come on now. Vanek has been the pearl hidding in a big pile of poo too
- RynoBull

What will we get for him? Hes not going anywhere so what good is any production he makes

I bet Ward finishes in the top 5 though.

Edmonton needs to work in their D still too. It's gotten better since last year, but they still need help.
- HonkFortheGoose

Miller has faced the most shots in the NHL. Dubnyk 2nd. Hank has faced 110 less shots and has a worse save %.

There's a fine line between positive and downright insane. He crossed it.

I'm sure there's plenty that I can find from the game last night that could have a positive spin on it. The realistic side of me says it doesn't matter, because they still lost.
- HonkFortheGoose

Not really. In a regular season if a team won 2 out of 3 they would finish with over 100 points easily.

There were a lot of things from the Isles and Habs games that could have a negative spin on them. The realistic side of me says it doesn't matter, because they still won.

What will we get for him? Hes not going anywhere so what good is any production he makes
- hubie

I think it's time for new coach and GM. Things seem stale in Buffalo. A new blogger too.

come on now. Vanek has been the pearl hidding in a big pile of poo too
- RynoBull

take out Miller and Vanek we are 0-13. Straight up.

Not really. In a regular season if a team won 2 out of 3 they would finish with over 100 points easily.

There were a lot of things from the Isles and Habs games that could have a negative spin on them. The realistic side of me says it doesn't matter, because they still won.
- keptupl8

If you only take the last 3 games sure, but in the last week, they actually played 4 (not counting yesterday) and they lost 2. So they're not a top team, but based on that, they're not a bottom team either. They'rea middle of the road team. Just like always.

If you only take the last 3 games sure, but in the last week, they actually played 4 (not counting yesterday) and they lost 2. So they're not a top team, but based on that, they're not a bottom team either. They'rea middle of the road team. Just like always.
- HonkFortheGoose

Which is the biggest problem

take out Miller and Vanek we are 0-13. Straight up.
- Buffalo--Sabres

oh comon we could get an ot or shootout loss in there somewhere

take out Miller and Vanek we are 0-13. Straight up.
- Buffalo--Sabres

You might not be too far off. Getting outshot 40-17 by the Islanders is a joke.

If you only take the last 3 games sure, but in the last week, they actually played 4 (not counting yesterday) and they lost 2. So they're not a top team, but based on that, they're not a bottom team either. They'rea middle of the road team. Just like always.
- HonkFortheGoose

His post was that we won 2 out of 3 and if we continue that pace we would be a top team. If we could do that, he's right.

Not really. In a regular season if a team won 2 out of 3 they would finish with over 100 points easily.

There were a lot of things from the Isles and Habs games that could have a negative spin on them. The realistic side of me says it doesn't matter, because they still won.
- keptupl8

Dont agree. I think all three games were largely the same stinking pile of dong we have had all year, and the bulk of last year. Vanek stole the habs game, Miller stole the ilses game. 2 teams that we never should be struggling against in the first place. If a good team played one or two games like that, ok, it happens. When your larger body of work suggests you always play like that, I cant see what positive spin you could have.

Offense - So one dimesional
Defense - horrible
Power play - An atrocity
PK - Pretty dam good
Puck possesion - Terrible
Shots for/against - So lopsided against us
Goals against - League worst
Goaltending - Hard to gauge when your team is this bad. But statisically bad.
Toughness - Pretty tough out there


This is our team in a nutshell, and it doesn't show promise of changing.

oh comon we could get an ot or shootout loss in there somewhere
- hubie

Wow, now were shooting for the stars!

After learning that Leopold does not like Lindy at all, I wouldn't doubt if that wasn't intentional last year.
- HonkFortheGoose

It sure seem like Lindy likes him...
So much so, that he's been playing a borderline 4/5 guy top pair defenseman minutes since he got here

Can u elaborate on that Goose?
I missed when Leopold said he didn't like him...
I believe it was you that has also said Leopold doesn't want to be traded & would threaten retirement if he was...
That seems odd if he doesnt like Ruff

It sure seem like Lindy likes him...
So much so, that he's been playing a borderline 4/5 guy top pair defenseman minutes since he got here

Can u elaborate on that Goose?
I missed when Leopold said he didn't like him...
I believe it was you that has also said Leopold doesn't want to be traded & would threaten retirement if he was...
That seems odd if he doesnt like Ruff
- jdfitz77

I think someone here with a credible source claimed Leopold can't stand Ruff

Dont agree. I think all three games were largely the same stinking pile of dong we have had all year, and the bulk of last year. Vanek stole the habs game, Miller stole the ilses game. 2 teams that we never should be struggling against in the first place. If a good team played one or two games like that, ok, it happens. When your larger body of work suggests you always play like that, I cant see what positive spin you could have.

