[yse325]

I thought I'd resurrect this thread since Reiger has now offically said that the roster is basically complete for training camp. He thus gets an off-season fail from this fan.

Rivet Ahead, Kennedy Wins

Here are a couple of quotes from the article:

Quote

Four weeks after the start of the NHL free agent period, Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said Thursday his team's roster may be set for training camp, and that it could include injured captain Craig Rivet.

Quote

"We're fairly close to being set," Regier said. "There might be one or two things that maybe if we can do it, we will. Right now, we'll start gearing up for training camp."

Regier said the Sabres are about to turn their attention to stocking players for their AHL affiliate in Portland. He said he expects the unsigned Adam Mair and Matt Ellis to continue to seek NHL deals and neither has been approached about an AHL contract.

So why the fail? Besides adding a little vet experience upfront, all the teams problems from last season remain. A lack of consistant offense, a lack of a PP qB, a lack of top center and no improvement at the backup goalie slot. In addition, all the underperformers (Stafford, Timmy, Roy, Pommers) are back.

We also got younger on D (which may be a good thing), but now have no natural pairing for Myers. To make matters worse our forward lines and D pairings have no proven chemistry.

This team (I'm a little PO'd right now) looks to have taken a step back unless Ennis, Kennedy, Gerbe, Stafford, and Butler really step up their games.

I mean seriously look at this confused roster.
LW - Vanek, Ennis, Hecht, Kennedy, Gerbe
C - Roy, Connolly, Gaustad, Niedermayer, McCormick
RW - Pominville, Stafford, Grier, Kaleta
D - Myers, Rivet, Butler, Weber, Leopold, Montador, Sekera, Gragnani

[TheChimp]

I'm sure Darcy tried to do all those things you mentioned needing to have been done, but Larry Quinn hid his Rolodex. Oh wait, no, I know what stopped him. All the ticket holders re-upped by May, in fear of losing the team to Hamilton or Portland, Oregon.

Wow, I just got a de ja vu.

[weave]

Is anyone suprised by this?


I am disappointed. That means that all of the talk after they were bounced out by Boston was worthless. What happened to adding grit? What happened to getting the powerplay fixed?

McCormick for Mair
Neidermayer for Ellis
Leopold for Tallinder/Lydman
Promote a couple kids

Do any of these look like the improvements that were needed to get past Boston?

*sigh*

[carpandean]

weave, on 30 July 2010 - 07:08 AM, said:

McCormick for Mair
Neidermayer for Ellis
Leopold for Tallinder/Lydman
Promote a couple kids

Do any of these look like the improvements that were needed to get past Boston?

*sigh*

No, no, you forgot the most important one: they're going to do more to help the guys on the roster - the Connolly's, the Roy's, the Stafford's - get better. That's better than a trade or a signing; they improved the team without giving up any assets.

[yse325]

It just dawned on me, but maybe I knew this all along, but the reason Regier couldn't make real improvements to the team is that no one wanted our underachievers and I mean no one.

Who wants an injury prone center who doesn't score in the playoffs for $4.5 mill per season. Who wants an inconsistent RW at $5mill who scores in 10 straight games then disappears for 20 games? Who wants a young RW at $1.9 mill who doesn't have the respect of one of the most respected coaches in the game?

[weave]

carpandean, on 30 July 2010 - 10:11 AM, said:

No, no, you forgot the most important one: they're going to do more to help the guys on the roster - the Connolly's, the Roy's, the Stafford's - get better. That's better than a trade or a signing; they improved the team without giving up any assets.

I assume you are being sarcastic here but...... did someone from Sabres' mgt actually say that at some point?

[weave]

yse325, on 30 July 2010 - 10:34 AM, said:

It just dawned on me, but maybe I knew this all along, but the reason Regier couldn't make real improvements to the team is that no one wanted our underachievers and I mean no one.

This wouldn't suprise me any. And it would be the ultimate indictment of the mgt decisions of the last 5 years. Specifically, who they let get away and consequently, the assessments that led to the overpayments that followed.

[carpandean]

weave, on 30 July 2010 - 11:11 AM, said:

I assume you are being sarcastic here but...... did someone from Sabres' mgt actually say that at some point?

I combined two Darcy quotes. He did recently say that they need to and now are looking at doing more to help those players get better. The second part is from the Connolly re-signing:

Quote

"For us, it's better than a trade," Regier said. "In order to keep Tim and not give up any assets, I think it's a terrific day."

[htsportplaya]

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

While I don't like what Regier did (or didn't do), he has a proven track record of usually putting a competitive product on the ice.

I'll remain skeptical but cautiously optimistic, because, honestly, not one of us really knows what's going to happen until we're at least 15 games deep into the season.

