Bay Side
December 29th, 2003, 4:12:33 PM
Delmore waits for his chance
www.buffalonews.com
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Buffalo Sabres acquired them six days apart with visions of creating a formidable offense and a dangerous power play in particular.
Offensive defenseman Andy Delmore was the first to arrive, followed soon by multi-dimensional center Chris Drury. The Sabres added a substantial amount of payroll because both players were viewed as an investments toward the postseason.
Delmore and Drury started their Sabres careers similarly, but their paths have diverged greatly.
In deciphering how the Sabres view their acquisitions almost halfway into the 2003-04 season, one needs only to look at the lineup card for tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes in the RBC Center.
Both have been hurt, but the Sabres have been eager for only one of them to get back on the ice.
Drury will play one day after being cleared. His right shoulder responded well at Sunday's practice, his first with full contact since sustaining a separation Dec. 16.
Delmore, meanwhile, has been ready to return from his nagging groin injury for three games now, but he will miss his 12th straight.
"He's ready to play," Ruff said. "I just haven't played him. . . . Sometimes things don't work."
Delmore has been a major bust for Buffalo. The Sabres didn't give up much to obtain him from the Nashville Predators, a 2004 third-round draft choice. But he is making $1 million to watch games from the stands.
He came to Buffalo as the power-play specialist the team has craved for years. His 14 power-play goals led all NHL defensemen. He scored 18 overall, which tied him for the league lead at his position.
Delmore has played only 19 games for Buffalo. He has zero goals and one assist.
"I'm extremely disappointed with the way things have gone," Delmore said. "Who wouldn't be disappointed? You gotta be some type of different person not to be disappointed.
"But I know I'm a good enough player that I'll get my chance again, and when I do I just have to make the best of it and help the team win."
Delmore might not get another chance with the Sabres.
Ruff is in no hurry to put Delmore back on the ice. The Sabres have eight defensemen and dress only six. Even if someone gets hurt, Henrik Tallinder likely would be the first in.
"The way the defense has played, really, he's going to have to wait for a break to get back in the lineup," Ruff said. "It's going to be tough to make any changes.
"I like the way the units have played, and I don't think I can look at money and say, "I gotta get him in the lineup because he's making a million dollars.' "
Ruff hasn't been interested in using the big shooter even though the Sabres have struggled terribly on the power play. They have scored only three man-advantage goals in their last 44 chances.
Delmore's last game was Nov. 29 against the Predators. He seemed to be trying too hard against his former team and made glaring errors that led to goals in the 4-1 loss.
"When you get in there you gotta make a difference, and Andy's last game wasn't a good game in any sense," Ruff said. "We can't afford to have those mistakes and can't afford to have someone not be a part of what should be a winning effort in a game."
Delmore said he isn't concerned about a possible trade, even though he can read between the lines.
"I don't worry about stuff like that," Delmore said. "It's something that's totally out of your hands."
While Drury's production has been off, he has been a major contributor.
The perennial 20-goal scorer has five goals and 14 assists in 32 games, but those numbers are still good enough to rank third on the team in points. He has been the Sabres' best faceoff man.
"I really didn't sit around and look at where I'm at or what I need to do numbers-wise," Drury said. "It's about the team, and I want to be in the playoffs in April. That's the only thing I'm thinking about."
www.buffalonews.com
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Buffalo Sabres acquired them six days apart with visions of creating a formidable offense and a dangerous power play in particular.
Offensive defenseman Andy Delmore was the first to arrive, followed soon by multi-dimensional center Chris Drury. The Sabres added a substantial amount of payroll because both players were viewed as an investments toward the postseason.
Delmore and Drury started their Sabres careers similarly, but their paths have diverged greatly.
In deciphering how the Sabres view their acquisitions almost halfway into the 2003-04 season, one needs only to look at the lineup card for tonight's game against the Carolina Hurricanes in the RBC Center.
Both have been hurt, but the Sabres have been eager for only one of them to get back on the ice.
Drury will play one day after being cleared. His right shoulder responded well at Sunday's practice, his first with full contact since sustaining a separation Dec. 16.
Delmore, meanwhile, has been ready to return from his nagging groin injury for three games now, but he will miss his 12th straight.
"He's ready to play," Ruff said. "I just haven't played him. . . . Sometimes things don't work."
Delmore has been a major bust for Buffalo. The Sabres didn't give up much to obtain him from the Nashville Predators, a 2004 third-round draft choice. But he is making $1 million to watch games from the stands.
He came to Buffalo as the power-play specialist the team has craved for years. His 14 power-play goals led all NHL defensemen. He scored 18 overall, which tied him for the league lead at his position.
Delmore has played only 19 games for Buffalo. He has zero goals and one assist.
"I'm extremely disappointed with the way things have gone," Delmore said. "Who wouldn't be disappointed? You gotta be some type of different person not to be disappointed.
"But I know I'm a good enough player that I'll get my chance again, and when I do I just have to make the best of it and help the team win."
Delmore might not get another chance with the Sabres.
Ruff is in no hurry to put Delmore back on the ice. The Sabres have eight defensemen and dress only six. Even if someone gets hurt, Henrik Tallinder likely would be the first in.
"The way the defense has played, really, he's going to have to wait for a break to get back in the lineup," Ruff said. "It's going to be tough to make any changes.
"I like the way the units have played, and I don't think I can look at money and say, "I gotta get him in the lineup because he's making a million dollars.' "
Ruff hasn't been interested in using the big shooter even though the Sabres have struggled terribly on the power play. They have scored only three man-advantage goals in their last 44 chances.
Delmore's last game was Nov. 29 against the Predators. He seemed to be trying too hard against his former team and made glaring errors that led to goals in the 4-1 loss.
"When you get in there you gotta make a difference, and Andy's last game wasn't a good game in any sense," Ruff said. "We can't afford to have those mistakes and can't afford to have someone not be a part of what should be a winning effort in a game."
Delmore said he isn't concerned about a possible trade, even though he can read between the lines.
"I don't worry about stuff like that," Delmore said. "It's something that's totally out of your hands."
While Drury's production has been off, he has been a major contributor.
The perennial 20-goal scorer has five goals and 14 assists in 32 games, but those numbers are still good enough to rank third on the team in points. He has been the Sabres' best faceoff man.
"I really didn't sit around and look at where I'm at or what I need to do numbers-wise," Drury said. "It's about the team, and I want to be in the playoffs in April. That's the only thing I'm thinking about."