Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Sabres beat writer Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News has been railing against a perceived be tank-job by the Buffalo organization for quite some time. Back on January 31st he penned an article, Sabres are disgusting, all right, that aptly and bluntly captured his dismay .At the time Harrington was not amused by the Sabres road to the top of the 2015 NHL Draft. He wrote of the Edmonton Oilers having "a lot of road trips" the rest of the season while the Arizona Coyotes, he wrote, "have a lot of trades to make" if they were thinking of overtaking the Sabres for last place.
Buffalo had just finished an 0-fer January and was on a franchise record 14-game losing streak. "Hockey folks are laughing at the product the Sabres have put on the ice," he wrote, "but much worse they're laughing at the organization itself and that's not how it's supposed to be going."
Sabres GM Tim Murray was sitting on his hands during this debacle leaving head coach Ted Nolan with very little on the ice and even less to say post-game save for "these are the 20 guys we have," and "we've got what we got." Harrington was so disgusted that it only took him a one paragraph lead-in before he wrote, "I think it's safe to call right now. The Buffalo Sabres are the worst team in the NHL by a lot at this point. They're going to finish 30th and get Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.
"You may call it mission accomplished. But the mission doesn't need to be an open disgrace."
Showing posts with label Chris Stewart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chris Stewart. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
A quiet time in Sabreland as trade deadline day inches a bit closer
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Let's play armchair GM
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
As of tomorrow there will be only 21 shopping days left until trade deadline day.
Word on the street is that the press box at First Niagara Center was overflowing last night with scouts from various teams doing a little window shopping. The Sabres have a number of unrestricted free agents and some guy named Tyler Myers, whom a lot of teams seem to covet, that may be of interest. Although Myers isn't a pending UFA, GM Tim Murray has stated that anyone can be moved on a last place team.
Before we get to that, the Sabres are coming off of three strong performances that have resulted in them grabbing four of a possible six points. No worries, y'all. The Sabres are still in last place and still have yet to make any deals.
As of tomorrow there will be only 21 shopping days left until trade deadline day.
Word on the street is that the press box at First Niagara Center was overflowing last night with scouts from various teams doing a little window shopping. The Sabres have a number of unrestricted free agents and some guy named Tyler Myers, whom a lot of teams seem to covet, that may be of interest. Although Myers isn't a pending UFA, GM Tim Murray has stated that anyone can be moved on a last place team.
Before we get to that, the Sabres are coming off of three strong performances that have resulted in them grabbing four of a possible six points. No worries, y'all. The Sabres are still in last place and still have yet to make any deals.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Of the Bills and Incognito, the Sabres and Evander Kane
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Bills have guard Richie Incognito in town for a physical and rumor has it that should he pass it, the Bills will sign him.
Why should this be of any importance to a Sabres blog? Other than the fact that the two teams have the same owner?
Well...because.
Actually it kinda fits hand in hand with the whole Evander Kane debate and whether or not the Buffalo Sabres should pursue him in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets.
Kane's image in Winnipeg is that of a highly skilled player who may be described as "petulant, immature and lacking in good judgment." That description would be a compliment to Incognito who was once had the dubious distinction of being voted dirtiest player in a 2009 Sporting News poll of 99 players. Interesting to note that he played three games for the Bills that season after St. Louis cut him as Buffalo claimed him off waivers.
Incognito has never shied away from any of that stuff during his career, one that climbed to Pro Bowl status in 2012. It was his third season with the Dolphins and he started all 16 games for the team at left guard.
The Buffalo Bills have guard Richie Incognito in town for a physical and rumor has it that should he pass it, the Bills will sign him.
Why should this be of any importance to a Sabres blog? Other than the fact that the two teams have the same owner?
Well...because.
Actually it kinda fits hand in hand with the whole Evander Kane debate and whether or not the Buffalo Sabres should pursue him in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets.
Kane's image in Winnipeg is that of a highly skilled player who may be described as "petulant, immature and lacking in good judgment." That description would be a compliment to Incognito who was once had the dubious distinction of being voted dirtiest player in a 2009 Sporting News poll of 99 players. Interesting to note that he played three games for the Bills that season after St. Louis cut him as Buffalo claimed him off waivers.
