Lindy Ruff: if Thompson keeps this play up, he'll be #1 C

[Doohickie]

32 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Don't forget limited utility Dunne and Geertsen are still hanging around.  

I noticed that on the Amerks roster they list Dunne as a center, and Östlund as a LW.

[Flashsabre]

Östlund is a pure centre. Kulich is the one that should move to the wing when he returns.

Tage

Norris

McLeod

Östlund

Kozak

is a very good Centre spine.

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, kas23 said:

The opposite can be said too. Greenway doesn’t add anything that Malenstyn can’t do, but for cheaper. And he can play more than half the season. 

Greenway can fight. Having him in the lineup makes Geertsen waivable.

Malenstyn is one of those guys who looks good skill wise but cannot process the game at an NHL level. Guys like that are easily steered into the corner where plays go to die.

Fun fact is he has just 1 takeaway but 9 giveaways, including 5 in the defensive zone. We don't need this guy for anything.

[GASabresIUFAN]

6 hours ago, Doohickie said:

I noticed that on the Amerks roster they list Dunne as a center, and Östlund as a LW.

As we have seen forward positions in the NHL are fluid.

Edited 9 minutes ago by GASabresIUFAN

[DarthEbriate]

1 hour ago, Pimlach said:

What I see:

Kozak is a 4C and he can be a true shut down center.   Being defensively responsible is a natural part of his game.  He is one that helps you protect a lead, seal a game, he takes opportunities away from the opponents.  

Krebs is more like a guy that can't make it as a 2/3C and that is willing to do the dirty work of a 4th line center or wing.   

I still need to see Kozak stay healthy, but I'm on the train of him taking Krebs' role by New Year's. However, that just puts Krebs in his right spot -- he becomes the 13th F. He can mostly move up and down the lineup for spot duty. He won't wow you, but he won't be a terrible drain you and he brings energy.

If someone is out long-term, then you've got Östlund & Rosén ready in the wings.

[PickaPecaPickles]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Thompson has been very good lately.  

Two things I see are much more physical play and better attention to details in his two way game.   He is not just getting in the way by waving his stick, he is winning puck battles and physically overpowering opponents.   

He can be a complete beast if he wants to be.  He could be taking another step in the maturation of his game. 

This, in a way, epitomizes the team.  In full games or parts of games, the effort or want isn't there.  I've been thinking about this regarding tomorrow's game--will they play down to the competition again?

[xzy89c1]

3 hours ago, Doohickie said:

Eh.  Not sure I agree.  One or more of them may have to go, but Malenstyn played probably his best game as a Sabre last night while Greenway was just kind of okay.

Greenway should sit before Malenstyn.  He is not physical, does not grind, is slow, does not score etc... He had a chance to go after Nurse last night atend of 2nd period. Instead it was Krebs who fought and Krebs is far more valuable than Greeway.

Thompson has been working so hard lately. Others are feeding off it.

[Taro T]

45 minutes ago, PickaPecaPickles said:

This, in a way, epitomizes the team.  In full games or parts of games, the effort or want isn't there.  I've been thinking about this regarding tomorrow's game--will they play down to the competition again?

Tomorrow's game will be a huge tell as to whether Dahlin coming back and their having faith in 2 goalies has actually elevated this roster or if it was just a 2 game mirage of what might've been.

On paper they should destroy Calgary (well, ok, maybe destroy is a bit hyperbolic, but they SHOULD beat them) but this has been true several times in the past few years, and the end result too often is a Flames victory here.  They need to not let up and lose a game they should win unlike what they did when St. Louis came to town.  Win that game and they can show that MAYBE, just MAYBE they'll be able to play well enough at home to overcome their road shortcomings and get to a point where even just going 0.450 on the road could be enough.

And Thompson continuing his aggressive play tomorrow would go a long way towards making that regulation W happen.

[DarthEbriate]

23 minutes ago, xzy89c1 said:

Greenway should sit before Malenstyn.  He is not physical, does not grind, is slow, does not score etc... He had a chance to go after Nurse last night atend of 2nd period. Instead it was Krebs who fought and Krebs is far more valuable than Greeway.

Thompson has been working so hard lately. Others are feeding off it.

Podkolzin was addressing Krebs' hit/almost-boarding on McDavid. Krebs was game to go for it and was throwing before the linesman could make up his mind to let them go. That's not a fight Greenway can (or should) step in for.

As to value, Krebs is a better 5-on-5 option, but Greenway's PK ability is his foremost skill and he has muscle that Krebs will never dream of.

