Peter Tessier: Buff Benched? Video review says no. There's a theory going around that Byfuglien was really a healthy scratch on Monday. Video would suggest if so accountability needs to stretch farther.

How come it is only Buff that chases the other team's forward all the way out to the blue line ? I rarely, if ever see, any of the other d-men do that. Hence, I question if it is a system or a case of free-lancing ?
Has Buff ever broken up a 2-on-1 ?
Has Buff ever stopped a shot with his body ?
He has become a very pricey power-play specialist.

Hockey Feed got wind of the late roster move and called Buff a healthy scratch. Every credible media source covering the Jets verified the fake news and reported that he is in fact less than 100% and sat out.

Did they play well without him in the line up - absolutely - but healthy scratch - no.

I never thought for a minute Buff was a healthy scratch. I agree he was not really the culprit on any of those league leading 15 goals against.

That being said, Buff has not been his usual self in the two games we have seen him play.

1) He has not been nearly as offensive as he is capable of . He might be feeling restricted by the defence first philosophy and has held back his usual puck rushes down the right side. However we have seen Myers do rushes many times so I'm not sure that this is the case.

2) The other big thing Ive noticed is that Buff has not been nearly as physical as in the past in those two games. He usually marks his territory early and keeps it that way. Anyone coming into that territory receives his usual punishing hits and often chooses another route the next time. So far its two hits this season. One in each game. That is not the Buff we know and love. If he actually was a healthy scratch then I would think that this would be the reason and not his defensive positioning.

try the system that prevents more goals that you can score. call me crazy but it just might work

Buff is by no means the only player on the team that hasn't been playing well.

Way too early to panic.

Buff is by no means the only player on the team that hasn't been playing well.

Way too early to panic.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

A big concern is that our 3rd and 4th lines cannot generate any offence. In fact there are really 2 - 4th lines out there. Petan and Dano are just taking up space. I would rather see Lipon out there.

A big concern is that our 3rd and 4th lines cannot generate any offence. In fact there are really 2 - 4th lines out there. Petan and Dano are just taking up space. I would rather see Lipon out there.
- bennythehat

Petan and Dano should be together on line 3. Id be okay with Lowry centering them because of his defensive ability and that it would let them run wild, even if Lowry himself is a drag on offence. Side note, Connor and Roslovic are the only 2 Moose forwards that should see NHL ice this year. Everyone else is either too green, or too not good.

trade buff back to Chicago

Petan and Dano should be together on line 3. Id be okay with Lowry centering them because of his defensive ability and that it would let them run wild, even if Lowry himself is a drag on offence. Side note, Connor and Roslovic are the only 2 Moose forwards that should see NHL ice this year. Everyone else is either too green, or too not good.
- Rexypoo

Sadly Dano may actually be worse than many, many Moose players

Nice to see some actual evidence instead of just comments that label a player one way or another without ever changing when evidence shows otherwise. Buff is marked by many as free wheeling but if evidence shows otherwise it must be respected. I consider Buff a game changer either way. I don't think he is the best player nor is he the worst.

The amount of text regarding Dano is remarkable since he is a player of minimal impact either way.

The Vancouver game will not be easy nor should any game be considered as such, but if the Jets are going to start proving to be one of the better teams they really need to wins these games.

Hope the Moose can finally have a winning season to keep pressure on all. A winning culture is so badly needed in this city.

From theathletic

Since 2011-12:

jets save % with buff: .909

jets save % without buff: .924

maybe goaltending is not the problem....

How come it is only Buff that chases the other team's forward all the way out to the blue line ? I rarely, if ever see, any of the other d-men do that. Hence, I question if it is a system or a case of free-lancing ?
Has Buff ever broken up a 2-on-1 ?
Has Buff ever stopped a shot with his body ?
He has become a very pricey power-play specialist.
- bennythehat

Yes we get it, day after day you cry about Buff.

The guys a Gamechanger, a one of a kind weapon.

Not his fault his coach isn't in the same universe as Coach Q. Pee Mo can't coach normal players, let alone a wildcard like Buff.

Your hate is cast in the wrong direction.

From theathletic

Since 2011-12:

jets save % with buff: .909

jets save % without buff: .924

maybe goaltending is not the problem....
- Tumbleweed

Seriously?

So take all his offence away from those numbers then. You can show that stat for a ton of d men.

Blaming a team problem on a Dman is like saying the Leafs were fine with Bernier/Reimer, it was that RiverBoat Gambler Gardiners fault.

Leafs were not good with those tenders, they tried to make it work, told themselves it could work but it didn't.

Put Freddie on the Jets and that's a different team. Period.

https://twitter.com/dello...status/918218210750750725
So glad the MLA project line is done with. Bottom 6 of 19-9-56 and 16-17-40 can thrive. Any one of 16, 17, or 40 playing above the 4th line is very, very bad.

From theathletic

Since 2011-12:

jets save % with buff: .909

jets save % without buff: .924

maybe goaltending is not the problem....
- Tumbleweed

Yeah I saw this but haven't read all of Tyler's information- is that on ice save % or with him in line up or not?

Yeah I saw this but haven't read all of Tyler's information- is that on ice save % or with him in line up or not?
- Peter.Tessier

on the ice vs. on the bench

Seriously?

So take all his offence away from those numbers then. You can show that stat for a ton of d men.

Blaming a team problem on a Dman is like saying the Leafs were fine with Bernier/Reimer, it was that RiverBoat Gambler Gardiners fault.

Leafs were not good with those tenders, they tried to make it work, told themselves it could work but it didn't.

Put Freddie on the Jets and that's a different team. Period.
- Byfuglien Ate Me

the article takes into account his offense.

the indication is he doesn't create enough offense for the risks he takes to make up for the increase in goal scoring against.

and only muzzin and seth jones have worse negative impact on sv% for the amount of minutes played.