Choose Your Assistant Captains: Experience, Grit Or Youth?
by Rafal Ladysz on May 23, 2010 2:25 PM EDT
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PrintAssistant or alternate captaincy is passed around in Buffalo like a bag of potato chips; last year, Teppo Numminen, Jaroslav Spacek, Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville rotated the 'A' for home and away contests, and this year, Pominville, Hecht, Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad took turns wearing the letter. They've gained experience and spent the sum of their careers with the Sabres, and of course, Hecht has been here for seven of his ten full National Hockey League campaigns.
Their qualifications and value cannot be doubted, but there are other candidates for this role: Mike Grier who is reminding me a lot of Ian Laperierre with his sacrificial displays and veteran leadership. Steve Montador, the off-season import who shrugged off hits and put his body in testing situations like it was a walk in the park. Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder, the safe and sound defensive defensemen who can contribute 20-25 points. Last but not least, Thomas Vanek, whose 'A' could stand for assassin, with his goal-scoring exploits.
You know the drill. Place your vote into the poll below, provide a reason for your choice in the comments if you'd like and include your own nominations. It's funny how a sewn-on letter can boil down to so much controversy.
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Choose Your Assistant Captains: Experience, Grit Or Youth?
All the above…
C – Rivet (Grit)
A – Grier (Experience)
A – Myers (Youth)
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
bflo picks are good except Myers, i mean he had a fantastic year, lets make sure he can repeat or improve his performance next year before we have him step up to a leadership role. Which history has shown having to be a captain or assistant captain can affect performance negatively by making the player think about to many things instead of just focusing on their game.
The only reason I maybe wouldnt want Myers to wear the ‘A’ is because of a potential “sophmore slump” … But this kid was a leader this year. Yes obviously the stats and all the headlines were awesome… but when the game was on the line, this kid was on the ice. I see him as the leader of the “New Sabres” and up and coming youngsters… if that makes sense?
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
I voted for Hecht, he plays hard every game. Grier didn’t show up for most the season. He was there at the beginning and in the playoffs – that’s it!
Geolover doesn’t actually watch the games or follow the team he just talks out of his butt.
"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault
by FloridaBuffalo on May 24, 2010 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, I just can't help but respond to stupidity.
It something I have to work on.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I picked Montador
Not a first-rate blue liner, but the guy’s one of the few that has his name on the cup. Gritty. Leads by example.
Except he doesn't have his name on the Cup.
No Sabres do. Montador has only been to the playoffs three times in his career.
by twoeightnine on May 25, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes. I thought he was on the cup-winning ducks too (in addition to the 2003-2004 flames), but i guess he wasn’t. (He signed after they won the cup as a free agent)
I also thought James Patrick won a cup w/ the rangers, but he was traded that year, and therefore wouldn’t have his name on the cup.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Grier, Goose, and Hecht have to be the leading candidates IMO.
Grier should be a lock. After that, it’s kind of a toss-up between Gaustad and Hecht, but I think I’d rather Gaustad.
As far as giving Myers an A next year, I think it would be a bit premature. Let’s let the kid get comfortable in the league before putting more on his plate.
And taking away Roy’s and Pominville’s letters, even on a rotating bases, I think sends a message – simply: “More is needed from you”.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
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