Forgot about Stafford

Dam it! I thought I had my lines figured out and I forgot about Stafford...Any one want to write in the comments section where he should go? 

Lindy Ruff may be getting roughed up

Remember when Lindy Ruff took over for Ted Nolan in 1997? I was as shocked as anyone that Nolan was sent his walking papers. To be honest, I wasn't that angry about it because I really didn't think Nolan was anything more then a good motivator with a brilliant goaltender.

I had no clue who this guy Ruff was, because I was to young to remember him play. I just thought he looked like a walrus or a distant cousin of Mike Holmgren.

12 years later, Ruff is still the top fish at the HSBC Arena. He's arguably the biggest and most popular active sports figure in Buffalo. He has either won with playing a defense style or a shoot em' up type offense. Ruff's been untouchable.

When the Sabres went from Stanley Cup finalists to an 8th seed, no one blamed Ruff. When they went 3 straight years earlier this decade without making the playoffs, everyone blamed John Rigas. When the Sabres lost Chris Drury and Daniel Briere making them go from President's Trophy to 10th seed, everyone blamed management.

But how long can Mr. Teflon get a pass for the Sabres short comings? Can you remember a time when Ruff was under this much pressure? And to be honest, it really isn't that much. Ruff has never been under any scrutiny from the fans or even the media to perform. Ruff is good with a quote, which the media loves him for. His time with the Sabres as a player, and his no non-sense approach as a coach has kind of made him a hero amongst the fans. The room is at room temperature for Ruff, but another non-playoff season and hawks will be out.

Another factor is this is Ruff's contract year with the Sabres. I had written earlier that I didn't understand why Ruff always wanted to stay in Buffalo. He could of went anywhere else with a bigger pay roll and market. Lets not forget, when he signed his 3-year extension it was just prior to the Briere/Drury debacle. After the c0-captains departure from Buffalo, Ruff was asked if he regretted signing the extension knowing the Sabres would be far less competitive, "hindsight is 20/20," Ruff said. Not exactly a glowing ring. Ruff maybe getting sick of the Sabres way of doing business.

If there is any knock I have on Ruff is his constant juggling of lines, I believe chemistry is very important in hockey and just throwing player's names in a hat and see what you pull out, just doesn't work. And Ruff should thank his lucky stars that some of the players who he'd driven out of town haven't exactly blossomed. 

Look, I do like Ruff as a coach but if the Sabres are going to keep using the catch phrase "accountability," shouldn't Ruff be under the same phrase? 

The biggest thing is how long can you have the same coach year in and year out? Al Davis theory on coaches is once they've been at a place for over 10 years as a coach, it's time for them to move on because their message has become stale and teams have caught up to their schemes. Ruff is in year 13, will it be an unlikely 13 for Mr. Teflon? 

Why the hell does Larry Quinn talk?!

I was just thinking today that I hadn't heard from Mr. Mulliquinn in a number of months regarding the Sabres.  I thought maybe Quinn finally realized that the fans can't stand when the guy talks. I even asked Bucky Gleason the same question today in his chat, and he offered the same theory. 

Of course, I was wrong. Mulliquinn decided to rear his meddling head on WGR to discuss the state of the team.

Does anyone really care what this guy thinks? What teams have a weekly segment on a radio show of the coach, GM, and President (whatever the hell Quinn is). Once a month, I could deal with him. But what the hell does he offer to the listener? 

No one respects his hockey opinion. No one wants to hear him complain. Which of course he did, he used Montreal and Chicago as examples of teams who spent too much this offseason. Seriously? Dude shut up about other teams and what they spend on. You don't see Russ Brandon talk about what the Redskins do. 

And again, the idiot decided to ask the question he asked during the summer on draft night on WGR, "Can you name a team over the last 5 years that had signed a FA that made a difference?" Um Larry, are you going to tell me Brian Campbell had nothing to do with Chicago going to the West Finals? Are you going to tell me that Daniel Briere had nothing to do with the Flyers going to the EC Finals two years ago? Then you wonder why the hell he was voted most unpopular sports figure head on my web poll. 

Come on the show if you are about to announce a buy one get one free ticket promotion. You already meddle enough with the personnel of the team. We'd like to think you're not involved with player movement (which he's denied), even though we all know you are. That is my first rant of Mr. Mulliquinn of the season. I'm sure their be 100's to come.

What Chris Drury is doing these days

Someone doesn't look too happy.




