Game Thirty-Eight Open Thread: Sabres at Thrashers
The state of the Sabres right now has to be one of desperation. In reality it’s still marked by lazy play by some key players whose actions don’t always support their words.
I’m glad Brian Campbell was emotional after the Ottawa loss. But go back and watch Ottawa’s second goal. Andrej Meszaros’ point shot was never seen by Miller, because he was being perfectly screened by Chris Neil and Brian Campbell. As the puck worked around the zone, Neil planted himself right in front of the net. Campbell drifted to the front from the side of the net, and set up right next to Neil. As the puck went back to the point, Campbell looked up at Neil. Instead of trying even the slightest physical effort to move Neil from the screen, he seemed to realize, “Damn, Chris Neil will kick my ass if I even look at him funny. I think I’ll just hang next to him and try to lift his stick if there’s a rebound.” Well, there wasn’t any rebound to speak of as Meszaros drilled it over Miller’s right shoulder, with the screen provided perfectly by Campbell. Brian Campbell simply was not willing to pay the price to make a good hockey play and move Neil a foot to his left.
Thomas Vanek tells us he’s working hard, but I grow tired of watching him come down the wing and try his now patented “glide” move, where he surrenders the puck and tries to glide around the defenseman. Sometimes, you just need to take it to the net. It rarely happens with Vanek, and to me that’s an indication that he’s just not willing to pay the price to make a good play.
That’s by no means a complete list, but it’s just two examples of the “leaders” on this team trying to lead with words that ring hollow when they are on the ice.
All that said, the reality is that the Sabres remain in a cluster of teams battling their way for spots 5-12 in the East. Atlanta is one of those teams as they are tied with 41 points each. We’ve been saying this all year, but if they don’t put a nice run together this month, then they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.
I love the afternoon games, and this one starts at 2:00.
I’ll be at this one in the $10 nosebleeds… the Boys are 0-1-1 in the games I have recently attended, so let’s hope that ends today. Enjoy the game all, and I’ll report back if anything remarkable happens.
have fun Seth!
Amen Kevin …. too much talking and not enough playing. Unlike Jerry “the jerk” Sullivan, I am not enamored with Campbell at 3.5 to 4.0 million per year. Lydman needs some time in the press box, as his play has dropped off the charts. Put Pratt in there … how much worse can he be ?
“Amen Kevin …. too much talking and not enough playing.”
Yep. Time to quit talking about playing hard for 60 minutes and time to start actually doing it. It’s tiring hearing them say the right things but play like they don’t really mean any of it.
Here’s a second to your emotion. Today’s game shapes up as another flat performance by Team Pancake. I wonder how much this malaise is post-playoff letdown (a la Carolina last year) versus resignation that Quinn/Regier are not committed to winning a Cup.
On the bright side, the Gaustad-Stafford-Ryan energy line last game was the most spark I’ve seen from this bunch all year. Let’s hope they keep it going and it becomes infectous. Maybe it could be the antidote to the Connolly-Vanik lope-a-dope cancer.
“…resignation that Quinn/Regier are not committed to winning a Cup.”
That’s getting to be a major cop-out, in my opinion. There’s plenty of talent on the team to make a lot of noise but they have to work hard. I know management and coaches often get blamed for poor performance, sometimes fairly, but at some point the guys who actually play the games have to step up. If they were playing the best hockey they can and losing, maybe I could get into blaming management. But they’re not even coming close to doing that, atleast not right now.
“There’s plenty of talent on the team to make a lot of noise but they have to work hard.”
There’s way too much fluff…
Something has gotta give – someone needs to run out of town (for $100 cash compensation, ala Ric Seiling)
Regier’s ass puckers every time he forgets his “awards card” at Wegmans – his balls are made of fluff – I expect no moves in the future, not til Lindy beats the shit out of Darcy
Hmm..I seem to remember watching a Sunday afternoon game in Atlanta about this time last year, which we lost of course. I believe Mike Ryan scored his first NHL goal that game – against Ryan Miller.
vtTom, I’d agree that there are some missing pieces and maybe some pieces that don’t fit but some of the responsibility still has to fall on the players who aren’t playing the way they can. That’s all I’m saying. Darcy and Lindy can’t make Vanek shoot the puck, Campbell clear the crease, Roy hold onto the puck etc.
