Buffalo Sabres

The Morning Skate: Connolly return, Lupul Tweet fuel rivalry with Leafs

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The first installment of The QEW rivalry has come a bit late this season. However, the return of Tim Connolly – a healthy Tim Connolly – and a happy Tweeting Joffery Lupul have stoked the fire a bit.

Lupul peeved many in Buffalo with his Tweet from last night. The obvious grammatical error aside, Lupul’s Tweet was reminiscent of comments made by Emerson Etem around this time last year. A bigger deal was made from the winger’s opinion than what really matters. Frankly, downtown Buffalo leaves quite a bit to be desired compared to most cities. Buffalo isn’t even in the same league as Toronto in terms of entertainment and attractions. Buffalonians have a lot of pride, it is noble that everyone stood up for the town after Lupul’s Tweet. Still, there are far too many improvements to be made downtown before anyone can truly say Lupul was out of line.

The return of Connolly is slightly more interesting regarding this evening’s game. Connolly has missed quite a bit of time already but is close to a point-per-game pace. The trade-off Buffalo followed through with between Connolly and Ville Leino is under the microscope thanks to the production of each forward. While it is unfortunate that Connolly is having a solid run compared to Leino, to think that Connolly’s play in Buffalo would have changed one iota is silly. Connolly’s act – like many other Sabres’ – grew stale at the end of his run here. Connolly will receive a hearty number of boos this evening and it should make things a bit more interesting.

Highlighted Matchup

The Sabres need a strong showing. Not one aspect of the game will be more important for Buffalo tonight. They have yet to put in a 60 minute effort at home and desperately need to right the ship. As the injury keeps rolling through the Sabres’ locker room, Buffalo will need to continue to find a way to create offense and win games. Their slide out of playoff position needs to be halted and a win against their biggest rival is the best place to start.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller 15Gp 7-6-2, 2.81 GAA, .912 SV%

TOR: James Reimer 10GP 5-2-2, 2.75 GAA, .900 SV%

Last Game

3/29/2011, Air Canada Centre, Sabres 3 – Maple Leafs 4

Sundher inked to enrty-level deal

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Sundher has piled up points while filling a leadership role for Victoria/Chilliwack over the past two seasons.

The Buffalo Sabres signed Kevin Sundher to an entry-level contract this afternoon. The signing will bring another supremely talented prospect into the organization beginning next season.

Sundher is currently playing in his fifth full season with the Victoria (formerly Chilliwack) organization and will be making the jump to the AHL next season. His speed and playmaking ability have been key in Sundher’s offensive explosion over the past two seasons. In 2010-11 he picked up 24 goals, 52 assists and 93 penalty minutes in 70 games. Through 33 games this season he has 21 goals and 33 assists. He is just short of a point-per-game player for his career, a stat that will likely improve by season’s end.

While Sundher isn’t a top-end talent like Zack Kassian or Luke Adam, he is part of the recent run of drafts expected to change some of the culture in the Buffalo organization. Organizationally, the Sabres are terribly thin at center. From their first line through Rochester, the Sabres have little talent at the position. While Sundher doesn’t have much size (6’0”, 177), he has quite a bit of offensive talent at his disposal. Along with Dan Catenacci and Steven Shipley, the Sabres have some help coming through the pipeline. While none of the three are an elite talent, their skill lends plenty of depth to a position where the Sabres are lacking. The fact that Buffalo was proactive in getting him under contract early is indicative of that.

Although Sundher was passed over regarding Canada’s 2012 World Junior roster, his talent is not to be ignored. He is wearing a letter for Victoria (a duty carried over from Chilliwack), showing clear leadership potential. If Victoria makes an early playoff exit, or misses them altogether, Sundher will have the opportunity to make a late-season appearance in Rochester. The Amerks could bring him on under an ATO much like they did with Luke Adam and Zack Kassian in the past two seasons. The amateur tryout offer would keep Sundher’s ELC from activating while allowing him to play against men for a short time prior to the 2012-13 season.

