It's fair to say he has been playing a very solid brand of hockey for several games, but - as much as I like Mike - I'd leave it at that.
- Der Kaiser

Defensively IMO he has been this teams best defenseman for a good stretch now.

I have been watching him a bit more attentively lately, the whole defense for that matter.

He was robbed of another goal last night with a well placed shot, almost identical to his other goal.

People will say Myers but that would only be because of his 2 goals recently which both incidentally I believe as well as Brad May think went in off of other players but that really doesn't matter.

Defensively, in his own end, Weber has been this teams best dman for a while now.

That first Buffalo PP, Myers all by himself destroyed.
I remember shaking my head and just kept saying...Myers....Myers...

These are not opinions , these are really just true game events and anyone that tries to say otherwise is simply not being honest with themselves or they have not been paying attention to the game as a whole.

This isn't another Myers sucks and Weber is great post from me.
Myers played better the other night and I even made mention of that but he is just so inconsistent and it really is the story of his career thus far.

On the other side , just giving a guy like Webby his props that deserves them, I mean most often everyone here is forever mauling the guy.
He deserves some love for his play of late.

So has Stafford.
- TheSabresTaco

I think the difference between Kane and Stafford is that most people believe Kane can score 30 regularly if he got to a place he wants to try, and that Stafford has shown that he just can't get himself to do what needs to be done to get himself to 30 on a regular basis.

It's like Kane can produce the effort, but he just doesn't want to - and Stafford wants to produce the effort, but for some reason just can't.

I think the difference between Kane and Stafford is that most people believe Kane can score 30 regularly if he got to a place he wants to try, and that Stafford has shown that he just can't get himself to do what needs to be done to get himself to 30 on a regular basis.

It's like Kane can produce the effort, but he just doesn't want to - and Stafford wants to produce the effort, but for some reason just can't.
- Der Kaiser

Everything I've read about Kane from the Winipeg perspective says that he is a witch on the ice and that the only knock on him is that he is over-comptetive at times. Nobody will ever accuse Stafford of that.

I think the difference between Kane and Stafford is that most people believe Kane can score 30 regularly if he got to a place he wants to try, and that Stafford has shown that he just can't get himself to do what needs to be done to get himself to 30 on a regular basis.

It's like Kane can produce the effort, but he just doesn't want to - and Stafford wants to produce the effort, but for some reason just can't.
- Der Kaiser

And therein lies the problem. What makes us or Murray think he'll reform here? He costs a damn pretty penny for a guess.

Everything I've read about Kane from the Winipeg perspective says that he is a witch on the ice and that the only knock on him is that he is over-comptetive at times. Nobody will ever accuse Stafford of that.
- Slump Buster

That is true. He's a non conformist. So in that way, he's like Derek Roy. If Kane doesn't follow a system and he's here, does he get bumped down? Less ice time? Benched like in Peg? Gets mad and tries to spite the team by pulling the same bullpoop he does now? He's an exceptionally intriguing talent that would be here for a first line physical force who with the right players may actually hit 60 points and make us damn scary once the rest of the bamfs get here. But still, this is high risk/high reward.

And therein lies the problem. What makes us or Murray think he'll reform here? He costs a damn pretty penny for a guess.
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe the point is we have a whole cupboard full of pretty pennies, and there isn't a chance to spend them very often.

That is true. He's a non conformist. So in that way, he's like Derek Roy. If Kane doesn't follow a system and he's here, does he get bumped down? Less ice time? Benched like in Peg? Gets mad and tries to spite the team by pulling the same bullpoop he does now? He's an exceptionally intriguing talent that would be here for a first line physical force who with the right players may actually hit 60 points and make us damn scary once the rest of the bamfs get here. But still, this is high risk/high reward.
- TheSabresTaco

Neither you nor I know if he is a non-conformist. From what I read Roy (like Hodgson) didn't want to buy into a hockey system. I don't know that anyone has ever said that Kane is uncoachable.

Neither you nor I know if he is a non-conformist. From what I read Roy (like Hodgson) didn't want to buy into a hockey system. I don't know that anyone has ever said that Kane is uncoachable.
- Slump Buster

Claude Noel is quoted in saying that he is, which is where I draw my conclusion from.

Neither you nor I know if he is a non-conformist. From what I read Roy (like Hodgson) didn't want to buy into a hockey system. I don't know that anyone has ever said that Kane is uncoachable.
- Slump Buster

It's not Noel's quote..but here..

