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D Corps Door Is Open

December 13, 2011, 7:36 AM ET [ Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I don't profess to know what thoughts are occupying Lindy Ruff's head, however, I'm convinced that the coach has a blue line shakeup in mind. Lindy has a big decision to make this morning. He has seven healthy D: Regehr, Ehrhoff, Leopold, McNabb, Sekera, Gragnani, and Weber.

Only six D can play tonight. Someone has to sit. That, or, Ruff can send McNasty back to Rochester.

In his first seven games of his NHL career, McNabb has made a case for never playing another game in the AHL again. The kid has been OUTSTANDING. He's big, tough, strong, smart, and has a serious amount of maturity for a kid his age.


Mike Weber was playing an excellent brand of defense, when he suffered a broken rib against New Jersey a couple of weeks ago. Weber's injury has finally healed, and he has been cleared to resume playing NHL hockey. Weber gives Ruff another option to help shore up his 5 on 5 and PK defense.

Weber is a stiff, tough, stay-at-home D man.

He was paired with Robyn Regehr at the time he was injured. The duo played well together.

Though he leads the Sabres with a +11 rating, Gragnani has been under the microscope for weeks. He's looked lost and disengaged at times this season. Lately, he's been soft on the body, to say nothing of being charitable with pucks, as evidenced by the atrocious "pick six" thathe threw to Philly's Claude Giroux for the OT GWG last week on home ice.

Last night, I opened up this debate to my Twitter followers @SabresBuzz.The fans have spoken, and they want McNasty to stay in Buffalo. They also want Weber back. To them, Gragnani has earned a seat in the press box.



Here are their takes:

@SabresBuzz We need to sit Gragnani for sure, aljordan89

@SabresBuzz absolutely. Sit 17. If Myers had to ride the pine, why is Grags made of Teflon? FatMike63

@SabresBuzz Yup....scratch Grags for sure...he's been a liability out there..., butsabrez


@SabresBuzz I don't think there is a doubt the kid has earned it McNasty is here to stay Grags #tradebait, jason_bluegold

@SabresBuzz I totally agree! Grags has been brutal lately, needs to sit for awhile, jkinsley31


@SabresBuzz Id like Weber to be back with Sekera. Weber was great with sekera. grags to be scratched, gr0uchetta


Its unanimous. My followers want to see McNabb stay intact on the Buffalo blueline. They also want to see Weber play. That makes Grags the odd-man out.



What say you?


*****

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