Who is better right now... the Sabres or the Carolina Hurricanes

[Wally]

I was trying to figure out what team is better and I couldn't really decide. Who do you think is better team?

[bduff54]

close, they are pretty even i would say. Carolina have their ups and downs and the sabres are pretty consistent.

[DropTheGloves]

I'd say we are about even.

[Jro]

i think the sabres have more potential. When we get some guys back, i think we'll be better.

[bduff54]

from both teams the one guy i like the best is Eric Staal, he will be a star in this league for years to come. For the sabres i think Miller will be the guy, vanek could be good but i don't think he will be a star.

[GrapeDRINK]

Bduff what do you know about Vanek.

[Ralonzo]

from both teams the one guy i like the best is Eric Staal, he will be a star in this league for years to come. For the sabres i think Miller will be the guy, vanek could be good but i don't think he will be a star.

What Carolina has that Buffalo doesn't is the superstar that can win the game for you by himself when the rest of the guys just don't have it (Staal).

Give Vanek a little time. Staal is further along at the moment, but Vanek has the right kind of skill set to become that kind of player himself.

[bduff54]

What do you mean what do i know about him? i don't know anything about the guy, i have never met him. I do know that i have seen him play 20+ times and i think he will be a solid player, just not a superstar. he is a bit soft.

[ThomasVanek]

What do you mean what do i know about him? i don't know anything about the guy, i have never met him. I do know that i have seen him play 20+ times and i think he will be a solid player, just not a superstar. he is a bit soft.


LOL

That's why he was the type of player in College and the AHL to go in the corners and plant himself in front of the net.He's been doing it for the Sabres too...:nono:

[Orange Nation]

Yeah he is definetely not soft. When he plants himself in front of the net, there's as much of a chance of you moving him as the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup.

[Hockeystud1414]

Yeah he is definetely not soft. When he plants himself in front of the net, there's as much of a chance of you moving him as the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup.
Vanek will be a superstar. And when he is, I bet orange nation will go back to vanekfan....hahahahaha.

[Orange Nation]

what was the furdy? you must of forgot that I IGNORED YOU.

[Hockeystud1414]

what was the furdy? you must of forgot that I IGNORED YOU.
omg, you just HIT YOURSELF ON THE HEAD WITH THAT ONE!!! How would you even know If I responded to you if you ''ignored'' me?(quotations for a reason) just STOP CRYING already papi. time for you to grow up.

[bduff54]

well i think he is a bit soft, time will tell.

[pigskin]

It is a good question. Right now I will say the Sabres. They have the edge in goaltending and defense. But that edge is slight because I think Carolina has the better forwards. Someone mentioned that Carolina has that go to guy who can win you games when the game is on the line. The Sabres don't have that guy. That might be the difference in the playoffs. If there is a trade out there for that guy and the Sabres make it, they will be better by a lot more than they are right now. It is very close, but I still give a small edge to the Sabres.

[Forum21]

Laviolette has impressed me this year. I really wasn't a fan of his prior to him getting this team together. Of course, it helps having Staal.

I'm going to say that Carolina is the better team. They have two Ottawa wins under their belt, and while they are from earlier in the season, at least they prove they can skate with those guys.

[buffalofan19]

I don't think that Vanek is soft, I just think he is too slow. Now I've been hit with all the "He's pretty quick for a guy that is 6'2" etc. etc. stuff, but let me explain. There is a difference between quickness and speed. Vanek is great in the offensive zone. If he gets the puck inside the opposition's blueline he is fine. He can make some amazing plays. However, he can't really make a rush from his own end. He is just too slow. Case in point, his overtime move last night. It was a great move, don't get me wrong, but he allowed the defenseman to catch up to him and get position on him. He shouldn't have had to make that move if he had some speed. That is why I think he will always need a setup man. I really like him with Connolly and Kotalik right now. As long as he can be on a line with a playmaking center, he will be fine, but he will never be a playmaker on his own.

[Forum21]

I don't think that Vanek is soft, I just think he is too slow. Now I've been hit with all the "He's pretty quick for a guy that is 6'2" etc. etc. stuff, but let me explain. There is a difference between quickness and speed. Vanek is great in the offensive zone. If he gets the puck inside the opposition's blueline he is fine. He can make some amazing plays. However, he can't really make a rush from his own end. He is just too slow. Case in point, his overtime move last night. It was a great move, don't get me wrong, but he allowed the defenseman to catch up to him and get position on him. He shouldn't have had to make that move if he had some speed. That is why I think he will always need a setup man. I really like him with Connolly and Kotalik right now. As long as he can be on a line with a playmaking center, he will be fine, but he will never be a playmaker on his own.
He's not a great puck-handler. He does some tricky stuff, but it seems like he's concentrating too much on his skating or something to carry the puck well.

Max is the puck-mover on that line, Roy is the setup guy and Vanek is the finisher.

[LALAFONTAINE]

well i think he is a bit soft, time will tell.

Those 20 times you watched Vanek consisted of hilites on Sportscenter, right?

[bduff54]

nope NHL centre ice boss.

[HURLS]

I just saw Carolina in person Thursday night. I'd pick Buffalo now, and in the future. Miller/Biron top Gerber/Ward easily IMO. And other than Staal or Commodore, I probably wouldn't be after any others. Stillman, maybe. Oh, and Boulerice over Peters.

[Wally]

Good insight here... I think the Sabres are alittle bit better than Carolina because we have more team unity and all of our lines can play.

[Iggy72]

The one thing I might bring up is depth.
The Sabres have had Miller, Dumont, and Briere on extended injury lists, and still they played well.
What happens if Staal gets hurt?

Pax.
Iggy72