"One of the things you learn about Kane? He is fiercely independent. It is a major reason he made it to the NHL. But, like many of us, your best characteristic can also be your worst. One former teammate said, “He refuses to conform, and that’s a problem in a team dynamic.” "

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nt-kane-must-change-ways/

I think the difference between Kane and Stafford is that most people believe Kane can score 30 regularly if he got to a place he wants to try, and that Stafford has shown that he just can't get himself to do what needs to be done to get himself to 30 on a regular basis.

It's like Kane can produce the effort, but he just doesn't want to - and Stafford wants to produce the effort, but for some reason just can't.
- Der Kaiser

Over the last 4 seasons (which consists of this season and the prior 3), Evander Kane has scored 153 points - 92nd overall in that time span (he played 222 games).

There is only 1 current Sabre on the list who has scored more points, and that is Moulson - of which 96 of the games for him in that time span were with Buffalo (52 points) and 160 games elsewhere (135 points)

Of current Sabres, here is where they rank:

Ennis: 116th, 139 points
Hodgson: 137th, 127 points
Stafford: 141st, 126 points
Stewart: 171st, 114 points
Foligno: 346th, 61 points

I have to admit...I started off this e-mail thinking I was going to find some of those players closer to Kane, perhaps even higher (Stafford and Ennis), but it shows how pitiful this team's offense has been. My initial point was to point towards reasons to avoid giving up so much for Kane, but the stats don't back it....

Over the last 4 seasons (which consists of this season and the prior 3), Evander Kane has scored 153 points - 92nd overall in that time span (he played 222 games).

There is only 1 current Sabre on the list who has scored more points, and that is Moulson - of which 96 of the games for him in that time span were with Buffalo (52 points) and 160 games elsewhere (135 points)

Of current Sabres, here is where they rank:

Ennis: 116th, 139 points
Hodgson: 137th, 127 points
Stafford: 141st, 126 points
Stewart: 171st, 114 points
Foligno: 346th, 61 points

I have to admit...I started off this e-mail thinking I was going to find some of those players closer to Kane, perhaps even higher (Stafford and Ennis), but it shows how pitiful this team's offense has been. My initial point was to point towards reasons to avoid giving up so much for Kane, but the stats don't back it....
- stashu

There's a lot better reasons not to pick him up for the wrong price Stash. You know that. Try another theory!

It's not Noel's quote..but here..

"One of the things you learn about Kane? He is fiercely independent. It is a major reason he made it to the NHL. But, like many of us, your best characteristic can also be your worst. One former teammate said, “He refuses to conform, and that’s a problem in a team dynamic.” "

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...nt-kane-must-change-ways/
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah, i saw that one also. It is one guy's opinion. Does this guy have things he needs to work on? Sure. I am usually not a fan of taking on guys that have a lot of smoke around them but I'd make an exception for him. The organization didn't do him any favors in the way they brought him up .

Yeah, i saw that one also. It is one guy's opinion. Does this guy have things he needs to work on? Sure. I am usually not a fan of taking on guys that have a lot of smoke around them but I'd make an exception for him. The organization didn't do him any favors in the way they brought him up .
- Slump Buster

I'm not going to make excuses for anyone. You are who you are, and you can change some things only if you truly desire to. Based on the extremely recent track suit thing, I'm betting it's more than one guy's opinion.

I personally don't overpay for this guy. If we can offer a fair package of a UFA and a pick along with a player that won't harm our future, I'm all for it. When Kane is traded to whomever, we'll likely see what his true value is based on Chevy being a stubborn SOB.

There's a lot better reasons not to pick him up for the wrong price Stash. You know that. Try another theory!
- TheSabresTaco

Oh, I know. I'm a bit attached to Armia in that I want to see him as a Sabre for a few years, and trading Lemiuex sounds so off to me after he was Murray's 2nd ever draft pick as a GM and has been doing quite well in Juniors.

I was just looking at the measurables, to compare him to what this roster has in the way of scorers, and I was a bit shocked. I may have to go back through those stats and remove the last 2 seasons to see how it looks.

Just a hunch, but I think in the long run this franchise will regret bringing E. Kane here.

I'm one that hopes he does not come here, not for what I believe this franchise will have to give up to get him.

Some GM is going to overpay for Kane and I certainly hope that's not Murray.

I just have a gut feeling Murray is going to give up a guy in the system that is going to turn out to be a better player than Kane.

