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What am I missing on Mark Mancari?


I know he's had a few failed opportunities to stick with the parent club either in call ups (11 games, 3 points) or winning a roster spot out of training camp but what's wrong with this guy???

At 24 years now he's reaching his make or break point to be a legit NHL player.  Granted he was only converted from defenseman to forward in 2003 while in the WHL but you have to imagine he gets it by now.  Purely based on numbers he's been Rochester/Portland's most consistent forward the last 4 or 5 years.  Put that with several AHL all-star appearances and he's got a great minor league resume.

Year                GP   G   A    P  PIM  +/-

2005-2006     71  18  24  42  80  -1
2006-2007     64  23  34  57  49  +1   
2007-2008     73  29  38  67  61  +9
2009-2010     80  21  36  57  78  -7
2009-2010     60  22  38  60  51  +14

I read one of his knocks is that his success has come because he plays with good players (Corey Locke, Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Tyler Ennis, Clarke MacArthur) but that's what happens on any top line.  With his excellent size (6'4" 225)  and tremendous shot (AHL record 102.8 MPH), I see him as an ideal 3rd/4th line winger with powerplay upside.  Having played defense I'd love to see him inserted at the point on our 2nd PP unit, hoping for Alex Kotalik type production without as much defensive liability.

He's in the final year of his contract and will be a RFA this offseason so a contract decision looms with him from Darcy  Does anyone know what his issues are and why he hasn't been given PT on the sabres?  I'm at a loss.

 

 

 

 

UPDATE:  Some insight from a 9/2009 post by Dave Olesky paints a better picture:

 

Mark Mancari

We'll start with Mancari since he is still a restricted free agent with no intentions of signing with the Sabres.  It appears that Mancari is hoping to sign with a club that is willing to give him a shot at playing in the NHL.  It doesn't look like that chance will come in Buffalo with the depth the Sabres have at forward.

Most of us have not had ample opportunities to see Mancari play live and we relied on statistics and highlights.  We knew that he put up great offensive statistics and had a monster shot.  We didn't know how he actually played the game.

I always wondered why the Sabres never gave him a real shot to play in the NHL.  I stopped wondering after talking to people in the know.  It appears that Mancari is primed to be a career AHL player or a fringe NHL player.  Despite his large 6-3 220 lbs. frame he plays a soft game and is reluctant to battle in the corners.  He is also a very slow skater and has trouble controlling the puck in traffic. 

It looks like we know why the Sabres have been reluctant to give him a shot.  He seems content to play the same style and go somewhere else instead of working hard and trying to earn a spot by playing physical.  The Sabres would love to keep him around in case he ever realizes his potential but they will not give any gaurantees.  Can you blame them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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They never gave him a shot because he’s pretty much exactly like ales kotalik.

Slow and lazy.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Free Tyler Ennis!

by Ubiquitous on Mar 4, 2010 12:01 PM EST reply actions  

with a heavy shot. And doesnt go into the corners. Waits for his linemates to do the “dirty” work.

Very similar to Kotalik. Good call.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 4, 2010 12:39 PM EST up reply actions  

you’d think he had good trade value, though, i mean, those numbers look impressive.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Free Tyler Ennis!

by Ubiquitous on Mar 4, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions  

Agree...

I was hoping that he would be part of a deal yesterday. I would like to see what he can do in the NHL, just not in Buffalo…

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 4, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions  

overvalued

As with Kotalik he somehow was coveted by other teams. I’ll be surprised if Mancari doesn’t find a suitor or if Darcy doesn’t trade his rights in the off-season. Just can’t see them releasing him outright.

by killabstingz on Mar 4, 2010 1:05 PM EST up reply actions  

Yeah if we could get anything in return for him that would be awesome… dont want to see him go for nothing.

"Its always Miller Time
Whens it gonna be Sabres-Offense Time?"
- by Jsz on Mar 3, 2010 6:25 PM PST

by bflo on Mar 4, 2010 1:44 PM EST up reply actions  

Mancari

He’s slow and lazy and doesn’t dig for pucks in the corners. He should be an amazing power forward that consistently scores at least 20 goals but when he’s in the bigs he doesn’t show that he has the fire or skill to be there. However, when he’s in the AHL he tears it up. Might be time to trade him for a good prospect or a pick. He could contribute somewhere but if he wants to stay he has to step up

by billsfan26 on Mar 5, 2010 7:21 PM EST reply actions  

Hopefully Mancari can continue to stay with the club, and get rid of this Ales Kotalik tag he has on him

"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!" -Harry (Jeff Daniels)

by tripl21 on Mar 11, 2010 3:04 AM EST reply actions  

I can tell from watching Mancari play that he avoids battling for the puck on the walls, and he passes up almost every opportunity to throw a check. If that’s his style of play then he better continue to back it up with some offensive flair. He had a great game tonight. If players like Roy, Connolly, Pominville, etc. can keep their jobs without playing physical, then I guess we should give Mancari a shot as well. As long as our role players are doing their job, and there is at least one guy on each line who will go to the wall and dig the puck free, then there should be a few roster spots for the “flair” types of forwards. If Mancari can find some consistency in his scoring without becoming too much of a defensive liability, he might prove useful after all.

by lassathrax on Mar 11, 2010 3:52 AM EST reply actions  

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