Bills make a statement, sign Super Mario

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Two years ago most Buffalo sports fans would have only seen their teams make major offseason moves while holding an XBOX controller. Somewhere along the way Terry Pegula and Ralph Wilson changed that train of thought.

The Bills trumped a year of Pegulamania with the biggest free agent signing in the history of the city. Yes, the city. They inked Mario Williams to a six-year, $100 million contract and instantly thrust themselves into the wild card conversation.

I still think the Bills are a ways off from being a legitimate contender in the NFL. Signing Williams makes them a team to be reckoned with beyond week seven. Think of it this way; the Bills went almost half the season with Marcell Dareus anchoring a front seven with Danny Batten, Arthur Moats, Alex Carrington and Spencer Johnson as the top pass rushers. Now Dareus is part of a line with a healthy Kyle Williams and Mario Williams. If Shawne Merriman recovers, the Bills will be that much better on the pass rush.

Without getting too far ahead of myself, take a minute to savor what this means for the Bills and Western New York as a whole. Williams not only adds depth to a defensive front desperate for it, he adds elite talent to a team largely devoid of any stars. By spending three days in the region and deciding it wasn’t the worst thing he had ever seen, Williams decided this was a place he wanted to be. Now, guaranteeing him $50 million and giving him a pair of phenomenal defensive tackles probably helped matters. But his hot, young fiancé could have nixed the city by claiming any one of the many complaints detractors like Tom Brady have cited for years. None of that happened, however, so there is something to be said about the region’s effect on the decision.

At the end of the day, Williams was going to the team that would give him the best contract and an opportunity to succeed. Buffalo made sure money wasn’t going to be an issue and have proven they’re committed to making their defensive formidable after a few very lean years.

Even though depth was a prime issue for the Bills last year, the glaring absence of a true pass rusher was a weekly focal point. Williams is one of those every-down players who will be able to line up against either tackle and be a difference maker. Buffalo sorely needed a defensive difference maker and Williams is it. Continue reading →

Double Minors: Sabres play with fire one too many times

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After conceding a head scratching tying goal in the dying moments on Monday, there was no way the Sabres would allow the same thing to happen again.

Of course, we’re talking about the Sabres. Yielding leads throughout games all season, Buffalo’s killer instinct has been something that has come and gone on numerous occasions. A defensive breakdown on Monday led to the tying goal, virtually the same play cost the Sabres last night.

Jamie McGinn’s second goal of the night tied the game at four, sending the game to OT. The Avalanche went on to win the game 5-4 in a shootout as shootout extraordinaire Peter Mueller picked up the deciding goal. Of course, McGinn’s goal should have never happened.

While being stuck with the same personnel due to an icing, Lindy Ruff had Cody Hodgson, Jason Pominville, Ville Leino, Christian Ehrhoff and Mike Weber on the ice. Not exactly the best defensive set Buffalo could roll out. However, they are a little short on lock down forwards without Jochen Hecht, Paul Gaustad and Nathan Gerbe for various reasons.

My real beef was the defensive pair that Ruff chose. Mike Weber has been thrust from the sixth defensive spot to the fourth due to Tyler Myers’ suspension and Andrej Sekera’s illness. Weber played Gabriel Landeskog soft on his entry, his shot, the rebound and the following play behind the net. Weber is serviceable in a limited role, but not as a shutdown defenseman in the final moments of a close game. I have to question the thought process that Ruff had regarding who he was putting on the ice.

The unfortunate finish tarnished a great game by Marcus Foligno, who had a pair of goals and three hits. Foligno has meshed well, just like Corey Tropp, and is making a serious case to stick around beyond the re-call. Tropp has all but cemented his spot.

Foligno’s pair were part of a +3 evening that saw the rookie lay three body checks. Of course, Landeskog stole the show. He had a goal and an assist, five shots and eight hits (really?). His game was solid and he keyed the rush to tie the game. Regardless, Buffalo’s neutral zone forecheck was close to nonexistent and Weber’s soft play gave Landeskog and easy lane to shoot and pursue the rebound. Passive net-side play allowed Ryan O’Rielly to get the puck through and in front to McGinn.

