Showing posts with label sabres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sabres. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sabres Face Trouble Without Thomas
4:54 AM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
(WGR 550) -- Heading into the playoffs, there were two teams in the Eastern Conference that had failed to figure out how to contain Thomas Vanek: Boston and Tampa Bay.
Make that one.
Johnny Boychuk's slash to the knee of Vanek sent him awkwardly into the HSBC Arena boards, making the the high-scoring forward's return to the series an important question mark. Up to that point, Vanek had registered 1.05 points-per-game against the B's in the regular season. Only the Lightning had less success against the Austrian (1.1).
So with one chop, it's my opinion that this series is 100 percent up-for-grabs, regardless of what some may tell you. Buffalo still has Ryan Miller, and while that's probably enough to get them out of Round One, the order for a series win just became a much taller one.
Vanek has posted 39 points in 36 games against the Bruins, including his goal in Game One and assist in the 4:22 he played in Game Two. While his production in the 2005-06 playoff run was basically absent, the knock on Vanek's postseason run was less valid in 06-07. His 10 points tied for third on the team. His six goals had him alone in second.
His goofy-looking stride makes him an easy target for those who want to label him as lazy, but the truth is that Vanek's been as important to this team's post-Drury/Briere success as any player not named Miller. Buffalo is a combined 8-10-2 without the left winger since the 2007-08 season began. The Sabres are 78-49-17 with him.
I'll let his enemies argue that validity of those stats, but it's hard to argue with the offensive repetoire Vanek brings to the table. Anyone can stand in front of the net and cause trouble for the opposition. It takes someone special to wreak the havoc Vanek does, supplying passing as well as redirection and shooting. Unfortunately, his skill in front of the net have taken away from our notice of his heavy, accurate shot that's spun the goal light silly on many occasions.
The Sabres aren't dead on the frozen water without Vanek, especially in this series. A prolonged absence, however, casts a season that once looked so promising into an old and eerie light. Get well soon, Thomas.
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Thursday, February 26, 2009
Q&A with... Kevyn Adams
(WGR 550) -- After playing for Toronto, Florida, Columbus, Carolina, Phoenix and Chicago, local product Kevyn Adams will suit up for the (radio home of the) Buffalo Sabres.
Adams will join The Howard Simon Show from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday morning, as well as co-host a trade deadline show with me (Nick Mendola) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4. We caught up with 34-year old Stanley Cup Champion and former first round pick of the Boston Bruins early Thursday.
Q: So you're retired, and back living at home... a lot of "returning the favor" to your wife for years of being out-of-town going on?
A: Yes. There's a lot of driving kids to school, and the fact that I haven't been traded this year is almost unbelievable, even though I'm not playing. I thought I still could get traded.
Q: What's Buffalo's reputation around the league?
A: It's very good actually in terms of living here in Buffalo, the guys love it. In terms of the organization itself, I think it's very good around the league. Guys like playing for Lindy and they know they're going to do it the right way. Guys sometimes get a little concerned when they come here, just because they don't know enough about the city, but once they get here, they generally like it.
Q: So, do you do ambassador work for Buffalo around the league?
A: I do. You can ask guys over the years. I've always spoken highly of this area. We'd come into town and everyone would get on my case because obviously the downtown needs a little work and that's all guys ever see, so I'd say, "Hey, there's a lot of nice areas..." I've always kept a place at Lake Chautauqua, so I had roots even when I was gone all those years.
Q: The Sabres are going through goaltender issues with Ryan Miller's high-ankle sprain, and now Patrick Lalime has a flu bug. You won a Cup with Carolina with Cam Ward and Martin Gerber splitting time in net. What's that like for a locker room?
A: Good question. I can't say we weren't concerned when Cam Ward went in net. We were down 2-0 in the series going into Montreal, and kid is a rookie. We got unconcerned real quick because he was just phenomenal. What calmed us in front of him was just his mannerisms. The kid was more calm at 20 years-old than all of us who had been in the league for a while. So, I think once he got on a roll, we were comfortable.
Q: You played a big role in helping Patrick Kane get acclimated to the league last year in Chicago. Obviously, folks around here think he's pretty special, but what's the scoop on him?
A: He's a world-class talent. It just oozes out of him. He's just so skilled. He does some things, even as an 18-year old last year, that I've never seen before with the puck. He's just going to have to realize that it's not going to come easy all the time. He's going to have to fight through some adversity as we go along here, but he's a special player and he'll be an elite player for a long-time.
Q: I've gotta admit, as a charter member of the beard club for young guys... your lack of that beautiful beard we saw in the 2005-06 Cup run is both disappointing, and alarming.
A: That was a good, nice red one. Maybe I'll grow it again, just to feel like I'm playing still.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Adams will join The Howard Simon Show from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday morning, as well as co-host a trade deadline show with me (Nick Mendola) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4. We caught up with 34-year old Stanley Cup Champion and former first round pick of the Boston Bruins early Thursday.
Q: So you're retired, and back living at home... a lot of "returning the favor" to your wife for years of being out-of-town going on?
A: Yes. There's a lot of driving kids to school, and the fact that I haven't been traded this year is almost unbelievable, even though I'm not playing. I thought I still could get traded.
Q: What's Buffalo's reputation around the league?
A: It's very good actually in terms of living here in Buffalo, the guys love it. In terms of the organization itself, I think it's very good around the league. Guys like playing for Lindy and they know they're going to do it the right way. Guys sometimes get a little concerned when they come here, just because they don't know enough about the city, but once they get here, they generally like it.
Q: So, do you do ambassador work for Buffalo around the league?
A: I do. You can ask guys over the years. I've always spoken highly of this area. We'd come into town and everyone would get on my case because obviously the downtown needs a little work and that's all guys ever see, so I'd say, "Hey, there's a lot of nice areas..." I've always kept a place at Lake Chautauqua, so I had roots even when I was gone all those years.
Q: The Sabres are going through goaltender issues with Ryan Miller's high-ankle sprain, and now Patrick Lalime has a flu bug. You won a Cup with Carolina with Cam Ward and Martin Gerber splitting time in net. What's that like for a locker room?
A: Good question. I can't say we weren't concerned when Cam Ward went in net. We were down 2-0 in the series going into Montreal, and kid is a rookie. We got unconcerned real quick because he was just phenomenal. What calmed us in front of him was just his mannerisms. The kid was more calm at 20 years-old than all of us who had been in the league for a while. So, I think once he got on a roll, we were comfortable.
Q: You played a big role in helping Patrick Kane get acclimated to the league last year in Chicago. Obviously, folks around here think he's pretty special, but what's the scoop on him?
A: He's a world-class talent. It just oozes out of him. He's just so skilled. He does some things, even as an 18-year old last year, that I've never seen before with the puck. He's just going to have to realize that it's not going to come easy all the time. He's going to have to fight through some adversity as we go along here, but he's a special player and he'll be an elite player for a long-time.
Q: I've gotta admit, as a charter member of the beard club for young guys... your lack of that beautiful beard we saw in the 2005-06 Cup run is both disappointing, and alarming.
A: That was a good, nice red one. Maybe I'll grow it again, just to feel like I'm playing still.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sabres lack of response softens hopes
There are precious few moments where I know, I mean know, what's coming next in a hockey game, regardless of the score, situation, or teams. Saturday night felt like one of them. Sitting in section 121, I saw Rangers forward Scott Gomez charge behind the net, put his stick on Ryan Miller, along with his leg for good measure, sending the Sabres star goaltender to the ice.
Now, as a guy who would run a goaltender in his embarassingly-low-level playing days, I can tell you what's coming next generally isn't pretty, and as Miller limped back to his crease in the hopes of a puck accidentally hitting his chest, my eyes darted around the ice to see who would be heading after Gomez. Looked like Paul Gaustad.
Indeed, New York coach Tom Renney left Gomez out for the next shift, and Lindy Ruff didn't need to swap lines. There across from Gomez at puck-drop was Gaustad, Miller's good friend and a hulk of a man. The crowd was ready, booing and understanding that even on the softest of soft teams, something is going down.
The puck was dropped.
Gomez was off-balance.
Gaustad moved his arms into cross-check mode...
...Pushed Gomez in the back and skated away.
That'll teach 'em.
I can't recall a time I was more let down by the physical incapabilities of the Buffalo Sabres. Here was a non-fighting-5'11"-on-a-good-day-center who just up-ended your best healthy player. Here is a chance for literally anyone on your team, up-to-and-including Derek Roy, to pony-up for a teammate. Here is a moment that for the rest of his time in Buffalo, regardless of stature, fans can point to the moment that (Insert name here) got the gumption to do something righteous.
Instead we got Tim Connolly trying to get at Gomez five minutes after the fact, and the refs doing their best to ensure nothing happens.
What does it mean when the guy who steps up has a head injury history shakier than post-op Frankenstein? It means he didn't think anyone else would do the job. So, after two years of "Tim Whinerle" and "Tim Concussionly," I've got a newfound level of respect for No. 19, and a newfound bevy of questions for many of his teammates.
Welcome to a playoff run with no Miller, no Vanek, and precious little heart. For three weeks, I've been slowly-moving towards "Why not?" -- "The Sabres might be pretty good," Feb. 18 -- as I wrote last week. All it took was one moment, one ridiculous moment where your goaltender is treated like a character in "Street Fighter" to prove that nothing's changed.
No excuses. No "Gomez is a respected veteran" garbage, and I'm especially not buying what Lindy Ruff did to try and take blame off his team. If your coach has to make an excuse about not wanting to give up a 5-on-3 with a three-goal lead in the third period at home as if that is actually believable, there should be a level of embarassment.
You generally don't write this "column" unless you are 100 percent sure it's what you believe... unless you know that every word you write you'd say to a man in that locker room if challenged. And in the immortal words of one Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.
It's all tough stuff, though I'm imagining not as tough as what lies ahead. Anyone need tickets for Tuesday?
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Now, as a guy who would run a goaltender in his embarassingly-low-level playing days, I can tell you what's coming next generally isn't pretty, and as Miller limped back to his crease in the hopes of a puck accidentally hitting his chest, my eyes darted around the ice to see who would be heading after Gomez. Looked like Paul Gaustad.
Indeed, New York coach Tom Renney left Gomez out for the next shift, and Lindy Ruff didn't need to swap lines. There across from Gomez at puck-drop was Gaustad, Miller's good friend and a hulk of a man. The crowd was ready, booing and understanding that even on the softest of soft teams, something is going down.
The puck was dropped.
Gomez was off-balance.
Gaustad moved his arms into cross-check mode...
...Pushed Gomez in the back and skated away.
That'll teach 'em.
I can't recall a time I was more let down by the physical incapabilities of the Buffalo Sabres. Here was a non-fighting-5'11"-on-a-good-day-center who just up-ended your best healthy player. Here is a chance for literally anyone on your team, up-to-and-including Derek Roy, to pony-up for a teammate. Here is a moment that for the rest of his time in Buffalo, regardless of stature, fans can point to the moment that (Insert name here) got the gumption to do something righteous.
Instead we got Tim Connolly trying to get at Gomez five minutes after the fact, and the refs doing their best to ensure nothing happens.
What does it mean when the guy who steps up has a head injury history shakier than post-op Frankenstein? It means he didn't think anyone else would do the job. So, after two years of "Tim Whinerle" and "Tim Concussionly," I've got a newfound level of respect for No. 19, and a newfound bevy of questions for many of his teammates.
Welcome to a playoff run with no Miller, no Vanek, and precious little heart. For three weeks, I've been slowly-moving towards "Why not?" -- "The Sabres might be pretty good," Feb. 18 -- as I wrote last week. All it took was one moment, one ridiculous moment where your goaltender is treated like a character in "Street Fighter" to prove that nothing's changed.
No excuses. No "Gomez is a respected veteran" garbage, and I'm especially not buying what Lindy Ruff did to try and take blame off his team. If your coach has to make an excuse about not wanting to give up a 5-on-3 with a three-goal lead in the third period at home as if that is actually believable, there should be a level of embarassment.
You generally don't write this "column" unless you are 100 percent sure it's what you believe... unless you know that every word you write you'd say to a man in that locker room if challenged. And in the immortal words of one Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.
It's all tough stuff, though I'm imagining not as tough as what lies ahead. Anyone need tickets for Tuesday?
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Why not have fun watching hockey?
Why not?
It's a question I found myself asking during the Leafs game, at the risk of feeling "homerish." I mean, what happened to having fun watching the hometown team?
Truth be told, the Sabres took us on a wond'rous ride a few years back and followed it up by winning the most games of anyone in the NHL. We were spellbound, we were driven, and then we were let down by a bunch of kids who didn't know better, and a bunch of veterans who couldn't show them the way.
So, I ask again for this year... why not? If you think the Sabres are awful, then the rest of the league is even worse. Look at their records against the East's Top Ten:
Boston- 3-2 (home game left)
New Jersey- 2-1 (home game left)
Washington- 1-2 (road game left)
Philadelphia- 0-1 (Two road, one home left)
NY Rangers- 2-0 (One road, one home left)
Montreal 2-1-1 (One road, one home left)
Carolina 1-1 (Two road left)
Florida 1-1 (Two home left)
Pittsburgh 2-1-1 (Season series concluded)
TOTAL 14-10-2 (Seven road, seven at HSBC Arena)
Those are slightly misleading on account of shoot-out wins for the Sabres, but when you think about it, this team has a lot more stupid losses to teams like Atlanta, the Islanders and Ottawa than to the above teams. In fact, if you take out Buffalo's 8-6-1 record against the West, the Sabres' real pathetic record is against the East's 11 through 15 teams.. a moribund 8-6-3 against the bottom feeders
Plus, it's more fun if you watch the team as a contender. It makes all sorts of "Jochen Hecht and a defenseman for Pierre-Marc Bouchard's oddly-shaped head" fan-created trades possible.
---- For the record, the Hockey Buzz site has Buffalo and Calgary working a Tim Connolly/pick/prospect for Adrian Aucoin/top prospect deal... which is interesting if Buffalo is dealing a blue liner. I think a Super Trade between the teams is in order... Connolly/Hecht/Tallinder/prospect/pick for Conroy/Cammalleri/Aucoin. Let's do this, fellas. Darcy Regier hasn't super fleeced someone since Jakub Klepis for Mike Grier. Also, I am well-aware I'm making up trades that would never happen, so save the ALL CAPS, URE SO DUMM 2 THINK N-E WOULD EVR DO THAT emails. Please. ----
To be honest, the only teams I think the Sabres absolutely couldn't beat in a seven-game series are the Devils and Capitals, and one of those you could talk me into a win (Washington. Still pretty green, and Propecia between the pipes).
Ryan Miller's having the best year of his pro career. Thomas Vanek has decided that playing defense is alright. Chris Butler's even better than I thought he'd be, and Drew Stafford is playing like the guy we saw at North Dakota.
Sure when the Bills were 4-1, I asked "Why not?", and ended up getting a spinkick to the Adam's Apple, but I'm a sucker and I don't want to play the "jaded @$$" role my entire sports life.
Let's have fun, folks. It's hockey. It's Buffalo. Why not?
Email: nick@wgr550.com
It's a question I found myself asking during the Leafs game, at the risk of feeling "homerish." I mean, what happened to having fun watching the hometown team?
Truth be told, the Sabres took us on a wond'rous ride a few years back and followed it up by winning the most games of anyone in the NHL. We were spellbound, we were driven, and then we were let down by a bunch of kids who didn't know better, and a bunch of veterans who couldn't show them the way.
So, I ask again for this year... why not? If you think the Sabres are awful, then the rest of the league is even worse. Look at their records against the East's Top Ten:
Boston- 3-2 (home game left)
New Jersey- 2-1 (home game left)
Washington- 1-2 (road game left)
Philadelphia- 0-1 (Two road, one home left)
NY Rangers- 2-0 (One road, one home left)
Montreal 2-1-1 (One road, one home left)
Carolina 1-1 (Two road left)
Florida 1-1 (Two home left)
Pittsburgh 2-1-1 (Season series concluded)
TOTAL 14-10-2 (Seven road, seven at HSBC Arena)
Those are slightly misleading on account of shoot-out wins for the Sabres, but when you think about it, this team has a lot more stupid losses to teams like Atlanta, the Islanders and Ottawa than to the above teams. In fact, if you take out Buffalo's 8-6-1 record against the West, the Sabres' real pathetic record is against the East's 11 through 15 teams.. a moribund 8-6-3 against the bottom feeders
Plus, it's more fun if you watch the team as a contender. It makes all sorts of "Jochen Hecht and a defenseman for Pierre-Marc Bouchard's oddly-shaped head" fan-created trades possible.
---- For the record, the Hockey Buzz site has Buffalo and Calgary working a Tim Connolly/pick/prospect for Adrian Aucoin/top prospect deal... which is interesting if Buffalo is dealing a blue liner. I think a Super Trade between the teams is in order... Connolly/Hecht/Tallinder/prospect/pick for Conroy/Cammalleri/Aucoin. Let's do this, fellas. Darcy Regier hasn't super fleeced someone since Jakub Klepis for Mike Grier. Also, I am well-aware I'm making up trades that would never happen, so save the ALL CAPS, URE SO DUMM 2 THINK N-E WOULD EVR DO THAT emails. Please. ----
To be honest, the only teams I think the Sabres absolutely couldn't beat in a seven-game series are the Devils and Capitals, and one of those you could talk me into a win (Washington. Still pretty green, and Propecia between the pipes).
Ryan Miller's having the best year of his pro career. Thomas Vanek has decided that playing defense is alright. Chris Butler's even better than I thought he'd be, and Drew Stafford is playing like the guy we saw at North Dakota.
Sure when the Bills were 4-1, I asked "Why not?", and ended up getting a spinkick to the Adam's Apple, but I'm a sucker and I don't want to play the "jaded @$$" role my entire sports life.
Let's have fun, folks. It's hockey. It's Buffalo. Why not?
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Monday, February 16, 2009
Q&A with... Greg "Puck Daddy" Wyshynski
A few weeks back I ran into Pierre McGuire at the morning skate, and dropped him some questions to get a national perspective on the Sabres and hockey. To say it went over fairly well with the readers is an understatement. So, I got the ears (eyes) of Yahoo! Sports' very own "Puck Daddy," Greg Wyshynski. If there are other folks, you'd like to hear from, email me: nick@wgr550.com
PART I: The Sabres right now
Q: Without Thomas Vanek, is there any chance the Sabres have enough offensive talent to stick in the four through six race out East?
A: Where his injury really hurts is on the power play. You just can’t replace a guy with 15 goals on the man advantage, when that’s almost 30 percent of the team’s total power-play goals for the season. If nothing else, perhaps losing Vanek is one of those glorious kicks in the ass a team’s depth players need in order to boost their offense. Ales Kotalik had power-play goals in two of the first three games without Vanek. That’s a start.
Q: My boss will slowly feed my arm through a wood-chipper if I don't ask you for some sort of inside scoop on the Sabres at the trade deadline. Buyers, sellers... in the check-out line?
Obviously, the Sabres would trade Maxim Afinogenov for a day-old Big Bite from 7-11 at this point, but he's in the same situation as so many other Sabres that would be on the block -- he's fragile, and that brings his value down. That said, it looks like the Sabres are going to be competing to the end for a playoff seed. So one would imagine they'll be buyers -- but only for expiring contracts, me thinks.
Q: In the past, we've seen Pascal Leclaire and Chris Osgood have better statistical seasons than Ryan Miller and Miikka Kiprusoff. I don't think many would debate that the latter two are better goaltenders, so what's more important: a defensive system or a top-notch goaltender?
A: Well, you’re talking to a Devils fan. So the obvious answer is that the most important thing is to have a defensive system with a top-notch goalie …
Seriously, though, I think having a world-class keeper is more important than anything, the Red Wings’ success be damned. In the Sabres’ case, I think the maturation of Miller has been the team’s best story, even better than Vanek. He’s gone from an above-average goalie that everyone assumed had one skate out the door pointed towards Detroit, to the face of the franchise and an elite keeper who is winning games on his own. It’s a crime that there isn’t more Vezina talk about Miller; anyone who’s watched him this season knows how good he’s been on most nights.
PART II: "Fun" with the NHL
Q: Which current third jersey is the worst in the league? Which team is most in need of a primary jersey overhaul?
A: The Atlanta Thrashers’ third jersey looks like someone chewed up a box of Crayolas and then puked all over a high school track warm-up suit. Or like Reebok actually ran out of money before they finished it.
Most in need of an overhaul: Colorado. I don’t feel there’s anything iconic about that logo and sweater that prohibits any alteration. They’re stuck with a dopey team name that restricts creativity, but anything’s better than a giant ‘A’ on a log flume.
Q: Honestly, we're a little jaded in Buffalo considering "No Goal" and John Leclair scoring a playoff goal against the Sabres through the outside of the net. Is Gary Bettman okay for the NHL?
A: The honest answer is that he gets more blame than he deserves, because some of the League’s bonehead moves (a goalie trapezoid, for example) aren’t his call. Ding him for the lockout. Ding him for the mis-marketing of the game, and for the constant stretching the truth about its health and future. Just don’t blame him for everything.
The answer I want to give is that he’s some sort of nefarious space vampire who has traveled to this planet to feed off of our optimism and gleeful nostalgia until there’s nothing left but empty vessels of apathy and bitterness.
PART III: Covering hockey, and hockey in the media world.
Q: What's the worst trade rumour someone's jammed into your email box? Got anything worse than "Vanek, Roy and two No. 1s for Patrick Kane and Kevyn Adams" two years back?
A: Oh, I don’t know … once in a while we get the “Malkin to the Kings!” crack pipe chatter.
It wasn’t a trade rumor, but I had a guy who was convinced that he knew Chris Chelios was retiring before a specific Red Wings game earlier this season. I know: Chelios, retiring, real shot in the dark right there … but what made this memorable was that the guy presented this elaborate, Da Vinci Code-like series of coincidences that had him certain it was going to happen even though no one else was reporting it. And I nearly threw it on the blog, because the dude was that convincing, with this Roswell crash sort of devotion. But in the end, it was about as accurate as Vanek, Roy and two No. 1s for Patrick Kane and Kevyn Adams.
Q: Hockey seems to have a more dedicated "blogosphere" -- punch me in the throat for using that term -- and dedicated Internet fanbase than many other sports. Is there a reason NHL fans are more drawn to "new media" than other sports?
A: Sure. It’s called “neglect.” The mainstream media followed the TV ratings and dedicated its resources to football and basketball and baseball, assuming that since hockey fans don’t watch their sport on the boob tube that they’re not out there going to the game or buying merchandise. Which was wrong.
So as coverage lapsed, fans needed another outlet for discussion and for news. The blogosphere provides more in-depth analysis, breaking news and interesting hockey talk for their teams in the U.S. than most of the U.S. newspapers do.
More importantly, the Web brings smart hockey fans together. By “smart,” I mean fans who get the references and understand the lingo and are able to hang in a debate without trying to change to subject to the NBA. For a lot of us in the U.S., that kind of hockey fan isn’t someone who we see every day of our lives. But go to a message board, go to a blog, go to a podcast, and there they are.
It should be noted that the fact that the NHL and many teams have embraced new media has helped nurture it. Hopefully that trend continues to reach places like Edmonton, where bloggers are currently treated like lepers with bad facial hair and cancer.
Q: Can hockey realistically make a ratings jump with its current national television package? I appreciate Versus' coverage, but if NBC keeps sandwiching its hockey with cartoons, infomercials and squirrel racing...
A: I don’t appreciate your elitist tone towards rodent racing. As I type this, I’m wearing a vintage Rocket J. Squirrel jersey.
The networks don’t matter much in regards to ratings. The ratings sucked on ESPN 10 years ago, and they still sort of suck today. What matters is reinventing the way the game is presented on television. HDTV is an important first step, but until we can tune into a game and go, “Wow, that really got close to what we experience in the arena,” then no one will be compelled to watch hockey on TV that isn’t already watching it.
PART IV: The Sabres and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Q: Will the Team USA goaltending look any different than Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas?
A: That depends on DiPi’s health, of course. I’ve read Jon Quick’s name mentioned here and there. You want a dark horse? Robert Esche, who has a sterling international hockey record and played really well for the U.S. in the 2008 world championships.
Q: The Sabres have a nice number of American boys, and dual citizen Jason Pominville skated for the States in the world championships. Does he, or any of the other American skaters on the Sabres (Drew Stafford, Paul Gaustad, Tim Connolly) have any shot at wearing red, white and blue in Vancouver?
A: Jason Pominville is a lock, in my opinion. As much as I like Stafford, I’ve gotten the sense that Paul Gaustad would likely be the second Sabre to make the team. Again, based on nothing more than what I’ve read and what some in the know have said.
One Sabre, two Sabres, three Sabres … we’re still getting our asses handed to us by Russia or Canada. I’m as patriotic as the next guy … but can also read a roster. And ours doesn’t look like theirs.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
PART I: The Sabres right now
Q: Without Thomas Vanek, is there any chance the Sabres have enough offensive talent to stick in the four through six race out East?
A: Where his injury really hurts is on the power play. You just can’t replace a guy with 15 goals on the man advantage, when that’s almost 30 percent of the team’s total power-play goals for the season. If nothing else, perhaps losing Vanek is one of those glorious kicks in the ass a team’s depth players need in order to boost their offense. Ales Kotalik had power-play goals in two of the first three games without Vanek. That’s a start.
Q: My boss will slowly feed my arm through a wood-chipper if I don't ask you for some sort of inside scoop on the Sabres at the trade deadline. Buyers, sellers... in the check-out line?
Obviously, the Sabres would trade Maxim Afinogenov for a day-old Big Bite from 7-11 at this point, but he's in the same situation as so many other Sabres that would be on the block -- he's fragile, and that brings his value down. That said, it looks like the Sabres are going to be competing to the end for a playoff seed. So one would imagine they'll be buyers -- but only for expiring contracts, me thinks.
Q: In the past, we've seen Pascal Leclaire and Chris Osgood have better statistical seasons than Ryan Miller and Miikka Kiprusoff. I don't think many would debate that the latter two are better goaltenders, so what's more important: a defensive system or a top-notch goaltender?
A: Well, you’re talking to a Devils fan. So the obvious answer is that the most important thing is to have a defensive system with a top-notch goalie …
Seriously, though, I think having a world-class keeper is more important than anything, the Red Wings’ success be damned. In the Sabres’ case, I think the maturation of Miller has been the team’s best story, even better than Vanek. He’s gone from an above-average goalie that everyone assumed had one skate out the door pointed towards Detroit, to the face of the franchise and an elite keeper who is winning games on his own. It’s a crime that there isn’t more Vezina talk about Miller; anyone who’s watched him this season knows how good he’s been on most nights.
PART II: "Fun" with the NHL
Q: Which current third jersey is the worst in the league? Which team is most in need of a primary jersey overhaul?
A: The Atlanta Thrashers’ third jersey looks like someone chewed up a box of Crayolas and then puked all over a high school track warm-up suit. Or like Reebok actually ran out of money before they finished it.
Most in need of an overhaul: Colorado. I don’t feel there’s anything iconic about that logo and sweater that prohibits any alteration. They’re stuck with a dopey team name that restricts creativity, but anything’s better than a giant ‘A’ on a log flume.
Q: Honestly, we're a little jaded in Buffalo considering "No Goal" and John Leclair scoring a playoff goal against the Sabres through the outside of the net. Is Gary Bettman okay for the NHL?
A: The honest answer is that he gets more blame than he deserves, because some of the League’s bonehead moves (a goalie trapezoid, for example) aren’t his call. Ding him for the lockout. Ding him for the mis-marketing of the game, and for the constant stretching the truth about its health and future. Just don’t blame him for everything.
The answer I want to give is that he’s some sort of nefarious space vampire who has traveled to this planet to feed off of our optimism and gleeful nostalgia until there’s nothing left but empty vessels of apathy and bitterness.
PART III: Covering hockey, and hockey in the media world.
Q: What's the worst trade rumour someone's jammed into your email box? Got anything worse than "Vanek, Roy and two No. 1s for Patrick Kane and Kevyn Adams" two years back?
A: Oh, I don’t know … once in a while we get the “Malkin to the Kings!” crack pipe chatter.
It wasn’t a trade rumor, but I had a guy who was convinced that he knew Chris Chelios was retiring before a specific Red Wings game earlier this season. I know: Chelios, retiring, real shot in the dark right there … but what made this memorable was that the guy presented this elaborate, Da Vinci Code-like series of coincidences that had him certain it was going to happen even though no one else was reporting it. And I nearly threw it on the blog, because the dude was that convincing, with this Roswell crash sort of devotion. But in the end, it was about as accurate as Vanek, Roy and two No. 1s for Patrick Kane and Kevyn Adams.
Q: Hockey seems to have a more dedicated "blogosphere" -- punch me in the throat for using that term -- and dedicated Internet fanbase than many other sports. Is there a reason NHL fans are more drawn to "new media" than other sports?
A: Sure. It’s called “neglect.” The mainstream media followed the TV ratings and dedicated its resources to football and basketball and baseball, assuming that since hockey fans don’t watch their sport on the boob tube that they’re not out there going to the game or buying merchandise. Which was wrong.
So as coverage lapsed, fans needed another outlet for discussion and for news. The blogosphere provides more in-depth analysis, breaking news and interesting hockey talk for their teams in the U.S. than most of the U.S. newspapers do.
More importantly, the Web brings smart hockey fans together. By “smart,” I mean fans who get the references and understand the lingo and are able to hang in a debate without trying to change to subject to the NBA. For a lot of us in the U.S., that kind of hockey fan isn’t someone who we see every day of our lives. But go to a message board, go to a blog, go to a podcast, and there they are.
It should be noted that the fact that the NHL and many teams have embraced new media has helped nurture it. Hopefully that trend continues to reach places like Edmonton, where bloggers are currently treated like lepers with bad facial hair and cancer.
Q: Can hockey realistically make a ratings jump with its current national television package? I appreciate Versus' coverage, but if NBC keeps sandwiching its hockey with cartoons, infomercials and squirrel racing...
A: I don’t appreciate your elitist tone towards rodent racing. As I type this, I’m wearing a vintage Rocket J. Squirrel jersey.
The networks don’t matter much in regards to ratings. The ratings sucked on ESPN 10 years ago, and they still sort of suck today. What matters is reinventing the way the game is presented on television. HDTV is an important first step, but until we can tune into a game and go, “Wow, that really got close to what we experience in the arena,” then no one will be compelled to watch hockey on TV that isn’t already watching it.
PART IV: The Sabres and the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Q: Will the Team USA goaltending look any different than Rick DiPietro, Ryan Miller and Tim Thomas?
A: That depends on DiPi’s health, of course. I’ve read Jon Quick’s name mentioned here and there. You want a dark horse? Robert Esche, who has a sterling international hockey record and played really well for the U.S. in the 2008 world championships.
Q: The Sabres have a nice number of American boys, and dual citizen Jason Pominville skated for the States in the world championships. Does he, or any of the other American skaters on the Sabres (Drew Stafford, Paul Gaustad, Tim Connolly) have any shot at wearing red, white and blue in Vancouver?
A: Jason Pominville is a lock, in my opinion. As much as I like Stafford, I’ve gotten the sense that Paul Gaustad would likely be the second Sabre to make the team. Again, based on nothing more than what I’ve read and what some in the know have said.
One Sabre, two Sabres, three Sabres … we’re still getting our asses handed to us by Russia or Canada. I’m as patriotic as the next guy … but can also read a roster. And ours doesn’t look like theirs.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Touting Thomas
(WGR 550) -- For those Sabres fans staring at the Eastern Conference standings, with the number 8 sitting next to Buffalo, and wondering what the team's next move will be, ponder this:
Where would they be without No. 26?
As Thomas Vanek continues to lead the team in almost every important offensive category, the Sabres continue their fight to stay above .500. Where's the league's leading goal scorer in all this? Backchecking, blocking shots and, on Monday in Pittsburgh, shoulder-to-the-goal-post, attempting a save.
Another thing: He's 24 years-old.
Lindy Ruff has asked his left winger to be better, and Vanek has complied, while Ruff continues to call Vanek's play to be "just the tip of the iceberg."
Somewhere in that tip, there's now leadership by example.
Throughout the course of last year's roller-coaster ride to a long summer, Vanek was always available in the locker room after games, understanding his responsibility as a $49 million man in Buffalo. Throw-in an extremely rocky start to that campaign -- he didn't score his 20th goal until Feb. 12 in Ottawa -- and a new baby, and Vanek had a lot of growing up to do.
Recording four hat-tricks in the last 27 games of 2007-08, Ruff then asked his star to do what any other head coach would: backcheck and penalty kill. Right.
While some would have doubted the idea, Vanek has responded by being one of only two regular skaters with a positive plus/minus ratio and pacing the league's third best penalty kill. He's also second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (2), game-winning goals (3) and power-play goals (8). By the way, he's only missed one regular season game in his career -- April 3, 2006 -- and has suited up in 198 consecutive games.
This year, the team is 3-7-1 when he doesn't register a point. (He also leads Austrian-born NHL players with 18:34 of ice-time per game. Take that, Andreas Nodl).
All this with team goaltending that, statistically, has been in the middle of the pack, 14th in goals-against average (2.81) and 18th in save percentage (.900).
So, let's ask again: Where would the Sabres be without No. 26?
At some point, we might want to talk about thanking Kevin Lowe. (Not really).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Where would they be without No. 26?
As Thomas Vanek continues to lead the team in almost every important offensive category, the Sabres continue their fight to stay above .500. Where's the league's leading goal scorer in all this? Backchecking, blocking shots and, on Monday in Pittsburgh, shoulder-to-the-goal-post, attempting a save.
Another thing: He's 24 years-old.
Lindy Ruff has asked his left winger to be better, and Vanek has complied, while Ruff continues to call Vanek's play to be "just the tip of the iceberg."
Somewhere in that tip, there's now leadership by example.
Throughout the course of last year's roller-coaster ride to a long summer, Vanek was always available in the locker room after games, understanding his responsibility as a $49 million man in Buffalo. Throw-in an extremely rocky start to that campaign -- he didn't score his 20th goal until Feb. 12 in Ottawa -- and a new baby, and Vanek had a lot of growing up to do.
Recording four hat-tricks in the last 27 games of 2007-08, Ruff then asked his star to do what any other head coach would: backcheck and penalty kill. Right.
While some would have doubted the idea, Vanek has responded by being one of only two regular skaters with a positive plus/minus ratio and pacing the league's third best penalty kill. He's also second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (2), game-winning goals (3) and power-play goals (8). By the way, he's only missed one regular season game in his career -- April 3, 2006 -- and has suited up in 198 consecutive games.
This year, the team is 3-7-1 when he doesn't register a point. (He also leads Austrian-born NHL players with 18:34 of ice-time per game. Take that, Andreas Nodl).
All this with team goaltending that, statistically, has been in the middle of the pack, 14th in goals-against average (2.81) and 18th in save percentage (.900).
So, let's ask again: Where would the Sabres be without No. 26?
At some point, we might want to talk about thanking Kevin Lowe. (Not really).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sabres All-Opponent team: First-fifth
Last Spring, during the playoffs, I found myself mentioning players that I've "loved all year," and feeling like a chump because I don't know if I mentioned them in a column. So, I decided that every 15 games or so, I'm going to make an All-Opponents team for the Sabres.
For the most part, these won't include your Dany Heatleys or Evgeni Malkins (although he has the "hardest to knock off the puck" distinction now that Jaromir Jagr is playing in Russia. These are guys I'll be hoping the Sabres trade for at some point.
Opponent talent pool (10/10/08 - 11/17/08): Montreal, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Vancouver, Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, Colorado, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Washington, New Jersey, St. Louis, Columbus, Pittsburgh
C- Travis Zajac, New Jersey- His hairline is the only thing that's wrong with him. Zajac, besides having a fantastic name, is having a return to solid-all-around form after a minus-11 campaign in 2007-08.
In 17 games, he has two goals and 11 assists for a plus-8. He actually made quite the gaffe against Buffalo for a minus-1, but the Devils are counting on him for 20-plus minutes of ice time a night. With Martin Brodeur out for a while, Zajac and Zach Parise will have to keep the Z's in New Jersey's system.
Clear-cut second place:
Patrik Berglund of St. Louis. I didn't select him because I couldn't tell if he made David Perron better or vice versa during their 4-3 loss to Buffalo at HSBC Arena.
