Author: Chris Ostrander

Sabres call up Finley, get meaner on the blueline

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The enormous bottles aren't that noticeable in your hands, especially when you're 6'8".

The Sabres started the year with far too many wingers and a plethora of offensive defensemen. While the lack of centers and overabundance of wingers remains a fringe issue, the blueline has gotten a sudden dose of nasty.

In light of Jordan Leopold’s upper body injury, suffered yesterday against the Islanders, the Sabres have called up Joe Finley from the AHL.

Finley was a training camp invitee who had a strong showing in camp before signing a minor-league deal with the Amerks. Since then the former Capitals first round pick (27th overall in the 2005 Crosby draft) has blown up. By all accounts he has been a rock on the blueline and a steady shutdown force. He was rewarded with a two-way deal earlier this week.

Did I mention he is 6’8” and 260 pounds? No? Well now I did.

I was a fan of Finley back when he played at North Dakota. He is a big, nasty guy who is a shutdown defender. Just the type of attitude the Sabres need. Calling him up for Friday is kind of a risky move. The guy has gone through some tough times due to injuries before blossoming with the Sabres organization. I would hate to see him rushed along too fast only to halt the progress he has made to this point.

Considering the impressive NHL debut T.J. Brennan made last week, Finley must be showing considerable promise in the AHL. For a strong-skating big man with a serious mean streak, Finley has promise. He also has yet to see the NHL and has had a tumultuous journey to this point. Finley’s NHL debut shouldn’t be overly scrutinized, just be excited if he shows the ability to fit in at this level.

Cutting to the core of the Sabres problems

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Is the same attitude from the same players (like Roy and Stafford) a major cause to the Sabres' problems?

There are plenty of questions surrounding the Buffalo Sabres as the month of December begins. This is a team that has managed to float around the Eastern Conference playoff picture – albeit the bottom of the playoff picture – despite shortcomings at home, injuries and a lack of depth scoring.

The Sabres – 1-3-1 in their last five – have had their fair share of struggles at home this season and have now begun to struggle no matter where they play. Buffalo opened November on a  4-2-0 run that included four home victories. Since losing Ryan Miller on November 12, the Sabres have gone 3-4-1. Two of those three victories came against teams which fired their coaches this week. Buffalo has not received any scoring from players not named Vanek and Pominville and it seems as if a gut check is in order for a team which has slid from the top of the conference to a two-point lead for a playoff position.

Regardless of Miller’s play this season, goaltending has been the least of Buffalo’s worries. Both Miller and Enroth have played admirably (save for two games by Miller) and the numbers show for it. The Sabres were averaging three goals against per game up to, and including, the night they lost Miller. The 6-2 loss to the Bruins and the 6-5 OTW against Winnipeg inflate those numbers. Overall, the Sabres team GAA is 2.71 for the month. They have averaged only 2.64 GF in November.

What is the solution for a team that can’t seem to win at home, won’t back up their stars and can’t provide scoring support to their two studs who have accounted for 31% of the goal scoring this season. In fact, Adam, Pominville, Roy and Vanek account for 51% of the goal scoring this year. Perhaps it is time for a change in the makeup of this hockey club. Continue reading →

Double Minors: Sabres fall to East’s cellar dwellers

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Another day, another loss to a last place team. Make that another loss to a last place team while only scoring once. Obviously something isn’t going right down at First Niagara Center.

Last night’s catastrophe was a value game on the Sabres ticket pricing system, thank goodness for those who bought tickets. The first two periods were a snoozefest and only once did either team score – a NYI power play goal in the first.

The Sabres didn’t seem to have too much giddyup, despite being off since Saturday. Brayden McNabb continued to kill people, he and Robyn Regehr combined for six hits on the night. Once again, McNabb probably had more hits than the two allotted to him, but six is a good number for a nasty, mean defensive pairing.

This wasn’t one of those games where you could point to one or two moments and say “that is why the Sabres lost.” However, it was one of those games where the team was so flat you had to wonder if they cared to play the game at all. Certainly this group of players is professional enough to know each game in the NHL will be a battle, there really aren’t any throw away games. Maybe they’re not, I could be dead wrong.

