GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[inkman]

You have to be kidding me....Gaustad is getting paid what he is to win faceoffs!? He is a shell of what is expected of him out there. I have not noticed him ONCE this year.

Why do you care what a player makes?

[deluca67]

Why do you care what a player makes?

Because it adds to the total of a poorly managed team salary cap.

[X. Benedict]

You have to be kidding me....Gaustad is getting paid what he is to win faceoffs!? He is a shell of what is expected of him out there. I have not noticed him ONCE this year.

 

Gaustad and Manny Malholtra are probably the best in the league right now at face-offs.

 

Median salary is just over 2Million....

 

Gaustad is not the problem.

 

Him winning faceoffs has been about the only bright spot on the PK.

[inkman]

Because it adds to the total of a poorly managed team salary cap.

I'd say Vanek, Hecht, Pominville and Rivet are WAY worse contracts than Gaustad's.

[deluca67]

Gaustad and Manny Malholtra are probably the best in the league right now at face-offs.

 

Median salary is just over 2Million....

 

Gaustad is not the problem.

 

Him winning faceoffs has been about the only bright spot on the PK.

BullZhit!

 

I don't care if he ever scores another point or wins another face-off. With his size he needs to be a physical force. If he isn't a physical force then he is completely useless.

[deluca67]

I'd say Vanek, Hecht, Pominville and Rivet are WAY worse contracts than Gaustad's.

I would toss Connolly on that pile and agree. It doesn't make Gaustad's contract money well spent.

[X. Benedict]

BullZhit!

 

I don't care if he ever scores another point or wins another face-off. With his size he needs to be a physical force. If he isn't a physical force then he is completely useless.

 

 

Have it your way. Gaustad is the problem. He should stop taking face-offs all together.

Even though he's a forth liner and the only Sabre that is the best at anything in the league. He's the problem.

 

In the De Luca courtroom, does the judge have that plastic gavel that makes a squeaky sound every time he pounds it on the table?

[deluca67]

Have it your way. Gaustad is the problem. He should stop taking face-offs all together.

Even though he's a forth liner and the only Sabre that is the best at anything in the league. He's the problem.

 

In the De Luca courtroom, does the judge have that plastic gavel that makes a squeaky sound every time he pounds it on the table?

Such a typical response.

 

At which point did anyone say he is "The" problem. He is part of the problem. Why is that a concept that is so difficult for you to understand? Gaustad made it to the NHL as a bad-a$$ hockey player. He is currently a 6' 5" pu$$y. If you can't understand that then there is nothing I can do for you. Maybe you can call Gaustad and Miller and meet up to make maple cookies, drink micro brews and play 'Folk Band' on the PS3 jamming to Peter, Paul and Mary. Watch out though, Gaustad insists on being Mary.

[X. Benedict]

Such a typical response.

 

At which point did anyone say he is "The" problem. He is part of the problem. Why is that a concept that is so difficult for you to understand? Gaustad made it to the NHL as a bad-a$$ hockey player. He is currently a 6' 5" pu$$y. If you can't understand that then there is nothing I can do for you. Maybe you can call Gaustad and Miller and meet up to make maple cookies, drink micro brews and play 'Folk Band' on the PS3 jamming to Peter, Paul and Mary. Watch out though, Gaustad insists on being Mary.

 

 

Well I think you did when you called bulxhit. Always a good way to start a douche' exchange. Even though I'm not sure what PS3 is. If your calling bulxhit I think you

 

But just for kicks - how many more physical 4th lines in the NHL can you name at the moment than Buffalo's. I'll expand it - the Gaustad-Kaleta-McCormick line is not the problem.

 

but feel free to PS3 with them, whateverthehell that is.

 

We can have a hockey conversation or we can "Bulxhit" at each other. squeak squeak.

 

I don't think it is very nice when you do that. Truly, I think so. I'm closer to 80 than I am to 20. So it comes off as whatever the adverb is for blowhard is - Blowhardy? Maybe I think its blowhardy. Or maybe I'm just persnickety and don't know what to make of PS3 -or whatever - Jibber and too tired to look it up.

 

(in a matter of truth, I just did the math and I'm not closer to 80 than 20. My mistake.)

[deluca67]

Well I think you did when you called bulxhit. Always a good way to start a douche' exchange. Even though I'm not sure what PS3 is. If your calling bulxhit I think you

 

But just for kicks - how many more physical 4th lines in the NHL can you name at the moment than Buffalo's. I'll expand it - the Gaustad-Kaleta-McCormick line is not the problem.