Incognito has never shied away from any of that stuff during his career, one that climbed to Pro Bowl status in 2012. It was his third season with the Dolphins and he started all 16 games for the team at left guard.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
At least Stewart gets it, plus third period perils
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When your team is last in the league and on a losing streak where the NHL mark for futility enters the conversation, there doesn't seem to be a whole helluva lot to play for as an individual. The Buffalo Sabres lost their 14th game in a row last night and, unfortunately, are closing in on the NHL record for consecutive losses. Both the 1974-75 Washington Capitals and 1992-93 San Jose' Sharks hold the dubious distinction of losing 17 consecutive games.
For posterity's sake, Sabres goalie coach Arturs Irbe was a rookie netminder for the Sharks during that season while Jeff Hackett, uncle of last night's starter in net, Matt Hackett, played 36 games winning only 2 of them for the Sharks that year.
When your team is last in the league and on a losing streak where the NHL mark for futility enters the conversation, there doesn't seem to be a whole helluva lot to play for as an individual. The Buffalo Sabres lost their 14th game in a row last night and, unfortunately, are closing in on the NHL record for consecutive losses. Both the 1974-75 Washington Capitals and 1992-93 San Jose' Sharks hold the dubious distinction of losing 17 consecutive games.
For posterity's sake, Sabres goalie coach Arturs Irbe was a rookie netminder for the Sharks during that season while Jeff Hackett, uncle of last night's starter in net, Matt Hackett, played 36 games winning only 2 of them for the Sharks that year.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Ramp-up to the trade deadline, plus some final thoughts on "Gus the All-Star"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Hope y'all had a great All-Star break.
The Buffalo Sabres were off for eight days save for Zemgus Girgensons and the front office. While his teammates were spending time away from the ice tasting normalcy, Girgensons was busy rubbing elbows with an elite group of players in Columbus, OH for the All-Star festivities.
And while his players were off on their break, Sabres GM Tim Murray and his scouting staff were in the field taking in junior and college games. Murray, it's assumed, also had his phone attached to one ear as trade-deadline season is set to kick in.
If there's a player that as close to untradeable as one can get on a last place team, Girgensons is the one for the Sabres organization. As for the rest (save for Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorove, maybe,) there will be waves of emotions rising and falling as the NHL heads towards the March 2 trade deadline. If that's not enough, they'll be riding those emotional waves while trying to play the game of hockey on a last place team that comes back from an eight-day All-Star break with a west coast trip on the heels of a 11-game losing streak.
It's no surprise that the Sabres are in last place, but what's surprising is that they've managed fall to the bottom of the league only because of their recent losing streak. Even after 11 pointless games they're still only two points below the Edmonton Oilers and six points behind the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes who both have a game in hand on Buffalo.
Hope y'all had a great All-Star break.
The Buffalo Sabres were off for eight days save for Zemgus Girgensons and the front office. While his teammates were spending time away from the ice tasting normalcy, Girgensons was busy rubbing elbows with an elite group of players in Columbus, OH for the All-Star festivities.
And while his players were off on their break, Sabres GM Tim Murray and his scouting staff were in the field taking in junior and college games. Murray, it's assumed, also had his phone attached to one ear as trade-deadline season is set to kick in.
If there's a player that as close to untradeable as one can get on a last place team, Girgensons is the one for the Sabres organization. As for the rest (save for Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorove, maybe,) there will be waves of emotions rising and falling as the NHL heads towards the March 2 trade deadline. If that's not enough, they'll be riding those emotional waves while trying to play the game of hockey on a last place team that comes back from an eight-day All-Star break with a west coast trip on the heels of a 11-game losing streak.
It's no surprise that the Sabres are in last place, but what's surprising is that they've managed fall to the bottom of the league only because of their recent losing streak. Even after 11 pointless games they're still only two points below the Edmonton Oilers and six points behind the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes who both have a game in hand on Buffalo.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Sabres gut out another win against Habs
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For the better part of six periods this weekend (plus an overtime,) the Buffalo Sabres had their butts pinned in their own zone by the Montreal Canadiens. Yet the end result of the home-and-home was two wins for the Sabres and a loser point for the Habs. The Canadiens are a good team. They're fast, strong on the forecheck and can finish. They have a well-balanced group of defensemen that can contribute offensively and some pretty solid goaltending as well. Even with the lone point this weekend, they're still tied for the league lead in points with 34.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the ice in Buffalo on Friday and Montreal on Saturday was decidedly tilted in the Habs favor over most of those two games. Simple stats will show it. The Canadiens won 92 of 132 draws over the weekend, an astounding 70% and Sabres' netminder Jhonas Enroth faced 75 shots on goal while his counterparts faced only 51.