They aren’t playing hard, or their best, perhaps because they don’t have the same desire they had last year, because they sense management doesn’t have it either. It isn’t a cop out, it’s human nature, and it makes a lot of sense. I would hope they have more professionalism than that. I believe it is more related to getting used to playing in second gear and now they equate it to 4th gear.
In other words, most people think they work at 90-100% effort when actually they are doing 70-80% because it’s impossible to go at 100% all the time. This team is playing at 50-60% most of the time and occasionally it plays at 80%, but all the while they’ve convinced themselves they’re playing at 90-100%. The reason for it is anybody’s guess, but it’s clear they don’t have a sense of urgency or are unable/unwilling to act on it. It has nothing to do with talent level, and everything to do with desire.
Nice to see MacArthur back up. I missed the scratches…is Peters finally in the press box?
Nope. nevermind, I see Petey getting his 30 seconds in.
One thing I will give Vanek is that he does go to the net. If it’s a Campbell/Vanek combo goal for goal no. one then that me looks like Bucky today.
OK, decent start. Let’s see the Sabres put together a full period, then two, etc.
1-0, hon (Val is at work); Vanek on a deflection.
“It has nothing to do with talent level, and everything to do with desire.”
You’re right. And again, that’s on the players. They’re professional athletes, they should be giving their best effort regardless of circumstances. That’s their job. I don’t think anyone confused this year’s Bills with a Super Bowl team but that didn’t stop them from busting their asses more weeks than not. I’m not saying management has no blame in the current season, I’m just saying it’s not fair to act like the players have nothing to do with the lackluster season which is the way some people (not you specifically) are acting.
But anyway… Yay, a goal!
Stupid effing Kalinin.
Good Lord, what a bad turnover by Kalinin.
1-1, dear; Hossa on a steal and shot.
Kalinin with some good hockey there. I want my D going 1 on 3, then giving a puck away in his own zone.
I’m not saying the players aren’t the reason for their lackluster play, I’m just speculating on a reason why they’re playing this way.
That goal was a rally-killer. And I can’t believe Lindy took Ryan off the Gaustad line. I guess it was making the other 3 lines look bad.
Forecheck looks much better (even Vanek getting in on the act), but the turnovers are killer. Paetsch is playing his way into a suit in the press box.
Geez, even Pommers is turning it over. Don’t do that, Pommers!
For those not in the Buf or ATL area, yahoo.com is showing the game ….
Geez; Tampa Bay just fumbled away the kickoff to open the second half.
nice PP.
1-1 end of the first period, dear.
Wow, quick first period. Some pretty good chances. Let’s see if we can get some of them in the net now.
Time for me to go visit Mom.
Hope she’s in the mood for hockey!
Okay, I’ll say it for everyone:
wtf?
RJ – you beat me to it. I’m speechless.
How’s putting the Somenex in the Gatorade. Wouldn’t you know they couldn’t put 2 good periods together. The cancer is even infecting Miller now.
Great; a short laundry stop turns into my missing about half a period and a goal, WTF happened?
Nothing, Kevin J. Literally nothing happened. Puck was at the side of the net, and somehow it’s in. Off Miller’s stick maybe?
One of the slowest, most inexplicable goals I can remember.
Have they looked this meh all afternoon?
Pretty much. Goose/Mair/Ryan have drawn two penalties, Timmy and Vanek have looked good at times. Other then that It’s been this way all game.
Thrashers haven’t done anything to shock me. First goal was off a Kalinin brain fart.
Damn; it sounds like a general malaise is taking over the entire team, even Miller at last. Was it a 5-on-5 situation, RJ?
BTW, the Giants just went up 24-7 with about 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, if anyone cares.