 

but feel free to PS3 with them, whateverthehell that is.

 

We can have a hockey conversation or we can "Bulxhit" at each other. squeak squeak.

 

I don't think it is very nice when you do that. Truly, I think so. I'm closer to 80 than I am to 20. So it comes off as whatever the adverb is for blowhard is - Blowhardy? Maybe I think its blowhardy. Or maybe I'm just persnickety and don't know what to make of PS3 -or whatever - Jibber and too tired to look it up.

 

(in a matter of truth, I just did the math and I'm not closer to 80 than 20. My mistake.)

OK Gramps.

 

You are insulting Kaleta and McCormick by including Gaustad with them.

[X. Benedict]

OK Gramps.

 

You are insulting Kaleta and McCormick by including Gaustad with them.

 

gramps, eh?

 

I hear three gavel strikes.

 

squeak, squeak, squeak.

 

Anyway. Thank you for writing bulxhit and getting me to re-examine...whatever point you were trying to win. You probably aren't a lousy human, but it makes me think you are. Words work like that.

 

(Oh, and now I get it's Playstation 3 which I've never played, for some reason I thought it was some text way of calling me something not nice the same way WTF and LOL and IIRC work.)

[wonderbread]

I sense a slight bit-o-tension round these parts. :unsure:

 

 

Goose is hardly the problem. Could he be more physical? Yes.

 

But the heart of the problem is obviously a lack of heart, desire, and cohesiveness among the top 3 lines. Its a team of floaters. It makes me sick to watch. :sick:

 

At the end of the day we all want the same thing.

 

 

a cup.

 

 

Ps I can't wait for SDS to make a cup Emoticon.

[deluca67]

I sense a slight bit-o-tension round these parts. :unsure:

 

 

Goose is hardly the problem. Could he be more physical? Yes.

 

But the heart of the problem is obviously a lack of heart, desire, and cohesiveness among the top 3 lines. Its a team of floaters. It makes me sick to watch. :sick:

 

At the end of the day we all want the same thing.

 

 

a cup.

 

 

Ps I can't wait for SDS to make a cup Emoticon.

How can you say Gaustad is not a problem and then say "a lack of heart and desire " is a problem? Gaustad's loss of heart and desire is a big factor. There is no reason why he can't play like Lucic.

 

Why is that if a player has a nickname (Goose) he gets a free pass. Tim Connolly needs to get a catchy nickname so fans will be calling for him to get a new contract.

[wonderbread]

How can you say Gaustad is not a problem and then say "a lack of heart and desire " is a problem? Gaustad's loss of heart and desire is a big factor. There is no reason why he can't play like Lucic.

 

Why is that if a player has a nickname (Goose) he gets a free pass. Tim Connolly needs to get a catchy nickname so fans will be calling for him to get a new contract.

I ###### hate this whole team. Eveyone including that media slut Rip Simonik.

 

satisfied.

[deluca67]

I ###### hate this whole team. Eveyone including that media slut Rip Simonik.

 

satisfied.

Why are you afraid to answer the question honestly?

[X. Benedict]

I ###### hate this whole team. Eveyone including that media slut Rip Simonik.

 

satisfied.

:lol:

[deluca67]

:lol:

This is like being backed-up in a scrum by Derek Roy :thumbsup:

[Eleven]

I ###### hate this whole team. Eveyone including that media slut Rip Simonik.

 

satisfied.

 

I cannot stop laughing. Thank you!

[inkman]

How can you say Gaustad is not a problem and then say "a lack of heart and desire " is a problem? Gaustad's loss of heart and desire is a big factor. There is no reason why he can't play like Lucic.

Deluca I honestly feel Gaustad's biggest adversary is Lindy. If he was a Flyer, Duck or Bruin; he'd be much more like the player we want him to be. Lindy has him thinking he's Vanek light, when in reality he's Lucic light.

 

Speaking of Lucic, Gaustad doesn't have nearly the wheels, hands and awareness Milan does. Don't get me wrong, I think Goose could wreck fools out there but Lindy preaches staying out o the box and not taking feel good penalties.

[CallawaySabres]

OK, since I am the one who made the statement, I will explain it plain and simple. The reason why this team disgusts me to no end right now is exactly why I think Gaustad is a problem. If there was ever a guy on this team who could change the tone of a game and lead by example, it's Gaustad. Yes, he is good at faceoffs but come on, the fact that he does not get his nose dirty is a MAJOR problem that permeates this team top to bottom and big to small.

