Stafford

[MauvaisSang]

This is probably premature, as we're only five games in, but Drew Stafford needs to pick up his game. I thought he'd produce more offensively, but more than that I'm disappointed with his forechecking and work along the boards. He was a beast in the offensive zone along the boards last year - it'd usually take at least two guys to get him off the puck. I saw improvements last night, and hope he keeps it up. Maybe my expectations were too high for him going into this season - after all, he hasn't even got a full season in the pro's under his belt.

[Acoustic-Fury]

Good topic Mauvais...


I heard Ruff talk about Stafford this morning on WGR-550...in so many words, Ruff said Stafford has to simplify his game again...he's trying to do too much with the puck. He feels when he starts calming down we'll the Stafford of last year.

[MauvaisSang]

Good topic Mauvais...


I heard Ruff talk about Stafford this morning on WGR-550...in so many words, Ruff said Stafford has to simplify his game again...he's trying to do too much with the puck. He feels when he starts calming down we'll the Stafford of last year.

Thanks... Ruff's comments are pretty telling. Drew probably just is trying to take too much on at once, feeling a large brunt of the responsibility for replacing Drury/Briere. I'm sure when he settles down and plays his game, he'll be fine.

[Iggy72]

He's had chances, especially the one he put right in Raycroft's mitt. A lot of the forwards are in new situations, so Mauvais and Acoustic are dead on suggesting we be patient.

Pax.
Iggy72

[amico1990]

I was thinking this last night watching the game, he doesn't fit on a line with kotalik and gaustad. Maybe if you replaced gaustad with connolly then it would work; however, that would open up holes elsewhere. I think he is playing out of his element on that line, and it isn't benefiting his play.

[Sabres244]

Yea he's struggling but I'm sure he'll break out of it, he's getting chances only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net.

[TommyV26]

He just needs to get in the groove with Paul and Ales like he was with Roy and Vanek last year. Once they click, they will be golden.

[Carl J. Ironsides]

What's scary is that Buffalo is leading the NHL in goals with 24, and Stafford and Afinogenov have combined for two (one each). If they start finding the back of the net, how many goals is this team going to finish with? Sucks for the rest of the league.

[MauvaisSang]

What's scary is that Buffalo is leading the NHL in goals with 24, and Stafford and Afinogenov have combined for two (one each). If they start finding the back of the net, how many goals is this team going to finish with? Sucks for the rest of the league.

Good point... I was thinking last night, as Connolly was channeling Adam Oates, how explosive this team would've been last year if he'd played at full speed. Not to mention if Stafford was in the lineup all year, in the place of a certain 4th line forward that will go unnamed...

[amico1990]

What's scary is that Buffalo is leading the NHL in goals with 24, and Stafford and Afinogenov have combined for two (one each). If they start finding the back of the net, how many goals is this team going to finish with? Sucks for the rest of the league.

Believe it or not, Toronto is actually leading the league in goals for with 26: granted, they have played more games, but regardless. The sabres are leading in goals per game, however.


EDIT: link ---- http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?fetchKey=20082ALLAAAAll&page=Stats&service=page&sort=goals&viewName=goalsFor

[Carl J. Ironsides]

Believe it or not, Toronto is actually leading the league in goals for with 26: granted, they have played more games, but regardless. The sabres are leading in goals per game, however.

Really? I stand corrected.

[Sabres244]

Really? I stand corrected.

Only because they've played more games

[ksl66]

I think he's in a difficult position here playing LW on that line. If Stafford is going to stay on that line it might be a good idea to move Kotalik into the middle, he is naturally a Center and then slide Gaustad over to the LW and move Stafford back to his natural RW spot. I don't know if you remember how uncomfortable he looked in the playoffs when he played on the left side with Drury and Zubrus. He might just be one of those players who can only play on one side of the rink, other guys can play both wings, but Drew might have to be on the right side to be successful. Unfortunately for Drew he's a third line winger right now and Lindy probably won't turn over an entire line to accommodate him.

[Thumper]

At least he's getting his chances. Its just a matter of time before he starts burrying them...But he's all around the opposing net, he's backchecking hard, and the puck is finding his stick in close. He's the last young player to worry about on this team.

[unklechucky]

I think line shuffling has somthing to do with it. He started the season with Roy and Vanek, but Max has performed better there, so he's simply been shuffled around and hasn't caught a groove yet.

[emo]

At least he's getting his chances. Its just a matter of time before he starts burrying them...But he's all around the opposing net, he's backchecking hard, and the puck is finding his stick in close. He's the last young player to worry about on this team.


maybe you should spend more time telling everyone how bad paille is?

[CBennett]

I agree, I have not been impressed with him at all this year so far...but then again I was not impressed with Vanek early on(in his Sabres career) either then he started to come on and actually have a good/great year.

[hckynight]

Once He Realizes That He Just Has To Play And Let The Leadership Part Just Come Naturally He Will Be Fine...just Pressing To Hard To Make An Impression.