Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Before we get into this, R.I.P former Sabres defenseman Steve Montador who was found dead in his home at the age of 35. Condolences to his family and friends.
**********
Former Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers did something last night that Sabres fans rarely saw him do after his rookie season. While playing his second game for the Winnipeg Jets he determinedly grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and barreled in on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard using every inch of his 6'8" frame and condor reach to force Howard into a toe save. Jets teammate Blake Wheeler followed the play and buried the rebound into a wide open net.
Make no mistake, Myers is in a better place right now playing on a Jets team that's in a wild card spot in the western conference looking to crack the top-three in the division. I wish him and Drew Stafford the best on their journeys. Except when they play the Sabres at any point in time down the road.
Showing posts with label tyler myers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tyler myers. Show all posts
Monday, February 16, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
The dust settles on the Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster trade
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The reactions of Sabres fans ranged from relief that a trade was finally consummated, to cautious excitement, to cries for help while standing on a ledge 10 stories up. In Winnipeg, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was almost giddy in his excitement while in Buffalo, Sabres GM Tim Murray displayed his usual Joe Friday persona whilst injecting poignant quips every now and then to lighten things up.
At the heart of the blockbuster trade yesterday were Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers and Jets winger Evander Kane. Myers' name had be churning in the rumor mill for nearly a year while Kane's name recently came to the fore like a Saskatchewan Screamer rolling through the halls and offices of the MTS Iceplex, home of the Winnipeg Jets.
It started early yesterday morning with TSN' Bob McKenzie tweeting that things were heating up between the Sabres and the Jets. His colleague, Darren Dreger started putting the deal together, "Huge deal. Hearing Myers Stafford Armia and Lemieux plus a first for Kane and Bogosian as principles of deal getting close btwn Buf + Wpg."
And to be fair, one of our very own, buffalo1000 nailed most of the complex trade just before 10:00pm Tuesday night and said it's up to the Sabres to agree to it.
The reactions of Sabres fans ranged from relief that a trade was finally consummated, to cautious excitement, to cries for help while standing on a ledge 10 stories up. In Winnipeg, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was almost giddy in his excitement while in Buffalo, Sabres GM Tim Murray displayed his usual Joe Friday persona whilst injecting poignant quips every now and then to lighten things up.
At the heart of the blockbuster trade yesterday were Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers and Jets winger Evander Kane. Myers' name had be churning in the rumor mill for nearly a year while Kane's name recently came to the fore like a Saskatchewan Screamer rolling through the halls and offices of the MTS Iceplex, home of the Winnipeg Jets.
It started early yesterday morning with TSN' Bob McKenzie tweeting that things were heating up between the Sabres and the Jets. His colleague, Darren Dreger started putting the deal together, "Huge deal. Hearing Myers Stafford Armia and Lemieux plus a first for Kane and Bogosian as principles of deal getting close btwn Buf + Wpg."
And to be fair, one of our very own, buffalo1000 nailed most of the complex trade just before 10:00pm Tuesday night and said it's up to the Sabres to agree to it.
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.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Tyler Myers to the Red Wings probably isn't going to happen at the trade deadline
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings took a bit of a snow day yesterday as Wings GM Ken Holland and head coach Mike Babcock had a pow-wow while the players got the day off.
The Red Wings have played themselves to within one point of the division leading and eastern conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning in a season where most thought they would be fighting for their playoff lives.
St. James wrote that Holland and Babcock were discussing much more than the Babcock's Super Bowl gathering which featured his self-described "unbelievable hot wings" and "out of this world Greek ribs." They were discussing the state of the Red Wings and what they needed moving forward.
According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, the Red Wings took a bit of a snow day yesterday as Wings GM Ken Holland and head coach Mike Babcock had a pow-wow while the players got the day off.
The Red Wings have played themselves to within one point of the division leading and eastern conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning in a season where most thought they would be fighting for their playoff lives.
St. James wrote that Holland and Babcock were discussing much more than the Babcock's Super Bowl gathering which featured his self-described "unbelievable hot wings" and "out of this world Greek ribs." They were discussing the state of the Red Wings and what they needed moving forward.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Sabres having a rough go of it without Tyler Myers
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Make no mistake, the loss of defenseman Tyler Myers has been a significant one for the Buffalo Sabres. Without him in the lineup the past seven games the Sabres have gone 1-5-1 and have surrendered 31 goals. Ten of those 31 goals have come while the Sabres were shorthanded as the penalty kill without Myers is an abysmal 47%. Before succumbing to a "lower body" injury, Myers was leading the team in average ice time (25:21) and shorthanded ice time (3:13.)
Most everyone will agree that the 6'8" Myers is no Zdeno Chara, save for the height. Nor is he a Niklas Lidstrom, Paul Coffey, Raymond Borque, Larry Robinson, Denis Potvin, Bobby Orr, etc., etc. etc.
What he is, though, is the last vestige of former GM Darcy Regier's army of puck-movers that flooded the Sabres' blue line for eight seasons and he has emerged from that group as Buffalo's only homegrown NHL d-man that predates the 2011-12 season.
Make no mistake, the loss of defenseman Tyler Myers has been a significant one for the Buffalo Sabres. Without him in the lineup the past seven games the Sabres have gone 1-5-1 and have surrendered 31 goals. Ten of those 31 goals have come while the Sabres were shorthanded as the penalty kill without Myers is an abysmal 47%. Before succumbing to a "lower body" injury, Myers was leading the team in average ice time (25:21) and shorthanded ice time (3:13.)
Most everyone will agree that the 6'8" Myers is no Zdeno Chara, save for the height. Nor is he a Niklas Lidstrom, Paul Coffey, Raymond Borque, Larry Robinson, Denis Potvin, Bobby Orr, etc., etc. etc.
What he is, though, is the last vestige of former GM Darcy Regier's army of puck-movers that flooded the Sabres' blue line for eight seasons and he has emerged from that group as Buffalo's only homegrown NHL d-man that predates the 2011-12 season.
Sunday, December 21, 2014
The Buffalo Sabres could use Taylor Hall, but do they need him?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Or, better yet, should the Edmonton Oilers even think of trading him?
If one there's on thing the Darcy Regier-era taught us is that skill on the wing without top-notch centers can carry a team only so far. LW Thomas Vanek was drafted 5th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, a draft which is considered one of the best, if not the best, of all time.
Despite Regier's claims that he had "two of the top-20 centers in the league" at one point, the farthest Buffalo ever made it with Vanek on the top line was the first round of the playoffs. Derek Roy and Tim Connolly just weren't strong enough in the middle to get them any farther.
There's no doubt Edmonton LW Taylor Hall has top-line talent, but at 23 yrs. old riding with 21 yr. old Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at center, that upper-end skill has yet to fully blossom. Throw in coaching gaffes that date back to the release of Tom Renney, and you have a young kid who will have his fifth coach in four years once interim coach Craig McTavish hands over the coaching duties to formere AHL coach/associate coach/interim coach in training, Todd Nelson.
That's messed up.
Or, better yet, should the Edmonton Oilers even think of trading him?
If one there's on thing the Darcy Regier-era taught us is that skill on the wing without top-notch centers can carry a team only so far. LW Thomas Vanek was drafted 5th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft, a draft which is considered one of the best, if not the best, of all time.