For the better part of six periods this weekend (plus an overtime,) the Buffalo Sabres had their butts pinned in their own zone by the Montreal Canadiens. Yet the end result of the home-and-home was two wins for the Sabres and a loser point for the Habs. The Canadiens are a good team. They're fast, strong on the forecheck and can finish. They have a well-balanced group of defensemen that can contribute offensively and some pretty solid goaltending as well. Even with the lone point this weekend, they're still tied for the league lead in points with 34.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the ice in Buffalo on Friday and Montreal on Saturday was decidedly tilted in the Habs favor over most of those two games. Simple stats will show it. The Canadiens won 92 of 132 draws over the weekend, an astounding 70% and Sabres' netminder Jhonas Enroth faced 75 shots on goal while his counterparts faced only 51.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Another game, another cheapshot, but Sabres down Habs
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For the second game in a row a supposedly superior team was rankled by the Sabres to the point where one of their players delivered a cheapshot to a Buffalo player.
Unlike the last game where Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry smoked noted pest Patrick Kaleta with a match penalty boarding call (for which Lowry was suspended one game,) Sabres captain Brian Gionta was laid out by a head shot from the Habs Alexander Emelin.
With the game tied 1-1 and less than two minutes left in the third period Emelin uncorked an elbow to the head of an unsuspecting Gionta which sent him to the ice. The Sabres captain would get up from the hit and go full-bore into the ensuing scrum to get at Emelin.
For the second game in a row a supposedly superior team was rankled by the Sabres to the point where one of their players delivered a cheapshot to a Buffalo player.
Unlike the last game where Winnipeg Jets Adam Lowry smoked noted pest Patrick Kaleta with a match penalty boarding call (for which Lowry was suspended one game,) Sabres captain Brian Gionta was laid out by a head shot from the Habs Alexander Emelin.
With the game tied 1-1 and less than two minutes left in the third period Emelin uncorked an elbow to the head of an unsuspecting Gionta which sent him to the ice. The Sabres captain would get up from the hit and go full-bore into the ensuing scrum to get at Emelin.
(thx to SomeHockeyVideos)
Saturday, November 29, 2014
What to do with Chris Stewart
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For a very long time the Sabres seemed to have been in the market for a big powerforward with grit who could skate top-nine minutes and drop the gloves whenever necessary.
Back in 2009 when the core was being whipped around like ragdolls on a nightly basis, former team president Larry Quinn and GM Darcy Regier, along with Head Scout Kevin Devine thought they had found the answer. After a some seasoning, 13th-overall pick Zack Kassian would surely be that guy.
I remember the draft party was held at the Albright Knox Art Gallery for the first round that year and when Kassian's name was called, thousands of chests pumped in unison as management and Sabres' fans were sure they found their very own Milan Lucic.
The Sabres drafted some hefty boys that year. Along with the 6'3" 210 lb. Kassian, they drafted 6'5" 200 lb. Brayden McNabb in the third round and Marcus Foligno (6'4" 223 lbs.,) in the fourth. Neither Kassian or McNabb are with the team anymore. Kassian was a the main target for Vancouver in the Cody Hodgson trade (February 27, 2012) while Tropp was waived by the Sabres on November 27, 2013 and was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets the following day.
Foligno is lugging through his third full season with the Sabres.
For a very long time the Sabres seemed to have been in the market for a big powerforward with grit who could skate top-nine minutes and drop the gloves whenever necessary.
Back in 2009 when the core was being whipped around like ragdolls on a nightly basis, former team president Larry Quinn and GM Darcy Regier, along with Head Scout Kevin Devine thought they had found the answer. After a some seasoning, 13th-overall pick Zack Kassian would surely be that guy.