Still, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville found their way to the scoresheet – even though it was by a goofy, bouncing pass to Jochen Hecht. Hecht did score his second of the season and Zack Kassian had a pretty decent fight in his third NHL game. Aside from that, and Jhonas Enroth, this team was bland, passionless and deserved to lose the game.

  • About that Zack Kassian fight, it was a pretty good one. Not sure who actually landed the most punches, but give Kassian credit for standing up for Nathan Gerbe and proving that he is going to be a capable fighter in this league. Kassian has shown a nice brand of tough hockey in these first three games, it certainly shows a lot of promise for the future. Oddly, this wasn’t the first time these two guys have fought.
  • Enroth was strong in net for Buffalo. It seemed like one of those games where he wasn’t quite in control, but made the saves he needed to make. I fear that will be one of his downfalls, his size will force him to play a reckless style at times, which may hurt him in the long haul. Still, he let his team hang around in a game where most didn’t seem to care about playing. It was another god effort from the young Swede as he has shown a bit of moxie since being yanked on Friday.
  • Brayden McNabb is a beast and he was a +1. Even though plus/minus is a ridiculous stat, the kid has been good in these first two games. Keep him up here as long as you like, dude has got game.
  • Ville Leino pretty much alienated any fans he had left with a brutal neutral zone giveaway and a subsequent miss on a yawning net. Yeah, the pass came at him quick and was in his feet. But for $4m+ on the cap, he needs to corral that one. It was nice to see him get back to the scoresheet Saturday, but we are getting to the point where you need to see more from him. If only he wasn’t stashed on the fourth line…
  • Derek Roy was kind of wasted between Kassian and Nathan Gerbe, just as Hecht is a waste on the top line with Vanek and Pominville. Lindy Ruff has been far too impatient with his lines this season. He has to be partly to blame for Leino’s struggles, he is handcuffing other productive forwards and now the goal scoring has all but evaporated.
  • Christian Ehrhoff’s adjustment period is officially over. He has come on in recent weeks and has come on hard. It reminds me of Brian Campbell’s coming-out party in the 2006 playoffs. Campbell was called upon to play big minutes and it turned him into an elite defenseman. It seems as if the same is true of Ehrhoff.

Three Stars

1. Al Montoya

2. Brian Rolston

3. Jochen Hecht

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Tote bags and a hockey documentary

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My friend Annmarie, a dedicated reader of 2ITB (I think) works for WNED. We did some work together during my time with the Sabres and Bandits and now she works for WNED. She wrote a pretty cool blog pumping WNED’s documentary Hockey: More Than A Game.

From what she wrote this seems like it is going to be a pretty comprehensive look at the game. I know that I was consulted on one tiny question regarding the film, I’m really hoping I make the credits as a production assistant, or something. I urge you to read her blog post, watch the documentary and buy a tote bag from the people who cut in half way through the show.

The likelihood that Ryan Miller could be traded

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The 2011-12 season has come with a fair share of ups and downs for Ryan Miller. He came out of the gates with numerous brilliant showings and looked poised to have a strong year. However, a few rough outings at home – capped by an early hook against the Flyers – turned things sour for the Sabres’ franchise goalie.

Just when he was working his way back to form he was sidelined with a concussion and neck issues following his collision with Milan Lucic. That was followed by a new trade rumor that has been pumped by Jim Matheson at the Edmonton Journal. Eric at 3rd Man In covered this when the story broke and he did a bang up job with it, no reason to re-hash any of his work.

The story here seems to be centered around two things; did Miller ask for a trade or is he simply open to a new situation? Because I haven’t specifically asked Carrie Underwood to divorce Mike Fisher to get together with me, I just wouldn’t mind if that happened. See what I did there? That is obviously apples and oranges, but the foundation is the same. There is a big difference between demanding a trade and being open to exploring elsewhere. Continue reading →

Reflecting on Ruff as two more coaches are gassed

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With another pair of coaches getting the axe in the NHL, Lindy Ruff has now seen 166 coaching changes since he began his career with the Sabres.