I'm excited to see what guys like Weber, Ennis and McCormick can do for this team, as well as if Vanek can keep up his torrid play from the end of last year.

[weave]

carpandean, on 30 July 2010 - 11:43 AM, said:

I combined two Darcy quotes. He did recently say that they need to and now are looking at doing more to help those players get better. The second part is from the Connolly re-signing:

I remember the Connolly re-signing quote. I found that quote rather insulting at the time. I didn't notice the "help those players get better" quote. I wonder if they have to go see the Wizard of Oz for that?

[SabreRock]

weave, on 30 July 2010 - 11:51 AM, said:

I remember the Connolly re-signing quote. I found that quote rather insulting at the time. I didn't notice the "help those players get better" quote. I wonder if they have to go see the Wizard of Oz for that?

It's on their "To Do" list.

[yse325]

The only way this mismatched roster works is by moving Kennedy or Ennis to RW. Both are Left handed shots and should be able to handle the RW. Ennis is the more likely candidate.

This would create the following lines

Vanek Roy Pomiville
Hecht Connolly Ennis
Kennedy Gaustad Stafford
Grier Neidermayer Kaleta
McCormick

Moving Ennis to RW gives the roster more flow and better line combinations. It also allows Stafford to move to the third line to concentrate on playing solid defensive hockey and using his size more. However by playing with Kennedy and Gaustad, Staff's work ethic should improve and their is enough fire power to keep the other team honest.

The 4th line should give Kaleta some room to freelance, but also to learn smart positional hockey from two of the best. Again, like the third line, there is enough fire power to make some noise. With enough PT this line could score 40-45 goals, which would be amazing production from a 4th line.

[DorumagesuluvsSabres]

Those lines look good, yse. I have a feeling Roy might be with Vanek and Ennis though, since the Hecht, Connolly Pominville Line did work well for a period of time. I love the 4th line. Nieds and Grier can mentor Kaleta.

[Steve]

yse325, on 30 July 2010 - 04:02 PM, said:

The only way this mismatched roster works is by moving Kennedy or Ennis to RW. Both are Left handed shots and should be able to handle the RW. Ennis is the more likely candidate.

This would create the following lines

Vanek Roy Pomiville
Hecht Connolly Ennis
Kennedy Gaustad Stafford
Grier Neidermayer Kaleta
McCormick

Moving Ennis to RW gives the roster more flow and better line combinations. It also allows Stafford to move to the third line to concentrate on playing solid defensive hockey and using his size more. However by playing with Kennedy and Gaustad, Staff's work ethic should improve and their is enough fire power to keep the other team honest.

The 4th line should give Kaleta some room to freelance, but also to learn smart positional hockey from two of the best. Again, like the third line, there is enough fire power to make some noise. With enough PT this line could score 40-45 goals, which would be amazing production from a 4th line.

Why not Vanek on the RW, everyone seems to agree it worked in the playoffs.

[htsportplaya]

I disagree, yse.

Here's what I'd like to see, to start the year at least, based on last season and what'll make us most successful if it works out...

Kennedy-Roy-Vanek--The line from the end of last season and early in the playoffs when Vanek was playing like the $7 million player he is. I'd like to see it over a bigger sample of games.
Ennis-Connolly-Pominville--Pominville loves to shoot, and he'll shoot from anywhere. Why not put him with two great playmakers and see if he can be the 2nd goal scoring winger we've needed forever.
Hecht-Niedermayer-Grier--This line could be the best shut down line in the league. Their defensive positioning and awareness would be close to unmatched, and their ability to control the puck in the offensive zone will keep the offensive lines they play against in their defensive zone while providing solid scoring opportunities and moment for the next line out.
Kaleta-Gaustad-McCormick/Stafford--This has the potential, if Gaustad is right, to be one of the funnest and toughest lines in the league to play against. With Kaleta doing his thing, he needs someone who can throw down the gloves with people who Kaleta can't hold his own with, and Gaustad is the biggest guy on our roster. McCormick can be another hitter/brawler if we feel we need more toughness, or Stafford can be played to give this line a little more of a scoring touch.

As for defense, my guess is as good as yours. I'd like to put Sekera-Weber together to see if they can rekindle some of their AHL/early NHL success together. I'd like to see our first pairing be Butler-Myers. I know Leopold is the chic-pick to replace Tallinder as Myers' partner, but Butler looked good at the development camp and playing with a talent like Myers could bring him back to his play from his rookie year. Finally, I'd like to see Leopold-Montador, at least until Rivet gets back. Leopold is a steady offensive defenseman, and Monty is a wild card. It'd be interesting to see how they paired together, at least in a small sample. I'd like to see Rivet replace Monty when he comes back.

