Published by hockeybuzz.com, 12-9-2016
Ok. So it wasn't all David Legwand last year leading the Sabres to the league's ninth best penalty kill rate of 82.6%, but you gotta believe that when the 35 yr. old veteran of 17 NHL seasons was on the kill for Buffalo, that experience and dedication.affected the entire unit. Outside of the first month of the season, it's something that hasn't been replicated yet this year and it's making life difficult for the Sabres.
Buffalo heads into tonight's matchup with the Washington Capitals with the league's second-worst penalty kill at 75.6%. They went from an 86.7% kill rate at the end of October (seventh-overall) to 78.7% at the end of last month (25th) and as John Vogl of the Buffalo News points out, "Buffalo has given up a power-play goal in eight of the past 11 games while going just 17 for 29 (58.6 percent)" dropping them to 29th.
Legwand was a fourth-liner for the Sabres last year, but he was rock-solid on the top PK. After fits and starts to last season where the PK was near the bottom of the league, the Sabres eventually found their top unit of Legwand with Ryan O'Reilly, Rasmus Ristolainen and Josh Gorges. The second unit was anchored by defensemen Zach Bogosian and Jake McCabe with a myriad of forwards including Brian Gionta, Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Girgensons and Evander Kane. Gradually they went from 29th in the league to 17th to ninth after the month of February and it coincided with a strong finish to the regular season.
This year they're slipping very fast and it's causing them to walk a tight rope. In three of their last four games Buffalo has allowed two powerplay goals. Fortunately for them, they've scored four or more goals in each leading to three wins with the most recent being against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Kane's cross checking penalty at the midway point of the third period against Edmonton allowed the Oilers to take the lead on their third unanswered goal. Luckily the Sabres were able to tie it on Kane's goal with :29 seconds left in the third and then win it in overtime, but they can't afford stupid penalties with a second to last PK.
“The goals are good. The penalties are bad,” summarized head coach Dan Bylsma yesterday after practice. The gathered media got a chuckle, according to Vogl, but the Sabres aren't a team like the Chicago Blackhawks who have the fire power to overcome a poor powerplay. The Hawks are dead last on the kill (71.4%) but are tied for second overall in the league standings and are sixth with a +10 point differential.
Bylsma's philosophy is pretty simple right now, penalties taken while being aggressive is one thing, dumb penalties, and he points to Kane in particular, is another. “The penalties away from the puck, the cross-checking last game, those are not good situations to put yourself in, put your team in," he told the media yesterday. "That’s really been a big part of us giving other teams opportunities in the last few games, the Edmonton game in particular."
In defense of the penalty kill units, continuity has been a problem due to the rash of injuries the Sabres have incurred. Bogosian and McCabe developed a lot of chemistry last season and they had it again this season until the former went down with an MCL sprain on November 1. That affected the second PK unit. O'Reilly missed five games in the middle of November while Gorges suffered and played through a broken foot against the NY Rangers and has missed the last two games. That affected the top unit.
Going back five game to the return of Jack Eichel to the lineup, the Sabres have allowed seven powerplay goals in 15 attempts for a kill-rate of just over 50%. They gave up two PP goals in three of those games and one in another but came away with a 3-1-1 record. Ironically, Buffalo's only regulation loss was against Boston where the Bruins went 0-2 on the powerplay. It's a tightrope walk right now with the Sabres deservedly having bounces go in their favor but it's something that can end at any minute.
The Sabres are at home against the Washington Capitals tonight, a team that boasts a top powerplay unit featuring the likes of Alexander Ovechkin, Ryan Johansson, and Nicolas Backstrom. This the third and final meeting between the two clubs this season and so far Buffalo is 0-1-1. The Caps have had seven powerplay opportunities and scored twice. But one of them really hurt.
With the Sabres clinging to a 2-1 lead late in the third period, Kane went off for a hooking penalty. It took the Caps all of five seconds to tie the score and they proceeded to win in overtime. It was a bad penalty to take at a bad time with a PK unit that wasn't ready to bail him out. At this point in the season, it's hard for Buffalo to overcome stupid penalties like that. After all, they don't have Legwand.
Showing posts with label David Legwand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Legwand. Show all posts
Saturday, December 10, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
Buffalo's free agent list. Re-sign or not re-sign? If so, how much?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Johan Larsson to a one-year, $950K contract extension on April 29th. Larsson hit career-highs in goals (10) and points (17) and centered the Sabres most consistent line in the latter half of last season.
Sabres GM Tim Murray and AGM Mark Jakubowski have their work cut out for them as they have 24 free agents to make decisions on, 23 if you discount goalie Andrey Makarov, who's back home in Mother Russia and was none too happy with what he perceived as grossly unfair treatment by the Sabres organization.
