The Afternoon (Morning) Skate: Road trip heats up in Detroit

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Survival may be the word of the week for the Buffalo Sabres. Survival in the sense of team health and survival on the ice.

Buffalo continues a rather lengthy road trip tonight in Detroit and will have numerous trying road dates throughout this week. In addition to facing the Wings, the Sabres will be in Chicago, St. Louis and Winnipeg. They close the trip with the Devils and Canadiens. Not exactly the schedule a struggling team would want to see.

The Sabres played pretty strong hockey when they beat Toronto on Friday night. However, on Saturday, they reverted to the form which has dominated for much of the season. Another missed opportunity at building a winning streak was lost and tonight doesn’t necessarily offer a lay-up either.

The Red Wings dominated the Sabres earlier this season. It would appear that same result could occur tonight. Buffalo’s defense is wearing thin and lack their top defenders as they prepare to face one of the most dangerous offenses in the NHL.

Two points will be a tough chore for the Sabres, but it would give them  four in their last three games. At some point the Sabres need to find a foundation for a run at the playoffs. This road trip might do the trick.

Highlighted Matchup

Buffalo defense. When Mike Weber and MAG are looking at top-four minutes, there is a problem. Without Brayden McNabb and Robyn Regehr, the Sabres are forced to dig into the Rochester honey pot once again. Andrej Sekera is expected to play with Joe Finley as the scratch. Still, Tyler Myers and Jordan Leopold will get the big minutes for Buffalo while Weber, MAG, Sekera and T.J. Brennan round out the six defensemen. This group will need plenty of help this evening against a dangerous hockey club.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF – Ryan Miller 26 GP 11-12-2, 2.97 GAA, .903 SV%

DET – Jimmy Howard 37 GP 26-10-1, 2.04 GAA, .924 SV%

Last Game

12/2/2011, First Niagara Center, Sabres 1 – Red Wings 4

Double Minors: Sabres weekend round-up

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You might say the course of events the Sabres follow is becoming old hat. They find life with a victory and roll into their next game seeking a win streak. Inevitably they lose the game and at least one player to injury in the process. That script is certainly getting a lot of work.

The Sabres were three minutes from guaranteeing a point percentage of .750 between Friday and Saturday, unfortunately they surrendered a pair of late goals (one ENG) in their loss to the Islanders. An overtime or shootout loss to New York would have mattered little had the Sabres managed to secure the bonus point. Getting points three-quarters of the time will be necessary for the remainder of the season if there is any hope of making the playoffs.

Friday’s game was a well-played outing for almost the entire team. Ryan Miller played a strong game in goal, the Sabres got goals from their grinders and they took two points from a team their chasing. Mike Weber had an ugly night and Buffalo lost Brayden McNabb to an injury. Far from a flawless night, but it was a victory.

Saturday was a relatively flat effort. Again they allowed a team to pepper Jhonas Enroth with pucks. Enroth played a great game, but the onslaught he faced can easily explain why three goals found their way in. The fact that the Sabres even had a chance at a victory was a testament to the game Enroth put forth. Unfortunately the rookie was saddled with another loss, something that has become fairly regular with him.

Thomas Vanek rocked a penalty shot off the post with 90 seconds left. The shot was awarded on a bogus call that should have been ignored. Vanek, who was nicked up yet again, beat Nabokov but not the post. The Sabres couldn’t gain the zone beyond that point and eventually surrendered the empty net goal that iced the game.

It was a weekend series that was close to a guaranteed success and had the potential to be a monumental success were they to have won in overtime or the shootout. Unfortunately Saturday’s poor effort shrouded the work the team did on Friday at home.

Now the Sabres hit the road for games against some very hot hockey teams. The Red Wings and Blues are both winning tons of hockey games and the Jets may have the most hostile arena in the NHL. None of that bodes well for a team that has lost eight-straight on the road.

