The Atlanta loss and the Islanders loss were what I was referencing. The effort was just not there in those two games. Don't get me wrong I am extremely pleased with the team so far it just seems sometimes that they still dog it against teams they are supposed to beat, although its still too early to call it a pattern.

True. I was disappointed with those two games.

But when you look at the games we played last year, even some of the wins were disappointing because of the effort. They weren't convincing.

We do have a ways to go.

But even right now as I watch the Devils-Flyers game, they're talking about Buffalo and how good they look.

I think we're for real.

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Wheelhouse

I won't trust this team until you-know-what happens...

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

I worry more about long term injury to key players...other than that, I like what I've seen so far.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

"I'll take Jason Blake for Jochen Hecht and Drew Stafford please, Alex..."

You bet your fucking life. If Peter Chiarelli can ass-fuck Brian Burke...well, so can Darcy Regier.



...and there's yer fucking veteran scoring forward.

OK, I've finally had a chance to log on, so here's my take.

I'm sold that this team is the real deal. But they aren't ready to take that step to being a true threat until they acquire what we are all screaming for - a quality backup and a bruising, talented RW, in that order.

This team needs a backup goaltender of quality in a bad way. Patrick Lalime, regardless of the play of those in front of him, cannot get the job done. When I say this, I mean that it will take four or five goal outbursts from the Sabres in order to triumph with Lalime in net. He is weak positionally and reflexively. The obvious top backup goaltender is our beloved Marty Biron, and the Sabres have the pieces available to trade for him (especially with the loss of Radek Martinek for the season). But there are other backup goaltenders to go after. What the Sabres should have done, which would have made the Marty debate moot, was to buy out the final season of Lalime's contract and offer Tellqvist a slight raise over him. Alas, Tellqvist is in Russia now. A good idea for backup would be Johan Hedberg. He covers a ton of net and is pretty good, but he's VERY good in the shootout, just in case the Sabres need him if they can't win the game in 60 minutes.

After acquiring a backup goaltender, the Sabres need to do what it needs to pick up a mean yet talented RW for the top line. Vanek and Connolly could definitely use a mean linemate to open up the ice for them. Unfortunately for us Sabres fans, Stafford may have the hands and the body to fill this role, but he doesn't have the temper to match. (Unrelated side note, Jason Pominville has the third-highest cap hit for a RW in '09/'10) The Sabres would have to put a helluva package together for him, but Scott Hartnell would be a solid choice for this role. He's a bit of a veteran, a true power forward, and he has drive that you can just sense. A slightly lesser package would need to be put together for my next candidate, but his youth and frame makes him a beast - Dustin fuckin Byfuglien. He may not be a true first line RW, but he's a goddamned beast with a shot and a frame you can't knock off of the puck.

Now, obviously, I didn't put any packages together - the rest of you can have fun with that. I was just dicking around with ideas. Have fun, kiddies

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mechaphil

Wow, that was a pretty heavy post I just slung at everyone. Shit.

To boil it down:

Backup goalie? Get Hedberg

Gnarly RW? Get creative and snag Hartnell or less creative and snag Byfuglien

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mechaphil

This team has shown that it is not one Dimensional. We have shown a lot of things that we haven't seen in a few years. We are winning battles in the corners, We are not just one shotters anyore, We can get in the zone and keep the pressure going with control of the puck. Last few years, we just got in had one big chance and spent most of the time in our end. This year we are spending less time in our zone and more i the opponents zone. Let's face it though, Ryan Miller is the reason why we have been on a great run, My biggest issue is vanek. I find every year that he is ALWAYS inconsistent and we are still lacking that sniper. As long as this team as good balance i guess it won't be an issue. When the deadline comes around and were in the hunt, We need one of 2 things. A sniper that can score or a back up goaltender which brings me to my next point
OUR BACK UP SUCKS.

This is going to be the only reason we don't make the playoffs this year. If lalime doesn't get his act together and we don't find a better back up, we will fall off the race. Time and time again, When lalime gets a chance, he shows nothing but lack of confidence and looks lost out there. Even when miller was pulled the one game, He came in and STILL let in 2 goals. It really sucks, Because miller is probably going to play in the Olympics and that means hes going to need his rest or else we could have played him 70-75 games this season. Other than that, This team is awesome and have really grown into their own. As long as the goaltending gets addressed, we WILL make the playoffs.

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Feed Me Fear

I'm a buffalo sports fan there is always skepticism

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

We started off with 9 wins last season and very little in the way of defeats.
We have 12 victories and very little in the way of defeats this year.
Its always exciting to think the possible when the team is winning. I will reserve judgement until mid-way through the season. At that time I'll have a better handle on where the team is.

I am impressed early on, but the first quarter of the season is just that 1/4 or 25%. This weekend or that weekend, they are not tests, not by any means. No, the real test comes in consistency. They've already had a couple of games in relapse on that issue. But overall they do look much better defensively. I'll wait and see how they play in 41 games, then in 62 games. A 7 game roadtrip in Jan. to boot, I'm interested to see how they respond as a team to that situation.....and so on.

Still the same old situation with the back up goaltender I agree. But I refuse to blame either Enroth or Lalime even 50% for what has happened to them. Everytime the team plays infront of them they play like shit. They hang these backups out to dry way more than the backup fails to perform for them.
Ultimately it lays with Lindy and the players to straighten themselves out on this issue.

I would like to see a bit more scoring from those that are on the team to do so. Not really a complaint, more of an observation. All lines appear to be chipping in at very opportune moments. Leadership is starting to emerge from guys like Goose and Kaleta. Deperately needed I might add.

Some changes coming in the off season, 2 or 3 players I don't see being here next season, but all in all, the core group will still be here, even Hecht I'm afraid. As time moves on and the season progresses we should have a clearer picture on where our weaknesses are and we can, if we choose to, address those issues prior to or at the trade deadline.

2 cents spent.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Heyyyyy Pelican. Where've you been?

Nice post. I agree with pretty much everything said, minus the fact that Ryan Miller is the reason we're on this run.

Miller is a big part of it, but we always said Miller didn't have top tier stats because he didn't have a top tier team in front of him.

He's the first to admit that the team in front of him is giving him good looks at shots and forcing guys to take poor ones.

Don't get me wrong, because he has been very, very good. But I have to give a lot of credit to the boys playing in front of him, too.

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Wheelhouse

Regier is different this year.

Sign Myers, trade Paille, waive Mair, suggest to Ruff that Ennis be brought up rather than Paetsch be played, with fantastic results...

Anyway... I agree with ETC.

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Miles to go before I sleep

‎"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
-Khalil Gibran

I was on the the older boards and i didnt know people moved over, But NO WORRIES! Pelican is here! lol

Anyways, Yeah your right about the team. I think just as a team, its the reason why they are playing this well. I remember the days when miller would always give up those weak goals, especially the high glove side ones. He doesn't do that anymore and i guess thats what i was referring too. These next 2 months are really going to test the durability of this team and if they are a contender. So heres to a great ride!

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Feed Me Fear

The team plays that way in front of Lalime, because they dont have confidence in him. They don't take chances and they have to always second guess themselves with him in net. When Miller is in in, They have 100% confidence that Miller is going to do his best and 9/10 make the save, Because of that it allows the team to take chances, Have a stronger attack and not second guess a decision/ When you have to 2nd guess what your about to do(pass/shoot/deke/etc..) that lets the team get the jump on you and rally just read what your about to do. I don't want to blame lalime, but its not like he has ok #'s or atleast wins, His stats are HORRIBLE & His sv% shows it. He also proves his lack of confidence when he comes in late in the game when miler is pulled. Its like the first shot is in and that just kills our sails. Plain and simple, Lalimes next game needs to be a win and needs to be good. Im giving him one last shot. Im going to evaluate him after 3 more games.

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Feed Me Fear

These are all very good points, but as I am not a player on the team I am not sure what the reason is for their mental lapses. Like you, I'll wait to see how things shake out.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I would put myself in the cautiously optimistic bucket right now.

I love what I see so far. But, I realize that this team is capable of going off the tracks for long stretches, as well.

Plus, there is the ever present I-word to worry about.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I want to see us take a game where we're down 2-0 after the first and turn it into a 4-2 win with a 2-0 second and 2-0 third.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I laugh (only mildly) at the complaints about inconsistency. From the looks of it, some people won't be happy unless we don't lose any games.

I've been seeing more consistency this year than in the last two. Hard working, gritty, and playing 60 minutes of hockey. Something that hasn't been there in 4 years.

Its not so much the losing some regular season games that is the bother to the "people" that complain about inconsistency from the team. I think (atleast myself and a few others who have expressed the same) it has to do with the hard work and grit with 60 minutes of hockey you mention. Winning the games is great, but seeing the team battle for the entire game is truly entertaining.

And consistency is only lacking in "capatilizing" on the chances they have created. I know my biggest gripe is this, I have said over and over the defense is vastly improved and ready to roll, goaltending is an issue in doubt on the backup, but the team hasn't played the way they play infront of Miller. Regardless of how they feel about the goaltender, that should be no reason to give it the full 60 minutes they normally do infront of Miller.

And of course there is the very term "inconsistency". What makes the champion teams champions is thier very ability to show "consistency" to capatilize on those chances and bring victory home. If I take a look at other successful teams, they are showing consistent ability to pressure thier opponents in several different aspects.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

This. This is the only thing this team can't do yet. We've seen them win a 1-0 game, come back from a one goal deficit, win it in OT, win it in the shootout, and change styles to confound their opponents, but we've yet to see them rebound from a terrible first period and take the game convincingly at the end of 60.

I agree about the consistency, though - it's finally here (minus a few shitty showings), and it's about damn time.

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mechaphil