The Buffalo and the Cerberus
Posted 9:19 AM ET | Comments 11
Right now the Buffalo Sabres remind me of Cerberus the three headed hound from Greek mythology. In this case however, instead of a menacing multi-headed beast guarding the entrance to the Underworld, the Sabres have their own triple threat in Vanek, Roy, and Pominville.
Thomas Vanek (11g, 11a, 22pts) is tied for second in the NHL in scoring, despite averaging less time on ice per game than any other forward in the top 5 in scoring. Jason Pominville is right behind TV with 21 points, and the red hot Derek Roy looks like he has returned to his former self and now has 14 pts including 8pts in his last 4 games.
That's all well and good, but beyond our mythical trio the depth scoring has been non-existent of late. Luke Adam's 13 pts in 17 contests are a nice surprise, and being that he's a rookie who is playing top 6 minutes, there is no complaint there. However, Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis are currently goal-less through 23 combined games. I know Ennis is out but he generated little offensive prior to his injury, and Myers sloppy play at both ends earned him a seat on the bench last night.
Ville Leino, Drew Stafford, Nathan Gerbe, Paul Gaustad, and Brad Boyes have combined for a grand total of 12 goals thus far. Of the aforementioned five players, none of them are currently on pace for a 20 goal season as of yet. Staffords 4 tallies put him on pace for 19 goals, after scoring 31 last year!
Other than showcasing him in the shootout, the Sabres have yet to find a place where Boyes can flourish. He and Leino have very little chemistry with this team. Leino started to show signs of breaking out last week paired with Stafford and Roy, but that line has sputtered a bit, and was broken up last night against Montreal.
Drew Stafford is the player most likely to break out of his early slump in my eyes. He is shooting the puck a lot, with 47 shots (3rd on team) through 17 games, and actually led the team in shots (5) last night against Montreal. Eventually some of those shots are going to go in for Drew, and at the very least he is creating scoring opportunities by putting the puck on net.
On the backend the Sabres defensemen, while somewhat disappointing from a defensive standpoint, are producing capably enough on the offensive end. Ehrhoff is on pace for a 40+ point season, Leopold has 3 goals (more than most forwards), and Gragnani has performed well on the Power Play.
The real disappointment on the defense is Tyler Myers who in 16 games has been held to 4 assists and 0 goals. Sure Sekera is looked for to provide some offense as well, but given how consistently well he's played defensively it's hard to knock him for his offensive production at this point. And Robyn Regehr has never been mistaken for Bobby Orr...that's not why he's here.
For the Sabres to stay afloat in the Northeast division race over the long haul they will need to get more supplementary scoring. The Cerberus will continue to breath fire, but can anyone else get hot? Hopefully Tyler Myers takes his benching in stride and picks up his play, the Sabres can also look to get a boost with Tyler Ennis nearing a return to action.
I'm sick of the Miller/Lucic story all ready, here's my diatribe on it and that's all I'm gonna say. Ready my piece here, because it's the last time I'm going to comment on it:
http://www.hockeytracker....011/11/just-win-baby.html
Brandon Hess
Follow me on Twitter @SabreHess
_____________________________________________________________________
Thomas Vanek (11g, 11a, 22pts) is tied for second in the NHL in scoring, despite averaging less time on ice per game than any other forward in the top 5 in scoring. Jason Pominville is right behind TV with 21 points, and the red hot Derek Roy looks like he has returned to his former self and now has 14 pts including 8pts in his last 4 games.
That's all well and good, but beyond our mythical trio the depth scoring has been non-existent of late. Luke Adam's 13 pts in 17 contests are a nice surprise, and being that he's a rookie who is playing top 6 minutes, there is no complaint there. However, Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis are currently goal-less through 23 combined games. I know Ennis is out but he generated little offensive prior to his injury, and Myers sloppy play at both ends earned him a seat on the bench last night.
