Stafford and Max may not play...Ruff in tough spot

[Sabres244]

Lindy Ruff welcomed back injured right wingers Maxim Afinogenov and Drew Stafford off the injured list Thursday, but it doesn’t mean the Buffalo Sabres coach plans to use them tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Afinogenov made it through a full practice in HSBC Arena and took an awkward tumble without aggravating a nagging groin muscle problem. Stafford, who is coming off a high-ankle sprain, also felt fine after the hour-long workout.

What does it mean? Very little, actually.

Ruff was leaning toward keeping Afinogenov and Stafford on the sidelines after watching his team in an 8-4 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night. Ruff has a history of keeping his lineup intact after a victory.

“You go to war like that and play the game the way you did, it’s not easy taking anybody out,” Ruff said. “I don’t believe it’s sending the right message.


More... http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnhl/story/287773.html

[Acoustic-Fury]

Peters and MacArthur...done and done.


Although I totally get that mindset and the loyalty - that's what I dig about Ruff. It also gives the cusp players that are starting the motivation not to lose their spot and the players waiting on the side line work harder to get back in.

Thank God Jauron isn't making this decision.

[mosuavea]

I think Ruff is making way too much of the taking out the grit. Its an easy decision and its not even close.

Sit down Peters and his 4 minutes a game and MacArthur could use a break.

The only grit that is worthwhile but could potentially be taken out at this point is Kaleta and you dont have to worry about taking him out until Jochen is back.

When Jochen is back I think it is going to be tough to keep Kaleta in the lineup but I think Max will be on a short leash and if he is ineffective he could get the hook. I honestly don't expect much from him after the injury and just with his overall play this year so far.

I dont expect a totally healthy team the rest of the year and with Connolly probably needing a blow even in games that are not back to back, Kaleta or MacArthur will see the lineup from time to time.

[JMNY83]

Peters and Mac can go, I just don't want Kaleta to get sent down.

[Sabres244]

I like the loyalty too, but these are 2 guys that make your offense which is already deadly even deadlier. Get them in there.

[beTough54]

I like the loyalty too, but these are 2 guys that make your offense which is already deadly even deadlier. Get them in there.

Yep.

With the way Miller and the defense have been, the Sabres will need 4-5 goals per game.

[ricogarion]

Those are good players to leave in the pressbox.

[Thumper]

It's tough to come to this conclusion, but if it were up to me, Kaleta stays in over:

Ryan, MacArthur, Peters, and Afinogenov with a healthy roster.

There's too much depth at forward (that's a beautiful thing) and Kaleta adds a more glaring need than Max does for the success of this team. It's unfortunate, but with the Bernier trade, Afinogenov just doesn't fit any where on this roster. He would serve little to no purpose playing on the 4th line with Mair, and the right wings ahead of him are more versatile hockey players.

All that being said, injuries can and will continue to happen, so honestly, we may never have to worry about 100% worth of healthy forwards. Plus, Connolly will need a rest a few more times this season. Max will get in.

[ddpderek]

It's tough to come to this conclusion, but if it were up to me, Kaleta stays in over:

Ryan, MacArthur, Peters, and Afinogenov with a healthy roster.

There's too much depth at forward (that's a beautiful thing) and Kaleta adds a more glaring need than Max does for the success of this team. It's unfortunate, but with the Bernier trade, Afinogenov just doesn't fit any where on this roster. He would serve little to no purpose playing on the 4th line with Mair, and the right wings ahead of him are more versatile hockey players.

All that being said, injuries can and will continue to happen, so honestly, we may never have to worry about 100% worth of healthy forwards. Plus, Connolly will need a rest a few more times this season. Max will get in.

No way you sit Max for Kaleta. I m sorry but kaleta is great but some time in rochester wont hurt him. I am 100 percent okay with a 4th line of Paille, Goose, Mair.

Ruff is dumb if he doesnt dress Stafford and Max tonight if they really are ready to play then they should.

[unklechucky]

If it aint broke dont fix it

[ddpderek]

If it aint broke dont fix it

You should make it better we are playing the Habs not the Preds!

[pigpen65]

It's tough to come to this conclusion, but if it were up to me, Kaleta stays in over:

Ryan, MacArthur, Peters, and Afinogenov with a healthy roster.

There's too much depth at forward (that's a beautiful thing) and Kaleta adds a more glaring need than Max does for the success of this team. It's unfortunate, but with the Bernier trade, Afinogenov just doesn't fit any where on this roster. He would serve little to no purpose playing on the 4th line with Mair, and the right wings ahead of him are more versatile hockey players.

All that being said, injuries can and will continue to happen, so honestly, we may never have to worry about 100% worth of healthy forwards. Plus, Connolly will need a rest a few more times this season. Max will get in.