Man, this is when you know the NHL is trying everything to market their game.

Sabres Prediction

OK, it's time for my boldless prediction. I've said it before, the fortunes of the Sabres rest on Ryan Miller. If Miller is what he's always been, a good goalie, the Sabres will be fighting for the 7th or 8th seed. If he becomes elite, the Sabres can be a top 5 team in the conference. As far as the rest of the team goes: 

There's a select group of veterans on the team that I think have peaked (Roy-Connolly-Pommer-Hecht-Vanek-Tallinder-Lydman-Rivet). These guys I feel aren't going to get any better. It's not a knock on them (besides Tallinder), but Connolly hasn't played a full season in 3 years, Vanek is going to get 40 goals, and Hecht is going to be the 10-15 goal guy. We have seen what the full potential of these guys have gotten us, and it's not a lot. 

Then there's the young guys who have only been on the club for a few years (MaCarthur, Kennedy, Paille, Stafford, Sekera, Butler) that you're not sure what you're going to get. I think the key is for the young guys on the team to step up. I know it's not exactly breaking news, but the Sabres need some new blood to rise among their ranks. If the Sabres can get Stafford to say, 30 goals they will be a 6th seed. 

But I warn all of you, I'm not much of a glass half full guy. My goal is for this team to be a Stanley Cup Champion. I just don't see enough talent on this team, and more importantly the history of Darcy Riger's prospects (only Campbell, Miller, and Vanek have been all-stars), to be confident that this will happen. 

But for all you fans whose goal is for the Sabres to just make the playoffs. Mission should be accomplished. Sabres will finish 7th. 

My Sabres lines (not to be confused with Scarface)

OK, now that we are two days away from the Sabres opening their regular season and the roster is finally set. It's time to play Lindy Ruff, and try my best line combinations. I'll say this, even though Ruff more then likely has penciled in what lines he wants, we all know Ruff juggles his lines more than Boso the Clown. There will be moments where Ruff  will want as many skill guys on his lines, and then he juggle them to have a grinder on each line. So here's my line combos. 

Vanek-Connolly-Roy

As far as I'm concerned if you're going to make the most money on the front line, you may as well play together on the front line. Connolly is suppose to be your big set-up man, while Vanek is your best finisher, it's a no brainier. Throw in Roy who can pass and score (when his head is in the game) and you may have a legit first line. But if laziness does come across this line, don't be surprised if Ruff puts Goose or Grier on there. Especially Grier, who they brought in to ring players necks if their being lazy. 

Pommer-Kennedy-Paille 

I'm sick and tired of Lindy Ruff putting some of his youngest prospects on the 4th line with Adam Mair or Dominic Moore or Rob Ray.  If Tim Kennedy is suppose to be the home town hero he's being billed to be, lets give him some love and talent around him. Ruff kept Kennedy over Gerbe because Kennedy is more of a two way player, which we all know Ruff is infatuated with. Playing him along side Pommer who isn't too shabby in his own end, will give the Sabres a line combo with a little bit of scoring and checking. I put Paille in here over MacCarthur, because Paille at times has hit everything in site, only to disappear. But the physicality is what I'm hoping he can bring to the line. 

Grier-Gaustad-Hecht 

This line will more than likely be the fan favorite of the team. I've always said if the Sabres put together a team of 23 guys who could hit and score 10-15 goals a game, and have a few fights here and there, the fans wouldn't care where the team would finish. In other words, Buffalo fans love the blue-collar line, and that's what they will be getting with this line. I know most fans are looking forward to see how Grier plays, but I'm more interested to see how Hecht rebounds from is disappointing season. Hecht will finally be back at home, playing on a checking line instead of a scoring line. Look for this line to be the shut down line for the Sabres. 

Ellis-MacCarthur-Kaleta 

If I'm an architect of a hockey team, I want 2 lines that have both scoring and checking ability, a pure scoring line, and a pure checking line. I really feel this forth line can fall into the category of scoring and checking. MacCarthur of course is the only pure scorer on the line, but with mix of Kaleta's hitting and Ellis forecheck, it could definitely be a line with a lot of high energy. It's also going to be the line that may see Ellis sit for Mair when he returns from injury. 