Yeah, 5 on 5. Ilya drew a Hank penalty early, but they didn’t do anything on it.
Miller had the same “WTF” look the rest of us had on it. He didn’t pull away from the post, it was just one of “those” bounces…
Why is their glass so wide at the sideboards?
And all it did was put the Sabres behind Atlanta.
i’ve had to switch to the giants game, this has been just too boring. whoever said “general malaise” said it best…
But Shane, you have to go see the Sabres/Atl game on the 16th! Tickets.com says!
Our power play blllloooooooooows.
I think I borrowed the “general malaise” expression from the mid-late 1970s political lexicon, Shane.
Is it 80s dance night in Atlanta? And no, I’m not going to leave my friends behind. Jerk.
fucking a.
When do you know you are mediocre?
When Colin Stuart goes coast to coast on your asses.
Good Lord; was the second goal as bad as that one?
3-1 Atlanta, dear.
wow….not a good start in 2008 for the Sabres.
Cripe.
Queens of the Stone Age > A-Ha.
seems to me there should be a players-only closed door meeting and players need to man up.
I’m starting to dislike this team. They’re just going through the motions out there. Looks like Soupy will have to do a lot more crying for these guys to show up.
Ah, some quality ice time for Peters.
Boy, this is starting to suck in a major fashion.
4-1 Atlanta, dear.
So if Campbell cries again during postgame, does Bucky raise his UFA contract another quarter mill?
why is peters on the same line as Goose and Mair?
Ouch. This game is getting painful to watch.
Why is Peters even playing?
Because Roy broke a strap on his purse, 289.
289 – I would like to know the answer to that question. Then an answer to my question.
I’ve been sick enough lately; I don’t need the Sabres’ help.
There is no fucking way that management can stand by and not do something major to light these bitches up. Seriously, now we’re a soft team mentally as well as physically.
Adam – I agree. A shake-up is in order. Not sure who should be the scapegoat, though.
I woke up at 3:00, I’ve been sick since Friday, and was pleasantly surprised to find an open game thread. I think I’m going back to bed.
So, do you guys think June Jones will stay in Hawaii? or is he headed to SMU? Right now this conversation is more exciting than this hockey game.
I’d be happy to keep Kozlov off the score sheet at this point. Man, I can’t stand him.
June is already gone. He already sent in his letter.
Well, well, well; a Sabres’ goal by MacArthur.
4-2 Atlanta, dear.
I’m not sure either, Gator. One or two of our “stars” need to be traded for tougher-minded players. The quicker the better.
Thank you, Clarke MacArthur.
do I dare to get excited?
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/06/june-jones-leaves-paradise/
Doe Jones have any previous connections to SMU? I can’t see why he would leave Hawaii for that job.
Especially with SMU having the tradition of being a running team/program.
Adam,
Not to self-advertise, but:
http://goosesroost.blogspot.com/2007/12/my-i-was-there-post.html
Bottom of the page. History says nothing will happen.
Because Hawaii had no budget for recruiting, facilities worse than many high schools, and no one would travel to play them. There was no chance for any additional growth.
I fear you’re right, RJ. Darcy can build a team from scratch, but being an in-season GM he is not. We have too much talent to be in the position we’re in. Just ridiculous.
You’re right, twoeightnine, but SMU has never been the same since its “death sentence” a bunch of years ago.
Yeah but at least they’re on the mainland and were once a power program. Jones’ thing is to rebuild programs. It’s perfect for him. It wasn’t too long ago that Hawaii was 1-10.
Hmm; good point. I will have to keep an eye on SMU. With Texas Tech already hosting an aerial show, SMU could eventually make Texas the site of some real fireworks.
what’s wrong with roy? does he have a sore pussy?
maybe Darcy will change this year and start making some moves.
I think someone mentioned that Roy has a pulled purse arm muscle.
What the fuck is this shit?
Some power play.
maybe Roy hurt himself diving during the game?
He’d be on permanent IR that way, Gator,
A great ending to a great game,
5-2 Atlanta, dear.
need to re-group for the next game ….
