Just a few random thoughts…

by krytime on May 25, 2010 11:07 PM EDT

Not a big fan here about this latest tidbit regarding Philipp Gogulla. It came from the Sabres Edge courtesy of John Vogl, under the title “Biega Signs With Sabres”. According to this site - http://www.eishockeynews.de/nachricht.html?nachricht_id=11673, Gogulla is no longer going to be a Pirate/Sabre. Here’s the rough translation to save you time:

“Bang shortly after the end of the home World Cup! The financially ailing Cologne Sharks are apparently saved and can also immediately announce a spectacular transfer. According to information of ice hockey played Philip Gogulla NEWS (Photo: City Press) in the new season again for the Sharks.

The national player tried his luck in the last season in North America. With the Portland Pirates in the AHL Gogulla but was not happy and is now back in the cathedral city. Also, another new signing appears to fix: This is defender Brett Skinner, who last played for the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL.”

Now I don’t think Gogulla is going to be the savior of this franchise. But he is a high quality prospect, ranked in the top ten by hockeysfuture.com. And he’s the only left winger with any size going all the way down to Foligno, who is a long shot at best. German comparisons aside, I see him as the next Hecht. Why is he not “happy”? I don’t know the loot he made in Portland, but if he makes the NHL, it’s pretty safe to assume he’ll make more here than over in Cologne. Am I wrong on that?

It seems like it’s harder and harder nowadays to draft and develop a European player. I can completely understand why the organization has moved to a North American Player only/preferably stance.

Hockeysfuture actually did a piece on Gogulla’s 2005 draft, right here - http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12171/sabres2005_draft_evaluation/

The Sabres still have Gragnani, Gerbe, and Butler to fall back on before calling this draft a total bust (I’m giving up on Generous). Still, if that German website is correct, the Sabres have now lost out on their two top picks from that draft. That stinks.

I don’t know if I’ve seen a series of sports TV commercials that I like more than the NHL’s “History Will Be Made” bunch. Absolutely love ‘em.

How did Luke Adam play in the three playoff games for Portland? I saw he had 2 assists, and was a +/- 0. Just wondering if he looked out of place or not.

Going back to the Sabres Edge article by John Vogl, he reports the Sabres signed the Harvard kid Biega. Is it me, or do they have too many middle of the road defensemen in the organization right now? Not all of these kids are gonna make it. Having defensive depth is great. There is no depth in the organization though in the forward ranks, and it might be time to flip some of this defensive depth for some front liners.

How good is Enroth going to be? Is he worth keeping around to develop under Miller, or is he a great trade piece right now?

Again, for the thousandth time, I deplore some of the things in the current CBA. It’s so ridiculously stupid that Kassian has to play in Buffalo, or the Juniors, with the AHL not an option. Myers was faced with this last year, and it may end up being a once in a generation thing that worked out so well. Kassian is a man amongst boys in Juniors; his game is not being developed there anymore.

Free Agency starts a few days after the draft, right? And when do players start to have arbitration hearings?

When is this team going to announce the jersey switch-over? From a PR stand point, wouldn’t it be prudent to do it soon?

Still waiting to hear about a Ruff extension. He can’t possibly go into next season as a lame duck coach, can he?

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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How good is Enroth going to be?

Personally I think he’s going to be very, very, good. However he may have more value as a trade piece right now to a team like the Capitols, or Sharks, or Stars, or even Hurricanes.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on May 26, 2010 6:51 AM EDT reply actions

At this point, he seems to be worth more as trade bait than as a backup. The Sabres are still looking for a veteran backup to continue to have Enroth keep getting his playing time.

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by Zachary Zielonka on May 26, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

he seems to be worth more as trade bait

Aaah…that’s the point I was trying to get at. Is he really worth something then? Could he be considered a worthwhile pawn in trade discussions?

by krytime on May 26, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Again, for the thousandth time, I deplore some of the things in the current CBA. It’s so ridiculously stupid that Kassian has to play in Buffalo, or the Juniors, with the AHL not an option. Myers was faced with this last year, and it may end up being a once in a generation thing that worked out so well. Kassian is a man amongst boys in Juniors; his game is not being developed there anymore.

This rule has been in place for years to protect the CHL. They did not want to lose their top players and struck an agreement with the NHL years ago. While agree that Kassian is bigger than most in that league, he should focus on his skating. He is way too slow to play in the NHL and even the AHL. He has a long way to go before he cracks the Sabres lineup.

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on May 26, 2010 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Who cares about the CHL? If I’m the NHL, I’m flexing my muscle next time around, and doing what’s best for me. Maybe that does favor the AHL to an extent. If I have prospects that are better off playing in the AHL, then that’s what I want, as long as it serves my greater purpose.

The CHL and other leagues will be fine, just the same way NCAA college basketball has prospered with less talent available.

Can you really make the argument that Kassian is better served spending time in major juniors working on his foot speed rather than playing in the AHL? I’m shocked if you can.

by krytime on May 26, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Why is he not "happy"? I don’t know the loot he made in Portland, but if he makes the NHL, it’s pretty safe to assume he’ll make more here than over in Cologne. Am I wrong on that?

Most likely he will make more money in Germany than he would playing in another season in Portland. Also, while still a good player, the prospect of him cracking the lineup any time soon would have been dire at best. He is also a restricted free agent for this offseason, so there is no trade value for the Sabres at this point.

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by Zachary Zielonka on May 26, 2010 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

He might also come back after a year in Germany to try and make the team again. It’s more common than you might think.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!

by Ubiquitous on May 26, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

him cracking the lineup any time soon would have been dire at best.

Not so sure about that. Again, I don’t think he’s a savior, but he allegedly seems to have made some strides over the last year or so. And the organization is extremely weak on the LW. You have to admit losing a prospect of any kind isn’t a good thing.

by krytime on May 26, 2010 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

The Sabres still have Gragnani, Gerbe, and Butler to fall back on before calling this draft a total bust

The 2005 Draft is far from anywhere near a total bust. This ain’t the NFL. If you get 3 NHL players out of any draft you’ve done really, really, good.

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Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on May 26, 2010 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

I’d say having absolutely nothing to show for your first and second round picks leads you down the bust path though. Am I wrong for saying that?

by krytime on May 26, 2010 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

If you get a player in the third round that plays as well as a first round pick, then you did get a first round draft pick that didn’t bust that round. Its just harder to do that if you’re not the Red Wings.

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism

Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!

by Ubiquitous on May 27, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

Who cares where players were drafted. I mean the 1999 Draft has to be the a complete bust by that thought process. The Sabres first four picks played a total of 14 games with the team.

All your tshirt needs.
Twit wit, minus actual wit.

by twoeightnine on May 27, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions