Soo long ago
- cabin

A lot of mediocre results

A lot of mediocre results
- jcragcrumple

Vanek had a lot of goals you never anticipated going in.

odd tips . Was a gift compared to other goals going in . wristers, slappers, and plain ole hard work. Goal scorers find a way. Skinner does is by hard work. Vanek got beat up a lot but to him credit , didn't have to work too hard.
Also remember many times skating back and stripping the other player to take the puckback the other way for a goal or at least a scoring chance.

* yes I was a Vanek fan. Hated he wasn't like a Skinner type . Would have made him a super star .

Skinner is a better player then vanek.

Jcrags- swing and a miss on this one
- Boss34

No way, Vanek averages .1 more points per game than Skinner and he's well into his dotage. Skinner is in his prime. Skinner's a better skater, but that's about it.

Vanek had a lot of goals you never anticipated going in.

odd tips . Was a gift compared to other goals going in . wristers, slappers, and plain ole hard work. Goal scorers find a way. Skinner does is by hard work. Vanek got beat up a lot but to him credit , didn't have to work too hard
- cabin

I disagree with you there. Vanek's style made him look sort of effortless and lackadaisical, but he had deceptive speed, an unparalleled shot (the half-slap snipe was gorgeous) and he took a beating to earn every one of his tip goals. And his ability to feed Pominville was terrific.

He took a massively bad rap because Lindy made him his whipping boy, because of the contract, and because he never had a center to make him elite. We wasted Vanek

I disagree with you there. Vanek's style made him look sort of effortless and lackadaisical, but he had deceptive speed, an unparalleled shot (the half-slap snipe was gorgeous) and he took a beating to earn every one of his tip goals. And his ability to feed Pominville was terrific.

He took a massively bad rap because Lindy made him his whipping boy, because off the contract, and because he never had a center to make him elite. We wasted Vanek
- jcragcrumple

Odd the disagreement . Pretty much I typed . Lindy and most fans hated him cause he didn't look like he was skating like Skinner . would think because of he contract he would be Skinner +++ He was to his style . He did have a great shot . Best was the shootout and blasted a slapper that went in.

I disagree with you there. Vanek's style made him look sort of effortless and lackadaisical, but he had deceptive speed, an unparalleled shot (the half-slap snipe was gorgeous) and he took a beating to earn every one of his tip goals. And his ability to feed Pominville was terrific.

He took a massively bad rap because Lindy made him his whipping boy, because of the contract, and because he never had a center to make him elite. We wasted Vanek
- jcragcrumple

Funny thing is, I'm certain Skinner would be Lindy's current whipping boy.

Odd the disagreement . Pretty much I typed . Lindy and most fans hated him cause he didn't look like he was skating like Skinner . He was to his style . He did have a great shot . Best was the shootout and blasted a slapper that went in.
- cabin

Sorry if that came off as confrontational, Cabin.

Vanek is one of my favs (if you couldn't tell)

Sorry if that came off as confrontational, Cabin.

Vanek is one of my favs (if you couldn't tell)
- jcragcrumple

same here no issues . Good convo

Suck it, Beady
- TheSabresTaco

Suck, it beady.

Funny thing is, I'm certain Skinner would be Lindy's current whipping boy.
- Lunaion

No doubt. Nature of the beast. I think Lindy had to chill out when he got paired with Seguin though. I'm not sure at all how Lindy would react to this team - current Lindy, i mean

No doubt. Nature of the beast. I think Lindy had to chill out when he got paired with Seguin though. I'm not sure at all how Lindy would react to this team - current Lindy, i mean
- jcragcrumple

I thought last week he might be a good fit if Wowsly was terminated.

I thought last week he might be a good fit if Wowsly was terminated.
- cabin

With Ken Hitchcock getting another go-around in Edmonton, Lindy will get another gig somewhere.

When he's done coaching, he'd be a great President of Hockey Operations here, if nothing else

No doubt. Nature of the beast. I think Lindy had to chill out when he got paired with Seguin though. I'm not sure at all how Lindy would react to this team - current Lindy, i mean
- jcragcrumple

It's a good question. Lindy's system wouldn't really suit Jack, but he did loosen up in Dallas. I hope they don't go down that bridge again.

With Ken Hitchcock getting another go-around in Edmonton, Lindy will get another gig somewhere.

When he's done coaching he'd, be a great President of Hockey Operations here, if nothing else
- jcragcrumple

Housley has done good this season with what he has . Wonder if someone with experience would get more out of the team. .

