[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

No, the team does not suck!.It will make the playoffs, but it does have major defensive problems and they are not going to grow out of it. I laughed when i heard that come out of the announcers mouth. It is one playmaker (80-100 pt guy who can also play the point on the power play) short of having two lines of offense. God forbid an opposing team ahould have to think about matching up their defensive pairs against a two line team. We all know that Darcy will not address these two critical flaws. Roy and Vanek do not belong on the same line.

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

FWIW, I've seen the Sabres on 638 almost every game this season, and I'm out of market (although I'm in NYC, which is MSG territory, so maybe I'm not really out of market?).

 

 

You realize they are playing one of the best teams in the NHL, right? And that team is going to be PO'd about losing to the Sabres a week ago? And their best player, who is either the best or 2nd-best player in the league, is going to be PO'd about being invisible in that game? Or do you think the great Tim Connolly is going to take over this game and shut down Ovi in the process?

 

If the Sabres win, it will be because they play great team defense and Miller plays very well. They aren't going to win a track meet with the Capitals.

 

 

Good man.

 

two words.."Sling Box" if you travel a lot put one on your extra tv cable box.watch your tv from anywhere in the world.

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

Does anyone think Stafford will be back with TV and Roywhen healthy?

 

that would be a mistake if this line continues to play this way...

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

Wow, have not seen Vancouver yet this year....do they ever miss a pass?

 

rarely miss a pass..and they are fast. it looks like their fourth line does not match up well against the sabres 4th

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

I have a nuanced answer - I guess it is a matter of categorization.

 

The team's hand was forced with the Edmonton contract, and he did have a 40 goal season the first year of that contract. Since then the

Sabres have gone to a more traditional lineup- A top 6 - Checking - and Energy line.(rather than three and four smallish and fast lines that come in waves) What hasn't adjusted to this setup with a traditional top 6 style is you need a bigger game in front of the net.

 

I could imagine Vanek playing elsewhere and scoring 45-50 goals with a classic down the middle, play-making center, say a Ryan Getzlaf, or even smaller guys like Toews or Richards.

 

What I don't think happens in Buffalo, is that I don't think there is enough design with Vanek in mind. Organizationally, they really don't have that center (so that is Regier), and in terms of gameplay, I don't see nearly enough intention to get the puck on Vaneks stick to get him 5 or 6 shots a game. (that's Ruff).

 

The last part of this is that I don't think Vanek has a sniper mentality. The team, and even other teams, should know if it touches his stick it is going to net. This would do two things. It would give his linemates more space...and they know when it goes to him it is their job to crash net. Too many times they freeze. All of 'em. They just freeze. (as much as Ruff asks for the shot.....it ain't happening)

 

So there is my long winded answer. Certainly not a bust, but too often ineffectual for the above reasons. Take Vanek away, they are not a better team (as per first round playoff meltdown).

 

:lol:

 

 

Thanks for putting this post up Prospect. My guess is you either coached, play, or played, rare here that the comments are informed observations actually relating to the game.

 

Some semblence of a power play would help too.It has been two years. I think it is time to maybe experiment and move Vanek out of the slot on the pp, the opposition has adjusted. Maybe they should let him operate from the outside a bit where his hockey sense can be used. Spacek would be perfect as a replacement. Plus it will keep Myers from trying to kill him. When will someone teach the kid when and how to shoot on a power play

 

I agree, the Sabres need a playmaker to pair with Vanek. Especially one who can function on the PP. That is the single most important move they could make. It could change the season and with two lines to worry about it would be hard for the opposition to continue keying on Vanek. Good forbid the opposing coach has to think about matching up against two lines.

[GAME DISCUSSION THREAD]

No, stupid, what I wrote was:

 

Meaning if Vanek was the worst mistake this team ever made, and every decision was better than drafting Thomas Vanek, then we'd be on of the most successful teams of all time.

 

 

Not really. I'm saying a first round pick who never played an NHL game is a bigger bust than a first round pick with 176 career goals in 400 games and two 40-goal seasons. You seem confused by this.

 

 

Actually we didn't "give up" ANY draft picks to keep him. We didn't trade draft picks to keep him; we were offered draft picks from someone else to let him go and didn't bite.

 

Is Vanek overpaid? Yes. Does it matter? Not really. We're still $5M under the cap. And we still tried to sign Koivu and Cullen last summer but neither player wanted to be here. Has that contract prevented us from signing or re-signing anyone yet?

 

So basically we're supposed to call Vanek our worst ever bust because we didn't effectively trade him for a bunch of draft picks who may or may not turn out to be as good as he is. That's your rationale?

 

 

THAT IS HIS RATIONALE! CORRECT. amazing is'nt it