  • Ryan Miller actually played a pretty strong game. He made 38 saves and was able to keep his team alive for a good part of the game. At some point, you need him to make a save on one of the goals, especially if you give him four to work with. But I honestly had little issue with his contributions this evening. Two wide-open tap-in goals are really to blame here.
  • Funny to see Miller’s adjustment to O’Rielly’s chance last night and the read he made on Monday against Montreal. Expecting a stuff attempt by Erik Cole, Miller held his post and was beaten on the cross-crease one timer. It seemed as if he had a better grasp of the time on the clock yesterday, making himself big and hoping to block as much net. For those just blaming Miller, the chance hit the side of the net, Mike Weber’s shin pad, the post and then rolled across the goal line. Had Weber stayed on his side of the ice, the puck stays below the goal line and there is someone available to tie up Jamie McGinn. Miller made the right read, he was done in by a bad bounce.
  • I have liked Alex Sulzer. He even beat Cody Hodgson to his first goal as a Sabre. I wonder if his play will be a factor when the Sabres evaluate their defensive depth this summer.
  • Brayden McNabb is a fine defensive prospect, he is even a solid guy to insert permanently. However, when you have to bump Sulzer and Weber to increased roles to fill in for regulars like Sekera and Myers, there is a serious problem.
  • Between the defensive depth issues and the lapses in-zone, trading Paul Gaustad is finally biting the Sabres. His absence has not been a major issue, you can just see certain areas weakening due to his trade. Considering the give and take, I’d still make the trade.
  • I’ve long questioned Buffalo’s attitude when holding a lead. I truthfully cannot say whether it is a personnel or coaching issue. But to see the Sabres sag back and attempt to shell-up for the umpteenth time, makes me question “the system”. To give up 16 third period shots in the middle of a playoff race with just a one-goal lead is criminal. Lacking that killer instinct is something that needs to be addressed. Whether that is accomplished with a new coach or players with certain intangibles, the change needs to be made.

Game Summary/Event Summary

The Morning Skate: Sabres host Avs, minus Myers

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Tyler Myers was hit with a three-game Shanaban after giving Scott Gomez a face full of glass on Monday night. Tonight’s visit from the Avalanche will be the first game Myers misses.

The suspension to Myers was warranted and is the appropriate length. What is completely asinine is the fact that the NHL continues their completely inconsistent manner of evaluating supplemental discipline. Evgeni Malkin lowered virtually the same hit on Johnny Boychuk over the weekend and escaped with a minor. Maybe if Tyler Myers was one of the league’s most electrifying players in the middle of the Hart Trophy race he wouldn’t have been suspended either. Is that really a difficult conclusion to come to?

Buffalo will play their first without Myers – 11 points (4+7), +9 since the All-Star break – against a Western Conference foe pushing for a playoff spot of their own. I’d expect to see Brayden McNabb in the lineup for the next three games. He has been playing solid hockey for the Amerks and has the physical edge the Sabres will need for the remaining games this season. Andrej Sekera could be in the lineup, although it seems like a serious longshot. I would count on McNabb stepping in for at least the next three nights.

The Sabres offense has still been struggling to find the back of the net, but they are creating chances. Peter Budaj made 33 saves on Monday and Buffalo has put at least 30 shots on goal in three of their last four. It is time for the Sabres to start capitalizing on their chances, scoring three or four a night will give this team a very real shot at achieving the impossible.

