Punch
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Everything posted by Punch
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Historically, the Sabres have always been a smaller finesse team. St. Louis is doing what it takes to win and that's what I want to see here. Maybe I just need to see the franchise do a 180 from their historical curve, but that definitely doesn't seem to be Darcy's MO. The Blues don't play the trap anyway, they're just an overwhelmingly powerful team that smothers opponents by being smart and responsible. The obstruction needs to be called, bottom line, but that's not the fault of the bigger, tougher teams.
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It's not just size, but a little nastiness and the willingness to sacrifice your body. The Bruins really only have 4 skaters with "size", but they have a lot of guys that are aggressive and play with a physical edge. We certainly need more of both, and although I hope we make a play for Nash he's not exactly known for physical play, despite his size. The Blues are big and nasty and everything I'd like the Sabres to be. If/when the Sabres are eliminated I'm hoping to see a Blues-Pens Final.
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This thread has drifted a bit from strictly a discussion re: Kassian-Hodgson, but I saw this Hockey News article this afternoon and thought the notion that Hodgson trains under Gary Roberts in the offseason probably should dispel any real concerns about a bad attitude: http://www.thehockey...-in-201213.html "Not surprisingly, the newest Sabres weapon is also a client of ‘Scary’ Gary and whatever subterfuge has been out there in the past about Hodgson’s attitude can pretty much be tossed out the window based on the company he keeps in the summer. Simply put, Roberts does not mess around. What the former NHLer preaches is no less than a lifestyle decision, where players commit themselves to both rigorous workouts and nutrition rites involving organic food and the right kinds of it."
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They just showed it on NHL tonight--- a lot of paddy cake between Keith and Kassian, with the refs holding them back. He showed some passion at least.
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Apparently, Nodl is concussed and may miss a week or more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/20/1944803/canes-miffed-by-lack-of-punishment.html
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I agree with you completely. I was referring more to the meme that the NHL favors Canadian teams in suspension rulings (one of the Raleigh newspapers did a study awhile back where they supposedly came to that conclusion) and a possible Canadian media bias toward Canadian teams making the postseason in general. Like I said, I don't buy into it, but it's potential fuel for the fire with those that do, eh? This is why I was eager to see the hit in question--- the ingame penalties. Shanny has less consistency than Derek Roy.
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Did anyone see Bogosian's hit against Carolina last night? I missed the game and can't find a video, but even coupled with his hit against Minnesota in December (the Minnesota player, Bouchard was turning toward the boards just prior to the hit but Zach had plenty of time) it's already been officially ruled that no suspension will be assessed. Mike Harrington and Bill Hoppe are up in arms about it on the twitterverse. I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but those that are may have a case for the NHL willing the Jets past the Sabres--- I lean more toward ineptitude, myself.
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Like PTR mentioned, Buddy has repeatedly mentioned signing Fred before training camp this year. Go to wgr550.com and listen to the interview he gave there the other day with Schopp and the Bulldog. I believe he also mentioned it on Sirius and ProFootballTalk Live with Mike Florio on Thursday and Friday, and Fred himself has expressed the same sentiment multiple times including Friday on Sirius. I don't think those shows are archived.
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Remember, also brought in Sam Adams and Lawyer Milloy in addition to Spikes in that same offseason. This following London Fletcher the year before and preceding Troy Vincent the next season. Definitely not the franchise altering earthquake type moves you've mentioned but still a pretty big overhaul to the defense in a short time frame with big name free agents.
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FWIW, speaking of tweets, here's one from Jim Kelly's wife around midnight: @HJKforever #GoBills #thankYouGod #thatisall Jimbo's nephew and Clemson freshman QB Chad Kelly @ChadKelly12 made an almost identical tweet around the same time. Pretty curious!
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Can't really blame you... he was pretty much invisible tonight.
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I don't like it. What happened to Cody Hodgson??
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I think Doan has been pretty adamant about staying in Phoenix, unfortunately. Then again, money talks and Pegula has it in spades. We already have a Penner... he wears #21.
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There was a similar comment from earlier in the season that Hamilton mentioned--- after Leino was suspended 1 game following a game against Philly he told Darcy: "Don't give up on me yet, I'll get it." Meaning, fit into whatever role he's being asked to play. I like him, too. IMHO, Once we have a competent group of NHL caliber centers on this team, the wingers will look better. It's frustrating to watch, but chemistry takes time and it's even more difficult when the talent isn't there at center and the forwards aren't balanced.
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Paul Hamilton mentioned the other day that Leino went into Darcy's office prior to the trade deadline and specifically asked to not be traded--- that he wanted to play in Buffalo and be a part of the team going forward. Maybe it's just that he just loves the new lockerroom, but I can't blame the guy for recognizing he wasn't a good fit at center earlier in the season when he struggled mightily. We all recognized that. I'd prefer him at wing, but he's doing whatever is asked of him and doesn't appear to be a bad teammate or a troublemaker.
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Admittedly, I know next to nothing in regards to the Kings' organizational depth--- the speculation on a possible return for Brown was based on 'credible' reports that LA would be looking for secondary scoring and a young offensive D-man coming back.
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It's remarkable that Getzlaf's scoring touch hasn't returned during this late season surge by the Ducks. He was pretty visible last night but I'd have thought his goalscoring would have be a big part of Anaheim's run.
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I think that sounds about right. I'd bet the Kings would like to try and reload whatever role they had in mind for the future with Jack Johnson. Apparently, the Stars held onto Steve Ott for a potential playoff run this year, but may consider moving him once the season ends. If true, then despite losing some size to Gaustad I'd prefer Ott to resigning Goose.
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Shawn Thornton is an UFA--- I'd love to bring him in as a veteran big body for the bottom 6. HNiC's Elliotte Friedman speculated yesterday that Dustin Brown may realistically be available in the offseason. I hope it's true and Darcy sends one of those 1sts to the Kings. Lombardi was supposedly interested in Drew Stafford but as much as I'd hope for it I'm skeptical this type of deal will take place.
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Honestly, I no longer have any idea what I intended. EDIT: Actually, now that I see your edited version with clarified terms, that's pretty much where I was going.
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I'm not suggesting Ruff is impotent or that Kassian today equates that missing toughness element--- to me, that's the perception being put across in the argument that "Ruff hates toughness" and I was merely using strongish language.
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an impotent man = Ruff ###### his wife = toughness heart medication = Hodgeson Viagra = Kassian I think the Sabres realize they need both skilled centermen and physical forwards, and I think they hedged their bets that Hodgson's potential return was greater than Kassian's. Trading Kassian and his potential doesn't mean Ruff and the Sabres hate toughness. In this case they valued their heart medication over Viagra. If they refuse to address toughness in the forward ranks in the offseason I'll be apoplectic.
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Furthermore, as far as Ruff "hating toughness"--- an impotent man doesn't hate ###### his wife... he might just need his heart medication more than Viagra.
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This group (both Vancouver fans and media) has not spent 7 months watching Kassian up close. I thought the same thing about Kassian and held the same hopes in reserve--- I still have a modicum of respect for Ruff and trust that he may see something in him that is a signifier he may not develop into that guy. Rob Ray and Paul Hamilton expressed similar reservations yesterday, and as much as I hated the trade initially, I have to admit I've been disappointed Kassian didn't immediately live up to my bloated and unrealistic expectations. There may be some truth to the fact he doesn't have that killer instinct, but time will tell.
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I realize a team is generally a reflection of the HC, but isn't there a big difference between these two statements?