LW- Milan Lucic, Boston- Though he only tallied an assist in the two games versus Buffalo, he was a human wrecking ball, and it's terrifying how smartly he uses his body at age 20. At 6'4", 220 pounds, I detailed my enjoyment of his play more, with video examples, on Monday:
"Being in Boston for last Saturday's Bruins/Sabres game helped me to realize two things. One, the Sabres need another big guy to be a top-tier, whether it be a more-offensively-productive Paul Gaustad or a new face. Two, the Bruins have an outstanding physical team, and I would trade most assets to get Milan Lucic. Boston's big man is a beast, and he scares me. Like Donte Whitner combined with a monster. Watch this fight (Every fight should look like this). Watch this hit (He leaves his feet and I don't much care). Watch him go to the net. And helpers, too."
RW- Blake Wheeler, Boston- Despite the fact that he turned down the option to wear No. 18 on his "sweater," which would have enabled a legion of "18 Wheeler" groups in Beantown, I like Wheeler as a future second-line American Olympian.
In 18 games, Wheeler has six goals and two assists to go with 10 PIM and a game-winner. He's been smart with his shots on goal, scoring 25 percent of the time.
He didn't do much against Buffalo box-score-wise, but the Minnesota-native did change his number to 26 because of admiration for Thomas Vanek during the Sabre's time as a Golden Gopher in Minneapolis.
D- Marc Methot, Columbus -- Methot looms so large on the ice that it's hard to take your eyes off of him. Some of his hits were so thunderous, and well-positioned, that I wondered if the Blue Jackets had acquired Eric Brewer. At age 23, the 6'3", 225-pound Methot has a lot of time to learn, but has posted three goals and two assists, with the confidence to put 21 shots on net in 13 games.
Against Buffalo, he registered a plus-1 rating to go with 16:57 in ice time.
D- Marc Staal, New York Rangers -- It pains me to say nice things about a Ranger, but Staal family intelligence is alive and well within Marc, sans any Minnesotan legal issues.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is very big, and uses his body very well, not like Methot, but like Henrik Tallinder when he was having his most productive defensive days in Buffalo. Staal uses his stick very well, and doesn't turn 21 until January of 2009.
No numbers against Buffalo short of 19:39 of ice time, but Marc is one Staal who won't show up on the stat sheet that often, and that's how you know he was good. He also fought Jamal Mayers of Toronto, which takes some gumption.
Honorable mention to:
Johnny Oduya of New Jersey, doing Sweden proud.
G- No goalie. Most nights you see the starter. Plus if there's no goalie, the Sabres would score more.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
For the most part, these won't include your Dany Heatleys or Evgeni Malkins (although he has the "hardest to knock off the puck" distinction now that Jaromir Jagr is playing in Russia. These are guys I'll be hoping the Sabres trade for at some point.
Opponent talent pool (10/10/08 - 11/17/08): Montreal, NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Vancouver, Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, Colorado, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Washington, New Jersey, St. Louis, Columbus, Pittsburgh
C- Travis Zajac, New Jersey- His hairline is the only thing that's wrong with him. Zajac, besides having a fantastic name, is having a return to solid-all-around form after a minus-11 campaign in 2007-08.
In 17 games, he has two goals and 11 assists for a plus-8. He actually made quite the gaffe against Buffalo for a minus-1, but the Devils are counting on him for 20-plus minutes of ice time a night. With Martin Brodeur out for a while, Zajac and Zach Parise will have to keep the Z's in New Jersey's system.
Clear-cut second place:
Patrik Berglund of St. Louis. I didn't select him because I couldn't tell if he made David Perron better or vice versa during their 4-3 loss to Buffalo at HSBC Arena.
LW- Milan Lucic, Boston- Though he only tallied an assist in the two games versus Buffalo, he was a human wrecking ball, and it's terrifying how smartly he uses his body at age 20. At 6'4", 220 pounds, I detailed my enjoyment of his play more, with video examples, on Monday:
"Being in Boston for last Saturday's Bruins/Sabres game helped me to realize two things. One, the Sabres need another big guy to be a top-tier, whether it be a more-offensively-productive Paul Gaustad or a new face. Two, the Bruins have an outstanding physical team, and I would trade most assets to get Milan Lucic. Boston's big man is a beast, and he scares me. Like Donte Whitner combined with a monster. Watch this fight (Every fight should look like this). Watch this hit (He leaves his feet and I don't much care). Watch him go to the net. And helpers, too."
RW- Blake Wheeler, Boston- Despite the fact that he turned down the option to wear No. 18 on his "sweater," which would have enabled a legion of "18 Wheeler" groups in Beantown, I like Wheeler as a future second-line American Olympian.
In 18 games, Wheeler has six goals and two assists to go with 10 PIM and a game-winner. He's been smart with his shots on goal, scoring 25 percent of the time.
He didn't do much against Buffalo box-score-wise, but the Minnesota-native did change his number to 26 because of admiration for Thomas Vanek during the Sabre's time as a Golden Gopher in Minneapolis.
D- Marc Methot, Columbus -- Methot looms so large on the ice that it's hard to take your eyes off of him. Some of his hits were so thunderous, and well-positioned, that I wondered if the Blue Jackets had acquired Eric Brewer. At age 23, the 6'3", 225-pound Methot has a lot of time to learn, but has posted three goals and two assists, with the confidence to put 21 shots on net in 13 games.
Against Buffalo, he registered a plus-1 rating to go with 16:57 in ice time.
D- Marc Staal, New York Rangers -- It pains me to say nice things about a Ranger, but Staal family intelligence is alive and well within Marc, sans any Minnesotan legal issues.
The Thunder Bay, Ont., native is very big, and uses his body very well, not like Methot, but like Henrik Tallinder when he was having his most productive defensive days in Buffalo. Staal uses his stick very well, and doesn't turn 21 until January of 2009.
No numbers against Buffalo short of 19:39 of ice time, but Marc is one Staal who won't show up on the stat sheet that often, and that's how you know he was good. He also fought Jamal Mayers of Toronto, which takes some gumption.
Honorable mention to:
Johnny Oduya of New Jersey, doing Sweden proud.
G- No goalie. Most nights you see the starter. Plus if there's no goalie, the Sabres would score more.
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Thursday, November 13, 2008
A weekend in New England (and New York)
Now that the Sabres have erased much of Saturday's debacle in Boston from my mind, I think it's about time to reflect on a weekend in New York and New England that was a legitimate good time, despite big time Buffalo bungles in Boston and Foxboro.
Friday "Are those Iced Coffee Drinks Man-Acceptable? Cause They're Delicious"
As much as my job is basically "following sports," it's always good to take a day off, and as wild as it sounds, the drive to New York City on my own was a nice change. Here are the albums that made the cut for the first leg of the road trip:
"The Motown Box", Disc One and Two
Uncut Magazine compilation, "Tribute to The Band"
Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band, "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J."
Bob Dylan, "Blonde on Blonde"
Bob Dylan, "Nashville Skyline"
Sigur Ros, "Hvarf/Heim"
My Morning Jacket, "It Still Moves"
Miracle of 86, "Every Famous Last Word"
Matthew Good Band, "Beautiful Midnight"
The Beatles, "Abbey Road"
Bruce Springsteen, "Nebraska"
Q-Tip, "Amplified"
Wilco, "A Ghost Is Born"
The New Chemistry demo
I made it into New Jersey just in time for a toll booth attendant to tell me I was going the wrong way, which would've been helpful if I actually was going the wrong way. The Lincoln Tunnel was actually the first exit after her booth, and I politely informed her that she owes me $5.85 the second time I went through and by politely, I mean that my mom would've given me quite the scowl and maybe a slap.
You want to know why living in Buffalo is great? Because you don't pay tolls every two miles, unless you're going into Grand Island, the Southtowns or toward Rochester. I'm talking $2 every couple minutes, $5.85 NJ 'Pike toll here, $8 Tunnel toll there, $18/hour for parking in Manhattan... and we're not even getting into Boston, which is better, but still awful.
Regardless, I made it to Stout Pub to see the FA Cup, the trophy awarded to the team in English soccer who wins a huge knock-out tournament. The competition's been around since 1871-72, and former Newcastle United defender Warren Barton was there on behalf of Setanta Sports and Fox Soccer Channel. I don't have that picture back yet, but here's a couple fellow Magpies fans and me with the trophy.
To those who know soccer, please save the "that's the closest Geordies will ever get to the Cup" talk. It's been 53 years. We know.
After paying some undeserving attendant for driving my car about 25 feet, I met up with the elder of my two sisters in Astoria, in Queens (or near Queens, I don't get it, really. I should start telling people I live in "The Parker," in the "Town of Tonawanda"). We met up with her boyfriend and headed off to Terminal Five to see a couple solid bands, The Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady.
The Hold Steady were tremendous, except for one song.
Here's the thing abou stereotypes of NYC -- they are on full display at a concert. First of all, a dripping water spout above us turned out to, well, not be water at all. So we left space in front of us, which means folks plowed in front of us for those glorious three feet of puddle. Needless to say, it was worth the skewed sightline to literally watch people, well, you know, stand under the leaking bathroom.
Both bands are and were tremendous, but here's my one beef. For an encore, The Hold Steady came out and played three or four songs before bringing Patterson Hood and the Truckers out for a couple jams, one of which was Blue Oyster Cult's "Burning For You," or whatever it's called. It was fairly in jest, but it's pretty much a terrible song. I realize they won't be pulling out "Don't Fear the Reaper," but tongue-in-cheek "classic rock" is much better served by something like "Psycho Killer" or a solid Neil Young rocker.
I then slept well, with visions of beating the Bruins dancing in my head.
Saturday "Wouldn't it be nice if we could peel the Bruins off the Sabres for a minute?"
After a little too late of a start, we hit the road to meet up with my brother, who goes to school in Rhode Island, and my younger sister, who had a job interview in Boston. Because I can, here are some of the co-selected CDs for the journey:
Centro-matic, "Operation Motorcide EP" ((playing Saturday at the Mohawk, by the way) Come hang out))
The Drams, "Jubilee Dive"
My Morning Jacket, "It Still Moves"
Grand Champeen, "The One That Brought You"
Pete Yorn, "Day I Forgot"
Uncut Magazine compilation, "Tribute to The Band"
Luckily for us being under the gun to get TD Banknorth Garden on time, we had to ride a crowded train that included Boston College and Notre Dame fans headed to "The Holy War" in Chestnut Hill. In case you haven't seen "The Departed," "Good Will Hunting" or "Boondock Saints," apparently 94 percent of Bostonians are Irish, so this was an interesting "T" ride.
We arrived at the Garden just late enough to miss Tim Connolly's goal, but we didn't figure it would be a big deal. The Sabres would score plenty of goals on Manny Fernandez, right?
Right?
Good seats, surrounding by solid, young Bruins fans. I hate them a little less, especially considering they laid the wood to the Sabres, "old-time hockey"-style, and hopefully woke them up for that St. Louis game.
First off, the nachos were first-class, maybe the best I've had in any stadium, including the Jacobs/Progressive Field offerings. Secondly, Milan Lucic is a monster. I would trade almost anyone for him. All he wants to do is hit, but he can score and pass as well. Big, big fan, and I think Blake Wheeler's going to be something nasty if he figures out the game.
Lastly, was it a touch too much to expect a single body check or some fight from the Sabres? I know they traveled the night before, but there were times, sitting there in fairly expensive seats I bought for my sisters, brother and friend, that I wish I had some knives to hide in my brain for an hour. It was brutal, but it was also "Veterans Night" at the Garden, and they had some really cool vignettes honoring all the troops who were in attendance. I guess there were worse nights to watch your team lose on the road.
After that, we went to Bobby Orr's bar/restaurant, "Fours," which was a tremendous place, voted the No. 2 sports bar in America or something like that (Apparently, the No. 1 is in Boston, too, and like a block away. Weird). Two of my truly good friends from Massachusetts met us there, and Paul Hamilton sauntered down after finishing his post-game appearance with Brian Koziol (a fan asked for a slice of Paul's moustache, but he refused to deliver). All-in-all, a fun night with family, and my brother and I were jazzed for our first Bills road game the next day.
