Rob Niedermayer: 2010-2011 Report Card

by Zachary Zielonka on Jun 4, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in 2010-2011 Report Cards

BUFFALO NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Rob Niedermayer #20 and Tyler Ennis #36 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate Niedermayer's goal in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at HSBC Arena on September 25 2010 in Buffalo New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2010-2011 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card of every single player that played any amount of time with the Sabres this season. The journey began with Luke Adam and will conclude in a month with Mike Weber. Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Time for Rob Niedermayer

Rob Niedermayer

#20 / Center / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 203

Born: Dec 28, 1974

Contract: Signed for $1.25 million in 2010-2011, UFA after

+/-

PIM

2010 - Rob Niedermayer

Playoffs

-8

Introduction: For the longest time, it appeared that the Rob Niedermayer signing was going to be one of the biggest busts in the history of signings for GM Darcy Regier. Niedermayer took until March 6th against the Minnesota Wild for him to score his first goal of the season, a 53 game drought from the start of the season.

Niedermayer did end up with five goals in his last 18 games and included another goal in Game 6 of the playoffs. His four points in the playoffs ended up tied with Tyler Ennis and Jason Pominville for fourth on the team. Niedermayer wasn't brought in for scoring twenty goals, but for his veteran presence in the lineup and defensive ability.

Key Stat: Niedermayer's five goals were the least career goals in a season since the 2006-07 season and his 14 points were the least since 2007-08.

Thumbs Up: Once Niedermayer finally got his first goal of the season, his season seemed to be rather acceptable. Five goals in twenty games during the Sabres final playoff push was one of the reasons that the Sabres spent the $1.25 million they did during the offseason. Niedermayer wasn't a total liability on the defensive end either, but his -8 doesn't help much for that argument.

Thumbs Down: The fact that it took 53 games for Niedermayer to score his first goal of the season was frustrating for he and Sabres fans.

Voting: On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Tyler Myers on his season according to the expectations you had for him. If he met them, give him a five or a six. If he eclipsed them, aim for a seven or beyond. If he failed to meet them, give him a lower number relating to how poorly he missed the target.

Topics of Discussion: Would the Buffalo Sabres consider resigning Niedermayer for another season? If the Sabres don't, will another team sign him or will he hang up the skates?

Poll

What rating does Rob Niedermayer receive for the 2010-2011 Season?

10

0 votes

9

0 votes

8

2 votes

7

5 votes

6

12 votes

5

38 votes

4

42 votes

3

37 votes

2

20 votes

1

7 votes

163 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

I gave him a 4.

When we got Niedermayer, I thought we were getting a forward who would score 8-10 goals, be good on faceoffs, and give a solid effort every night. While in the year Anaheim went to the Cup he only scored four goals, I still thought 8-10 from him (especially when he scored 10 with the Devils last season) would be a good expectation.

Well, for the first 52 games, he was a 0…..I mean, he just was non-existent! He even had his name spelled wrong on his jersey, which I know doesn’t affect his play, but is just totally ironic. Later on in the season, he started to play a little how I thought he would play yet still underachieved to my standards, so I gave him a 4. In the playoffs, he was the quintessential veteran that every team needs…even getting second line minutes in game 6. For this improved play, which he must have been storing all season, I gave him an 8. Therefore, using the law of cosines I gave him a 4…overall a surprise in the playoffs, but a dud for well over half the season.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jun 4, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

His only good play was in the playoffs

by billsfan26 on Jun 4, 2011 11:05 AM EDT reply actions

This is really a problem? Should play not get better in the post season? 3 players had more points than he did in that span, all with more average ice time.

He got a 6 from me. His real talent is scoring empty net goals. he wasn’t on the ice in these situations to be as effective in past years, if you wanted an offensive powerhouse you signed the wrong Niedermayer. He gave what I expected, checking…and um..

Wait.. you made him play center? The hell is going on here..

"Thank you very much fans and let’s go for the next game together!"

— Lubomir Visnovsky

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jun 5, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think it’s a problem i just think we could have had better players in his place

by billsfan26 on Jun 5, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The same thing can be said about the entire team though. there is always someone better. He was a good player for the team in the playoffs when it really matters the most.

"Thank you very much fans and let’s go for the next game together!"

— Lubomir Visnovsky

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jun 5, 2011 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Solid 3

He didn’t seem to care until Pegula bought the team. This is true for a couple of guys this season; for the money it would’ve been nicer had Darcy gotten John Madden.

by Alex Kourelis on Jun 4, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

I voted 6

He met my expectations overall. At the beginning I was pining for him to just leave. He was downright dreadful. But lo and behold he showed up at the end of the season and in the playoffs. Darcy signed him for a veteran for the playoffs. He provided what he was brought here to do, and for that he meets expectations. If only we were healthy at C and didn’t have to have him playing top or 2nd line center…

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Jun 4, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions

Four

I expected more from him; I thought their was more left in the tank. If were Regier, I would not resign him. His playoff performance was commendable, but falls far short of making up for a sub-sub-par season.

by Geolover on Jun 4, 2011 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

I'd give him a 3 for the regular season

And a 5 for the playoffs. I also think we need to look elsewhere for gritty veteran mentorosity.

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 Jun 4, 2011 5:56 PM EDT reply actions

Voting: On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Tyler Myers on his season according to the expectations you had for him.

Um. Did you mean Rob Niedermayer?

Anyways, I vote 4. He was atrocious until his first goal, then picked up and played better into the playoffs. Still needs to retire, he’s old and slow.

The "new" Buffalo Sabres are here! With Superman Pegula handing out the funds, they can do anything and everything!

by sabresfan96 on Jun 4, 2011 6:22 PM EDT reply actions