‘There will be no criticism in this space regarding the decision to unload Pominville, but there is an issue with how little Ennis and Foligno are contributing. Wild coach Bruce Boudreau has tried them on several lines, including the first and fourth, but nothing has worked.’
Archives for December 5, 2017
Sabres, Pens are polar opposites
‘Terry Pegula, for all his charm and good intentions, has so far failed miserably at the task of delivering the first Stanley Cup to Buffalo. His promises on the day he bought the team now ring hollow. Calling Buffalo ‘Hockey heaven’ was a creative tagline at the time, but is just too easy of a joke now. Before Pegula took control from previous owner Tom Golisano, the team’s longest playoff drought was three years. With so much roster turnover and parity in today’s NHL, it’s actually pretty hard to be so bad for so long. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers, who were in the ‘tank’ sweepstakes the same year as the Sabres, made the playoffs last season.’
Much-needed shake-up underway for Sabres, starting with Moulson
‘On their own, Monday’s moves won’t turn the Sabres into Stanley Cup contenders. But they send a message that the players had better get their stuff together. Kyle Okposo used a stronger word than stuff, though it started with the same letter.’
Sabres Notebook: Rodrigues recalled; Wilson acquired from Wings; Beaulieu ill
‘”I’m going to go out and work as hard as I can to start, and then from there I’ll just let my talent work itself out,” Rodrigues said Monday. “Just add some pace, add some work ethic, be hard on pucks and when the opportunity comes to showcase my offensive ability, I’ll do that.”‘
Sabres Prospects: Cliff Pu finds his scoring groove
‘”I just think I was trying to figure things out,” Pu said. “I was bit frustrated but I kept working hard. The bounces started coming my way the last month and I’m playing with good players. I kept working hard on things I need to, like shooting, and it started kicking in slowly. Sooner or later I would get more numbers. I always trusted myself.”‘
Waiving Matt Moulson sends strong message to Sabres
‘“Get your (expletive) together,” Okposo said. “I don’t know, win some games. That’s what happens in this business, if you don’t win games, if you don’t have results, good people pay the price for it, myself included.’
Sabres notes: Scott Wilson has winning background
‘Last season, his first full NHL campaign, he compiled eight goals and 26 points in 78 games and another three goals and six points in 20 playoffs contests. He also played 26 regular-season games before Pittsburgh won the Cup in 2016.’
Tuesday’s Colorado Coverage
Everything you need to know about Buffalo Sabres at Colorado Avalanche (Denver Post)
Struggling Avalanche close out homestand vs. skidding Sabres (The Sports Xchange)
Sabres at Avalanche preview (NHL.com)
Avs Conclude Homestand Against Sabres (ColoradoAvalanche.com)
Tuesday’s Detroit Coverage
Wings trade Wilson; Bertuzzi could be coming up (Detroit News)
Red Wings flip Scott Wilson for 5th-round pick, now hold 9 picks in 2018 (Detroit Free Press)
Red Wings trade Scott Wilson to Sabres for fifth-round pick (Ann Arbor News)
Detroit acquires fifth-round pick from Buffalo for Scott Wilson (DetroitRedWings.com)
Sabres place Moulson on waivers; acquire Wilson from Wings
‘Moulson’s demotion, though not surprising, provided a jolt to a team in the midst of a 1-9-2 slump that’s dropped the Sabres into last place in the overall standings. Buffalo’s offense has all but evaporated after being shutout in a franchise-worst three consecutive games before finally scoring in a 5-1 loss at Pittsburgh on Saturday.’