Sunday "At Least the Tailgate Was Awesome"
To stay with the program, here was the music selection from our hotel in Boston to Foxboro, in stadium traffic:
The Strokes, "Room on Fire"
The Old Sweethearts, "Arms of The Town"
The drive in wasn't awful, even with only two or three lanes leading up to Gillette Stadium. My brother borrowed one of those Garmin GPS things, and it was kind of awesome how much technology has grown from "Mom reading a map to Dad and Dad telling her it was wrong" (Not my parents, no way, just guessing).
Here's where cost really became a pain, and I can equate this to the Ralph to make it easier on you. We parked about as far a walk as that fire hall all the way down Abbott Road. Twenty bucks, no joke. There were folks who parked at the equivalent of "Kettles" or "Bert's"... Forty bucks.
How about the ECC lots? or close to Danny's South?
Fifty Dollars.
Fifty.
Dollars.
God bless Western New York. I guess Massachusetts makes up for what they don't tax in parking fees.
Anyway, no joke, one of the most fun parts of our pregame antics was checking out all the old Pats jerseys. You know how you love to notice the Steve Christie or Phil Hansen jerseys at the Ralph? How about Tebucky Jones, Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest. It was fun.
Jeremy White told me that hanging out in a new stadium would change my thoughts on the Ralph forever, and that was half-true. Gillette Stadium is massive, and the sighlines are very good.
How nice of Steve Grogan to wear his game day Starter jacket into the stands.
Here's the one thing that stunk about their stadium. They have a "16-0 Regular Season" banner, and it looked so cheesy. Maybe that's why they kept it as far as humanly possible from their Super Bowl Championship banners. Other than that, and the fact that the fans are dead -- relative to Orchard Park -- for most of the game, the place is great.
Their official tailgate party has lunch, drinks and dessert you'd normally find at an expensive buffet. There is a mall and Cineplex attached to the stadium to help traffic ease out. Nothing says, "Wind down from a football game," like watching "Changeling." I bet there are a ton of people in New England who think Dane Cook is legitimately funny from viewing films after too much tailgating.
Maybe the best part of the game, especially considering the boring game was accompanied by the Bills underperforming, was when the 40-0 Jets over St. Louis halftime score flashed, and I got to hear the thickest Boston accent ever say, "Oh, I wunda if weer gunna heeah bout New Yawk runnin up the scoahr all week. Wicked."
After taking that long walk back to our car, where Sam and I conducted the world's longest post-game show, with a focus on Trent Edwards and Jason Peters, I drove him back to his school in Providence, where I had some solid college flashbacks while playing a game of Madden with him in his dorm room (For the record, I won, despite playing my first game of Madden on XBox 360. Take that, youngin'.
The music on the long ride home ranged from Neil Young to NWA to a Christian CD (I think I reviewed all the CDs as part of one blockbuster show. It was probably outstanding). For my thoughts on the actual game, head here.
Otherwise, thanks for reading, and let's go Bulls (Thursday night on ESPNU against Akron).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
P.S. My road record, like many Buffalonians, is not-so-good:
Bills: 0-1
Sabres: 1-5
UB basketball: 1-2
UB football: 1-5
Bisons: 2-0* (I was in a taxi to the airport when they coughed up a lead in Norfolk in the finale of the series. Come on, Ben Wagner. I was counting on you).
Friday "Are those Iced Coffee Drinks Man-Acceptable? Cause They're Delicious"
As much as my job is basically "following sports," it's always good to take a day off, and as wild as it sounds, the drive to New York City on my own was a nice change. Here are the albums that made the cut for the first leg of the road trip:
"The Motown Box", Disc One and Two
Uncut Magazine compilation, "Tribute to The Band"
Bruce Springsteen and The E-Street Band, "Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J."
Bob Dylan, "Blonde on Blonde"
Bob Dylan, "Nashville Skyline"
Sigur Ros, "Hvarf/Heim"
My Morning Jacket, "It Still Moves"
Miracle of 86, "Every Famous Last Word"
Matthew Good Band, "Beautiful Midnight"
The Beatles, "Abbey Road"
Bruce Springsteen, "Nebraska"
Q-Tip, "Amplified"
Wilco, "A Ghost Is Born"
The New Chemistry demo
I made it into New Jersey just in time for a toll booth attendant to tell me I was going the wrong way, which would've been helpful if I actually was going the wrong way. The Lincoln Tunnel was actually the first exit after her booth, and I politely informed her that she owes me $5.85 the second time I went through and by politely, I mean that my mom would've given me quite the scowl and maybe a slap.
You want to know why living in Buffalo is great? Because you don't pay tolls every two miles, unless you're going into Grand Island, the Southtowns or toward Rochester. I'm talking $2 every couple minutes, $5.85 NJ 'Pike toll here, $8 Tunnel toll there, $18/hour for parking in Manhattan... and we're not even getting into Boston, which is better, but still awful.
Regardless, I made it to Stout Pub to see the FA Cup, the trophy awarded to the team in English soccer who wins a huge knock-out tournament. The competition's been around since 1871-72, and former Newcastle United defender Warren Barton was there on behalf of Setanta Sports and Fox Soccer Channel. I don't have that picture back yet, but here's a couple fellow Magpies fans and me with the trophy.
To those who know soccer, please save the "that's the closest Geordies will ever get to the Cup" talk. It's been 53 years. We know.
After paying some undeserving attendant for driving my car about 25 feet, I met up with the elder of my two sisters in Astoria, in Queens (or near Queens, I don't get it, really. I should start telling people I live in "The Parker," in the "Town of Tonawanda"). We met up with her boyfriend and headed off to Terminal Five to see a couple solid bands, The Drive-By Truckers and The Hold Steady.
The Hold Steady were tremendous, except for one song.
Here's the thing abou stereotypes of NYC -- they are on full display at a concert. First of all, a dripping water spout above us turned out to, well, not be water at all. So we left space in front of us, which means folks plowed in front of us for those glorious three feet of puddle. Needless to say, it was worth the skewed sightline to literally watch people, well, you know, stand under the leaking bathroom.
Both bands are and were tremendous, but here's my one beef. For an encore, The Hold Steady came out and played three or four songs before bringing Patterson Hood and the Truckers out for a couple jams, one of which was Blue Oyster Cult's "Burning For You," or whatever it's called. It was fairly in jest, but it's pretty much a terrible song. I realize they won't be pulling out "Don't Fear the Reaper," but tongue-in-cheek "classic rock" is much better served by something like "Psycho Killer" or a solid Neil Young rocker.
I then slept well, with visions of beating the Bruins dancing in my head.
Saturday "Wouldn't it be nice if we could peel the Bruins off the Sabres for a minute?"
After a little too late of a start, we hit the road to meet up with my brother, who goes to school in Rhode Island, and my younger sister, who had a job interview in Boston. Because I can, here are some of the co-selected CDs for the journey:
Centro-matic, "Operation Motorcide EP" ((playing Saturday at the Mohawk, by the way) Come hang out))
The Drams, "Jubilee Dive"
My Morning Jacket, "It Still Moves"
Grand Champeen, "The One That Brought You"
Pete Yorn, "Day I Forgot"
Uncut Magazine compilation, "Tribute to The Band"
Luckily for us being under the gun to get TD Banknorth Garden on time, we had to ride a crowded train that included Boston College and Notre Dame fans headed to "The Holy War" in Chestnut Hill. In case you haven't seen "The Departed," "Good Will Hunting" or "Boondock Saints," apparently 94 percent of Bostonians are Irish, so this was an interesting "T" ride.
We arrived at the Garden just late enough to miss Tim Connolly's goal, but we didn't figure it would be a big deal. The Sabres would score plenty of goals on Manny Fernandez, right?
Right?
Good seats, surrounding by solid, young Bruins fans. I hate them a little less, especially considering they laid the wood to the Sabres, "old-time hockey"-style, and hopefully woke them up for that St. Louis game.
First off, the nachos were first-class, maybe the best I've had in any stadium, including the Jacobs/Progressive Field offerings. Secondly, Milan Lucic is a monster. I would trade almost anyone for him. All he wants to do is hit, but he can score and pass as well. Big, big fan, and I think Blake Wheeler's going to be something nasty if he figures out the game.
Lastly, was it a touch too much to expect a single body check or some fight from the Sabres? I know they traveled the night before, but there were times, sitting there in fairly expensive seats I bought for my sisters, brother and friend, that I wish I had some knives to hide in my brain for an hour. It was brutal, but it was also "Veterans Night" at the Garden, and they had some really cool vignettes honoring all the troops who were in attendance. I guess there were worse nights to watch your team lose on the road.
After that, we went to Bobby Orr's bar/restaurant, "Fours," which was a tremendous place, voted the No. 2 sports bar in America or something like that (Apparently, the No. 1 is in Boston, too, and like a block away. Weird). Two of my truly good friends from Massachusetts met us there, and Paul Hamilton sauntered down after finishing his post-game appearance with Brian Koziol (a fan asked for a slice of Paul's moustache, but he refused to deliver). All-in-all, a fun night with family, and my brother and I were jazzed for our first Bills road game the next day.
Sunday "At Least the Tailgate Was Awesome"
To stay with the program, here was the music selection from our hotel in Boston to Foxboro, in stadium traffic:
The Strokes, "Room on Fire"
The Old Sweethearts, "Arms of The Town"
The drive in wasn't awful, even with only two or three lanes leading up to Gillette Stadium. My brother borrowed one of those Garmin GPS things, and it was kind of awesome how much technology has grown from "Mom reading a map to Dad and Dad telling her it was wrong" (Not my parents, no way, just guessing).
Here's where cost really became a pain, and I can equate this to the Ralph to make it easier on you. We parked about as far a walk as that fire hall all the way down Abbott Road. Twenty bucks, no joke. There were folks who parked at the equivalent of "Kettles" or "Bert's"... Forty bucks.
How about the ECC lots? or close to Danny's South?
Fifty Dollars.
Fifty.
Dollars.
God bless Western New York. I guess Massachusetts makes up for what they don't tax in parking fees.
Anyway, no joke, one of the most fun parts of our pregame antics was checking out all the old Pats jerseys. You know how you love to notice the Steve Christie or Phil Hansen jerseys at the Ralph? How about Tebucky Jones, Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest. It was fun.
Jeremy White told me that hanging out in a new stadium would change my thoughts on the Ralph forever, and that was half-true. Gillette Stadium is massive, and the sighlines are very good.
How nice of Steve Grogan to wear his game day Starter jacket into the stands.
Here's the one thing that stunk about their stadium. They have a "16-0 Regular Season" banner, and it looked so cheesy. Maybe that's why they kept it as far as humanly possible from their Super Bowl Championship banners. Other than that, and the fact that the fans are dead -- relative to Orchard Park -- for most of the game, the place is great.
Their official tailgate party has lunch, drinks and dessert you'd normally find at an expensive buffet. There is a mall and Cineplex attached to the stadium to help traffic ease out. Nothing says, "Wind down from a football game," like watching "Changeling." I bet there are a ton of people in New England who think Dane Cook is legitimately funny from viewing films after too much tailgating.
Maybe the best part of the game, especially considering the boring game was accompanied by the Bills underperforming, was when the 40-0 Jets over St. Louis halftime score flashed, and I got to hear the thickest Boston accent ever say, "Oh, I wunda if weer gunna heeah bout New Yawk runnin up the scoahr all week. Wicked."
After taking that long walk back to our car, where Sam and I conducted the world's longest post-game show, with a focus on Trent Edwards and Jason Peters, I drove him back to his school in Providence, where I had some solid college flashbacks while playing a game of Madden with him in his dorm room (For the record, I won, despite playing my first game of Madden on XBox 360. Take that, youngin'.
The music on the long ride home ranged from Neil Young to NWA to a Christian CD (I think I reviewed all the CDs as part of one blockbuster show. It was probably outstanding). For my thoughts on the actual game, head here.
Otherwise, thanks for reading, and let's go Bulls (Thursday night on ESPNU against Akron).
Email: nick@wgr550.com
P.S. My road record, like many Buffalonians, is not-so-good:
Bills: 0-1
Sabres: 1-5
UB basketball: 1-2
UB football: 1-5
Bisons: 2-0* (I was in a taxi to the airport when they coughed up a lead in Norfolk in the finale of the series. Come on, Ben Wagner. I was counting on you).
