It's not the X's and O's, it's the Jimmy and Joe's!
- Irish 14

Part of the reason we turn the puck over is they are playing dump and chase which really doesn't work in this league anymore unless you have a team full of speedsters which we don't. Again no real system that's on coaching.
- Stripes77

Yeah, there is a coaching question for sure. And it's not that I don't like Teddy or Trottier (who is responsible for our "Power" Play). In their defense, you go into battle with the soldiers you have, not the ones you want.

Not that Zemgus needs any more hype, but what makes him effective is his ability to attack through the offensive blue line with relative size and speed, and he doesn't cough up the puck when he gets whacked. When he loses it then he fights like hell to get it back. Ryan Getzlaf is that prototype of the current NHL Center, not that I would compare Z's playmaking or shot even to Getzlafs.

I think if the Sabres ever get to the depth where Zemgus is our 3rd line Center, we will be a serious contender whoever our coach is.

Regarding possession, theres too many passengers, not enough drivers. We lack any player with the skill or knowledge to drive possession. And the passengers are more of the poaching variety. I hardly see Moulson moving to right areas anymore. I think if I went back and watched tape of him playing with Tavares, it was more Tavares finding him, than Moulson finding the open area for his scoring.

You know when people always complained of Ennis for a while... "he just skates around in circles" "doesnt use his teammates" "another afinogenov".. It wasnt until he got moved on a wing with Girgensons (who actually helps in driving possession and puck support) where we started seeing more out of him. His teammates werent giving him options even though he was creating open space. You cant stand still. You have to constantly be assessing the situation and make quick reads and move to the open areas.

This is why I'm excited for Reinhart and one of McEichel. We will finally have possession drivers on this team. Take a look at this quick analysis of Reinhart (scroll half way down the page unless you want to read about Zacha shortcomings).
- theblueandgold

Yeah, I totally agree. Unfortunately, a lot of people don't look at the game this way. A couple of years ago, Zack Parise, was interviewed about 'advanced stats' said he looked into it and was sorta shocked to find that 'dump and chase' was ultimately ineffective. He started working with his coaches to change his game a bit.

your missed around these parts.
- cabin

Opinions vary

Not that anyone wants to hear anything more about Myers, but I was at the game last night in Montreal and I paid a lot of attention to watching him with the perspective you just can't get on TV.(plus a lot of TV watching)

1. He closes space between himself and forwards on the rush at the defensive blue line as well as anyone in the game due to his reach and skating. This causes turnovers or forces the forward to dump it in...even Montreal's speedy ones.

2. When he recovers the puck in the defensive zone, he creates space for himself using his size and reach and has a great deal of poise considering he's usually up against the other teams top 3. He usually makes a solid first pass.

3. Montreal's strategy with him was to be physical with him along the boards as he will occasionally turn the puck over when hit, however he didn't seem to have any trouble in front of the net or in keeping up with Montreal's speedy cycling of the puck down low.

Just some thoughts other than he sucks or his stats or whatever.
- notalent

An unbiased, well thought out analysis. I must be on a different website

Regarding possession, theres too many passengers, not enough drivers. We lack any player with the skill or knowledge to drive possession. And the passengers are more of the poaching variety. I hardly see Moulson moving to right areas anymore. I think if I went back and watched tape of him playing with Tavares, it was more Tavares finding him, than Moulson finding the open area for his scoring.

- theblueandgold

They had ZERO posession yesterday. No one could hang on to it for more than a second or two. And i definitely agree with you on the moulson comment as well. As much as i wouldnt give a crap if we waived Hodgson and let another team have him for free, with the right center/linemates, he could regain form. He needs a player to dish to him. He's not a playmaker by any means. There's several of those guys on the team right now....

An unbiased, well thought out analysis. I must be on a different website
- sbroads24

Your alternate account?? I kid I kid. It was very well thought out and very accurate. This poster must have had first row seats at yesterday's game!

Your alternate account?? I kid I kid. It was very well thought out and very accurate. This poster must have had first row seats at yesterday's game!
- Stripes77

I'll help...

IDIOT!
Are you BLIND?
glue!
"Murray guy"
BUST!

...now every body should feel right at home.

Not that anyone wants to hear anything more about Myers, but I was at the game last night in Montreal and I paid a lot of attention to watching him with the perspective you just can't get on TV.(plus a lot of TV watching)

1. He closes space between himself and forwards on the rush at the defensive blue line as well as anyone in the game due to his reach and skating. This causes turnovers or forces the forward to dump it in...even Montreal's speedy ones.

2. When he recovers the puck in the defensive zone, he creates space for himself using his size and reach and has a great deal of poise considering he's usually up against the other teams top 3. He usually makes a solid first pass.

3. Montreal's strategy with him was to be physical with him along the boards as he will occasionally turn the puck over when hit, however he didn't seem to have

any trouble in front of the net or in keeping up with Montreal's speedy cycling of the puck down low.

Just some thoughts other than he sucks or his stats or whatever.
- notalent

Just stop it! Rational well thought observations have no place here. This place is all about irrational hate speech.

30 or so from the back end? Isn't that a wee bit optimistic?
- bflobillww

12 for Myers
6 for Risto/Zads
10-12 from then rest


They had 28 last year so no it isn't optimistic. It's about avg.

Oh man. He walked himself right into that one.
- HonkFortheGoose

Happy Birthday!

Not that anyone wants to hear anything more about Myers, but I was at the game last night in Montreal and I paid a lot of attention to watching him with the perspective you just can't get on TV.(plus a lot of TV watching)

1. He closes space between himself and forwards on the rush at the defensive blue line as well as anyone in the game due to his reach and skating. This causes turnovers or forces the forward to dump it in...even Montreal's speedy ones.

2. When he recovers the puck in the defensive zone, he creates space for himself using his size and reach and has a great deal of poise considering he's usually up against the other teams top 3. He usually makes a solid first pass.

3. Montreal's strategy with him was to be physical with him along the boards as he will occasionally turn the puck over when hit, however he didn't seem to have any trouble in front of the net or in keeping up with Montreal's speedy cycling of the puck down low.

Just some thoughts other than he sucks or his stats or whatever.
- notalent

I think you are way off on # 2 his first pass is often off the mark, loses battles in the corners for the puck and I have been watching him for months. I even went to a couple games in Buffalo In Dec sitting a few rows up at center ice. #1 and #3 he's pretty solid, especially #1.

John Scott just scored on Calgary. He now has as many goals as Hodgson. An errie comparison to him and Leino last year!

John Scott just scored on Calgary. He now has as many goals as Hodgson. An errie comparison to him and Leino last year!
- seedy

Way to go for John Scott. I liked the guy, little talent but entertaining and sad that he has as many goals as Hodgson and Leino last year. Something isn't right.

Nope , Just a happy go lucky sort that gets really bored with the unfiltered hate speech. Do that voodoo you do so well.



- Maximum Signal

To be fair both sides of this debate are getting tiresome.

So, we need wingers who can score next year. Whats everyone's targets that may be realistically available? Id take eberle, maybe he could be fetched for one of our later 1st's?

John Scott just scored on Calgary. He now has as many goals as Hodgson. An errie comparison to him and Leino last year!
- seedy

And he punches people in the face. That is the definition of what is wanted here.

Way to go for John Scott. I liked the guy, little talent but entertaining and sad that he has as many goals as Hodgson and Leino last year. Something isn't right.
- GilPerreault11

Agreed. He seemed to have a great attitude and sense of humor. And he knew what his job was.

To be fair both sides of this debate are getting tiresome.

So, we need wingers who can score next year. Whats everyone's targets that may be realistically available? Id take eberle, maybe he could be fetched for one of our later 1st's?
- zdp1189

Do you want Kane with his troubles. Kid has talent ? But he is a hot mess. Now he gets scratched for breaking dress code?

And he punches people in the face. That is the definition of what is wanted here.
- Maximum Signal

Only if he doesnt score. Tonight, he's a sniper.

I think Murray has some good ideas how to pry talent away from other teams with the impending cap hell . Looks like it is only going to get worse. Canadian dollar dipped below 80 cents for the first time in like 6 years. The investment in the Alberta tar sands is backfiring as it is know too expensive to get the oil out with the low oil prices and the Canadian government has blown a lot of $$$ investing in it.

To be fair both sides of this debate are getting tiresome.

So, we need wingers who can score next year. Whats eeveryone's targets that may be realistically available? Id take eberle, maybe he could be fetched for one of our later 1st's?
- zdp1189

Agree that we need forwards who can score next year. not crazy about eberle- probably not what murrays looking for either. We could do worse, i guess it would depend on the price. trying to guess what edmonton would want- probably pysyk, foligno, and the st louis first, and thats waaaay more than im giving up.

I see the Oil were not in a helping mood this evening.

Do you want Kane with his troubles. Kid has talent ? But he is a hot mess. Now he gets scratched for breaking dress code?
- Maximum Signal

I dont know, with how young this team is gonna get i don't think itd work out. Hed have to go to a team that already has strong vet leadership to get him going the right direction i think.

I think Murray has some good ideas how to pry talent away from other teams with the impending cap hell . Looks like it is only going to get worse. Canadian dollar dipped below 80 cents for the first time in like 6 years. The investment in the Alberta tar sands is backfiring as it is know too expensive to get the oil out with the low oil prices and the Canadian government has blown a lot of $$$ investing in it.
- Maximum Signal

He definitely took care of the basics....stockpile picks and prospects and let the cream rise to the top and clear lots of cap space. He's in good shape as long as we grab McEichel.

I see the Oil were not in a helping mood this evening.
- Pierceme69

They kept it closer with the Penguins than our boys do. But a loss is a loss.