Despite Regier's claims that he had "two of the top-20 centers in the league" at one point, the farthest Buffalo ever made it with Vanek on the top line was the first round of the playoffs. Derek Roy and Tim Connolly just weren't strong enough in the middle to get them any farther.
There's no doubt Edmonton LW Taylor Hall has top-line talent, but at 23 yrs. old riding with 21 yr. old Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at center, that upper-end skill has yet to fully blossom. Throw in coaching gaffes that date back to the release of Tom Renney, and you have a young kid who will have his fifth coach in four years once interim coach Craig McTavish hands over the coaching duties to formere AHL coach/associate coach/interim coach in training, Todd Nelson.
That's messed up.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Buffalo thumps Toronto 6-2 and Happy Birthday Taro Tsujimoto
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
For the first time this season, the Buffalo Sabres looked like an NHL team as they put in a 60-minute effort full of skating, hitting, top-notch goaltending and scoring. That their best performance of the year against a rival like Toronto, complete with a Leaf-nation invasion of First Niagara Center that turned sour, made it even better.
Despite giving up six goals in each of the previous three games, there were glimmers of hope beginning to emerge, especially on the offensive side of the equation. Head coach Ted Nolan had been juggling players, lines and positions more than an act at a three-ring circus, which is something this team had looked like for most of the season thus far.
It would seem as if he finally has one line he can rely on. Two games ago against St. Louis, Nolan put Zemgus Girgensons at center between left wing Matt Moulson and converted center Tyler Ennis. Although they didn't produce any scoring as a line, there was a noticeable chemistry between them which includes the defensive side where as a trio they were not on the ice for either of the Blues even strength goals.
In Minnesota they began click. Just over one minute into the game, they would tap into Nolan's "Latvian Line" play and were instrumental in Rasmus Ristolainen's first goal of the season. Girgensons, who was the catalyst in the Wild offensive zone on that goal, also scored his fourth of the season that game. Despite the Sabres losing 6-3 that trio had a stat-line of one goal, three assists and were a plus-3.
For the first time this season, the Buffalo Sabres looked like an NHL team as they put in a 60-minute effort full of skating, hitting, top-notch goaltending and scoring. That their best performance of the year against a rival like Toronto, complete with a Leaf-nation invasion of First Niagara Center that turned sour, made it even better.
Despite giving up six goals in each of the previous three games, there were glimmers of hope beginning to emerge, especially on the offensive side of the equation. Head coach Ted Nolan had been juggling players, lines and positions more than an act at a three-ring circus, which is something this team had looked like for most of the season thus far.
It would seem as if he finally has one line he can rely on. Two games ago against St. Louis, Nolan put Zemgus Girgensons at center between left wing Matt Moulson and converted center Tyler Ennis. Although they didn't produce any scoring as a line, there was a noticeable chemistry between them which includes the defensive side where as a trio they were not on the ice for either of the Blues even strength goals.
In Minnesota they began click. Just over one minute into the game, they would tap into Nolan's "Latvian Line" play and were instrumental in Rasmus Ristolainen's first goal of the season. Girgensons, who was the catalyst in the Wild offensive zone on that goal, also scored his fourth of the season that game. Despite the Sabres losing 6-3 that trio had a stat-line of one goal, three assists and were a plus-3.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Wanted. Difference-makers
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
After dropping a 4-1 decision at Anaheim last night, the Buffalo Sabres head up Interstate 5 for a meeting with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. It's a tall task for the reeling club and doesn't get much easier as the rest of October looks like this: @ San Jose', @ Toronto, vs. Boston. At this stage of the game, and with the Sabres playing like they have, a win against the Leafs would constitute a minor miracle while anything more would be akin to St. Jude making an appearance.
This is not a bad team, though, unless you define a bad team as a lack of difference-makers. The 1974-75 Washington Capitals were a bad team. They had absolutely nothing to work with. I challenge anyone to go down that roster and find any player of consequence on that club. And if you thought Mike Weber's league worst minus-29 was bad last season, he would have been middle of the pack on that Caps team. In only 59 games played, defenseman Bill Mikkelsen was a minus-82.
Keep in mind that it was Washington's inaugural season and there really wasn't enough talent to go around the 18-team league especially with 12 teams in the rival WHA poaching players. Plus, there was another expansion team, the Kansas City Scouts (Colorado Rockies, NJ Devils) who had to stock their roster as well. The scraps that were thrown to the Caps and the Scouts to get their franchises moving amounted to some stale bread crumbs and chewed gristle, so an 8-67-5 record for Washington was not too surprising.
Forty years from now, people will have at least heard of Brian Gionta, a Stanley Cup-winner with the New Jersey Devils, and anyone who's even slightly interested in delving into the sport would probably recognize Tyler Myers' name. And when they look at the roster, they certainly will have at least seen the name Sam Reinhart, or even have had an opinion as to how his career went. Does anyone remember Greg Joly? He was the Caps first draft pick ever and the first player taken in the 1974 draft.
After dropping a 4-1 decision at Anaheim last night, the Buffalo Sabres head up Interstate 5 for a meeting with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. It's a tall task for the reeling club and doesn't get much easier as the rest of October looks like this: @ San Jose', @ Toronto, vs. Boston. At this stage of the game, and with the Sabres playing like they have, a win against the Leafs would constitute a minor miracle while anything more would be akin to St. Jude making an appearance.
This is not a bad team, though, unless you define a bad team as a lack of difference-makers. The 1974-75 Washington Capitals were a bad team. They had absolutely nothing to work with. I challenge anyone to go down that roster and find any player of consequence on that club. And if you thought Mike Weber's league worst minus-29 was bad last season, he would have been middle of the pack on that Caps team. In only 59 games played, defenseman Bill Mikkelsen was a minus-82.
Keep in mind that it was Washington's inaugural season and there really wasn't enough talent to go around the 18-team league especially with 12 teams in the rival WHA poaching players. Plus, there was another expansion team, the Kansas City Scouts (Colorado Rockies, NJ Devils) who had to stock their roster as well. The scraps that were thrown to the Caps and the Scouts to get their franchises moving amounted to some stale bread crumbs and chewed gristle, so an 8-67-5 record for Washington was not too surprising.
Forty years from now, people will have at least heard of Brian Gionta, a Stanley Cup-winner with the New Jersey Devils, and anyone who's even slightly interested in delving into the sport would probably recognize Tyler Myers' name. And when they look at the roster, they certainly will have at least seen the name Sam Reinhart, or even have had an opinion as to how his career went. Does anyone remember Greg Joly? He was the Caps first draft pick ever and the first player taken in the 1974 draft.
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.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Tyler Myers, Sam Reinhart, and other thoughts
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Tyler Myers rumors are cranking up again fueled by TSN's Darren Dreger.
For Dreger, it's becoming old hat to trot out Myers' name in his Insider Trading segment. Back in February when the rumor mill was cranking for the impending trade deadline, Dreger was invited on WGR Radio to discuss word that the Sabres' were getting interest in Myers from teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers and the always present Toronto Maple Leafs.
Dreger noted that Sabres GM Tim Murray wasn't actively shopping Myers and that a rebuilding team should at least entertain offers for a perceived top-pairing defenseman. He emphasized that Myers would not just be given away and mentioned that Murray would probably looking for a young roster player, a prospect and a draft pick.