Monday, October 13, 2008
2008 WGR Staff NHL Preview
The Buffalo Sabres open their season 7:30 p.m. Friday against the Montreal Canadiens at HSBC Arena, and many of WGR's staff weighed in with their picks for the 2008-09 campaign.
Howard Simon, Jeremy White, The Bulldog, Brian Koziol, Dan Hager, Greg Bauch, Dennis Williams and Nick Mendola have their predictions
Northeast Division
Nick Mendola: Montreal "Cristobal Huet was taken for granted, but Carey Price can be that much better. Another year under this team's belt is terrifying, and a captain like Saku Koivu will not let this team lose focus, nor will Guy Carbonneau, who knows a thing or two about winning Stanley Cups."
Howard Simon: Montreal
Jeremy White: Montreal
Dan Hager: Montreal
Bulldog: Montreal
Mike Schopp: Montreal
Greg Bauch: Montreal
Brian Koziol: Montreal
Dennis Williams: Montreal
Paul Hamilton: Montreal
Atlantic Division
Brian Koziol: NY Rangers "It's Drury's team now, while Henrik Lundqvist still doesn't get enough credit."
Howard Simon: Philadelphia
Jeremy White: NY Rangers
Dan Hager: Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola: New Jersey
Mike Schopp: New Jersey
Bulldog: NY Rangers
Greg Bauch: NY Rangers
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers
Southeast Division
Greg Bauch: Carolina "I'm not buying Caps stock yet... and I hate everyone else in the division."
Howard Simon: Washington
Jeremy White: Washington
Dan Hager: Washington
Nick Mendola: Tampa Bay
Mike Schopp: Washington
Bulldog: Washington
Brian Koziol: Washington
Dennis Williams: Carolina
Paul Hamilton: Washington
Central Division
Dan Hager: Detroit "The Blackhawks will give them a run for a bit."
Howard Simon: Detroit
Jeremy White: Detroit
Nick Mendola: Detroit
Bulldog: Detroit
Mike Schopp: Detroit
Greg Bauch: Nashville
Brian Koziol: Detroit
Dennis Williams: Detroit
Paul Hamilton: Detroit
Howard Simon: Calgary "I'm a little concerned about their offensive capabilities but they have a bruising defense, Kiprusoff in goal and Iginla is still on the team. Plus their arena looks cool when everyone wears red."
Jeremy White: Colorado
Dan Hager: Colorado
Nick Mendola: Vancouver
Bulldog: Calgary
Mike Schopp: Edmonton
Greg Bauch: Calgary
Brian Koziol: Minnesota
Dennis Williams: Colorado
Paul Hamilton: Calgary
Pacific Division
Greg Bauch: Dallas "They're always one of the best defensive teams and having Brad Richards for a whole season will help."
Howard Simon: Anaheim
Jeremy White: San Jose
Dan Hager: San Jose
Nick Mendola: Anaheim
Bulldog: Dallas
Mike Schopp: San Jose
Brian Koziol: San Jose
Dennis Williams: Dallas
Paul Hamilton: San Jose
Sabres rank in Northeast Division
Howard Simon: Second I still don't know how they finished behind Boston last season and I think Ottawa will take another step back this season even though many believe Emery was their only problem last season.
Jeremy White: Second
Dan Hager: Second
Nick Mendola: Third
Bulldog: Third
Mike Schopp: Third
Greg Bauch: Second
Brian Koziol: Third
Dennis Williams: Second
Paul Hamilton: Third
Sabres rank in Eastern Conference
Nick Mendola: Eighth "Even at No. 8, there's a chance I'm being too optimistic. The only non-issues in the entire conference are Atlanta, the Islanders and Toronto. The fact of the matter is that Sabres fans need to hope Ryan Miller really was exhausted. Craig Rivet is a legit captain, even if I thought the honors would go to Jason Pominville. If the team fails to thrive, there are four unrestricted players who will fetch a collective young fortune at the deadline — Spacek, Connolly, Afinogenov and Kotalik."
Howard Simon: Fifth
Jeremy White: Fifth
Dan Hager: Sixth
Bulldog: Eighth
Mike Schopp: Eighth
Greg Bauch: Sixth
Brian Koziol: Seventh
Dennis Williams: Sixth
Paul Hamilton: Ninth
Sabres in playoffs
Dan Hager: Lose in second round "I think they'll lose to Montreal, the team to beat in the East."
Howard Simon: Lose in first round
Jeremy White: Lose in second round
Nick Mendola: Lose in first round
Bulldog: Lose in first round
Mike Schopp: Lose in first round
Greg Bauch: Lose in second round
Brian Koziol: Lose in first round
Dennis Williams: Lose in second round
Paul Hamilton: Out
Final Four
Nick Mendola: Montreal, Washington, Detroit, Anaheim
"How can I pick Washington to make the final four, but not win the Southeast? It's easy, actually, Ted Leonsis opens his wallet at the deadline again, and plugs in that missing defensive piece or two that will have them behind the loaded Lightning for most of the year."
Howard Simon: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, San Jose
Jeremy White: Montreal, NY Rangers, Detroit, Dallas
Dan Hager: Montreal, Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Jose
Bulldog: Montreal, NY Rangers, Detroit, Dallas
Mike Schopp: Montreal, New Jersey, Detroit, San Jose
Greg Bauch: NY Rangers, Montreal, Calgary, Nashville
Brian Koziol: NY Rangers, Montreal, Detroit, San Jose
Dennis Williams: Montreal, NY Rangers, Chicago, Detroit
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers, Washington, Detroit, Calgary
Stanley Cup
Howard Simon: Anaheim over Philadelphia "I think the Ducks had a Cup hangover issue last season. They were a much better team over the second half of the season and I think they'll have an edge back to their game. I think Philly has enough weapons on offense and has improved their mobility on defense plus Marty answered the 'Can he win in the playoffs?' question last season."
Jeremy White: NY Rangers over Detroit
Dan Hager: Montreal over Detroit
Nick Mendola: Montreal over Detroit
Bulldog: Detroit over Montreal
Mike Schopp: New Jersey over Detroit
Greg Bauch: Nashville over Montreal
Brian Koziol: Montreal over San Jose
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers over Detroit
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers over Detroit
Most goals in the NHL
Nick Mendola: Alexander Ovechkin "But I want to say Jarome Iginla so very badly."
Howard Simon: Alexander Ovechkin
Jeremy White: Alexander Ovechkin
Dan Hager: Alexander Ovechkin
Bulldog: Alexander Ovechkin
Mike Schopp: Alexander Ovechkin
Greg Bauch: Alexander Ovechkin
Brian Koziol: Alexander Ovechkin
Dennis Williams: Alexander Ovechkin
Paul Hamilton: Alexander Ovechkin
Most goals by a Sabre
Brian Koziol: Derek Roy "He really matured last year, and will continue to stay hot."
Howard Simon: Thomas Vanek
Jeremy White: Thomas Vanek
Dan Hager: Thomas Vanek
Nick Mendola: Thomas Vanek
Bulldog: Thomas Vanek
Mike Schopp: Thomas Vanek
Greg Bauch: Thomas Vanek
Dennis Williams: Thomas Vanek
Paul Hamilton: Thomas Vanek
Most points in the NHL
Howard Simon: Alexander Ovechkin "Even though there are less in division games this season, he can still fatten up vs the Southeast. Keep an eye on him, he's really good. You heard it here first."
Jeremy White: Sidney Crosby
Dan Hager: Sidney Crosby
Nick Mendola: Alexander Ovechkin
Bulldog: Sidney Crosby
Mike Schopp: Alexander Ovechkin
Greg Bauch: Joe Thornton
Brian Koziol: Alexander Ovechkin
Dennis Williams: Alexander Ovechkin
Paul Hamilton: Sidney Crosby
Most points by a Sabre
Jeremy White: "Derek Roy, but I want to say Connolly if he stays healthy... hahaha... nevermind."
Howard Simon: Derek Roy
Dan Hager: Derek Roy
Nick Mendola: Jason Pominville
Bulldog: Derek Roy
Mike Schopp: Derek Roy
Greg Bauch: Derek Roy
Brian Koziol: Jason Pominville
Dennis Williams: Derek Roy
Paul Hamilton: Derek Roy
Worst record
Nick Mendola: Atlanta "Rick DiPietro is better than Lehtonen/Hedberg."
Howard Simon: NY Islanders
Jeremy White: NY Islanders
Dan Hager: NY Islanders
Bulldog: NY Islanders
Mike Schopp: Toronto
Greg Bauch: Florida
Brian Koziol: NY Islanders
Dennis Williams: Florida
Paul Hamilton: Los Angeles
Presidents' Trophy
Howard Simon: Philadelphia "I think the West is top heavy and it will be tough for one team to have the overall points lead."
Jeremy White: Detroit
Dan Hager: Detroit
Nick Mendola: Montreal
Bulldog: Detroit
Mike Schopp: Detroit
Greg Bauch: Obama
Brian Koziol: Montreal
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers
Paul Hamilton: Detroit
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Howard Simon, Jeremy White, The Bulldog, Brian Koziol, Dan Hager, Greg Bauch, Dennis Williams and Nick Mendola have their predictions
Northeast Division
Nick Mendola: Montreal "Cristobal Huet was taken for granted, but Carey Price can be that much better. Another year under this team's belt is terrifying, and a captain like Saku Koivu will not let this team lose focus, nor will Guy Carbonneau, who knows a thing or two about winning Stanley Cups."
Howard Simon: Montreal
Jeremy White: Montreal
Dan Hager: Montreal
Bulldog: Montreal
Mike Schopp: Montreal
Greg Bauch: Montreal
Brian Koziol: Montreal
Dennis Williams: Montreal
Paul Hamilton: Montreal
Atlantic Division
Brian Koziol: NY Rangers "It's Drury's team now, while Henrik Lundqvist still doesn't get enough credit."
Howard Simon: Philadelphia
Jeremy White: NY Rangers
Dan Hager: Pittsburgh
Nick Mendola: New Jersey
Mike Schopp: New Jersey
Bulldog: NY Rangers
Greg Bauch: NY Rangers
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers
Southeast Division
Greg Bauch: Carolina "I'm not buying Caps stock yet... and I hate everyone else in the division."
Howard Simon: Washington
Jeremy White: Washington
Dan Hager: Washington
Nick Mendola: Tampa Bay
Mike Schopp: Washington
Bulldog: Washington
Brian Koziol: Washington
Dennis Williams: Carolina
Paul Hamilton: Washington
Central Division
Dan Hager: Detroit "The Blackhawks will give them a run for a bit."
Howard Simon: Detroit
Jeremy White: Detroit
Nick Mendola: Detroit
Bulldog: Detroit
Mike Schopp: Detroit
Greg Bauch: Nashville
Brian Koziol: Detroit
Dennis Williams: Detroit
Paul Hamilton: Detroit
Howard Simon: Calgary "I'm a little concerned about their offensive capabilities but they have a bruising defense, Kiprusoff in goal and Iginla is still on the team. Plus their arena looks cool when everyone wears red."
Jeremy White: Colorado
Dan Hager: Colorado
Nick Mendola: Vancouver
Bulldog: Calgary
Mike Schopp: Edmonton
Greg Bauch: Calgary
Brian Koziol: Minnesota
Dennis Williams: Colorado
Paul Hamilton: Calgary
Pacific Division
Greg Bauch: Dallas "They're always one of the best defensive teams and having Brad Richards for a whole season will help."
Howard Simon: Anaheim
Jeremy White: San Jose
Dan Hager: San Jose
Nick Mendola: Anaheim
Bulldog: Dallas
Mike Schopp: San Jose
Brian Koziol: San Jose
Dennis Williams: Dallas
Paul Hamilton: San Jose
Sabres rank in Northeast Division
Howard Simon: Second I still don't know how they finished behind Boston last season and I think Ottawa will take another step back this season even though many believe Emery was their only problem last season.
Jeremy White: Second
Dan Hager: Second
Nick Mendola: Third
Bulldog: Third
Mike Schopp: Third
Greg Bauch: Second
Brian Koziol: Third
Dennis Williams: Second
Paul Hamilton: Third
Sabres rank in Eastern Conference
Nick Mendola: Eighth "Even at No. 8, there's a chance I'm being too optimistic. The only non-issues in the entire conference are Atlanta, the Islanders and Toronto. The fact of the matter is that Sabres fans need to hope Ryan Miller really was exhausted. Craig Rivet is a legit captain, even if I thought the honors would go to Jason Pominville. If the team fails to thrive, there are four unrestricted players who will fetch a collective young fortune at the deadline — Spacek, Connolly, Afinogenov and Kotalik."
