Buffalo Sabres

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.

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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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 →

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

NHL Links

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Event Summary

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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Event Summary

The Morning Skate: Kassian set to make his debut

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It is the debut every Sabres fan has been waiting for. Some have been saying to call Zack Kassian up since he signed his entry level contract and appeared in a handful of games for Portland last year.

Zack Kassian will make his much anticipated NHL debut in Columbus this evening. John Vogl reports the big winger will skate with Luke Adam and Matt Ellis. A wise choice by Ruff to put Kassian with the center he skated with for nearly the entire summer. That will give him some familiarity for this contest.

Kassian will need to play a physical game this evening. His draft position was determined by his physical play and scoring touch. He hasn’t shown much physical edge since breaking into the professional ranks and he needs to find that side of his game if he has any hope of becoming an NHL regular.

Buffalo’s biggest challenge tonight will be to find continuity as they enter yet another game with some sort of change to their lineup. While Kassian is the newest face; Jochen Hecht, Corey Tropp and Matt Ellis will all be shifted from their roles on Wednesday.

Columbus is entering the game with Curtis Sanford and Allen York as their goaltenders for the contest. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering Steve Mason has had seriously terrible season (3.63 GAA & .875 SV%) while Sanford is sporting a 1.33 GAA and a .946 SV%, granted that is in only five games of action.

Buffalo’s previous victory over Columbus came on the shoulders of a brilliant performance by Jhonas Enroth as the Blue Jackets out shot the Sabres 43-26. Buffalo’s special teams were deadly in the last meeting and both units have been impressive throughout the year and will continue to key wins and losses for this team. Especially if they continue to struggle with injuries.

Highlighted Matchup

Buffalo penalty kill. The Sabres power play gave them a 2-0 lead on Wednesday night, T.J. Brennan made it 3-1. However, the penalty kill failed them, allowing a pair of goals (including the tying tally) as the Sabres found a way to lose to the Bruins. The penalty kill is missing plenty of pieces (Kaltea, Myers, Weber) and will need to shore up for this evening.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Jhonas Enroth 12GP 7-2-1, 2.13 GAA, .930 SV%

CBJ: Curtis Sanford 5GP 2-0-2, 1.33 GAA, .946 SV%

Last Game

10/27/2011, First Niagara Center, Sabres 4 – Blue Jackets 2

 

Double Minors: Sabres 3 – Bruins 4 SO

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The first 20 minutes were exactly what Sabres fans were waiting for last night. The Sabres came out, played physical, fought Milan Lucic and looked like a hard nosed hockey club. It was the following 40 minutes that were less encouraging.

Another two-goal lead slipped away at home for the Sabres. While they got a point, it was a game that will be remembered for the Sabres standing up for themselves and registering a moral  victory. However, there was a lot more to that game than a few fights and a strong first period.

Give credit to Paul Gaustad. He came out and fought Lucic after he did little in Boston. Lucic manhandled him in the fight, but at least Gaustad showed he isn’t going to back down. The entire roster came out throwing body checks, Gaustad, Nathan Gerbe and Corey Tropp were especially physical. Their play led to another donnybrook after Gaustad tried to put Brad Marchand into the fifth row and Robyn Regehr stepped up for his team in another losing effort against Zdeno Chara.

Perhaps the Sabres left a little too much on the ice in the first period. Maybe their play awoke the Bruins to the kind of game they would have to play, because the Sabres were not the best team on the ice in the second and third periods. The Boston power play dominated the Buffalo penalty kill and the Sabres power play fizzled after picking up a pair of goals in the first period.

Buffalo’s chance to win came with 1:00 of power play time in overtime. They even had a pair of glorious chances but couldn’t finish. Thus is life sometimes.. But the bottom line is that the special teams didn’t do their part for the Sabres in yet another home loss.

