thoughts on the upcoming year

[Supersabre]

Why post here then?

 

Good point! :thumbsup:

[SwampD]

Connolly could be the most important player on the team this year besides Miller and everyone is still willing to rip him apart at every opportunity. Keep bitching that a guy who plays the most physical professional team sport on earth has dealt with injury problems... I just hope nobody goes back and changes their tune once he has another career year and becomes Vanek's top set up man... he'll lead the team in points and score 25 goals and you guys will still call for his head.

 

and lol @ Miller being the only reason this team will compete for a playoff spot. I would put Ty ###### Conklin in net and still put money on making playoffs. I think I'm gonna go ahead and pull a rezlimey for a few weeks cause I can't stand reading these ridiculous posts about how the sabres suck, connolly sucks, roy sucks, vanek sucks, ennis sucks, kaleta is a bum, myers is overrated, the rest of our defense sucks, miller won't have another good year, etc. I'm pumped for the season and I don't need some internet badasses telling me my team is going to suck and calling themselves real fans at the same time.

Roy led the team in points.

[Derrico]

Why post here then?

 

Because I remember what it was like right after the lockout. The team was good and I'd check this site out 10 times a day it seemed. It's frustrating coming on here even two or three times a week now and just reading negativity. I agree that we shouldn't always see the team through rosy coloured glasses or any other cliche similar to that that I've read on here anytime anybody God forbid posts something positive. Seriously, go read the posts on here that discuss the current and near future state of the team. I don't think it's a balanced discussion at all. Ya Miller was good, to say that we lean on him is correct. But come on, the Devils did that with Brodeur for years and it paid off. We have the Vezina winning goaltender and the Rookie of the Friggen year. Won the division title and added some quality veterans to the team. There are several franchises that would die for that kind of thing. I live in Leaf nation who hasn't made the playoffs since pre lockout and the optimism here almost makes me sick (and jelous at times). You'd think their first round pick Kadri is a God the way they talk. Would it kill some people to be a little more positive? I mean especially the way the Bills are, it should be that much more encouraging to have a solid hockey team. Anyways, my rant is done.

[Kristian]

Because I remember what it was like right after the lockout. The team was good and I'd check this site out 10 times a day it seemed. It's frustrating coming on here even two or three times a week now and just reading negativity. I agree that we shouldn't always see the team through rosy coloured glasses or any other cliche similar to that that I've read on here anytime anybody God forbid posts something positive. Seriously, go read the posts on here that discuss the current and near future state of the team. I don't think it's a balanced discussion at all. Ya Miller was good, to say that we lean on him is correct. But come on, the Devils did that with Brodeur for years and it paid off. We have the Vezina winning goaltender and the Rookie of the Friggen year. Won the division title and added some quality veterans to the team. There are several franchises that would die for that kind of thing. I live in Leaf nation who hasn't made the playoffs since pre lockout and the optimism here almost makes me sick (and jelous at times). You'd think their first round pick Kadri is a God the way they talk. Would it kill some people to be a little more positive? I mean especially the way the Bills are, it should be that much more encouraging to have a solid hockey team. Anyways, my rant is done.

 

I agree with your entire post, and can totally see where you're coming from, until you write something like this.

 

The Sabres did NOT *add* any quality veterans, they essentially *replaced* two veterans in Tallinder and Lydman. I doubt many people consider Rob Niedermayer a "quality" veteran, at this point in his career. I certainly hope for him to prove me wrong in the worst way, but until that happens, I think of him as a cheap, way past his prime, token addition to a team thin on centers.

 

So if three average players in/Two average players out is the criteria on which we base a succesful off-season, then you're right - There's plenty to be optimistic about.

 

Me? I just find it hard to get excited about it, but to each his own.

[Derrico]

I agree with your entire post, and can totally see where you're coming from, until you write something like this.

 

The Sabres did NOT *add* any quality veterans, they essentially *replaced* two veterans in Tallinder and Lydman. I doubt many people consider Rob Niedermayer a "quality" veteran, at this point in his career. I certainly hope for him to prove me wrong in the worst way, but until that happens, I think of him as a cheap, way past his prime, token addition to a team thin on centers.

 

So if three average players in/Two average players out is the criteria on which we base a succesful off-season, then you're right - There's plenty to be optimistic about.

 

Me? I just find it hard to get excited about it, but to each his own.

 

That point is fair enough. But I don't see the team being worse then they were last year. I also haven't seen enough offseason moves from teams within our division to believe that we don't have a legitimate shot to take the division again. Once we get there I think that Nidermayer will be a nice presence but likely more for his leadership than his actual play on the ice. The guy has won a Stanley Cup, nobody else on the Sabres can say that, which was a possible problem come crunch time last year.