  • The Sabres goaltenders allowed five goals over two games on the weekend. Ryan Miller kept his total below three goals for the second-straight game and Jhonas Enroth was solid in a losing effort. Sabres fans need to come to terms with weak goals, they happen in nearly every game. The key isn’t that a goalie allows a weak goal, but that he provides key saves later in the game. Miller made plenty of big stops on Friday (despite a weak first goal) and Enroth stood tall for the entire game on Satruday (even though the first goal was questionable).
  • For the second time this season the Sabres defensive corps is ragged. Jordan Leopold and Tyler Myers have proven their capable of playing big minutes. However, Mike Weber and Grocery Stick Gragnani are currently number three and four on the depth chart. Andrej Sekera is close to a return, but Joe Finley doesn’t seem to have the chops to compete on a regular basis just yet. The Sabres desperately need to get healthy.
  • While MAG has had a pretty brutal run as of late, Weber may take his spot in the doghouse. Weber has had a few rough games in a row handling the puck. He all but giftwrapped the two Toronto goals (particularly the second) on Friday. Given that he’s due some serious ice time in the coming days, his game needs to turn around.
  • Myers has been strong since his return from injury. However, his game on Saturday was sloppy. He seems to be really pushing to be active in the play, no matter where the puck is. He was too deep on the second NYI goal and has been running around here and there. Fact: He is more effective when physical and engaging the play. Fact II: He hurts the team when his active play is irresponsible, which seems to be a trait that comes and goes.
  • Vanek and Pominville are still beasts together. I can’t say enough about the way they have responded to their leadership roles. Might as well make Vanek a permanent ‘A’ and just pick two or three others to rotate the other letter.
  • Losing Robyn Regehr will be a true eye-opener for this team. They have struggled defensively this season, but Regehr has been their most steady defender. His absence will be felt all over.

The Morning Skate: Sabres searching to end slump

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Since the lockout the cure-all for the Sabres has been home contests against the Maple Leafs. Even earlier in the season the Sabres filled up the net in a 5-4 home victory. Starting with that game, the Sabres have collected points in their past six home games (thanks @NickelCityIan).

Of course, the slight home turnaround has been countered with a sour run on the road. A run that includes Tuesday’s 2-0 loss in Toronto. Through three games this season against Toronto, the home game has won each meeting. With any luck this evening’s game will continue that trend.

Buffalo will need to find some goal scoring, particularly secondary scoring. Drew Stafford has had numerous golden opportunities as of late but has cashed in only one, a dirty goal against Edmonton. Stafford’s under-performance along with others lack of production has caused the most issues with the Sabres so far this season. The rare victories as of late have come when players not named Pominville and Vanek score.

Highlighted Matchup

Stafford, Boyes and Leino. This line has shown some strong puck possession and the ability to create opportunities. However, they haven’t found the net just yet. Leino was invisible in Toronto, but was creative against Winnipeg. In fact, he was one of Buffalo’s best forwards. If this line finds the back of the net, the Sabres will likely find two points.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Ryan Miller 25 GP 10-12-2,3.01 GAA, .902 SV%

TOR: Jonas Gustavsson 21 GP 13-7-0,2.91 GAA, .908 SV%

Last Game

1/10/12, Air Canada Centre, Sabres 0 – Leafs 2

Buffalo Bandits 2012 season preview

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A particularly busy offseason has the Buffalo Bandits roster looking quite a bit different than it has in recent seasons. A few trades and interesting roster moves brought some turnover to the team that still has the talent to be one of the NLL’s power teams this season.

Mike Thompson will anchor the crease for the Bandits this season.

Darris Kilgour’s club made a significant step forward in establishing quality secondary scoring, something that hurt the club at points throughout the 2011 season. Luke Wiles and Kevin Buchanan will certainly compliment John Tavares, Mark Steenhuis and Tracey Kelusky at forward. Of course, Roger Vyse and Chad Culp’s offensive abilities won’t go unnoticed either. Mat Giles also should be counted on to provide some offense this season. How much will be determined by his playing time.

Wiles and Buchanan represent a step forward in re-establishing the dominant offense that drove the team to the 2008 NLL Championship and a ridiculous 8-0 start in 2009. The potential of the two puts them right on plane with players like Kelusky and Vyse. While that group of four doesn’t possess the all-world talent of a Steenhuis or Tavares, they may turn out to be more valuable to the overall success of the team than the two stars.

The X-factor on the offensive side of the ball may very well be Jeremy Thompson. The rookie is a promising talent and it will be interesting to see if he cracks the line up in his first year. Playing for a coach who has long favored proven veterans over rookies, Thompson’s first year may be used for development more than production. However, the first round selection has the opportunity to step in to fill the shoes of the recently departed Brett Bucktooth. Continue reading →

Time to re-evaluate the All-Star Game

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Last season the NHL took a brilliant step forward regarding the All Star game. They eliminated the East vs. West format and instituted a “fantasy draft”.

While the All Star game is pretty much a waste of time (aside from the skills competition), the draft has brought some relevance to an otherwise boring display.

The draft is the best thing to happen to the All Star Game since ever. Letting the league’s best players basically just pull sticks to determine teams was a fantastic addition to last year’s game and shouldn’t be changed. Ever.