Highlighted Matchup

Cody Hodgson. The newest forward on the team is still finding his way. I’m not sure if it is a conditioning issue, fatigue from playing on a nightly basis, his arrival and subsequent puddle jump across the country and further participation on Buffalo’s west coast trip or just a systematic problem. What I do know is that a number of fans are getting anxious about his potential. It would be nice if he got a few points over the next few games. Despite what the box score says, he hasn’t been all bad.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller

COL: Semyon Varlamov

Last Meeting

Sabres 3 – Avalanche 4 OT, Pepsi Center, 1/4/2011

Getting behind lighting the grain elevators

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Yesterday’s post on the decision to accept proposals for a children’s museum at Canalside was particularly venomous. There was a bit of Canalside news that came out yesterday afternoon that I did want to address.

It would seem that ECHDC is prepared to shell out some dough to light up grain elevators along Buffalo’s waterfront. Without coming across as a complete hypocrite, I have to say the plan to light the grain elevators is a good one. I’m a pretty well documented opponent of the lighter, quicker, cheaper approach, but this is an instance where the strategy makes sense.

The grain elevators that line the Buffalo River are great cathedrals of Buffalo’s industrial past. They’re so formidable that they’re virtually impossible to demolish – without ridiculous overhead – and they possess a “rugged masculinity” in terms of architecture. The simple fact that these behemoths are so massive and immovable makes them a potential albatross for waterfront development. Finding a simple use of them is nearly the only solution.

A very rough mock-up of how the Connecting Terminal Elevator could look.

There are options out there for utilizing the elevators for something other than a movie screen. However, such plans would be ridiculously expensive and quite difficult to pull off. Personally, I’d love to see the Connecting Terminal (pictured) serve as the terminus for a full tour of Buffalo’s grain elevators. If possible, the roof could be reinforced and renovated to provide the foundation for a grain elevator museum with unparalleled views of the lake, river and city. The museum would be the starting and ending point for a tour that would take people up the river through to elevator alley to teach all about the history of the grain elevator in Buffalo and around the country. Not to mention, a museum on top of the Connecting Terminal would look fantastic.

For the time being, it would seem as if public art and LED lighting will have to do regarding the use of Buffalo’s grain elevators. Like I said, this is a great decision.

Continue reading →

Double Minors: Sabres take two after OT gut check

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Just 3.5 seconds away from winning a 2-1 game against the Canadiens, the Sabres couldn’t buckle down and David Desharnais scored to tie the game.

It mattered not as Tyler Myers made a great read in overtime to join the rush and pick up the winning goal. Myers would state in his postgame interview that the tying goal may have condemned the Sabres a month or two ago. He followed that by saying the team has come together with more confidence as of late.

Ryan Miller had 26 saves, a number of them key stops (11 in the 3rd) and had some choice words for his teammates as overtime began. Miller toned it down during postgame, but he said the message was to ignore the late goal and get the job done. Miller has often displayed captain tendencies throughout his career and those are the type on intangibles he brings, especially when he is on his game like he has been since January 1.

Myers has been playing good hockey for a while now. His defensive game is still rounding out and he makes some odd decisions, but he is turning into a dominant force as each game goes by. I still think there needs to be a serious guiding force (whether a coach or partner) for him to grow with. Two hits, three shots, a goal and +1 isn’t a terrible stat line, I liked him tonight.

The other Tyler, the smaller one, was once again dazzling. For those who clamored that he was being wasted and could possibly be a bust, I give you Healthy Tyler Ennis vs. Injured Tyler Ennis. He had a few struggles early on and then suffered that ankle injury. It would appear that he wasn’t right until late January. Now Ennis is playing his natural position and is dazzling with his puck skills. Good on Lindy Ruff for getting him back to that position and allowing him to create.

Ennis’ strong play has coupled with Miller’s run and a few other brief renaissances on the roster, has been the catalyst for this unlikely playoff run. Getting continued scoring is the only way this team will make the playoffs, would appear they’re starting to create the necessary chances, now they need to finish.