The “playing against men” chorus is surely reminiscent from Adam and Kassian’s development, the same goes for Marcus Foligno and Bryaden McNabb.Previous development camp appearances have provided Sundher to display his impressive speed and offensive ability in WNY. However, a proper evaluation of his skills will be made after playing games in AHL. Obviously a late appearance this season (even into the playoffs) would be bonus time for the pivot.

Aside from the glaring need to find a true elite center, the Sabres may be in the market for players who can contribute with the rest of their lines as well. Sundher has the speed and skill to translate to a top-six role. He may even become a more attractive option than a player like Derek Roy in the near future.

Sabres report card: After 30 games, signs of regression are apparent

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The first set of grades for the Sabres were rather promising. Buffalo had closed October and opened November with some strong hockey. Prior to Ryan Miller’s injury, the Sabres had occupied the number two spot in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, thing have gone downhill in a hurry for the Sabres. A dismal run at home through November and into December has aided in pushing the Sabres to seventh in the East and a mere two points away from the 12th-place Capitals.

Injuries have piled up to a ridiculous number. Just this morning, Ville Leino was declared out with a lower body ailment and it was Tweeted that Jochen Hecht is in a walking boot. While injuries can’t act as a shield for Buffalo’s poor play, it is certainly having a negative effect on the team as they cling to a playoff position.

Game 15 was a 5-1 against Ottawa on November 11. Since then Buffalo allowed their goaltender to get plowed over with no response, lost nearly half of their opening night roster to various injuries and gone 5-7-3 in that 15-game span. By comparison, Buffalo went 10-5-0 through their first 15 games.

Here are the grades though 30 games: Continue reading →

Double Minors: Sabres give up another lead at home

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The Buffalo Sabres lost yet another game on home ice. This time they squandered a sparkling effort from their starting goaltender and a brilliant close to the first period.

Despite yielding an ugly first goal, Ryan Miller and the Sabres battled back to right the ship before the end of the first period. Paul Szczechura scored his first as a Sabre and Tyler Ennis converted a nice passing play to give Buffalo the lead. That would be the end of the scoring parade for the Sabres.

Much like last Wednesday against Philly, the Sabres opened the game with a barrage of shots. After putting 12 pucks on net in the first, the Sabres fired only 17 of the next 48 shots between the two teams. On the night the Sabres were outshot 44-29. on home ice.

While Miller was up to the task, the Sabres penalty box parade kept any momentum from being built in the second. That carried into the third period when Ottawa managed to tie the contest. If the Hockey Gods had been on Buffalo’s side tonight, that shot would have hit a leg and caromed wide. Instead the seeing-eye shot found the cage.

Drew Stafford blew his coverage on Jared Cowen (the offensive dynamo that he is) on the game winner. Not much else to be said about the OT tally when both forwards were caught watching.

  • Credit to Ryan Miller. He has been a darn good goaltender since his return. Yes, the Philly game was not ideal. But he has made plenty of sparkling saves since coming back against Nashville. Tonight was no exception. He made many big stops to try and stem the ebb going against Buffalo. Nothing he could do through the forest of players on the tying goal. He almost robbed Cowen on the winner. Again, depending which way the Hockey Gods lean, that one may bounce to the slot.
  • I was happy to see Szczechura score that beauty of a goal. He was a great depth signing by Darcy. Depending on what the team needs at a certain time, he may even be more attractive to insert than Matt Ellis. Again, dependent on the situation.
  • Sadly, Szczechura is still centering Vanek and Pominville. That needs to change. While they have each managed to creep onto a few scoresheets, both have suffered a significant setback from their hot start. Vanek just needs to find the net a bit more and the goals will certainly come back.
  • The Leino-Adam-Kassian line could do this team a solid by finding the net. They create opportunities but seem to be all Swedish and no Finnish. Ironic considering Leino’s nationality, no? If this line can consistently find the net, the Sabres will enjoy more games like Washington, Nashville and the first period of the Philly game.
  • What a terrible move by Lindy Ruff keeping Marc-Andre Gragnani in the lineup. Sure, he saw about four minutes of power play time. There is no way Andrej Sekera, Jordan Leopold and Christian Ehrhoff aren’t capable of providing enough oomph on the points. Gragnani’s roster spot was wasted this evening. When he did get a shift on defense, he was walked by Erik Karlsson in OT.
  • Listening to the game, you didn’t hear from Mike Weber, Robyn Regehr or Brayden McNabb very often. Exactly what you want from your stay-at-home core. These three certainly look as if they’re a strong bunch to keep together for the foreseeable future.
  • Off the top of my head, Buffalo is 3-0-0 in their third jerseys this season. That includes a pair of home victories. Perhaps those duds should get run out a few more times.