Did you hear the padding? His stats must be nice and comfy…
good point, Kevin.
That game stunk worse than the guy’s foot in the smoking commercial.
Ha; what are you saying, RJ?
A pass to a guy who was put on waivers the day after his own bobblehead night would have been the right thing to do, I think.
I was shaking my head at Kowalchuk, to be honest.
UGH…
fuckin cupcakes; too much sugar in their loafers!
I’m adding Colin Stuart to my fantasy team and dropping Connolly.
Everyone knows I’ve beaten the Penner drum since the end of last season, but honestly, it would be a waste to trade for him when there is absolutely no emphasis put on physical play.
Leadership works from the top down. If management is soft, the players will be soft. Think this shit would be going down if Brian Burke was our GM? Yeah, didn’t think so.
I didn’t have time during the last thread, but here are some stats for Coach (C)indy a la hitting and its correlation to winning:
Anaheim Ducks (06-07) GP W L OTL GF GA PTS
82 48 20 14 258 208 110
Clearly the most physical team in the lead last year. Add a Stanley Cup to this list too.
Ottawa Senators (07-08) GP W L OTL PTS
41 27 10 4 58
If you don’t think Ottawa plays physically you’re not paying attention. But you can also check with TC, Stafford, and Paille if you’re still unsure.
Yeah, Cin..no need to play physically.
Holy crap, this team cannot be any worse. This team definitely needs to be physical. Why doesnt this team just park in front and just wail away.
Ottawa, the best physical team of the East, got out muscled by Anaheim big time in the Stanley Cup finals too.
They need to sit Peters, then put 4 lines together permanently. Then tell them to get their shit in order and learn how to play together in complete unison. Pecking order of lines depends on who can put aside personal egos and work as a unit most successfully. Independent study groups of a sort. Then again, that might take away from special teams practice. They do that, don’t they?
Becky,
We can’t score goals. Why would you want to dilute the talent by leveraging them across 4 lines? Ruff needs to work on creating lines that click.
I’ve said it before, but any team that not only has andrew peters on its roster but actually plays him, is not a serious team. And I like mike ryan’s grit, but he’s merely a decent AHLer. We are a three-line team at most, and worse, miller looks like he’s about ready to give up. I cry a little more inside every time clark macarthur is in roch while these other two suit up in buffalo.
All is not lost, but there needs to be some significant changes made fast, with regard to attitude first and foremost.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/06/the-expletive-stupid-ice-bowl/#cont
an interesting video was just posted over at the fanhouse….
[...] Heather B. wrote an interesting post today on Game Thirty-Eight Open Thread: Sabres at ThrashersHere’s a quick excerpt [...]
time to clean house. this “team” is the worst i’ve seen in years and it can’t be blamed on management, it must be pinned on all the passengers that float every night
ipster, I don’t necessarily agree. It’s normal for most human beings to be ordinary. The sad truth is that this team is very similar to those of recent years, with much of the personnel overlapping.
Most of us only work as hard as we need to to get the job done – the entire idea of efficiency is to accomplish the most with the least cost. The trouble is that the Sabres believe they’re doing all they can – ie. doing as much as can be expected with what they’ve got – but we know they’re not doing all they can because we’re lucky if they show up for one period each night.
This is where leadership comes in. Ruff can talk about losing Briere and Drury all day long, but leadership starts with the coaching staff. Ruff is clearly not doing all he can to get the most out of his players. If he were, there would have been a least a couple benchings by now. These players are kids. They want to be told what to do and how to do it. Those who are unwilling can be sent on their way, but I haven’t seen much to indicate that they’re being asked to more in the first place.
“Ruff is clearly not doing all he can to get the most out of his players. If he were, there would have been a least a couple benchings by now.”
I may not be an NHL coach, but, somehow, I don’t think it’s that simple. This sounds like Bucky Gleason.
