I Still Really Like This Team!!!

[cjpearl2]

Away with all the doom and gloom. And no more fabricated trade rumors to make us feel better.

I just looked at our roster, and you know what? I still really like this team. In fact, I think this team is still going to be very good next year.


go Sabres!!

[TheAnswer74]

Whats not to like? I really like this team also.

The team is still deep. IMO, we could throw Gerbe and Zagrapan in our top 6 THIS year and those guys would be 50 point players. Our system is great, and we have an arsenal of young players that fit it perfectly.

[cjpearl2]

Gerbe looks great. He could be a star.

[Carl J. Ironsides]

The forward group is still better than most, and Ryan Miller is going to be a great one, but I can't get behind the defense at all. Tallinder, Lydman, Campbell and Paetsch are all legitimately good players who do many things well; however, as much as I like those four, I equally can't stand Teppo Numminen (people respect him because he's old, but he's horrible), Dmitri Kalinin or Jaroslav Spacek. Those guys hang over this roster like a soft, one-dimensional black cloud of doom.

[TRIPLE P]

I can't get behind the defense at all. Tallinder, Lydman, Campbell and Paetsch are all legitimately good players who do many things well; however, as much as I like those four, I equally can't stand Teppo Numminen (people respect him because he's old, but he's horrible), Dmitri Kalinin or Jaroslav Spacek. Those guys hang over this roster like a soft, one-dimensional black cloud of doom.


Is Spacek really our toughest defensemen?

[Carl J. Ironsides]

Is Spacek really our toughest defensemen?

Nah. Lydman and Paetsch are tougher. If Roboarm actually gets some "upper-body strength," as the Sabre higher-ups call it, he'll be back to being an elite defenseman and can probably enjoy even more foursomes with an unsuspecting girl, Kristian Huselius and Andreas Lilja off the ice. And Campbell is selectively tough; he'll be physical when he sees fit but won't waste his energy on constantly trying to Umberger guys.

Spacek is just straight up lame.

[Meathead]

sissy had an off year, actually last half. he will probably be better next time around, if hes still around

[Carl J. Ironsides]

sissy had an off year, actually last half. he will probably be better next time around, if hes still around

We'll have to trade for Pronger. Spasuck is only good when the big Hall of Famer's playing with him.

[TRIPLE P]

Nah. Lydman and Paetsch are tougher. If Roboarm actually gets some "upper-body strength," as the Sabre higher-ups call it, he'll be back to being an elite defenseman and can probably enjoy even more foursomes with an unsuspecting girl, Kristian Huselius and Andreas Lilja off the ice. And Campbell is selectively tough; he'll be physical when he sees fit but won't waste his energy on constantly trying to Umberger guys.

Spacek is just straight up lame.


I meant meannest really. Cuz thats what we're missing, is mean and big.

[jlpubarch]

What's wrong with good 'ol, grand-pappy, old-timing Uncle Teppo?

Ok, so hes probably a little overpaid, BUT! Does he ever make a bad pass? Or rather, does he ever not make the RIGHT first pass?

His positioning is amazing, and if there is an opportunity to position himself against a forward in order to get to the puck first...he's going to do it.

Besides, as old as he may be, he only missed 1 or 2 games with injuries. AND, he had a broken bone in his foot and came back a few nights later...WARRIOR

[daryls61]

I think we tend to undervalue Teppo because he is older but he plays a smart game like James Patrick.

I also think Spacek will be fine this year. After a year in our system, he should be more comfortable and be able to contribute more.

[MauvaisSang]

I have no quarrel with Numminen. We just have too many of the same defensemen, need more variety back there (and toughness.) Either Spacek or Dmitri Kalamity need to be gone. Not even both of them, necessarily. I'm not greedy. But at least one needs to go, or else I'm going to need to up my doses of thorazine and scotch.

[skoorah720]

I think we tend to undervalue Teppo because he is older but he plays a smart game like James Patrick.

James Patrick didn't make 2.6 million a year though...

[DumontFan]

James Patrick didn't make 2.6 million a year though...

James Patrick didn't have awesome hair. Or hair in general.

[skoorah720]

Tallinder, Lydman, Campbell and Paetsch are all legitimately good players who do many things well

Sad part is Paetsch (barring an injury) won't see as much PT as last year or as much as he should see (<75 games)

[Bay Side]

I think Teppo was brought back basically for leadership and experiance!

[sksteele]

Top four of Lydman, Tallinder, Campaell, and Numenin - with Spacek and Kalinin and Peatsch - there are not many teams better top to botton.

[21]

Our defense should be fine for now, it is come playoff time (if we are there) that we are going to need someone gritty and nasty. Our D was fine in the regular season last year, when people don't play playoff hockey, we were flying high and looking good. Down the stretch and in the playoffs, when the teams switched their styles, was when we were hurting. So, by my count, Darcy and Quinn have until January to find us a tough nasty d-man, and by then or sooner we should know what kind of Spacek and Kalinin we have. Frankly Kalinin can go for all I care, he needs a change of pace. If we still have the same D past the trade deadline, I will be worried.

[Hockeystud1414]

Away with all the doom and gloom. And no more fabricated trade rumors to make us feel better.

I just looked at our roster, and you know what? I still really like this team. In fact, I think this team is still going to be very good next year.


go Sabres!!

love the optimism!

[Scary Good]

You heard it here first, Spacho will be key this year...write it down, KEY.