NHL.com 30-in-30 Article

by steveRbu on Aug 5, 2010 9:26 PM EDT

Just read NHL.com's "30-in-30" post on the Sabres. Here's the link:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=535288&navid=DL|NHL|home

Basically, what I got out of this was: "Who knows? Flip a coin. Maybe they'll be good. Maybe they'll suck."

I think that's a pretty good assumption, based on what was in the article. Sergei Feldman (the author of the article) made it seem like the Sabres' departures and new arrivals practically even each other out.

Is that the general consensus among beat writers, fans, etc. ?

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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I think the consensus with us is that this team is actually a little better defensively with the acquisition of Morrisonn and the group of forwards have talent. But, with the whole Kennedy thing, the fan base has quickly gone sour on this team.

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by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 6, 2010 7:50 AM EDT reply actions

That’s pretty much how I personally feel, too. Darcy made up for losing Tallinder and Lydman, and now I think our glaring issue is at forward, but we have so many of them that it leads me to hope that a few of them will really break out and have a good year.

As for the Kennedy thing, I agree that the fans have sort of turned on the team, but if people actually stop and think about it (something Sabres fans often have trouble doing…), the Kennedy buyout makes sense (as per the article recently posted on here). Tim is a good player, he’ll find another team that can use him more than we can at the moment.

It’s just a shame that the team bought out a local guy, which will never sit well with the fans.

by steveRbu on Aug 6, 2010 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

With this TK debate, I think the best question is which would you rather have TK at 1year for 1mil or Rob Niedermayer at 1 year 1.25mil?

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Aug 6, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Rob, he knows the magic art of checking the Sens into scoring on themselves… He is good along the wall and shouldn’t get beaten out by Mark Recchi…

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Aug 6, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

the Mark Recchi thing really bugs me about TK.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Aug 6, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats what happens with small players from time to time though. Its a matter of leverage, and its not like Recchi is a bad player, he has been one of the better players for the Bruins. I would have been more bothered if it was a crappy fourth liner.

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Aug 6, 2010 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I think there’s no question Kennedy would have been better in the long run, but with no option of sending him to Portland, and Niedermayer already brought in to win some draws (something TK was inept at) the cards were dealt.

by lassathrax on Aug 6, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

True, in the long run a 24 year old should be better than a 35 year old. But in terms of this season and during the lengths of their current contracts I think Niedermayer helps this team more right now than TK would.

"The three important elements of hockey are: forecheck, backcheck and paycheck." - Gil Perreault

by FloridaBuffalo on Aug 6, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly

We Sabres fans tend to think with our hearts and not our heads.

He who controls the puck controls the buck.

by sabresfan96 on Aug 15, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

No one in the conference looks much better...

Halak is gone, and the enigma that is Carey Price remains. Ottawa brought in Gonchar but they have more problems than just an offensive defenseman and Boston returns strong but with hovering at/over the salary cap…i’m assuming some sort of GM action will be taken to diminish their forward talent. So if all is status quo, we should be fine…

If I had to make 5 bold predictions:
1.) Myers is a finalist for the Norris
2.) Ennis is a finalist for the Calder (neither win)
3.) Gerbe spends the season bouncing between the AHL and NHL
4.) At some point this season we will lose 5-8 games straight due to our lack of forward depth and going cold offensively.
5.) We finish 7th in the conference and lose in the first round of the playoffs. Looking soft and questioning managment all over again

by SPACE K on Aug 6, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Who takes the divison

If no one else looks much better, but Myers play well enough for a Norris nomination and Ennis is good enough for a Calder nomination, then why aren’t we 3rd seed or higher? I just don’t get how that works out.

I predict the Sabres finish between 5th and 2nd in the East. No one of great importance is getting worse due to age, Vanek was unusually unhealthy last season, Myers should continue to improve, and Ennis should get a shot to contribute substantially more. That said, Boston isn’t getting any worse and they could very well push us for the division. Montreal has potential, but I don’t think Price is going to have a “Eureka” moment and turn into a Vezina candidate. Ottawa likes the addition of Gonchar, but the loss of Volchenkov hurts and I don’t get the vibe of a team that is seriously improving from them.

by Hopefulcynic on Aug 6, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

We never lost more than four games in a row last season with our “lack of forward depth” and the group of forwards havent changed all that much. Just Kennedy, Mair, and Ellis are out and McCormick, Ennis/Gerbe, and Niedermayer are in. This team did finish in the top 10 of total goals scored last season.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Aug 6, 2010 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

It is a coin flip

One or two injuries to key players (esp. Miller) would sink our season. One or two breakout forwards would make us a strong contender. Anything in between and you’re looking at a very similar outcome to last season.

by lassathrax on Aug 6, 2010 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs