Sabres Edge
Last night the potential (or probable) 3rd line for the Sabres of Jochen Hecht-Paul Gaustad-Mike Grier was effective against the Leafs. Jochen Hecht scored a goal and Paul Gaustad was causing so much havoc in front he was initially given credit for the goal before it was changed later.
I've always thought that the trio of Hecht-Gaustad-Grier was an obvious fit for a 3rd line/shutdown line combination.
Gaustad is good at faceoffs and has the size to physically handle anyone he comes up against. Hecht and Grier are both defensively responsible and are vets that will know their role and play it well.
The only downside to the trio is how much offense can the Sabres expect to come from them?
The other question that this 3rd line leaves his who is the 2nd line LW?
With Vanek as the 1st line LW and Hecht as the 3rd line LW, it would appear that Clarke MacArthur or Nathan Gerbe could start the season with Derek Roy and Drew Stafford.
Given the roster crunch and waiver possibilities, my guess is that Darcy Regier is hoping that MacArthur earns that job out of camp.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
14 players sent down - 33 left in camp
Sabres.com
The Sabres sent 14 players to Portland yesterday. The biggest names in the group were Tyler Ennis and TJ Brennan.
That leaves 33 players on the roster. So, I thought I would break down who I think will make the team out of camp:
Goalies (3):
This is the easiest spot to call with Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime locked in to make the team and Jhonas Enroth still in camp to get a little more seasoning before his inevitable red tag in his locker.
Defense (11):
Locks to make the club (5): Craig Rivet, Toni Lydman, Henrik Tallinder, Steve Montador, and Andrej Sekera
Likely to make the club (1): Chris Butler
Likely to get a look to start the season (1): Tyler Myers
Likely to get sent down (3): Joe DiPenta, Marc-Andre Gragnani, and Mike Weber
Likely to end up in forward/defense purgatory (1): Nathan Paetsch
I could see the Sabres keeping eight defensemen on the NHL roster to start the season with Nathan Paetsch getting a forward/defense slot as the Sabres see what they have in Tyler Myers for at least the first 9 games of the season.
The only reason that I could see Chris Butler getting sent down is due to the fact that he wouldn't have to clear waivers.
But, I don't expect too many surprises here.
Forwards (19):
Locks to make the club (9): Thomas Vanek, Jochen Hecht, Tim Connolly, Derek Roy, Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford, Mike Grier, and Patrick Kaleta
Lock to either make the team or start the year on the injured list (1): Adam Mair
Likely to make the roster (3): Clarke MacArthur, Dan Paille, and Matt Ellis
Likely to get sent down barring a trade (3): Cody McCormick, Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy
Likely to get sent down no matter what (3): Jeff Cowan, Philip Gogulla, and Felix Schutz
The forward situation is the trickiest one to call right now due to the potential for 8 defensemen making the team and the Mair injury.
I could see Cody McCormick getting the Mair roster spot as he fills that energy role better than Gerbe or Kennedy. I could see Gerbe or Kennedy playing themselves on the roster IF Regier can get a team to give up a reasonable draft pick for Dan Paille or Clarke MacArthur. But, I can't see Regier putting Paille or MacArthur on waivers to make a spot on the roster for Gerbe or Kennedy.
And stop dreaming about Tom Golisano paying the freight to send Jochen Hecht to Portland. That is not going to happen.
The Sabres sent 14 players to Portland yesterday. The biggest names in the group were Tyler Ennis and TJ Brennan.
That leaves 33 players on the roster. So, I thought I would break down who I think will make the team out of camp:
Goalies (3):
This is the easiest spot to call with Ryan Miller and Patrick Lalime locked in to make the team and Jhonas Enroth still in camp to get a little more seasoning before his inevitable red tag in his locker.
Defense (11):
Locks to make the club (5): Craig Rivet, Toni Lydman, Henrik Tallinder, Steve Montador, and Andrej Sekera
Likely to make the club (1): Chris Butler
Likely to get a look to start the season (1): Tyler Myers
Likely to get sent down (3): Joe DiPenta, Marc-Andre Gragnani, and Mike Weber
Likely to end up in forward/defense purgatory (1): Nathan Paetsch
I could see the Sabres keeping eight defensemen on the NHL roster to start the season with Nathan Paetsch getting a forward/defense slot as the Sabres see what they have in Tyler Myers for at least the first 9 games of the season.
