure on them. This will bring us closer to that balanced level we were at last year and get the young guys more prepared to produce next season, as we most likely will lose someone. (NHL Allstar MVP is going to make it even more difficult to keep Briere + Drury next season)

 

Proposed lines (when team is fully healthy)

 

1: Hecht Briere Pommer

2: Vanek Roy Afinegenov

3: Kotalik Drury Gaustad

4: McArthur Stafford Paille

 

*Novotny will rotate in with the young guns as far as healthy scratches. Peters is gone. When Timmy is back, he will be the center on the fourth line and McArthur or Novotny will be sent down to Rochester and Stafford will move to wing. (I don't know if Novotny has to clear waivers so maybe McArthur will have to be sent back. Mair will also be rotating in with the fourth line because I like him and think he is a good addition to the team.

 

Four full lines that can produce and will let this team start developing for the future at the same time. Our defense is suspect at times but they are still developing as well. People tend to forget that Kalinin and Tallinder, and Campbell are still young men that need to continue to develop. While Campbell and Tallinder have already shown star capabilities, Kalinin still needs time to develop and shouldn't be roasted by the fans every time he makes an error. Also, Nathan Paestch seems to have all the goods as well to be a cornerstone for this franchise.

[LabattBlue]

Even though the Sabres are obviously a top team in the NHL, I think our lack of being able to have 4 consistent, balanced lines is hurting the team's overall consistency and putting more and more pressure on our Captains and Goalie to be their best every night.

 

Many people express their dismay at Andrew Peters being on the team. I have to say that I now agree. Keep him in Rochester as a reserve, but he is just simply not talented enough of a hockey player to be on this team now.

 

Our ability to roll four good lines last year was the main reason we were so good and became even better as the season progressed. If I were Lindy, I would get this team ready for the Playoffs and next season NOW. To do this, let's get four lines together that have the ability to be consistent producers. Our fourth line right now is a joke. Peters just skates around out there and does nothing, along with Novotny and Mair when that line is together. Now I like Mair, and we need to let Novotny continue to develop, but I just do not believe in the so called "energy line." That is just an excuse for a line that does nothing.

 

I propose that our first three lines are made up from our normals. The fourth line should be like a rookie line. But these rookies actually have the ability to add the box score unlike our current fourth line. Plus they will be growing at the NHL level, and being the fourth line they will not have as much pressure on them. This will bring us closer to that balanced level we were at last year and get the young guys more prepared to produce next season, as we most likely will lose someone. (NHL Allstar MVP is going to make it even more difficult to keep Briere + Drury next season)

 

Proposed lines (when team is fully healthy)

 

1: Hecht Briere Pommer

2: Vanek Roy Afinegenov

3: Kotalik Drury Gaustad

4: Card Stafford Paille

 

*Novotny will rotate in with the young guns as far as healthy scratches. Peters is gone. When Timmy is back, he will be the center on the fourth line and Card or Novotny will be sent down to Rochester and Stafford will move to wing. (I don't know if Novotny has to clear waivers so maybe Card will have to be sent back. Mair will also be rotating in with the fourth line because I like him and think he is a good addition to the team.

 

Four full lines that can produce and will let this team start developing for the future at the same time. Our defense is suspect at times but they are still developing as well. People tend to forget that Kalinin and Tallinder, and Campbell are still young men that need to continue to develop. While Campbell and Tallinder have already shown star capabilities, Kalinin still needs time to develop and shouldn't be roasted by the fans every time he makes an error. Also, Nathan Paestch seems to have all the goods as well to be a cornerstone for this franchise.

Card is a defenseman. :doh:

[ko12010]

Card is a defenseman. :doh:

 

 

Shoot, i meant mcarthur

[inkman]

Shoot, i meant mcarthur

edit your post homey :beer:

[deluca67]

Card is a defenseman. :doh:

 

That is what makes the plan so great. Other teams won't know what to do. :lol:

 

All kidding aside.

 

I wish the Sabres would have been dressing Peastch as a 7th d-man when all were healthy and keep Peters

in the press box protecting Paul Hamilton's porn stash. Even when Nathan is the #6 I would rather see Funk or Card dress as the #7 and have Lindy use them in spot duty to help get them prepared.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Proposed lines (when team is fully healthy)

 

1: Hecht Briere Pommer

2: Vanek Roy Afinegenov

3: Paille Drury Kotalik

4: McArthur* Gaustad Stafford

* or Mair

 

I like this lineup better. Puts everyone in their natural positions. Paille has chemistry with Dru and Al. Goose is strong at center and at face-offs. Playing him on the same line as Drury, puts your 2 best face-off guys on the same line.