I'd like them to stay the course, and stay away from problems like Kane that you over pay for.

There's a lot better reasons not to pick him up for the wrong price Stash. You know that. Try another theory!
- TheSabresTaco

One thing I was looking at was who on the Jets is really a leader to help Kane? I know they have Buff, but besides that who else. Buff's had his own issues to overcome and has done well, but I don't see any other real leaders there to hold Kane accountable. Not saying that the Sabres do either, but I think Gionta, Georges, Weber and Stewart if resigned could provide better leadership than what the Jets have.

Myers only has 46 hits in 47 games. Bogosian with 106 in 41. Sabres get tougher and no, they aren't punches to the face are far as I know.


- GilPerreault11

One thing I was looking at was who on the Jets is really a leader to help Kane? I know they have Buff, but besides that who else. Buff's had his own issues to overcome and has done well, but I don't see any other real leaders there to hold Kane accountable. Not saying that the Sabres do either, but I think Gionta, Georges, Weber and Stewart if resigned could provide better leadership than what the Jets have.
- adambuffalo

Their captain is Andrew Ladd, and honestly, I bet he's a really good leader. He's been around long enough to know how things work and he's been on teams with guys that have big personalities. I think saying Kane doesn't have enough leadership around him is inaccurate.

yes

Lemieux will be a complete second line player and a beast on the pp
- homiedclown

One thing I was looking at was who on the Jets is really a leader to help Kane? I know they have Buff, but besides that who else. Buff's had his own issues to overcome and has done well, but I don't see any other real leaders there to hold Kane accountable. Not saying that the Sabres do either, but I think Gionta, Georges, Weber and Stewart if resigned could provide better leadership than what the Jets have.
- adambuffalo

Ladd's their captain. He's been a leader for a long time. Blaming leadership is a cop out in my opinion. You are who you are, and maybe there's a certain personality employed by a certain franchise who can relate to him and help corral him. But the onus is on him.

Their captain is Andrew Ladd, and honestly, I bet he's a really good leader. He's been around long enough to know how things work and he's been on teams with guys that have big personalities. I think saying Kane doesn't have enough leadership around him is inaccurate.
- HonkFortheGoose

Was Ladd ever in a leadership role before the Jets though? 2 years on Chicago and he wasn't expected to be a leader there and before that was Carolina. He's been around great leaders and hopefully learned from them, but this is really his 1st Tim as the guy.

Lemieux will be a complete second line player and a beast on the pp
- homiedclown

If Murray gives up a player like Lemieux for Kane, i'd be incensed.

I go to bed early for the first time in months and all heck breaks loose.

I agreed with Sbroads in that they could get Sharp for much less and he is more productive, while knowing his age. I want production, not hoped for production, and Kane, at this point, is hoped for production.

If I am Murray, I say the following to Winnipeg: I just, I just can't give up both Armia and Lemieux in the same deal. I'm not able to do that. This deal is getting a bit larger and harder to wrap our heads around, so let's shrink it down a bit. We have mentioned what is essentially Stafford plus a 2nd for your 1st as you need help on the wing with Kane done for the season. Can we agree on that? If so, let's get that deal done with an eye on the other parameters of what we discussed down the road closer to the draft. Sound good? Sold.

Hang up the phone and commence smiling.

A big thank you to buffalo1000 and TWGsabres for providing some fun last night. Even if the deal never goes through, it was something for all of us to enjoy discussing during this miserable season.

Was Ladd ever in a leadership role before the Jets though? 2 years on Chicago and he wasn't expected to be a leader there and before that was Carolina. He's been around great leaders and hopefully learned from them, but this is really his 1st Tim as the guy.
- adambuffalo

Since Kane's arrival pretty much he's been captain. He was a vocal leader in a strong Chicago room. But, as far as letters are concerned, you're right, Jets/Thrashers has been his first lettered captaincy

Just a hunch, but I think in the long run this franchise will regret bringing E. Kane here.

I'm one that hopes he does not come here, not for what I believe this franchise will have to give up to get him.

Some GM is going to overpay for Kane and I certainly hope that's not Murray.

I just have a gut feeling Murray is going to give up a guy in the system that is going to turn out to be a better player than Kane.

I'd like them to stay the course, and stay away from problems like Kane that you over pay for.
- BuffaloHardHat

agreed


I would grab Kane in a second for 50 cents on the dollar, but not touch him when you have to overpay for a player that averages around 7 more points a season then staff