As the trade deadline came and went with Myers staying put, rumors subsided until July when the Detroit Red Wings were said to be interested in him. Wings GM Ken Holland was looking for a right handed d-man during the stretch run and had his eyes set on Vancouver's, Alexander Edler.
That fell through and to make matters worse in Hockeytown, Detroit, uncharacteristically, was unable to land top free agents on July 1st. "Our hope was to acquire a right-shot defenseman," GM Ken Holland said at the time. "We made offers to four or five. For a variety of reasons, they chose to go elsewhere."
The Tyler Myers rumors are cranking up again fueled by TSN's Darren Dreger.
For Dreger, it's becoming old hat to trot out Myers' name in his Insider Trading segment. Back in February when the rumor mill was cranking for the impending trade deadline, Dreger was invited on WGR Radio to discuss word that the Sabres' were getting interest in Myers from teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers and the always present Toronto Maple Leafs.
Dreger noted that Sabres GM Tim Murray wasn't actively shopping Myers and that a rebuilding team should at least entertain offers for a perceived top-pairing defenseman. He emphasized that Myers would not just be given away and mentioned that Murray would probably looking for a young roster player, a prospect and a draft pick.
As the trade deadline came and went with Myers staying put, rumors subsided until July when the Detroit Red Wings were said to be interested in him. Wings GM Ken Holland was looking for a right handed d-man during the stretch run and had his eyes set on Vancouver's, Alexander Edler.
That fell through and to make matters worse in Hockeytown, Detroit, uncharacteristically, was unable to land top free agents on July 1st. "Our hope was to acquire a right-shot defenseman," GM Ken Holland said at the time. "We made offers to four or five. For a variety of reasons, they chose to go elsewhere."
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Building the Buffalo Sabres' 2014-15 roster--RHD, Tyler Myers
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Their isn't a microscope big enough to fit in all eyes that will be on Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers these next couple of seasons. At 6'8, 211 lbs. it's really not hard to miss him when he's on the ice and he can skate like the breeze when he gets motoring, thus a nickname like "The Big Easy."
However, the Houston, Texas-born, Calgary, Alberta-raised 24 yr. old still has plenty of work to do. When his confidence is low and hesitation creeps into his game, oft-times he'll look like baby giraffe all wobbly-kneed and having a hard time figuring out how stay upright.
Myers was a product of the insistence of Sabres Head Scout at the time, Kevin Devine, and his selection by the Sabres is a story itself.
Their isn't a microscope big enough to fit in all eyes that will be on Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers these next couple of seasons. At 6'8, 211 lbs. it's really not hard to miss him when he's on the ice and he can skate like the breeze when he gets motoring, thus a nickname like "The Big Easy."
However, the Houston, Texas-born, Calgary, Alberta-raised 24 yr. old still has plenty of work to do. When his confidence is low and hesitation creeps into his game, oft-times he'll look like baby giraffe all wobbly-kneed and having a hard time figuring out how stay upright.
Myers was a product of the insistence of Sabres Head Scout at the time, Kevin Devine, and his selection by the Sabres is a story itself.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Maybe Tyler Myers contract wasn't so foolish afterall
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban just got himself one helluva contract extension yesterday.
The deal keeps him in Montreal for 8 years at an extremely high price: $72M.
The $9M average is third on the list behind Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538M) and Evgeni Malkin ($9.5M) and places the 25 yr. old Subban above Sidney Crosby ($8.7M) and Corey Perry ($8.625M.)
Amongst defenseman Subban rose far above Shea Weber ($7.85,) Ryan Suter ($7.5M) and Kris Letang ($7.25M.)
It's some pretty lofty company for Subban.
And it's a pretty strong commitment made by the Canadiens and their GM, Marc Bergevin.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban just got himself one helluva contract extension yesterday.
The deal keeps him in Montreal for 8 years at an extremely high price: $72M.
The $9M average is third on the list behind Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538M) and Evgeni Malkin ($9.5M) and places the 25 yr. old Subban above Sidney Crosby ($8.7M) and Corey Perry ($8.625M.)
Amongst defenseman Subban rose far above Shea Weber ($7.85,) Ryan Suter ($7.5M) and Kris Letang ($7.25M.)
It's some pretty lofty company for Subban.
And it's a pretty strong commitment made by the Canadiens and their GM, Marc Bergevin.
Friday, February 28, 2014
On the Tyler Myers rumors
Sabres GM Tim Murray famously said at his presser that anyone can be traded on a last place team.
While Ryan Miller, Steve Ott, Matt Moulson and Hank Tallinder may be looking at their last home game in a Sabres uniform, 24 yr. old defenseman Tyler Myers' name got thrown into the mix.
From TSN's Darren Dreger via the Howard Simon Show this morning, "It's not that Tim Murray has put out the league-wide disclaimer that Tyler Myers is absolutely, 100% on the trade block. That isn't the case. Tyler Myers is a hot commodity, not just to other teams, but to the Buffalo Sabres. But, because [the Sabres] are rebuilding every option needs to be considered. Murray would consider trading Tyler Myers. In saying this, it would take a massive offer for Murray to move Myers."
As is Dreger's M.O., in a lot of words he basically said, "Myers is not being shopped. He's a real good player and will continue to get better. If a team wants him, back up the truck."
So typical.
While Ryan Miller, Steve Ott, Matt Moulson and Hank Tallinder may be looking at their last home game in a Sabres uniform, 24 yr. old defenseman Tyler Myers' name got thrown into the mix.
From TSN's Darren Dreger via the Howard Simon Show this morning, "It's not that Tim Murray has put out the league-wide disclaimer that Tyler Myers is absolutely, 100% on the trade block. That isn't the case. Tyler Myers is a hot commodity, not just to other teams, but to the Buffalo Sabres. But, because [the Sabres] are rebuilding every option needs to be considered. Murray would consider trading Tyler Myers. In saying this, it would take a massive offer for Murray to move Myers."
As is Dreger's M.O., in a lot of words he basically said, "Myers is not being shopped. He's a real good player and will continue to get better. If a team wants him, back up the truck."
So typical.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sabres development void being filled by self-confidence
Last season, with the team in disarray and in the tank, Sabres fans were venting their frustration at just about everyone in the organization save for Rip Simonick. And if fans knew that he was the long-standing (36 years) equipment manager for the team, they probably would've been blaming him for the dismal on-ice product as well.
From GM Darcy Regier to coach Ron Rolston to owner Terry Pegula, nobody was safe. And that included Head Amateur Scout/Assistant General Manager Kevin Devine.
From GM Darcy Regier to coach Ron Rolston to owner Terry Pegula, nobody was safe. And that included Head Amateur Scout/Assistant General Manager Kevin Devine.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Nolan has the two Tylers kickin' it in gear
When interim coach Ted Nolan replaced Ron Rolston, his mantra was pretty simple: just play the game.
Rolston was an "X's and O's" coach who stressed positioning to the point that the whole team was stressed. Any form of expression was to be found within the confines of his strict regiment.
The result was a 4-15-1 record for the 2013-14 season and some of the ugliest hockey Sabres fans have ever witnessed.
Enter Nolan.
Rolston was an "X's and O's" coach who stressed positioning to the point that the whole team was stressed. Any form of expression was to be found within the confines of his strict regiment.
The result was a 4-15-1 record for the 2013-14 season and some of the ugliest hockey Sabres fans have ever witnessed.
