Any of you guys read the bobby ryan story? It's a good one.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/m...searching-for-bobby-ryan/
- Sabresfan-365

He's a Senator.

Players like Parros, Orr, Carcillo, Westgarth play a diminishing role in hockey. Our team with or without John Scott has no less or more of a chance getting a player "taken out" Injuries happen. Ones related to fighting are considerably less common. Tough guys like Thorton will test you but id rather have a group guys out there to show him whats what instead of waiting for the right shift all night to let Scott onto the ice.

Look up the last few cup winners and the number of playoff games each player dressed for. You dont see any John Scotts, or Carcillos sticking around. In arguably the toughest/hardest part of the season teams don't seem to need anyone like them. We see every year how often these guys are getting cut and signed at a faster rate. GMs see less of a need for these guys. Hopefully Darcy will do the same eventually.
- SiloCity

fair enough. i'm not sure just how much of a threat john scott poses to the other team, you could even make the point that its dangerous to us- particularly on faceoffs in our own zone, since the puck has a better chance of winding up in our own net. frankly i want the sabres to be a MUCH tougher team up and down the roster. you dont need john scott to protect the tyler ennis's and drew stafford's of the world if you get rid of THEM and replace them with bigger, tougher players. this wont happen overnight, it means eschewing the "its ok to draft water bugs and then sign a bag of knuckles to play 3 minutes a game to protect them" mentality. this is about philosophy and blueprints and frankly darcy isnt up to the task.

I have no way of proving it, but IMO, Scott's presence helped in our handling of Boston last year. The Bruins definately seemed less physical playing us.
- SoCalSabres

There is a simple way to prove it. Lucic after Scott dropped Thornton registered 0 hits. ZERO from a power forward. I agree a Scott in the lineup while might not contribute on the scoresheet def had an effect on the outcome

Again, You should learn just a little something about the game before making such a dumb comment on here. How many of those top six guys are heavyweights and better yet how many of those true top six fighters do coaches and Gm's really want fighting on a regular basis ?
- Cometman

Scott serves a purpose maybe more so last year than this year . The team played different with him around and were not manhandled near as bad by teams such as Boston with his addition . Besides that he is great in the locker room and does a lot for team chemistry with his off the ice antics.
And I have probably forgotten more about the game in the last day than you will ever know . I played the game at a high level so please give me a break with your almighty knowledge of the game.

fair enough. i'm not sure just how much of a threat john scott poses to the other team, you could even make the point that its dangerous to us- particularly on faceoffs in our own zone, since the puck has a better chance of winding up in our own net. frankly i want the sabres to be a MUCH tougher team up and down the roster. you dont need john scott to protect the tyler ennis's and drew stafford's of the world if you get rid of THEM and replace them with bigger, tougher players. this wont happen overnight, it means eschewing the "its ok to draft water bugs and then sign a bag of knuckles to play 3 minutes a game to protect them" mentality. this is about philosophy and blueprints and frankly darcy isnt up to the task.
- rover16

The only issue I have with this is that skilled players are needed to win games. That's why everyone wants us to tank to get in the top 3 of the draft. Those players you don't want your skilled players defending themselves and sitting in the box for 5 plus minutes

You should learn just a little something about the game before making such a dumb comment on here.
- Cometman

Sure thing

Sure thing
- sbroads24

we all should

Again, You should learn just a little something about the game before making such a dumb comment on here. How many of those top six guys are heavyweights and better yet how many of those true top six fighters do coaches and Gm's really want fighting on a regular basis ?
- Cometman

Watch more hockey. Post less

So you're ok with a second line center/winger being taken out by a 4th liner? Tropp is not NHL ready, his fight showed that (poor decision). You want rookies to fight seasoned NHL fighters, I hope you are never involved with a pro coaching team otherwise someone may get killed.

Scott serves a purpose just like Parros, Orr, Carcillo, Westgarth etc..... They patrol and sometimes control. Yes there are staged fights but at other times they do whats needed at the correct time. Think Scott would have stood there like Gaustad? I think he sent a message when Thorton wanted to test him. Each player has a role, even it is 7 minutes a game or sitting on the bench looking threatening. From those guys you listed, who's afraid of them, I don't think Kessel would have hit any of them with his purse.
- derekjd

How many games did Carcillo suit up for this post season?

we all should
- IndianaSabresFan

I can't learn anymore

How many games did Carcillo suit up for this post season?
- sbroads24

Not choosing sides but I think 4 or 5

How many games did Carcillo suit up for this post season?
- sbroads24

At least they made the post season. We have gotten pushed around and been terribly soft for years. This team without the threat of retaliation from Scott would be an even bigger laughing stock. Until we develop or trade for a few guys who can both play top nine minutes and handle themselves and the teams business we are stuck going this route.

At least they made the post season. We have gotten pushed around and been terribly soft for years. This team without the threat of retaliation from Scott would be an even bigger laughing stock. Until we develop or trade for a few guys who can both play top nine minutes and handle themselves and the teams business we are stuck going this route.
- Cometman

So how did they win the cup without him policing the ice every game in the playoffs.? I'm just wondering where John Scott is neccessary

So how did they win the cup without him policing the ice every game in the playoffs.? I'm just wondering where John Scott is neccessary
- sbroads24

I get what you are saying about Scott. However he is needed on this team. Case in points. Boston. Lucic was a non factor after Scott dropped Thorton. Ottawa. Matt Kassian and Chris Neil ran around like morons last year in Buffalo when Scott wasn't dressed. Old man Regher had to fight Neil (a lot of good that did). Fact is while he should never play 82 games he is needed on this roster for at least half of them. Those are only 2 games but I can guarantee there are more.

