I agree he may have lost their ears a bit. But I think the injection of youth and talent will get them going. It seems now they have to look over their shoulders to keep their jobs.
- Dwight K. Schrute

This I can agree with.

The likes of Grigs, Girgs, Armia, Brennan, McNabb, Pysyk, Gauthier-Leduc, McCabe, Makarov, Tsujimoto, etc. should have the vets playing for keeps.

I think pommer would make a better center
- homiedclown

To be honest, I'm surprised Lindy hasn't fully converted him yet. Seeing as how he was taking faceoffs last year, I would expect to see the same from him this year. He's also very strong defensively. He fits right in with what Lindy expects out of his centers in terms of defensive play.

That was where Luke Adam had issues and why he's no longer on the NHL roster.

Great trade by Darcy, but he was a 30g scorer nonetheless. He was hidden In PHO. Lindy has gotten the most out of players like Drury or Gaustad. I cant give him credit for guys like Campbell or Briere because they were incredibly talented to begin with
- sbroads24

Campbell was barely in the top 6 defensemen in Chicago so really, Ruff used him the way he needed to in order for him to thrive here. Go figure he would have a career year playing for a coach that had just used the Sabres system for the last 3 years in the AHL before getting his first head coaching job in the NHL.

Campbell was barely in the top 6 defensemen in Chicago so really, Ruff used him the way he needed to in order for him to thrive here. Go figure he would have a career year playing for a coach that had just used the Sabres system for the last 3 years in the AHL before getting his first head coaching job in the NHL.
- HonkFortheGoose

HA, I forgot about that part.

Campbell was barely in the top 6 defensemen in Chicago so really, Ruff used him the way he needed to in order for him to thrive here. Go figure he would have a career year playing for a coach that had just used the Sabres system for the last 3 years in the AHL before getting his first head coaching job in the NHL.
- HonkFortheGoose

Barely in the top6 yet managed 50pts as a defensemen??? Then 38 pts in 60games and was a plus 16. I think your a little off when saying he was barely in the top6

Notice Vanek's "regression" coincides with the loss of our top centermen. Myers, like many other players throughout hockey history had a sophomore slump. Stafford I don't care for anyway. And all those players have been in Ruff's system their whole NHL career so the blame the system argument doesn't really fit.
- Dwight K. Schrute

Vaneks production also dropped off because in 06-07, when he scored 43 goals, the teams he were playing were worn the (frank) out because our team was so good and so stacked. All 4 lines ran teams ragged. It was easy for a natural shooter like Vanek.

Campbell was barely in the top 6 defensemen in Chicago so really, Ruff used him the way he needed to in order for him to thrive here. Go figure he would have a career year playing for a coach that had just used the Sabres system for the last 3 years in the AHL before getting his first head coaching job in the NHL.
- HonkFortheGoose

Never averaged under 20min per game. What are you talking about?

Barely in the top6 yet managed 50pts as a defensemen??? Then 38 pts in 60games and was a plus 16. I think your a little off when saying he was barely in the top6
- sbroads24

Honest question, how many Chicago games did you watch while he was there? Chicago is my second favorite team behind the Sabres and I subscribe to Center Ice every year, so I've seen a lot. It's not hard to put up decent points and have a + year when you're not facing the toughest opposition every night. That was Seabrook, Keith, Hjarlmarsson, and Johnsson.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2012/team/_/name/buf

Espns preview.... Fwiw.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/preview2012/team/_/name/buf

Espns preview.... Fwiw.
- jochfr

Interesting read. No mention of injuries also playing a part into last years abysmal failure.

Honest question, how many Chicago games did you watch while he was there? Chicago is my second favorite team behind the Sabres and I subscribe to Center Ice every year, so I've seen a lot. It's not hard to put up decent points and have a + year when you're not facing the toughest opposition every night. That was Seabrook, Keith, Hjarlmarsson, and Johnsson.
- HonkFortheGoose

I watched Chicago A lot.

Brian Campbell last year in CHI : 65GP 5G 22A 22:59 toi
Brent Seabrook same year: 48 pts in 82g 24:22 toi
duncan keith: 45 pts 82 gp 26:53 toi

Niklas Hjalmarsson : 69gp 10 pts 18:29 toi

Nick Boynton 41gp 8 pts 15:43 toi

If anything Campbell was at worst their 3-4 guy.

The reason for bringing him back are simple:

One injury that could be 3-4 weeks means a player misses 1/4 of the schedule. With Gerbe and McCormick already out we have zero forward depth and nobody in Rochester would be ready to play up (Maybe Mancari, i hope not and Porter)

Hecht is a solid third line forward. Good defensively and can play center. Right now I see our lines as:

Vanek-Hodgson (or grig)-Pommer
Stafford- Ennis- Foligno
Leino-Hecht-Ott
Scott-Ellis-Kaltea

If Grigs makes the team look for Hodgson move in between Leino and Hecht, and Ott to center Scott and Kaleta

All of you that want to trade for a star or a young forward are crazy to think that it will happen with the season a week away. The only major trade that might happen would be Luongo. Maybe a few minor deals here or there but nothing until atleast a month into the season.

Yes its some of the same old but honestly it isn't something to look as a step backward but more of a stepping stone.

Interesting read. No mention of injuries also playing a part into last years abysmal failure.
- Dwight K. Schrute

ESPN doesn't know poop about hockey. Not one person at that office can pronounce Desharnais.

ESPN doesn't know poop about hockey. Not one person at that office can pronounce Desharnais.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Pierre LeBrun is pretty good at his job.

This I can agree with.

The likes of Grigs, Girgs, Armia, Brennan, McNabb, Pysyk, Gauthier-Leduc, McCabe, Makarov, Tsujimoto, etc. should have the vets playing for keeps.
- Powerslave

Amazing sometimes when things go unnoticed or aren't reacted to.

ESPN doesn't know poop about hockey. Not one person at that office can pronounce Desharnais.
- Buffalo--Sabres

John Buccigross is a NYI season ticket holder and has been for years.

Pierre Labrun????

Steve Levy?????

Gary Thorn????

Pierre LeBrun is pretty good at his job.
- Stalemate

No avatar + location + favorite team = HB poster who likley a Leafs fans trying to avoid being mocked at every turn. Next.

John Buccigross is a NYI season ticket holder and has been for years.

Pierre Labrun????

Steve Levy?????

Gary Thorn????
- dadeadhead

Its funny the once a week watching them show hockey highlights. They stumble over the names like a Dell phone rep trying to help with your computer.

John Buccigross is a NYI season ticket holder and has been for years.

Pierre Labrun????

Steve Levy?????

Gary Thorn????
- dadeadhead

dupe

No avatar + location + favorite team = HB poster who likley a Leafs fans trying to avoid being mocked at every turn. Next.
- Buffalo--Sabres

lol, I'm no leaf fan and the fact that you don't think Pierre LeBrun knows hockey shows how little you know about hockey! I watch LeBrun every night on TSN and he knows the game.

next

Since I didnt follow the Amerks during the lockout, what happened with Tropp?

Its funny the once a week watching them show hockey highlights. They stumble over the names like a Dell phone rep trying to help with your computer.
- Buffalo--Sabres

While most at ESPN do the 4 I mention do not.

Since I didnt follow the Amerks during the lockout, what happened with Tropp?
- theblueandgold

Blew a knee.

Im not going to list an avatar, location or favorite(favourite) team so people have less to pick on me about(aboot)
- Stalemate

fixed

While most at ESPN do the 4 I mention do not.
- dadeadhead

correct