It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Thomas Vanek

#26 / Left Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 208

Born: Jan 19, 1984

Key Stat:  Vanek had 211 shots-on-goal this season and was third on the team.  His shooting percentage was a remarkable 19%, good for first on the team and fourth in the entire NHL.

Interesting Stat:  There is no question that Vanek is the best goal scorer on the entire team and possibly one of the best in the league.  Despite being a top offensive player he was only 1-for-6 in shootout attempts.

Fun Fact:  Vanek was named the Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player in the 2003 NCAA Frozen Four National Championship.  Vanek scored the game winning overtime goal against Michigan in the Semi-Final and the game winning goal in the final against New Hampshire.  The tournament was held at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo.

Line Combos:

1. Derek Roy - Drew Stafford (1111 shifts - 11 points)
2. Jochen Hecht - Jason Pominville (571 shifts - 4 points)
3. Tim Connolly - Drew Stafford (420 shifts - 5 points)
4. Tim Connolly - Jason Pominville (336 shifts - 6 points)
5. Ales Kotalik - Derek Roy (312 shifts - 2 points)

The Good:  Offense, Offense, Offense.  Thomas Vanek is by far the best pure goal scorer on the Buffalo Sabres.  He led the team with a total of 40 goals and added 24 assists for a total of 64 points.  He was only third on the team with 211 shots but led with a 19% shooting percentage.  Anyone else think he could easily score 50 goals if he shot the puck more?

Vanek is at his best when the Sabres on the power play.  How often do we here about special teams?  Vanek makes the Sabres that much better with the man advantage.  He had 20 goals and 6 assists for 26 points on the power play and he had 18 goals and 18 assists when at even strength.

Vanek scored 1.15 goals/60 minutes on the ice and the Sabres scored 3.19 goals/60 minutes on the ice.  The 3.19 goals for/60 minutes on the ice is almost a full goal(0.80) more than when he is not on the ice. 

Most players put up better stats on home ice but for Vanek it is the opposite.  He had 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points at home but had 23 goals and 12 assists for 35 points on the road.  He played 37 road games and 36 home games so the number of games was not a factor.

The Bad:  For all the offense that Vanek brings, he is a liability in the defensive zone.  The Sabres score 3.19 goals/60  minutes Vanek is on the ice but they allow the same 3.19 goals/60  minutes on ice.   Vanek finished the season as a minus one despite having excellent offensive stats.

For a big guy Vanek plays a soft game.  He isn't afraid to take a hit but seems reluctant to deliver hits.  He had only 34 hits which was 16th on the team.

2008-2009 Salary:  $8,000,000

2009-2010 Status: Signed for $6,400,000

Vote:  It's time to grade Vanek for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  Does Vanek have the potential to be a 50 goal scorer?  What aspect of the game would you like to see Vanek improve?  Knowing what we know now...would you agree that Darcy Regier made the right decision to match the Edmonton Oilers offer sheet two seasons ago?

Up Next:  Final Grades

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Henrik Tallinder

#10 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-3

Weight: 214

Born: Jan 10, 1979

Key Stat:  Three years ago Henrik Tallinder was one of the Sabres two best defensemen.  This season he averaged only 18:25 of ice time which was fifth among defensemen on the team.

Interesting Stat:  His only goal of the season was a game winner against the St. Louis Blues on November 12, 2008.

The Good:  Tallinder has always been known for is defense and not his offense.  He finished the season fourth on the team with 81 blocked shots. 

Although is ice time was down this year in comparison to years past he was still one of the Sabres best penalty killers.  He averaged 2:43 of short handed time per game on a unit that raned number 14 in the league.  The Sabres allowed a total of 61 power play goals and only 18 of them were scored with Tallinder on the ice.

The Bad:  Tallinder finished the season as a -2 which was the first time he had a minus rating since 2002-2003.  The team scored only 2.40 goals/60 minutes when he was on the ice in comparison to 2.64 when he is off the ice.  They allow 2.59 goals/60  minutes when he is on the ice and they allow only 2.46 goals / 60  minutes when he is off the ice.

He also had a knack for giving away the puck this season.  He had 47 giveaways which was sixth on the team while only having 17 takeaways. 

For a big defenseman he plays a soft game.  He has never been known to be physical but this season he had only 48 hits.  It seems his injuries may have caught up with him causing him to be tentative along the boards and battling in the corners.

2008-2009 Salary:  $2,900,000

2009-2010 Status: Signed for $3,250,000

Vote:  It's time to grade Tallinder for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  There is speculation that the Sabres may try to trade Tallinder in the off-season.  If you were Dracy Regier would you try to trade him or hope he regains his old form?   What is his best asset as a player?  What is his biggest weakness?

