Again, compared to MacArthur, who is -12.

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Wheelhouse

Surprised no one has said it, but Vanek. He is a great player, and can be a lethal scorer. I would love it though if we got rid of him for someone that is more defensively responsible and isn't always half assing. We have enough scoring going around on the 4 lines on this team with him being a ghost that we know it wouldn't be a devastating loss if we traded him. In fact, it could make this team better because we could get someone that actually busts their hump for this team and can actually be on the ice for more than 30 seconds without being winded.

I don't wanna see Butler gone, but I think we should send him back down to Portland for some time to get back in the groove of things and hope he can make a resurgence and be the player he was last year. I in no way see him as a bust yet, just having a sophomore slump is all.

And the usual suspects:
-Stafford
-Roy
-MacArthur
-Lalime

If Tallinder or Lydman are resigned or traded, I wouldn't be devastated, but wouldn't mind seeing one of them resigned.

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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!

I'd love to have Dion here. His game has dropped off the last couple seasons, and I think a change of scenery is in order.

Again; he doesn't fit in here, salary cap wise, without moving a sizable contract. Pominville probably provides them with part of what they're looking for. They'd want something else, prospect wise, or draft pick wise to make this even a remote possibility.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

That's an interesting though about Vanek. If we could get a big return for him, then totally.

Of course, it's not realistic at all. I highly doubt Darcy would even think about moving Vanek.

I highly doubt that Vanek, at his salary, is an attractive acquisition for teams. Like him or not; he is underperforming on his contract.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Vanek won't leave, plus hes been doing some very big hitting and playing much more sound defense than people make it out to be.

The Vancouver game he did a few stick lifts and stole the puck, and a few games before he landed some hard checks.

I just think the switch to having to play more defensive is hurting his offensive totals this year, heck it hurt Vinny Lecavilier the next year, but he rebounded the next year with a complete two-way game.

Vanek is still going into his prime, and can score 40 goals and is learning to play sound defense.

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I forget how young Vanek really still is.

He's turning into quite a play maker as well, and defensively he's been pretty solid lately.

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Wheelhouse

hes not young when it comes to player development. most players reach their potential in skill at 22-23... BUT, he is learning to play 2-way hockey, and thats huge. i dont ever think he will be a 50 goal scorer, but a 40 goal guy who plays solid both ways? yes please. and his 2-way game has taken huge steps this year.

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Irony, I agree, but defense is something that has to be taught, goal scoring is usually a natural process.

And with the entire team being forced to play two-way hockey, instead of the offensive run-n-gun style, he becomes a much better player also.

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im not arguing with ya, bossman. i agree.

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Oh I know, I agree with what you said also. Just wanted to add a bit more.

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As Vanek learns to be more of a play maker, he's going to be more difficult for teams to play against because they won't always assume he's shooting.

My biggest complaint about Thomas was that he was one dimensional.

He's slowly but surely making me eat my words.

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Wheelhouse

I think a lot of teams would feel like he would explode if he were moved.

Heck, some people might use Max's year with the Thrashers as a reason why they would believe that Vanek could get back to being a 40+ goal per year guy.....

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I like Vanek, and I'm sure he'll return to form (Maybe), but his perceived lack of hustle/heart/speed hurts us. I'm sure he does hustle, and I'm sure he is into the game, but man, it doesn't look like it.

At $7 million per that's a risky proposition. I doubt many teams would be willing to take that chance. Good two way players are not in that tax bracket; top scorers are. Max was picked up inexpensively, so the gamble wasn't nearly as large.

I'm not blaming Vanek for his contract either, but it is what it is.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

hes not even 1 year removed from a 40 goal season. it could just be an anomaly for him.

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If only Marcus was here to tell us how wrong we are about Vanek. :p

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

maybe markus should come around and tell us how wrong he was about vanek. it was never about production with markus, but how well he tried defensively. and weve all seen vanek playing well defensively.

but he will probably cop out with hes not blocking enough shots or something. and thus, was right all along.

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That's typically how it goes.

This place has jumped on so many just in the past five years or so that I've been posting/lurking ("this place" includes the old boards, oooobviously), because they had anomaly years before going on to play well as usual...

Wouldn't be Buffalo fans if they didn't.

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Miles to go before I sleep

‎"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
-Khalil Gibran

I do get angry when I see him gun a perfect opportunity wide of the net but I usually see him going right to the backcheck and usually making a much better defensive play. I think this is the year where he grasps the defensive end and then next year he will be one of the better two way players in the league.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"