Big Ville Style

by Ned Naukam on Feb 3, 2012 10:00 AM EST

Ville Leino has been far from the most popular Sabre this season. His 4G/8A in his first 40 games, while going -8, has not complemented his $6 million salary very well. His play has represented the Sabres: high expectations, poor performance. However, while some players crack under pressure, some players rise to the occasion and play on another level in big pressure situations. Big Ville is a big game player.

Leino hasn't had a regular season that justifies his contract. Last season was the first time he registered more than 11 points. In 81 games, mostly playing on a line with Briere and Hartnell, he managed 19G/34A/53P. Steve Rucchin consistently put up big numbers playing between Selanne and Kariya. That's not to say that Briere and Hartnell are as good as those two were in their prime, but points are largely affected by linemates. One 53 point season while playing with two strong players does not earn a $27 million contract.

What Ville Leino has done to justify a big contract is have a huge postseason. In 19 games in the 2009-10 playoffs, he put up 7G/14A/21P, with 2 GWG, while helping the Flyers reach the Finals. Beyond his stats, coach Peter Laviolette had him playing big minutes. In game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, in addition to scoring the game tying goal in the third period, Leino led all forwards in ice time in the Flyer's overtime win, playing 23:12. Leino didn't just play more than Briere, Richards, Carter, and Giroux, he played more than Toews and Kane as well. Those kinds of performances, though in a fairly small number of games, made him a desirable free agent.

The Sabres signed Ville Leino for his play in important games, to be a reliable and strong force in the playoffs. Given that the Sabres are currently 10 points out of a playoff spot with 31 games to play, every game for the rest of the season should have a playoff intensity. The Sabres have looked hungry the last two games, and with the increase in intensity, Leino's play has improved. He scored a big goal in Montreal and actually looked effective. A more qualified opinion, that of Lindy Ruff, played Leino 21:09 against the Canadiens, second among forwards to Pominville's 21:33. Against the Rangers, Leino logged only 16:06 of ice time, but shot fifth in the shootout. Leino is out of Ruff's dog house, and he looks primed to finish the season strong.

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Him?

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by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Feb 3, 2012 10:15 AM EST reply actions

Too much of a hotdog

If Leino would concentrate on charging the net and looking for teammates to pass the puck to instead of figure skating and making unnecessary and purposeless moves which do not fool the opposition, he would be far more successful and a real asset to the team.

by Geolover on Feb 3, 2012 10:26 AM EST reply actions

I agree. Ville is a great role player who would have gotten overpaid one way or the other last year. I hope he’s worth it someday. Also, Kate is going to hate this one.

by Philaster on Feb 3, 2012 10:31 AM EST reply actions

what do girls know about hockey?

by buzzin on Feb 3, 2012 10:54 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

I hope she will be wrong someday…while he is an under performer currently, he still has not completed 10% of his total contract. Hopefully he will gain comfort in the “system” and become a more productive player in future years. I have liked his play within the last few weeks though; I think he is really starting to pick it up.

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

by bgred105 on Feb 3, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

if his production continues along this path, leino may be one of the biggest contract busts of all time (win for him, fail for the sabres).

by magecanuck on Feb 3, 2012 11:58 AM EST reply actions

True, but I think that misses the larger picture. Anyone not named Pominville and Vanek has not really produced much this year for the Sabres. Not coincidentally, those two players have consistently played together all year. The problem is teamwide and Leino’s lack of production is more a symptom than a cause. If the Sabres pair Leino with a competent Center, he’ll be fine. What I don’t really get was thinking that Leino himself was going to be a Center.

by Philaster on Feb 3, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Problem is...

they brought him in to be that competent center. Complete bust. Should be waived. Fans should start a collection to help buy out his contract.

Do you believe in miracles? YES!

by Up State NY on Feb 3, 2012 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

If he's brought in to play a position that he's never played in the NHL how is that his fault?

He’s not a bad player. There are other Sabres who deserve to be waived far more.

by Philaster on Feb 5, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

It’s far too early to fully demonize Leino. Obviously he’s been a bust so far, but he’s got another 5.5 years to prove us wrong. Let’s hope it ends better than it starts.

That said, Leino’s poor production and his inability to play center for $27M is probably the best argument to fire Reiger.

by kallinan on Feb 3, 2012 2:21 PM EST reply actions

If the biggest argument to fire Darcy is an under-performer (so far) with a $4.5M cap-hit

then the argument to fire Darcy is very weak.

