|
MONTY RETURNS; SEKERA TO SIT? |
|
|
|
|
|
Reggie Sekera is no longer a prospect. He's a bonafide NHL defenseman, with an NHL skill set and high hockey IQ. The guy has all the tools to succeed in today's NHL.
So why is it that he suffers from mental flatulence on a regular basis during important sequences of games? Case in point, #44 completely left Tronna's Phil Kessel all alone in Ryan Miller's office last night and the gaffe led to an easy goal against. Before you call for a trade of Miller, take a moment to dissect Sekera's nonchalance while the puck was on Kessel's stick in the Buffalo zone.
Sekera is a young guy, and young guy's make mistakes, however, his special brand of follies are beginning to irk his coach. I won't be surprised when Lindy sits Sekera down. It will likely happen on Friday night when St. Louis roll into Buffalo.
Steve Montador will be re-inserted into the starting lineup after sitting out with concussion symptoms. Lindy could have green lighted Monty for the Tronna game, however, gave his vet blueliner time to completly rest. Monty's absence has served as a portal for St. Louis, Missouri native, Chris Butler, to get back onto the ice in meaningful games. In 26 games this season, Butler has four assists and is a +1. Its not his offense that Lindy Ruff is taking note of lately, its his skating and dzone coverage.
"Chris has been skating well and he's been very reliable", Ruff said before the Tronna loss.
The coach's emphasis on "reliable". The very thing that sekera has not been in recent weeks. Reggie has good shifts and bads shifts. His coach wants him to be a consistent player, in the likeness of Montador, Myers and Leopold. Sekera's laissez faire attitude gets him in trouble on the ice. Buffalo need less chaos and more consistency from #44.
The combination of Monty coming back healthy Friday night, and Butler playing well of late, makes it plausible that sekera will be the odd man out.
_______________________________________________________________________
Former Montreal Canadien and Sabre nemesis, Jaro Halak, was placed on IR moments ago by the St. Louis Blues. The Sabres will have to face yet another backup goalie. Is this a bad thing?
The Blues have reached into their 'A" squad in Peoria for goalie help in the form of Ben Bishop.
St. Louis are presently ranked 13th in the West with 59 points, nine away from the eighth and final Playoff spot in the West.
Halak is 19-7-6 this season. he has a 2.63 GAA and a .907 save %.
*****
The Columbius Blue Jax were dealt a blow last night when the flashy centreman, Derrick Brassard, was struck on the hand while trying to tip a point shot. An MRI this morning revealed a problem in the hand. Brassard has been placed on IR. He's expected to miss 2-3 weeks. The Jax are dangling precariously for the precipice of thh Playoffs and they need immediate help. They enter tonight's action in 12th place in the West, six behind eighth place Calgary. Rick Nash cannot score if he can't get the puck. Brassadrd has 14 goals and 25 assists and is a -1. Without a playmaking pivot, the Jax can kiss the Playoffs goodbye.
Jax GM, Scott Howson, does not have a replacement in the system, thus, he'll be looking for a centreman immediately, if not sooner. Howson and darcy Regier hooked up at trade deadline in 2010 for the Raffi Torres for Nathan Paetsch deal.
Tim Connolly was on the CBUS radar screen earlier this season, before the Sabre centre was injured in Tampa.
If the Jax are going to make the Playoffs, they will need a playmaking pivot who can play 5 on 5, PP, and PK. Connolly is a UFA on July 1 and its likely that Buffalo will not be re-signing him.
Jax head coach, Scott Arniel has intimate knowledge of Connolly, having coached him in Buffalo.
RJ Umberger is a name that has been associated with Buffalo rumours iin the past, may be the guy Buffalo would want in return. I'm told that Dman Rusty Klesla is also a player of ineterest.
________________________________________________________________________
Word around the rinks is that Brian Burke is looking high and low for a goalie to replace JS Giguere. Patty Lalime, anyone?
________________________________________________________________________
Follow me on twitter.com/HockeybuzzGarth
Join the Discussion:
»