Why does Chris Butler play on the PP? I think we would be better off with other players, Butler is no blueliner in my opinion. Did I miss something special or why is he part of our PP unit? Is Lindy afraid of shorties?

what do you mean hes no blueliner?

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It might be because he led the team in points and assists this preseason, Ruff wants him to develop more offensively (PP time will help this I'm sure), Butler actually shoots (there was a big thing about Ruffs reasoning to have Butler and Myers on the PP and it basically came down to them getting shots through), and the fact that we have been known to give up some pretty iffy shorthanded chances and 1 or 2 natual d-men on the point should help that.

Yea, Salzig, I'm a little confused.

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mechaphil

For me, a blueliner is a defender with either a good (hard and accurate) shot, or a player who can move the puck well (good stickhandling) and is able to pass the puck well. So, it's basically an offensiv player such as Phaneuf, Boyle, Chara,... and Myers will turn into a solid blueliner as well. Butler has neither a feared shot nor is he a stickhandling-god. That's why I was asking why he's playing on the PP.

Cuz he has great vision, and does very well to retain offensive zone possession?

Sounds like he belongs on the PP to me. Let Myers sling rockets at the net.

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mechaphil

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

Butler is there because he is the defenseman with the most accurate shot, best shot selection, and highest percentage of shots that find the net.

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nah, i get you. i think butler is more of a sound defensive defensemen, but could put up some points (think rivet, without the nasty streak).. i think this is all a case of us not understanding your english (no offense)

guys, ease up. hes german. english isnt his first language.

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I like his grasp of English - I was just offering my take on why I think he belongs on the PP, whereas Salzig does not.

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mechaphil

I think part of it is due to the fact that he is willing to move a bit with the puck and send a wrister at the net, rather than some of our players on the point who receive the pass and either shoot high and wide, or slam the puck into the shin pads of the player guarding them, which sends the other team screaming towards our goalie on an odd man rush. He isn't terrible, but he isn't great either. Maybe with more time he will become more effective.

Looking at our current roster, I'm not sure there is anyone I would want to replace him, but I am open for suggestions.

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

not you, phil.

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Yes, my English isn't that good, but I'm always trying to improve it.




That's what I think about his offensive skills, too. But I think a player has to have higher-than-average offensive skills to play on the PP or one outstanding feature, like a thunderous shot.




I'd throw in another forward, so I would play with four forwards and one defender on each PP unit.

I'd throw in another forward, so I would play with four forwards and one defender on each PP unit.[/quote]

Which forward would you try out, Pomminville has kind of proved to be a defensive liability IMHO, and I am not sure who I would put out there.

Your english isn't bad at all Salzig, there are a lot of people in this country who can't write as well as you. I'm kind of getting nervous that your abilities will soon surpass mine!

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"I don't feel like Satan, but I am to them"
Neil Young

the problem, salzig, is that the sabres tend to get burned on the PP, so another forward could prove to be severly detrimental.

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Butler has the right idea. He was quoted about keeping it simple and getting shots on net. The problem is that he and Myers have not been moving the puck that well between them. PK units have tried to put pressure on them and they haven't generated a lot of open lanes to get pucks on net. They have had to dump it down low and force the forwards to create from there.

They will probably need most of this season to get the hang of it, so I don't expect a very good PP. Let's face it, they're only getting time on the PP because there aren't any bona-fide PP d-men on the team anymore. Maybe they'll learn fast.

i agree with salzig about butler...i have to question him being on the point on the PP.....

BUT....right now there is no one else....Myers is our #1 d-man on the pp point...#2 d-man would be sekera but he's hurt...imo toss any of the others except lydman back there and it is pretty much a coin flip

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

When Toni Lydman is on your PP your in trouble...

Sorry, Salzig...didn't notice you were German. The emoticon is smoking crack, which is kinda unfair since English isn't your first language.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

I'm a fan of the Butler on the point during the PP. Actually, one game they had both Myers AND Butler on the pp. Pretty cool to see Lindy put his eggs in that basket. If memory serves me right, I believe Myers is living with Butler while he's up with the team, so it could be because of a comfort level? I dunno..

In the last game on the PP (might have been the 2 man adv.) we had 5 forwards out there, and we still couldn't get anything going. Not sure how much I like Pommer on the point during the PP, but as long as Lindy is willing to try new things to get some scoring going, I'm a fan of it. At even strength though, he needs to leave the lines alone! Good to see the we'll have the "regular" lines tomorrow night.

Also, I hope the boys still have a bad taste in their mouths from Saturday night. They need to play with a bit of a chip on their shoulders and continue that kind of play. We have Tampon Bay and NJ comig up as well and they can kill ya.

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