Yes we all would like all 4 lines to be able to handle themselves in the fight department if needed but as long as fighting is allowed in the NHL there will always be a need for a John Scott type player. Yes I would like one that could play the game a little better but he doesn't really hurt you playing on the 4th line.

At least they made the post season. We have gotten pushed around and been terribly soft for years. This team without the threat of retaliation from Scott would be an even bigger laughing stock. Until we develop or trade for a few guys who can both play top nine minutes and handle themselves and the teams business we are stuck going this route.
- Cometman

You complain about the team being soft . Have you looked at the recent changes in the NHL . The team was built for all the rule changes after the lockout before this one . They had great success at first with the way the team was built . Probably would have won the Stanley Cup if we had not run out of NHL calibre defense men the year we lost to Carolina in the ECF . It was wide open free flowing hockey .
Then the league started giving into the likes of Jeramy Jacobs and Ed Snider and it reverted back to clutch and Grab , rough house style . I am not a fan of Darcy but he did do a good job of building those teams he was just not quick enough to sense the change the game was taking again . That is why we are in rebuild mode now and not 4 years ago.

I get what you are saying about Scott. However he is needed on this team. Case in points. Boston. Lucic was a non factor after Scott dropped Thorton. Ottawa. Matt Kassian and Chris Neil ran around like morons last year in Buffalo when Scott wasn't dressed. Old man Regher had to fight Neil (a lot of good that did). Fact is while he should never play 82 games he is needed on this roster for at least half of them. Those are only 2 games but I can guarantee there are more.

Yes we all would like all 4 lines to be able to handle themselves in the fight department if needed but as long as fighting is allowed in the NHL there will always be a need for a John Scott type player. Yes I would like one that could play the game a little better but he doesn't really hurt you playing on the 4th line.
- Stripes77

Scott was important last year for Boston. This year he is not needed IMO.

Scott was important last year for Boston. This year he is not needed IMO.
- sbroads24

Who on this roster would answer Thorton or Lucic then? Foligno? He would get worked by both. We tried to find that bruiser power forward that could score it didn't work out for us (Zack Kassian). Until another Lucic comes around and ends up here we need a Scott or Scott type player

Who on this roster would answer Thorton or Lucic then? Foligno? He would get worked by both. We tried to find that bruiser power forward that could score it didn't work out for us (Zack Kassian). Until another Lucic comes around and ends up here we need a Scott or Scott type player
- Stripes77

Who needs to fight them? If they don't want to fight they can just swing their stick around and they wont get susoended

Who needs to fight them? If they don't want to fight they can just swing their stick around and they wont get susoended
- sbroads24

They play for Buffalo not Toronto. They would get suspended and more than just preseason games

They play for Buffalo not Toronto. They would get suspended and more than just preseason games
- Stripes77

Ain't that the truth ! When Toronto comes here in November . I think we should honor Mr Kessel with Lumberjack night .

They play for Buffalo not Toronto. They would get suspended and more than just preseason games
- Stripes77

Who on Detroit could hold their own with Lucic? Why do we need someone thats as tough. We have guys that will fight. We don't have to engage Lucic. He takes a run at someone, we take a run at Raask next time.

I get what you are saying about Scott. However he is needed on this team. Case in points. Boston. Lucic was a non factor after Scott dropped Thorton. Ottawa. Matt Kassian and Chris Neil ran around like morons last year in Buffalo when Scott wasn't dressed. Old man Regher had to fight Neil (a lot of good that did). Fact is while he should never play 82 games he is needed on this roster for at least half of them. Those are only 2 games but I can guarantee there are more.

Yes we all would like all 4 lines to be able to handle themselves in the fight department if needed but as long as fighting is allowed in the NHL there will always be a need for a John Scott type player. Yes I would like one that could play the game a little better but he doesn't really hurt you playing on the 4th line.
- Stripes77

thats a good point....while i hate the obligatory "my tough Guy Vs. Your tough guys" fights....i feel like having a guy like scott on the team who can go out and handle a situation once in a while is needed...maybe not every game but some nights he can be there to be a deterrent...

Who on Detroit could hold their own with Lucic? Why do we need someone thats as tough. We have guys that will fight. We don't have to engage Lucic. He takes a run at someone, we take a run at Raask next time.
- sbroads24

It doesn't work that way and you know it. Detroit until this year didn't have to play Boston 6 times a year like we did. Also Detroit is respected as an organization, and Buffalo is not. People take liberties against the Sabres all the time. Very rarely do players take liberties at Redwings. Scott is needed more so here than anywhere else in the NHL. That is why he was resigned. He isn't taking ice time away from rookies (we don't want any of those rookies playing 4th line minutes anyway). He is here so they know someone has their backs, and to have other teams goons know if they take a run at one of those rookies they better be ready. Its a mental thing as much as a muscle thing. It is needed

thats a good point....while i hate the obligatory "my tough Guy Vs. Your tough guys" fights....i feel like having a guy like scott on the team who can go out and handle a situation once in a while is needed...maybe not every game but some nights he can be there to be a deterrent...
- aschwach

He also literally wastes 3 roster spots when he is dressed. They should have signed him to a 2 way deal so they could have him in Rochester until we really needed him

It doesn't work that way and you know it. Detroit until this year didn't have to play Boston 6 times a year like we did. Also Detroit is respected as an organization, and Buffalo is not. People take liberties against the Sabres all the time. Very rarely do players take liberties at Redwings. Scott is needed more so here than anywhere else in the NHL. That is why he was resigned. He isn't taking ice time away from rookies (we don't want any of those rookies playing 4th line minutes anyway). He is here so they know someone has their backs, and to have other teams goons know if they take a run at one of those rookies they better be ready. Its a mental thing as much as a muscle thing. It is needed
- Stripes77

Why? "4th line" is just a term. If we had 3 actual hockey players then it would just be a line of 3 hockey players.