Really, Greenway is the role of Geertsen on this team except he doesn't go looking to fight, but he has the strength to hold off anyone. Case in point: Greenway was the reason Tom Wilson missed half the WSH game this season. Greenway crunched a player, Wilson wanted to fight and got all the extra PIMs and Greenway simply tied him up the entire scrap. Maybe Geertsen is a better fighter, but Greenway just wore Wilson out.

[SabresBillsFan]

4 hours ago, Jorcus said:

I like Malenstyn better than greenway. He is faster and has more endurance. Greenway seems to last about 35 seconds on a shift then he is standing straight up. You can always tell when he is gassed by that vertical posture. 

This

[DarthEbriate]

11 minutes ago, Taro T said:

Tomorrow's game will be a huge tell as to whether Dahlin coming back and their having faith in 2 goalies has actually elevated this roster or if it was just a 2 game mirage of what might've been.

On paper they should destroy Calgary (well, ok, maybe destroy is a bit hyperbolic, but they SHOULD beat them) but this has been true several times in the past few years, and the end result too often is a Flames victory here.  They need to not let up and lose a game they should win unlike what they did when St. Louis came to town.  Win that game and they can show that MAYBE, just MAYBE they'll be able to play well enough at home to overcome their road shortcomings and get to a point where even just going 0.450 on the road could be enough.

And Thompson continuing his aggressive play tomorrow would go a long way towards making that regulation W happen.

This is how we play now?

 

The important thing is to go to the center of the ice and drive the net, whether it's weak-Oilers-defense, whatever Calgary has, or big-bad Zadorov and the Bruins. The Sabres need to use their speed and attack the net. If Rosén/Östlund or TNT revert to settling for perimeter shots (and there's no screen and the goalie makes it look easy), the vibes will sway right back the other direction.

[Broken Ankles]

4 hours ago, Doohickie said:

He also had probably his best game as a Sabre last night, and arguably outplayed McLeod.

It's weird:  This team seems to have new talent bubbling up and figuring out who to jettison will probably determine the Sabres' success this season.

Thank God that decision is in the hands of Kevyn.  God knows he won’t make the wrong one. 

[Doohickie]

58 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

settling for perimeter shots (and there's no screen and the goalie makes it look easy), the vibes will sway right back the other direction.

There were a few shifts yesterday when the Sabres had the Oilers hemmed into their own zone and had total control of the puck.  They had 2-3 players up near the blue line and the other two at the net.  They were primarily taking shots from above the faceoff circles but had a crowd in front of the net, and were able to recover their own rebounds time after time, totally wearing out the Oilers stuck on the ice.  I believe Malenstyn's goal came at the end of one of those shifts, or maybe it was Byram's, and I made the remark that the goal felt inevitable.  Long shots are okay, as long as you're crashing the net, obstructing the goalie's view and possibly getting a deflection (doesn't matter if it's off a Sabre or an opponent, as long as it's still on goal).

Perimeter shots can be fine, as long as you do it right.  The problem with the Sabres in seasons past is they weren't crashing the net with their low guys.

1 hour ago, Broken Ankles said:

Thank God that decision is in the hands of Kevyn.  God knows he won’t make the wrong one. 

That's kind of why I made that remark.  I don't trust him either.

Then again, just looking at the opinions on Sabrespace, there isn't a clear consensus who should stay, who should go, and who should return to Rochester.

[Jorcus]

I guess the odd thing about Ruff's statement is that Tage was the number one center when Ruff got here and for a long time after. Ruff is the one who put him back on wing and now acts like Tage is earning his way back to where he was and wanted to play in the first place. Tage has been a team player having to leave center and play with under developed players which certainly affects his output. Please Ruff don't make it about Tage's performance. I know injuries play into this but if he does not get to play with mature players he is just going to explode in frustration.   

[matter2003]

7 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Ruff on wgr talked about how good Thompson has played the last few games and that if he keeps that up, when Norris comes back, they will play Norris at 2c and Thompson as 1c.

He also said Zucker may play tomorrow, Norris and then Benson will be the next back but aren't ready yet. 

Well damn...Zucker must have done much better than expected because he said earlier Monday that the earliest he would be back would be this weekend.

[matter2003]

2 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

Podkolzin was addressing Krebs' hit/almost-boarding on McDavid. Krebs was game to go for it and was throwing before the linesman could make up his mind to let them go. That's not a fight Greenway can (or should) step in for.

As to value, Krebs is a better 5-on-5 option, but Greenway's PK ability is his foremost skill and he has muscle that Krebs will never dream of.