 

When McCormick dropped the gloves last night, it was the loudest that building has been for at LEAST 2 years (I am not exaggerating either - for a moment it was deafening). All this crowd wants is for someone to show they freakin' care and last night was EFFIN PATHETIC! Is is too much to ask Gaustad or ANYONE for that matter to get out of character for one night and show the fans they have not given up? If it was not for McCormick, I probably would have left after the 2nd period....

[deluca67]

Deluca I honestly feel Gaustad's biggest adversary is Lindy. If he was a Flyer, Duck or Bruin; he'd be much more like the player we want him to be. Lindy has him thinking he's Vanek light, when in reality he's Lucic light.

 

Speaking of Lucic, Gaustad doesn't have nearly the wheels, hands and awareness Milan does. Don't get me wrong, I think Goose could wreck fools out there but Lindy preaches staying out o the box and not taking feel good penalties.

That is as convincing of a argument as I have heard for Lindy's time with the Sabres to end. The last thing this team need sis a over-sized Brent Pederson. Gaustad was a dream come true when he first came to the Sabres. To see what he is now is heart breaking. Its' like the 49ers having Ronnie Lott who suddenly decides he wants to concentrate on long snapping.

[Weave]

Deluca I honestly feel Gaustad's biggest adversary is Lindy. If he was a Flyer, Duck or Bruin; he'd be much more like the player we want him to be. Lindy has him thinking he's Vanek light, when in reality he's Lucic light.

 

Speaking of Lucic, Gaustad doesn't have nearly the wheels, hands and awareness Milan does. Don't get me wrong, I think Goose could wreck fools out there but Lindy preaches staying out o the box and not taking feel good penalties.

 

:wub:

 

 

My opinion; Lindy saw Gaustad as some sort of two-way center ala Joken Hecht and has been trying to convert him. If you recall, 2-3 years ago Goose made a big deal out of loosing a bunch of weight and working on getting alot quicker. It was about that time the Gaustad's game changed. He hasn't been the same player since.

 

Had Gaustad bulked up instead of trimming down he could have been a Bobby Holik or Joel Otto. Instead we have what he's become, a non-physical 4th liner that camps in the crease during powerplays and swats ineffectively at rebounds.

[PASabreFan]

I ###### hate this whole team. Eveyone including that media slut Rip Simonik.

 

satisfied.

 

I didn't think those four words could possibly be strung together.

[X. Benedict]

How can you say Gaustad is not a problem and then say "a lack of heart and desire " is a problem? Gaustad's loss of heart and desire is a big factor. There is no reason why he can't play like Lucic.

 

 

You know it's funny. I went down to the ice yesterday to specifically look at Milan Lucic.

He isn't as tall as Guastad - Lucic is probably closer to 6'2" if you size him up, and I would say 235 lbs. No matter what he's listed at.

 

I was sizing him up to the biggest Sabres. Although Guastad is probably 6'5" (eyeballing here) he looks like he's going about 215 lbs. He's as lean as I've seen him. My thinking is that Doug McKinney asked him to cut weight to play center more than wing. So he's going across the ice more than into the corners. Gaustad is not a pretty skater. Neither is Lucic. Lucic has a much better scoring touch. But he's more of a bowling ball with ape arms. He has a real roundness to him.

 

Why isn't Gaustad like Lucic? Very different players. Skate Gaustad on a second line and maybe they look similar. But in reality, Gaustad is a solid 4th line player. Lucic is skating with Kreji and Horton. Skate Lucic with Marchant and Paille for 12 minutes a game and you get a comparison.

 

Even at that. Lucic will probably get 20 goals this year and 4 fighting majors.

He really isn't fast enough to hit a moving target. He's like the ball from the kid bowling between his legs. He really is oddly slow. Almost ahem, Raffi Torres slow.

Seriously, looking at him close up the first thing you wonder is if he's in shape.

 

Guys who aren't natural skaters are often perceived as not trying. In fact they are working very hard to get in, stay in the play. A lot of Lucic's limitations as a skater are hidden in that 1-2-2 trap and I would imagine him as absolutely useless on a PK.

I don't remember seeing him on the ice for any last night.

 

Gaustad probably had a couple hits last night - but I think he won something like 8 or nine straight face-offs. I notice. I know Face-offs don't impress you, so I desist, but I am one of those guys that thinks a face-off win = 30 seconds of possession and a shot.