Enter Nolan.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
World Junior play of Sabres d-prospects could have an affect on the future of Ryan Miller
Sabres d-prospect Rasmus Ristolainen scored the golden goal in the 2014 World Junior Championship, was named to the All Tournament Team, and was named the best defenseman of the tournament.
Fellow 2013 1st round draft pick Nikita Zadorov joined Ristolainen on the All Tournament Team.
A year earlier, Jake McCabe, Buffalo's 2nd round pick in 2012 (#44,) captained the US team to the Gold Medal in Ufa, Russia. He was named to the 2013 All Tournament Team.
The Buffalo Sabres took three of the four defensive spots on the All Tournament Team the last two years.
Fellow 2013 1st round draft pick Nikita Zadorov joined Ristolainen on the All Tournament Team.
A year earlier, Jake McCabe, Buffalo's 2nd round pick in 2012 (#44,) captained the US team to the Gold Medal in Ufa, Russia. He was named to the 2013 All Tournament Team.
The Buffalo Sabres took three of the four defensive spots on the All Tournament Team the last two years.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Sabres fall in Beantown, net one goal. John Scott is probably to blame
When the Buffalo Sabres were rolling four lines the last two games without John Scott in the line-up they had back-to-back four-goal games that wound up being back-to-back wins.
To the anti-Scott contingency, those two games were proof that the Sabres didn't need a talentless goon/enforcer wasting a precious spot on the ice even against a tough team like the Boston Bruins, a team who the Sabres had beaten 4-2 two nights earlier. They have legitimate fourth-liners like Matt "Freakin" Ellis, Kevin Porter, Matt D'Agostini and now Linus Omark to skate a regular shift.
What was that?
Oh, he didn't play last night in their 4-1 loss against Boston?
Hmmm. So that's why the Bruins Zdeno Chara used Steve Ott as a tree stump to hack at. Oh yeah, and that's why the Bruins Johnny Boychuk was flying around the ice laying to waste any Sabre he wanted. (How's your hip, Porter?)
Even the Bruins Patrice Bergeron had his chest full last night, slashing away at Tyler Myers before both dropped the gloves. It was Bergeron's first NHL fight (and Myers' second.)
In anti-Scott circles (mostly outside of Buffalo) the common refrain is that Scott is totally worthless.
In Buffalo, the following from a Sabres fan in a Sabres thread who calls himself (or herself) sbroads24, sums up the local anti-Scott contingency: "John Scott has 0 points and is a -9 in his career as a Sabre, also being by far the worst possession forward on the team, maybe even the league. Most of his shifts start in the offensive zone and end in the defensive zone. He's not a good player, Nolan can try all he want that won't change. Waive him, no one will take him, let him play in Rochester until someone cheap shots us again. He's wasting a spot that could be occupied by a young player."
He (or she) continues in a later post: "The numbers prove he's an awful player, our record proves him being here does nothing to help the team. People like him because they like fighting, that's it. I'm pretty confident Scott will not be here next year when a new GM is here, and wouldn't be surprised to see him waived at some point. The last 2 games proved he literally makes no difference and they are better with other guys in his place."
The Sabres would be better this year with other guys in his place, if the other guys were, say, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, etc...
But, unfortunately on this edition of the Sabres, the team only has a bunch of borderline NHL'ers ready to take his spot. A handful of players who are a dime a dozen, who do skate a regular shift, but whose contributions are so scarce that a win or two because of them will probably not make much of a difference when all's said and done.
What we do have, though, at this point in the season are black and white numbers that can help frame the Great John Scott Debate because the Sabres have played 36 games this season and Scott has played in 18 (drum roll please):
The record with Scott in the lineup--4-11-3, 11 pts. Without Scott--5-13-0, 10 pts.
Goals-for with Scott in the lineup--25, 1.38/gm. Without Scott--39, 2.16/gm.
Goals-against with Scott in the lineup--48, 2.67/gm. Without Scott--56, 3.11/gm.
Goal differential with Scott in the lineup--minus-23. Without Scott--minus--17.
It's pretty simple. Obviously Scott really doesn't have any skill to speak of, and he certainly isn't helping the team on offense.
Defensively, though, the team is a bit better when he's in the lineup.
Overall, things balance out to the point where this year the team snagged one more point with Scott in the lineup.
So speak the numbers.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about Scott taking away time from the likes of Ellis or Porter or even a young borderline NHL'er like Luke Adam this season. What I do worry about is the burden of protecting teammates falling on the shoulders of Steve Ott, Cody McCormick and Mike Weber.
They should not be tangling with the heavyweights of the league and/or getting their heads bashed in ala Corey Tropp. At least not on a regular basis.
Overusing tough, gritty players to stand up for their teammates in an enforcer role put a hurtin' on former Sabres like Craig Rivet and Robyn Regehr. The goal should be to keep tough and gritty players then add to the lot, not hasten their demise by having them play an enforcer role.
In this year of transition, where more of an emphasis is on tougher and grittier, the Ott's and McCormick's as well as youngin's like Marcus Foligno and even Zemgus Girgensons need Scott. Methinks that the rest of the team like having him around as well.
*******
Tyler Myers drops the gloves with Patrice Bergeron.
Umm, Tyler? You might want to bring that swing a little lower when the guy is that much shorter and, ummm, an upper-cut coulda really done some damage.
Just a thought.
To the anti-Scott contingency, those two games were proof that the Sabres didn't need a talentless goon/enforcer wasting a precious spot on the ice even against a tough team like the Boston Bruins, a team who the Sabres had beaten 4-2 two nights earlier. They have legitimate fourth-liners like Matt "Freakin" Ellis, Kevin Porter, Matt D'Agostini and now Linus Omark to skate a regular shift.
What was that?
Oh, he didn't play last night in their 4-1 loss against Boston?
Hmmm. So that's why the Bruins Zdeno Chara used Steve Ott as a tree stump to hack at. Oh yeah, and that's why the Bruins Johnny Boychuk was flying around the ice laying to waste any Sabre he wanted. (How's your hip, Porter?)
Even the Bruins Patrice Bergeron had his chest full last night, slashing away at Tyler Myers before both dropped the gloves. It was Bergeron's first NHL fight (and Myers' second.)
In anti-Scott circles (mostly outside of Buffalo) the common refrain is that Scott is totally worthless.
In Buffalo, the following from a Sabres fan in a Sabres thread who calls himself (or herself) sbroads24, sums up the local anti-Scott contingency: "John Scott has 0 points and is a -9 in his career as a Sabre, also being by far the worst possession forward on the team, maybe even the league. Most of his shifts start in the offensive zone and end in the defensive zone. He's not a good player, Nolan can try all he want that won't change. Waive him, no one will take him, let him play in Rochester until someone cheap shots us again. He's wasting a spot that could be occupied by a young player."
He (or she) continues in a later post: "The numbers prove he's an awful player, our record proves him being here does nothing to help the team. People like him because they like fighting, that's it. I'm pretty confident Scott will not be here next year when a new GM is here, and wouldn't be surprised to see him waived at some point. The last 2 games proved he literally makes no difference and they are better with other guys in his place."
The Sabres would be better this year with other guys in his place, if the other guys were, say, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, etc...
But, unfortunately on this edition of the Sabres, the team only has a bunch of borderline NHL'ers ready to take his spot. A handful of players who are a dime a dozen, who do skate a regular shift, but whose contributions are so scarce that a win or two because of them will probably not make much of a difference when all's said and done.