If it was that easy every team would be doing it . Seems teams are lucky to get a coach the players want to form a team and follow his game plan. Need everyone on board at the same time . I think we might be almost there . Not sure if Phil can do it .

You're just on a Pominville/Skinner high from the game.

JK.

But Skinner won't touch 40 assists per year, and Vanek managed 40 goals twice without Eichel. Vanek was pure offense. Skinner brings a jam and an outward display of competitiveness that Vanek lacked. They're different players
- jcragcrumple

I can get behind this take. But for as much as vanek never had a center (roy was solid when goals were scored at will on the sabres) it's not like skinner has been playing with Eichel all his career. He was on the third line in Car with scrubs. I just feel like Vanek underperformed a lot of the time and Skinner may be the opposite. You see the size difference yet both are lethal around the net.

No way, Vanek averages .1 more points per game than Skinner and he's well into his dotage. Skinner is in his prime. Skinner's a better skater, but that's about it.
- Wetbandit1

Game has changed, point totals are down across the league and on the Sabres even more. Like its been said, different players really hard to compare. For me, it's always felt like vanek had so much more to give, but rarely did. Almost seemed to not give a (frank) out there. Skinner looks pissed if he's not scoring or playing well.

13 straight the team with less shots has won. All the fancy stats aside if your goalie makes one more save than the other guy that's the difference

Playing with Eichel he would have been. You’re forgetting the most important variable. Skinner was never 2nd in scoring with the Hurricanes either. Eichel is making a Ferrari out of a ford pinto. Living legend would have scored 25-30 in a full 82 game season with Jack and he’s 36 and practically washed up.
- Pegullaville

25-30 goals = practically washed up?

Also: pommer is tied with sam, with 13 goals. 3rd in goals scored for the 2018-2019 Sabres.

Skinner was on a terrible team in carolina.

He has been the best player on Carolina since he was a 18 year old rookie.

Odd the disagreement . Pretty much I typed . Lindy and most fans hated him cause he didn't look like he was skating like Skinner . would think because of he contract he would be Skinner +++ He was to his style . He did have a great shot . Best was the shootout and blasted a slapper that went in.
- cabin

He was king of the over exertion/"I just poop my pants" face.

I love Skinner. I have been a fan of his since he entered the league. I never thought we would trade for him and I was elated when we did. He is a pure, true 'sniper'.

That being said, he isn't even close to the player Vanek was in his prime. He (Vanek) has always been terribly under-rated.

13 straight the team with less shots has won. All the fancy stats aside if your goalie makes one more save than the other guy that's the difference
- mattmoulson

Shots don’t matter.

With Ken Hitchcock getting another go-around in Edmonton, Lindy will get another gig somewhere.

When he's done coaching, he'd be a great President of Hockey Operations here, if nothing else
- jcragcrumple

Thing is, Hitch has a ring, the banana eater. Lindy doesn't.

Hitch is 3rd all-time in wins, Lindy is 6th. Hitch has about 80 more games coached and has a .601 points percentage, Lindy is at .561 regular season. Playoffs Hitchcock is .512 Lindy is .550. With the ultimate decider in the Ring to Hitch.

Game has changed, point totals are down across the league and on the Sabres even more. Like its been said, different players really hard to compare. For me, it's always felt like vanek had so much more to give, but rarely did. Almost seemed to not give a (frank) out there. Skinner looks pissed if he's not scoring or playing well.
- SDSabre

You're right, Vanek gets the benefit of the couple years post lock-out, but he also has the last 5 years where he's slowed down quite a bit, so it evens out. Comparing their first 9 years wouldn't be fair even though Vanek would be way ahead because of said years post lockout.

And yeah, that's the one thing that pissed me off with Vanek, when he wanted to skate he could skate, he just rarely wanted to skate. He always tried on offense though, which I guess is something.

25-30 goals = practically washed up?

Also: pommer is tied with sam, with 13 goals. 3rd in goals scored for the 2018-2019 Sabres.

Skinner was on a terrible team in carolina.

He has been the best player on Carolina since he was a 18 year old rookie.
- Boss34

Eric Staal begs to differ. Another criminally underrated player. But Skinner was easily number 2.

You're right, Vanek gets the benefit of the couple years post lock-out, but he also has the last 5 years where he's slowed down quite a bit, so it evens out. Comparing their first 9 years wouldn't be fair even though Vanek would be way ahead because of said years post lockout.

And yeah, that's the one thing that pissed me off with Vanek, when he wanted to skate he could skate, he just rarely wanted to skate. He always tried on offense though, which I guess is something.
- Wetbandit1

Vanek just turned 35. I think of him as 40+.