Up Next:  Thomas Vanek

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Drew Stafford

#21 / Right Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 202

Born: Oct 30, 1985

Key Stat:  Stafford was in his third season as a professional and set a career high for goals (20), assists (25) and points (45).

Interesting Stat:  Stafford had one fight this season against Jonathon Ericsson and was credited the loser at hockeyfights.com.  Stafford has had one fight each season since joining the Sabres and he lost all three including a fight against Ilya Kovalchuk in 2007-2008.

Line Combos:

1. Derek Roy - Thomas Vanek (1111 shifts - 10  points)
2. Clarke MacArtur - Derek Roy (490 shifts - 4 points)
3. Tim Connolly - Thomas Vanek (420 shifts - 3 points)
4. Jochen Hecht - Derek Roy (355 shifts - 1 point)
5. Nathan Gerbe - Derek Roy (306 shifts - 2 points)

The Good:  Stafford became an offensive player this season with career highs in every offensive category.  Of his 20 goals he scored 11 even strength goals and nine power play goals.  He played most of the season on the Sabres top line with Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek.

Stafford was one of the few Sabres to finish the season with a plus rating.  He was a +3 at the end of the season.  More importantly the Sabres scored 2.66 goals for every 60 minutes Stafford was on the ice and they allowed only 2.30 goals for every 60 minutes.   When Stafford is not on the ice the Sabres scored 2.41 / 60 minutes and allowed the same.

The Bad:  Stafford was rather inconsistent this season.  He often went on point streaks but then fell of the radar for weeks at a time.  He even found himself in the press box for three games as a healthy scratch.

Stafford is also criticized for not being physical enough.  He finished the season with 80 hits which was seventh on the team.

Although he is better with the puck than some of his teammates he finished the season as a -6 in the giveaway/takeaway ratio.  He gave the puck away a total of 30 times this season.

2008-2009 Salary:  $984,200

2009-2010 Status: Restricted Free Agent

Vote:  It's time to grade Stafford for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  Do you think Stafford will receive an offer-sheet from another team?  Did he play his way out of Buffalo because he will earn too much money?  What is the biggest strength and biggest weakness in his game?

Next Up: Henrik Tallinder

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Jaroslav Spacek

#6 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 5-11

Weight: 204

Born: Feb 11, 1974

Key Stat:  There was no denying that the Sabres were a better team with Spacek on the ice than they were when he was off the ice.  Spacek not only led all defensemen in goals and assists but the Sabres scored 2.95 goals for 60 minutes that he was on the ice.  Overall they were a +0.29 for every 60 minutes that he was on te ice and the team was -0.20 whe he was off te ice.

Interesting Stat:  Spacek has played nine seasons with six different teams and his 37 assists this season are a career high.  He came close when he had 36 in Columbus during the 2002-2003 season.

The Good:  There was a reason that we voted Spacek as the teams best defenseman this season.  He led all defensemen in goals with eight, assists with 37 and points with 45.  I already chronicled the teams statistics when he is on the ice.

He also led all defensemen in other categories.  He was tops in shots on goal with 130 (7th on team), he led the entire team with 22:17 of ice time per game and his 3:41 average power play ice time was more than any other defenseman.

As good as Spacek played at even strength he was even more important on the power play.  His stat line was almost identical between 5-on-5 and the power play.  At even strength he scored four goals, 19 assists for a total of 23 points.  On the power play he scored four goals and had 18 assists for 22 points.

Spacek was also second on the team with a total of 126 blocked shots.

The Bad:  Spacek led in many offensive categories but his play in his own zone could use some improvement.  Although the Sabres are a plus team when he is on the ice they allow 2.62 goals/60ON and they allow only 2.42 goals/60OFF. 

Despite leading the way in goals scored his shooting percentage was not as high as he would like it to be.  He fired 130 shots on goal which was seventh on the team but he was 11th in goals scored.

Puck possesion is a key part of the game and the Sabres struggle in that area.  Spacek gave the puck away 70 times this season which is behind only Derek Roy.  He was a

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Andrej Sekera

#44 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 191

Born: Jun 08, 1986

Key Stats:  Sekera missed 12 games due to injury and was a healthy scratch for one game.  He found himself in the press box for inconsistent play near the end of the season.

Interesting Stat:  Sekera had 19 points all season but he started out the season like a ball of fire.  He had eight assists in the first 12 games of the season before cooling off.