Howard Simon: Fifth
Jeremy White: Fifth
Dan Hager: Sixth
Bulldog: Eighth
Mike Schopp: Eighth
Greg Bauch: Sixth
Brian Koziol: Seventh
Dennis Williams: Sixth
Paul Hamilton: Ninth
Sabres in playoffs
Dan Hager: Lose in second round "I think they'll lose to Montreal, the team to beat in the East."
Howard Simon: Lose in first round
Jeremy White: Lose in second round
Nick Mendola: Lose in first round
Bulldog: Lose in first round
Mike Schopp: Lose in first round
Greg Bauch: Lose in second round
Brian Koziol: Lose in first round
Dennis Williams: Lose in second round
Paul Hamilton: Out
Final Four
Nick Mendola: Montreal, Washington, Detroit, Anaheim
"How can I pick Washington to make the final four, but not win the Southeast? It's easy, actually, Ted Leonsis opens his wallet at the deadline again, and plugs in that missing defensive piece or two that will have them behind the loaded Lightning for most of the year."
Howard Simon: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, San Jose
Jeremy White: Montreal, NY Rangers, Detroit, Dallas
Dan Hager: Montreal, Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Jose
Bulldog: Montreal, NY Rangers, Detroit, Dallas
Mike Schopp: Montreal, New Jersey, Detroit, San Jose
Greg Bauch: NY Rangers, Montreal, Calgary, Nashville
Brian Koziol: NY Rangers, Montreal, Detroit, San Jose
Dennis Williams: Montreal, NY Rangers, Chicago, Detroit
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers, Washington, Detroit, Calgary
Stanley Cup
Howard Simon: Anaheim over Philadelphia "I think the Ducks had a Cup hangover issue last season. They were a much better team over the second half of the season and I think they'll have an edge back to their game. I think Philly has enough weapons on offense and has improved their mobility on defense plus Marty answered the 'Can he win in the playoffs?' question last season."
Jeremy White: NY Rangers over Detroit
Dan Hager: Montreal over Detroit
Nick Mendola: Montreal over Detroit
Bulldog: Detroit over Montreal
Mike Schopp: New Jersey over Detroit
Greg Bauch: Nashville over Montreal
Brian Koziol: Montreal over San Jose
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers over Detroit
Paul Hamilton: NY Rangers over Detroit
Most goals in the NHL
Nick Mendola: Alexander Ovechkin "But I want to say Jarome Iginla so very badly."
Howard Simon: Alexander Ovechkin
Jeremy White: Alexander Ovechkin
Dan Hager: Alexander Ovechkin
Bulldog: Alexander Ovechkin
Mike Schopp: Alexander Ovechkin
Greg Bauch: Alexander Ovechkin
Brian Koziol: Alexander Ovechkin
Dennis Williams: Alexander Ovechkin
Paul Hamilton: Alexander Ovechkin
Most goals by a Sabre
Brian Koziol: Derek Roy "He really matured last year, and will continue to stay hot."
Howard Simon: Thomas Vanek
Jeremy White: Thomas Vanek
Dan Hager: Thomas Vanek
Nick Mendola: Thomas Vanek
Bulldog: Thomas Vanek
Mike Schopp: Thomas Vanek
Greg Bauch: Thomas Vanek
Dennis Williams: Thomas Vanek
Paul Hamilton: Thomas Vanek
Most points in the NHL
Howard Simon: Alexander Ovechkin "Even though there are less in division games this season, he can still fatten up vs the Southeast. Keep an eye on him, he's really good. You heard it here first."
Jeremy White: Sidney Crosby
Dan Hager: Sidney Crosby
Nick Mendola: Alexander Ovechkin
Bulldog: Sidney Crosby
Mike Schopp: Alexander Ovechkin
Greg Bauch: Joe Thornton
Brian Koziol: Alexander Ovechkin
Dennis Williams: Alexander Ovechkin
Paul Hamilton: Sidney Crosby
Most points by a Sabre
Jeremy White: "Derek Roy, but I want to say Connolly if he stays healthy... hahaha... nevermind."
Howard Simon: Derek Roy
Dan Hager: Derek Roy
Nick Mendola: Jason Pominville
Bulldog: Derek Roy
Mike Schopp: Derek Roy
Greg Bauch: Derek Roy
Brian Koziol: Jason Pominville
Dennis Williams: Derek Roy
Paul Hamilton: Derek Roy
Worst record
Nick Mendola: Atlanta "Rick DiPietro is better than Lehtonen/Hedberg."
Howard Simon: NY Islanders
Jeremy White: NY Islanders
Dan Hager: NY Islanders
Bulldog: NY Islanders
Mike Schopp: Toronto
Greg Bauch: Florida
Brian Koziol: NY Islanders
Dennis Williams: Florida
Paul Hamilton: Los Angeles
Presidents' Trophy
Howard Simon: Philadelphia "I think the West is top heavy and it will be tough for one team to have the overall points lead."
Jeremy White: Detroit
Dan Hager: Detroit
Nick Mendola: Montreal
Bulldog: Detroit
Mike Schopp: Detroit
Greg Bauch: Obama
Brian Koziol: Montreal
Dennis Williams: NY Rangers
Paul Hamilton: Detroit
Email: nick@wgr550.com
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Ranking the Sabres' skippers
The Buffalo Sabres have had between 15 and 23 captains in their history, depending on if you feel the rotating captains should be counted, which I won't for our purposes. For the record, if people spoke of Sabres captains like they do of popes, I'd be on my 11th captain, as I didn't ever see the 'C' on Danny Gare's sweater.
So here is my fairly-educated ranking of Sabre skippers:
14. Floyd Smith (1970-71) -- What else can be said about Floyd Smith, the first captain of the team? Well, he was born on May 16, 1935 in Perth, Ontario. Good on you, Floyd.
13. Alexander Mogilny (1993-94) -- Extortion attempts, aviatophobia and a 76-goal campaign doesn't make him any more of a resounding leader in my book, just a fun Sabre.
12. Gerry Meehan (1971-74) -- I have to admit my only knowledge of Meehan is as a general manager. He came to Buffalo from the Seattle Totems, and had the best years of his career with the Sabres, with more than 46 points in all four season in Buffalo.
11. Daniel Briere (2005-2007) -- There may be a lot of email hate for slotting Briere this low, and he was an awesome guy in the community, as well as vocal with the media, but there was a little too much unsteadiness in both his exit and playoffs for me to move him ahead of anyone in front of him. Great times, though.
10. Stu Barnes (2001-2003) -- Quiet, steady, confident. He took over after a captain-less year, and played hard every night. Maybe he should be a little lower, but I have a fondness for Stu Barnes.
Is it just me, or did Stu Barnes have either a tiny head, or a really big helmet?
9. Lindy Ruff (1987-89) -- Lindy was traded for the pick that became Richard Smehlik. He plays golf right- and left-handed.
8. Danny Gare (1977-82) -- Tied for the longest-tenured captain with Gilbert Perreault and Pat LaFontaine. Was dynamite, notching over 50 goals twice and 40 goals thrice. Tough, smallish forward who never registered less than 70 penalty minutes.
7. Michael Peca (1997-2000) -- Will his reputation stand the test of time? I hope so. I remember the offensive highlights, like a legitimately wonderful goal against Hartford, as well as the bone-crushing open-ice hits. Hopefully, I'll forget the off-ice acrimony in time. I have to admit that I wondered what became of him when hearing about the Peca/Smith/Pronger camps in Edmonton a few years back, but they went to the Cup.
Mike Peca needed a chainsaw to shave, or like a Mach-15-blade razor.
6. Jim Schoenfeld (1974-77) -- Skippered the squad to its first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and has one of the most memorable checks in team history. Also would fight and, like Ruff, became a pretty good head coach, even if I seem to recall him being behind the bench when a Devils goalie scored in his own net.
5. Chris Drury (2005-2007) -- Whether it be fabled or fact, Drury will always hold a special place in the hearts of Sabres fans, whether they view his exit as shady or justified. The guy blocked shots with his face, played hurt and saved Canaima, California from a deadly species of Venezuelan spider. Oh, wait, that last part was Jeff Daniels in "Arachnophobia."
4. Mike Ramsey (1991-92) -- Respected, tough as nails defenseman who would've worn the 'C' much longer had he not been on a team with Perreault and Foligno. Olympic hero was extremely well-respected around the league.
Ramsey was so well-respected that the Russians let him use them as a couch on his way to ending the Cold War.
3. Pat LaFontaine (1992-97) -- Classy with the media, LaFontaine will always go down as a player who was cut down by concussions when plenty of good hockey left to play. His arrival instantly transformed the image of the club, and Mogilny doesn't score 76 without his almost-absurd 95 helpers in 1992-93.
2. Mike Foligno (1989-91) -- My favorite hockey player of all-time for the grit and goals. His only downfall was a penalty shot on my birthday against the Red Wings. Sitting in my seat, I was ready for my hero to light up Glen Hanlon. Hanlon stopped him, and did the celebrated Foligno goal jump. Pretty awesome in retrospect, even if it ruined my day, just as it did the time Esa Tikkanen sat on him at center ice during an Oilers/Sabres game I attended. Thanks, Dad and Uncle Larry.
Mike Foligno's nose defines hockey. He's also the only professional athlete I'm actually intimidated around. Pretty weird, huh?
1. Gilbert Perreault (1982-97) -- There's no debate. The franchise's leader in almost everything was here from its inception until 1986. Plus, I fell down the stairs of the gold section with right before he scored his 500th goal, meaning my parents missed the milestone. I've heard about it every time the replay's been televised since then. For goodness' sake, Mom, I was four.
And he could sing.
I didn't take forever to make these rankings, so cut me a little slack, cause that's how I see it. I'm ready for hockey season, and I'll get some predictions your way soon. Leafs/Red Wings tonight on television!
Email: nick@wgr550.com
P.S. Send me your rankings if you'd like.
So here is my fairly-educated ranking of Sabre skippers:
14. Floyd Smith (1970-71) -- What else can be said about Floyd Smith, the first captain of the team? Well, he was born on May 16, 1935 in Perth, Ontario. Good on you, Floyd.
13. Alexander Mogilny (1993-94) -- Extortion attempts, aviatophobia and a 76-goal campaign doesn't make him any more of a resounding leader in my book, just a fun Sabre.
12. Gerry Meehan (1971-74) -- I have to admit my only knowledge of Meehan is as a general manager. He came to Buffalo from the Seattle Totems, and had the best years of his career with the Sabres, with more than 46 points in all four season in Buffalo.
11. Daniel Briere (2005-2007) -- There may be a lot of email hate for slotting Briere this low, and he was an awesome guy in the community, as well as vocal with the media, but there was a little too much unsteadiness in both his exit and playoffs for me to move him ahead of anyone in front of him. Great times, though.
10. Stu Barnes (2001-2003) -- Quiet, steady, confident. He took over after a captain-less year, and played hard every night. Maybe he should be a little lower, but I have a fondness for Stu Barnes.
Is it just me, or did Stu Barnes have either a tiny head, or a really big helmet?
9. Lindy Ruff (1987-89) -- Lindy was traded for the pick that became Richard Smehlik. He plays golf right- and left-handed.
8. Danny Gare (1977-82) -- Tied for the longest-tenured captain with Gilbert Perreault and Pat LaFontaine. Was dynamite, notching over 50 goals twice and 40 goals thrice. Tough, smallish forward who never registered less than 70 penalty minutes.
7. Michael Peca (1997-2000) -- Will his reputation stand the test of time? I hope so. I remember the offensive highlights, like a legitimately wonderful goal against Hartford, as well as the bone-crushing open-ice hits. Hopefully, I'll forget the off-ice acrimony in time. I have to admit that I wondered what became of him when hearing about the Peca/Smith/Pronger camps in Edmonton a few years back, but they went to the Cup.
Mike Peca needed a chainsaw to shave, or like a Mach-15-blade razor.