I guess my last comment wasn’t intended to be an all-inclusive assessment of the sabres, but if Ruff really is getting the most out of everyone, we actually do need a complete overhaul, beginning with the GM and head coach. I hardly believe that’s the case, because lack of effort is all too palpable.
So here are a couple more questions/observations:
-How much incentive does Vanek have now that he’s struck it rich?
-Why do we seem to have the only ‘tough guy’ in the league who is incapable of holding down a regular shift? More importantly, why does our coach believe he fits our system or belongs in the NHL?
-If there is no clear leader in the dressing room to motivate the troops on a nightly basis, doesn’t this responsibility fall on the coach? And if not, why not?
-Why did Mike Ryan win a spot prior to training camp? Clarke MacArthur has much more upside and playing consistently in the NHL would have already paid more dividends than Ryan has (case in point: he’s already produced equally in only 13 games).
-Ruff has admitted he places little emphasis on checking. Am I the only one who saw that interview?
-There’s an interesting dichotomy at play this year with the Sabres. There have alluded that the loss of Drury and Briere excuses their lack of production, but at the same time they seem to have this attitude that they’re still too good and too talented to have to work for results.
-As Keller said the other night, there are too many pussies on this team. Nathan Paetsch is the only defenseman willing to cross-check someone for bumping his goalie. And Peters and Ruff should both be fined on principle alone for these meaningless play-fight exhibitions that occur in the first minute of a game. Want to see a real fight? Wait until Goose, Mair, or Paetsch are in one. At least they can win them.
-For YEARS the Sabres have been soft, and now that they don’t have enough offensive weapons to compensate for all the gliding and nonchalance, they’re right where they should be in the standings. The easiest fix is the most time-honored attribute in the game: hustle.
I guess they saw enough in Michael Ryan to give him a contract, despite it being a one-way deal. I hate that he’s keeping Clark MacArthur out of a regular roster spot.
I honestly feel like Peters could take a regular shift if they would stick with him. He didn’t look like a liability in the last game, and at least was using his size in the corners.
I’m not going to say anything about Vanek. I feel like he’s been trying hard lately which is more than I can say for some others.
Did anyone else notice Peter King putting down the New Year’s Day bowl games, and praising the ice bowl? Great mention by non-hockey national media.
1) Vanek’s Incentive:
I don’t think professional sports players can or do just “turn it off” like you seem to be indicating. This guy has spent his entire life devoted and dedicating to making it to this level of competition. He’s given up everything that the rest of us enjoy in exchange for early morning workouts, all-day practices, week-long road trips, regimented diets, and more hard work in one day than many of us do in one week. He’s had to fight through all of the obstacles and setbacks during his career to get to this level, earn this chance to play. Somehow, I can’t imagine that someone who is capable to doing all of that is also capable of just shrugging his shoulders and thinking “well, I’ve got a big contract, no need to try anymore. I think I’ll have an extra doughnut”. These guys play for the contract, not because they want the money but rather because they know the contract is a reflection of their skill and talent and work ethic. I think it’s at best a GROSS oversimplification to suggest that he’s turned his game off now that he’s got the money, and at worst completely and utterly untrue.
2) Why do we have Peters?
I couldn’t tell ya. It does seem odd that he makes the active roster at all when MacArthur is hanging around in Rochester. On the other hand, he IS a physical player and you’ve pointed out that we need more physical play. He’s energetic when he’s out there, even if not particularly talented. He’s a well-respected guy around the league, which has some value in the locker room and even on the ice. I’m not saying these things mean he absolutely deserves a spot on the roster, but it’s worth pointing out there ARE points in his favor at least.
3) Regardless of whether or not there is a clear leader it should ALWAYS fall on the coach to motivate his troops on a nightly basis. That being said, how do you know he isn’t? I saw them come from behind to tie up a three goal deficit the other night against the conference’s best team. I’ve seen this bunch of mediocre players play like champions some nights, which Ruff ought to deserve credit for if he’s going to also get credit for nights when they don’t.