What we do have, though, at this point in the season are black and white numbers that can help frame the Great John Scott Debate because the Sabres have played 36 games this season and Scott has played in 18 (drum roll please):
The record with Scott in the lineup--4-11-3, 11 pts. Without Scott--5-13-0, 10 pts.
Goals-for with Scott in the lineup--25, 1.38/gm. Without Scott--39, 2.16/gm.
Goals-against with Scott in the lineup--48, 2.67/gm. Without Scott--56, 3.11/gm.
Goal differential with Scott in the lineup--minus-23. Without Scott--minus--17.
It's pretty simple. Obviously Scott really doesn't have any skill to speak of, and he certainly isn't helping the team on offense.
Defensively, though, the team is a bit better when he's in the lineup.
Overall, things balance out to the point where this year the team snagged one more point with Scott in the lineup.
So speak the numbers.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about Scott taking away time from the likes of Ellis or Porter or even a young borderline NHL'er like Luke Adam this season. What I do worry about is the burden of protecting teammates falling on the shoulders of Steve Ott, Cody McCormick and Mike Weber.
They should not be tangling with the heavyweights of the league and/or getting their heads bashed in ala Corey Tropp. At least not on a regular basis.
Overusing tough, gritty players to stand up for their teammates in an enforcer role put a hurtin' on former Sabres like Craig Rivet and Robyn Regehr. The goal should be to keep tough and gritty players then add to the lot, not hasten their demise by having them play an enforcer role.
In this year of transition, where more of an emphasis is on tougher and grittier, the Ott's and McCormick's as well as youngin's like Marcus Foligno and even Zemgus Girgensons need Scott. Methinks that the rest of the team like having him around as well.
*******
Tyler Myers drops the gloves with Patrice Bergeron.
Umm, Tyler? You might want to bring that swing a little lower when the guy is that much shorter and, ummm, an upper-cut coulda really done some damage.
Just a thought.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
From the purgatory of the last five seasons to "Hockey Hell"
"It's not about talent, it's about playing a certain way right now."
So said Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers after yesterday's 4-0 loss to the NY Islanders which dropped Buffalo right to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
That loss was their second under interim coach Ron Rolston, fourth in a row and sixth in their last seven games. For the month of February they are 3-9.
The boo-birds were out in full force last night at the F'N Center and many started leaving with about 15 minutes left in the 3rd period after John Tavares put the Isles up 3-0.
Fans actually could have started exiting after Mark Streit and Michael Grabner scored goals 65 seconds apart late in the second period.
The Sabres are playing like crap right now, and what's truly amazing about this team is how they crumble at the first sign of adversity.
They nearly weathered another suspect second period last night--that 20-minute time frame which has been downfall of this team all season. Yes, one should question, or stare in disbelief, as to how Isles winger Matt Moulson could thread a cross-ice pass through four Buffalo defenders to a streaking Streit for a tap-in. But more than that, you need to question why veteran Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would attempt a cross-ice pass at the NY blueline a minute later.
Grabner, who is noted for anticipating that kind of stupidity, turned it into a breakaway. Not only did he put the puck past Ryan Miller, but Ehrhoff's stick also went, as the defenseman attempted a limp-wristed stick check.
Miller, who has been outstanding in the last six games, looked as if he just said "Screw it" on the play. He has turned aside countless shots on odd-man rushes and defensive giveaways with the opponents looking at a gaping wide net. Miller had, and has had for years, a birds eye view of a turnover heading back his way. Most of the time he comes up with the save.
The Sabres netminder has clearly been frustrated this year, and when it was mentioned by Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times that his teammates seem to be frustrated as well, Miller chirped, "Well, it's about God Damn time."
**************
K.I.S.S.
Keep it simple, stupid.
"I keep saying it, but it's a little thing, it's so big," said Myers postgame, "make simple plays throughout an entire game."
This team, especially in front of a home crowd, tends to get too fancy. They try to put on a show when their talent-level doesn't allow for that level of fanciness. The result is usually a turnover that often finds the back of the Sabres net.
Ehrhoff should have known better. He is a veteran on this team. He should know his opponent, know who's on the ice and know what they like to do. He should also know that it's Hockey 101: don't make a cross ice pass like that with three defenders pressing, dumb-ass.
"We're a good team with a lot of stupid mistakes right now," said Sabres forward Steve Ott. "And it sucks."
Sure does, Steve. Is it correctable?
"We're on the bottom on the ground right now," he continued, "we're kicked in. But it's the guys that rise, the character that has to continue to show and that's when the team can start getting out of this hole."
Agreed. But who on this team is willing to say, "Me. I'll take it?"
*************
Where are the "character" guys? Is it within the leadership group?
Alternate captain Thomas Vanek was there post game. He missed another golden opportunity and was robbed by Evgeni Nabokov as well. "I'm a goal scorer that's not scoring goals right now," said Vanek.
Miller was there post game. "Not a very strong performance overall," he said matter of factly, "Nothin' else, man." His interview was short. "I had an opportunity to at least keep it to a one goal game, and [I] didn't step up and take it," he added.
Captain Jason Pominville....
was no where to be found. Perhaps he was off somewhere looking for Roysie's blankie. Pominville has 2 goals, 2 assists and is a minus-3 during the 12 games of February. His play is languishing.
The other alternate captain, Drew Stafford, was no where to be found as well. Just like his offense. He has one goal this season.
Those three with the letters on their sweater are the remnants of GM Darcy Regier's "vaunted" core of skaters. Those three were chosen as leaders last season along with other "core" members Derek "Roysie" Roy and Paul Gaustad who were traded last year. Last season the team missed he playoffs and it seems as if this team will miss the playoffs this year as well.
Is it a leadership void or issue in the locker room, Mr. Ott?
"No, I think this leadership group is solid," he said post game. "It's definitely not a leadership or accountability aspect."
Just go ask them. Oh, that's right. Where's Pominville? Where's Stafford?
God love him. Ott is there after every game talking to the media and for him the glass is always half-full. Had he been around Buffalo as long as Ryan Miller, though, methinks he'd be throwing around some unprintable words.
The proof is in the pudding with this leadership group. There is no leadership. No character. No passion. No intestinal fortitude.
*************
"It's almost like 'Here we go again,'" said Myers.
Only it's worse.
Buffalo having a glass jaw is nothing new. But there was a time when only a few teams could put them on the ropes via one mistake. Now, it's pretty much every team in the league.
This team is pretty bad right now, so bad that Jessica Pegula, daughter of Sabres owner Terry Pegula, was said to have tweeted (and quickly rescinded,) "Lets just call a spade a spade. The Sabres are really bad... #makesmemad".
Ouch.
A spade is a spade. The core is the core. The home crowd is still booing. And the Sabres record is a clear indicator of how good this team is right now.
Will Rolston be able to fix this team?
I like how WGR's Paul Hamilton put it, "When you watch this team, they are who they are, and I’m not sure what Ron Rolston or any other coach can do about it." he wrote. "It’s a soft, mentally weak group and always has been. If Rolston can get that trait out of them, he should win the Jack Adams Trophy."
Rolston has been in the pro ranks for all of a year and a half. He went from teaching teenagers to dealing with pros in Rochester to dealing with well-to-do pros in Buffalo. That may be more of a jump than rookie Mikhail Grigorenko going from junior to the pros.