With the Washington Capitals canning Bruce Boudreau and the Carolina Hurricanes gassing Paul Maurice, Ruff’s longevity looks more and more impressive. While Ruff hasn’t reached the promised land yet, he is widely considered to be a coach who would get a job the minute he was to be fired. Despite some debate that his message may be growing tired, you can only point to the recently fired coaches as a testament to that argument being false. Continue reading →

The Morning Skate: Injured Sabres return against Isles

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The Sabres are expected to have three of their nine injured regulars back in the lineup when they face the New York Islanders tonight.

Patrick Kaleta, Robyn Regehr and Drew Stafford are all expected to return from injury this evening. Regehr is a definite, he was paired with Brayden McNabb at the morning skate and those two will form a physical pair on the blue line. According to the News, Ruff didn’t confirm if Kaleta and Stafford would be back. However, considering T.J. Brennan, Corey Tropp and Paul Szczechura were all returned to Rochester, it would seem as if those three will be back.

So it will be a slightly more familiar lineup tonight compared to the roster from Saturday. The Islanders have hit a rough patch which has forced them to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Their three headed goaltender situation has muddied the water a bit but it seems Al Montoya has come out for the better, his numbers are the most impressive compared to Nabokov and DiPietro.

It is good to see Zack Kassian and McNabb stay with the big club until the rest of the Sabres’ injuries are resolved. Kassian has shown a physical side to his game and McNabb is just mean on the ice. With that pair continuing that type of play, fans have to be excited for what is in store a year or two down the road.

Highlighted Matchup

Brayden McNabb/Robyn Regehr pairing. These two have the potential to be a prototypical shutdown pairing. McNabb showed significant puck skills in junior and with the Amerks. That skill set, plus his willingness to hit anyone around him, makes him a very attractive prospect. Obviously Regehr comes as advertised. I’m interested to see them together this evening.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Jhonas Enroth 14GP 8-3-1, 2.29 GAA, .9225 SV%

NYI: Al Montoya 8GP 3-3-1, 2.20 GAA, .929 SV%

Last Game

2/13/2011, HSBC Arena, Sabres 6 – Islanders 7 OT

Double Minors: Sabres win in a showdown of struggling payrolls

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The Sabres did it. They snapped their losing skid and kept pace in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race. All of this at home, a place where they are below .500 for the year.

A night after being badly outshot and outscored, the Sabres filled the net and made sure to show no mercy against another struggling club. Buffalo found a way to keep Jhonas Enroth clean and gave up few scoring chances, a major piece to the victory.

The rash of injuries the Sabres are suffering from didn’t affect the outcome for one night as both new call ups (Brayden McNabb and Paul Szczechura) had strong showings.

Lindy Ruff and his staff will need to find a way to keep his rookies in simple situations in order to keep them from making glaring mistakes.

Last night may end up being one of the last contest Bruce Boudreau coaches for Washington. It doesn’t seem like his message is getting through to his players nor are his players giving very much of an effort on the ice. They could be a team to watch if they get a coach who gets through to that ultra-talented roster.

  • Zack Kassian followed up one strong performance with a great one against the Captials. Not only did the big forward notch his first career NHL goal, he was engaged physically and showed many of the attributes that have Sabres fans salivating over his future. More big games from him will do wonders for his development and the team.
  • Brayden McNabb may break the streak of rookies to record points during their call up. However, it doesn’t really matter. He had a game high six hits and was generally angry. Looks like he may be a young Robyn Regehr in the making. Between T.J. Brennan and McNabb, Gragnani wouldn’t have a spot on this team if it were up to me.
  • Szczechura had a great night. He has to be hungry to get back in the league. A nice luxury to have a capable guy with NHL experience waiting in the minors for you.
  • Enroth was good. Not great considering he wasn’t too busy. But he played a great game. A very good bounce back after a few tough outings.
  • Ville Leino finally got on the scoresheet. He has been playing better and notched an assist for his efforts. Strong play from him needs to continue.