  • Everyone off the “Cody Hodgson is Awesome” train and jump aboard the “Cody Hodgson is a Bust” bandwagon. But seriously, Hodgson has been struggling a bit and has gotten his Raffi Torres treatment in shipping down to the fourth line. I would say his travel from Vancouver and to arrive with the Sabres probably wore on him. Add the west coast trip to that. Hopefully he can shake the fatigue, get some practice time and work his way back into more ice time.
  • Staying with the deadline acquisitions, Alex Sulzer has been strong filling in for various injured Sabres. However, Sulzer has not been 23:59 (!) good. He has never been that type of player and never will be. He was on for the tying goal, not that it was his fault alone, but that just shouldn’t happen. The final minutes are for your shutdown players.
  • Tyler Ennis has two goal-of-the-year candidates for the Sabres. His stick flip goal against Pittsburgh and his dangle tonight were both terrific. He has great hands and is going to deserve a great payday pretty soon.
  • Ryan Miller was strong again. Not sure he had a look at Erik Cole’s goal nor did he have much of a chance on the tying tally. He made a few strong saves, particularly in the third, and got the Sabres yet another win.
  • I really liked the lines in which Hodgson and Ennis filled as centers for the top six and Derek Roy was playing as the checking center. Of course, Hodgson wasn’t getting the job done and Ruff was forced to shuffle. I still think there is a line combination that can keep Buffalo’s best offensive weapons among the top six.
  • Allow me to play hypocrite for a moment. Ville Leino has proven to be a pretty solid checking center. I still think he will make his money best playing a top-six role, but he is filling in nicely for Paul Gaustad for the time being.
  • Every game is huge for the Sabres, that pretty much goes without saying. This weekend’s games are going to be pivotal. Well, Saturday (Florida) and next Monday (Tampa Bay). Still, both are against playoff competitors and those head-to-head wins are absolutely necessary.

Game Summary/Event Summary

Proposed children’s museum moving Canalside the wrong way

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This is to be the year that Canalside reaches critical mass. The excavation and construction of the canals should be underway soon and some visible progress at the Donovan Building should come by the summer.

The first step of the Canalside development (Commercial Slip, Naval Museum etc.) was a great step forward. It was a sign that waterfront development was being taken seriously and that the district was to be a year-round attraction for those around the region.

Will this type of atmosphere ever be accomplished based on the current trajectory of Canalside?

However, recent years has seen the project hijacked by obstructionists and those who wish to revert Buffalo to 1901. Larry Quinn was forced out of involvement by those who wished to avoid the big box, commercialization of the district. Even re-tooled ideas for a retail-based development were squashed by a vocal minority. Now, we have been stuck waiting to see “the waterfront we deserve” materialize. It would seem that waterfront isn’t in the cards.

I should point out that I was never in love with the idea of plopping Bass Pro on a prime downtown parcel. Part of it never translated for me. My biggest turn off was the fact that Bass Pro didn’t attract a broad audience. However, using Bass Pro as a catalyst made total sense to me. So, with that in mind, I was always ok with utilizing a major centerpiece to carry the Canalside development.

It would seem as if ECHDC is prepared to take one major step forward with regard to their plans for the massive hole that once was home to The Aud. A children’s museum is one of three projects that are proposed for the former Aud site. Passing such a plan off as part of “the waterfront we deserve” is rather embarrassing.

First of all, the goal of the Canalside was to attract people of all ages to Buffalo’s waterfront. A children’s museum doesn’t accomplish that feat. Not in the slightest. This plan eliminates a major portion of the public who is expected to frequent this district; young, unmarried men and women aged 18-30. Not to mention the fact that the Strong Museum is an established attraction just an hour up the Thruway.

Allow me to point out that the children’s museum isn’t all bad. There sounds to be a few pretty intriguing features to be part of the museum – the canal, locks and grain elevator to be exact. However, it doesn’t get past the fact that this plan is designed for a specific audience, not everyone. If Canalside is to turn into the incredible attraction everyone expects, this museum will not be the harbinger for such progress.