Get the hell out of town: Tim Connolly

OK, so I just wrote that Timmy has a lot to prove. But to me, Connolly represents the failure of the Sabres over the years. They gave the guy too much money, who happens to disappear when moments get tough, and he can't stay healthy. He also happens to be the guy on the other end of the Michael Peca, which is a deal I never could get over. Besides having a good series against the Senators, (whom some seem to get confused with Reggie Jackson playoff performance), Connolly really hasn't done much. He should of been traded at the deadline and the Sabres should of used his money to sign a centerman, who didn't have as many red flags on him.

Honorable Mention: Henrik Tallinder, Max AF..oh wait

Weber and Gerbe sent to Portland

The Sabres have just announced officially that Mike Weber and Nathan Gerbe have been sent to Portland. There is no official word on the roster status of Tyler Myers or Tim Kennedy at this time but, at least in Kennedy's case, things look good because they would have already told him to leave for Portland as well.

Mind of Joe

Not a complete shock on Gerbe. Gerbe is a scorer, who hasn't found the scoring touch yet in Buffalo. And we all know that if you can't score and you're not exactly a force on the other end of the ice, Ruff will have no use for you. I'm sure we will see Gerbe make a cameo here and there for the Sabres. 

As for Weber, the kid intrigues me because he can hit. But it also can be good news for Myers fans who want to see him stick around the parent club. 

UPDATE:

The Sabres appear to be keeping Tim Kennedy and Tyler Myers. 

Stock is falling: Henrik Tallinder

How many times in the last 12 years have we seen players overstay there welcome in Buffalo? From Barnaby to Miro to Max, it's a time honored tradition. Welcome to the tradition, Henrik. Tallinder has looked so bad over the last 2 years. It shocks me the guy is still on the team, but that's what it means to be apart of a tradition, more like a slow death.

I'll be honest, I've never been a fan of Tallinder. I like my defenseman to do one of two things: Hit or shoot. Tallinder can do neither. I think at the end of the day, Henrik's downfall was having the pressure to be the number 1-2 defenseman on the team. When he had Campbell and McKee in front of him, he was great because he didn't have to go against the top lines. Once he had to log some serious ice time, not only did injuries get in his way but so did the way he played. He became timid and shy away from contact.

Tallinder is just holding the fort (what's left of it) till the Sabres decide to promote one of their prospects. Remember when Henrk was a prospect? Hopefully, the next prospect won't follow in his footsteps.

Honorable Mention: Nathan Paetsch, Daniel Paile

Most to prove: Tim Connolly

T.C. is the T.O. of the Sabres. You either love the guy or you hate him. I'd go with the latter. Connolly is the 4.5 million dollar man who played 33% of his games over the last 3 years. He's also the guy Darcy Reiger claimed to be last season's big trade equsition. Um, Darcy? He was already on the team!! 

Anyways, Connolly is now suppose to be the Sabres version of the playmaking center everyone has been clamoring for. It's plain and simple for Timmy, If he can play more than 65 games this year and aveage his point a game like he did last year, then he'll got an appology from me. If not, He's just going to be another overpaid Sabres player who happens to have a injury problem.  

I'd also like to see Timmy take more of a leadership role in the team. The dude has been here since 2001. It's time to be a man. 

Most under pressure: Ryan Miller

Miller is the one player on the team that I'm not sure we've seen his full potential. I think we know what we have with guys like Roy, Pommer, and Vanek. But Miller is being paid franchise goalie money. He's also the face of the franchise. Miller's numbers are good, but in order for the Sabres to take the next step from just making the playoffs, to being a top 10 team he has to become elite. 

Last year, Miller let in some soft goals. Now don't get me wrong, all great goalies let in softies, but what makes them great is they forget about them. Miller doesn't. There were too many games last year where Miller lost focus. And when Miller loses focus, the team loses. This season Miller needs to take the team under his wing, he has to have the mentality that he's the backbone of the team. That's where he should start his focus.

my version of word association

The names may be the same, but will results say the same? That's the question I've been asking myself about the Sabres upcoming season. Since the Sabres love to throw out the word "accountability" or is it "evaluation?", I've decided to give out my special words to describe some of the Sabres players. Stay tuned. 

Tyler Myers situation

So Wednesday is suppose to be the big deadline for the Sabres to have their final rosters. Of course we know the Tyler Myers situation, which is kind of sad that it's the BIG training camp story line. I'm sure you all know the Sabres can't send Myers to the minors, but do have the option to play him 9 games (like a tryout) and if they like what they see he stays up here, if not he goes back to Siberia (or Canada). 

