Everytime I see Afinogenov with the puck..

[jahcob]

I simultaneously think...wow he is an amazing puck handler...and...oh god, please dont let him get too fancy and lose the puck again...

anyone else feel the same?

Not hating on him. I just think sometimes he gets a little too fancy and it leads to turnovers.

[ksl66]

I know exactly how you feel. In my twenty years of watching the Sabres there has never been a player that I can hate and love at the same time. When I see him with the puck skating in front of his own gaol or throwing the puck back into his own end I want to kill him. Then I see him with the puck in the offensive end and I remember how good he really is.

[bduff54]

he is an amazing talent but he will never be anything special, he just lacks that scorers touch. he does not really know how to get into the right places. vanek, Heatley, sakic, those guys know where to be at all times to get goals.

[anEinherjer]

Nothing special?

Sorry, when the arena gets louder every time he has the puck, that's "special". I guess it depends on your definition. Ovechkin special? Of course not, but noone's suggesting he is.

[bduff54]

Nothing special?

Sorry, when the arena gets louder every time he has the puck, that's "special". I guess it depends on your definition. Ovechkin special? Of course not, but noone's suggesting he is.

No he is nothing special, he is a super fast skater who can do amazing things, but as far as results go he will never be anything special.

But yes he is fun to watch, i would compare him to michael lewis of the saints (kick returner). Everytime he got the ball i would be so excited because he is so fast, he would run full steam ahead make three guys miss then get nailed and fumble.

[unklechucky]

ok...a thanks for an interesting comparison.

[unklechucky]

I actually am a huge Max fan..but I understad the issue. That said...Max was not alone in the turnover department last night.

[Thumper]

He just needs to stop trying to skate through 3 guys while he's carrying the puck.

I don't want him to stop being creative...And he is one of the better passers on this team. He's an instant offensive threat every time he steps on the ice. He's got more of something "special" than just about every Leafs forward, save Sundin.

[bduff54]

He just needs to stop trying to skate through 3 guys while he's carrying the puck.

I don't want him to stop being creative...And he is one of the better passers on this team. He's an instant offensive threat every time he steps on the ice. He's got more of something "special" than just about every Leafs forward, save Sundin.

probably right, the leafs have nothing special

[charbs]

But everytime he does stick handle through 3 people, and it does work, (1 out of 7 times i'd say) it's usually a top ten on SportsCenter...

[ddpderek]

if Max stays healthy all year hes a 90 point player with out a doubt.

Max is amazing and is becoming a better 2 way guy.

[amico1990]

he is an amazing talent but he will never be anything special, he just lacks that scorers touch. he does not really know how to get into the right places. vanek, Heatley, sakic, those guys know where to be at all times to get goals.

Okay, but as the above poster stated, special is a relative term. To you, special could mean scoring 40 goals. To someone else, it could mean getting the crowd excited and into the game. Special is too broad of a term.