Henrik Tallinder was getting grief from almost every angle last season, a good chunk of which was spent getting chunks taken out of him. His coach publicly criticized him. Fans pointed toward him as a primary problem. The media, not to mention opposing forwards, took turns throwing him down and kicking him around.

It seemed everybody wanted to spank Hank, but you know who was most upset with Tallinder becoming a shell of his former self? Henrik Tallinder. The Sabres' 30-year-old veteran defenseman was so low that he suggested, and many agreed, a change in scenery might be the best remedy for a stale career tumbling downhill.

"I had a couple of tough years," Tallinder said after a light 50-minute workout Wednesday in HSBC Arena. "I was battling with myself. I was the worst critic of myself. I wasn't the best friend with myself, and I think that showed."

Yeah, it showed.

Tallinder four years ago was considered the Sabres' best defenseman — back when they twice reached the conference finals with a roster that included Brian Campbell — before a steady decline for two straight seasons. Injuries contributed to his downfall, but there was no getting around the fact that he was regressing, not to mention depreciating.

Once he lost his bang, the Sabres lost their buck. They had a difficult time justifying the $2.9 million on his salary last season and not getting enough in return.

It became a heavy burden. Known for being cooperative and friendly, he did a good job of hiding his frustration when he was around his teammates. But deep down, he was miserable. He became grumpy at home after too many listless, unproductive nights. He was no longer the confident, upbeat player he was early in his career.

"I wasn't me," he said. "I didn't feel comfortable with myself. I wasn't miserable all the time, but a lot of times I didn't play that well and it took a toll. It doesn't work. [Playing poorly] doesn't make me a worse person, but I took it like that, which is bad.

"It takes so much energy that it's unbelievable. I was tired all the time."

Tallinder struck a deal with himself over the summer. Basically, he had a mental makeover. He changed his workouts and showed up better prepared for a long season. He also found inner peace after clearing his conscience and rediscovering joy in the game that had been absent for too long.

So far, pretty darned good.

Tallinder has been solid while playing alongside longer, lankier rookie Tyler Myers. Tallinder didn't have a point but was plus-5 Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, his best plus-minus rating since a plus-6 in a blowout over the Flyers during the 2005-06 playoffs.

Myers had an assist and was plus-3 against the Wings.

"He's been a huge help for me," Myers said. "He's just always talking, helping me in certain situations when we're on the ice. During the games, he's always in my ear. I really like that. Any advice he can give me, I'm really happy to take."

The Sabres aren't exactly short on size with the pairing, which was thrown together just before the opener. The 6-foot-3 Tallinder and 6-8 Myers found instant chemistry and could be the Sabres' most consistent tandem through the first four games.

"He's gaining confidence," Ruff said of Tallinder. "It's a "real good, feel good,' which I think is great. You look at the size, and it should be an extremely tough defense pair to play against. He's moving well; his battle is good. He seems a lot more assertive down low, where he seemed tentative in the past. It's a great thing for us."

It's also good for Tallinder, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1. The Sabres were believed to be shopping him over the summer. They either couldn't find a team willing to accept his $3.25 million salary for this season or couldn't get enough in return. If he keeps playing well, it could be a great move never made.

Plus-minus rating can be misleading, but it can be an indicator over the course of a season. For what it's worth, Tallinder is leading the Sabres through four games with a plus-6. Myers, second with a plus-4, says the veteran has helped him get adjusted to the NHL. Tallinder says the kid has helped rejuvenate his game.

And it shows.

"It feels better this year, way better," Tallinder said. "Everybody goes through tough times. You have to learn from it. Hopefully, that's what I'm doing. I feel like I've learned something."

It's also good for Tallinder, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

It seemed everybody wanted to spank Hank...

No need for violence, just tell her she's got a game misconduct and show her the door.

As I said in the GDT, the call on Rivet was horseshit. The Bruins player was holding onto Rivet's stick like it was the last fucking raft on the Titanic.

I had been calling Tallinder "Hank the Spank" since the rape allegations came out

No need for violence, just tell her she's got a game misconduct and show her the door.

As I said in the GDT, the call on Rivet was horseshit. The Bruins player was holding onto Rivet's stick like it was the last fucking raft on the Titanic.

Never heard of that.

Tallinder, Andreas Lilja and a third player were accused of gang-raping a woman some years back.

You're fucking joking right?

Where the hell was I?

Tallinder, Andreas Lilja and a third player were accused of gang-raping a woman some years back.

Kristian Huselias; wasn't it?

edit: yes it was, I just read the link...

You're fucking joking right?

Where the hell was I?