Archives for November 6, 2010

Buffalo Sabres depth analysis, Fall 2010

‘Now Darcy Regier looks like a genius and 2008 may go down as the best draft in recent memory for Buffalo. With Tyler Ennis poised to make a run at the Calder this year and Luke Adam exploding out of the gate in Portland, trying to become the third Portland player in as many years to win rookie of the year honors in the AHL. It is because of the 2008 draft and emergence of Zack Kassian as a legitimate scoring threat that has made this year’s group of prospects one of the best in recent memory.’

It’s Ruff being Lindy

‘“You constantly go through this (in an 82-game NHL season). There are ups and downs and you just have to maintain a long-term picture. Lindy’s a great coach. To suddenly go ‘dumb’ in the course of the month is ridiculous. He’s one of the best coaches in the league.”’

Saturday’s Toronto Coverage

‘

Leafs don’t mind hitting Sabres while they’re down (Toronto Star)

Toronto avoids Leafs-killer Ryan Miller (Toronto Sun)

It’s Ruff being Lindy (Toronto Sun)

Ron Wilson has no sympathy for Sabres (Toronto Globe and Mail)

Leafs Game Day (National Post)

Buffalo (3-9-2) at Toronto (5-5-2) (AP)

Buffalo Sabres (3-9-2) at Toronto Maple Leafs (5-5-2) (The Sports Network)

A win would be nice for both Sabres, Maple Leafs (NHL.com)

Leafs Look To End Slump Against Sabres (MapleLeafs.com)

Home woes reach historic lows for Sabres

‘At least one fan entered the arena not expecting much from the home team. A banner reading "Fans show up … why don’t you?" was taped to the top of Section 304, yet another sign of growing discontent with the club.’

Grier provides a new scoring source

‘It was the longest drought from the start of the season in Grier’s 14-year NHL career. Patrick Kaleta (14 games), Jochen Hecht (14) and Rob Niedermayer (13) remain scoreless.’

Grier gets two points in loss

‘“We’ve kind of been watching Price, he’s a pretty aggressive goalie,” Grier said. “I thought maybe I could wait him out, and it turned out OK. It’s good to get on the board, but a loss is a loss.”’

Coach Ruff on hotseat in Buffalo

‘Rivet’s view isn’t shared by many Buffalo fans and media. The team’s dismal play this season -3-8-2 with an 0-5-1 mark at home -was the topic du jour in the Buffalo News and WGR, the city’s all-sports radio station. The city has been divided into two camps -those who believe Ruff should be fired and those who believe the answer is to shake up the roster with a blockbuster trade.’

Captain Rivet takes refreshing look in mirror

‘Most veteran players, particularly those wearing the ‘C’, as Rivet does, recoil at the idea of being a healthy scratch. Not Rivet. Not a player whose first thought always has been about the team. “I’m here to be a professional,” Rivet told Vogl. “I need to work harder and work on some things to make myself better. Hopefully, I can be a part that helps this team win some more hockey games.”‘