The only reason that I could see Chris Butler getting sent down is due to the fact that he wouldn't have to clear waivers.
But, I don't expect too many surprises here.
Forwards (19):
Locks to make the club (9): Thomas Vanek, Jochen Hecht, Tim Connolly, Derek Roy, Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford, Mike Grier, and Patrick Kaleta
Lock to either make the team or start the year on the injured list (1): Adam Mair
Likely to make the roster (3): Clarke MacArthur, Dan Paille, and Matt Ellis
Likely to get sent down barring a trade (3): Cody McCormick, Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy
Likely to get sent down no matter what (3): Jeff Cowan, Philip Gogulla, and Felix Schutz
The forward situation is the trickiest one to call right now due to the potential for 8 defensemen making the team and the Mair injury.
I could see Cody McCormick getting the Mair roster spot as he fills that energy role better than Gerbe or Kennedy. I could see Gerbe or Kennedy playing themselves on the roster IF Regier can get a team to give up a reasonable draft pick for Dan Paille or Clarke MacArthur. But, I can't see Regier putting Paille or MacArthur on waivers to make a spot on the roster for Gerbe or Kennedy.
And stop dreaming about Tom Golisano paying the freight to send Jochen Hecht to Portland. That is not going to happen.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
10 things I want to see this season
So, Pierre LeBrun at ESPN.com has his list of ten things he'd like to see this season.
Well, here is my Sabres specific list:
10. I'd like to see Pat Kaleta be able to lay some hard, but legal, body checks on a few guys this year and not be challenged to drop the gloves. Now if he crosses the line......
9. I want to see Patrick Lalime develop into a back up goalie that Lindy Ruff can trust at least 20 times this year. And that means that he has a winning percentage over .500.
8. This one is obvious: I want Tim Connolly to be healthy all year long and play 70+ games. I still think the contract extension they gave him was a mistake, but I want the Sabres to get rewarded for the gamble.
7. I want Chris Butler to avoid the sophomore slump. I really liked what I saw from him last year. The next step is for him to continue to develop and not take a step back this season. The Sabres need someone to step up and fill the void created with Jaroslav Spacek leaving town and Butler, along with Andrej Sekera, are the two most likely candidates.
6. I want Thomas Vanek to step up and be a more complete player. We know Vanek is a Dave Andreychuk-esque PP monster. Now let's see him become more of a two way player at 5 on 5 and keep him on the PK as well.
5. I want all the talk about accountability to be more than talk. Hopefully the addition of guys like Mike Grier and Steve Montador will help in this regard.
4. I want Jason Pominville to not worry about the big contract and get back to being the all around impact player that he was a couple of years ago. I also want Jochen Hecht and Henrik Tallinder to not worry about people like me wanting them gone and get back to being as good as they were a few years ago.
3. I want more offense out of the "energy guys" like Paul Gaustad, Patrick Kaleta, Adam Mair, Matt Ellis and crew. The Sabres need to get more offense from their 3rd and 4th line guys if they are to make the playoffs.
2. I want a young guy, whether it's Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Tim Kennedy, Nathan Gerbe, or someone else, to step up and be a player that surprises everyone with what they bring to the team in 2009-10. Obviously all eyes are on Tyler Myers. But, I think Tyler Ennis is the guy that could really surprise people. Especially if Tim Connolly isn't healthy and the team needs an offensive minded center to step up and fill the void.
1. I want this team to make the playoffs. Two years out is two years too many!
Well, here is my Sabres specific list:
10. I'd like to see Pat Kaleta be able to lay some hard, but legal, body checks on a few guys this year and not be challenged to drop the gloves. Now if he crosses the line......
9. I want to see Patrick Lalime develop into a back up goalie that Lindy Ruff can trust at least 20 times this year. And that means that he has a winning percentage over .500.