I know Monty was our best defenseman in the playoffs last year, but talent-wise he's the odd man out when we're healthy. If Sekera, Butler, or Weber show that they're going to struggle early, then Monty can be plugged in there once Rivet is healthy.

[TheChimp]

This is one fracking hot roster. NHL, watch out. Yawn.

[SabreRock]

htsportplaya, on 30 July 2010 - 06:29 PM, said:

I disagree, yse.

Here's what I'd like to see, to start the year at least, based on last season and what'll make us most successful if it works out...

Kennedy-Roy-Vanek--The line from the end of last season and early in the playoffs when Vanek was playing like the $7 million player he is. I'd like to see it over a bigger sample of games.
Ennis-Connolly-Pominville--Pominville loves to shoot, and he'll shoot from anywhere. Why not put him with two great playmakers and see if he can be the 2nd goal scoring winger we've needed forever.
Hecht-Niedermayer-Grier--This line could be the best shut down line in the league. Their defensive positioning and awareness would be close to unmatched, and their ability to control the puck in the offensive zone will keep the offensive lines they play against in their defensive zone while providing solid scoring opportunities and moment for the next line out.
Kaleta-Gaustad-McCormick/Stafford--This has the potential, if Gaustad is right, to be one of the funnest and toughest lines in the league to play against. With Kaleta doing his thing, he needs someone who can throw down the gloves with people who Kaleta can't hold his own with, and Gaustad is the biggest guy on our roster. McCormick can be another hitter/brawler if we feel we need more toughness, or Stafford can be played to give this line a little more of a scoring touch.

As for defense, my guess is as good as yours. I'd like to put Sekera-Weber together to see if they can rekindle some of their AHL/early NHL success together. I'd like to see our first pairing be Butler-Myers. I know Leopold is the chic-pick to replace Tallinder as Myers' partner, but Butler looked good at the development camp and playing with a talent like Myers could bring him back to his play from his rookie year. Finally, I'd like to see Leopold-Montador, at least until Rivet gets back. Leopold is a steady offensive defenseman, and Monty is a wild card. It'd be interesting to see how they paired together, at least in a small sample. I'd like to see Rivet replace Monty when he comes back.

I know Monty was our best defenseman in the playoffs last year, but talent-wise he's the odd man out when we're healthy. If Sekera, Butler, or Weber show that they're going to struggle early, then Monty can be plugged in there once Rivet is healthy.

Hecht-Connolly-Pominville until the chemistry goes away. Other than that, I like your line ideas.

[SabresWinItAll51]

SabreRock, on 30 July 2010 - 09:23 PM, said:

Hecht-Connolly-Pominville until the chemistry goes away. Other than that, I like your line ideas.

Disagree, but we've been over this before.

Solid post HT, I pretty much agree, especially with the forward lines. If Kennedy doesn't perform there, do something with Ennis or Stafford there.

[yse325]

The problem with putting Vanek on the right side is that he is a right handed shot, which means his stick is facing the boards which is not a problem when shooting from the middle of the ice, but is a significant problem is shooting from the top of the faceoff circle. Kennedy and Ennis are left handed shots which makes them (in theory) more natural right wings.

The other problems with the HT's lines is that he has demoted his best faceoff guy (Gaustad) to taking the least faceoffs and sucked nearly all the offense out of the third line. I'm also not sure Grier or Neidermayer are really physically able at this point in their careers to put in 15+ minutes per night. he has also taken a potential goal scorer (Stafford) and put him in the pressbox! I'm as disappointed as anyone about Stafford, but he needs to play if he is going to try to reach his vast potential. Also for all my affection for the hard working Kennedy, what has he truly done to think he is a top line player?

On defense, Montador earned Lindy's trust last season. He will be amongst our top 6 regardless of Rivet's status.
Rivet, Myers, Leopold and Montador are the 4 players definitely in the lineup. Butler, Weber, Sekera and Gragnani are going to fight it out for the last 2 starting jobs and for the 7th D slot. If Gragnani doesn't win one of the two starter jobs expect him back in Portland. If I had to guess today; Sekera will be the 7th D. The three D lines will be anchored by right handed shots Myers, Montador and Rivet, with Lindy matching a lefty with each one. Butler and Weber's games fit better with Myers then Leopold, but I doubt Lindy puts a fellow youngster with Myers. That leaves Leopold with Myers. That then places Butler with Montador and Rivet with Weber.

[Awiniganov1271]

SabresWinItAll51, on 30 July 2010 - 09:52 PM, said:

Disagree, but we've been over this before.

Solid post HT, I pretty much agree, especially with the forward lines. If Kennedy doesn't perform there, do something with Ennis or Stafford there.

I agree with you, mostly because Ennis wouldnt do much playing with Niedermayer and stone-hands Grier