That would be a dream...
He's one of my fav players

I can't see the Kings moving him unless they get a heck of a return
I'll give up stafford + (pick, prospect, defenseman?)
But I dont think i'm giving up Pominville like they supposedly wanted last year for Brown
- jdfitz77

What so he can come here and be completely (frank)ing useless!

I reckon if the Sabres got Crosby and he played under Ruff, Hecht would still get more ice time than Crosby + Crosby would end up just like every other forward here.

Yes but of the 7 4 are D and the other 4 arent their "top" players its not like Hossa doesnt have a goal. Stafford is someone we expect ot have a few by now
Carcillo not on the hawks to put is 20 where staff is.
- hubie

huh?

i generally enjoy their show, but has anyone else noticed schopp and the bulldog are getting squirrel-y about how bad this team is?

maybe i'm in denial, because i feel like there are a lot of squirrel-y-ish fans on here that think the whole sky is falling and we're all doomed but i refuse to believe that a team with a top line as talented as we have, and such young guys on this team is as bad as people think.

the key is removing stafford and adding someone that can actually do something, getting myers going and sorting out our defense and doing this while our youth develops. again, maybe i'm in denial, because i know we're bad, but i think these things are fixable.

i don't have much of an opinion about ruff because i could case less at this point if he's here or not because i don't think our team is super talented atm.

huh?
- keptupl8

Sorry Carcillo is not on the Hawks to score goals where Stafford is on our team to score goals.

Yes but of the 7 4 are D and the other 4 arent their "top" players its not like Hossa doesnt have a goal. Stafford is someone we expect ot have a few by now
Carcillo not on the hawks to put is 20 where staff is.
- hubie

And how many of the guys on our roster that haven't scored (besides Stafford) are supposed to be scorers...
If the point is that Stafford needs to score,
Well who can argue?
But he posted we "have 10 guys that haven't..."
My point is that every team in the league is like that

And I purposely noted how the entire Cup Champs roster is struggling with scoring, as well as one of the league's best young players in Nugent-Hopkins...
And there are many others as well
Stafford is hardly alone

And frankly, Stafford not scoring is much less of an issue than how horrible our defense has been

Sorry Carcillo is not on the Hawks to score goals where Stafford is on our team to score goals.
- hubie

Correct, but he's also only played 1 game this year.

What kills me about Stafford is he has generally been pretty good without the puck. But with the puck he's staying near the wall instead of driving to the goal. He's due to go on a tear and everyone will forget about him until the next slump.

From Sports Illustrated:


League laughing at Buffalo:


08:17 AM ET 02.11 | When Terry Pegula purchased the Sabres, he also, largely by way of his great business successes, also bought the franchise hope from so many corners. They also said he would restore credibility. And they were wrong. High-ranking people from across the league are laughing at the Sabres, just as they did last year after the season turned ugly. What people, you ask? Sorry, but their names will remain private. ...
- hankthetank[The] general opinion from a wide range of hockey minds -- general managers, scouts, agents, league officials, former players -- is that Pegula's success in the real world means almost nothing in the sports world. Most are stunned Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff have survived when common sense called for their dismissal long ago.

This was from Bucky Gleason who is the worst sports writer in Buffalo.. he likes to read his name in print. He almost makes Jerry Sullivan look good.

And how many of the guys on our roster that haven't scored (besides Stafford) are supposed to be scorers...
If the point is that Stafford needs to score,
Well who can argue?
But he posted we "have 10 guys that haven't..."
My point is that every team in the league is like that

And I purposely noted how the entire Cup Champs roster is struggling with scoring, as well as one of the league's best young players in Nugent-Hopkins...
And there are many others as well
Stafford is hardly alone

And frankly, Stafford not scoring is much less of an issue than how horrible our defense has been
- jdfitz77

Agreed.

Most are keying in on the poor play by our defensemen, but our team defense is atrocious. As a 5 man unit they get lost in their own zone way too often. That's coaching if you ask me.

