Daily Links for Thursday, Jan. 7

by Andy Boron on Jan 7, 2010 6:00 AM EST in Daily Links

The Sabres have now won five in a row, their longest streak since 2007! The team takes the ice again on Friday to host Toronto, where history says we'll come out with another win and another Brian Burke quote about how playing against Miller gives him headaches.

Line shift paying off for Sabres | The Buffalo News
The line of Hecht-Connolly-Pominville continues to perform at a high level, netting two goals in last night's game.

Sabres' notebook: Kaleta ready to improve his mood | The Buffalo News
For those wondering when Patrick Kaleta will play again, read on. Ruff also talks about what to do with Paetsch and how he deals with the cycle of slumps.

Sidney Crosby leads ESPN.com's list of midseason awards | ESPN
Crosby may be the leader for the Hart, but would it surprise you if I told you that two other Sabres won midseason awards from Pierre LeBrun? I'll give you two guesses to figure out who.

Power Rankings Roundup
Sports Illustrated: #4 (posted Jan. 5)
CBS Sports: #6 (posted Jan. 4)
sportsnet.ca: #4 (posted Jan. 4)

Re-packaging the 1-2 goalie punch | The Hockey News
Alternating goalies was a popular practice in the aftermath of expansion in 1967, and is making a comeback once again with teams like Chicago, Nashville, and Montreal. I didn't realize how many prominent modern goalies cut their chops while sharing time with other starters.

Roenick 'baffled' that Drury named to Team USA - CTV
Speaking to Toronto radio station AM640, Jeremy Roenick gave his thoughts on Chris Drury. Personally I agree with him, Drury hasn't done anything this year to earn his spot, it's based solely on his rep.

Jim Rutherford: "50% of Next Year's Roster Will Be Different" | Canes Country
Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford was on 99.9 The Fan late yesterday afternoon with a brief update about the team. Canes Country talks about which 50% should be gone.

Olympic Rosters: The Salary Cap Edition | Fear The Fin
Sharks blog Fear the Fin gives us a rundown of how the Olympic rosters stack up salary-wise. Bet you can guess who's #1, but just how big is Canada's payroll?

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Comments

LeBrun didn’t mention that Myers leads rookies in Blocked Shots

by The Burl 8 on Jan 7, 2010 7:31 AM EST reply actions

Found this stat on TSN interesting...

Giveaways

Jaroslav Spacek, D, Montreal – 55
Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh – 52
Tyler Myers, D, Buffalo – 52
Roman Hamrlik, D, Montreal – 51
Chris Phillips, D, Ottawa – 46
Joe Thornton, C, San Jose – 45
Hal Gill, D, Montreal – 44
Mike Ribeiro, C, Dallas – 43
Josh Gorges, D, Montreal – 42
Ian White, D, Toronto – 42

while Myers is 3rd in the league in giveaways, he is young and playing crazy minutes (still… NO EXCUSES! haha) But what got me is that 4 of the top 10 are Montreal Defenders. That is an incredible high amount for a team to have between just 4 players.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 10:40 AM EST reply actions

^That could a a big reason for Montreal’s inconsistency. That and missing Markov for an extended period of time put an onus on the other defenders they weren’t able to bear.

by sabre74kkn on Jan 7, 2010 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

exactly.

I just found that crazy that 4 of the top 10 were Habs. And in no way do I want to see that trend stop :-)

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

I wouldn’t read too much into that list since he playing more minutes than anyone else (which will lead to both good and bad stats.) Also, anytime Myers gets on a list with guys like Crosby and Thornton, I’m alright with that.

by Andy Boron on Jan 7, 2010 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

yeah i understand why Myers is there. I was basically putting that up to show that Montreal has 4 spots on there… but I would have felt a little more homerific if I didnt even state the fact Myers was there too. ya know?

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Win vs TB

Great win last night quieting all the critics by scoring 3 early. Disappointing that they sat back and let them come to within 1 goal twice though. Good win none the less. Real test will come later this month on their west coast roady.

by North Java Sabra on Jan 7, 2010 10:56 AM EST reply actions

ya – i’m interested to see how they play during that road stretch – I think that will tell us a lot about this team

Never put salt in your eyes
Bills goals = stop sucking

by J2 on Jan 7, 2010 2:57 PM EST up reply actions

re: Olympics

Roenick does have a valid point. I thought it was dumb to put him on there.

