Theres a fine line where you can give a forward too many minutes and it negatively impacts that player, Lindy however isn't even in the ballpark with his proximity to that line. Gross under usage of the hottest player in the league. Frankly inexcusable.
- Gunner Staal

Vanek is a very hot player in the NHL right now.. but he is also playing through a pulled muscle in his back....

I bet that ache in back to back games might have caused him to get a few less minutes but same number of shifts...

The lines 2-4 are the biggest problem on the team. The defense is a close 2nd. You can't tell me this team would not be better off with Scott and ellis on the bench.
- sbroads24

They don't have room to put all these guys in the pressbox. They'd have to send them to Rochester. There's also no guarantee that they don't get claimed. Joe Finley got claimed, and that was a total shock. So you can't assume that anyone is going to make it through waivers.

Remember how the nail in Gaileys coffin was only using Spiller for 8 snaps that one game?
- nfph

(frank)ed my fantasy team up.

They played the same amount of shifts. Hecht 'outstayed some shifts'.
Dont shoot the messenger.
- TerryPegs

Probably shouldn't be the case regardless.

I'll give Hodgson a lot of credit for skating hard, going to the net, and staying open for the other two... He's also finished a few really nice plays this year.
- BuffaJoe

He's throwing his body around a little bit too
This kid is the real deal
I still can't believe Vancouver traded him to us
Awesome

Vanek is a very hot player in the NHL right now.. but he is also playing through a pulled muscle in his back....

I bet that ache in back to back games might have caused him to get a few less minutes but same number of shifts...
- JVince11

That is possible. I forgot about that.

They don't have room to put all these guys in the pressbox. They'd have to send them to Rochester. There's also no guarantee that they don't get claimed. Joe Finley got claimed, and that was a total shock. So you can't assume that anyone is going to make it through waivers.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'd only waive Gerbe right now....

McNabb, Flynn, Adam, or Porter all deserve a few games in Buffalo to see if they can help this franchise turn this season beginning flop around...

They don't have room to put all these guys in the pressbox. They'd have to send them to Rochester. There's also no guarantee that they don't get claimed. Joe Finley got claimed, and that was a total shock. So you can't assume that anyone is going to make it through waivers.
- HonkFortheGoose

honestly would you care if someone picked up gerbe or ellis?

He's throwing his body around a little bit too
This kid is the real deal
I still can't believe Vancouver traded him to us
Awesome
- jdfitz77

they didnt really need him. kassian fits them so much better.

although kassian would still be great on buffalo.

Remember how the nail in Gaileys coffin was only using Spiller for 8 snaps that one game?
- nfph

That's the frustrating part for me. Many of Lindy's moves reminded me of what Gailey was doing with the Bills. Matt Ellis coming out for the last shift of a tie hockey game made me think of Gailey running Tashard Choice 3 straight times at the goal line.

He's throwing his body around a little bit too
This kid is the real deal
I still can't believe Vancouver traded him to us
Awesome
- jdfitz77

It's been a good trade for both teams. Kassian seems to be fitting in pretty well in Vancouver right now. Though I think that could be more of the case of who's he's playing with than it is for Cody.

Probably shouldn't be the case regardless.
- nfph

No it shouldnt.
This was Lindy's excuse. Not mine.

I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with the back to back schedule. Either that or there was an issue with either Pommer or Cody, since they're names on the list of the 5 guys that didn't skate today, of which 2 of the 5 are doubtful for tomorrow.
- HonkFortheGoose

once the score was 5-0 on Saturday

the Vanek line should have only played 2 shifts the third period, work with the lines that are not clicking, since we have back to back games


I know common sense means nothing but damn Ruff has done a crap job this season

Because the coach is Lindy Ruff and he's an idiot.
- HonkFortheGoose

The Hecht thing ties right into the Ellis discussion, these useless players who cannot score continue to get bumped up into the lineup. Hecht was resigned for the 4th line, has made his way to the 3rd line, pretty soon with an injury, our retread 35 year old winger who is washed up, that was resigned for depth will be on our top 6 at some point this year, same with Ellis, as soon as Grigs has another bad game, Matt Ellis will work his way up to 3rd line minutes. It's the same thing every year, just substitute Ellis and Hecht with Mair, or Chris Taylor.

honestly would you care if someone picked up gerbe or ellis?
- SabresFaninIndiana

Personally, I have no problem with Gerbe. I just wish he could find his game again. Hard to do that playing with John Scott though. That back injury really (frank)ed him up and it's going to take a while to overcome that.