This was from Bucky Gleason who is the worst sports writer in Buffalo.. he likes to read his name in print. He almost makes Jerry Sullivan look good.
- JoeSabre

You're being kind. He's worse than that

You're being kind. He's worse than that
- keptupl8

Sorry i was in a good mood

Correct, but he's also only played 1 game this year.

What kills me about Stafford is he has generally been pretty good without the puck. But with the puck he's staying near the wall instead of driving to the goal. He's due to go on a tear and everyone will forget about him until the next slump.
- keptupl8

Throw Mayers or bollig my point is their guys with 0 goals are not their top guys. I hope he does go on a tear then we can trade him. But if he does score a goal or two Darcy wont trade him.

Agreed.

Most are keying in on the poor play by our defensemen, but our team defense is atrocious. As a 5 man unit they get lost in their own zone way too often. That's coaching if you ask me.
- keptupl8

They stand around way too much and never look fluid

What so he can come here and be completely (frank)ing useless!

I reckon if the Sabres got Crosby and he played under Ruff, Hecht would still get more ice time than Crosby + Crosby would end up just like every other forward here.
- MikeyOz

Sorry sir, but I couldn't disagree more...
Vanek and Pominville are off to amazing starts, and have had very successful careers...
Drury & Briere had their best seasons under Ruff...
How is that possible if all Lindy does is "ruin players"
I can go on & on with examples
Also, this notion that Ruff can't develop young guys...
Hodgson looks good to me, and after a couple tough games to start the season Ennis appears to be back on track to the promising start his career has gotten off too...

Do I like that Hecht is getting all this icetime?
Hell no
Should Grigorenko be getting MUCH more?
IMO, yes... But it appears Lindy feels its best to "protect him" and bring him along slowly...

At any rate... I'm OK with the "fire Ruff" chants...
But saying he ruins or can't develop players is simply untrue

I can't believe Matt Ellis cleared waivers!!

This was from Bucky Gleason who is the worst sports writer in Buffalo.. he likes to read his name in print. He almost makes Jerry Sullivan look good.
- JoeSabre

Hell, lately I've found myself laughing at my own team with the rest of the league.

Lindy Ruff and Darcy Reiger have been in Buffalo too long about 6 years ago. The games you've been watching this season are clear evidence.

EDIT: I want to clarify, they shouldve been fired after losing back to back ECF and then not resigning Drury or Briere.

Agreed.

Most are keying in on the poor play by our defensemen, but our team defense is atrocious. As a 5 man unit they get lost in their own zone way too often. That's coaching if you ask me.
- keptupl8

We are having as tough a time getting the puck out of our own end and turning it into offense as I've ever seen

It seems like bc our defensemen are more finese guys that when they do recover the puck in our zone they are having trouble accurately moving it up ice when there's a forchecker on them...

Maybe we can swap a couple of our "offensive" guys for a couple defensemen that are a little more physical... Possibly then they can recover the puck more cleanly and be in a better position to move the puck even while being harassed

Maybe that's not entirely accurate, but it's a thought anyways...
Our defense has been way too soft for years now IMO...
Time for a change

Hell, lately I've found myself laughing at my own team with the rest of the league.

Lindy Ruff and Darcy Reiger have been in Buffalo too long about 6 years ago. The games you've been watching this season are clear evidence.
- theblueandgold

Their is absolutely no reason they should still have their job. None. Ruff is running them into the basement, I don't want to hear we don't have talent. 3 30 goal scorers, Vezina goalie, Calder trophy winner, 3 defenseman who have scored 10+ goals in a season, he is a joke

Sorry sir, but I couldn't disagree more...
Vanek and Pominville are off to amazing starts, and have had very successful careers...
Drury & Briere had their best seasons under Ruff...
How is that possible if all Lindy does is "ruin players"
I can go on & on with examples
Also, this notion that Ruff can't develop young guys...
Hodgson looks good to me, and after a couple tough games to start the season Ennis appears to be back on track to the promising start his career has gotten off too...

Do I like that Hecht is getting all this icetime?
Hell no
Should Grigorenko be getting MUCH more?
IMO, yes... But it appears Lindy feels its best to "protect him" and bring him along slowly...