With the All Star rosters being announced today there was the expected uproar from fans clamoring for their team’s snubs and the inclusion of those who they deem unworthy of selection. For example, there is little reason for Thomas Vanek to have been left off this roster. Perhaps there was a wink-wink nudge-nudge agreement to leave him out in order to rest, but he has been one of the NHL’s best forwards this season. There is little reason to leave him out of this game.

The likely explanation for Vanek being snubbed can likely be found in fan voting. Because the fans are allowed to determine the six starters for the game, there is the usual run of home players who are sometimes undeserving of the selection. So, Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson, Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson, Dion Phaneuf and Tim Thomas were voted to participate. That doesn’t necessarily mean they would have been selected. Of course, Michalek, Thomas and Karlsson are worthy additions. The other three could probably have been left off for other players. Here lies the problem. Continue reading →

Reflecting on the Sabres Summit

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There is little doubt the Sabres Summit was a success. It served as a forum for Sabres bloggers to have their voice heard by the Sabres organization. Specifically, their voice was heard by team President Ted Black.

Of the topics I had pegged to bring up, a few were covered by my fellow bloggers, as I expected. However, I had two topics that I wanted to make sure I brought up. The first being the potential re-use for the empty Backstage Club/former Ira Ross Aerospace Museum. The second topic was about the potential return of the Frozen Four and re-implementing the Punch Imlach Hockey Showcase.

The space that was previously used by the Ira Ross Aerospace Museum is situated along the side of FNC, behind the Sabres Store and below the Harbor Club. While the arena renovations were being completed, this housed the Sabres gym equipment. Now it lies vacant, waiting for a new use.

Black noted that the space is 12,000 square feet, there is little space to utilize it as a restaurant due to the store and other neighboring rooms. However, he also pointed out that he has a secret plan for the space that he doesn’t yet wish to reveal. My hope is that his idea is for a Sabres Hall of Fame.

I was unfortunately unable to follow-up my original question with my thoughts on establishing a Hall of Fame in that space. Black also mentioned the terrible location for the entrance to that part of the building. Certainly an avenue for access through the arena could be established, particularly for an attraction like that. Black also mentioned that the idea of building vertically into the Harbor Club could be a possibility. It could also offer a secondary source of access.

Not to harp on the idea, as I have detailed most of my thoughts previously, but I think the potential is there to take advantage of the trajectory that Canalside is taking along with the potential connection of the harbor bridge in the near future.

One other idea I did mention with regards to Canalside was for the Sabres to be part of a project to build a Sabres-centric bar. Just like HockeyTown in Detroit, just with a bit more of Pegula’s or the organization’s influence. Continue reading →

Sabres Blog Summit: Recap

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Yesterday’s blogger summit at First Niagara Center was one of those events that hones in on the attitude that the Pegula ownership group has brought to the table. Not only have the Sabres opened their arms to the blogging community covering the team, they offer them pizza, wings, pop and beer. Oh, and an audience with the team president.

The original blog summit took place in the summer and was a true eye-opening event for those so accustomed to the closed-door policies of the Golisano regime. As he described the incredible commitment level from the Pegulas, Black served up one of his more memorable quotes.

“The Penguins won the Sidney Crosby draft, Buffalo won the owner lottery.”

That is certainly a true sentiment. Events like these, the ticket deliveries and the general transparency offered at many levels is refreshing.

As for the summit itself, it was a congregation of about 20 Sabres blogs in the media work/meal room at FNC. In an attempt to avoid beating a dead horse, I’ll attempt not to cover the event ad nauseum as I’m sure many of my counterparts have offered great analysis already. Continue reading →

Double Minors: Yet to reach rock bottom

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Look on the bright side, Ryan Miller held the opponent to fewer than three goals. he made 26 saves on 28 shots.

Of course, the Sabres lost. A 2-0 shutout at the hands of the Maple Leafs. It would seem as if the Sabres are still spiraling their way to the bottom. Thomas Vanek left the game early, leaving the Sabres with one capable scoring threat. The Leafs had little trouble snuffing out the Buffalo attack on their way to an easy win.

A slow start equated to a flat effort that came from a team that is slowly drifting into coach-killing mode. As to what may shake the roster from the funk? It will either be a new voice or some new faces. Frankly, having the same players with a new bench boss will only go so far. Eventually these guys will revert to passionless hockey. The real solution would be to pluck a few from “the core”. These players need to know they aren’t safe, a shake-up would prove that.

  • Buffalo’s goal scoring has become flat-out embarrassing. To hear Darcy Regier say no shake-up is imminent goes beyond embarrassment to blatant lunacy. The Sabres are in desperate need of a new identity. Terry Pegula was supposed to bring that when he came on board, he was the first drop in the bucket. Now the Sabres need to identify the issue staring them in the face. It may already be too late.
  • Ryan Miller once again played a strong enough game to get his team the win. Considering the timing of some of the questionable goals he has allowed lately, early ones trump late ones in my opinion. If there was any heart or spark on that bench, the 2-0 deficit would have been easily erased. Hell, it happens enough in the other direction. Miller can’t be blamed tonight. Yet another game no goal scoring failed the team.
  • Hopefully Thomas Vanek truly did have the flu. The Sabres are an obvious train wreck without him in the lineup. He and Jason Pominville may be the only two players keeping this team on the rails. The “slump” being experienced by the Sabres’ depth scorers has far surpassed the typical definition of a slump. These players are flat-out underperforming with the production they have been putting forth.
  • Pat Kaleta’s game is going to drive him out of the league. His penalty today was borderline, but probably the correct call. While he is effective on the penalty kill, there is little else he can add at this point. It will be a tough call to re-sign him in the summer. Particularly considering Corey Tropp is knocking on the door.
  • How awesome is Toronto’s goal song? It is a rip off from a couple other teams, but it is tailor-made for an NHL goal celebration. However, based on Twitter, the atmosphere in ACC was generally awful. Probably because 60% of ticket holders show up in suits and want to discuss profit margins. I wonder how high their hockey IQ is.
  • January will officially determine if the Sabres are buyers or sellers at the deadline. If Regier makes a deal during January he will open the door for his team to turn around. If he waits, the Nail Yakupov sweepstakes will have begun.

Three Stars

1. Jonas Gustavsson

2. Nikolai Kulemin

3. Mikhail Grabovski

NHL Links

Game Summary

Event Summary

Sabres After 41: Looking forward

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While the writing may be on the wall that the current make-up of the Buffalo Sabres is a stagnant collection of players yearning for a change of scenery, there remains a few small glimmers of hope.

If the injury situation is ever solved there is a chance to recapture some of the magic the Sabres had to open the season. Last year’s miraculous run to the playoffs obviously serves as a barometer that this season isn’t over just yet; only that it will be an uphill battle. Lastly, the swirling rumors that the Sabres may be nearing a deal offers some promise that new faces will bring change and success to this team.

The first portion of the Sabres mid-season report offered a look back at some of the most obvious issues the team has gone through to this point in the season. Allow part two to offer a look ahead to the remaining 41 games on the schedule. Continue reading →

Could a Buffalo-centric sports station work?

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Remember the glory days? The Empire Sports Network broadcast Sabres games, had a handful of talk shows and a nightly highlight show that was centered around Western New York sports.

At one point Empire was truly thriving. It was the perfect outlet to serve WNY in terms of Sabres and Bills coverage in addition to high school, college and other professional sports. Unfortunately the Adelphia scandal all but killed Empire and it died off prior to the 2005-06 NHL season.

The recent MSG/Time Warner spat has blacked out a vast majority of Sabres fans and has left many questioning what the next step will be in this regard. the contract dispute is nothing more than the final straw for many. The lack of respect MSG has shown the WNY market is pathetic. Aside from Sabres games, there is little acknowledgement for the region. That includes commercials. Unfortunately the Sabres; contract with MSG runs for the next few seasons, ending in 2016-17. If the contract must run its course, then so be it. But is there a chance that a different entity could step in?

There is no secret that Ted Black comes from television. All the reports about him during the Pegula sweepstakes pointed to the success he had in building FSN-Pittsburgh. Between Pegula’s deep pockets, Black’s prowess with a sports television station and the obvious market demand in Buffalo; it would seem a regional sports network would do well here.

The first point that should be made is that there has been mo mention of anything along these lines happening. Who knows if Pegula would even be interested in forking over more dough to bankroll this type of venture? In addition, there is the current MSG contract to consider as well.

But just thinking outside the box certainly paints a picture that this type of channel would not only have plenty of content, but the potential for a strong, successful lineup. The Sabres, Bandits and Bills would obviously be the cornerstones of this channel, but UB, Niagara, Canisius and additional high school and college sports would provide ample filler. Building around some of the staples which Empire succeeded with, there is a foundation that can be augmented by additional coverage and programming. Continue reading →