Daily Links for Tuesday, January 31

by Andy Boron on Jan 31, 2012 6:00 AM EST in Daily Links

Anybody else find these photos exceptionally odd?

Just one more day until the Buffalo Sabres return to action, and it looks like they'll once again have the services of Tyler Ennis.

MONDAY NOTES - Buffalo Sabres
It was back to work today for most of the Buffalo Sabres as they gathered at FNC for practice before flying to Montreal.

Ennis Ready To Return For Sabres - WGR 550
Sabre Coach Lindy Ruff says that forward Tyler Ennis is on track to play against the Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday night.

Miller on Black: 'I'm sure there's frustrations in his situation just like there are in ours' - Sabres Edge
The spector of trades looms over this club, especially in the wake of President Ted Black's comments Saturday in Ottawa that "Our commitment is to winning, not to any particular group of players that are labeled as a core."

Jason Pominville: Before I Made It - THN
The Sabres right winger recalls being all about hockey as a kid and playing in the Quebec peewee tournament.

RoostCast 45: An Evening With Mike Harrington - The Goose's Roost
Buffalo News Sabres beat writer and baseball columnist Mike Harrington joins Ryan by phone to discuss the state of the Sabres at the All-Star break.

Minor Fixes Could Add Excitement To NHL All-Star Weekend - SBNation.com
The NHL All-Star Game isn't broken. It's actually a ton of fun. We just don't realize that on television, and the league can apply a few quick fixes to make sure that changes.

Canadians care more about Skills Competition than NHL All-Star Game - Puck Daddy
Saturday's NHL Skills Competition in Ottawa topped Sunday's All-Star Game in the ratings for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada, according to the overnight ratings.

Trade Rumblings: Ruutu, Carter on move? - ESPN
From conversations Pierre LeBrun has had with teams over the weekend, there’s a chance the trade season will get going for real after the All-Star break.

Leafs’ playoff hopes hinge on finishing with a flourish - The Globe and Mail
Unlike previous seasons, strong stretch run would carry Toronto into playoffs.

Hurricanes sign Gleason to four-year extension - NHL.com
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Monday they have signed defenseman Tim Gleason to a four-year, $16 million contract extension.

Bettman reiterates support for shootout as tiebreaker - TSN
Plenty of skepticism from the purist wing of the sport surrounded the introduction of the shootout.

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Comments

Just one more day until the Buffalo Sabres return to action…

Isn’t that one more day today? I am excited for our chance at a multi-game winning streak.

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

by bgred105 on Jan 31, 2012 9:25 AM EST reply actions

I’m feeling it. Hell, we haven’t lost in a week now!

I fight with psychological warfare, I made her a Sabres fan…

by VFN FTW on Jan 31, 2012 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

Superbowl!!!!!!!

wait wrong sport lol

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 10:23 AM EST up reply actions

Was that a 1993 flashback?

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

by bgred105 on Jan 31, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

It was some kind of flashback lol

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

I’m oddly not looking forward to them coming back.
Prove me wrong boys.

by Philaster on Jan 31, 2012 10:45 AM EST reply actions

I am b/c it is one step closer to the next phase. Whether its a playoff push, a roster change, a coaching/front office change.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jan 31, 2012 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

and/or a sweet draft pick.

by lassathrax on Jan 31, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

I’m looking forward to the offseason. I’d be okay with them forfeiting the rest of their games, but then I’d be really bored. I’ll take the limited entertainment from the rest of the season I guess, but after the cup is when the real fireworks will take place. That seems like such a long way off, but maybe I just had a really long January (thanks in large part to the Sabres).

by Philaster on Jan 31, 2012 1:36 PM EST up reply actions

Ennis back

So, TBN is reporting that Ennis is back tonight and playing his natural position, center. Is there a reason that Ruff doesn’t keep players in the position they were best at when they were drafted and instead moves them around? I seem to recall him having Roy on LW with Drury and Grier when he first got called up, too. Wouldn’t it make sense that the position they played in juniors/college is where they have the best chance to succeed and are more likely to play instinctually? This is especially troubling when Buffalo hasn’t drafted many centers in the past 5-10 years.

by bstoos on Jan 31, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions

Ennis is too small to play Center in the NHL

Roy and Ennis both did in juniors, but it’s a different game in the NHL – players are a lot bigger and faster. Besides, Lindy likes his centers to do a lot of backchecking and it took him awhile to trust Roy to do that. Ennis isn’t there yet.
Not saying I disagree but that is the thinking on why they don’t have those players playing Center. The question is why were such small centers drafted. The answer is probably that that was what was available when the Sabres were picking.

by Philaster on Jan 31, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

.

That’s kind of what I figured, but I don’t necessarily agree with doing it. Aren’t there other small centers in the NHL? I don’t remember LaFontaine or Briere being overly big but they both were adequate centers.

by bstoos on Jan 31, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I know Skinner

plays some center on occasion

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

I wonder about Briere, as he always played with Hecht, and I’ve noticed Hecht often “plays” center in the defensive zone even when he’s not lining up there. I’d have to watch some old tape to check, though.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 31, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

At the same time

they still need to play the Center position, young and small or not.

flayed ones stealth mode

by mob16151 on Jan 31, 2012 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Being the superstitious type ...

I think we should call the gamethread a “lossthread:” again …

by sabre74kkn on Jan 31, 2012 3:50 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

We should do it for the rest of the season, especially the road games.

OPERATION TANK IS A GO. It’s the only explanation for Mike Weber. He’s on a secret mission.

by Ubiquitous on Jan 31, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

I totally agreed.

by Philaster on Jan 31, 2012 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll 3rd this motion.

"If we needed any more motivation to win a Cup sooner than later, we've got one now," Black said. "I really want to listen to the game that RJ calls when he finally gets to shout out, 'Buffalo wins the Stanley Cup.'"
"Do it or Die Trying."

by FloridaBuffalo on Jan 31, 2012 6:44 PM EST up reply actions