Teppo Numminen: 208-2009 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.

Teppo Numminen

#27 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 198

Born: Jul 03, 1968

Key Stat:  Numminen played in 57 games this season.  That is impressive coming off a season where he played in only one game because of heart surgery.  Even more impressive when you consider that he was 40 years-old this season.

Interesting Stat:  Teppo finished the season as a minus four.  It was only the third time in his 19-year career that he has finished the season as a minus player.  He was a minus three in his rookie season and he was a minus five in his only season with the Dallas Stars.

Fun Fact:   Numminen used to be owner of Montreal Sports, along with his father.  Montreal is a major stick company that produces sticks for many players in the NHL.

The Good:  Numminen was able to come back and play an entire season just one year removed from heart surgery.  He played in only 57 games but he averaged 17:30 of ice time.

He scored two goals for the Sabres this season.  That matches a season high (done twice) since he joined the Sabres.

He blocked a total of 45 shots which was eighth on the team.  He took only 11 minor penalties on the season.

The Bad:  By the end of the season he spent most of his time in the press box.  His age finally caught up with him and it was obvious that Chris Butler was outplaying him.

Numminen had a total of 23 giveaways on the season and was a minus nine in the takeaway/giveaway category.  He was also a minus three in the penalty plus/minus category.

2008-2009 Salary:  $1,100,000

2009-2010 Status: Unrestricted Free Agent

Vote:  It's time to grade Numminen 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:  Do you think that Numminen was utilized properly by Lindy Ruff last season?  Do you think that Numminen is going to retire at some point this off-season?  If not do you think he should?  There has been talk of Numminen becoming an assistant coach...do you think that he would make a good assistant coach?

Up Next:  Nathan Paetsch