Eklund: The Top Ten Teams Who Will Benefit from a Shorter Season.
- Eklund

its spelled "reckon"

They are not enforcers the ilk of Scott.

Players will shy away from this guy and Scott makes other teams think about taking liberties on our better players whether he is dressed that night or not.

That is what I meant by serving the purpose of Darcy acquiring him.

To think that does not happen in the league still I feel leaves you naive. If you know you just took liberties roughing Vanek up or running Miller you better know that the next time you face this team you will have to man up to Scott.

That's my point!
- BuffaloHardHat

The majority of successful teams dont have an enforcer role anymore. True story.

They are not enforcers the ilk of Scott.

Players will shy away from this guy and Scott makes other teams think about taking liberties on our better players whether he is dressed that night or not.

That is what I meant by serving the purpose of Darcy acquiring him.

To think that does not happen in the league still I feel leaves you naive. If you know you just took liberties roughing Vanek up or running Miller you better know that the next time you face this team you will have to man up to Scott.

That's my point!
- BuffaloHardHat

lucic runs miller. scott gets sent out. bruins thug gets sent out. scott beats him up and gets an instigator. bruins score on PP
done

i just wanted to hear him say it so i could refute it (kinda like our "whos tanking" discussion yesterday )


the kings and the sabres have almost nothing in common. there big guys could also play.
- hugefemale dog77

I think thats one of the reasons the Oils, Habs and Leafs are having trouble being in the mix. A massive void of toughness/skill mix.

One problem with your example of the Kings. They actually have a handful of elite players, tough players with skill and depth. Lets not pretend the Sabres have what the Kings have.

You guys went out and overpayed for Ehrhoff and Leino. They went out and got Richards and Carter. Are we seeing a difference yet?
- systemtool

You didnt answer the question.

Did you expect the Kings to win the Cup last year? I'll answer for you.

I know you didnt. No one did!

Now Carter and Richards are 'elite players' ? So Pomminville and Vanek are elite with your way of thinking?

Ok ?

your points need to be re-evaluated. I get it, you love your team, I love the Sabres as well, but I always prefer to be objective in my opinions. Try that and the guys here will respect you.

Just sayin...
- mhp

Been watching hockey longer than most of these kids here have been alive.

I dont give respect to kids over the internet. Respect is earned. Ask my 6 children.

But I appreciate the hand you extended.

I lead my friend, never follow! I dont go a certain way because thats the way the higher % is.

I think thats one of the reasons the Oils, Habs and Leafs are having trouble being in the mix. A massive void of toughness/skill mix.
- systemtool

couldnt agree more.

darcy hordichuk does absolutely nothing for us. we dont even have space on the bench for him. he got the odd 5 mins a game, maybe threw a hit, and then rode pine.

we need guys that can throw their weight down low AND create scoring opportunities.. we dont have enough size AND skill. its one or the other.

id kill for a lucic or even a ryan cloweish type on the oil

You didnt answer the question.

Did you expect the Kings to win the Cup last year? I'll answer for you.

I know you didnt. No one did!

Now Carter and Richards are 'elite players' ? So Pomminville and Vanek are elite with your way of thinking?

Ok ?
- BuffaloHardHat

Compare the top 9 of the Sabres with the top 9 of the Kings...it's not even close.

They are not enforcers the ilk of Scott.

Players will shy away from this guy and Scott makes other teams think about taking liberties on our better players whether he is dressed that night or not.

That is what I meant by serving the purpose of Darcy acquiring him.

To think that does not happen in the league still I feel leaves you naive. If you know you just took liberties roughing Vanek up or running Miller you better know that the next time you face this team you will have to man up to Scott.

That's my point!
- BuffaloHardHat

No Sir.

You're the naive one, thinking that a goon that can hardly skate who sees 3 minutes of ice time deters this kind of stuff from happening.

An example??

James Neil comes to mind. He took runs at both Giroux and Coots within a span of 25 seconds. Believe me when I say- and it's not really that outrageous- that I'm not the only one that wants his head on a stake.

But here's the thing. It's not a guarantee. It's just not part of the game anymore. He WILL NOT get knocked unconscious by Shelly (our "enforcer") on his first shift out there. What is most likely going to happen? A guy like Simmonds, Hartnell, or Talbot will go out there and hit him a few times. There won't be any fights. There won't be any huge hits laid on him. It's just going to be extra physical hockey when he has the puck. It's the way it is now. There's no deterring.

Which brings me to this point- look who I mentioned: Hartsy, Simmer, and Talbs. Those guys were 20 GOAL SCORERS. And....*gasp!*....THOSE are the guys that would most likely go after him? Why? Because they play. They play and make a difference, but are tough. That's the type of player that the "enforcer" has evolved into.

Guys that play make SOME SORT of difference. Guys who don't play don't make a difference. It's simple.

Scott and Shelly and other guys like that don't play because they suck. Toughness is a huge part of the game now. Brutality isn't.

Point made.

You didnt answer the question.

Did you expect the Kings to win the Cup last year? I'll answer for you.

I know you didnt. No one did!

Now Carter and Richards are 'elite players' ? So Pomminville and Vanek are elite with your way of thinking?

Ok ?
- BuffaloHardHat

After the trades, I expected them to compete for the Cup and that with their roster they had a shot at winning it all. Especially with their good young goaltending.

I consider Doughty and Kopitar elite. I consider Richards and Carter star players who can play a tough style of hockey ie not getting pushed around and shying fromt he rough areas.

