15 - Die By The Blade

15

by krytime on Nov 29, 2009 11:07 PM EST Comment 15 comments

Really? 15? Wow…that’s a lot of games for one month. I originally thought November’s schedule was a bit different, with the whole “Wed-Fri-Sat” thing repeated over, and over, and over. This month has got to tie a Sabre record for most games in a month (I‘m too lazy to look it up though). Thanks Olympics…

A lot of folks were/are hoping for better back up goalie play through a roster move; myself included. Kind of wished it would’ve happened by now. Since it didn’t, I guess we all (except “no-faithers” tedrecommends and Ron A) have to do some rooting for Lalime. I’m guessing he’ll get plenty of time this month - let’s hope he does well.

Gaustad’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. You have a big, physical guy 2nd in the league in face-offs playing close to the best hockey of his career, and now he’s gone as you enter the most condensed part of your schedule.

It wasn’t just blogs calling them out, but it seemed like the mainstream media started hacking on the Sabres two top lines. They kind of responded over the last two games. Let’s hope it’s the beginning of a roll through December…

Sekera is going to help this team one way or another. I’d prefer that he’d stay here, and continue to develop into a top pairing defensemen. On the other hand, he could really fetch a lot in a trade, and (IMO) if the team tries to bring in a top six forward, he’d be something to dangle…

I like Vanek… a lot. I think he’s a bonafide superstar. There is no one as skilled as he is who hangs out in front of the net. But I can’t help but think sometimes - would I rather have had four (count ‘em 4) 1st round draft picks for him had they not matched the Edmonton offer?

There were stories about how Lindy was giving the team an easier go of it so far this season. More days off, later practices, yada, yada. I know I made the point earlier as to how many games this team plays this month, but the truth is, a lot of other teams are just as busy. Did Lindy do that because of this Olympic schedule? Did other teams do the same?

They have a chance for thirty points this month. My guess is they get 19.

This is a fanpost written by a member of the community, it doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Die by the Blade

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Kry, my boy,

I hope we don’t trade Sekera. We’re one injury away from needing him, badly. He may look like a luxury, but I see him as more of a necessity.

Goose’s absence is an obstacle, but all teams have injuries at some point. If he misses the next two weeks, or so, then we get to see who else on our team is full of piss and vinegar. Personally, I think it can help our team. It gives some of our other players a chance to be “leaders by example” in his absence. I was really happy with what I saw out of Hecht last game. HE got the deflection on the PP goal, a la Goose. Also, some other guys on our top two lines will have to pick up some slack, and it’ll be about damn time, as everyone knows.

by jj24 on Nov 30, 2009 8:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We're already there

He was forced to play last game because Rivet was injured. Paetsch is more forward depth than defense at this point but he is purely an emergency guy. We need Sekera to have 7 solid defensemen on this team. Especially with the upcoming month of grueling hockey. It is also encroaching on actual flu season (not the swine variety) and we will need as many bench players as we can get

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Nov 30, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope we don’t trade Sekera

Oh – I hope they don’t either. I was just saying I think he’d get us another fine player back in a trade, a lot better than some would think…

by krytime on Nov 30, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Vanek… a lot. I think he’s a bonafide superstar

He does have the skill to be a bona fide superstar BUT he’s too streaky.

would I rather have had four (count ‘em 4) 1st round draft picks for him had they not matched the Edmonton offer?

I think the way the Sabres draft and build within, I think this may have been wise. However, that wouldn’t make management look as smart in the short run, it would be a few seasons before we could have possibly said “wow, that was a great move in not resigning”

Who knows.

Also, I think it is worth noting that these fifteen games could be less strenuous (not taking into consideration what teams they will play) than the 13 in November:

1) There will be only 2 back-to-back weekends, as opposed to 4 in November
2) The month kicks off on a 5 game home stand
3) 9 of the 15 games will be at home
4) The farthest they will travel is to Washington (no West coast road trips)

I’m not saying it will be easy, but those factors seem to take a little of the pressure off. Of course, it doesn’t help that the two back-to-backs are the tail end (or beginning of, depending on how you look at it) of 4-in-6 situations.

by The Burl 8 on Nov 30, 2009 11:10 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

Also, I think it is worth noting that these fifteen games could be less strenuous (not taking into consideration what teams they will play) than the 13 in November:

1) There will be only 2 back-to-back weekends, as opposed to 4 in November
2) The month kicks off on a 5 game home stand
3) 9 of the 15 games will be at home
4) The farthest they will travel is to Washington (no West coast road trips)

I’m not saying it will be easy, but those factors seem to take a little of the pressure off. Of course, it doesn’t help that the two back-to-backs are the tail end (or beginning of, depending on how you look at it) of 4-in-6 situations.

That is definitely worth noting. Way to shed a whole other light on the situation. Rec’d for that. Good post by Kry, as well.

by jj24 on Nov 30, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice call here Burl. I agree with you on Vanek being streaky. And really good points regarding the schedule, one through four.

In the words of Perry Fewell, it would have taken some “gonads” for Regier to have taken the picks. He was getting killed in the court of public opinion at the time.

by krytime on Nov 30, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like had Vanek gone to Edmonton he would already be a bonafide superstar. By that I mean point per game perennial all-star.
I just feel like he would be playing a lot more minutes and would’ve been thrown into a lot more circumstances, I feel like he would be getting time on at least the 2nd PK unit. Edmonton is just one of those teams who would be throwing their prized free-agent into as many situations as they could, I don’t feel like Ruff’s system is one that enables superstars to blossom. I’m not saying its a bad thing, i love the team concept, i just wish Lindy was more patient with his players and that he showed more confidence in guys.

by JSCoope on Nov 30, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I really love the Vanek – Kennedy – Grier line.

that’s all.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Nov 30, 2009 3:06 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

they did look good together. i like lines that mix grit with skill, as opposed to separating everyone into “scoring” or “checking” categories.

by The Burl 8 on Nov 30, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, we can mix up the lines with grit and skill more. It’s not like we have “goons only” on our team, like Peters.

by jj24 on Nov 30, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LoL – his name should never be spoken here again ;-)

by sabre74kkn on Nov 30, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i like lines that mix grit with skill

Ditto that.

by krytime on Nov 30, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it wasn’t intentional for that to happen. Hecht went off on a change with Vanek and Vanek ended up with Grier and Kennedy because the flow of play dictated that. Nonetheless, I agree(for the reason Buri stated below) because I’ve been thinking about that since the Grier goal happened.

by jj24 on Nov 30, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nice post

Fisrt off ill take 19 points this month. It should almost solidify a spot for us in april.

Lalime needs to step up, big time. If Darcy decides to get into talks with other teams he needs to be asking for some goalscorers. Marty might be better but then we have no room to improve up front. Im not sure we need a better backup over some more production.More goals helps who ever is in the crease besides Miller.

Losing the goose hurts alot. Its now up to Hecht to man up in front of the net on the powerplay(doh!) Get well soon Paul we need you. Funny if you told me before the season that Gaustad was out for a while i would have probably said no big deal.

I bet Darcy would have taken 4 1st rounders for Vanek. I bet he wished that either Drury or Briere stayed so he could have, but he knew he would’nt be making any of those picks if he let Vanek go. No doubt it would have cost him his job. Public voice has a lot more power to an owner looking to run for governor.

I bet Lindy took a look at this roster and knew he could take his hand off the throat a little bit. Good thing too because they have seemed to respond

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Nov 30, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs