The other writer Garth (who has an answer for everything) blamed Mez for Rostaleinen's defensive struggles (minus13).
Some research shows they were on the ice together for one GA this season.
Be great if the writing critics did some research.
- strongsupporter

Dude. There's no reason to bring that name in to a quality blog like this.

I enjoyed watching him on Tuesday. I had never heard of him prior, but my brother and I immediately noticed his size. He probably needs to work on his agility and skating a little, but that will come with maturity and a more complete off-ice workout.

I would think you'd want him to only play 9 games and return to his junior team and play for a potential competitor in the WJC. Creating a winning mentality and strong confidence is a big part of development in my opinion.

And a spear is a spear, just go hit a guy cleanly to get the energy going. Don't be mad that the other guys is better than you.
- bluenoter

The problem is that he can't simply go back to Juniors. Due to some quirky rule, if he gets sent back to Juniors, and his KHL team won't release him, he can't play with London again. Essentially, he and his agent told him, either I play in Buffalo or I go to the KHL, which the Sabres don't want because they have no say in his development then. He's essentially using the KHL as leverage against the team.

if ehrhoff's production of zero goals and four assists on the highest scoring team in the league is any indication, i'd say it's the former
- Michael Pachla

Michael.
I like your writings but can you tell me what the 'attitude' is that you see in Mez and please don't reply he is 'disinterested' because I will then ask you what you mean by that and how you qualify it as disinterest.
My view is he need to play better. Period.
However, you need to be on the ice to do that.

I enjoyed watching him on Tuesday. I had never heard of him prior, but my brother and I immediately noticed his size. He probably needs to work on his agility and skating a little, but that will come with maturity and a more complete off-ice workout.

I would think you'd want him to only play 9 games and return to his junior team and play for a potential competitor in the WJC. Creating a winning mentality and strong confidence is a big part of development in my opinion.

And a spear is a spear, just go hit a guy cleanly to get the energy going. Don't be mad that the other guys is better than you.
- bluenoter

the team wishes it was that easy...right now he's a tweener--to good for the chl, not quite developed for the nhl...the ahl would be best but they can't send him there...and the big thing, if the sabres sent him to London, his khl team won't sign a release so he could, conceivably end up in russia

if ehrhoff's production of zero goals and four assists on the highest scoring team in the league is any indication, i'd say it's the former
- Michael Pachla

Ehrhoff is doing well in Pitt. But again, it wasn't a fluke his goals dropped off the face of the earth from when he was in Vancouver. He was never great on the power play. He was adequate defensively, but never justified a 10 year deal here.

I hate that he did that. I just hope he learned from his benching during the Traverse City Tournament and the fact that they didn't allow him any game time for a few weeks into the season.

He really could have benefitted from more Jr time and at least a small stint in the AHL. However, I would hate to have lost him to the KHL even more so I guess I'll just suck it up. It certainly left a bad taste in my mouth though.

That said, he seems to be holding his own. In the 3 games he has had 15+ mins of ice time, he's a -1. And over all 3 of those games, the Sabres have been outscored 15-4.
- HonkFortheGoose

He gets a bump for that fight too

The problem is that he can't simply go back to Juniors. Due to some quirky rule, if he gets sent back to Juniors, and his KHL team won't release him, he can't play with London again. Essentially, he and his agent told him, either I play in Buffalo or I go to the KHL, which the Sabres don't want because they have no say in his development then. He's essentially using the KHL as leverage against the team.
- buffalofan19

*thinks to himself, "I need to type faster"*

Steady drumbeat of really quality stuff, Mike. Still lovin' it.

Thanks for the work the rest of us enjoy so much.
- Der Kaiser

Yew meen fvie blogz inn 1 day that purty much sayz the sayme thing izzunt bettur then won that iz quial....qwall....wait......qwall-itee?

Michael.
I like your writings but can you tell me what the 'attitude' is that you see in Mez and please don't reply he is 'disinterested' because I will then ask you what you mean by that and how you qualify it as disinterest.
My view is he need to play better. Period.
However, you need to be on the ice to do that.
- strongsupporter

he's floating, imo

Ehrhoff is doing well in Pitt. But again, it wasn't a fluke his goals dropped off the face of the earth from when he was in Vancouver. He was never great on the power play. He was adequate defensively, but never justified a 10 year deal here.
- sbroads24

from what I recall, he was very good on the powerplay for Vancouver

Sabres should go after Methot in the off season. They should also consider Glencross

from what I recall, he was very good on the powerplay for Vancouver
- Michael Pachla

He was for a short period. Call it puck luck. He has a career shooting % of 4.9%. In his 2 years in Vancouver is was 7.7% and 6.7%

Michael.
I like your writings but can you tell me what the 'attitude' is that you see in Mez and please don't reply he is 'disinterested' because I will then ask you what you mean by that and how you qualify it as disinterest.
My view is he need to play better. Period.
However, you need to be on the ice to do that.
- strongsupporter

I understand exactly what Mr. Pachla sees, because I see it too. It's the little things. He's not moving his feet out there, which is why he takes all the stupid penalties he does.

It's a frustratation that he needs to work through. He can't do that in the pressbox, but at the same time, as a fan I've seen enough of him for the season at this point. Confidence is a huge factor, but how fair is it to a guy like Strachan or Zadorov that they're less of a liability and have to sit in the box while he's out there playing as terribly as he has been?