4) Why Michael Ryan? Who knows, we were not on the ice or in the locker room during training camp. We’re not professional hockey coaches or talent scouts for the NHL, so our opinion is suspect at best. I do know one thing: At this point in the season we have the benefit of hindsight, which they did not have at the beginning of the year.
Also, Ryan has a one-way contract, signed this past off-season which likely means he would have gone elsewhere had we not given it to him.
5) Okay, so Ruff places little emphasis on checking. Schottenheimer places little emphasis on Passing. Burger King places little emphasis on nutritional value. That’s his style and that’s way he wants to play the game. I realize we haven’t won a Stanley Cup, but every year there are 29 teams that don’t win it. We’ve had considerable success under Ruff’s style and philosophy, so it can’t be all wrong.
6) Where has this “attitude that they’re still too good and too talented to have to work for results” been evidenced? By their play? I think, on some nights, they’ve worked incredibly hard. I think just recently against the Sens they worked incredibly hard. No team can work hard every night, it’s just not possible. I’ve never heard a sound bite or interview from any of the players indicative of that attitude you describe, do you know something I don’t?
7) The league is handing out penalties like hotcakes this year for hitting people in front of your goaltender before the puck gets there. The only thing a super-aggressive attitude is going to get you is short-handed. And why should Ruff get fined for Peters doing his thing? This is part of the league, like it or not, most teams have that guy on their roster that does these fights. Brashear, Parros, McGratton, Belak, etc… It’s just part of the game, hardly worth getting excited about.
Not really a question, so I can’t answer anything. I can say I disagree, and argue that their style of play has been incredibly successful the past two years. You can’t say “no cup” because by that standard every year there are 29 losers, but I don’t think you’re suggesting every team should change head coaches every two years. To date we’ve been relatively successful. My opinion is that this is an under-talented team that has, by virtue of good coaching, managed to play at a level that far exceeds their abilities. It’s only now finally catching up with them with the losses of their best offensive talent.
Ultimately, I don’t think it’s a complicated situation: We lost our two best offensive players and now we can’t score as many goals. End of story.
“Ultimately, I don’t think it’s a complicated situation: We lost our two best offensive players and now we can’t score as many goals. End of story.”
I’m not disagreeing with you, but you can also add Tallinder and Lydman (the supposed #1 shutdown pair) playing like absolute dogshit. Tallinder was never the same after that Carolina series injury, much like McKee after the Lemieux incident.
Matt,
Yea, I would have agreed with you after the start of the season but it really seems like, for the most part, our defense has shored itself up. Ok, Tallinder and Lydman aren’t the top guys, but Campbell and Spacho are filling in nicely. You can’t expect to stop the other team all the time and our Goals Against per Game is 2.88, 21st in the league and within reason given our tough defensive start to the season.
Also, our Shots Against is among the lowest in the league (8th place) so it’s not like we’re getting shellacked every game.
Okay Ben, that’s a valid argument…..until you look at Buffalo’s save percentage, which is 22nd in the NHL.
Low shot totals don’t mean anything if you don’t stop those few shots that do get through. A lot of that is a result of odd-man rushes from turnovers (offensive and defensive) and bad pinching by defensemen.
Ben’s post closely resembles in tone a post I read over at Top Shelf. Basically, “If Only, If Only’ and it’s all Quinn’s fault.
Everyone else seems to merit an excuse. I’m one of the first to give people benefit of doubt for a while, but it gets old. The guys get paid good money to go full bore, whether they feel alienated, feelings hurt, whatever.
When it comes to money to a player they’ll tell you it’s a business, nothing personal. So I expect them to play like professionals, each & every game.
Campbell was quoted as saying they’d be happy with half or so wins on the road? I think maybe they should aim for 100%, no matter how unrealistic. That’s what they get paid for.
Ben, I’m not sure how long you’ve been a sabres fan, but they sure seem to have you snowed. Poor vanek – give me 10 mil and i’ll swear off doughnuts too. I don’t think vanek deserves much blame – i was merely asking the question of how hard we can expect him to work now that his incentive to perform isn’t nearly as high as the past two years. ‘Turning it off’ is not the same as not turning it on, however.