8. This one is obvious: I want Tim Connolly to be healthy all year long and play 70+ games. I still think the contract extension they gave him was a mistake, but I want the Sabres to get rewarded for the gamble.
7. I want Chris Butler to avoid the sophomore slump. I really liked what I saw from him last year. The next step is for him to continue to develop and not take a step back this season. The Sabres need someone to step up and fill the void created with Jaroslav Spacek leaving town and Butler, along with Andrej Sekera, are the two most likely candidates.
6. I want Thomas Vanek to step up and be a more complete player. We know Vanek is a Dave Andreychuk-esque PP monster. Now let's see him become more of a two way player at 5 on 5 and keep him on the PK as well.
5. I want all the talk about accountability to be more than talk. Hopefully the addition of guys like Mike Grier and Steve Montador will help in this regard.
4. I want Jason Pominville to not worry about the big contract and get back to being the all around impact player that he was a couple of years ago. I also want Jochen Hecht and Henrik Tallinder to not worry about people like me wanting them gone and get back to being as good as they were a few years ago.
3. I want more offense out of the "energy guys" like Paul Gaustad, Patrick Kaleta, Adam Mair, Matt Ellis and crew. The Sabres need to get more offense from their 3rd and 4th line guys if they are to make the playoffs.
2. I want a young guy, whether it's Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Tim Kennedy, Nathan Gerbe, or someone else, to step up and be a player that surprises everyone with what they bring to the team in 2009-10. Obviously all eyes are on Tyler Myers. But, I think Tyler Ennis is the guy that could really surprise people. Especially if Tim Connolly isn't healthy and the team needs an offensive minded center to step up and fill the void.
1. I want this team to make the playoffs. Two years out is two years too many!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Fantasy draft
The Buffalo News
I know they cheesed the idea from Columbus, but it's nice to see that the players appear to be fired up.
Now if they can maintain that for 82 games.........
I know they cheesed the idea from Columbus, but it's nice to see that the players appear to be fired up.
Now if they can maintain that for 82 games.........
Gone camping
I have to applaud both Drew Stafford and his agent. Drew showed up to day one of camp without a signed contract, took part in the conditioning drills, and then before Day 2 they hammered out a 2 year $3.8 million contract with Darcy Regier and the Sabres.
Drew needs to become more consistent and elevate his game from a guy that gets 15 to 20 goals and 40 to 45 points to someone who is a 30 goal 60+ point guy. I don't think that anyone believes that those type of numbers are outside the realm of possibility for a former 1st Round pick that has been a key offensive contributor in college at North Dakota and with US Jr National Teams and was well over a point per game in the AHL with 22 goals and 44 points in 34 games.
Other thoughts:
- Internet rumors that Jochen Hecht is out shape seem to be misplaced from people I trust. If Jochen did show up fat and out of shape, I would hope that Golisano would pay the freight to send him to the ECHL.
- I really hope that Tyler Myers is on the roster for the whole season. He won't be a top pairing guy. But, I think that he would be better off on the Sabres 3rd pairing this year as opposed to going back to the WHL where he has nothing left to learn.
- Looking at the Sabres payroll chart for this season, it looks like Golisano did give Regier a little more money to work with than expected.
Now for HOW they spent that money........
Drew needs to become more consistent and elevate his game from a guy that gets 15 to 20 goals and 40 to 45 points to someone who is a 30 goal 60+ point guy. I don't think that anyone believes that those type of numbers are outside the realm of possibility for a former 1st Round pick that has been a key offensive contributor in college at North Dakota and with US Jr National Teams and was well over a point per game in the AHL with 22 goals and 44 points in 34 games.
Other thoughts:
- Internet rumors that Jochen Hecht is out shape seem to be misplaced from people I trust. If Jochen did show up fat and out of shape, I would hope that Golisano would pay the freight to send him to the ECHL.
- I really hope that Tyler Myers is on the roster for the whole season. He won't be a top pairing guy. But, I think that he would be better off on the Sabres 3rd pairing this year as opposed to going back to the WHL where he has nothing left to learn.
- Looking at the Sabres payroll chart for this season, it looks like Golisano did give Regier a little more money to work with than expected.