Comparing the other two proposals, I agree that the children’s museum is the best choice. What I disagree with is placing this project on the prime piece of real estate in Canalside. Continue reading →

Patty’s Day unis for the Bandits

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The Bandits are hoping the luck of the Irish will help snap them from their current losing streak. For their game against Minnesota on Saturday, March 17, the Bandits will wear special St. Patrick’s Day jerseys.

Here is the info, straight from the Bandits:

The game-worn black and green jerseys will be auctioned off on Bandits.com, with the auction beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 19 and ending at 9 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. In addition, replica jerseys will be available for purchase in the team store, along with other St. Patty’s Day-themed Bandits items.

Futhermore, Bandits forward Luke Wiles will appear on Time Warner Cable Sportsnet’s “The Enforcers” tonight, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 13 to discuss the jerseys and the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day game.

I like when teams do this sort of thing. It gives you a reason to check out the game and usually the designs are pretty fun. The jerseys look as if they will just be a modified version of their black road uniforms. In place of orange and purple, there will be green. The Bandits.com story has a picture.

The Morning Skate: Injury bug returns for the Sabres

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Make no mistake, this is a banged up group of hockey players. The Sabres, already without Thomas Vanek, lost Matt Ellis and Pat Kaleta during the 4-3 shootout win over the Senators.

Today’s game will likely feature one or two fresh faces from the farm. I would assume that Colin Stuart, Derek Whitmore and Paul Szezchura are on the shortlist for a recall. If Cody McCormick and Vanek are able to go, that will obviously change the dynamic a bit.

The Sabres are still in the hunt for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, the Washington Capitals sudden surge is making things far more difficult for Buffalo. The Sabres are four points out of eighth place before tonight’s game. That makes every game that much more interesting for tonight.

With or without players like Vanek, Kaleta and Ellis, the task is daunting. The Sabres need to continue winning games, regardless of what their opponents are doing. Since teams like Florida and Washington continue to win, there is even less room for error.

Expect to see one of my favorite goaltending matchups. Carey Price and Ryan Miller always play well against each other and Miller will need to have another dazzling outing if the Sabres hope to stay alive.

Highlighted Matchup

The farmhands. Even if Marcus Foligno is the only call-up playing, I want to watch him closely. The Sabres have some interesting players down on the farm, but no superstars. Foligno has just about every trait that Zack Kassian possessed, aside from excellent offensive skills. There are no top-end prospects on the farm as of today, but that will change in the coming years. Let’s see who will be sticking around next year and beyond.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller

MTL: Carey Price

Last Meeting

Sabres 3 – Canadiens 4 SO, First Niagara Center, 2/17/2012

Double Minors: Rochester roadtrip

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Saturday afforded me the chance to check out a pair of games and sample some of the best BBQ in Western New York.

Rather than just stay at home for Saturday’s Sabres – Senators game, a few friends and I took a quick trip to Rochester for a Bandits game, Dinosaur BBQ and the Amerks – Senators game.

The purpose of the trip was to see the Amerks and see some of the talent the Sabres have in the pipeline. It ended up being a great day trip featuring a sports double header. The Bandits game was a loss. They are a team in complete disarray who don’t seem to have a clue which way is up. Buffalo was held to three goals fro most of the game until they finally went on a late run. The final score was 13-10, but that was hardly indicative of the domination the Bandits endured.

The Amerks game was far better. Joe Finley dropped the gloves just three seconds in and Rochester put on a clinic against the AHL’s cellar dwellers. Mark Voakes (0+3) and Travis Turnbull (1+2) paced the Amerks as six different players scored for Rochester.

David Leggio didn’t see his tenth shot until the third period and was largely untested for most of the night. He did allow one goal, but did mange to make a few impressive stops along the way. Leggio finished with 17 saves.

While Marcus Foligno was busy scoring his first NHL goal, there were a few bright spots from some of the players biding their time in Rochester this season. Paul Szezchura, Brayden McNabb and even Finley had some strong moments in the blowout victory.