Really, Greenway is the role of Geertsen on this team except he doesn't go looking to fight, but he has the strength to hold off anyone. Case in point: Greenway was the reason Tom Wilson missed half the WSH game this season. Greenway crunched a player, Wilson wanted to fight and got all the extra PIMs and Greenway simply tied him up the entire scrap. Maybe Geertsen is a better fighter, but Greenway just wore Wilson out.

Sabres being a really good PK team is not a mirage...still leading the NHL in PK at 89.7%

[Crusader1969]

6 hours ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Krebs and Malenstyn don't offer anything that can't be supplied by Kozak and Greenway. If I'm in charge, I'm chopping Malenstyn first, Krebs 2nd.

Am I the only one who disagrees 1000% with this take? Are we looking at stats or actually watching the games?

Malenstyn is exactly the kind of fourth-liner we’ve been begging for: blocks shots, kills penalties, plays with energy, hits, and can skate.

He’s a lock on my roster, no question.

[LTS]

2 hours ago, Broken Ankles said:

Thank God that decision is in the hands of Kevyn.  God knows he won’t make the wrong one. 

I'm not sure how confident I feel in Adams having full decision authority any longer. He may still be the GM. Part of me feels like Pegula brought in Jarmo to evaluate the team and organization much like he was using Adams when Botteril was GM. The only different is that it's not really a secret this time and Adams knows it.

Kevyn may have limitations on him that we are unaware of.  Or.. I could just be hopeful.  While Zucker is right, I have no influence on the team so all I have is hope.

[PerreaultForever]

There are too many bodies. Adams needs to make a 3 or 4 for 1 deal. Time to move UPL most of all. 

[PerreaultForever]

4 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

Am I the only one who disagrees 1000% with this take? Are we looking at stats or actually watching the games?

Malenstyn is exactly the kind of fourth-liner we’ve been begging for: blocks shots, kills penalties, plays with energy, hits, and can skate.

He’s a lock on my roster, no question.

To me I'm actually not dropping Dunne either. I'd actually move Krebs, or make him 13th guy and go Dunne, Kozak, Malentstyn as the line. 

I want Greenway off the roster. He is garbage. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

5 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

I still need to see Kozak stay healthy, but I'm on the train of him taking Krebs' role by New Year's. However, that just puts Krebs in his right spot -- he becomes the 13th F. He can mostly move up and down the lineup for spot duty. He won't wow you, but he won't be a terrible drain you and he brings energy.

If someone is out long-term, then you've got Östlund & Rosén ready in the wings.

If everyone is healthy, I see Krebs as 12 with Malenstyn as 13 with Rosen keeping a slot in the top 9.  Krebs brings more offense and is more flexible position wise as injuries occur in game.  I'm swapping Greenway and Malenstyn depending on health and matchups.  

[msw2112]

59 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

To me I'm actually not dropping Dunne either. I'd actually move Krebs, or make him 13th guy and go Dunne, Kozak, Malentstyn as the line. 

I want Greenway off the roster. He is garbage. 

I don't agree that Geenway is garbage.  Greenway is like so many Sabres players in recent years - inconsistent.  When he brings his "A" game, he's a very valuable player.  He hits, can fight if needed, and chips in offensively.  He's an excellent penalty killer.  And he has something you can't teach - size.  His ceiling is higher than Dunne's, but Dunne is hungry and plays with high energy all the time, as does Malenstyn, and typically Krebs too.  If a coach can get consistent play out of Greenway, he's a valuable player to have on the roster.  Whether Ruff and his staff, or ANY NHL coach, can coax that out of Greenway, I don't know.  Greenway is not alone - Thompson and many other Sabres are the same.  Even Alex Tuch.  These guys were lethargic during the recent slump, but have picked up the pace a great deal in the last 2 games - not surprisingly, the team won both games.  To me, only a few guys bring high energy all the time, and unfortunately a couple of them are injured right now:  Benson, Zucker, and Doan come to mind, and they all have plus talent.  Guys like Krebs, Malenstyn, Dunne, and Kozak bring the energy all the time, but lack the talent that the previously identified 3 players have.  If all of the guys played with the energy they play with selectively, the Sabres would EASILY make the playoffs and might even be a threat to win a round or two (they're not serious contenders, however).

As some have mentioned here, when UPL plays and lets in soft goals, it takes the wind out of their sails and the lethargy sets in.  All the hard work goes to waste.  Maybe if they find something in Ellis, and he keeps them in games, the energy will be more consistent.