Post-Game Talk (GBU): 20 shots

[koarl]

I'm curious, why do people think this? The only thing that I have to go on is the last time he was RFA. If I recall, he wanted to test the waters... as a RFA, and waited for an offer sheet instead of negotiating a deal.

Believe me, I'm not holding this against him. I firmly believe that all of us should do what's best for our families and careers.

He's moved from Austria to the US to build a career in hockey. He put negotiations with Buffalo on hold in order to leverage one of the most controversial contract practices in the NHL. Now something has changed and we know with certainty that he's tied to Buffalo NY, or perhaps the Minnesota Wild?

He's a great player and I like having him on the team, but I don't buy it.

Sure, his agent might for sure have told him to wait for it. His ELC expired and he has had an awesome season. With Golisano-Bucks a negotiated contract might have been worth not more than 3M per year, 2 years. You are going to have your income secured, especially when you are due to receive your first big paycheck.
Now that he has secured his family's lifetime income, he does not need the big paycheck anymore. So he might well sign a contract worth a bit less than he would get.

 

[Jame]

Parros going 5 hole... hysterical

 

[cardiffgiant]

Well, at least they're tougher.

All those who thought selling secondary scoring for grit was the way to go, how's that working out?

The Sabres are currently tied for 6th in the league in scoring, averaging 3gpg. Last season they were 15th, averaging 2.65gpg. I guess the question becomes "so, how do you prefer to lose?"

Also, by selling secondary scoring, are you referring to Derek Roy and his 2 games played with 1 assist?

 

[S319R11S16]

Parros going 5 hole... hysterical

Its kinda odd. I find myself trying to figure out after each game what the funniest part was.

This ranks up there.

 

[cardiffgiant]

Sure, his agent might for sure have told him to wait for it. His ELC expired and he has had an awesome season. With Golisano-Bucks a negotiated contract might have been worth not more than 3M per year, 2 years. You are going to have your income secured, especially when you are due to receive your first big paycheck.
Now that he has secured his family's lifetime income, he does not need the big paycheck anymore. So he might well sign a contract worth a bit less than he would get.

Again, not questioning him doing what he thought was right for he and his family. Yes, he might take less money to play in a situation that he enjoys. He might also accept payment in vintage bottle caps, retire and become a competitive eater, begin communicating through interpretive dance, or any number of other things that his past history doesn't logically suggest.

Personally, I think that he's going to want what most big guns want: big bucks, a solid chance at the cup, or both.

 

[Jame]

Its kinda odd. I find myself trying to figure out after each game what the funniest part was.

This ranks up there.

I was changing a diaper in the other room and heard it... I laughed out loud before I even saw it... then after watching it, i cried a little

 

[kirby11]

Its kinda odd. I find myself trying to figure out after each game what the funniest part was.

This ranks up there.

This is funny (in a pathetic way)
Hecht's TOI: 21:08
Vanek's TOI: 19:15
Hodgson's TOI: 17:24
Pominville's TOI: 18:44
I'm sick of ruff

 

[Jame]

This is funny (in a pathetic way)
Hecht's TOI: 21:08
Vanek's TOI: 19:15
Hodgson's TOI: 17:24
Pominville's TOI: 18:44
I'm sick of ruff

I hate Ruff as much as anyone on the planet...

But seriously, put some effort in yourself.
It was a back to back
Pommer played 20 the night before
Van/Coho played 17 plus
Van is nursing injuries

meanwhile

Hecht, Ott, Foligno played 13-16 minutes the previous night

there is far more to complain about, especially when this complaint is dumb

 

[S319R11S16]

What's really funny is that Hecht has played 5 more even-strength minutes than Vanek in the last 2 games.

 

[Jame]

What's really funny is that Hecht has played 5 more even-strength minutes than Vanek in the last 2 games.

In Montreal, Vanek's shifts were cut down in the 3rd period of a blow out. The Sabres were playing the next day. It was the right move.



Hecht was also taking all shifts in scenarios where Florida was likely to use Weiss on offensive zone draws (Hecht was 3 of 4 vs Weiss). Later, in the game, Florida countered with Goc once, and Hecht still won the draw.

Looking at the time on ice, and deriving an opinion simply from that... is usually a dumb thing to do.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

Well, at least they're tougher.

All those who thought selling secondary scoring for grit was the way to go, how's that working out?

Except our problems are pretty much the same as when we were dressing Roy last year. Rather than units with defined roles (a too-injured-to-score Roy and two of Gaustad, Kaleta, Gerbe and Leino-Ennis-Stafford) we're seeing a bunch of bad "two way" lines and a young offensively gifted player being stuck with stonehanded linemates (Ennis with Leino/Boyes, Grigs with Hecht and Ott) taking all the good depth scoring minutes.

 

[dire wolf]

In Montreal, Vanek's shifts were cut down in the 3rd period of a blow out. The Sabres were playing the next day. It was the right move.



Hecht was also taking all shifts in scenarios where Florida was likely to use Weiss on offensive zone draws (Hecht was 3 of 4 vs Weiss). Later, in the game, Florida countered with Goc once, and Hecht still won the draw.

Looking at the time on ice, and deriving an opinion simply from that... is usually a dumb thing to do.

Thank you for adding some thoughtfulness to this issue, which is so often misunderstood and mis-used.

Also, it is at least possible that Vanek would be less effective if given too much ice time. If he is even slightly too fatigued, it would effect his speed and strength. I'm not saying I know that to be the case, but it is possible. I do know this - Vanek is already scoring more than I think it is realistic to count on. I doubt adding a lot of minutes for him is going to change our game results. Put another way -- lack of production from Vanek is not even close to being one of our problems. And, given how great he is rolling, I'd be scared to change his ice time signifcantly for fear of screwing him up.

 

[SackTastic]

There's no point in overplaying Vanek in garbage time. If he's on the ice, he's going to do what he always does, and that means added wear and tear, especially when he parks in the slot.

There's something to be said in a compressed season to write off a game in the 3rd as unwinnable and start thinking about the next one.