Just because you were ignorant to the Kings roster, does not mean everyone else was.

coukdnt agree more.

darcy hordichuk does absolutely nothing for us. we dont even have space on the bench for him. he got the odd 5 mins a game, maybe threw a hit, and then rode pine.

we need guys that can throw their weight down low AND create scoring opportunities.. we dont have enough size and skill. its one or the other.
id kill for a lucic or even a ryan cloweish type on the oil
- hugefemale dog77

What teams need is toughness and skills on the top 9, the guys that log the majority of minutes in a game.

lucic runs miller. scott gets sent out. bruins thug gets sent out. scott beats him up and gets an instigator. bruins score on PP
done
- hugefemale dog77

Thats where you are wrong.

If the Sabres are home the last line change goes to the Sabres. Scott grabs Lucic and ragdolls him.

Lucic doesnt do it again , guaranteed.

lucic runs miller. scott gets sent out. bruins thug gets sent out. scott beats him up and gets an instigator. bruins score on PP
done
- hugefemale dog77

You didnt answer the question.

Did you expect the Kings to win the Cup last year? I'll answer for you.

I know you didnt. No one did!

Now Carter and Richards are 'elite players' ? So Pomminville and Vanek are elite with your way of thinking?

Ok ?
- BuffaloHardHat

apples and oranges.

they werent expected because of how mediocre they played during the year.
however they were one of the favs at the start of the year. NO ONE ever denied their talent
or how good they can be.
which is exactly what we're doing with the sabres.

theyre a reasonable team that could get ito the playoffs..maybe. a real threat to win a cup?no. a real threat to beat boston and win the division? no

buffalo is not in the same class as the kings in any way, shape, or form

Thats where you are wrong.

If the Sabres are home the last line change goes to the Sabres. Scott grabs Lucic and ragdolls him.

Lucic doesnt do it again , guaranteed.
- BuffaloHardHat

Delusional

- Giroux_Is_God

After the trades, I expected them to compete for the Cup and that with their roster they had a shot at winning it all. Especially with their good young goaltending.

I consider Doughty and Kopitar elite. I consider Richards and Carter star players who can play a tough style of hockey ie not getting pushed around and shying fromt he rough areas.

Just because you were ignorant to the Kings roster, does not mean everyone else was.
- systemtool

Doughty and Kopitar are elite ? Wow ...just wow.

How and when did this happen ?

So if Richards and Carter are 'stars' then I must assume Pommers and Vanek are 'stars' as well. Gotcha.

Leafs will benefit for sure, I think it will help the Oilers quite a lot too.

Doughty and Kopitar are elite ? Wow ...just wow.

How and when did this happen ?

So if Richards and Carter are 'stars' then I must assume Pommers and Vanek are 'stars' as well. Gotcha.
- BuffaloHardHat

No, dont assume that. Vanek and Pommers are not "stars". There is more to it all than stats. Just like you assuming Scott getting 600 PIMs will lead to a Sabres Cup is delusional.

Pommers is close, and probably should be one, but is massively under rated. Thats what happens when you play in smaller markets.

Doughty and Kopitar are elite ? Wow ...just wow.

How and when did this happen ?

So if Richards and Carter are 'stars' then I must assume Pommers and Vanek are 'stars' as well. Gotcha.
- BuffaloHardHat

is this post a joke?

are u saying doughty and kopitar ARENT elite? what playoffs or kings team did u watch????
kopitar was downright unstoppable at times last year. doughty on form is form is a true game changer. do u actually watch the kings?
wanna hear something funny? theyre both big strong dudes too....and skilled

richards and carter ARENT stars?? wtf?

i think your blind bias and love for the sabres has completely skewed your opinion.

this post amazes me

You forget about Scott ?

The Sabres in my opinion are tougher than the Bruins now.

Not one guy on the Bruins can step up to Scott. Not even Chara. Watch the fight videos. He toys with his opponets. Its sad actually.

I guess if there is a season we will season. Fair enough?
First time we play the Bruins I would expect your Bruins and Lucic to see Scott on the ice as well.
- BuffaloHardHat

No, dont assume that. Vanek and Pommers are not "stars". There is more to it all than stats. Just like you assuming Scott getting 600 PIMs will lead to a Sabres Cup is delusional.
- systemtool

Gotcha.

I am out kids.

Merry Christmas.

The Wild won't play another hockey game. After the union decertifies they will be one of the teams to fold. Good riddance!
- flamminghead

My plan is for 6 teams to fold so we can get to 24 teams. Than we can go back to the 1970's playoff format, 16 teams get in the playoffs, the matchups are based on where they finish, 1st plays 16th, 2nd plays 15th & so on & so on. Ohh & get rid of the salary cap as it has killed one of the most exciting aspects of the game: TRADES!!! My fav day of the year was never Christmas, Thanksgiving etc, it use to be the trade deadline. Now it's been killed by the cap.

Gotcha.

I am out kids.

Merry Christmas.
- BuffaloHardHat

You too big guy.

Remember, the leaders of cup winning teams arent stars or elite, and you'll have a merry Christmas.

is this post a joke?

are u saying doughty and kopitar ARENT elite? what playoffs or kings team did u watch????
kopitar was downright unstoppable at times last year. doughty on form is form is a true game changer. do u watch the kings?
wanna hear something funny? theyre both big strong dudes too....and skilled

richards and carter ARENT stars?? wtf?

i think your blind bias and love for the sabres has completely skewed your opinion.

this post amazes me
- hugefemale dog77

The best part is he compares Buffalos best players, and when it comes to picking the Kings best he conviently excludes Kopitar.