Andrej Sekera: 2008-2009 Report Card

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Andrej Sekera

#44 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 191

Born: Jun 08, 1986

Key Stats:  Sekera missed 12 games due to injury and was a healthy scratch for one game.  He found himself in the press box for inconsistent play near the end of the season.

Interesting Stat:  Sekera had 19 points all season but he started out the season like a ball of fire.  He had eight assists in the first 12 games of the season before cooling off.

The Good:  Sekera proved that he can be a good NHL defenseman by the way he began the season.  He also proved that he could be a good player in his own zone y blocking 94 shots.  His 94 shots blocked was the third best on the team.

He also found ways to stay out of the penalty box with only 11 minor penalties the entire season.  He did that while playing 20:42 per game which was fourth on the team.

The Bad:  Sekera proved to everyone that he was a rookie.  He started strong but seemed to lose confidence very quickly.  His lack of confidence led to him finishing the season as a team worst minus 11.  He finished at a minus 11 despite being a plus six in the final three games. 

His inexperience was evident when he had the puck as well.  He turned the puck over 47 times which was fifth most on the team.  He was a minus 28 total in the takeaway/giveaway category.

2008-2009 Salary:  $659,000

2009-2010 Status: Restricted Free Agent

Vote:  It's time to grade Sekera for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  Should the Sabres re-sign Sekera as a Restricted Free Agent?  Are you worried that Sekera will never regain the form he had when the season began?  Sekera played most with Jaro Spacek last season, was that a help to him or did it set hi back defensively?

Next Up: Jaro Spacek