  • Two rookies have scored their first NHL goal for the Sabres this season. T.J. Brennan made a great play to convert a rebound for his first. It was only one game, but considering he is virtually the same player as Marc-Andre Gragnani, I would take Brennan any day over MAG. Brennan played physical and showed he has strong puck skills. Brennan made me less nervous than Andrej Sekera or Gragnani over the course of the game.
  • Nathan Gerbe was Buffalo’s best player. Not to be too cliché, but you wouldn’t have known how big he was based on his play. Gerbe was physical all game and didn’t shy away from anyone. Considering his work ethic, you have to be excited to think what he will continue to bring to the table.
  • Corey Tropp is also making me a believer. If he is a sign of what is to come for the Sabres, you have to be kind of excited. Tropp is pretty much Pat Kaleta with a little more offensive upside. His three blocked shot shift that was accentuated by a couple hits in the second period was a real eye opener. You have to wonder if his continued success may make Kaleta expendable at some point.
  • Brad Marchand really exudes scumbag. I know Kaleta is right up there in the eyes of the NHL in terms of pests and dirty players. I won’t argue against that. However, the way Marchand plays makes that rat persona really. Honesty, what kind of pussy ducks body checks and chirps a bench after he scores. The guy is a complete disgrace, the fact that he is so skilled just makes it worse.
  • I didn’t love Jhonas Enroth’s game tonight. He wasn’t bad, but he looked shaky once again. Marchand’s goal was particularly weak. Give him credit, he made some big saves in the third and the shootout, giving his team a chance to win.
  • Not sure why the referees didn’t call the Stafford/Ference altercation a fight. Both dropped their gloves and Stafford landed a few shots on Ference. Props to Stafford for standing up for himself.
  • Hated Jochen Hecht with Vanek and Pominville. With Brad Boyes out the landscape will seriously change in terms of line combos. But still, Hecht is a complete waste with those two. I was glad Roy was put back with Leino and Stafford, but I hated Ruff’s decision on Hecht. He played very well in a checking role, they should have rolled him out with Matt Ellis and Tropp.
  • The early penalties and the Boyes injury basically made Ruff roll three players out at a time with little ability to keep lines together. I have an inkling that Zack Kassian may get the call for Boyes. Kassian has been scoring for Rochester and he is a right wing. Seems like a good choice. Hopefully he comes up and plays a real physical style.

Three Stars

1. Tyler Seguin

2. Benoit Pouliot

3. T.J. Brennan

NHL Links

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The Morning Skate: Judgement day has arrived

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The day of reckoning is upon us. That is to say, the Bruins are in town and most Sabres fans and media personalities expect a brawl during warmups.

Personally, I have the over/under for fights at two. 2ITB reader Chris Wasik is taking the under, as am I. If there is one fight, I won’t be surprised. But if there is less time spent throwing fists and more time throwing body checks the fans can’t be too upset with the Sabres’ response.

Bottom line, the Sabres didn’t respond how they needed to when the Miller incident first occurred and the time to answer the bell has passed. Lindy Ruff said it best in his morning presser (thanks to TBN),

We have to play a real hard game. That’s the message in all areas. Hard on the puck, hard getting it back, hard physically.

Buffalo will have a tough enough task cooling down the NHL’s hottest team. The Bruins have won nine-straight and have climbed to the top of the Northeast Division. Well, until Toronto won last night. To put it bluntly, Buffalo, Boston and Toronto will be playing musical chairs atop the Northeast for some time.

Tonight marks the first in a run of 10 games in the next 12 to be played at First Niagara Center. Judging by the Sabres hot and cold reactions at home, they will need a good run to keep pace with the Eastern Conference playoff contenders.

Despite the main focus of tonight’s game being on trying to take Milan Lucic’s head off, the focus should be on beating the Bruins and starting a run that will separate the Sabres from the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Highlighted Matchup

T.J. Brennan. The rookie will be making his NHL debut in a pretty big game. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his two seasons in the minors. While Brennan may not see a ton of ice time, he will need to play a sound game in order to prove he is capable of remaining the first man up from the farm as the season progresses. Not to mention, this is a defensive corps without two of their best defensive zone players, Brennan will need to be responsible in his own end all night.

Projected Goaltenders

BUF: Jhonas Enroth 11GP, 7-2-0, 2.06 GAA, .931 SV%

BOS: Tim Thomas 14GP. 9-4-0, 1.77 GAA, .938 SV%

Last Game

11/12/2011, TD Garden, Sabres 2 – Bruins 6