At any rate... I'm OK with the "fire Ruff" chants...
But saying he ruins or can't develop players is simply untrue
- jdfitz77

The Grigorenko thing is getting blown out of proportion IMO. Taking him out against Boston was fine. It was supposed to be a physical game and he doesn't bring that yet. Plus they worked him harder in practice.

I want him to get more ice time because I'm excited to watch him play. But his time will come. I don't hate the approach Lindy is taking with him.

The only thing that really sticks out is putting Ellis in for an offensive zone faceoff late in a tied game. Grigorenko was playing well that night. Give him a chance to win the game. Don't be afraid of him losing it.

Hell, lately I've found myself laughing at my own team with the rest of the league.

Lindy Ruff and Darcy Reiger have been in Buffalo too long about 6 years ago. The games you've been watching this season are clear evidence.

EDIT: I want to clarify, they shouldve been fired after losing back to back ECF and then not resigning Drury or Briere.
- theblueandgold

Yes.

Throw Mayers or bollig my point is their guys with 0 goals are not their top guys. I hope he does go on a tear then we can trade him. But if he does score a goal or two Darcy wont trade him.
- hubie

Neither are ours except for Stafford!
Every team has guys struggling on the score sheet...
That's not our problem

We are scoring plenty

The problem is we are giving up WAY too many goals bc our defense is a joke

We are having as tough a time getting the puck out of our own end and turning it into offense as I've ever seen

It seems like bc our defensemen are more finese guys that when they do recover the puck in our zone they are having trouble accurately moving it up ice when there's a forchecker on them...

Maybe we can swap a couple of our "offensive" guys for a couple defensemen that are a little more physical... Possibly then they can recover the puck more cleanly and be in a better position to move the puck even while being harassed

Maybe that's not entirely accurate, but it's a thought anyways...
Our defense has been way too soft for years now IMO...
Time for a change
- jdfitz77

I'm back to the team concept on clearing the zone. Too many times the defensemen gain control and have no where to go with the puck. Forwards aren't giving them options. Our transition game needs to be simplified. Again, I think that's coaching.

We are having as tough a time getting the puck out of our own end and turning it into offense as I've ever seen

It seems like bc our defensemen are more finese guys that when they do recover the puck in our zone they are having trouble accurately moving it up ice when there's a forchecker on them...

Maybe we can swap a couple of our "offensive" guys for a couple defensemen that are a little more physical... Possibly then they can recover the puck more cleanly and be in a better position to move the puck even while being harassed

Maybe that's not entirely accurate, but it's a thought anyways...
Our defense has been way too soft for years now IMO...
Time for a change
- jdfitz77

I really can't pinpoint the issue here either, you used to see Myers and Ehrhoff bringing the puck over the blue line all the time but it really hasn't happened at all this year. It seems like they are getting pucks deep and only using the forwards where in the past it got dropped back to the d-men quite a bit more. Maybe I'm watching a different game so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm back to the team concept on clearing the zone. Too many times the defensemen gain control and have no where to go with the puck. Forwards aren't giving them options. Our transition game needs to be simplified. Again, I think that's coaching.
- keptupl8

Maybe when the d-men get the puck they are yelling "Go Long!"

The Grigorenko thing is getting blown out of proportion IMO. Taking him out against Boston was fine. It was supposed to be a physical game and he doesn't bring that yet. Plus they worked him harder in practice.

I want him to get more ice time because I'm excited to watch him play. But his time will come. I don't hate the approach Lindy is taking with him.

The only thing that really sticks out is putting Ellis in for an offensive zone faceoff late in a tied game. Grigorenko was playing well that night. Give him a chance to win the game. Don't be afraid of him losing it.
- keptupl8

One positive thing I will say about the coaching is that I LOVE that Vanek isn't just always parked in front of the net like he used to be, he's actually been able to create a lot of his own offense this year and it's becoming quite apparent that he is an exeptional passer as well.

Neither are ours except for Stafford!
Every team has guys struggling on the score sheet...
That's not our problem

We are scoring plenty

The problem is we are giving up WAY too many goals bc our defense is a joke
- jdfitz77

100% agree