It's to the point now where Rolston may just be an evaluator and if they continue their descent into "Hockey Hell," that's all he should be doing, eventually giving player evaluation to his superiors so that they can decide which players they want moving forward.
There's no reason to believe that this team can make it out of the basement, no matter how much they try to simplify and avoid mistakes.
Not with remnants of "the core" in leadership positions.
This may be one of the worst seasons since 2002/03 when Regier finished the dismantling of "the hardest working team in hockey" on his way to building "a team built for the new NHL."
That was a bad year. And this one may be even worse.
This team is unwatchable right now, the losses keep piling up and the Sabres are looking at a draft pick that might be higher than Vanek at #5-overall.
But, as my friend Cisco put it, "If you're going to shit the bed, at least do it in the shortest ever season."
So said Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers after yesterday's 4-0 loss to the NY Islanders which dropped Buffalo right to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
That loss was their second under interim coach Ron Rolston, fourth in a row and sixth in their last seven games. For the month of February they are 3-9.
The boo-birds were out in full force last night at the F'N Center and many started leaving with about 15 minutes left in the 3rd period after John Tavares put the Isles up 3-0.
Fans actually could have started exiting after Mark Streit and Michael Grabner scored goals 65 seconds apart late in the second period.
The Sabres are playing like crap right now, and what's truly amazing about this team is how they crumble at the first sign of adversity.
They nearly weathered another suspect second period last night--that 20-minute time frame which has been downfall of this team all season. Yes, one should question, or stare in disbelief, as to how Isles winger Matt Moulson could thread a cross-ice pass through four Buffalo defenders to a streaking Streit for a tap-in. But more than that, you need to question why veteran Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would attempt a cross-ice pass at the NY blueline a minute later.
Grabner, who is noted for anticipating that kind of stupidity, turned it into a breakaway. Not only did he put the puck past Ryan Miller, but Ehrhoff's stick also went, as the defenseman attempted a limp-wristed stick check.
Miller, who has been outstanding in the last six games, looked as if he just said "Screw it" on the play. He has turned aside countless shots on odd-man rushes and defensive giveaways with the opponents looking at a gaping wide net. Miller had, and has had for years, a birds eye view of a turnover heading back his way. Most of the time he comes up with the save.
The Sabres netminder has clearly been frustrated this year, and when it was mentioned by Bill Hoppe of the Olean Times that his teammates seem to be frustrated as well, Miller chirped, "Well, it's about God Damn time."
**************
K.I.S.S.
Keep it simple, stupid.
"I keep saying it, but it's a little thing, it's so big," said Myers postgame, "make simple plays throughout an entire game."
This team, especially in front of a home crowd, tends to get too fancy. They try to put on a show when their talent-level doesn't allow for that level of fanciness. The result is usually a turnover that often finds the back of the Sabres net.
Ehrhoff should have known better. He is a veteran on this team. He should know his opponent, know who's on the ice and know what they like to do. He should also know that it's Hockey 101: don't make a cross ice pass like that with three defenders pressing, dumb-ass.
"We're a good team with a lot of stupid mistakes right now," said Sabres forward Steve Ott. "And it sucks."
Sure does, Steve. Is it correctable?
"We're on the bottom on the ground right now," he continued, "we're kicked in. But it's the guys that rise, the character that has to continue to show and that's when the team can start getting out of this hole."
Agreed. But who on this team is willing to say, "Me. I'll take it?"
*************
Where are the "character" guys? Is it within the leadership group?
Alternate captain Thomas Vanek was there post game. He missed another golden opportunity and was robbed by Evgeni Nabokov as well. "I'm a goal scorer that's not scoring goals right now," said Vanek.
Miller was there post game. "Not a very strong performance overall," he said matter of factly, "Nothin' else, man." His interview was short. "I had an opportunity to at least keep it to a one goal game, and [I] didn't step up and take it," he added.
Captain Jason Pominville....
was no where to be found. Perhaps he was off somewhere looking for Roysie's blankie. Pominville has 2 goals, 2 assists and is a minus-3 during the 12 games of February. His play is languishing.
The other alternate captain, Drew Stafford, was no where to be found as well. Just like his offense. He has one goal this season.
Those three with the letters on their sweater are the remnants of GM Darcy Regier's "vaunted" core of skaters. Those three were chosen as leaders last season along with other "core" members Derek "Roysie" Roy and Paul Gaustad who were traded last year. Last season the team missed he playoffs and it seems as if this team will miss the playoffs this year as well.
Is it a leadership void or issue in the locker room, Mr. Ott?
"No, I think this leadership group is solid," he said post game. "It's definitely not a leadership or accountability aspect."
Just go ask them. Oh, that's right. Where's Pominville? Where's Stafford?
God love him. Ott is there after every game talking to the media and for him the glass is always half-full. Had he been around Buffalo as long as Ryan Miller, though, methinks he'd be throwing around some unprintable words.
The proof is in the pudding with this leadership group. There is no leadership. No character. No passion. No intestinal fortitude.
*************
"It's almost like 'Here we go again,'" said Myers.
Only it's worse.
Buffalo having a glass jaw is nothing new. But there was a time when only a few teams could put them on the ropes via one mistake. Now, it's pretty much every team in the league.
This team is pretty bad right now, so bad that Jessica Pegula, daughter of Sabres owner Terry Pegula, was said to have tweeted (and quickly rescinded,) "Lets just call a spade a spade. The Sabres are really bad... #makesmemad".
Ouch.
A spade is a spade. The core is the core. The home crowd is still booing. And the Sabres record is a clear indicator of how good this team is right now.
Will Rolston be able to fix this team?
I like how WGR's Paul Hamilton put it, "When you watch this team, they are who they are, and I’m not sure what Ron Rolston or any other coach can do about it." he wrote. "It’s a soft, mentally weak group and always has been. If Rolston can get that trait out of them, he should win the Jack Adams Trophy."
Rolston has been in the pro ranks for all of a year and a half. He went from teaching teenagers to dealing with pros in Rochester to dealing with well-to-do pros in Buffalo. That may be more of a jump than rookie Mikhail Grigorenko going from junior to the pros.
It's to the point now where Rolston may just be an evaluator and if they continue their descent into "Hockey Hell," that's all he should be doing, eventually giving player evaluation to his superiors so that they can decide which players they want moving forward.
There's no reason to believe that this team can make it out of the basement, no matter how much they try to simplify and avoid mistakes.
Not with remnants of "the core" in leadership positions.
This may be one of the worst seasons since 2002/03 when Regier finished the dismantling of "the hardest working team in hockey" on his way to building "a team built for the new NHL."
That was a bad year. And this one may be even worse.
This team is unwatchable right now, the losses keep piling up and the Sabres are looking at a draft pick that might be higher than Vanek at #5-overall.
But, as my friend Cisco put it, "If you're going to shit the bed, at least do it in the shortest ever season."
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Myers benched, what's up with him?
Tyler Myers will sit out tonight's game on Long Island as a healthy scratch.
According to WGR's Paul Hamilton, he was skating at practice with Robyn Regehr who's been sidelined with an upper-ankle strain. At one point, it was expected that those two would be logging tons of minutes as a pairing, for tonight, though, they'll be up in the press box.
In another quick note, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reported that defenseman Adam Pardy was sent to Rochester after a playing a solid game in Ottawa and being a healthy scratch vs. Montreal.
The return of Andrej Sekera from injury made those two moves possible. The six defensemen for the game tonight at the NY Islanders are Sekera, Christian Ehrhoff, Jordan Leopold, Alexander Sulzer, Mike Weber and rookie TJ Brennan.
As for Myers, he's been a train wreck for the better part of the season scoring only one goal and is tied for a league worst minus-9 rating.
Ouch!
It's a far cry from his Calder-winning 2009/10 season when he scored 11 goals and was a plus-13.
So, what's the deal?
Is he a bust? Is it coaching? Does he need a change of scenery? Will this benching lead to a stronger return like the last time he was a healthy scratch?
*shrugs*
No panic here, though. Growing pains or maybe the pangs of growing up.
Simple truth, this year he's been real bad at worst and wildly inconsistent at best. Which, if you look at what was said of him before the 2008 draft, it's not surprising.
Some of the pre-draft profiles and scouting reports:
ESPN 2008 mock draft: Scouts think Myers, listed at 6-foot-7, is ahead of Zdeno Chara at the same stage. That said, Chara, though raw, possessed strength as a teenager that Myers lacks right now.
The Hockey News 2008 Mock: It’s a bit of a tumble for Myers, who stands 6-foot-7 and enters the draft as something of a high-risk, potentially high-reward player. He skates well for a man that big.
Central Scouting/Allan Muir via SI.com:
Tyler is the tallest player among the top-rated players. As a defenseman, that height translates into a great poke-check and great stick work. At 6-foot-7, he still has a little bit of growing into his body to do. Obviously, comparisons are made to Zdeno Chara."
According to WGR's Paul Hamilton, he was skating at practice with Robyn Regehr who's been sidelined with an upper-ankle strain. At one point, it was expected that those two would be logging tons of minutes as a pairing, for tonight, though, they'll be up in the press box.
In another quick note, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reported that defenseman Adam Pardy was sent to Rochester after a playing a solid game in Ottawa and being a healthy scratch vs. Montreal.
The return of Andrej Sekera from injury made those two moves possible. The six defensemen for the game tonight at the NY Islanders are Sekera, Christian Ehrhoff, Jordan Leopold, Alexander Sulzer, Mike Weber and rookie TJ Brennan.
As for Myers, he's been a train wreck for the better part of the season scoring only one goal and is tied for a league worst minus-9 rating.
Ouch!
It's a far cry from his Calder-winning 2009/10 season when he scored 11 goals and was a plus-13.
So, what's the deal?
Is he a bust? Is it coaching? Does he need a change of scenery? Will this benching lead to a stronger return like the last time he was a healthy scratch?
*shrugs*
No panic here, though. Growing pains or maybe the pangs of growing up.
Simple truth, this year he's been real bad at worst and wildly inconsistent at best. Which, if you look at what was said of him before the 2008 draft, it's not surprising.
Some of the pre-draft profiles and scouting reports:
ESPN 2008 mock draft: Scouts think Myers, listed at 6-foot-7, is ahead of Zdeno Chara at the same stage. That said, Chara, though raw, possessed strength as a teenager that Myers lacks right now.
The Hockey News 2008 Mock: It’s a bit of a tumble for Myers, who stands 6-foot-7 and enters the draft as something of a high-risk, potentially high-reward player. He skates well for a man that big.
Central Scouting/Allan Muir via SI.com:
Tyler is the tallest player among the top-rated players. As a defenseman, that height translates into a great poke-check and great stick work. At 6-foot-7, he still has a little bit of growing into his body to do. Obviously, comparisons are made to Zdeno Chara."
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Injuries hurt the Sabres this season, but...
GM Darcy Regier's rigid, year-long team-building philosophy hurt them more.
First off, because there was no end of year press conference, one needs to piece things together via media outlets instead of heading to Sabres.com.
And there's a lot to piece together. No need to rehash, look at the date, look at the words "year end."
Oh, and by the way, congrats to WGR, "the Home of the Buffalo Sabres," for landing the principles--Team President Ted Black, GM Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff. Owner Terry Pegula and his charges opted for this instead of the traditional press conference.
Sure, The Buffalo News' John Vogl had a phone conversation with Regier--Regier sees glass half full--but the lion's share went to GR. The paper's sports guys were ticked that there was no presser. Jerry Sullivan called the organization "thin-skinned" in his article, basically calling them cowards and Mike Harrington via The Sabres Edge blog used the NFL's media guidelines on end of season pressers to dis the Sabres.
Anyhow, there are some interesting things to piece together starting with injuries and how they played a role in undermining the teams' season.
Back in January with the team mired in a nearly a two month slump, Sabres fans were looking for something--anything--to be done to get the team out of it's funk.
We now know, that ownership was not looking at firing Regier and/or Ruff. WGR's Paul Hamilton put it this way at the end of the season, "It wasn't anything even discussed after this season," he wrote. "Owner Terry Pegula [was] comfortable with both men in January when they were in a free fall, he never wanted to make a change."
Hamilton did some good work in another piece by pointing out the teams' record with and without both Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers throughout the season:
Hamilton has been adamant and constant in his dislike for the way Regier approaches the entire season. He points out that Regier's team-building philosophy starts with the off-season molding of the team and generally nothing gets altered until the trade deadline, a method Hamilton clearly dislikes. "I do not like the waiting," Hamilton said (3:35-mark), "I want a guy that doesn't sit there after the trade deadline and say, 'yeah, well maybe we should have made a deal earlier.'"
Regier admitted that he did have conversations during December and January, but it would seem as if there was nothing on the table to his liking.
Fine.
But did he ever considered making a deal just for the sake of making a deal to shake things up, maybe relieve some tension.
His reply (8:09-mark): "The only reason you do it is to release the tension and that could [have a good effect.] One argument would be, take someone who's not performing and bring up Marcus Foligno earlier, bring up Brayden McNabb earlier. If you want to try and use that type of thing, those are some things you find out because of injury, you find out some guys are closer [to making it in the NHL] than others."
He finished with this, "On the trade front? No."
The simple answer to the question of whether or not injuries played a major role in the demise of a once promising Sabres season is, yes. They were near the top of the league in man-games lost.
Back in November, this was their injured list at one point when they face the Washington Capitals on the 26th:
Taking their place (not including journeyman, Matt Ellis and Jochen Hecht, who returned from injury):
OK, fine. They were treading water at the time, although the clunker in Columbus two days earlier should have given them some indication that things were awry.
If you're not going to make a move then, one would think that a move would've been forthcoming after the Sabres embarrassed their owner in Pittsburgh a few weeks later. Sure they were 4-3-1 from that Washington game up until the Pens game, but they were clinging by the skin of their teeth every night for points.
And if it didn't happen then, one would think that after the Christmas roster freeze and near the end of a dismal December a move of some sort would be needed to shake the team out of it's funk.
Surely, after being embarrassed in Detroit 5-0 on January 16th, their ninth regulation road-loss in a row (with the NHL cameras there doing a spot on Nik Lidstrom, btw) something would have been done. Or after their loss in Chicago when they were embarrassed 6-2 two days later. Or after their loss in Winnipeg when they tied a franchise record 11-game road losing streak with a 4-1 loss. Or after St. Louis when they set a club record for road losses with another embarrassing performance in a 4-2 defeat.
Nope.
Steady as she goes.
