It's been perennially stated ad-nauseum that Doan will not leave the desert.
- Pairo11

Unless there's no team in the desert

It's been perennially stated ad-nauseum that Doan will not leave the desert.
- Pairo11

Problem is that those statements are not based in any fact. 99% of the people here don't have any idea what the Sabres are thinking; let alone a player in PHO.

Where did I say move 21? I said move roy, but do it NOW! Send him to Carolina with a 1st or 2nd for skinner.
- Chipd

you da' man!

Where did I say move 21? I said move roy, but do it NOW! Send him to Carolina with a 1st or 2nd for skinner.
- Chipd

It wouldn't make sense to move Roy for Skinner because even though Skinner is listed as a center, he barely ever takes any faceoffs. To me, that's the boat we're already in to a point. If I'm moving a guy who is a legit center, I better be getting a legit center back.

you da' man!
- Purple Eagle

If Darcy pulled that off he'd be GM of the year !

It wouldn't make sense to move Roy for Skinner because even though Skinner is listed as a center, he barely ever takes any faceoffs. To me, that's the boat we're already in to a point. If I'm moving a guy who is a legit center, I better be getting a legit center back.
- HonkFortheGoose

Many teams have wingers take faceoffs because they're actually better at it, and then they switch positions off the draw. The responsibilities of a center and a winger, both offensively and defensively, are much different, and the difference doesn't lie only in that a center takes faceoffs and a winger doesn't. It's why Pominville took a lot of draws this season as well. In fact, I'd argue that the faceoffs are actually less signficant when talking about the amount of differences between positions than most other responsibilities with the way the game is played today.

Many teams have wingers take faceoffs because they're actually better at it, and then they switch positions off the draw. The responsibilities of a center and a winger, both offensively and defensively, are much different, and the difference doesn't lie only in that a center takes faceoffs and a winger doesn't. It's why Pominville took a lot of draws this season as well. In fact, I'd argue that the faceoffs are actually less signficant when talking about the amount of differences between positions than most other responsibilities with the way the game is played today.
- buffalofan19

I understand all of that. But my point is that Skinner isn't playing the responsibilities of a center at all. I didn't need a lesson on the differences between the positions. I understand them just fine.

In fact, based on your argument, I would almost say that Pommer probably should be a center based on how he always takes the defensive responsibilities when out on the ice compared to his linemates. I feel like he also carries the puck more than any of his linemates (well, until they put Leino out there with him, then he had a linemate who hangs onto the puck too long and then gives it away instead of utilizing his linemates)

It wouldn't make sense to move Roy for Skinner because even though Skinner is listed as a center, he barely ever takes any faceoffs. To me, that's the boat we're already in to a point. If I'm moving a guy who is a legit center, I better be getting a legit center back.
- HonkFortheGoose

I wasn't looking for Skinner to play center. I was looking for him to be a wing with Coho.

I'm looking to get a legit #1 or 2 center in a trade (maybe with Vanek) or the draft.

I think myers in year one was miles ahead of myers in year 3

that scares me
- homiedclown

Homie I agree! He looked much more comfortable and confident on his skates. He rushed the puck with authority. He looked awkward almost clumsy at times this year. Could it be he is being forced to change his game and having to think to much?

Exactly. If Darcy can purge Buffalo's roster of Staff and Roy AND bring in a top flight #1 Center I would gain some respect for him.

The core needs removal.
- Pairo11

Connolly for Roy. done and done.

Homie I agree! He looked much more comfortable and confident on his skates. He rushed the puck with authority. He looked awkward almost clumsy at times this year. Could it be he is being forced to change his game and having to think to much?
- Dewey NH

Teams didn't know how to play against him before. They now have tape with his tendencies. It takes longer for a player to adjust to that than it does a team to adjust to a player. It's a matter of tweaking his game a bit and we've seen flashes of him being able to do that. Getting him a consistent D partner will help as well.

