"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.

Id say Gerbe got a hell of a good look! Mancari, being more of the emergency call up, hasn't, this season... but he may get his shot...

As for Weber, last nights game aside... cause im just blocking it from memory... Weber has had a few mistakes, but hasn't he been pretty solid? Gritty, tough in the corners and giving Sid the stink glove has to give him a few extra points...

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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.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

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.

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Let's go Buffalo!

Mancari has had plenty of good looks. Stop acting like he hasn't.

He's had one semi-prolonged look of seven games, and a handful of 1-2 game fill-ins. That's nothing like what Ruff described in that quote. This isn't supposed to be a "Mancari is so great but Ruff hates him" because that's not how I feel. There are other players over the last season or two that could be made an example of, but we were just talking about Gerbe and Mancari so he's the latest.

I do like that Weber is getting some time. I thought he had promise and I hope he can make Butler a forgotten man, but I don't understand why it took Rivet's poor health and mobility to provide him his shot.

Mancari has had a legitimate shot to make the team in at least 3 training camps. He could have had a 4th, but he was a moron and held out.

I have no sympathy for him.

Mancari is a good player. He is not good enough to continue on in the Sabres organization. He has not made the most of his opportunities at the NHL level to do something worthwhile. We will need to separate with him soon.

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Let's go Buffalo!

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.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

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.

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Let's go Buffalo!

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.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

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

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Let's go Buffalo!

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.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

I assume he is. Our defense shits the bed. Either he works well with specific players or some do not want to be here. If JP suited up for one more game to show how things are done, you will see results.

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Let's go Buffalo!

McCutcheon is supposed to be responsible for the power play. He should have lost his job long ago. The p.p. has not been close to good since Arniel left the organization.

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. Those same exact squads wouldn't be nearly as productive now.

That being said, I think Cutch "coaches" the PP but I have no idea what J-Pat does. I get the feeling Lindy takes care of the PK himself.

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mechaphil

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".

scott arniel was also one of the best special teams coaches in the league

the pp in 06-07 was far from decent; it was shaky at best. i don't disagree with you about the sabres and their style of play becoming ineffective as rule changes progressed, but latching onto them to explain things that have been lacking even in their better years seems to be quite a mistake.

as for the power play in general, i think confidence is certainly lacking. it's something that should be focused on more, especially since it is becoming more crucial at this point to capitalize on the man advantage. during the boston game, some of that confidence was clear when we saw the great passing and tight play around the net. i think, as a whole, this team needs to reevaluate it's priorities and realize how important the power play is to them right now.

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young people everywhere have been allowed to choose between love and a garbage disposal unit. everywhere they have chosen the garbage disposal unit. (guy debord)

I like to know who his neurologist is. Captains do score goals or defend by example.

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Let's go Buffalo!