Goals per game out of the top 120 active point scorers Vanek is 9th. He might be good


Player G/G
Alex Ovechkin 0.62
Steven Stamkos 0.56
Sidney Crosby 0.51
Evgeni Malkin 0.47
Dany Heatley 0.46
Marian Gaborik 0.44
Rick Nash 0.43
Jarome Iginla 0.43
Thomas Vanek 0.43
Marian Hossa 0.43
Alexander Semin 0.41
Jonathan Toews 0.41
Jeff Carter 0.40
Bobby Ryan 0.39
Eric Staal 0.39
Zach Parise 0.39
Corey Perry 0.38
Jason Spezza 0.37
Vincent Lecavalier 0.37
Henrik Zetterberg 0.37
- toughiem

Interesting

Interesting
- cabin

I'd rather have Vanek over only 2 players on that entire list: Carter, Semin

Goals per game out of the top 120 active point scorers Vanek is 9th. He might be good


Player G/G
Alex Ovechkin 0.62
Steven Stamkos 0.56
Sidney Crosby 0.51
Evgeni Malkin 0.47
Dany Heatley 0.46
Marian Gaborik 0.44
Rick Nash 0.43
Jarome Iginla 0.43
Thomas Vanek 0.43
Marian Hossa 0.43
Alexander Semin 0.41
Jonathan Toews 0.41
Jeff Carter 0.40
Bobby Ryan 0.39
Eric Staal 0.39
Zach Parise 0.39
Corey Perry 0.38
Jason Spezza 0.37
Vincent Lecavalier 0.37
Henrik Zetterberg 0.37
- toughiem

we know he is good

What is a "true #1C" to you?

Vanek benefited from playing with Derek Roy, who outscored Vanek in 4 straight seasons following the departure of Drury & Briere. Vanek scored both his 40 goal seasons with Derek Roy as his center, why didnt he do it more consistently? Is Derek Roy not a "true #1 center" even though he helped Vanek score 40 goals twice?

Vanek benefited from playing with Pominville, who was arguably one of the Sabres most under rated players until he got captain and everyone realized how much he did for the team.

Kind of hard to make that argument when Vanek gets outscored by players like DEREK ROY and TIM CONNOLLY.
- theblueandgold

I get your point, but those guys never scored more goals than Vanek. Connolly, when he was good, was a number one center. He created space for his wings. Roy was really adept at entering the zone, and for a few years, he had a knack for setting guys up on the rush. But Vanek had to create a lot of his own chances. I really think that Roy and Pominville benefitted from playing with Vanek more than the other way around, but that's nearly impossible to prove. A better argument for Vanek might be that Lindy Ruff never played him enough. In Lindy's last full year, Vanek was 5th among Sabres forwards in ice time. He averaged 7 seconds more per game than Jochen Hecht. Ay Dios Mio.

Interesting
- cabin

Also he is 30th in points per game at .83

28 and 29th are the Sedin Twins at .84

I'd rather have Vanek over only 2 players on that entire list: Carter, Semin
- theblueandgold

You'd rather have a 36 year old Iginla over TV or the fragile Vinny LeCavalier?.....I agree that TV is better than Semin and Carter but Vanek definitely has worth...

I'd rather have Vanek over only 2 players on that entire list: Carter, Semin
- theblueandgold

and how does this make vanek not a very good player?

this anti vanek movement is so insane. its worse than the myers one

I get your point, but those guys never scored more goals than Vanek. Connolly, when he was good, was a number one center. He created space for his wings. Roy was really adept at entering the zone, and for a few years, he had a knack for setting guys up on the rush. But Vanek had to create a lot of his own chances. I really think that Roy and Pominville benefitted from playing with Vanek more than the other way around, but that's nearly impossible to prove. A better argument for Vanek might be that Lindy Ruff never played him enough. In Lindy's last full year, Vanek was 5th among Sabres forwards in ice time. He averaged 7 seconds more per game than Jochen Hecht. Ay Dios Mio.
- truthbluth

The ice time was one thing many couldn't understand. He should have been leading
could be he just needed time to recoup from the beatings in front of the net. As Homie has stated many times . Vanek needs to park his ass in the slot.

I'd rather have Vanek over only 2 players on that entire list: Carter, Semin
- theblueandgold

Really? At this point in their careers, you'd rather have Iginla, Heatley, Hossa, Gaborik, Nash, Ryan, Spezza or Lecavailler?

That's all you then. I'd actually argue that Ovechkin, Parise and Perry are the only wings that I'd rather have than Vanek right now.

Just my opinion, but I think he's better than those other dudes.

So tomorrowaat 3 pm is that big presser from darcy?

So tomorrow at 3 pm is that big presser from darcy?
- GzaGenius36

That was 3 or 5 days ago i think

That was 3 or 5 days ago i think
- cabin

Crap... Must've missed it

Crap... Must've missed it
- GzaGenius36

We all did

I get your point, but those guys never scored more goals than Vanek. Connolly, when he was good, was a number one center. He created space for his wings. Roy was really adept at entering the zone, and for a few years, he had a knack for setting guys up on the rush. But Vanek had to create a lot of his own chances. I really think that Roy and Pominville benefitted from playing with Vanek more than the other way around, but that's nearly impossible to prove. A better argument for Vanek might be that Lindy Ruff never played him enough. In Lindy's last full year, Vanek was 5th among Sabres forwards in ice time. He averaged 7 seconds more per game than Jochen Hecht. Ay Dios Mio.
- truthbluth

Obviously you put scoring goals at the top of the list over many other things to judge a player on. I just cant justify that scoring more goals means youre the better player. Vanek is a sub par skater. Vanek has sub par hands. Vanek has a great shot, although there are handfuls of guys better than him. Vanek has NHL-average vision. (Theres no need to post the behind-the-back pass to Ennis vs Boston video, thats like, the first and only time hes ever done that and does not mean he has this elite vision).