I know Drury and Grier play different positions, but look at their stats, salary, and expectations, and tell me who is having the better year. Grier should be on the olympic team!!! ;-)

Seriously though, the one guy I was surprised who didn’t make the team was Gaustad, considering he was the top face-off guy in the league when healthy, is a physical presence and can play on a checking line very favorably.

I would say Connolly too with the way he’s playing recently, but the risk of him discombobulating in Vancouver is way to high.

by sabre74kkn on Jan 7, 2010 10:59 AM EST reply actions

interesting take on Grier. By the wink face im guessing your joking but at the same time I bet youre actually thinking that. And so am I. Hes a player that you just want on your team. Hes just got that about him. Great PK’er and always creates chances. He probably wasnt even considered for it but looking back at it I dont see why he couldnt have made it. Drurys on the 4th line. And I know hes good on faceoffs. But Drury on the 4th line doesnt make as much sense as Grier or Gaustad for that matter. Plus Im a Sabres homer and want to see more of them in it lol.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

I wish Roenick would just stop talking for a few years, but I put that in there because I do agree with him. I think Grier, Gaustad, or Connolly would have given Team USA more production, but I’m sure Drury’s experience is what they were going for here.

by Andy Boron on Jan 7, 2010 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

Roenick is just hoping...

…that if he keeps yapping about the Olympics we’ll forget his embarrassing meltdown in Nagano.

JR, considering what you did at the Olympics, you are the absolute last person who should be criticizing leadership on the US Olympic Team.

"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England

by Calvert on Jan 7, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

I am a Sabres homer as well and I don’t want them to go for the risk of injury. Especially this year and the chance we have at the cup. Club over country in this case.

by North Java Sabra on Jan 7, 2010 11:31 AM EST reply actions

Yeah I’d much rather win the cup than have USA go far. But still would have been nice to see and Im sure Grier would have been shocked and honored.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions

Power Rankings Roundup
Sports Illustrated: #4 (posted Jan. 5)
CBS Sports: #6 (posted Jan. 4)
sportsnet.ca: #4 (posted Jan. 4)

seems fair – the Sharks are looking tough – they are my 2nd favorite team (gotta have a west conf team right?). woudl love to see a sharks/sabres battle for the cup – with Buffalo winning obviously

Never put salt in your eyes
Bills goals = stop sucking

by J2 on Jan 7, 2010 2:58 PM EST reply actions

gotta have a western team.

I just love the way Chicago plays. They remind me of the first year after lockout Sabres. Plus I root for Kane even tho the whole $0.20 thing… But I dont want them to make it to the Cup if the Sabs did. Im waiting for next weeks rankings to come out. Hopefully after a good weekend we jump into the top 3.

Anyone hear anything about the starting goalie situation this weekend? I would assume Miller goes against Toronto based on him owning them. But we have 4 days off after that so Im guessing Miller goes in both.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Lalime is scheduled for “one of the games this weekend.” I’m assuming Sat against Colorado.

by Andy Boron on Jan 8, 2010 12:54 AM EST up reply actions

thanks

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 8, 2010 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

Why do you have to have a 2nd team or a western team?

Do you have a second favorite football team? A second favorite wife or girlfriend? ]

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 7, 2010 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

I think they are referring to which team you tend to root for in situations such as when the Sabres don’t make the playoffs – you have to choose a favorite out of whoever is left or else it is not very fun to watch. I usually just choose the team I hate the least. Last year’s playoffs I was rooting for St. Louis (fail). I also tend to root for anyone who is playing against Ottawa, Carolina, or the Rangers.

by lassathrax on Jan 7, 2010 5:53 PM EST up reply actions

When buffalo is no longer alive in the playoffs i dont want to root for an eastern team to win. And with buffalo not in the past two years i watched alot oh hawks games. Campbell and kane with buffalo ties and i like the way toews plays. I do the same in football. Our beloved bills are done every year so ive been pulling for philly.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 10:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Keeps me interested in the playoffs too.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 7, 2010 10:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If Buffalo teams are out I usually jump on whatever teams my friends are rooting for so I can give them lots of high fives and still have a rooting interest in the games. But if a Buffalo team is still in it, it’s Buffalo all the way.

by Andy Boron on Jan 8, 2010 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

I tend to root for teams playing my friends teams. If we arent winning it… my friends sure as hell better not win it either!! haha. Although Im the last of my friends without a favorite teams (Bills & Sabres) winning a SB or Cup. :-/

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 8, 2010 9:08 AM EST up reply actions