Three Stars

1. Jared Cowen

2. Peter Regin

3. Ryan Miller

NHL Links

Game Summary

Event Summary

 

The Morning Skate: Slumping Sabres and Sens meet at FNC

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Two teams struggling to keep their head above water will meet this evening at First Niagara Center. The Sabres, who have struggle mightily at home, desperately need a win against their Northeast Division rival. The Senators haven’t been able to keep the puck out of the net lately as they’re in the middle of a similar slide as Buffalo.

While Ottawa’s defense and goaltending have been spotty, they may get a reprieve against Buffalo. The Sabres have struggled to score more than once lately, let alone three or four goals. Ottawa has managed to find the back of the net despite their struggles. Considering Buffalo’s recent efforts at home, this game has the ability to turn into a snooze fest similar to Friday night.

The Sabres have been struggling with nearly every aspect of the game since the roster has been ravaged with injury. It seems Buffalo’s somewhat impressive depth has been worn thin with injury after injury. Some reports point to the Sabres receiving some reinforcements for tonight’s game. With Paul Gaustad and Pat Kaleta expected back, Buffalo’s penalty kill unit and generally grit should improve.

Buffalo’s first two games against Ottawa were wins. However, both came with far stronger rosters than the one Buffalo will ice tonight.

Highlighted Matchup

Buffalo special teams. The Sabres are still short on both special teams units. However, the power play still sports significant talent and has become terribly stagnant lately. Lindy Ruff noted more movement is necessary to create chances. It would seem a good night from the special teams units may equal two points for the Sabres.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller 14GP 7-6-1, 2.80 GAA, .910 SV%

OTT: Criag Anderson 26GP 12-10-2, 3.42 GAA, .895 SV%

Last Game

11/11/11, First Niagara Center, Sabres 5 – Senators 1

Sabres need to center their focus

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Jochen Hecht is not the answer to Buffalo's need for a number one center.

Buffalo’s injuries have finally caught up to them. Plenty of people say this is no excuse for their recent play, but at some point the plethora of injuries will affect the team.

Look no further than Buffalo’s top line. Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville centered by Paul Szczechura. It is a crime to think that the team’s top-two scorers are being centered by a call up from Rochester. Of course, they were being centered by Jochen Hecht, a black hole of offense in his own right.

The failure to obtain a proper center in free agency is no more apparent than in recent weeks. Luke Adam, when he was allowed to skate with the top line, was more than adequate between Buffalo’s top snipers. When he struggled, Lindy Ruff shuffled the lines and moved Adam away from the other 2/3 of The Subway Line. Adam has played well with Zack Kassian and Ville Leino, so there is no need to move him away from that duo at this time. Eventually the Sabres will need to find a proper cog for their top two scoring wingers.

Derek Roy filled the role for a bit before sinking back to the second line with Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis. Of course, all three of these players have been particularly stagnant this season. Most of the blame for their lack of production could be centered on their desire to play games as if they are a non-contact skate-and-shoot, rather than a physically engaging NHL contest.  For the droves wondering where the secondary scoring has gone, look no further than that line.