Three Stars

1. Luke Adam

2. Paul Szczechura

3. Christian Ehrhoff

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The Morning Skate: Injuries mount as reinforcements are called

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The injury bug has bitten the Sabres hard. Robyn Regehr and an unnamed forward (assumed to be a center) have joined Ryan Miller, Tyler Ennis, Tyler Myers, Mike Weber, Cody McCormick, Pat Kaleta and Brad Boyes on the injury list. The Sabres have called up Brayden McNabb and Paul Szczechura from Rochester.

There is still no news on which forward was injured – Mike Harrington speculates that Thomas Vanek or Jason Pominville could be candidates based on plays from last night.

Regardless, the Sabres will be playing with quite a few Rochester Americans on their roster this evening as the struggling Washington Capitals roll into town. The Sabres are in desperate need of a home win and a bounce back victory after three-straight losses.

The Capitals are in equally rough water as they have failed to live up to expectation this season despite their high payroll and roster of superstars. Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin and high-priced free agent Joel Ward have all been sat down for various lengths of time throughout the early going here.

This might just fall into the must-win category for the Sabres. A week and  half ago this team was second in the conference, now they’re tied for eighth and are in desperate need of a big run to climb back into the top half of the conference.

Highlighted Matchup

The Youngsters: McNabb, Kassian, Brennan and Tropp. Sure Szczechura could fall into this boat as well, but he has seen time in the NHL (Tampa Bay) and was signed for veteran depth, he certainly isn’t a prospect. Still, the Sabres need big contributions from this bunch. Brennan has been great in his couple games, Tropp has shown he may be the next Pat Kaleta and Kassian and McNabb will need strong showings this evening to prove they’re at the same level as the other Amerks in the lineup tonight.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Jhonas Enroth 13GP 7-3-1, 2.40 GAA, .922 SV%

WSH: Tomas Vokoun 14GP 10-4-0, 2.66 GAA, .910 SV%

Last Game

4/2/2011, Verizon Center, Sabres 4 – Capitals 5 OT

Double Minors: Sabres roll over in Columbus

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Nationwide Arena has never been good to the Buffalo Sabres, that trend continued last night in the form of a 5-1 thrashing at the hand of the NHL’s worst team.

Any number of adjectives could describe the Sabres’ play last night, flat, passionless, horrible, ugly. The list goes on. It was one of those systematic losses that can be attributed to every player from the net out.

The Blue Jackets chased Jhonas Enroth after another shaky outing and Drew MacIntyre saw extended action for the first time as a Sabre. Enroth was facing a firing squad for much of the game, the Sabres were being outshot 23-8 at one point before narrowing the margin to 25-19 by the end of the second period.

There was nothing redeeming at all about this loss. While many have painted a happy picture from the catastrophe that was a blown pair of two-goal leads against Boston, there is nothing good to take away from this loss. Your goaltender was bad, the defensive zone coverage continued to let the goaltender down and there was little life offensively.

  • Zack Kassian recorded his first NHL point, congratulations to him for finding the scoresheet. He was only credited with one hit, but knowing how the NHL real-time scoring works that really could be three or four hits. I didn’t hate his game in his debut, I’ll hold off on further judgement until he has a few more games under his belt.
  • As for T.J. Brennan, there isn’t much you can say to convince me he is twice the hockey player Marc-Andre Gragnani is. Gragnani wouldn’t hit water if you threw him out of a boat, he might as well have just watched Letestu score the first Columbus goal. MAG is useless as a defenseman and even more so on this roster. Brennan, on the other hand, is physical, engaged in the play and effective as a defender and puck mover. Keep him, send Gragnani away.
  • Enroth wasn’t good again last night. He wasn’t good, nor was he horrible against Boston. So much for everyone thinking trading Ryan Miller was a viable option. It seems, as of right now, that Enroth isn’t fully capable of carrying the load, he certainly has lost quite a bit of that consistency that put him in this situation to begin with.
  • Losing Robyn Regehr could be a detrimental blow to this club. The defensive zone is a complete cluster as it is. Losing the only stay-at-home player the team has might just send this team to the skids.

Three Stars

1. Rick Nash

2. Marc Methot

3. Vinny Prospal

NHL Links

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