Now for HOW they spent that money........
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Top Shelf post at Top Shelf
Top Shelf
That post needs it's own RJ call associated with it.
Just read it. 'Nuff said
Vogl chats with Darcy
The Buffalo News
I hope that Ennis and Stafford are signed soon. The Sabres need Drew in camp on time and Ennis won't get much out of another year in the WHL. Thankfully Ennis is old enough that he can play in Portland this season.
I wish Ryan Kennedy's wish were to come true and Tyler Myers were able to play in the AHL this year.
That post needs it's own RJ call associated with it.
Just read it. 'Nuff said
Vogl chats with Darcy
The Buffalo News
I hope that Ennis and Stafford are signed soon. The Sabres need Drew in camp on time and Ennis won't get much out of another year in the WHL. Thankfully Ennis is old enough that he can play in Portland this season.
I wish Ryan Kennedy's wish were to come true and Tyler Myers were able to play in the AHL this year.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Mair is on the shelf
The Buffalo News
Adam Mair had his hip scoped and it's expected that he'll miss at least 6 weeks of action.
I wonder if the Sabres knew about the hip issue and that is why they signed more than a few 4th line types such as Jeff Cowan and Cody McCormick?
While I really like what Adam Mair brings to the table, I'm more concerned about Drew Stafford still being an un-signed RFA.
Stafford far from the best un-signed RFA
Phil Kessel is still un-signed. After reading how the Islanders need to add more talent around John Tavares, how about this roll of the dice: Kessel to the Isles for their 1st Rounder in 2010?
The Isles get a former top 5 pick who had a 36 goal 60 point season last year. Granted, Kessel has had off season shoulder surgery and he might not be ready to go until mid-November, he would accelerate the development curve over whomever the Isles would get in next summer's draft.
Although, the Isles also get a player who is closer to UFA and they lose their Taylor Hall lottery ticket. But, Kessel on Josh Bailey's wing would certainly take some heat off the Tavares-Okposo line.
The Rangers have yet to sign center Brandon Dubinsky, as well. He is the type of guy that I'd love the Sabres to pick up. Too bad they have Connolly costing $4.5 million against the cap each of the next two seasons........
Other stuff
I hope Ice Edge Holdings wins the Phoenix Coyotes tug of war. If I were to fall into a billion dollars in the next couple of days, I'd try and get involved to return the Coyotes to their rightful home: Winnipeg!
The NHLPA is nuts.
The Crosby-Ovechkin debate from a stats-based viewpoint. They should throw Malkin into the mix, too.
Adam Mair had his hip scoped and it's expected that he'll miss at least 6 weeks of action.
I wonder if the Sabres knew about the hip issue and that is why they signed more than a few 4th line types such as Jeff Cowan and Cody McCormick?
While I really like what Adam Mair brings to the table, I'm more concerned about Drew Stafford still being an un-signed RFA.
Stafford far from the best un-signed RFA
Phil Kessel is still un-signed. After reading how the Islanders need to add more talent around John Tavares, how about this roll of the dice: Kessel to the Isles for their 1st Rounder in 2010?
The Isles get a former top 5 pick who had a 36 goal 60 point season last year. Granted, Kessel has had off season shoulder surgery and he might not be ready to go until mid-November, he would accelerate the development curve over whomever the Isles would get in next summer's draft.
Although, the Isles also get a player who is closer to UFA and they lose their Taylor Hall lottery ticket. But, Kessel on Josh Bailey's wing would certainly take some heat off the Tavares-Okposo line.
The Rangers have yet to sign center Brandon Dubinsky, as well. He is the type of guy that I'd love the Sabres to pick up. Too bad they have Connolly costing $4.5 million against the cap each of the next two seasons........
Other stuff
I hope Ice Edge Holdings wins the Phoenix Coyotes tug of war. If I were to fall into a billion dollars in the next couple of days, I'd try and get involved to return the Coyotes to their rightful home: Winnipeg!
The NHLPA is nuts.
The Crosby-Ovechkin debate from a stats-based viewpoint. They should throw Malkin into the mix, too.
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