The time has come for Darcy Regier to make a bold move. He has long been a wait-and-see GM. He keeps his cards close to the vest and always deals from a position of power. That is how he has won so many trades in his day. However, pulling a capable center from another team wouldn’t leave Regier high-and-dry. In fact, it could serve as a cap clearing method to improve his team.

One fact any Sabres fan needs to grasp is the cap numbers being tossed around in any trade talk. It is silly to think Buffalo could trade one player and one pick for Jarome Iginla. That won’t happen. The Sabres need to move out as much, or more than they will bring in with any trade. Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera are certainly two of the most tradable assets on the team and they would clear just over six million from the cap. Hypothetically speaking, those two players could be moved for a center. However, the likelihood of that happening is quite slim. Consider those two only regarding how much salary would need to come out in any sort of swap in which Buffalo were to receive a center.

It is painfully clear the Sabres are in desperate need of a center who can run with Vanek and Pominville on a nightly basis. They also need to find someone to help with the power play. Paul Stastny’s name is back in the rumor mill, yet it is doubtful the Sabres could form a package (both players and money) in order to get Stastny to “Hockey Heaven”.

What may be a more realistic choice is to find a 1B. Of course, that theory is dependent on the belief that Derek Roy would also qualify as a 1B. In this case, assume he does. Acquiring another 1B centerman (similar to Mike Fisher) would give the Sabres two strong players at pivot for their top two lines. Said scenario should offer a pair of somewhat consistent scoring threats on the top lines. If moving a winger is how Buffalo could clear up their overabundance of wingers, it would be a win-win.

It is unlikely that the solution to the Sabres center problem will be available during the season. They will likely need to use the summer to make the proper adjustments to the roster. Perhaps by then the team will have been formed into the winner people have been clamoring for.

Double Minors: Special teams fall flat against Rangers

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Horrendous special teams doomed the Sabres last night against the Rangers. A pair of shorthanded goals put the Sabres behind and a late power play goal nailed the coffin shut.

All around the Sabres were average last night. They didn’t get the goaltending they needed, their shot selection was average and they missed the net on nearly every scoring chance they generated. Considering the way they played on Friday, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see the Sabres will a little extra gas in their tank. Unfortunately they had none.

Obviously the injury bug has bitten this team hard. While many will say that is no excuse, at some point there starts to be a significant drop off. With Mike Weber and Tyler Myers on the shelf, Marc-Andre Gragnani is forced into big minutes. Without a chunk of their forwards, nearly a third of the Rochester Americans are skating with the big club. Sure, Zack Kassian, Brayden McNabb and Corey Tropp have shown some ability to play on a regular basis at the NHL level. Yet, when Paul Szczechura is centering Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville, obviously something is off.

Perhaps the most disappointing portion of the loss – aside from the soft goals – was Buffalo’s inability to finish. This is a team that has struggled to put pucks in the net as of late and they showed exactly why. Twice Vanek put a chance high and wide, Tyler Ennis did a fine job marking up the crest of Marty Biron’s jersey and numerous other chances weren’t cashed. You can’t win games when you don’t score goals, it is a simple concept.

Buffalo has two games left on a homestand that is looking uglier by the day.

  • Jhonas Enroth needed to be better than he was last night, he said as much. Enroth’s numbers have regressed in a hurry since he took over when Ryan Miller was injured. He needs to reassert his confidence as it is fairly clear he is falling victim to the home woes too.
  • The Sabres special teams are horrendous. The numbers will tell a different story, but watching both units it is obvious. The penalty kill unit is missing a handful or regulars, so it makes sense that the unit has struggled recently. However, the power play couldn’t be more impotent. If a team applies any sort of pressure the passes become errant and sloppy, usually resulting in shorthanded chances against.
  • The only intact line at this point is the trio of Ennis-Roy-Stafford. Three players who appear disjointed on the ice. All three have struggled this season – save for Roy’s point streak in November – and haven’t produced the necessary secondary punch the team needs.
  • It is amazing that Marty Biron can continue to own the Sabres. Aside from his first trip with the Islanders, Biron has been stellar against his old team. Buffalo didn’t give him too much work last night, but Biron made the saves he needed to make. That is all you can really ask for from your goalie.
  • This team certainly looks tentative at times, almost as if they’re waiting for someone else to step in to make a play. It is safe to assume if they ever get healthy, the Sabres will easily right the ship. However, they need to take a few more points in the interim.

