Jaroslav Spacek: 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.

Jaroslav Spacek

#6 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 5-11

Weight: 204

Born: Feb 11, 1974

Key Stat:  There was no denying that the Sabres were a better team with Spacek on the ice than they were when he was off the ice.  Spacek not only led all defensemen in goals and assists but the Sabres scored 2.95 goals for 60 minutes that he was on the ice.  Overall they were a +0.29 for every 60 minutes that he was on te ice and the team was -0.20 whe he was off te ice.

Interesting Stat:  Spacek has played nine seasons with six different teams and his 37 assists this season are a career high.  He came close when he had 36 in Columbus during the 2002-2003 season.

The Good:  There was a reason that we voted Spacek as the teams best defenseman this season.  He led all defensemen in goals with eight, assists with 37 and points with 45.  I already chronicled the teams statistics when he is on the ice.

He also led all defensemen in other categories.  He was tops in shots on goal with 130 (7th on team), he led the entire team with 22:17 of ice time per game and his 3:41 average power play ice time was more than any other defenseman.

As good as Spacek played at even strength he was even more important on the power play.  His stat line was almost identical between 5-on-5 and the power play.  At even strength he scored four goals, 19 assists for a total of 23 points.  On the power play he scored four goals and had 18 assists for 22 points.

Spacek was also second on the team with a total of 126 blocked shots.

The Bad:  Spacek led in many offensive categories but his play in his own zone could use some improvement.  Although the Sabres are a plus team when he is on the ice they allow 2.62 goals/60ON and they allow only 2.42 goals/60OFF. 

Despite leading the way in goals scored his shooting percentage was not as high as he would like it to be.  He fired 130 shots on goal which was seventh on the team but he was 11th in goals scored.

Puck possesion is a key part of the game and the Sabres struggle in that area.  Spacek gave the puck away 70 times this season which is behind only Derek Roy.  He was a