With that said here's the list of free agents, their current cap-hit, an opinion as to whether or not Buffalo should re-sign said player and a gander as to how much they might be re-signed for if all sides put ink to paper.
Today we begin with unrestricted free agents.
The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Johan Larsson to a one-year, $950K contract extension on April 29th. Larsson hit career-highs in goals (10) and points (17) and centered the Sabres most consistent line in the latter half of last season.
Sabres GM Tim Murray and AGM Mark Jakubowski have their work cut out for them as they have 24 free agents to make decisions on, 23 if you discount goalie Andrey Makarov, who's back home in Mother Russia and was none too happy with what he perceived as grossly unfair treatment by the Sabres organization.
With that said here's the list of free agents, their current cap-hit, an opinion as to whether or not Buffalo should re-sign said player and a gander as to how much they might be re-signed for if all sides put ink to paper.
Today we begin with unrestricted free agents.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Impressions of, and questions concerning--C, David Legwand
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Center--David Legwand
DOB: August 17, 1980 (age, 35)
Draft: 1998, 2nd overall (NSH)
How acquired: Trade with Ottawa at the NHL Entry Draft, June 26, 2015
Last contract signed: 2014, 2yr./$6M (OTT)
Final year of contract: 2015-16, UFA
2015-16 Stats: 79 games, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, -4
What we wrote preseason: "The 35 yr. old Legwand came to Buffalo in the draft-day trade that netted goalie Robin Lehner from the Ottawa Senators and was a condition of the deal. If Sabres GM Tim Murray wanted Lehner, Legwand and his $3.5M salary had to be included in the deal.
Many have seen Legwand in the starting lineup opening night because he brings "veteran leadership" to the ice. Perhaps he should be looked at as the answer to "who's coming out to make room for Johan Larsson?"
What we wrote mid-season: "most wondered what the 35 yr. old had to offer a young team like Buffalo, but he's proven to be a stabilizing force in a bottom-six role. Bylsma has been using his fourth line quite often and it's because he trusts them with Legwand on it. He's also anchoring the top penalty kill unit up-front with O'Reilly, a unit that's shown steady improvement as of late."
Impressions on his play this year: The former 2nd overall pick who left Nashville as the leader in all career stats came to Buffalo in the twilight of his career and provided this young group of Sabres with steady play and low-key leadership. Nothing he did was earth-shattering, yet his professionalism rubbed off on those around him especially the likes of Buffalo's other second-overall picks, rookies Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
Legwand anchored the fourth line and was on the top penalty kill unit with Ryan O'Reilly as the Sabres finished 9th in the league with an 82.6% kill-rate. As a depth/role player he did his part as well as could be expected. So well in fact that the Ottawa salary dump in the Robin Lehner trade proved more than simply a throw-in, locker room guy.
Questions moving forward: The parade of youth coupled with Buffalo's pursuit of additional top-six talent could push him out the door. Will there be room for him in a depth role, even at a markedly reduced salary?
Center--David Legwand
DOB: August 17, 1980 (age, 35)
Draft: 1998, 2nd overall (NSH)
How acquired: Trade with Ottawa at the NHL Entry Draft, June 26, 2015
Last contract signed: 2014, 2yr./$6M (OTT)
Final year of contract: 2015-16, UFA
2015-16 Stats: 79 games, 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, -4
What we wrote preseason: "The 35 yr. old Legwand came to Buffalo in the draft-day trade that netted goalie Robin Lehner from the Ottawa Senators and was a condition of the deal. If Sabres GM Tim Murray wanted Lehner, Legwand and his $3.5M salary had to be included in the deal.
Many have seen Legwand in the starting lineup opening night because he brings "veteran leadership" to the ice. Perhaps he should be looked at as the answer to "who's coming out to make room for Johan Larsson?"
What we wrote mid-season: "most wondered what the 35 yr. old had to offer a young team like Buffalo, but he's proven to be a stabilizing force in a bottom-six role. Bylsma has been using his fourth line quite often and it's because he trusts them with Legwand on it. He's also anchoring the top penalty kill unit up-front with O'Reilly, a unit that's shown steady improvement as of late."
Impressions on his play this year: The former 2nd overall pick who left Nashville as the leader in all career stats came to Buffalo in the twilight of his career and provided this young group of Sabres with steady play and low-key leadership. Nothing he did was earth-shattering, yet his professionalism rubbed off on those around him especially the likes of Buffalo's other second-overall picks, rookies Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart.
Legwand anchored the fourth line and was on the top penalty kill unit with Ryan O'Reilly as the Sabres finished 9th in the league with an 82.6% kill-rate. As a depth/role player he did his part as well as could be expected. So well in fact that the Ottawa salary dump in the Robin Lehner trade proved more than simply a throw-in, locker room guy.
Questions moving forward: The parade of youth coupled with Buffalo's pursuit of additional top-six talent could push him out the door. Will there be room for him in a depth role, even at a markedly reduced salary?
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Robin Lehner's steely-eye shutout at Columbus
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
There have been many times this season where the opposition has taken the play to the Sabres and have pumped a ton of rubber Buffalo’s way. Sometimes the Sabres keep a majority of the shots to the outside and at other times, like last night at the Columbus Blue Jackets, they’d allow the opposition an abundance of quality chances.
Last night it didn’t matter where the Jackets were shooting from, they weren’t getting anything past goalie Robin Lehner.
During the first period of the game the Sabres skaters played as if they were still recovering from a fun-loving, NBA All-Star experience. There was no jump in anybody’s step, yet because of Lehner and a lucky bounce, the Sabres left the Nationwide Arena ice with a 2-0 lead. And although the shot totals made it look like it was close, Columbus had many more prime scoring opportunities.
With Buffalo giving away the puck time and again (three egregious turnovers in the first 3:30 of the game,) Lehner was forced to come up big. He stopped two from in tight on a penalty kill early in the first, made a sparkling save on Cam Atkinson after a Zach Bogosian turnover in their zone and had another one later in the period. In all he turned away 14 Columbus shots.
There have been many times this season where the opposition has taken the play to the Sabres and have pumped a ton of rubber Buffalo’s way. Sometimes the Sabres keep a majority of the shots to the outside and at other times, like last night at the Columbus Blue Jackets, they’d allow the opposition an abundance of quality chances.
Last night it didn’t matter where the Jackets were shooting from, they weren’t getting anything past goalie Robin Lehner.
During the first period of the game the Sabres skaters played as if they were still recovering from a fun-loving, NBA All-Star experience. There was no jump in anybody’s step, yet because of Lehner and a lucky bounce, the Sabres left the Nationwide Arena ice with a 2-0 lead. And although the shot totals made it look like it was close, Columbus had many more prime scoring opportunities.
With Buffalo giving away the puck time and again (three egregious turnovers in the first 3:30 of the game,) Lehner was forced to come up big. He stopped two from in tight on a penalty kill early in the first, made a sparkling save on Cam Atkinson after a Zach Bogosian turnover in their zone and had another one later in the period. In all he turned away 14 Columbus shots.
Monday, February 15, 2016
The value of goaltending. Plus Evander Kane, Justin Bailey and more...
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Tell me that goaltending doesn't matter to most teams outside the city of Chicago.
The Buffalo Sabres, or as some would say, "the lowly Buffalo Sabres," have now beaten Montreal Canadiens twice this month by a combined 10-6 score. In their only other meeting which occurred in late October, Les Habitants soundly beat Buffalo 7-2. The difference?
Carey Price, of course.
Since Price went down with an injury in late November and if "speculation" is correct, may be out the rest of the season. Last year he took home a boatload of hardware including the Hart and Vezina Trophies while almost single-handedly advancing the Canadiens to the Conference Semifinals. Price had a remarkable 44-16-6 regular season record in 2014-15 with an incredibly stingy 1.96 goals-against average and a strong .933 save percentage. And he followed that up with an equally strong beginning to this season: 10-2-0; 2.06 gaa; .934 sv%.
Everything was clicking for Montreal to begin this season which included a 9-game win streak in regulation to start the season (one shy of tying the record of 10 straight held by Buffalo.) The small but fast Canadiens looked a little bit bigger and were a little bit quicker as well while backup goalie Mike Condon looked very strong in net. But confidence is a funny thing. When you take away your security blanket, things get messy.
Montreal is now 10-21-2 without price after their 6-4 loss in Buffalo last night. As a whole they still play fast, they don't look bigger than they actually are. Granted, they rang plenty of iron last night and carried the play for most of the third period when down by only a goal, plus they're still dominant against Buffalo on the powerplay (2 for 3 last night, 5 for 8 this season,) but their goaltenders (yes, plural as starter Ben Scrivens was yanked early in the second) didn't get the job done.
Tell me that goaltending doesn't matter to most teams outside the city of Chicago.
The Buffalo Sabres, or as some would say, "the lowly Buffalo Sabres," have now beaten Montreal Canadiens twice this month by a combined 10-6 score. In their only other meeting which occurred in late October, Les Habitants soundly beat Buffalo 7-2. The difference?
Carey Price, of course.
Since Price went down with an injury in late November and if "speculation" is correct, may be out the rest of the season. Last year he took home a boatload of hardware including the Hart and Vezina Trophies while almost single-handedly advancing the Canadiens to the Conference Semifinals. Price had a remarkable 44-16-6 regular season record in 2014-15 with an incredibly stingy 1.96 goals-against average and a strong .933 save percentage. And he followed that up with an equally strong beginning to this season: 10-2-0; 2.06 gaa; .934 sv%.
Everything was clicking for Montreal to begin this season which included a 9-game win streak in regulation to start the season (one shy of tying the record of 10 straight held by Buffalo.) The small but fast Canadiens looked a little bit bigger and were a little bit quicker as well while backup goalie Mike Condon looked very strong in net. But confidence is a funny thing. When you take away your security blanket, things get messy.
Montreal is now 10-21-2 without price after their 6-4 loss in Buffalo last night. As a whole they still play fast, they don't look bigger than they actually are. Granted, they rang plenty of iron last night and carried the play for most of the third period when down by only a goal, plus they're still dominant against Buffalo on the powerplay (2 for 3 last night, 5 for 8 this season,) but their goaltenders (yes, plural as starter Ben Scrivens was yanked early in the second) didn't get the job done.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Powerless at the F'N Center as an inept 0-4 powerplay dooms Sabres.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
After winning two games on the road by playing a rather tight game, and scoring some goals for a change, the Buffalo Sabres came back home to the First Niagara Center looking to keep it simple and pounce on opportunities as they faced the Boston Bruins in the first of back-to-back games this weekend.
They kept it simple, alright, to the point where it produced a very blasé game against the B's last night. With Boston invoking a tight-checking game and the Sabres unable to either any speed, the game resembled a Floyd Mayweather fight as it plodded along. Buffalo would throw some shots from the outside, which Boston blocked, but they failed to gain an inside presence which made for a rather easy night for Boston goaltender Jonas Gustavsson.
Boston gave the Sabres four powerplay opportunities but clogged the lane for all eight minutesa allowing very few shots to get through. With the score tied 1-1, the Sabres had three consecutive power plays in less than seven minutes but couldn't score and it was the powerless powerplay that really did the Sabres in last night as they dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bruins.
After winning two games on the road by playing a rather tight game, and scoring some goals for a change, the Buffalo Sabres came back home to the First Niagara Center looking to keep it simple and pounce on opportunities as they faced the Boston Bruins in the first of back-to-back games this weekend.
They kept it simple, alright, to the point where it produced a very blasé game against the B's last night. With Boston invoking a tight-checking game and the Sabres unable to either any speed, the game resembled a Floyd Mayweather fight as it plodded along. Buffalo would throw some shots from the outside, which Boston blocked, but they failed to gain an inside presence which made for a rather easy night for Boston goaltender Jonas Gustavsson.
Boston gave the Sabres four powerplay opportunities but clogged the lane for all eight minutesa allowing very few shots to get through. With the score tied 1-1, the Sabres had three consecutive power plays in less than seven minutes but couldn't score and it was the powerless powerplay that really did the Sabres in last night as they dropped a 4-1 decision to the Bruins.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
2015-16 Individual Stats--November
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Rise of the Youngins.
One thing you'll notice throughout the individual stats for the month of November is the increase in production from many of the young building blocks for Buffalo. Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was rockin' it from the back-end and saw his point total nearly triple as he added nine points (3+6) to the five points he had last month. His 14 points on the season places him in a tie for 12th in the league amongst defensemen. He also had the most primary assists (4) amongst the Sabres last month.
Rookie Sam Reinhart got himself into the offensive flow with a team-leading five goals for the month. During October he was acclimating himself to the NHL and was doing plenty of the little things to grab the coaches attention, like creating a screen or playing defensively sound hockey (even, plus/minus last month.) November saw head coach Dan Bylsma increase Reinhart's ice-time and give him more responsibility. The 2014 second-overall pick responded well.
Another rookie, Jack Eichel, just continued doing what Jack does--electrify. He matched his four goals from the previous month while also adding four assists, meaning his linemates were finally able to get involved. His 12 points place him behind Ryan O'Reilly and Ristolainen for the team lead while his eight goals ties him with O'Reilly atop the Sabres.
Rise of the Youngins.
One thing you'll notice throughout the individual stats for the month of November is the increase in production from many of the young building blocks for Buffalo. Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was rockin' it from the back-end and saw his point total nearly triple as he added nine points (3+6) to the five points he had last month. His 14 points on the season places him in a tie for 12th in the league amongst defensemen. He also had the most primary assists (4) amongst the Sabres last month.
Rookie Sam Reinhart got himself into the offensive flow with a team-leading five goals for the month. During October he was acclimating himself to the NHL and was doing plenty of the little things to grab the coaches attention, like creating a screen or playing defensively sound hockey (even, plus/minus last month.) November saw head coach Dan Bylsma increase Reinhart's ice-time and give him more responsibility. The 2014 second-overall pick responded well.
Another rookie, Jack Eichel, just continued doing what Jack does--electrify. He matched his four goals from the previous month while also adding four assists, meaning his linemates were finally able to get involved. His 12 points place him behind Ryan O'Reilly and Ristolainen for the team lead while his eight goals ties him with O'Reilly atop the Sabres.
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