When Murray talked about his signing back in July, he said that when him and Mez talked, it was about giving him an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. He said he told him that if his play was good, he could try and trade him to a playoff contender at the deadline or they could talk extension.

With what I've seen, neither of those things are going to happen. He's gonna walk at the end of the year and have to hope that some other team has any interest at all.

if ehrhoff's production of zero goals and four assists on the highest scoring team in the league is any indication, i'd say it's the former
- Michael Pachla

I was wondering where all the people went that were p!ssed when he was bought out. Zero goals, 4 assists and only one PP point all while playing 20+ minutes a night. The pens have the best PP by far in the league, and he only has one point? I guess the buyout wasn't such a bad idea.

I understand exactly what Mr. Pachla sees, because I see it too. It's the little things. He's not moving his feet out there, which is why he takes all the stupid penalties he does.

It's a frustratation that he needs to work through. He can't do that in the pressbox, but at the same time, as a fan I've seen enough of him for the season at this point. Confidence is a huge factor, but how fair is it to a guy like Strachan or Zadorov that they're less of a liability and have to sit in the box while he's out there playing as terribly as he has been?

When Murray talked about his signing back in July, he said that when him and Mez talked, it was about giving him an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. He said he told him that if his play was good, he could try and trade him to a playoff contender at the deadline or they could talk extension.

With what I've seen, neither of those things are going to happen. He's gonna walk at the end of the year and have to hope that some other team has any interest at all.
- HonkFortheGoose

McBain 2014-2015 edition

Sabres should go after Methot in the off season. They should also consider Glencross
- MCGUIZZY

I'd go for methot but interest will be high, likely go to a contender. I think Glencross is a good option as well but it sounds like he'll be re-signing in CGY.

He was for a short period. Call it puck luck. He has a career shooting % of 4.9%. In his 2 years in Vancouver is was 7.7% and 6.7%
- sbroads24

yeah, could be right...but the guy had back-to-back 14 goal seasons, six on the pp for Vancouver and the year before with san jose he scored five of his eight goals on the pp

I was wondering where all the people went that were p!ssed when he was bought out. Zero goals, 4 assists and only one PP point all while playing 20+ minutes a night. The pens have the best PP by far in the league, and he only has one point? I guess the buyout wasn't such a bad idea.
- adambuffalo

My problem wasn't getting rid of him. It was buying him out and not trading him in fear of a doomsday scenario that probably wouldn't have come to fruition. I really don't want to rehash the argument again because it's done and over with, but the reality is that he didn't want to be here, and needed to be moved sooner or later.

My problem wasn't getting rid of him. It was buying him out and not trading him in fear of a doomsday scenario that probably wouldn't have come to fruition. I really don't want to rehash the argument again because it's done and over with, but the reality is that he didn't want to be here, and needed to be moved sooner or later.
- buffalofan19

It would help if we had any info on what kind value he would have brought in before Murray and co. decided to buy him out.

I'd go for methot but interest will be high, likely go to a contender. I think Glencross is a good option as well but it sounds like he'll be re-signing in CGY.
- Sabresfan-365

Probably true on both of those. But hey i mean if the price is right they may consider signing here. I think the free agent crop is pretty decent this year. I think Glencross mentioned he would be selling himself short if he didnt test free agency.

I was wondering where all the people went that were p!ssed when he was bought out. Zero goals, 4 assists and only one PP point all while playing 20+ minutes a night. The pens have the best PP by far in the league, and he only has one point? I guess the buyout wasn't such a bad idea.
- adambuffalo

One of the things we have to realize in looking at Ehrhoff's stats in Pittsburgh this year though, is that he's not the top guy for them like he was here. I haven't looked, so this is a guess on my part, but he's probably like the 3rd or 4th guy that gets PP time from the backend there. Letang is for sure their #1 defenseman that gets PP time. I think Martin is probably 2 or 3, and I would think that until Maatta had his surgery, he was probably above Ehrhoff as well.

Future #1 C man
- Oilfan19

Dont think hes in the long term plans here.

I understand exactly what Mr. Pachla sees, because I see it too. It's the little things. He's not moving his feet out there, which is why he takes all the stupid penalties he does.

It's a frustratation that he needs to work through. He can't do that in the pressbox, but at the same time, as a fan I've seen enough of him for the season at this point. Confidence is a huge factor, but how fair is it to a guy like Strachan or Zadorov that they're less of a liability and have to sit in the box while he's out there playing as terribly as he has been?

When Murray talked about his signing back in July, he said that when him and Mez talked, it was about giving him an opportunity to prove his critics wrong. He said he told him that if his play was good, he could try and trade him to a playoff contender at the deadline or they could talk extension.

With what I've seen, neither of those things are going to happen. He's gonna walk at the end of the year and have to hope that some other team has any interest at all.
- HonkFortheGoose

yup, well said, goosie

Probably true on both of those. But hey i mean if the price is right they may consider signing here. I think the free agent crop is pretty decent this year. I think Glencross mentioned he would be selling himself short if he didnt test free agency.
- MCGUIZZY

Oh I'd absolutely want the sabres to make offers to both of them, i just don't know if saying "we've got Mceichel" is enough to lure free agents yet, maybe the year after.

Michael.
I like your writings but can you tell me what the 'attitude' is that you see in Mez and please don't reply he is 'disinterested' because I will then ask you what you mean by that and how you qualify it as disinterest.
My view is he need to play better. Period.
However, you need to be on the ice to do that.
- strongsupporter

by the way, I appreciate you taking the time to read my blogs