Personally, I want to see the kid stick around the parent club. From my understanding, Myers played well during training camp and is being touted as the future blue liner for the Sabres. And judging by his junior career, the guy can score. 42 points in 58 games last year. 

Now hear me out. I hate prospects in all sports! Mainly because I'm sick of this  "Mel Kiper age" of every young player whose last name is Foligino or Williams is going to save my team. 

But the problem with the Sabres (and the Bills) is they need help. As in now! If the Sabres had a strong blue line, I'd say send him back to juniors. But we all know that Tallinder and Lydman are on there way out. So why delay the inevitability. Let the kid play and take his bumps in the NHL. Not to mention the Sabres are severely lacking someone on the point to move the puck. 

I know some of you will act like overly protective parents who think their kid is too young to date. But history shows that 19-year-olds have been able to make the transition to the NHL. Jay Mckee was 19 when he debuted for the Sabres in 1996 and played 43 games. Look how he turned out. 

There's no scientific way to dissect if you should play a rookie or let them sit. If the kid can play, he's going to shine through. More importantly, the Sabres need a bolt of energy, some new blood. They need a future. 

Derek Roy vs Tim Connolly

I don't pretend to be the biggest hockey guru this side of the American Border, but what I do know is the way to build a great hockey team is right down the middle. You need centerman. Gretzky and Messier, Yzerman and Federov, Crosby and Malkin. The list goes on and on for Stanley Cup winning teams having elite centers.

The Sabres had that duo 3 years ago. I know some of you Sabres apologists hate when Drury and Briere are brought up. But the bottom line is the success of the Sabres during that time was because of the depth they had at center.

Since Drury and Briere left, the Sabres have tried to pass the torch to Derek Roy and Tim Connolly. I won't say they've failed, but they sure as hell haven't come close to filling their predecessor's shoes.

I've been very critical of the Sabres brass over the months since writing this blog. But, if I were to pick players on this team who have pissed me off or left me amazed at their talent, it's Connolly and Roy.

Lets start with Derek Roy. Roy is starting to become the Miro Satan and Alexander Mogilny of the team amongst the fans. Sure, he scores a lot of goals but there are just things he does that make you want to pull your hair out. For one thing, he dives...constantly! And even if diving wasn't called a penalty in the NHL, it rubs me the wrong way that Roy isn't fighting enough to make a play. It shows weakness.

Secondly, Roy doesn't get dirty enough when he's in front of the net. Roy normally likes to camp out at least 10-12 feet in front of the net. That's not good enough. He needs to be on top of the goalie. Roy doesn't have the blistering shot to just sit by the face off circle. 

Breire and Drury were great, because they were able to score anywhere on the ice. Roy needs to adapt that philosophy. 

Another popular knock on Roy is his lifestyle. Look, every fan always fantasizes about what life would be like if they were an athlete. Partying sure as hell would be at the top of my list of things to do. When I was living in Buffalo, I would always see the Sabres players at the bars throwing down beers like it was Gatorade. I even one time saw one Sabre carrying another Sabre over his back while taking him to his car. In other words, everyone does it. 

Roy maybe the Satan and Mogilny of the team, but Tim Connolly is becoming the Rob Johnson version of hockey. Remember how Johnson would have all the talent in the world, but he just couldn't stay healthy. 

I feel fans fall way to much in love with Connolly's skills (like they did for Johnson) and don't realize he's done very little in his NHL career. The stats don't lie. 18 goals is his career high and he hasn't played more than 50 games since 2005-2006 season. And the injuries this guy nurses are for ballerina dancers. 

To make matters worse the dude got a 20% raise after playing just 1/3 of his games over the past 3 years. The reason Connolly gets chance after chance is because Darcy Reiger is hell bent on proving people wrong that his Peca for Connolly deal was legit. 

So now that we have the tale of the tape out of the way, what's the final verdict? Derek Roy. I feel Roy still has a lot of bad habits that can be cleaned up. Remember Daniel Briere use to be the same way when he started out with the Coyotes and got taken to task by Lindy Ruff. As for Connolly, I just can't get past the injuries. Sure he's got a ton of talent, but what's the use if the dude can barley play half the season. 

Sabres blue line preview: Old guard edition

Transition is a funny word in sports. Sometimes it can be good or a bad. The good is applying the old saying, out with old and in with new. The bad is when the word means rebuilding.