Ville Leino, Drew Stafford, Nathan Gerbe, Paul Gaustad, and Brad Boyes have combined for a grand total of 12 goals thus far. Of the aforementioned five players, none of them are currently on pace for a 20 goal season as of yet. Staffords 4 tallies put him on pace for 19 goals, after scoring 31 last year!
Other than showcasing him in the shootout, the Sabres have yet to find a place where Boyes can flourish. He and Leino have very little chemistry with this team. Leino started to show signs of breaking out last week paired with Stafford and Roy, but that line has sputtered a bit, and was broken up last night against Montreal.
Drew Stafford is the player most likely to break out of his early slump in my eyes. He is shooting the puck a lot, with 47 shots (3rd on team) through 17 games, and actually led the team in shots (5) last night against Montreal. Eventually some of those shots are going to go in for Drew, and at the very least he is creating scoring opportunities by putting the puck on net.
On the backend the Sabres defensemen, while somewhat disappointing from a defensive standpoint, are producing capably enough on the offensive end. Ehrhoff is on pace for a 40+ point season, Leopold has 3 goals (more than most forwards), and Gragnani has performed well on the Power Play.
The real disappointment on the defense is Tyler Myers who in 16 games has been held to 4 assists and 0 goals. Sure Sekera is looked for to provide some offense as well, but given how consistently well he's played defensively it's hard to knock him for his offensive production at this point. And Robyn Regehr has never been mistaken for Bobby Orr...that's not why he's here.
For the Sabres to stay afloat in the Northeast division race over the long haul they will need to get more supplementary scoring. The Cerberus will continue to breath fire, but can anyone else get hot? Hopefully Tyler Myers takes his benching in stride and picks up his play, the Sabres can also look to get a boost with Tyler Ennis nearing a return to action.
I'm sick of the Miller/Lucic story all ready, here's my diatribe on it and that's all I'm gonna say. Ready my piece here, because it's the last time I'm going to comment on it:
http://www.hockeytracker....011/11/just-win-baby.html
Brandon Hess
Follow me on Twitter @SabreHess
_____________________________________________________________________
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01 Sabres add Leino, re-up McCormick....Ehrhoff Thoughts
05 Why Leino is a boom or bust move
08 FA Forwards for 3.5 to 4.5 million, what do you get?
22 Enroth and the Value of Eastern Conf. Backups
26 Northeast Division Defenseman
28 My 5 Riskiest Moves of this Off-Season...So Far
05 Why Leino is a boom or bust move
08 FA Forwards for 3.5 to 4.5 million, what do you get?
22 Enroth and the Value of Eastern Conf. Backups
26 Northeast Division Defenseman
28 My 5 Riskiest Moves of this Off-Season...So Far
Nice blog. If you are interested in other places to blog check out Hockeyblogs.net There blogging platform is excellent and your blogs won't get buried deep because new blog posts are always shown on the home page. Great active members, forum and live game chat also
Thanks Digityman, I'll check out that site. I also am the Sabres blogger on Hockeytracker.net, and occasionally write for SabresHockeyCentral as well.
Try this again. Here's my forward linesVanek-Adam-PomervilleEnnis-Leino-StaffordHecht-Roy-BoyesGerbe-Gaustad-Kaleta
Then after we are healthy and Hecht has some games under him trade him and Calagary's 2nd rounder back to Calgary for Bourque. They are going to rebuild and getting out of a contract. Put him with Roy and Boyes
I like those lines, but I don't want Rene Bourque, the guy is a headcase, and the last thing this Sabres team needs is another player who plays when he wants to
I will have to scout him more on HNC. We need someone to be a power forward on that line if not Bourque. Of course we all dream of Doan but there must be someone else.
Looked at the other rosters, latendresse from MN, Taylor Pyatt (gasp!), Milan hejduk. Yeah hejduk is not a a power forward but nice addition and what a move for Darcy
I do like Lataendresse, I'd shy away from Pyatt 2.0, and there's no way Hejduk would be available. I still think the Sabres should make a play for Kyle Turris.
Turris going no where. Need a gritty scorer on that third line. Only real incomplete spot