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

by Ogre39666 on Feb 3, 2012 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

At the time I thought Leino’s contract was tolerable, considering the similar contract Erik Cole got from the Habs. I preferred Leino at the time, but now every time I see him play, I think “We could have had Erik Cole…”

Tomas Fleischmann was the other comparable forward last year who got a similar contract (which he has played up to). I don’t know if the fact that we got Ville is bad luck, bad scouting, or both.

by paulmm3 on Feb 3, 2012 4:41 PM EST reply actions

Fleischman is getting top-line minutes.

Something he wouldn’t be getting on other teams who have more then 3 good forwards.

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

by Ogre39666 on Feb 3, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Ville

He’s Overpaid, Over Hyped and over Here, still. That’s the problem. He isn’t earning his pay check.

by markw6239 on Feb 3, 2012 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Right...

He shot 5th in the shoot-out and proceeded to not put a move on the goal-tender until the puck was half way into the blue ice of the goalie’s crease. His biggest problem is that he won’t shoot. I go hoarse screaming at my tv begging him for the love of Christ to shoot the MF-ing puck. But he’ll dance and dangle and get parallel to the net and flip some flimsy pass to nothing and no one. Or he’ll go behind the net with the puck and be that prototypical ‘tough’ European (note sever sarcasm) and get knocked off the puck with no effort and then it’s coming right back at us. The smartest thing they could do would be to waive him and when no other team in the NHL claims him buy him out at his reduced rate, cut the losses.

Do you believe in miracles? YES!

by Up State NY on Feb 3, 2012 6:30 PM EST reply actions

No.

You can’t just buy Leino out.

2012-13: -$100,000
2013-14: $1,900,000
2014-15: $1,900,000
2015-16: $2,400,000
2016-17: $2,400,000
2017-18: $1,400,000
2018-19: $1,400,000
2019-20: $1,400,000
2020-21: $1,400,000
2021-22: $1,400,000

You’d lose between $1.4m and $2.4m in valuable cap space per year.

I wouldn’t suggest dumping Leino in the minors either. IMO, That just shows an ineptitude of leadership and a lack of patience within the organization. “I know we’re just 51 games into a 492 game contract, but you’re playing poorly so you have to go.” What free agent would want to sign with Buffalo if they think that after they have a bad stretch of games they’ll be buried in the minors.

What if Leino started his time with the Sabres with a bang and the hit a rough 40-50 games with limited production and had a couple injuries, would we still want him catapulted into the sun? It’s understandable to be frustrated with a player who is earning $4.5m per season and only has 12points after 40 games. But to yell and scream for this player to be dumped in year 1 of a 6 year contract is ridiculous. Who else on the Sabres not named Vanek or Pominville has produced to their contract this year. Ville Leino’s production is less a Ville Leino problem and more par for the course of what the Sabres have done this season. If you want to dump Leino then you should want to dump Roy, Stafford, Adam, Gerbe, Gaustad, Boues, Hecht, Kaleta, Ennis, etc etc wait.. nevermind

I didn’t think Leino was worth the huge contract he was given when they signed him. But I’m not going to give up on him just yet. At $4.5m per season, if he gives the Sabres 50 points a season for the next 5 years I’ll be somewhat happy. He’s starting to play better and as he gets more comfortable I think he production will increase. Until then keep yelling “Shoot.” Maybe he’ll hear you.

"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 Feb 3, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs

If Roy and Stafford actually did what they were supposed to Leino’s numbers would be much better too.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Feb 4, 2012 1:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm all for...

dumping Boyes. From what I’m reading Gaustad and Hecht are on their way out. I’m open to offers for Roy and Ennis. Stafford, Gerbe, Adam and Kaleta are safe in my book. Stafford needs a real center so he can park in front of the net and do what he does best. Adam was exceling when playing w/ Vanek and should have been left alone. Gerbe and Kaleta are the only ones hustling out there so that earns them a pass.

Do you believe in miracles? YES!

by Up State NY on Feb 4, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

I can’t believe you’re that critical of Boyes and Leino but you’re willing to give Stafford and Adam a pass. Stafford rivals Sting in his inability to finish. He’s getting his chances – he just can’t cash them to save his life. If he did, he’d have 25 goals already this season. Adam STOPPED getting top line minutes, even after Ruff put him with Vanek, because he’s a complete defensive liability. I think there’s an argument that Adam isn’t being used the best by Ruff, but he hasn’t exactly been earning his icetime.

by Philaster on Feb 5, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions