Buffalo Sabres Daily Links: Time To Make A Playoff Run Edition

by Zachary Zielonka on Feb 21, 2012 6:34 AM EST in Daily Links

Lindy Ruff is still holding out hope that the Buffalo Sabres can still make a run for the playoffs, much like they did last year. It is possible, they are seven points out of a playoff spot with 23 games left, but they also have to leap frog six teams in the process. Besides, wouldn't we all rather compete for the lottery pick rather than the playoffs? Onto the links.

- The talk about Paul Gaustad being traded has gotten louder in the last couple of days. [Sabres Edge]

- What could the Buffalo Sabres get out of Brad Boyes? [Two In The Box]

- Has Thomas Vanek passed the eye test in the last few games? [The Hosers]

- Buffalo Sports Nation remembers the Earl of Bud [Buffalo Sports Nation]

- Do you want to become an NHL insider? The folks at On The Forecheck have a reliable system for you to follow [On The Forecheck]

- Former head of the NHLPA Paul Kelly has resigned from College Hockey Inc. [Buzzing The Net]

- The Flyers apparently aren't interested in Rick Nash but the Rangers seem to be in the drivers seat [PHT]

- The NHL becomes a meat market during the weeks leading up to the trade deadline [Sports Illustrated]

- Nashville extends general manage David Poile through the 2014-15 season [PHT]

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Besides, wouldn’t we all rather compete for the lottery pick rather than the playoffs?

Um…no? Look, I realize this team isn’t winning the Cup this year, but I know there is nothing like playoff hockey with the Sabres. Without the Sabres…meh. Plus, if they manage to leapfrog 6 teams and gain 7 points in 23 games, I like their chances of winning a round or 2. Now, if the two options are (and I actually get to choose) make the playoffs or fall just short, I would rather them tank it. Still, I just can’t bring myself to want to give up my glimmer of hope just yet. If they lose 2 of the next three? OK, then I want them to tank it.

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

by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 21, 2012 6:59 AM EST reply actions

the two options should read: Make a playoff run AND just fall short, OR tank it.

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

by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 21, 2012 7:53 AM EST up reply actions

I think there's only 1 option

Make. Team. Better.
Draft, trades, jettison bad contracts, make a playoff run, anything it takes.

"Slide DiMaggio, slide!" "Hey, my name isn't DiMaggio, my name is mm..mmmm...mmm....mud."

by cmat on Feb 21, 2012 8:24 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

great answer

and its really the only answer; everything else falls into place.

The chemestry of this team should be a focal point to fix/correct.

"Will&Work2Win"coach Karma420

by Blood, sweat & Win on Feb 21, 2012 8:30 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed

By competing for the playoffs, the team gets better, whether they fall short or not, they will continue to learn what it takes to make it. As an islanders fan i am hearing similar conversation amongst our fans. KEEP THE PLAYOFF DREAM ALIVE. to build character if nothing else.

The sleeper must awaken.

by Tim Seleski on Feb 21, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

But you guys have a young team who is growing together. We just spent to the cap in this past season and fell flat on our faces. Moving a few pieces when we are 15th in the Eastern Conference is not exactly a bad move considering how we have looked for the majority of this year.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 21, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

Man, that Earl of Bud talk takes me way back. Him and Conehead are legends

by buzzin on Feb 21, 2012 9:30 AM EST reply actions

Baseball games as a kid at the Rockpile, it was great when Earl of Bud or Conehead were patrolling your section. Great memories.

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Feb 21, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Prospects vs Draft picks

If the Sabres actually become sellers at the deadline would it be better if the Sabres when they trade a player that they get a prospect or a draft pick in return? For example, rumor is that Detroit is interested in Goose. Would it be better for the Sabres to get a 1st, or 2nd round pick or would it be better to get a player that Detroit has drafted in the past? I was thinking like a player like Riley Sheahan who is currently playing at Notre Dame or Calle Jarnkrok out of Sweden.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 21, 2012 9:34 AM EST reply actions

Hard to tell. Looking at hockey futures, it shows that our best prospect was last years first round pick Joel Armia (8.0 C). Instead of getting a draft pick, could we get a prospect rated that high? Sheahen is rated a 7.0 C, value wise he might match a straight up deal for Goose. Now Darcy may ask for an additional draft pick as well, but I am all for replacing a traded player with another warm body in the minors.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 21, 2012 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

Darcy was openly very interested in Sheahen when he was drafted a few years ago to the point where I think he said that he would have taken him if he were available, but the Red Wings drafted a few positions before the Sabres and nabbed him. Sheahen is supposed to be a great chemistry guy. Don’t jump down my throat but I heard the comparisons with Drury at the time, but he hasn’t been nearly as prolific in college as Drury was in college (hard to do as Drury won the Hobey Baker). Pysyk has actually ended up as a better prospect I would say. But at the same time, he’s a 6-2 210 lb Center. Sounds pretty good to me as a prospect. I’d definitely offer Gaustad for him and see if they’d bite.

by Philaster on Feb 21, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

I like Riley Sheahen because he is a big center that is something they lack. If we somehow could resign Goose in the off season, what a coup!!! He is also from St. Catherines so he is a local boy. Wouldn`t mind a look @ Jarnkrok, he is a playmaking center who is close to a pt/game in Sweden. Playmaking center with skill ala Ville Leino and I don`t mean that in a bad way . I`m thinking if it`s me, I would rather take the prospect than the pick because you have a better feel on what you`re getting.

I also wouldn`t mind seeing us getting someone to help out in Rochester and help them with their playoff run. I think a playoff run in Rochester would help our prospects.

by BUBLSRM on Feb 21, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Jump down your throat?

If he is anything like Drury, I would say he is a good player to have. I wouldn’t mind getting a good prospect for Goose instead of a 2nd round pick; at least a prospect is farther along in their development where they can be more safely projected to a NHL roster.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 21, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

It will largely depend on how the FO views the talent in the draft after the top bunch of guys.

It seems Darcy loves Sheahan so it might not matter either way, but if the prospect they’re looking at is graded lower than what they expect to be available in the draft, then they probably take the pick.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
2012 Amazin' Avenue Offseason Plan: 2nd place

by Ogre39666 on Feb 21, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

Two in the Box make (makes?) a good point – even if all they can get for Boyes is a 4th round pick, it replaces the 4th they gave up for Erhoff. They should be able to get a 4th for him, right?

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 21, 2012 9:39 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think so….but I’ll explain this more in my article in 20 minutes.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 21, 2012 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Haha Zach

I just noticed you used the same photo for the daily links as I do for what I wrote today. That is a cool pic either way.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 21, 2012 9:41 AM EST reply actions

Any interest in Mike Ribeiro?

I’ve always liked him. Playmaking Center just like we need.
I know he is sometimes more flash than substance but provided Lindy gives him top 6 mins and consistent linemates he could fill a very big need for us.

by JSCoope on Feb 21, 2012 4:50 PM EST reply actions