Vanek doesnt create a lot of his spaces, because hes a sub par skater. He doesnt blaze around people, get breakaways, or blast through defenders out of the corner to the slot. He gets the majority of his goals in an 8ft radius around the net. Vanek finished a lot on what Roy and Pominville did for him. If Vanek created a lot of space for his teammates, hed have a lot more assists, and I would definitely not be as negative about him as a player.

Vanek didnt play a lot because hes often injured or just plain out of shape. Or IMO he just didnt care that much. I dont think he has a high work ethic. Did you know Vanek went scoreless on average through his career from season to season 43% of games played? Thats pretty ridiculous for a player that is supposed to be elite and gets paid $7M+.

Vanek is a good player. Hes a great goal scorer. But hes pretty one dimensional.I would certainly create compelling arguments for why he has not been our best player from season to season over the last 6 years.

I am. 9am Saturday. I've been a gym rat the last year but I went from 206lbs to 165lbs for this. Up to running 7 miles a day ontop of my weight training
- joshs

Doing it Sunday. I have never been more nervous for anything. I run about 4 miles now. I am going to step it up 5-6 before the event. It is not the running I am really worried about though.

We all did
- cabin

Garf did too... He was talking to sabres scouts about freakeranko and the kids

So tomorrowaat 3 pm is that big dump from darcy?
- GzaGenius36

Yes, even being streamed live.

and how does this make vanek not a very good player?

this anti vanek movement is so insane. its worse than the myers one
- robz228

This isnt about Vanek not being a good player. I dont think once did anyone say Vanek is not a good player. The viewpoint of the discussion has been majority of Buffalo fans over rate Vanek because he scores a bunch of goals.

This isnt about Vanek not being a good player. I dont think once did anyone say Vanek is not a good player. The viewpoint of the discussion has been majority of Buffalo fans over rate Vanek because he scores a bunch of goals.
- theblueandgold

Isn't that what he's supposed to do?

Obviously you put scoring goals at the top of the list over many other things to judge a player on. I just cant justify that scoring more goals means youre the better player. Vanek is a sub par skater. Vanek has sub par hands. Vanek has a great shot, although there are handfuls of guys better than him. Vanek has NHL-average vision. (Theres no need to post the behind-the-back pass to Ennis vs Boston video, thats like, the first and only time hes ever done that and does not mean he has this elite vision).

Vanek doesnt create a lot of his spaces, because hes a sub par skater. He doesnt blaze around people, get breakaways, or blast through defenders out of the corner to the slot. He gets the majority of his goals in an 8ft radius around the net. Vanek finished a lot on what Roy and Pominville did for him. If Vanek created a lot of space for his teammates, hed have a lot more assists, and I would definitely not be as negative about him as a player.

Vanek didnt play a lot because hes often injured or just plain out of shape. Or IMO he just didnt care that much. I dont think he has a high work ethic. Did you know Vanek went scoreless on average through his career from season to season 43% of games played? Thats pretty ridiculous for a player that is supposed to be elite and gets paid $7M+.

Vanek is a good player. Hes a great goal scorer. But hes pretty one dimensional.I would certainly create compelling arguments for why he has not been our best player from season to season over the last 6 years.
- theblueandgold

not saying you arenot correct but on this miserable team who is even close

Obviously you put scoring goals at the top of the list over many other things to judge a player on. I just cant justify that scoring more goals means youre the better player. Vanek is a sub par skater. Vanek has sub par hands. Vanek has a great shot, although there are handfuls of guys better than him. Vanek has NHL-average vision. (Theres no need to post the behind-the-back pass to Ennis vs Boston video, thats like, the first and only time hes ever done that and does not mean he has this elite vision).

Vanek doesnt create a lot of his spaces, because hes a sub par skater. He doesnt blaze around people, get breakaways, or blast through defenders out of the corner to the slot. He gets the majority of his goals in an 8ft radius around the net. Vanek finished a lot on what Roy and Pominville did for him. If Vanek created a lot of space for his teammates, hed have a lot more assists, and I would definitely not be as negative about him as a player.

Vanek didnt play a lot because hes often injured or just plain out of shape. Or IMO he just didnt care that much. I dont think he has a high work ethic. Did you know Vanek went scoreless on average through his career from season to season 43% of games played? Thats pretty ridiculous for a player that is supposed to be elite and gets paid $7M+.

Vanek is a good player. Hes a great goal scorer. But hes pretty one dimensional.I would certainly create compelling arguments for why he has not been our best player from season to season over the last 6 years.
- theblueandgold

This I can agree on . good post Denzel

Doing it Sunday. I have never been more nervous for anything. I run about 4 miles now. I am going to step it up 5-6 before the event. It is not the running I am really worried about though.
- ImThatGuy

I heard its basically 24 1/2 mile runs between obstacles and pitt stops. If uve been conscious of ur running u should b fine

I'd rather have Vanek over only 2 players on that entire list: Carter, Semin
- theblueandgold

Really?

Iggy? Gaborik is pretty much a worse version of Vanek. I'd take vinny in his prime but not now. You'd take Heatley?

Doing it Sunday. I have never been more nervous for anything. I run about 4 miles now. I am going to step it up 5-6 before the event. It is not the running I am really worried about though.
- ImThatGuy

Good luck to you. BE THAT GUY DAMMIT !!!!

This isnt about Vanek not being a good player. I dont think once did anyone say Vanek is not a good player. The viewpoint of the discussion has been majority of Buffalo fans over rate Vanek because he scores a bunch of goals.
- theblueandgold

no. people in buffalo think hes a top 30 scorer in the league. and he is. buffalos best player is better than a few other teams best player