Whether it's good or bad, if there is any position that is in transition for the Sabres, it's the blue line. Take a look at the defense pairings from 2007-2008.

Gone are Brian Campbell, Teppo Numminen, Jaroslov Spacek, and Dmitri Kalnin. Obvisoulsy, I'd of driven Kalnin out of town on a tricycle if I could. And as much as a gentleman Numminen was, I think the Sabres kept him around way too long because they realized how foolish they looked when the suspended him for being on the verge of having a heart-attack.

The one thing I've been beating the drum on is that the Sabres are missing a play-making defenseman. Campbell and Spacek were those guys. Now of course, was Spacek all world? No. But of the guys on this roster, he was the best blue-liner at getting the puck to the net and carring the puck in the zone.

Now the Sabres on the blueline are younger and only a few old guards remain. Craig Rivet is the anchor of the blue-line. He's the best all around defenseman on the team and he's a leader, or maybe he's a leader amongst boys if you get my drift. Rivet isn't going to blow you away with his speed but he does possess a decent shot.

Unfortunately just like Rivet being a leader amongst boys, his offensive skills amongst the blue liners is like saying Brad Butler is your best lineman on the Bills. Rivet by process of elimination is the leading scorer on the blue-line, scoring an eye popping 24 points last season. Rivet's career high is 35 points and he's going to have eclipse that if no one on the team steps up. But he's a leader, and that's what should be expected from him.

Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman are the veteran pair of the Sabres. Tallinder is the longest tenured Sabre, but has also endured a few injury riddled seasons. Since playing all 82 games in 2005-2006, Tallinder has played 47, 71, and 66 games over the last 3 years. He's suddenly becoming the Dmitri Kalnin of the team.

You know, we have this up and coming defenseman who early in his career looked like he was going to be a main stay for the team. And one thing leads to another and his confidence is gone and he's developing bad habits. It also doesn't help matters when the guy tells the media he wants a change and is making more money than he deserves.

This is Tallinder's last shot with the club. And to be honest even if the guy rebounds from the last couple of bad seasons, I don't see the Sabres resigning him. The Sabres seem to have to same issues with defensman as the Bills have had with cornerbacks, they don't like to resign them after their first contract.

The other veteran on the blue line is new comer Steve Montador. It was actually the Sabres first FA signing in 3 years. Now I'm not going to try and be an expert, but I've never watched Montador play. From what I read and saw on youtube, the guy is a gritty defenseman who can hit and fight. The Sabres haven't had a hard hitting defenseman since Jay McKee.

Don't be surprised if Montador because a Sabres fan favorite. I've always said, the way to a Sabres fan heart is punching an opponent in the heart. Sabres fans respect the blue-collar guy and he seems to fit that bill.

The big question for the blueline is will they become expendable at the end of the year. Both Tallinder and Lydman are UFA, and we know the Sabres haven't resigned a UFA in years (besides Teppo). Rivet will be a UFA after next year. I think judging by the farm system, the Sabres are leaning towards have a full blown makeover on the backline by the end of the year. Even if the Sabres make the playoffs, I just don't see some of these guys playing here next year.

Coming up, Sabres front line: old guard preview edition.

Sabres preview

OK, I know I've written like one positive Sabres post..I think I liked the Grier signing..but I'm trying not to make this blog as negative as possible. I think my Bills posts are fair. Some positive, some negative. But it's time to give the Sabres some more love. I'll be honest, I'm a football guy and I really don't take an interest in the Sabres until January. Now if their on TV of course I'll watch them. And I will be getting center Ice because I do have a new 46 inch flat screen tv.

But I do feel after watching the team for over 20 years, I'll be able to give a good opinion and some cool stats you never thought of.

But I feel in order for me to give some love to the Sabres or to at least get into them, I have to write about the team itself, and not so much about my disdain towards WGR/Sabres, Mr. Mulligan/Mr Seles/ and Tinny Tim. Don't worry I will revisit that again at some point.

So I'm going to start doing my preview for the team. The way I look at the Sabres is they have two teams. They have the old guard and the new guard. The old guard consists of the players who were around the glory days of 2005-2007. The New guard are the kids who are making their way from Portland or have only been on the team for a couple of years.

The way I'm going to do my preview section is by New Guard and Old Guard positions (example, Sabres Defenseman: New Guard, Sabres forwards: Old guard) You get the point. So stay tune.