"I said when he was going to go in he was going to go in for a good look," Ruff said. "It takes a period of time to settle in. You know you're going to have to live with some mistakes, but the hope there is that that player improves, that he gains confidence, that he feels good about his game. You don't do that by stepping in and playing one or two games, having a poor game and maybe having to come out of the lineup."

This was in regard to Weber. I happen to think he's worth the ice time, but there's a few other players that haven't had the chance to step in and stay in while the player above them hasn't produced. There's situations like this all around the league, so I'm not trying to call out Ruff, but the Gerbe/Mancari situation kinda sticks out.

The worst play I seen Weber make last night was another one of his cutesie d-zone passes up the slot. It was a no look back hander through a guy.

I like my stay at home blue liners a lot less fancy. He needs some more AHL time.

Has Weber had too much time in the AHL? Despite his injuries in past seasons, it is about time he play at or close to the NHL level.

I'm not so sure the problem is so much Weber as much as it is the Sabres current defensive scheme. Weber is probably used to wingers hustling on the back check in the AHL, and having more than ZERO breakout options. Regardless, it's also his responsibility to overcome his teammates collective Suck.

Would it be a scary thought that Portland's defense is better than Buffalo's? I think our younger defensemen succeed in the AHL, but cannot play to their potential with the problems exposed in the Sabres' current defensive blunder.

Well, if the Sabres don't make the playoffs they should promote the AHL coach to the NHL and find out first hand. Some of the Sabres defensive zone woes have been evident since Game One. From my limited perspective it's not the defense men who are solely to blame, it's all 5 skaters. And even when the forwards get back to help the D they are doing more harm than good with the puck. Their breakout is fundamentally flawed, and it's much easier to blame the coaches over every single player.

Besides nothing, what have McCutcheon and JPat contributed through coaching? JPat should know something about solid defensive play.

Is JP in charge of the defense men?

I honestly don't know, in fact I'm not even sure what their responsibilities are supposed to be? Is JP in charge of the defense men? Whoever is in charge of the PK is doing something right, and the power play has slowly evolved from a deep level of confusion to something resembling sanity.

The thing with the PP then was the rules were called tighter, giving the Sabres' shifty forwards room to create. It's how the team utilized the 05-07 years so well.

Speaking of interesting quotes, Ruff also believes a good captain doesn't help you score goals or defend according to today's interview. I've NEVER seen him duck an issue like this before. It's like he's saying, "who cares who the captain is, cuz we're not making the playoffs anyways, like I had previously thought".