Three Stars

1. Carl Hagelin

2. Martin Biron

3. Ryan Callahan

NHL Links

Game Summary

Event Summary

The Morning Skate: HBO cameras will be in the house as Rangers come to visit

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The Sabres may have to deal with a little bit more puck magic when the Rangers visit First Niagara Center. Marty Biron is expected to start in net for the Blueshirts and he has put on a few shows down on Perry Street since departing the franchise.

Buffalo managed to expel some of the ghosts that have been haunting them on home ice with an overtime win last night. However, they will be facing a rested bunch and the Sabres will be the ones coming off a big effort the night before.

Once again, First Niagara Center will be hosting HBO cameras for 24/7. The most brilliant TV product to grace the NHL (since ever) rolled into town with the Penguins last year. The city and the arena’s digs will be on display again as the Rangers prepare for the Winter Classic on January 2. It is always fun to see Buffalo displayed on these type of shows. The producers and cameramen usually find a way to showcase some of the nice portions of the city, rather than just showing the dreary drive from the airport to the city.

The Rangers have started to play some good hockey and are attempting to keep pace with the Penguins and Flyers – their Winter Classic foe – in the Atlantic Division. There is little surprise that both teams are choosing to start their backup goalies. Buffalo is in game two of a back-to-back set. Meanwhile, the Rangers are facing the Panthers tomorrow night, a battle with one of the East’s top teams.

Highlighted Matchup

Ville Leino vs. Brad Richards. Perhaps it is an unfair comparison given the difference in salary and role for both players. However, Leino was the player the Sabres had to settle for when Richards chose the Rangers. So the two big free agent scores for each team will surely be under the microscope this evening.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Jhonas Enroth 16GP 8-5-1, 2.32 GAA, .935 SV%

NYR: Martin Biron 6GP 4-1-0, 1.94 GAA, .930 SV%

Last Game

3/30/2011, HSBC Arena, Sabres 1 – Rangers 0

*stats to come later*

Double Minors: At long last, a win at home

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Friday’s overtime victory certainly wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done. Two points on home ice is what everyone had been asking for. That is exactly what they got.

The Sabres and Panthers were content to let the other team roll through their system for the evening, yielding a low number of shots and fewer scoring chances. The Panthers, who beat Boston 2-0 the night before, didn’t force the issue during regulation. Their only two great chances came from Sabres turnovers. Their only goal came on a five-on-three resulting from a couple of borderline calls.

Buffalo couldn’t have generated more than five chances all night, two were goals. Both came on breakaways. Despite the lack of action, both goals were rink-long beauties.

Brayden McNabb pulled a Pominville on a harmless breakout but the rookie recovered well, took the puck off a Panther and kicked it to Tyler Ennis – all of this without a stick. Ennis connected with Drew Stafford who sent Derek Roy in alone. Jason Pominville’s winner came on a nifty feed from Paul Szczechura and Jordan Leopold.

The action between Roy’s first period tally and Pominville’s winner was certainly lacking. The Sabres did a good job bottling up a fatigued bunch and the Panthers were content with collapsing in zone and protecting the house.

Special teams were practically moot. The Sabres power play was disjointed – no surprise considering the number of skill players missing – they were 0-for-5 and could barely set up in the attacking zone, let alone generate chances. The penalty kill was sound, yielding the five-on-three goal was practically an inevitability given the time on both penalties. Although the special teams arrow pointed to the Panthers at the end of the day, it barely mattered given the way the contest played out.