[nfreeman]

Unfortunately the only thing worse than our Power Play are the "fans" that post on this site. Not sure if your new or not to this board but this is not a good site to have any kind of sabres discussion because our D is terrible, we have no PP, our top 6 forwards are a joke and we have no heart. Obviously we would prefer the team to actually do something in the postseason but you can't ignore the regular season. About 90% of the posters do ignore this and almost secretly hope that the team struggles so that they can pound their chests and say "See I told you so...." Seriously, unless you want to be more depressed then after a Bills game, not much point in reading the junk and overall negativity on this site. I for one am excited about the year and think that the veterans they brought in will help when push comes to shove in the playoffs.

This post was fairly obnoxious as well as being substantively wrong -- plenty of us believe in this team and are psyched for the upcoming season. Although I'd guess most of us think DR should've figured out a way to bring in a top-6 forward, that doesn't mean we don't think the Sabres have a good team.

 

As far as the team, I'm confident this squad could make it to the Conference Finals should it all come together. We are grittier (Morrison could be huge) and we have more experienced role players (Niedermeyer). The Sabres acquired exactly what they desired to play in the style Lindy Ruff has developed. It's going to be a boring, grinding style of hockey, but the Sabres will win with it. With Ryan Miller between the pipes, he'll cover up any mistakes the team makes.

 

If the offensive spark that Ennis provides can turn on the offense, and if Vanek can find his groove under Lindy's system, this is a team that could do some damage in the post season.

 

The only negative that comes to mind is the team's power play. It still lacks an effective PPQB, and Ruff still has no idea how to get it clicking. If we could acquire a legit power play specialist, I'd feel confident with this team against any squad in the NHL.

I agree with most of this, but the bolded part is wrong. They needed a good forward, tried to acquire one in free agency and were unsuccessful. Once again, they are going into a season in which they will need TC to stay healthy and Pommer, Roy, Stafford and Vanek to deliver scoring in crunch time. That was almost certainly a mistake, although I'd be happy to be proven wrong if those guys step up.

 

Because I remember what it was like right after the lockout. The team was good and I'd check this site out 10 times a day it seemed. It's frustrating coming on here even two or three times a week now and just reading negativity. I agree that we shouldn't always see the team through rosy coloured glasses or any other cliche similar to that that I've read on here anytime anybody God forbid posts something positive. Seriously, go read the posts on here that discuss the current and near future state of the team. I don't think it's a balanced discussion at all. Ya Miller was good, to say that we lean on him is correct. But come on, the Devils did that with Brodeur for years and it paid off. We have the Vezina winning goaltender and the Rookie of the Friggen year. Won the division title and added some quality veterans to the team. There are several franchises that would die for that kind of thing. I live in Leaf nation who hasn't made the playoffs since pre lockout and the optimism here almost makes me sick (and jelous at times). You'd think their first round pick Kadri is a God the way they talk. Would it kill some people to be a little more positive? I mean especially the way the Bills are, it should be that much more encouraging to have a solid hockey team. Anyways, my rant is done.

When the Devils succeeded in that approach, they had much better skaters (Scott Niedermayer, Scott Stevens, Rafalski, Gomez, Gionta, Elias, Langenbrunner, etc.) than the Sabres have. Not even close.

 

Having said that, I agree with you -- there is plenty to appreciate on this team and plenty of reason to think the Sabres could advance a round or 2 in the playoffs. But they didn't add what they needed to add in the offseason to become legit Cup contenders.

 

The Sabres did NOT *add* any quality veterans, they essentially *replaced* two veterans in Tallinder and Lydman. I doubt many people consider Rob Niedermayer a "quality" veteran, at this point in his career. I certainly hope for him to prove me wrong in the worst way, but until that happens, I think of him as a cheap, way past his prime, token addition to a team thin on centers.

There is no reason to think Niedermayer is past his prime. He's not a speed guy. He was a top-6 forward (with just under 17 minutes per game) for the #2 team in the EC last year. He had more ice time, more goals and more points last year than he did in 2006-'07 for Anaheim, when they won the Cup.

 

I think we'll see a good deal more guts in the lineup this year from Morrisson, Niedermayer, a healthy Rivet and Monty in his 2nd year (not to mention Weber if he can grab the #6 defenseman spot, although I don't think that will happen).

[nobody]

Having said that, I agree with you -- there is plenty to appreciate on this team and plenty of reason to think the Sabres could advance a round or 2 in the playoffs. But they didn't add what they needed to add in the offseason to become legit Cup contenders.

 

To continue those points:

 

Coming out of the lockout - first no one knew what to expect and then it turned out that the Sabres were a legit Cup contender for a few years. You couldn't get this site any higher; except of course if they had won the Cup.

 

Now where are we? Yes it is great the team won the division and I think you will find that every person here would think it would be the greatest thing to win it again. But this team lost in the 1st round of the playoffs last year and is still pretty much that same team. Sure they have tweaked the lineup slightly - a little new blood, a little 'old' blood. But is that enough?

[thesportsbuff]

Roy led the team in points.

 

 

Thanks for this incredibly well thought-out post! Nothing better than using random, irrelevant facts in an argument.

[SwampD]

Thanks for this incredibly well thought-out post! Nothing better than using random, irrelevant facts in an argument.

My bad. I read "he led the team..." when you had written "he'll lead the team...". Sorry it was a long day. That,.. and I just don't like Tim Connolly. :nana:

[thesportsbuff]

 

Having said that, I agree with you -- there is plenty to appreciate on this team and plenty of reason to think the Sabres could advance a round or 2 in the playoffs. But they didn't add what they needed to add in the offseason to become legit Cup contenders.

 

 

Once you advance two rounds in the playoffs, you are a legit cup contender. See: '05-06 Edmonton Oilers.

 

My bad. I read "he led the team..." when you had written "he'll lead the team...". Sorry it was a long day. That,.. and I just don't like Tim Connolly. :nana:

 

It's okay dude I just snap once in a while. I'm trying to be excited for the season and you'd swear half the posters here fans of other teams who just disguise themselves as Sabres fans to come on here and tell me my team sucks.

[deluca67]

There is no reason to think Niedermayer is past his prime. He's not a speed guy. He was a top-6 forward (with just under 17 minutes per game) for the #2 team in the EC last year. He had more ice time, more goals and more points last year than he did in 2006-'07 for Anaheim, when they won the Cup.

 

I think we'll see a good deal more guts in the lineup this year from Morrisson, Niedermayer, a healthy Rivet and Monty in his 2nd year (not to mention Weber if he can grab the #6 defenseman spot, although I don't think that will happen).

Past his "prime?" Did he ever have a "prime?" His best season was back in 1995-1996 and hasn't scored over 40 points since 1998-1999. His "prime" was 12 years ago.

[deluca67]

My bad. I read "he led the team..." when you had written "he'll lead the team...". Sorry it was a long day. That,.. and I just don't like Tim Connolly. :nana:

I am often surprised that Connolly is not more liked by myself and other fans. He is the one player on the team that we can associate with. He is out of shape, bald and by some reports a alcoholic.

[wjag]

I'm looking forward to the season.

 

I wish they had taken care of business and tried a new center on, but oh well.

 

No Mair, No Kennedy, No Lydman and No Tallinder.. Not sweating any of those, although I was rootng for Kennedy. I liked his grit.

 

Niedemeyer, Leopold and Morrison.. Holding judgement until I see them skate. Niedemeyer could be intriguing if he can still skate. He might bring some leadership to the team.

 

I can't see Miller having quite the year he had last year, so the folks that tailed off, Roy, Pominville, Vanek need to really step up their game.

 

Ennis is the shiny new toy this year. I think he is too small to hold up, but I'm hoping to be very wrong in that assessment. He's listed as 5'9", 163.. I just don't think that frame can take the pounding a full NHL season will provide.

 

I didn't think the Sabres would win the division last year and I don't think they are the strongest team this year.

 

I do believe they have enough to be competitive. They won't be highly competitive until they get a true number 1 center.

 

But it should be an entertaining year.

 

I still think Guerin would be a good add. I'd be stunned if he could make the Flyers.

[SwampD]

I am often surprised that Connolly is not more liked by myself and other fans. He is the one player on the team that we can associate with. He is out of shape, bald and by some reports a alcoholic.

Another gem.

 

It's okay dude I just snap once in a while. I'm trying to be excited for the season and you'd swear half the posters here fans of other teams who just disguise themselves as Sabres fans to come on here and tell me my team sucks.

 

It's just their (and my) frustration showing through.

 

I'm excited for the season because I truly believe that we have a window of opportunity here. I do think that Miller will have a better year than last year. As I've said before, I think that Roy is going to have a monster year. I think Vanek is going to get back to where he was, which is great. I think Connolly will have at least as good a year as he had last year. And as much as I bust on Pominville, he's pretty damn solid.

 

With all that said, I don't think it is enough to win the cup, but it is so darn close that all that was needed was a decent move in the off season to challenge, and it wasn't done.

 

You said you were what, in your early twenties? When you live through twenty more seasons of them not making the effort to get, or keep, the talent needed to take them to the next level, see how positive you are.

 

ROCK'EM SABRES

 

EDIT: Let's hope some of those extra Dmen are for a trade that get's them there.

[Derrico]

It's okay dude I just snap once in a while. I'm trying to be excited for the season and you'd swear half the posters here fans of other teams who just disguise themselves as Sabres fans to come on here and tell me my team sucks.