The highlight of the day may have been grabbing a massive plate of BBQ between the games. Dinosaur BBQ is located about 100 yards from Blue Cross Arena. Would it be that difficult to put a location in downtown Buffalo? Seriously, are the people making decisions on the waterfront that obtuse? Continue reading →

2ITB Roadie: Bandits, Amerks and BBQ

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The Buffalo Sabres will skate into Ottawa tonight with the chance to at least draw even with Winnipeg this evening. If the Bruins can take care of business this afternoon, the Sabres will be playing for a share of eighth.

Now, I still contend that the team has yet to reach a point of watching the schedule on a nightly basis, but that day is drawing near. The Sabres have twice had a chance to draw even with eighth and have failed. Tonight is a game in which they will be rested (sort of) and is also one of those valuable “games in hand”. Winnipeg’s loss last night in Calgary came in their 68th game, this is game 68 for the Sabres. So far Buffalo has been strong when playing on a night their opponents are idle, but this game is yet another pivotal matchup.

Ryan Miller will be back in net tonight after getting a couple well deserved days off. I expect to see Ben Bishop in net for the Senators. Bishop is a massive goalie looking to make his mark on the league. He has waited a long time for his break and this season might be it. Buffalo’s oft-anemic offense will need to start rolling early tonight.

The main thing to watch for is two-fold. First, if Thomas Vanek is playing, I expect to see some new lines. John Vogl, Kevin Snow, Paul Hamilton and the rest of the Sabres media reported the shuffled lines at yesterday’s practice. However, those combinations came without Vanek and Patrick Kaleta. I expect to see some changes made in the hope to spark some more offense. If Vanek isn’t playing, seeing what Lindy Ruff comes up with (Marcus Foligno was recalled) will be equally interesting to a fully healthy lineup.

This special edition of The Morning Skate is because I’ll be taking the day to enjoy all the city of Rochester has to offer. So I’ll have Dinosaur BBQ and watch the Bandits and Amerks play.

The Bandits enter tomorrow’s game with their season in the balance. They simply cannot afford another loss if they expect to sneak in the playoffs and who better to snap their funk than their I-90 rivals?

One of the Bandits’ two victories this season came against Rochester, but this is a whole different Bandits team we are talking about. They have unraveled defensively and are getting offensive contributions from a small, core group. Things need to change in Banditland if a playoff push is to remain in the cards.

Like the Sabres, the Amerks are in the thick of a playoff race themselves. Luke Adam has been wearing #72 since his demotion (ugh) but has seven points in 11 games. He had a couple rough games upon his arrival, but has come around as of late. David Leggio had a great night against Binghampton tonight and I hope to see him again tonight. We shall see. Here are a few things I’ll be looking for from the Sabres prospects:

  • Shaone Morrisonn: I’m interested to see the big veteran. I liked his signing last year, unfortunately he didn’t work out. He has been steady for Ron Rolston and the Amerks this year, I want to see his game now; perhaps he still has a future in the show.
  • Defensive prospects: Drew Schiestel was loaned to Texas, which has freed up some playing time for other prospects. The defensive cupboard is going to be crowed in the next few seasons; Mark Pysyk and JGL are on their way and Brayden McNabb has shown his chops. I want to watch McNabb closely along with Joe Finley, T.J. Brennan and even Matt MacKenzie (if he plays). These guys have something to prove if they expect to stick around.
  • Phil Varone: Dude has been lighting it up for the Amerks. 8+33 in 60 games from the development camp invitee. I liked him (along with Johnathan Parker and Steven Beyers) in the summer and Varone has turned out to be a worthy addition to the pipeline. He is only signed with the Amerks for now, but I could see him getting a look from the Sabres.
  • David Leggio: I hope he gets the nod in net again, I’m interested to see where he stands in terms of development. The Sabres have some tough choices regarding all of their goaltenders in the coming months. Leggio is part of that group.

There will be Double Minors posted of the Amerks game, a Bandits recap and a brief write up on the Sabres. Stay tuned.