The team the past two years hasn’t come close to showing the grit and determination that, say, the ’99 team did. They had shit talent and tons of heart; this year we have tons of talent and shit heart. Ridiculous to argue that we’re an undertalented team – on paper we’re easily on par with ottawa.
If you accept the fact that it’s OK that Ruff places little emphasis on checking, why doesn’t he just coach baseball instead?
Finally, most players don’t come right out and say, ‘you know, i really think i’m too talented to have to work hard tonight.’ Vogl might as well recycle postgame reports from 2002 – how many times can you read ‘well, we just didn’t show up tonight’/'we kind of took them for granted’ before you start to lose your mind? If you know what you’re doing wrong, don’t do it to begin with. The excuses got old way before this year. And unlike you and some other folks, apparently, I’m not happy just settling for third or fourth place when something as basic as a little bit of intensity could make all the difference.
Becky, great point about campbell. For years it’s pissed me off that Ruff would head out on the road for a stretch and say publicly that they really need to at least split the games.
I wonder if Detroit merely hopes to win a certain percentage of their games, or whether they intend to win them all and then settle for less than perfection if they have to.
Matt,
That’s a good point. I don’t have much of a counter-point other than I still think the D is playing fine, and poor fore-checking by the offense is setting up those tough situations for them to defend.
Becky,
Not sure if you were agreeing with me or not, but I agree with you 100%. I also expect these guys to go full-bore and play their hardest every game I just know that at the end of the season there will be some days they didn’t, and that’ll be true of every team in the league. As for Campbell I also agree, if you’re not shooting for a win every game you’re setting up for failure. Of course, realistically they should be happy with a 50/50 split on a road trip, but you don’t tell the press that!!
Trev,
Snowed how? They’ve fooled me into thinking they’re not a good team? I’d say they’ve snowed you into thinking they ARE a good team. You asked the Vanek question, so I tried answering it. Of course he *may* not play as hard as when he was trying to win that contract, but I’ll wait a season or two to pass judgment on him. He’s got a lot to learn and a new role to play on the team and it could be that in another season or so I’ll agree that he tanked. I guess I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since he seems to be making progress (slowly) this year.
Lastly, I know players don’t come right out and say things like that, but ask an open-ended question and ya gotta be prepared for ANY answer
I think you’re mistaking the excuses they give the press for attitude. The excuses are the cliches that you’re expected, as an athlete, to give the press when you’re losing. I’m not sure why you believe this is a talented team, they certainly haven’t exhibited much talent, but the answers they give the press are the only ones they know how to give.
The Sabres are a good team but any team has to work to be successful. They proved last year that all the talent in the world doesn’t displace the need to play with intensity, especially in the playoffs.
The truth is, average talent and above average work ethic will usually take you much further than the reverse. I’ve said a dozen times that if we had the work ethic of the ’99 team, we’d be blowing away our competition.
Ruff just said again today that he thought they played well enough to beat Atlanta on Sunday. I guess he and I were watching different games. Yes, we had our chances, but players who bust balls have their heads in the game, and sloppy turnovers are less likely to happen when you’re paying attention.
I believe the team thinks it’s talented enough to get by without putting in the effort and playing with the determination needed to succeed regularly. Any team will have an off night every now and then – shit, we even beat Ottawa once this year – but the Sabres are not making adjustments against teams that have figured out their system and realized that taking the play to them is usually enough to knock them off their game.
But again, this is nothing new. It seems this has been the case for years now. Remember, in ’99 Ruff basically was coaching the team he inherited from Ted Nolan. I can’t stand Nolan today, but it’s undeniable that he convinced a bunch of never-shoulda-beens that they could beat everybody, and they damn near did.
I welcome anyone to argue that I’m offbase, but I think the addition of Kaleta tonight (if he gets enough minutes) will provide such a contrast to recent “efforts” that it will illustrate exactly what I’ve been frustrated with lately.