 

+1 Great post.

[nfreeman]

Past his "prime?" Did he ever have a "prime?" His best season was back in 1995-1996 and hasn't scored over 40 points since 1998-1999. His "prime" was 12 years ago.

As you know quite well, he's never been a scorer. He's entering his 17th year in the NHL and cracked the 50-point mark twice. Still, he's played 16 years in the NHL and been to the Finals with Florida (where he played for 8 years) and won a Cup with Anaheim (where he played for 6 years) in 2007. Since you're a Brian Burke fan I would expect you to appreciate Burke's appreciation of him -- he was #5 among forwards in ice time on the Ducks team that won the Cup, even though he produced 16 points in 82 games. One assumes he's adding value in ways other than scoring.

 

I think Niedermayer will add about as much as Grier did last year, which was quite a bit.

[inkman]

He is the one player on the team that we can associate with. He is out of shape, bald and by some reports a alcoholic.

Maybe I should start rooting for him... :(

[shrader]

As you know quite well, he's never been a scorer. He's entering his 17th year in the NHL and cracked the 50-point mark twice. Still, he's played 16 years in the NHL and been to the Finals with Florida (where he played for 8 years) and won a Cup with Anaheim (where he played for 6 years) in 2007. Since you're a Brian Burke fan I would expect you to appreciate Burke's appreciation of him -- he was #5 among forwards in ice time on the Ducks team that won the Cup, even though he produced 16 points in 82 games. One assumes he's adding value in ways other than scoring.

 

I think Niedermayer will add about as much as Grier did last year, which was quite a bit.

 

I can't wait to see that Grier-Niedermeyer-Hecht line. One thing's for sure, we're are going to be in good hands up front on the PK this year. He lead the Devils forwards in shorthanded ice time last year and there's no reason to think he can't do it again here, splitting time with those two.

[nobody]

Maybe I should start rooting for him... :(

 

 

Saw a picture that showed Stafford with some Ink - you could root for him too!

[thesportsbuff]

I can't wait to see that Grier-Niedermeyer-Hecht line. One thing's for sure, we're are going to be in good hands up front on the PK this year. He lead the Devils forwards in shorthanded ice time last year and there's no reason to think he can't do it again here, splitting time with those two.

 

That line is going to be so important this year. Probably one of the most defensively solid lines in the division, not to mention tons of leadership and veteran presence. They're going to get some quality minutes vs team's top lines. And great point on the PK, too. I love the addition of Niedermayer, can't really see how some people are still complaining about Tim Kennedy when we replaced him with a player significantly bigger, stronger, more experienced, and probably just overall better than him.

[inkman]

I don't disagree with your point but Kennedy's upside is still unknown. He could turn into something slightly better than Neids but only time will tell.

[nfreeman]

I can't wait to see that Grier-Niedermeyer-Hecht line. One thing's for sure, we're are going to be in good hands up front on the PK this year. He lead the Devils forwards in shorthanded ice time last year and there's no reason to think he can't do it again here, splitting time with those two.

I've been thinking a bit more about the lines, especially since Lindy's said a couple of times that he likes the idea of 2 skill guys with one bigger/grit guy. If he sticks with that, I don't think we'll see Grier-Niedermayer-Hecht, although it does sound like a natural checking line.

[Derrico]

I don't disagree with your point but Kennedy's upside is still unknown. He could turn into something slightly better than Neids but only time will tell.

 

True, good point. However, comming off of a season in which we won the division, I think that we need the upside and better play NOW. Sabres fans are getting impatient. Also, Miller will only be elite for so many years and Myers rookie contract will expire within a couple of years. They should start making these types of moves to go for it sooner than later.

[thesportsbuff]

I don't disagree with your point but Kennedy's upside is still unknown. He could turn into something slightly better than Neids but only time will tell.

 

Offensively, Kennedy probably is or will be a little better than Neidermayer, but as a checking line forward, he's too small and not strong enough. There's no question that he has the drive and puts in the effort, but that infamous play against Mark Recchi says it all -- he is simply too small and too weak to play his role effectively 100% of the time. I also feel that Rob's Stanley Cup experience will be invaluable, because, correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he's the ONLY person on the team with a Stanley Cup ring. I don't expect him to be named captain in training camp or be a big vocal leader, but just having that ring around could be a spark to some of these younger guys entering their primes that need to start producing.

[inkman]

True, good point. However, comming off of a season in which we won the division, I think that we need the upside and better play NOW. Sabres fans are getting impatient. Also, Miller will only be elite for so many years and Myers rookie contract will expire within a couple of years. They should start making these types of moves to go for it sooner than later.

Thus whole myers leaving at some point in the not so distant future needs to stop. He's a franchise player that is not going anywhere. He'll be better than Briere, Drury and Campbell combined.