 

I think you roll a much stronger (and smarter) 4th line.

[jerryg]

I notice Tim Connolly isn't metnioned. Are you assuming he's not coming back? You have to say at this point, not only is it doubtful that he'll be back this year, but if it's taking this long to recover from a conncussion and it's his...third? He's just ok on the exercise bike and nowhere near having any sort of contact even in drills. It might be time to hang up the skates while he can still tie and untie them on his own.

 

Having said that, I also agree that one of the problems this year has been an unproductive 4th line, but also the lack of players on the bench and practiciing with the team. Last year if someone wasn't playing well there was another guy in the press box looking to take his spot...and he had to produce or it was back to the press box and the next guy got a shot. With the cap issues the team faces this isn't possible this year. It would be nice to have Stafford and Paille practicing with the team and when someone decides to take a night off one of those guys is ready to step right in the next night.

[shrader]

Of those rookies, why would you think that any of them would bring more to the table come playoff time than Novotny would? I am the furthest thing from his biggest fan, but the guy did log significant ice time in the playoffs last year. Why do you bump that from the lineup?

 

Really, if you want to field a competitive 4th line, all that's needed is to bump Peters.

[apuszczalowski]

This all works in NHL 2k6 or NHL 2006 and on paper, in a Pre Salary cap world.

 

The Problem is how do you expect to fit this under the cap?

 

Sending Peters to Rochester, or cutting him still is counted against the cap, so the only way is having him dealt, and since he sucks as bad as everyone says, he will not have any takers.

 

What do you do with Mair? Cutting him will also have an effect on the Cap. So you would also have to trade him for picks to have room under the cap.

 

If there was no cap, or the Sabres had the cap space like they did last year, its possible, but right now it is not possible.

 

One thing Sabres fans are going to have to realise (along with the rest of the league) is that what the Sabres did last year is not something that is going to happen year after year, and possibly ever happen again. The Sabres had a ton of Overachieving players that were grossly underpayed for their play. All of their young rookies were ready to play and contributed and had an impact. They had the talent and cap space to roll for good lines every night and good play around with the young players because of the cap space.

 

Now they can't because almost the entire team got a raise from their last season salary and there is no more room under the cap to make moves unless theirs injuries or players are dealt. This is what happens with a cap, and it evens out rosters because you can't just stack a team with top players every year.

 

It may be possible to roll 4 consistent lines again, but they will be 4 lines of players no better then most teams 3rd liners.

 

What the Sabres need to do is go out and realise that this is now the best chance they are going to get for a while and need to give 125% again each and every night for all 60 minutes.

[shrader]

Actually, his roster does fit under the cap. The problem is that if Connolly does come back, they'd have to send 3 or 4 of those guys back down, completely killing that 4th line he suggested.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

So maybe the 4th line consists of:

 

Mair Gaustad Novotny

 

Too many centers on this team! Maybe Novotny is the center, but Goose takes the draws. Yes, this is based on the current situation at hand w/o Connolly.

 

I forgot about Novotny when I looked at the original lineup proposal. I think he brings a lot to this team. Strong PK, grit, experience (playoffs last year) and some offensive talent.

 

I thought if they waived Peters, they are still responsible for paying his salary, but off the hook relative to the cap... anyone have clarification?

[apuszczalowski]

So maybe the 4th line consists of:

 

Mair Gaustad Novotny

 

Too many centers on this team! Maybe Novotny is the center, but Goose takes the draws. Yes, this is based on the current situation at hand w/o Connolly.

 

I forgot about Novotny when I looked at the original lineup proposal. I think he brings a lot to this team. Strong PK, grit, experience (playoffs last year) and some offensive talent.

 

I thought if they waived Peters, they are still responsible for paying his salary, but off the hook relative to the cap... anyone have clarification?

I think the only way they get the cap room is if another team claims him, otherwise why haven't teams done this to clear cap room (like in Philly, or Tampa?)

[Eleven]

I think the only way they get the cap room is if another team claims him, otherwise why haven't teams done this to clear cap room (like in Philly, or Tampa?)

 

I think you're right. Dave B, of course, is the author-it-ah.