The Good:  Sekera proved that he can be a good NHL defenseman by the way he began the season.  He also proved that he could be a good player in his own zone y blocking 94 shots.  His 94 shots blocked was the third best on the team.

He also found ways to stay out of the penalty box with only 11 minor penalties the entire season.  He did that while playing 20:42 per game which was fourth on the team.

The Bad:  Sekera proved to everyone that he was a rookie.  He started strong but seemed to lose confidence very quickly.  His lack of confidence led to him finishing the season as a team worst minus 11.  He finished at a minus 11 despite being a plus six in the final three games. 

His inexperience was evident when he had the puck as well.  He turned the puck over 47 times which was fifth most on the team.  He was a minus 28 total in the takeaway/giveaway category.

2008-2009 Salary:  $659,000

2009-2010 Status: Restricted Free Agent

Vote:  It's time to grade Sekera for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  Should the Sabres re-sign Sekera as a Restricted Free Agent?  Are you worried that Sekera will never regain the form he had when the season began?  Sekera played most with Jaro Spacek last season, was that a help to him or did it set hi back defensively?

Next Up: Jaro Spacek

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Derek Roy

#9 / Center / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 5-9

Weight: 188

Born: May 04, 1983

Key Stats:  Derek Roy has become the Sabres best player over the past couple of seasons.  He led the team in points with 70.  It was the second consecutive season that he led the way in points.

Interesting Stat:  Roy has built a reputation as a diver and sometimes doesn't get calls that he thinks he should get.  He definitely gets some calls because he is a plus 22 penalty plus/minus.

Fun Fact:  Let's try something different here and post a video for the fun fact.  It looks like Roy is a fan of Pearl Jam. {Hat tip to Goose's Roost for the pointer}

Line Combos:

1. Drew Stafford - Thomas Vanek (1111 shifts - 13 points)
2. Clarke MacArthur - Drew Stafford (490 shifts - 5 points)
3. Jochen Hecht - Drew Stafford (355 shifts - 2 points)
4. Jochen Hecht - Jason Pominville (346 shifts - 4 points)
5. Ales Kotalik - Thomas Vanek (312 shifts -1 point)

The Good:  Roy has quickly developed into the Sabres best all-around offensive player.  He was second on the team in goals and assists and led the team in points with 70.  Roy was also second on the team with 221 shots on goal.

Roy is a fast skater and he always finds away to get the puck on his stick.  He led the team with a total of 52 takeaways.

His first couple of seasons in the league were a struggle for Roy, especially in the face-off circle.  As the teams top-line Center he is asked to take many face-offs and the past two seasons he has finished better than 50%.

He scored nine power play goals and led the team in power play ice time, averaging 4:05 of power play time.

You can never discount his knack for drawing opponents into penalties.  Many people will still say that he is a diver and that is why he gets the calls but the only thing that matters is the power play opportunities.

The Bad:  Roy has been a plus player in every season except his rookie season until this year.  Roy finished the season as a minus five which was one of the worst on the team.  The two players that Roy played the most with were Stafford and Vanek.  He was a plus seven when on the ice with Stafford and he was a minus three when he played with Vanek.  That is an interesting stat to follow into next season because that line was known as the Sabres best line.

Roy became prolific at taking the puck away but he was just as prolific at giving it away.  Roy turned the puck over a remarkable 100 times which was by far the worst on the team.  He was a miius 48 in giveaway/takeaway ratio which was the second worst on the entire team.

2008-2009 Salary:  $3,500,000

2009-2010 Status: signed for $3,500,000

Vote:  It's time to grade Roy for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:   When Roy signed his contract a couple of seasons ago there were people on both sides of the fence.  With hindsight being 20-20 would you say that he is worth the contract that he signed?  Should Lindy Ruff try to keep the line of Vanek-Roy-Stafford together next season?  What is the one thing you would change about Derek Roy?

Next Up: Andrej Sekera

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Craig Rivet

#52 / Defenseman / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-2

Weight: 210

Born: Sep 13, 1974

Key Stat:  Rivet was brought into Buffalo to be a physical force on the blue line.  This was an area that the Sabres had targeted as a need last off-season.  Rivet was credited with only 57 its which was 10th on the entire team.

Interesting Stat:  Rivet had a total of five fights this season and according to hockeyfights.com he was victorious in every decision.  On February 2, 2009 he fought twice against the Anaheim Ducks.  He beat Corey Perry and Steve Montador and both fights occurred in the second period.

The Good:  When Rivet is on the ice, opponents can't seem to score.  He finished the season as a plus four which was tied for third on the team.  He did it while playing over 20 minutes a game.  He averaged 20:14 of ice time per game which is good for fifth on the team.