My logic may be flawed, but the Buffalo forwards probably missed at least a dozen shots and passed up a dozen. ( Irony on, No way do they have the chance to miss a dozen shots and pass up a dozen shots if Gaustad isn't winning face-offs.)

 

I am perfectly okay with Gaustad coming in for 15 seconds to win possession. But I'm not putting him on my top 6. If he was a top 6 player - I would say there is a problem. As it is, I am more disappointed in Neidermeyers contribution thus far on the third line.

 

So that's my logic, and why I would say Gaustad is not the problem. I don't think he's going to become Milan Lucic, Ryan Getzlaf or has the ability to play like him. I'm not asking him to become captain. I just think it is nice to have possession. With 5 minutes left in the game I was amazed they (quite improbably) had a chance (not a good one, but a chance) because they were winning faceoffs.

 

It's not an expert opinion, just my own. But as I obviously spend an inordinate amount of my life thinking about this stuff, and spending money to watch it, I would really appreciate it, and I will take a more nuanced view of your writing as well, if any response to this isn't prefaced by - Bulxhit! :D

[deluca67]

You know it's funny. I went down to the ice yesterday to specifically look at Milan Lucic.

He isn't as tall as Guastad - Lucic is probably closer to 6'2" if you size him up, and I would say 235 lbs. No matter what he's listed at.

 

I was sizing him up to the biggest Sabres. Although Guastad is probably 6'5" (eyeballing here) he looks like he's going about 215 lbs. He's as lean as I've seen him. My thinking is that Doug McKinney asked him to cut weight to play center more than wing. So he's going across the ice more than into the corners. Gaustad is not a pretty skater. Neither is Lucic. Lucic has a much better scoring touch. But he's more of a bowling ball with ape arms. He has a real roundness to him.

 

Why isn't Gaustad like Lucic? Very different players. Skate Gaustad on a second line and maybe they look similar. But in reality, Gaustad is a solid 4th line player. Lucic is skating with Kreji and Horton. Skate Lucic with Marchant and Paille for 12 minutes a game and you get a comparison.

 

Even at that. Lucic will probably get 20 goals this year and 4 fighting majors.

He really isn't fast enough to hit a moving target. He's like the ball from the kid bowling between his legs. He really is oddly slow. Almost ahem, Raffi Torres slow.

Seriously, looking at him close up the first thing you wonder is if he's in shape.

 

Guys who aren't natural skaters are often perceived as not trying. In fact they are working very hard to get in, stay in the play. A lot of Lucic's limitations as a skater are hidden in that 1-2-2 trap and I would imagine him as absolutely useless on a PK.

I don't remember seeing him on the ice for any last night.

 

Gaustad probably had a couple hits last night - but I think he won something like 8 or nine straight face-offs. I notice. I know Face-offs don't impress you, so I desist, but I am one of those guys that thinks a face-off win = 30 seconds of possession and a shot.

My logic may be flawed, but the Buffalo forwards probably missed at least a dozen shots and passed up a dozen. ( Irony on, No way do they have the chance to miss a dozen shots and pass up a dozen shots if Gaustad isn't winning face-offs.)

 

I am perfectly okay with Gaustad coming in for 15 seconds to win possession. But I'm not putting him on my top 6. If he was a top 6 player - I would say there is a problem. As it is, I am more disappointed in Neidermeyers contribution thus far on the third line.

 

So that's my logic, and why I would say Gaustad is not the problem. I don't think he's going to become Milan Lucic, Ryan Getzlaf or has the ability to play like him. I'm not asking him to become captain. I just think it is nice to have possession. With 5 minutes left in the game I was amazed they (quite improbably) had a chance (not a good one, but a chance) because they were winning faceoffs.

 

It's not an expert opinion, just my own. But as I obviously spend an inordinate amount of my life thinking about this stuff, and spending money to watch it, I would really appreciate it, and I will take a more nuanced view of your writing as well, if any response to this isn't prefaced by - Bulxhit! :D

What does "solid fourth line player" even mean? I doubt that is Gaustad's goal. You said Gaustad couldn't become a "Lucic"? He started his NHL career being a "Lucic."

 

"faceoffs" are nice when you have the other bases covered. To have a 6' 5' face-off specialist when this team is sorely lacking in the physical part of game is a joke.

 

To try to excuse away Gaustad's sudden lack of testicular fortitude is bullzhit.