pi2000

Consider this team is coming from Ted Nolan's "system". Most hockey pundits don't believe Nolan even has a system other than outwork the guy lined up across from you. I would imagine some of the more "mentally challenged" players on this team would struggle with picking up a modern hockey system for the first time in their lives. I've played competitive hockey through high school, college, and a year of pro.. albeit back in the mid 90's. Modern hockey systems are much complex these days, but even back then there were always a few guys on the team that just didn't get it. Talented guys who are accustomed to just going out and playing, now have to play a positional team game. At the pro level the game is too fast to think, you just react, and it looks like some of these guys just aren't reacting the way the system is asking them to. Again, I'm not worried about it... it takes time (more time for some) with a new coach, a new modern system, and young players still learning how to play the pro game who are adjusting to pro-level coaching for the first time in their lives. That, or Zemgus is just done with it and wants out.

There's still a lot of season left. Bylsma's system is an adjustment... for everybody. He's probably never had this much detailed coaching at any point in his career. I give everybody a pass this season except Moulson, he's been in the league long enough he should be producing in any system. He's not getting to the net and he gives up on plays. I don't see Zemgus giving up on plays, he still plays hard as is getting chances.... they'll start going in, hockey is a streaky sport, he could put up 10 goals in one month and be right back on pace.

He was a top 2 center the last couple of years, he got top minutes, etc... that means more opportunities. He's not getting nearly as much ice time or looks on the PP as he had in years past. I'm not worried because he wasn't projected as a top 2 center... he was projected as a 3rd line C who can put up 15-20 goals/yr. He still has that potential IMO.

Growing pains. He'll be fine. There's so many guys struggling to score on this team... Girgensons, Larsson, Foligno, Moulson, etc... I can understand some of the younger players maybe don't feel the pressure they felt in years past now that guys like O'Reilly and Eichel and Kane are on the team. It's almost as if they think it's no longer their job to score goals... the pressure is off. Eventually they'll realize they all need to play desperate hockey night and night out to be successful in this league. Guys like Moulson and Gionta should know that by now... Gionta, he's just old and slowing down... Moulson has no excuse however. Back to Zemgus... you don't give up on him. He'll get it eventually and he's still only 22, he'll work through it, don't move him.

ROR has as many goals as Girgensons Larsson Moulson Foligno Legwand and Gionta combined... that's a problem.

Hopefully this is the team Buffalo will become in another few years. FLA bottomed out and hit in the draft with Barkov and Ekblad.... they shore up their goaltending and boom, instant contenders.

Reverse standings... http://www.talk.hockey/tank-tracker/ Anaheim has 39 points and currently sits in a top 6 playoff spot in their conference. Arizona is in 5th place with 40 points. WTF.

Matthews or either of the Finns would be fantastic.

Nobody ever said Lindy was a bad coach. Sometimes good coaches get fired because a change is needed. In Lindy's case, Darcy was heavily invested in his core and they largely tuned Lindy out (not Lindy's fault) because his message grew stale. Lindy is good NHL coach, I'm glad he's having success, although expect goaltending and defense will ultimately doom his club in the playoffs.

Why don't they just put wheels on it and land it like an airplane?

I live in Orange County and nobody can understand why Boudreau still still has a job. Not much talk about it in the media tho, so it goes with hockey in southern california.

could explain this? http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12671856

Yeah, they're short small little sideways jabs at the puck, not full on soccer or football kicks. If you're overly concerned about saftey, make it so you can only lift you skate black an inch off the ice, or the blade has to say on the ice... something like that. ALso they should be able to play the puck off the netting. I mean, what's the difference between the netting and glass? It stays in play.... would make dump ins more interesting. Goalies would have a harder time tracking the puck, etc...

why not? It's a skill play and it's not dangerous.

I only agree with 1 and 3. However, wrt goalie equipment, I'm OK with the cheater pads on the globe and blocker, but the goalie pads need to be made shorter. Agree about the pants, but most importantly the chest protector needs to be reduced, see..... http://news.yahoo.com/nhl-proposal-could-limit-goalies-pad-numbers-085604058--spt.html "The NHL and the NHL Players Association are in discussions to standardize goalie gear based on a player's size. The proposed rules would regulate pants, all upper body pads and potentially introduce a more form-fitting jersey. Goalies would have their equipment approved by the NHL, rather than dealing directly with manufacturers as they do now." I agree with letting them kick the puck in AND make hand passes legal everywhere. Reward the skill plays. Make powerplays last the entire 2 minutes regardless of how many times you score.

Good insight. However, I'm not sure I agree. Early in the season Buffalo was out shooting every team almost 2-1 on a nightly basis. They ranked 3rd in CorsiFor% and were generating a ton of scoring chances, they looked fantastic. Something changed along the way and they're no longer generating the same number of scoring chances they were back in October, early Nov. They've dropped all the way down to 20th in CF%. Why is that? Maybe TM told him to dial it down? They also still look like ###### in their own end at times. It looks like they're killing a penalty with a passive 4 man box and guy in the middle of the box just standing there. Maybe DD realizes we're too slow footed on defense to chase, but it's awfully annoying to watch and reminds me of the tank years.

There's incentive to drop from 21st to 22nd and from 27th to 28th. Buffalo currently sits in 25th, 3 points ahead of 28th (ANA).

If we get towards end of Jan, early Feb, and playoffs are not within reach, then I think you might see some pro-tank moves from GMTM. Although I'm not sure what pro-tank maneuvers he has left up his sleeve. Trading away guys like Ennis, Gorges or Gionta for picks? Maybe move CJ while he's hot? Packaging some roster players and prospects for an injured star player? or young defenseman (Tyson Barrie!)?

It's been analyzed ad nauseum... his career statistics show that Ryan Miller is in fact an average goaltender. He had that one monster year, but that was an exception. People need to get the idea of him being an elite goalie out of their heads. The only measuring stick wrt Buffalo Sabres netmidners should be Hasek. He's currently miles better than Weber, Coco, Franson and Gorges. He can still skate, pass and carry the puck, I'd welcome him back with open arms.

Armia in the lineup tonight for WPG.

I like the One Buffalo slogan. I think the teams should keep their own color schemes.

Meanwhile, today is the Ducks first game since the 11th... a nice 5 day break. That said, there is no conspiracy. Many west coast teams have it much worse making multiple long trips to the east coast.

buying him out would save 2mil/yr against the cap... http://www.generalfanager.com/buyouts/321