Offense - So one dimesional
Defense - horrible
Power play - An atrocity
PK - Pretty dam good
Puck possesion - Terrible
Shots for/against - So lopsided against us
Goals against - League worst
Goaltending - Hard to gauge when your team is this bad. But statisically bad.
Toughness - Pretty tough out there


This is our team in a nutshell, and it doesn't show promise of changing.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I'm not disputing any of that stuff. I'm just keeing it simple. He said we won 2 out of 3. He's right. He said that if we continue to win 2 of every 3 we will be one of the best teams in the league. He's right.

Despite all of the negatives that you can point out, they took 4 of 6 points. You can't disagree with 4 of 6 points. It is what it is.

Are we going to continue to win 67% of the time? No. Is this even my argument to defend? No. But my original point still stands. One guy said something positive about the team and it was blood in the water. That's what I was defending.

So since he was on the active roster in the NHL, I am assuming Matt Ellis is automatically on the 1st line in Rochester and on the first PP unit

It sure seem like Lindy likes him...
So much so, that he's been playing a borderline 4/5 guy top pair defenseman minutes since he got here

Can u elaborate on that Goose?
I missed when Leopold said he didn't like him...
I believe it was you that has also said Leopold doesn't want to be traded & would threaten retirement if he was...
That seems odd if he doesnt like Ruff
- jdfitz77

A little birdie told me that Leo doesn't like Ruff. Apparently he had too much to drink at a team party and spoke his mind.

does anybody think something like stafford and a 1st or 2nd in this years draft for corey perry would entice anaheim/be a good idea?

i'm thinking that even though this draft is really deep, that perry is already seasoned and if we give up the youth we might be able to have solid lines for attacking and actually be decent (after we sort out the defense, which i would gut and promote mcnabb). it might seem like a lot to give up but perry is a premeire player and is still very young himself.
- FIREonICE

Perry is also a free agent after this season
I'm fairly confident that he'll wanna see what offers are out there, so I wouldn't count on him re-signing with whatever team he gets traded to

I know ppl hate stafford, but losing him for a month of Perry is dumb
If it were for Bobby Ryan it would make more sense, bc Ryan is signed for a few more years
Also, as far as the draft goes, it is pretty deep this year...
From what I've read, there are up to 11players that are thought to be NHL ready and will seriously compete to join whichever team drafts them right away
So even if we start playing better, we still may be trading a pick that would likely help us out sooner than later

That'd be a lot to give up for a "rental

I'm not disputing any of that stuff. I'm just keeing it simple. He said we won 2 out of 3. He's right. He said that if we continue to win 2 of every 3 we will be one of the best teams in the league. He's right.

Despite all of the negatives that you can point out, they took 4 of 6 points. You can't disagree with 4 of 6 points. It is what it is.

Are we going to continue to win 67% of the time? No. Is this even my argument to defend? No. But my original point still stands. One guy said something positive about the team and it was blood in the water. That's what I was defending.
- keptupl8

Yes, if they win 2 of 3 games all the time we would make playoffs. That is a correct statement.

But if we all come here and talk like that, people will think were this guy.

A little birdie told me that Leo doesn't like Ruff. Apparently he had too much to drink at a team party and spoke his mind.
- HonkFortheGoose

Well that's interesting...
Maybe he'd be more open to a trade then previously thought?
ESP if it's to a "contender"

Defensemen got a crazy return at the deadline last year
Guys around Leopold's talent level (average NHL defensemen) were getting a prospect + a 2nd round pick

I'd do that in a heartbeat

Has any member of the Buffalo sports media attempted to get Terry Pegula on the line since this season began? I'd love to hear his rationalization for keeping this head coach.

Yep, good thing I don't know where he lives. He'd better not go to games either.
- mes418

I think someone here with a credible source claimed Leopold can't stand Ruff
- sbroads24

Not that I don't believe that every player on the team hates Ruff, but in 7 years posting here, I've not come across one person w/a "credible source." I've seen a lot of people claim a lot of things, but I've never seen a source yet.

Well that's interesting...
Maybe he'd be more open to a trade then previously thought?
ESP if it's to a "contender"

Defensemen got a crazy return at the deadline last year
Guys around Leopold's talent level (average NHL defensemen) were getting a prospect + a 2nd round pick

I'd do that in a heartbeat
- jdfitz77

For some reason I thought he was a little older. I was looking through my program at the game yesterday and saw he was born in 84. So, he's 28/29. I've heard that he doesn't want to be traded because he likes it here in Buffalo, but I guess he doesn't like the coach. My guess would be he'd rather play for a crappy coach and live in a city he likes than vice versa.

take out Miller and Vanek we are 0-13. Straight up.
- Buffalo--Sabres

100% Agree