I wouldn't be upset if they got claimed, but you can't afford to have all your players being claimed either. If you're taking players from the farm, you have to be putting other players there. It's a numbers game at this point.

It's been a good trade for both teams. Kassian seems to be fitting in pretty well in Vancouver right now. Though I think that could be more of the case of who's he's playing with than it is for Cody.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think it's the case with both guys, actually. Hodgson was usually playing the 3rd line with guys that didn't quite match his skill set. That's why I believe Hodgson is benefiting from playing on Vanek's like just as much as Kassian is playing with the Sedins.

honestly would you care if someone picked up gerbe or ellis?
- SabresFaninIndiana

I would send them a thankful Mariachi band.

They don't have room to put all these guys in the pressbox. They'd have to send them to Rochester. There's also no guarantee that they don't get claimed. Joe Finley got claimed, and that was a total shock. So you can't assume that anyone is going to make it through waivers.
- HonkFortheGoose

Would u really miss Scott or Ellis if they got claimed?
I wouldn't
Don't hate either player, but neither is a guy I want on the ice in the playoffs, so if we lose them now....
O well, we'll survive

Does Adam play any Center at all for the Amerks or is he just strictly a winger now??

Does anyone know what their lines look like??

I think it's the case with both guys, actually. Hodgson was usually playing the 3rd line with guys that didn't quite match his skill set. That's why I believe Hodgson is benefiting from playing on Vanek's like just as much as Kassian is playing with the Sedins.
- buffalofan19

I bet you see Kassian's numbers fall off more than Cody's though. Cody has all the talent he should have to be playing on the top line. I don't think Kassian is quite a top line guy. Maybe a 2nd liner, but 1st line is a bit of a reach IMO.

Would u really miss Scott or Ellis if they got claimed?
I wouldn't
Don't hate either player, but neither is a guy I want on the ice in the playoffs, so if we lose them now....
O well, we'll survive
- jdfitz77

Scott I would miss the hell out of... he is playing too many games but it is becuase of Leino's injury... if he was in the limited role that he is expected to play then he would be just fine...

Matt Ellis has no ability to be in the NHL. But honestly he is not a defensive liability, like players such as gerbe and our defenseman... Although Matt Ellis is not going to be the one that allows you to hoist the cup he is also not going to be the one that keeps you from hoisting the cup (other than he is taking a better players roster spot)
- SabresFaninIndiana

This part made me smile.

Don't look this up. how much icetime per game are they both averaging?

how much did taylor pyatt and andrew peters get in 05-06

tell me how its different
- robz228

Did Andrew Peter play in the playoffs? I'm pretty sure Ellis has been dressed for playoff games

Does Adam play any Center at all for the Amerks or is he just strictly a winger now??

Does anyone know what their lines look like??
- JVince11

Adam needs to stay in Rochester. He's probably one of the laziest players I've ever seen.

Personally, I have no problem with Gerbe. I just wish he could find his game again. Hard to do that playing with John Scott though. That back injury really (frank)ed him up and it's going to take a while to overcome that.

I wouldn't be upset if they got claimed, but you can't afford to have all your players being claimed either. If you're taking players from the farm, you have to be putting other players there. It's a numbers game at this point.
- HonkFortheGoose

I've also liked Gerbe a lot, but I'm nervous his back injury will ruin his career. He had a lot of promise, but it puts a TON of stress on his back to get leaned on by much larger players all the time. I'm not sure I see him in the NHL for much longer, which is really too bad. Back injuries are really really bad news for anyone, let alone someone of his size.