He seemed to have perfect chemistry with rookie defenseman Chris Butler.  Maybe it was the veteran presence combined with the rookie that made them so good but they were the Sabres most consistent defensive pair.  The Sabres scored a total of 14 goals when Butler and Rivet were on the ice together while allowing only 10 goals.

As a team leader it was important that Rivet prove to his teammates that he would be there to defend them.  He did just that with his five fights and five victories.

Rivet is always talked about defensively but he adds another dimension to the Sabres offense as well.  He scored only two goals and had only 24 points this season but the team scored when he was on the ice.  The Sabres scored a total of 2.62 goals/60 minutes on ice for Rivet.  That was second among defensemen on the team, only Jaro Spacek had a better total than him.

The Bad:  Rivet had his struggles with the puck this season.  He had a total of 36 giveaways which was tied for the sixth most on the team.  It was his minus 13 giveaway/takeaway ratio that was the most disturbing. 

His total of 57 hits on the season was much lower than anyone could have predicted.  Rivet certainly didn't back away from pysical contact but he didn't initiate it as much as we thought he would when arriving in Buffalo.

He had a total of 73 blocked shots which was good for fifth on the team but also fifth among defensemen.  This is a stat that holds a lot of weight in Buffalo.  Everyone remembers Jay McKee when he was in Buffalo and loved the way he sacrificed his body.  Everyone would like to see Rivet increase this number to be closer to the top two or three defensemen.

2008-2009 Salary:  $3,500,000

2009-2010 Status: signed for $3,500,000

Vote:  It's time to grade Rivet for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  Were you surprised last summer when the Sabres traded to get Rivet?  Were you surprised when he was named captain?  Do you think that Rivet is worth the $3.5 million he is making?  Do you see him paying the entire season along side Chris Butler this year?

Next Up: Derek Roy

It's time to put the finishing touches on the 2008-2009 season for the Buffalo Sabres.  Here is a complete report card of every single player that played a significant amount of time with the Sabres this season.  Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.

Jason Pominville

#29 / Right Wing / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 6-0

Weight: 186

Born: Nov 30, 1982

Key Stat:  Pominville is a key part of the Sabres power play that was seventh in the entire league.  The Sabres scored 43 goals when he was on the ice with a man advantage (more than any other player on the team).

Interesting Stat:  Pominville played more time with Jochen Hecht than any other player on he team.  The Sabres were a minus 14 when Pominville and Hecht were on the ice at the same time.  They scored only 16 goals when they were on the ice while allowing 30 goals.

Fun Fact:  Although he was raised in Canada he is eligible to play for the Americans in International play because his mother is American.

Line Combos:

1. Jochen Hecht - Thomas Vanek (571 shifts - 4 points)
2. Tim Connolly - Jochen Hecht (404 shifts - 3 points)
3. Paul Gaustad - Jochen Hecht (371 shifts - 2 points)
4. Tim Connolly - Clarke MacArthur (370 shifts - 7 points)
5. Jochen Hecht - Derek Roy (346 shifts - 4 points)
6. Tim Connolly - Thomas Vanek (336 shifts - 7 points)

The Good:  Pominville has played three full seasons with the Sabres and this season was his third consecutive season scoring at least 20 goals.  He also contributed six power play goals for the Sabres.

Many of the top offensive players in the league are prone to giveaways but Pominville was a plus four in giveaway/takeaway ratio.  He had a total of 43 takeaways and only gave the puck away 39 times.

Pominville signed a five year contract extension before last season began but he played this season earning just over one million dollars.  His 66 points made him the most cost efficient player on the team, earning just $15,657 per point this season.

The Bad:  Although this was his third consecutive 20 goals season, it was his lowest goal output in that time frame.  His 20 goals were seven less than he scored last season and 14 goals less than he had in the 2006-2007 season.

His lower goal total was not because of a lack of opportunity.  He played an average of 19:45 per game which was sixth on the team and second among forwards.  He also led the team with 239 shots on goal.

He had combined for a plus 41 over the two previous seasons but this season he finished as a minus four. 

2008-2009 Salary:  $1,033,333

2009-2010 Status: signed for $5,000,000

Vote:  It's time to grade Pominville for his play in Buffalo during the  2008-2009 season.  Every player has expectations so vote based on those expectations.  If a player played to their potential they should receive a "C" if they exceeded expectations they would receive a "B" or an "A".

Discuss:  How much of his struggles were because of playing on a line with Jochen Hecht?  Will he ever live up to his five-year $25 million contract?  Will he ever be a 30 goal scorer again?

Next Up: Craig Rivet