Regier was set with his team which was sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Fact is, they lost the season from Pittsburgh on Dec. 17th to St. Louis on Jan. 21. With 17 games and 34 points on the table the team went 3-12-2.
You read that correctly--3-12-2. And nothing was done.
It makes you wonder just what they were thinking about this team. The Stanley Cup aspirations trumpeted at the beginning of the year were trampled upon from Lucic/Miller in early November to Pittsburgh in December. They did have the opportunity to make a move from that night in Pittsburgh up until the trade deadline, but did not. Instead they paraded out the injury excuse.
Yeah, a valid point, but if you wanted to save the season, something needed to be done.
Regier's patience was a fault, and probably the big reason the Sabres failed to make the playoffs.
He should be thanking his team for bailing him out with an impressive late-season rally that almost got them into the playoffs and he should be thanking his lucky stars that Nashville and Vancouver helped save his job by trading with him.
Maybe he'll change his approach to team-building next season.
A quick note:
Sabres GM Darcy Regier has one more year remaining on the clandestine contract extension he signed back in 2010 with the former regime.
First off, because there was no end of year press conference, one needs to piece things together via media outlets instead of heading to Sabres.com.
And there's a lot to piece together. No need to rehash, look at the date, look at the words "year end."
Oh, and by the way, congrats to WGR, "the Home of the Buffalo Sabres," for landing the principles--Team President Ted Black, GM Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff. Owner Terry Pegula and his charges opted for this instead of the traditional press conference.
Sure, The Buffalo News' John Vogl had a phone conversation with Regier--Regier sees glass half full--but the lion's share went to GR. The paper's sports guys were ticked that there was no presser. Jerry Sullivan called the organization "thin-skinned" in his article, basically calling them cowards and Mike Harrington via The Sabres Edge blog used the NFL's media guidelines on end of season pressers to dis the Sabres.
Anyhow, there are some interesting things to piece together starting with injuries and how they played a role in undermining the teams' season.
Back in January with the team mired in a nearly a two month slump, Sabres fans were looking for something--anything--to be done to get the team out of it's funk.
We now know, that ownership was not looking at firing Regier and/or Ruff. WGR's Paul Hamilton put it this way at the end of the season, "It wasn't anything even discussed after this season," he wrote. "Owner Terry Pegula [was] comfortable with both men in January when they were in a free fall, he never wanted to make a change."
Hamilton did some good work in another piece by pointing out the teams' record with and without both Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers throughout the season:
- With Ehrhoff Buffalo's record was 36-22-8 (.606)...without 2-9-2 (.231)
- With Myers they were 31-21-4 (.589)...without 7-10-6 (.439)
Hamilton has been adamant and constant in his dislike for the way Regier approaches the entire season. He points out that Regier's team-building philosophy starts with the off-season molding of the team and generally nothing gets altered until the trade deadline, a method Hamilton clearly dislikes. "I do not like the waiting," Hamilton said (3:35-mark), "I want a guy that doesn't sit there after the trade deadline and say, 'yeah, well maybe we should have made a deal earlier.'"
Regier admitted that he did have conversations during December and January, but it would seem as if there was nothing on the table to his liking.
Fine.
But did he ever considered making a deal just for the sake of making a deal to shake things up, maybe relieve some tension.
His reply (8:09-mark): "The only reason you do it is to release the tension and that could [have a good effect.] One argument would be, take someone who's not performing and bring up Marcus Foligno earlier, bring up Brayden McNabb earlier. If you want to try and use that type of thing, those are some things you find out because of injury, you find out some guys are closer [to making it in the NHL] than others."
He finished with this, "On the trade front? No."
The simple answer to the question of whether or not injuries played a major role in the demise of a once promising Sabres season is, yes. They were near the top of the league in man-games lost.
Back in November, this was their injured list at one point when they face the Washington Capitals on the 26th:
- Tyler Ennis (F,) Injured Reserve, 10-25-11--sprained ankle
- Ryan Miller (G,) IR, 11-14-11--concussion
- Cody McCormick (F,) IR, 11-16-11--"upper body"
- Mike Weber (D,) IR, 11-18-11--"upper body"
- Tyler Myers (D,) IR, 11-23-11--broken wrist
- Pat Kaleta (F,) day-to-day, 11-23-11--"lower body"
- Brad Boyes (F,) IR, 11-25-11--knee
- Robyn Regehr (D,) day-to-day, 11-26-11--"upper body"
- Drew Stafford (F,) day-to-day, 11-26--11--"undisclosed"
Taking their place (not including journeyman, Matt Ellis and Jochen Hecht, who returned from injury):
- Drew MacIntyre (G,) journeyman goalie--recalled11-14-11
- Corey Tropp (F,) one full AHL season--11-16-11
- TJ Brennan (D,) two full AHL seasons--11-21-11
- Zack Kassian (F,) 21 AHL games (three in 2011 post-season)--11-24-11
- Brayden McNabb (D,) 19 AHL games--11-26-11
- Paul Szczechura (F,) journeyman forward with 83 NHL and 214 AHL games in five seasons--11-26-11
- Luke Adam (C,) 21 yrs. old, second NHL season--rookie
- Jhonas Enroth (G,) 23 yrs. old, second NHL season--rookie
- Marc-Andre Gragnani (D,) 24 yrs. old, first full NHL season
- Nathan Gerbe (F,) 24 yrs. old, second full NHL season
OK, fine. They were treading water at the time, although the clunker in Columbus two days earlier should have given them some indication that things were awry.
If you're not going to make a move then, one would think that a move would've been forthcoming after the Sabres embarrassed their owner in Pittsburgh a few weeks later. Sure they were 4-3-1 from that Washington game up until the Pens game, but they were clinging by the skin of their teeth every night for points.
And if it didn't happen then, one would think that after the Christmas roster freeze and near the end of a dismal December a move of some sort would be needed to shake the team out of it's funk.
Surely, after being embarrassed in Detroit 5-0 on January 16th, their ninth regulation road-loss in a row (with the NHL cameras there doing a spot on Nik Lidstrom, btw) something would have been done. Or after their loss in Chicago when they were embarrassed 6-2 two days later. Or after their loss in Winnipeg when they tied a franchise record 11-game road losing streak with a 4-1 loss. Or after St. Louis when they set a club record for road losses with another embarrassing performance in a 4-2 defeat.
Nope.
Steady as she goes.
Regier was set with his team which was sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Fact is, they lost the season from Pittsburgh on Dec. 17th to St. Louis on Jan. 21. With 17 games and 34 points on the table the team went 3-12-2.
You read that correctly--3-12-2. And nothing was done.
It makes you wonder just what they were thinking about this team. The Stanley Cup aspirations trumpeted at the beginning of the year were trampled upon from Lucic/Miller in early November to Pittsburgh in December. They did have the opportunity to make a move from that night in Pittsburgh up until the trade deadline, but did not. Instead they paraded out the injury excuse.
Yeah, a valid point, but if you wanted to save the season, something needed to be done.
Regier's patience was a fault, and probably the big reason the Sabres failed to make the playoffs.
He should be thanking his team for bailing him out with an impressive late-season rally that almost got them into the playoffs and he should be thanking his lucky stars that Nashville and Vancouver helped save his job by trading with him.
Maybe he'll change his approach to team-building next season.
A quick note:
Sabres GM Darcy Regier has one more year remaining on the clandestine contract extension he signed back in 2010 with the former regime.
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