I remember the draft party was held at the Albright Knox Art Gallery for the first round that year and when Kassian's name was called, thousands of chests pumped in unison as management and Sabres' fans were sure they found their very own Milan Lucic.
The Sabres drafted some hefty boys that year. Along with the 6'3" 210 lb. Kassian, they drafted 6'5" 200 lb. Brayden McNabb in the third round and Marcus Foligno (6'4" 223 lbs.,) in the fourth. Neither Kassian or McNabb are with the team anymore. Kassian was a the main target for Vancouver in the Cody Hodgson trade (February 27, 2012) while Tropp was waived by the Sabres on November 27, 2013 and was picked up by the Columbus Blue Jackets the following day.
Foligno is lugging through his third full season with the Sabres.
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Amerks and Sabres hit the ice tonight while Connor McDavid faces off in Buffalo
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres are on the west coast for a three games in four nights road trip with stops in Anaheim tonight and Los Angeles tomorrow night (both games start at 10:30) before a 4pm matinee with San Jose' on Saturday. With a 10:30 eastern start tonight, the Sabres can lay claim to the "feature" of tonight's double bill for Western New York hockey fans.
Two events are jostling for attention in the 7pm slot tonight as probable 2015 first overall pick, Connor McDavid, and his Erie Otters take on the Niagara Ice Dogs at the First Niagara Center, while the Rochester Americans are hosting the Rockford IceHogs.
It wouldn't be too far fetched to believe that the intrigue over McDavid will heavily outweigh any interest in the Amerks in the greater Buffalo area. McDavid is going to be a special talent in hockey and the Buffalo Sabres could very well be in a position to draft him in 2015. If your dreaming about the future and have never thought of travelling about to catch an junior hockey game, the Sabres are giving you the opportunity to go see one tonight in a familiar F'N Center setting.
The Buffalo Sabres are on the west coast for a three games in four nights road trip with stops in Anaheim tonight and Los Angeles tomorrow night (both games start at 10:30) before a 4pm matinee with San Jose' on Saturday. With a 10:30 eastern start tonight, the Sabres can lay claim to the "feature" of tonight's double bill for Western New York hockey fans.
Two events are jostling for attention in the 7pm slot tonight as probable 2015 first overall pick, Connor McDavid, and his Erie Otters take on the Niagara Ice Dogs at the First Niagara Center, while the Rochester Americans are hosting the Rockford IceHogs.
It wouldn't be too far fetched to believe that the intrigue over McDavid will heavily outweigh any interest in the Amerks in the greater Buffalo area. McDavid is going to be a special talent in hockey and the Buffalo Sabres could very well be in a position to draft him in 2015. If your dreaming about the future and have never thought of travelling about to catch an junior hockey game, the Sabres are giving you the opportunity to go see one tonight in a familiar F'N Center setting.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Building the 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres roster--RW, Chris Stewart
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Before we get to add another piece to the 2014 roster, for posterity's sake, a look at who was skating for the Sabres on the first day of training camp:
Group A:
Marcus Foligno, Sam Reinhart, Chris Stewart
Luke Adam, Johan Larsson, Zac Dalpe
William Carrier, Phil Varone, Colin Jacobs
Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Joseph Blandisi
Andre Benoit, Rasmus Ristolainen
Nikita Zadorov, Mark Pysyk
Nick Petrecki, Ryan MacKinnon
Jonas Enroth
Francios Brassard
Group B:
Cody Hodgson, Zemgus Girgensons, Brian Gionta
Matt Ellis, Brian Flynn, Torrey Mitchell
Brendan Lemieux, Mikhail Grigorenko, Joel Armia
Kevin Sundher, Justin Kea, Jack Rodewald
Mike Weber, Andrej Meszaros
Jake McCabe, Chad Ruhwedel
Brycen Martin, Jared Walsh
Nathan Lieuwen
Group C:
Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford
Nick Deslauriers, Cody McCormick, Patrick Kaleta
Daniel Catenacci, Tim Schaller, Justin Bailey
Vaclav Karabacek, Eric Cornel, Michael Joly
Josh Gorges, Tyler Myers
Drew Bagnall, Jerome Leduc
Brady Austin, Tyson Strachan
Michal Neuvirth
Andrey Makarov
**********
He stands 6' 2", weighs in at a thick 231 lbs. and has the size of an NFL linebacker. And when Buffalo Sabres right winger Chris Stewart wants to dictate on the ice, he usually does.
Stewart came to Buffalo as part of the Ryan Miller to St. Louis deal. Unfortunately he only played in two games before being sidelined by an ankle injury. He return for three more games in April before shutting it down for the final game of the season.
About the only thing Sabres fans have to go on when it comes to how Stewart fits into the grand scheme of things is his history with the team that drafted him, the Colorado Avalanche (2008, 18th overall,) and the team that acquired him, the St. Louis Blues. The 'Lanche sent Stewart, D, Kevin Shattenkirk and a second rounder to St. Louis on February 18, 2011 for D, Erik Johnson, F, Jay McClement and a first round pick.
Colorado paid a hefty price to land the 22 yr. old Johnson who was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft and had huge upside.
As for Stewart, he was already showing big promise as a burgeoning power forward. In his second full season he had 28 goals and 25 assists in 77 games. In 2011 he had 28 goals and 23 assists in 62 games split between Colorado and St. Louis.
Before we get to add another piece to the 2014 roster, for posterity's sake, a look at who was skating for the Sabres on the first day of training camp:
Group A:
Marcus Foligno, Sam Reinhart, Chris Stewart
Luke Adam, Johan Larsson, Zac Dalpe
William Carrier, Phil Varone, Colin Jacobs
Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Joseph Blandisi
Andre Benoit, Rasmus Ristolainen
Nikita Zadorov, Mark Pysyk
Nick Petrecki, Ryan MacKinnon
Jonas Enroth
Francios Brassard
Group B:
Cody Hodgson, Zemgus Girgensons, Brian Gionta
Matt Ellis, Brian Flynn, Torrey Mitchell
Brendan Lemieux, Mikhail Grigorenko, Joel Armia
Kevin Sundher, Justin Kea, Jack Rodewald
Mike Weber, Andrej Meszaros
Jake McCabe, Chad Ruhwedel
Brycen Martin, Jared Walsh
Nathan Lieuwen
Group C:
Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford
Nick Deslauriers, Cody McCormick, Patrick Kaleta
Daniel Catenacci, Tim Schaller, Justin Bailey
Vaclav Karabacek, Eric Cornel, Michael Joly
Josh Gorges, Tyler Myers
Drew Bagnall, Jerome Leduc
Brady Austin, Tyson Strachan
Michal Neuvirth
Andrey Makarov
**********
He stands 6' 2", weighs in at a thick 231 lbs. and has the size of an NFL linebacker. And when Buffalo Sabres right winger Chris Stewart wants to dictate on the ice, he usually does.
Stewart came to Buffalo as part of the Ryan Miller to St. Louis deal. Unfortunately he only played in two games before being sidelined by an ankle injury. He return for three more games in April before shutting it down for the final game of the season.
About the only thing Sabres fans have to go on when it comes to how Stewart fits into the grand scheme of things is his history with the team that drafted him, the Colorado Avalanche (2008, 18th overall,) and the team that acquired him, the St. Louis Blues. The 'Lanche sent Stewart, D, Kevin Shattenkirk and a second rounder to St. Louis on February 18, 2011 for D, Erik Johnson, F, Jay McClement and a first round pick.
Colorado paid a hefty price to land the 22 yr. old Johnson who was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft and had huge upside.
As for Stewart, he was already showing big promise as a burgeoning power forward. In his second full season he had 28 goals and 25 assists in 77 games. In 2011 he had 28 goals and 23 assists in 62 games split between Colorado and St. Louis.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Tim Murray still has a bounty of assets heading towards Wednesday's trade deadline
Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't fool around with his first official trade as a GM.
He sent goalie Ryan Miller and forward Steve Ott to St. Louis for goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, forward Prospect William Carrier and a 2015 first round pick. Also involved is a conditional 2014 first round pick. Should the Blues either re-sign Miller or make the Western Conference Final, the Sabres will receive that pick. If not, that pick can be no worse than a 2016 third-rounder.
It was a good hockey trade.
 |
| Sabres GM Tim Murray isn't fooling around |
It was a good hockey trade.
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