Totally agree about Max on the 4th line, though i think the same goes for Stafford as well. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening with the lines. Especially once Hecht comes back who has played so well with Pominville for the past two years.

[beTough54]

No way you sit Max for Kaleta. I m sorry but kaleta is great but some time in rochester wont hurt him. I am 100 percent okay with a 4th line of Paille, Goose, Mair.

Ruff is dumb if he doesnt dress Stafford and Max tonight if they really are ready to play then they should.

I tend to agree with you for the regular season. In the playoffs, I think Kaleta needs to be in the lineup.

[Thumper]

Totally agree about Max on the 4th line, though i think the same goes for Stafford as well. It will be interesting to see what ends up happening with the lines. Especially once Hecht comes back who has played so well with Pominville for the past two years.

Ths difference between Afinogenov and Stafford is the fact that Stafford can and will throw his body around. Max can't and won't. Stafford is much better suited for 4th line duty than Max is, if both are vying for the 4th line winger position.

[pigpen65]

Ths difference between Afinogenov and Stafford is the fact that Stafford can and will throw his body around. Max can't and won't. Stafford is much better suited for 4th line duty than Max is, if both are vying for the 4th line winger position.

If all we are looking for from a 4th line winger is throwing the body around (which i am perfectly happy with,) Kaleta is better suited for it than either.

[Thumper]

If all we are looking for from a 4th line winger is throwing the body around (which i am perfectly happy with,) Kaleta is better suited for it than either.

I agree. But Stafford is a much more reliable two way forward than either Kaleta or Afinogenov.

[MauvaisSang]

[QUOTE=Acoustic-Fury;1955774]Peters and MacArthur...done and done.
QUOTE]

You can't take out Peters. He's red hot!

[Schony]

Coaching by superstition isn;'t going to cut it at this time of year....as nice as the Nashville game was we still have 2 bad losses in the last 3 games.

[delectrolux]

.
funny, i tend to defer to Lindy in these situations...
.

[pigpen65]

Coaching by superstition isn;'t going to cut it at this time of year....as nice as the Nashville game was we still have 2 bad losses in the last 3 games.

Some coaches put a lot of stock into chemistry. Lindy is definitely one who does. Others, like The Pens coach who didn't mind trading away the team's most consistent role player for a proven playoff choker, don't. I don't think it has anything to do with superstitions. If they are clicking, let them keep clicking.

[ddpderek]

I tend to agree with you for the regular season. In the playoffs, I think Kaleta needs to be in the lineup.

I think he be first guy in if a forward went down which is highly possible.

[two4trippn]

Stafford needs to make certain he's 100%. He leads the team in shooting percentage and his too valuable to risk again. Kaleta is a plus +2 and doing what the coaches ask of him. There's not much room for defensive liabilities right now. I see Max getting worked into the lineup when Connolly is unavailable.

[Sabres244]

we're playing Montreal, they don't goon it up. Get them in there.

[stafford669]

iTS A NO BRAINER PUT THEM BOTH IN THE LINEUP.

[SabreBill30]

Only play them if they are 100%. Just because they are cleared doesn't mean they are. Another injury can knock them off for the rest of the year if they aren't.

[Riley_Mason]

Lindy Ruff welcomed back injured right wingers Maxim Afinogenov and Drew Stafford off the injured list Thursday, but it doesn’t mean the Buffalo Sabres coach plans to use them tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Afinogenov made it through a full practice in HSBC Arena and took an awkward tumble without aggravating a nagging groin muscle problem. Stafford, who is coming off a high-ankle sprain, also felt fine after the hour-long workout.

What does it mean? Very little, actually.

Ruff was leaning toward keeping Afinogenov and Stafford on the sidelines after watching his team in an 8-4 victory over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday night. Ruff has a history of keeping his lineup intact after a victory.

“You go to war like that and play the game the way you did, it’s not easy taking anybody out,” Ruff said. “I don’t believe it’s sending the right message.


More... http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnhl/story/287773.html

Classic Ruff. Yesterday he praised Bernier's defensive play, mentioning how difficult it is for him to put in a player who doesn't take care of his own end. A little message for Max?

[Pondslider]

I think he be first guy in if a forward went down which is highly possible.

If Stafford is healthy and ready to go then I'd send MacArthur down before Kaleta. I look at Mac as been a less talented version of Stafford anyway.

[ddpderek]

If Stafford is healthy and ready to go then I'd send MacArthur down before Kaleta. I look at Mac as been a less talented version of Stafford anyway.

I think mac should be first one sent down to.

When fully healthy i think Kaleta be last man out thus he be first man in when some one got hurt.

[stevesy]

I think it's all talk. But it's good talk and PC stuff that needs to be said before he takes out the General and Peters. You don't leave these two guys out. They need to get in ASAP and get in a rhythm before the (hopefully) playoffs. And that's the long and short of it.