Would it be a positive or negative if Ruff sat Vanek, Stafford, Pommers for a couple of games (all at the same time) and brought up Gerbe, Ennis and Mancari? It would probably be the kick in the ass those 3 need but as this point, can we afford to sacrifice 2 games when the race for 1st is so tight?

Just a thought...

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"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

Who are we the Maple Leafs? trying to lose on purpose?

This thread is set up for an EPIC FAIL

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

To be honest, who the fuck cares if we're in first? It's like winning the President's trophy. It's nice and all, but it doesn't mean dick compared to the Stanley Cup. Sit 'em.

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I think it is worth a shot. The AHL guys should be hungry for a roster spot, and the "top six" doesn't seem to be interested in winning, so maybe the odds are better for a chance of actually winning games with the AHL'ers.

Maybe the gamble would be better than maintaining the status quo and just "hoping to win"

I've touted this idea for a good portion of this season, AND I LOVE IT. Send in the kids, get Weber and Gragnani up here for Butler and Rivet as well.

BRING IN THE DANCIN GIRLS ON SKATES THAT ARE BARELY DRESSED AS WELL

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

Bring up Ennis to play with Roy. He drives to the net, and he'll finish his opportunities.

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Wheelhouse

Doesn't Vanek usually improve when he's benched? Wasn't he benched before the playoffs a few years ago and then went on a tear?

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I almost feel bad for Vanek. You can tell he's got no confidence out there, and he doesn't have the foot speed to break out of it.

I think he's trying to do too much. He's a big body, and I wish he'd just drive to the net and take people with him.

His college game doesn't work at the NHL level. He needs to adapt his playing style to be successful here.

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Wheelhouse

Because scoring 120 goals in the previous 3 seasons is complete failure...

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

You think he's playing the same way this year as he did the past 3 seasons?

Dude wake up. He wasn't playing his college game those years. He was playing his NHL game.



How many times have you seen him with the puck behind the net this season?



How about plant himself in front of the goal? He's scared of it.

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Wheelhouse

The issue is...he isn't trusting his teammates;

He is one of our franchise players; and needs players around him that he'll trust. Thats why I was hoping we'd find a european born player to play the RW with him, IE Jere Lehtinen, or a Ponikarovski; however we didn't get those guys. I'm interested to see what he does with Raffi Torres, but I'm not holding my breath.

This core needs a shake up, Vanek doesn't gel with it, and like it or not, he's signed for 5 more years, with a fairly unmovable contract.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

He doesn't TRUST his team mates?

Come on, Jay. You're really stretching now. The decisions he makes on the ice should have nothing to do with who he's playing with. He needs to stick with the things that have made him successful in the past in the NHL. And right now he's not doing that.

Video proof above that it's HIS problem. Not his center's.

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Wheelhouse

I'm just going to agree to disagree with you. There's no changing my mind, no changing yours, and it's becoming increasingly frustrating for me to see all the Vanek hate on these boards when he's having a down year.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I freaking LOVE this idea. Why on earth have these guys been untouchable? SIT THEIR ASSES, see if they start caring THEN.

It is utterly absurd that a bunch of guys who are getting paid MILLIONS of dollars to play a freaking GAME, need extra motivation, but apparently they do. Benching a guy often gives them a boost when they get back on the ice, I say go for it.

I'm not hating on Vanek, Jay. He's having a down year, and I'm trying to point out WHY he's having a down year.

I'm not saying he's a bad player, and I'm not saying he can't fix what's wrong. I'm saying quite the contrary.

If he goes back to the basics and focuses on his positioning and aggressiveness, the goals will just come. Right now, he's trying to play like he's some sort of super dangler, and that's just not his game.

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Wheelhouse

No one said anything about trying to lose on purpose. If I didn't think you were a douchebag for not being able to read and interpret what I wrote, I would just because you used the term EPIC FAIL.

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"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

I think for Vanek, its specifically about the fact that he knows he doesn't have a true play-making ceterman with him. I'm not knocking Roy but he just doesn't have that great play-making ability like an Adam Oates type center. I still think Connolly is far and away our best center and its a joke that he's not the one feeding pucks to Vanek on the top line.

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"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

You dont sit 3 of arguably your best offensive threats and expect to win games...but I'm glad I'm a douchebag for having just a little commonsense. Clearly Ennis, Gerbe, and Mancari are way better, thats why they are in the AHL...it's a cool place to put your stars...

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Again you failed to successfully read and understand what I wrote. I also never said anything remotely close to anything about Ennis, Gerbe and Mancari being better than Vanek, Stafford and Pommers.

Thanks for playing...there's some lovely parting gifts for you backstage.

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"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

You clearly don't understand my point.

1. AHL guys are in the AHL for a reason. And it's not to motivate the NHL players to preform better, it's so they can develop.

2. You don't shake up your line up by bringing in 3 new players, and sit 3 of your most talented players. It's a stupid move by any GM or Coach. Especially sitting 3 guys on your power play lines, and bringing guys into a system they aren't overly familiar with, and ask an AHL line to play against NHL veteran players.

3. I still don't see anywhere where you can come up with "thanks for playing", really, you owned me? When? What did I say? Was it exciting?

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010