Favorite Sabres since the trade deadline / playoff push / new ownership

Hell, the whole organization…

This team was playing so bad in the begining of the year… then played .500 hockey for about 2 months, but since teh turn of the year this team has been awesome. I love how all of them are playing. I love Reigers deadline deal. I love the push that we’re making. I love the job Ruff is doing. I love the new pregame show. All of it.

This team has me wrapped around their finger.

He’s been a monster lately. Quickly becoming a favorite player of mine.

The Gerbe lovefest from last night continues! I’d also add Myers to the list of “honorable mentions.” The team’s resurgence has coincided nicely with his (and many others’) rise from doormat to dominant.

Mike Weber. Guy has been solid in his own zone since january and has been making great breakout decisions moving the puck and also picking great spots to pinch. And while i’m at it…chris butler has been a wonderful surprise lately as well.

Butler (yes, Chris Butler) and Sekera have been amazing of late.
Ennis and Gerbe have really stepped up as well. Super impressed with both of them.

Mancari is playing much better, but I think he has yet to truly break out.
Myers has steadily regained his form. Hope he keeps it up.
Weber is awesome, but he has been all season.
Morissonn has been hit-or-miss most nights.
Vanek and Stafford have been streaky, but I’m just glad they are healthy. I bet they miss Roy.
Boyes has been a VERY solid acquisition and I’m liking the new Darcy (without self-imposed budget constraints) so far.
Connolly and Pominville have struggled this year but are starting to click (finally).
I’ll hold off judgment of Hecht and Montador since they have been battling injuries.
Gaustad and McCormick have trailed off of late, luckily Niedermeyer and Grier have picked up the slack (Grier has been insane on the PK in the last few games, INSANE).
Leopold’s point production has fallen off sharply, but Sekera has filled that void. Maybe Leo will get his groove back for the playoffs. In the meantime, at least he isn’t a defensive liability.
I miss Kaleta and I hope he returns soon. Not sure who he should replace, though (I’d vote McCormick but I bet most of you would disagree with that one).

Miller has been good most nights, but not quite back to last year’s form. Enroth has exceeded expectations in his limited role.

In summary:

1) Ennis
2) Sekera
3) Gerbe
4) Miller
5) Butler

1. Vanek
2. Gerbe
3. Ennis
4. Boyes
5. Sekera

Many guys are playing well. Many guys are hustling and doing the little things that win you hockey games (finishing checks, backchecking, keeping their feet moving, making smart plays, etc). However, I cannot jump on this love fest for Mark Mancari just yet. I have nothing against him, really. The guy has a great shot, and a bit of a nose for the net, and he’s franking HUGE.

He is also slower than hell. That may be a big reason he hasn’t cracked the NHL for good. I remember Gaustad’s 1st year here. It looked like he had never skated before. Then in year 2 and 3, what an improvement (And let’s face it, he’s still no Mike Gartner!). I would hope Mancari will work on (or has, and will continue to work on) his skating in the off-season. Because while I think he is strong ON his skates, he is not a strong skater. And if that is all that’s holding him back, then I think it’s all up to him.

There are reasons why a lot of guys are still in the minors at 25 years old. Politics, lack of talent, too many players on the big club,never got a true shot, etc. So who knows? Maybe all he needed was a true chance. Perhaps this is it, his true shot. To paraphrase Mike Robitaille after the Sens game, “it’s up to you now, kid”. And that is SO true.

I wouldn’t mind a Mark Mancari on my 3rd line full time. But he’s GOT TO WANT IT. He cannot, for any amount of time, let up. Or he will be back down in the minors so quick. And you know why? Because the Sabres know they can send him down without much risk of someone grabbing him, and because he doesn’t make a ton of money (That last reason is also a great reason to keep him).

And really, it’s not fair. Because guys like Jochen Hecht, Tim Connolly and a few others can take nights off without the fear of being shipped off to Portland, while the Mark Mancari’s of the world consistently rip it up in the minors, and barely get a sniff. For all of you Sabre fans in your late 30’s on up, you’ll remember guys like Mal Davis, Geordie Robertson and Jody Gage. For you guys that don’t remember these AHL phenoms, look ’em up.

So, I’d say to Mark, keep your foot on their throats and make it a hard decision for Lindy and Darcy. If the team keeps winning, and Mark keeps on playing hard and contributing some points here and there, I think he deserves to stay.

I am pulling for him. And while I’ve enjoyed the last few games watching him play his ass off and contribute, and while I thank him for all his hard work over the past week or so, I am not on the Mancari bandwagon just yet. Show me more…..and make it easy for management to dump Hecht this summer!!!