That's the Sabres though. +/- isnt a good way to judge how a player is doing regardless...the Rangers are not a defense first team anymore, theyre all go, go, go now...the defensemen pinch like crazy, its not uncommon to see staal or gilroy behind the opposing teams goal lines, it's just the way the system is with this particular team right now. Kotalik is probably shuffled around more than any other player on the Rangers, so therefore his +/- has suffered a bit, but thats the only stat of his that speaks "negatively". I'm not complaining about it at all. In fact, I rarely ever use that as a main point in speaking about how player is doing, there's too many things that factor into it. I think he's been a great pick up for the team.

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GABY10

I'm sure Kotalik is fine, and if he keeps up that pace it will be a miracle.

Good for them, I'm glad we do not have him anymore, even if he is tearing it up on the Rangers.

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Understandable...I was happy about a bunch of players leaving New York, and theyre doing better elsewhere. Sometimes, as cliché as it sounds, players just need a change of scenery/teammates.

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GABY10

Just one point to counter here, the last 3 games I have watched the Rangers play, Gaborik and Kots have played on the same line outside of the PP. Just last game Kots assisted on 2 of Gab's goals and Kots did on Gab's 2 goals.

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

He's not Gaborik's line...You probably caught them in the middle of a line change, which happens a lot with this team. Plus, Dubinsky and Drury are out. They've pulled up kids from the AHL and had to rearrange the lines like crazy because they lost two centers.

Gaborik has only scored one goal in the last three games so I'm not sure what youre talking about when you say two goals. If youre including the Edmonton game, yes Gabs scored, with Kotalik assisting ON THE PP.

The lines from today's game did not have Gaborik and Kotalik playing on the same line. Gaborik played with Lisin and Prospal on the first line. Kotalik played with Higgins and Parentaeu on the second line.

Last game the Rangers played which was against Atlanta, Kotalik DID assist on Gaborik's goal...but it was on the power play. The first line was the same for that game as well...Kotalik was still on the second line, but with Anisimov and Higgins instead.

I'd keep going but I dont feel like tracing back to more games...point has been made.

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GABY10

Now that makes more sense, I couldn't figure out why Gabs was on the LW during a rush with Gabs when he's a RWer like Gab's is.
In any event, I would love to have him here in Buf, any chance you can call your GM to swing a deal with Buf for him?

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

WRONG!!! c'mon Phil...dont I talk to you enough for you to know better??

As of today, the first line (right now because Dubinsky is hurt) is: Gaborik, Lisin and Prospal.
Second line (because Drury is hurt) is: Kotalik, Higgins, Parentaeu
Third line: Avery, Anisimov, Callahan
Fourth line: Brashear, Boyle, Voros

Geesh. Gaborik on the third line, you kidding me?!

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GABY10

You mean Kotalik on a rush?

But yeah, unless the Rangers get caught on a line change, those two are never together outside the PP, where Kotalik plays the point.

Outside of Lundqvist, Gaborik is the only player on the team whom I would never want to trade, "injury prone" as he is, he's amazing. Easily one of the best players in the league when he's healthy. You cant complain with a guy who has 26 goals and 48 points in his last 35 games. I'm glad he's signed for as long as he did.

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GABY10

Is the discussion about +/- over already? Damn, I missed out.

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Agreed, I was screaming for him when he was available, but alas, We here in Buf have to deal with the Shadow (formerly known as Darcy Reiger) for a GM
I guess we will keep attempting to build from within. Defensively the team is pretty sound, but offensively, most of our players couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 10 yards with a puck .
Very fustrating, I wonder if Kovalchuck can be had?

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

We can always start up the game winning goal topic again.

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The whole Kovalchuk thing needs more time to pan out...I have a feeling Atlanta will fight tooth and nail to keep him there. He's basically their last hope.

And dont worry about players on your team not being able to hit the broad sign of a barn...thats what we have Kotalik for

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GABY10

We didn't have the cap room to go out and get Gaborik.

Would have loved to see him in Sabres Blue and Gold, but it was unrealistically not going to happen.

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There was no way the Rangers couldve afford him either, without dropping one of their huge contracts. How Sather somehow convinced the guys in Montreal to take Gomez I will NEVER understand...but he did it. The guy can work wonders once in a while...

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GABY10

It's true.

We would have had to got rid of Pominville or Vanek in order for him to fit, since those are our largest contracts.

But we would still be the wimpy defensive team of last year we were this year if we had acquired him. The subtle moves we made made us better.

The moves Sather made, helped his team transition into an offensive threat to others now.

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Can we trade our GM for the Rangers GM

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

At least Pominville and Vanek put up numbers. Gomez wasnt effective on the Rangers at all, outside of when he played with Jagr. I honestly think they already had Gionta in their sites and took Gomez expecting those two to click (or visa versa, I don't remember who they signed first). I dunno how well they have since I done watch many Montreal games, but I dont care...Gomez is gone, good riddance.

The Rangers took a huge chance by not going after more defensemen, and signing rookies Gilroy and Del Zotto to contracts, those two have worked out wonderfully for them though. I think they're better than the vets on this team.

The Sabres have been doing well so far, I was honestly shocked to see where they were when I looked at the standings a few days ago after not checking for a while. Good for them, theyre doing great.

Now if only the Rangers could stop having players getting cheapshotted/hurt/sick...maybe they could catch up They're tied with the Sabres in points, but have more games on Buffalo.

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GABY10

The Rangers are doing great also. Glad they got the win over Ottawa today also.

I'm glad we took our chance on our rookie defender also.

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All kidding aside viventi, the reason I look for more offensive output is really simplistic.
I firmly believe Buf has the defensive side of things completely under control, with depth in the pipeline.
What I believe the team needs is basically a consistent scorer on the RW to elevate the play of our top 2 centers (Roy/Connolly) and our LWers (Vanek/McArthur).
Especially Vanek and Roy, Stafford hasn't really gained consistent chemistry with them, but a playmaking sniper could really give this line a boost into stardom if the chemistry pans out.

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

They WERE doing great, lol....theyve been "OK" lately. Only won 4 out of their last 12 or so. Too many players getting injured. It all started when Gaborik was out, but since Gaborik, Drury, Callahan, Dubinsky, Lundqvist, Brashear and Avery have all been out because they were injured or sick. The bug bit REALLY early in New York.

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GABY10