  • Ryan Miller made 22 saves. Few were difficult tests, but it was a sound home effort. He had two beauties on the Panthers’ best opportunities; a partial breakaway in the first and a rebound chance on a three-on-two in the third. Good effort from your starter.
  • Marc-Andre Gragnani kept digging his grave with the F’N Center faithful. He had a few early gaffes, particularly on the power play, and looked tentative at many points. He had one bad turnover that was rang off the crossbar by Stephen Weiss. Gragnani is looking more like an AHLer than many of Buffalo’s call ups.
  • Paul Szczechura is one of those Matt Ellis-type players. He has some NHL tools, but there are attributes that hold him back. Regardless, he has three points in three games this year. I like what he brings to the table, definitely a serviceable extra forward.
  • Brayden McNabb was described as the best player on the ice for the Sabres by his coach. McNabb’s meteoric rise since his second-last year of junior is exciting. He is developing into a nasty force on the back-end and possesses the skating and puck skills to be a solid two-way threat. He looks like a player cast in the mold of Mike Weber/Robyn Regehr, just with more puck prowess.
  • It is easy to overlook Jordan Leopold, but he is a calming force on the ice. He plays such a simple game defensively and is beyond capable of contributing on the front-end. What a great signing he is turning into.
  • The walking woudned list may get a little longer. Corey Tropp missed most of the game after being labeled in the first period and Jochen Hecht missed the latter portion of the game after blocking a shot.
  • Something needs to be done about the Sabres’ top line. Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville have gone silent with Jochen Hecht as their center. If Lindy Ruff has to put Derek Roy between them, so be it. The top scorers from early in the season need to be shaken from their recent slumber.
  • Sadly the First Niagara Center resembled a library yet again last night. The music levels seemed low – which could have been a result of my seat location – and the choices were quite varied. The new intro video is fantastic, but the continued use of KISS 98.5 music choices is crowd killing. The use of  #Sabretunes is smart, but it needs to stop if it is the source of some of these questionable songs.

Three Stars

1. Jason Pominville

2. Derek Roy

3. Jason Garrison

NHL Links

Game Summary

Event Summary

The Morning Skate: Sabres still searching for solution on home ice

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The Sabres seem to be slipping farther and farther into a coma on home ice. They managed to squander a 3-0 lead on Wednesday after taking every bit of momentum from the Flyers over the first 19:58.

Many point to the general lack of mental toughness on the Sabres roster. Although that is a difficult weakness to pinpoint, per say, many recent events point to anything but mental toughness as a major flaw with the roster. How that can be addressed is also a difficult task. A coaching change may yield some positive results, but eventually the same players will fall back to the same practices. While completely blowing up the team is out of the question, some transactions may prove effective.

Without turning a pregame story into a Steigerwaldian rumor-fest, some change is necessary on this roster. They proved that to be true on Wednesday and another loss tonight would push the needle further into the red.

Florida comes in tonight on the second half of a back-to-back set, they are not the same Panthers form years past. The two teams have split the season series thus far, but the Panthers are within striking distance of the top spot in the East. In fact, a win tonight would vault them to first place.

The Sabres, still clawing away in the sixth through ninth party, desperately need a good showing for themselves, the fans and their position in the standings. Buffalo has been lucky not to sink too far despite their inability to string together victories, they need to start a run of their own and it needs to start soon.

Highlighted Matchup

Special teams. Florida has gotten major contributions from Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell this season. Both were somewhat afterthoughts in recent years, but have come on with increased minutes this season. Kevin Dineen has the Panthers power play clicking and the Sabres will need ot win the special teams battle in order to take two points.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller 13GP 6-6-1, 2.96 GAA, .907 SV%

FLA: Scott Clemmensen 3GP 3-0-0, 2.33 GAA, .916 SV%

Last Game

10/29/2011, First Niagara Center, Sabres 2 – Panthers 3