I mean he's scoring goals by sneaking a puck behind a netminder a bad angle shot, one of the leading shot takers, not planting shots into the logo on a netminder's sweater playing pretty darn good two way hockey.

With Kalinin gone, Hecht has taken on some of my fan angst with this roster....but other than a few blips this season, ze German's been pretty good and he's been really good as of late.

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If your having goal problems, I feel bad for ya son....we got 99 problems but Vanek ain't one!

Well in reality, Hecht has always been the Sabres Jedi master when it comes to scoring ridiculous no-angle shots. But this season, he's showing an ability to score real goals.

Last season, thankfully, was just a bump in the road for Ze German. It's good to have ole' reliable Hecht back.

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mechaphil

his first goal tonight was a beauty!!

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You should just post that video every time Hecht scores

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mechaphil

I bet he's gonna hit the 20 goal mark again for the 2nd time in his career.

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

His best offensive seasons have come in his 30's as a Sabre. Funny how things work out.

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mechaphil

i plan on it! but i missed the game today, got the update ... hope they looked as good as the score showed! keep rolling guys!

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Keep it up, Jochen.

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Wheelhouse

He has been on fire since Lindy broke his line with Grier and Kennedy. He had 4 points in the first 22 games, but he has 17g+18a in the last 49 I believe. AND he is plus 15.

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LET'S GO BUFFALO!

Give thanks to the birth of the Red Hot Chili Peppers line for Jochen's resurgence.

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mechaphil

Actually the reason is pretty simple. Last season he was forced to play center most of the time, and he sucks as a center. I was in the anti-Hecht crowd also, but I was assuming he'd still be playing 3rd/4th line center. With Kennedy making the team and Connolly healthy all season (I told you guys - lol), Hecht has been able to play LW where he's MUCH better suited. It's an easier game on the wing, and he hasn't had to be up and down the ice and trying to make plays that he's not capable of.

I'm happy that he's had a good season, that he's gotten that pressure and criticism off his back. He'll be one reason for the change from non-playoff team to (hopefully) a division winner.

His nickname should be ze German from now on.

On another note, I don't think Snatch is his best movie anymore. I like Lock Stock the best, then probably Rocknrolla.

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

I'm pretty sure "Ze German" has cemented itself as Hecht's nickname forever onwards.

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mechaphil

not to toot my own horn, but when a thread was made about hecht sucking this preseason, i said we should reserve judgment till the regular season. caro did too, i think.

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Yes, you both did. You two and Jay were the only ones not ready to run him out of town until we saw if he could rebound. I think you three oughta be serving the rest of us some serious crow

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mechaphil

Many of our shitty players last year have really stepped it up a notch and have found new confidence.

Hecht is capable of playing Center, just not very well at it and last year was proof, but what could we do?

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Hecht is a player who really relies on his hands. His hands is what makes him such a good hockey player. Last year he missed a lot of time with a wrist injury and i doubt he ever fully recovered from it. I do think he gets more bad rep from our fanbase then league wide.

I'll never forget this- The season the Sabres won the President's Trophy, i was watching TSN hockey on center ice one night and they had their panel and were talking about if the Sabres are for real and what not. Darren Dreger said something, he polled most of the NHL GM's about "if you could have 1 Sabre, who would you want" and the player with most votes was Hecht.

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Impossible Is Nothing.