I wasn't looking for Skinner to play center. I was looking for him to be a wing with Coho.
- Chipd

So that makes it even worse. Now you just traded a position we're already weak in for a guy that's going to play a position we have an abundance of. Just doesn't make sense.

Homie I agree! He looked much more comfortable and confident on his skates. He rushed the puck with authority. He looked awkward almost clumsy at times this year. Could it be he is being forced to change his game and having to think to much?
- Dewey NH

Honestly, I think his biggest issue was playing with 7 different d partners the whole year... year 1 he had 2!

Teams didn't know how to play against him before. They now have tape with his tendencies. It takes longer for a player to adjust to that than it does a team to adjust to a player. It's a matter of tweaking his game a bit and we've seen flashes of him being able to do that. Getting him a consistent D partner will help as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

Myers played his best hockey along side of Ehrhoff. Come to think of it, pretty much every defenseman this year played their best hockey when playing alongside Ehrhoff.

That being said, I think that sentiment is overblown. Yes, continuity in theory generally will make you more effective, but if one of the qualities of an elite player is that he can adapt to who he is playing with, assuming he is at least halfway competent. A lack of a consistent defense partner may partially contribute to his struggles, but if he's the player we all hope he will be, he has to be able to play with almost anybody.

Cloutier's blog states that rumor's are off the wall about Ruff possibly being let go in Buffalo.

So that makes it even worse. Now you just traded a position we're already weak in for a guy that's going to play a position we have an abundance of. Just doesn't make sense.
- HonkFortheGoose

Again I'm looking for our 3rd center somewhere else... a trade, daft or free agent (least likely).

Connolly for Roy. done and done.
- jarmstrong

Roy had 44 points in 80 games, Brainless had 37 in 70 games...

Myers played his best hockey along side of Ehrhoff. Come to think of it, pretty much every defenseman this year played their best hockey when playing alongside Ehrhoff.

That being said, I think that sentiment is overblown. Yes, continuity in theory generally will make you more effective, but if one of the qualities of an elite player is that he can adapt to who he is playing with, assuming he is at least halfway competent. A lack of a consistent defense partner may partially contribute to his struggles, but if he's the player we all hope he will be, he has to be able to play with almost anybody.
- buffalofan19

I'm kind of amused that out of my entire little paragraph you focused on the point that I made that was only 1 sentence long and basically a throw in.

Connolly for Roy. done and done.
- jarmstrong

*searches for highest local bridge to jump off of*

I'm kind of amused that out of my entire little paragraph you focused on the point that I made that was only 1 sentence long and basically a throw in.
- HonkFortheGoose

Haha. Actually, it just so happened to be the fact that your post wasn't the first, nor the second instance of that that issue I've come across within the past 24 hours.

Nothing to add to your first part. It sounds plausible enough.

Not sure how I could double-post an edit, but apparently I'm talented like that.

Cloutier's blog states that rumor's are off the wall about Ruff possibly being let go in Buffalo.


- Pairo11

You gotta throw the BS flag when something comes from the EDM blog.
How does he hear something that we, nor any other blogger hears?
His source is...??????
Reminder: comment about Miller wanting to be traded-

I think you have to keep 21... a full year of that line would get you 80 goals and 200 points.
- Chipd

wow, you should fire your dealer

Honestly, I think his biggest issue was playing with 7 different d partners the whole year... year 1 he had 2!
- Chipd

Fair enough point. My gut reaction from watching him play is hes tentative, just doesn't look as good. There could be a few reasons. I agree with a previous post that he has to be better. Do you think the weight of the contract will add to his difficulties like perhaps a couple other guys that got new deals and struggled mightily?

It wouldn't make sense to move Roy for Skinner because even though Skinner is listed as a center, he barely ever takes any faceoffs. To me, that's the boat we're already in to a point. If I'm moving a guy who is a legit center, I better be getting a legit center back.
- HonkFortheGoose

Skinner is a better player-
He's younger, more talented and seemingly gives a sh!t.
Gains > losses
not to say we don't need help on the dot-