6. Jim Schoenfeld (1974-77) -- Skippered the squad to its first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and has one of the most memorable checks in team history. Also would fight and, like Ruff, became a pretty good head coach, even if I seem to recall him being behind the bench when a Devils goalie scored in his own net.
5. Chris Drury (2005-2007) -- Whether it be fabled or fact, Drury will always hold a special place in the hearts of Sabres fans, whether they view his exit as shady or justified. The guy blocked shots with his face, played hurt and saved Canaima, California from a deadly species of Venezuelan spider. Oh, wait, that last part was Jeff Daniels in "Arachnophobia."
4. Mike Ramsey (1991-92) -- Respected, tough as nails defenseman who would've worn the 'C' much longer had he not been on a team with Perreault and Foligno. Olympic hero was extremely well-respected around the league.
Ramsey was so well-respected that the Russians let him use them as a couch on his way to ending the Cold War.
3. Pat LaFontaine (1992-97) -- Classy with the media, LaFontaine will always go down as a player who was cut down by concussions when plenty of good hockey left to play. His arrival instantly transformed the image of the club, and Mogilny doesn't score 76 without his almost-absurd 95 helpers in 1992-93.
2. Mike Foligno (1989-91) -- My favorite hockey player of all-time for the grit and goals. His only downfall was a penalty shot on my birthday against the Red Wings. Sitting in my seat, I was ready for my hero to light up Glen Hanlon. Hanlon stopped him, and did the celebrated Foligno goal jump. Pretty awesome in retrospect, even if it ruined my day, just as it did the time Esa Tikkanen sat on him at center ice during an Oilers/Sabres game I attended. Thanks, Dad and Uncle Larry.
Mike Foligno's nose defines hockey. He's also the only professional athlete I'm actually intimidated around. Pretty weird, huh?
1. Gilbert Perreault (1982-97) -- There's no debate. The franchise's leader in almost everything was here from its inception until 1986. Plus, I fell down the stairs of the gold section with right before he scored his 500th goal, meaning my parents missed the milestone. I've heard about it every time the replay's been televised since then. For goodness' sake, Mom, I was four.
And he could sing.
I didn't take forever to make these rankings, so cut me a little slack, cause that's how I see it. I'm ready for hockey season, and I'll get some predictions your way soon. Leafs/Red Wings tonight on television!
Email: nick@wgr550.com
P.S. Send me your rankings if you'd like.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Pominville at practice
This is just a short, little note from Tuesday's Sabre practice, but it's been on my mind for a bit.
The enduring image of practice was Jason Pominville letting loose on a snap shot down the right wing that beat Patrick Lalime high, glove-side. It was just one of several slick plays that stood out for the fourth-year player (he did play one game in 2003-04, but come on) who may or may not be named captain Wednesday. My hope is that he receives the honor and I wouldn't be surprised to see his numbers improve again.
After .53 points-per-game in his rookie year, his ratio improved to .83 in 2006-07 and then .98 last season. Pominville ripped a resounding 232 shots on net in 2007-08, many of which were gobbled up on the rebound to contribute to his 53 assists, while the Lady Byng finalist took just 20 minutes in penalties.
Look for Pominville to at least quintuple his power play goals this season. After two last year, count at least 10 on the way to a 30-35 goal, 50-55 assist campaign, which would put him over a point-per-game, assuming he puts up his third-straight 82-game season.
Indulge me -- my picks for assistant/alternate captains -- Teppo Numminen and Derek Roy. That way, when Numminen takes a night off, you can reward the hardest-working Sabre with an 'A' for an evening or two, and Roy's maturity evolved so much last season that asking for more in the next logical step. Regardless, I think you'll see Jochen Hecht get an 'A,' but those were my picks, and I like Hecht a ton as well.
The enduring image of practice was Jason Pominville letting loose on a snap shot down the right wing that beat Patrick Lalime high, glove-side. It was just one of several slick plays that stood out for the fourth-year player (he did play one game in 2003-04, but come on) who may or may not be named captain Wednesday. My hope is that he receives the honor and I wouldn't be surprised to see his numbers improve again.
After .53 points-per-game in his rookie year, his ratio improved to .83 in 2006-07 and then .98 last season. Pominville ripped a resounding 232 shots on net in 2007-08, many of which were gobbled up on the rebound to contribute to his 53 assists, while the Lady Byng finalist took just 20 minutes in penalties.
Look for Pominville to at least quintuple his power play goals this season. After two last year, count at least 10 on the way to a 30-35 goal, 50-55 assist campaign, which would put him over a point-per-game, assuming he puts up his third-straight 82-game season.
Indulge me -- my picks for assistant/alternate captains -- Teppo Numminen and Derek Roy. That way, when Numminen takes a night off, you can reward the hardest-working Sabre with an 'A' for an evening or two, and Roy's maturity evolved so much last season that asking for more in the next logical step. Regardless, I think you'll see Jochen Hecht get an 'A,' but those were my picks, and I like Hecht a ton as well.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sign Brian Campbell
There are a number of ways I could've cleverly-titled this column, variations on themes of defense, red hair and soup, but "Sign Brian Campbell" was the choice for a reason.
It's a no-brainer.
There's been discussion on our airwaves about how much Campbell will fetch in the off-season — likely a king's ransom — and arguments about where to throw your money in the "New NHL that closely resembles the old NHL," or NNHLTCRTONHL, for short.
The more you look at numbers, the more it makes sense to pay the man. Performance-wise, there aren't many times fans are watching a replay of an opponent's goal, wondering "What was Campbell thinking?" His offensive gifts are many, the physical play is there, and he eats minutes like the league's best.
Now, after shelling out crazy cash to Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy, and with Ryan Miller's contract on the horizon, it's okay to be a little hesitant to pay Campbell as one of your team's best, but let me walk you through an argument for re-signing the 28-year-old.
First off, he's becoming the most complete defenseman on the team, better offensively than Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman, and a shade better than Jaroslav Spacek in his own end. The numbers don't lie, either:
— His 49 points led Sabres blue-liners, and ranked 18th in the NHL in 2006-07, near young stud defenders like Calgary's Dion Phaneuf and Colorado's John-Michael Liles.
—His 16 points to-date this season rank 8th amongst NHL d-men, despite the Sabres spending a good portion of the early season trying to remember what it felt like to see a red light behind the other team's net.
— He's missed three games in three years, kills penalties and mans the point on a power play unit.
—His 25:07 in average ice time is 13th in the NHL.
— Campbell's recorded 13 points in 34 playoff games, which isn't too far off his production in the more wide-open regular season.
— Calling a guy "Soup" is fun, and the spin-o-rama move is pretty cool.
Of the regular defensemen, only Dmitri Kalinin and Nathan Paetsch are younger than Campbell, although "Soup" is only older than Henrik Tallinder by approximately four months. His 28 years appear to fall right in the wheel house of being able to relate to the new guys and hold weight with the veterans.
If you're asking if I think he should be captain, the answer is yes.
Then, there's the money issue, and there'll be plenty of hemming and hawing. Is he worth three-, four-, or five million per year? Is he more of an Andrei Markov or a Brian Rafalski? Well, how about you check out this list of defensemen and their salaries, and tell me you'd sign them over Campbell:
Paul Mara, NYR, $3 million
Brendan Witt, NYI, $2.8 million
Nick Boynton, PHX, $2.95 million
Brad Stuart, LA, $3.5 million
Sergei Zubov, DAL, $4 million
Mattias Ohlund, VAN, $3.5 million
Cory Sarich, CGY, $3.9 million
Those are all guys in the $4 million range, and several signed last year, in the "New NHL." Campbell is almost certainly a better asset than anyone on the list, and Sarich and Stuart were guys I advocated as Sabres last summer.
Is he Wade Redden, at $6.5 per year, or Chris Pronger at $6.25 million? No. In an ideal world, he should be more in the $3.5 million, Chris Phillips range, but this is also a league in which 475-year-old Mathieu Schneider is making $5.5 million, and still pretty productive. Market value is skewed beyond belief, and Phillips would make a lot more money somewhere else.
Someone is going to pay the man in the $4 to $4.5 million range, and I hope it's Darcy Regier and Tom Golisano. If necessary, I'd be willing go even higher, but I would hope that's unnecessary. Each assist, and minute logged on the ice is another step closer to unrestricted free agency.
A guy like Campbell may be missed more than a Daniel Briere, and while I wouldn't go quite as far as to say Chris Drury, he's getting there. The question you have to ask yourself is does the name "Brian Campbell" fit in your mind as a core-member of the Sabres, with names like Vanek, Roy, Hecht and Miller? All signs point to "Yes."
In summation, I'm only charging 1 percent, Soup. I'll give a lot of it to charity.
E-mail: nick@wgr550.com
It's a no-brainer.
There's been discussion on our airwaves about how much Campbell will fetch in the off-season — likely a king's ransom — and arguments about where to throw your money in the "New NHL that closely resembles the old NHL," or NNHLTCRTONHL, for short.
The more you look at numbers, the more it makes sense to pay the man. Performance-wise, there aren't many times fans are watching a replay of an opponent's goal, wondering "What was Campbell thinking?" His offensive gifts are many, the physical play is there, and he eats minutes like the league's best.
Now, after shelling out crazy cash to Thomas Vanek and Derek Roy, and with Ryan Miller's contract on the horizon, it's okay to be a little hesitant to pay Campbell as one of your team's best, but let me walk you through an argument for re-signing the 28-year-old.
First off, he's becoming the most complete defenseman on the team, better offensively than Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman, and a shade better than Jaroslav Spacek in his own end. The numbers don't lie, either:
— His 49 points led Sabres blue-liners, and ranked 18th in the NHL in 2006-07, near young stud defenders like Calgary's Dion Phaneuf and Colorado's John-Michael Liles.
—His 16 points to-date this season rank 8th amongst NHL d-men, despite the Sabres spending a good portion of the early season trying to remember what it felt like to see a red light behind the other team's net.
— He's missed three games in three years, kills penalties and mans the point on a power play unit.
—His 25:07 in average ice time is 13th in the NHL.
— Campbell's recorded 13 points in 34 playoff games, which isn't too far off his production in the more wide-open regular season.
— Calling a guy "Soup" is fun, and the spin-o-rama move is pretty cool.
Of the regular defensemen, only Dmitri Kalinin and Nathan Paetsch are younger than Campbell, although "Soup" is only older than Henrik Tallinder by approximately four months. His 28 years appear to fall right in the wheel house of being able to relate to the new guys and hold weight with the veterans.
If you're asking if I think he should be captain, the answer is yes.
Then, there's the money issue, and there'll be plenty of hemming and hawing. Is he worth three-, four-, or five million per year? Is he more of an Andrei Markov or a Brian Rafalski? Well, how about you check out this list of defensemen and their salaries, and tell me you'd sign them over Campbell:
Paul Mara, NYR, $3 million
Brendan Witt, NYI, $2.8 million
Nick Boynton, PHX, $2.95 million
Brad Stuart, LA, $3.5 million
Sergei Zubov, DAL, $4 million
Mattias Ohlund, VAN, $3.5 million
Cory Sarich, CGY, $3.9 million
Those are all guys in the $4 million range, and several signed last year, in the "New NHL." Campbell is almost certainly a better asset than anyone on the list, and Sarich and Stuart were guys I advocated as Sabres last summer.
Is he Wade Redden, at $6.5 per year, or Chris Pronger at $6.25 million? No. In an ideal world, he should be more in the $3.5 million, Chris Phillips range, but this is also a league in which 475-year-old Mathieu Schneider is making $5.5 million, and still pretty productive. Market value is skewed beyond belief, and Phillips would make a lot more money somewhere else.
Someone is going to pay the man in the $4 to $4.5 million range, and I hope it's Darcy Regier and Tom Golisano. If necessary, I'd be willing go even higher, but I would hope that's unnecessary. Each assist, and minute logged on the ice is another step closer to unrestricted free agency.
A guy like Campbell may be missed more than a Daniel Briere, and while I wouldn't go quite as far as to say Chris Drury, he's getting there. The question you have to ask yourself is does the name "Brian Campbell" fit in your mind as a core-member of the Sabres, with names like Vanek, Roy, Hecht and Miller? All signs point to "Yes."
In summation, I'm only charging 1 percent, Soup. I'll give a lot of it to charity.
E-mail: nick@wgr550.com
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