Bay Side
April 15th, 2006, 12:59:54 PM
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060415/1036014.asp?tbd1036014.asp
Thomas Vanek is accustomed to being The Man at this time of year, when buds are sprouting on trees, the sun shines longer and the whiff of hockey playoffs is in the air.
The Buffalo Sabres rookie winger will embark on his first Stanley Cup quest next weekend. Vanek has thrived on the big stage everywhere he has been, winning an NCAA title as a University of Minnesota freshman in 2003 and flourishing down the homestretch last spring with the Rochester Americans.
He demonstrated a knack for scoring the clutch goal. He developed the reputation as a primetime performer.
But the past few games Vanek has been a healthy scratch, was dropped from the first line to the fourth line and played a team-low 8:18 in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Vanek isn't satisfied with his lot, and with the postseason approaching he's hoping to break out. The Sabres have three regular-season games left, including tonight's rematch with the Canadiens in the Bell Centre.
"I look forward to the playoffs," Vanek said. "It's a new season. Everyone starts over again, and hopefully I can get back into the mix and get back on the first couple of lines.
"I feel like I belong in this league and I can be an impact player in this league."
Sabres fans can only hope Vanek's penchant for late-season heroics translates to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We know that he can be a game-breaker," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
Vanek said he was satisfied with the season overall, given the fact the Sabres can win their club-record 50th game tonight, but indicated his numbers were only adequate.
"I think I could have done better than what I have done," Vanek said. "I always push myself to do more, and as I look back with [47 points], I expected myself to have 70, 80 points."
Thomas Vanek is accustomed to being The Man at this time of year, when buds are sprouting on trees, the sun shines longer and the whiff of hockey playoffs is in the air.
The Buffalo Sabres rookie winger will embark on his first Stanley Cup quest next weekend. Vanek has thrived on the big stage everywhere he has been, winning an NCAA title as a University of Minnesota freshman in 2003 and flourishing down the homestretch last spring with the Rochester Americans.
He demonstrated a knack for scoring the clutch goal. He developed the reputation as a primetime performer.
But the past few games Vanek has been a healthy scratch, was dropped from the first line to the fourth line and played a team-low 8:18 in Wednesday night's 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Vanek isn't satisfied with his lot, and with the postseason approaching he's hoping to break out. The Sabres have three regular-season games left, including tonight's rematch with the Canadiens in the Bell Centre.
"I look forward to the playoffs," Vanek said. "It's a new season. Everyone starts over again, and hopefully I can get back into the mix and get back on the first couple of lines.
"I feel like I belong in this league and I can be an impact player in this league."
Sabres fans can only hope Vanek's penchant for late-season heroics translates to the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We know that he can be a game-breaker," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.
Vanek said he was satisfied with the season overall, given the fact the Sabres can win their club-record 50th game tonight, but indicated his numbers were only adequate.
"I think I could have done better than what I have done," Vanek said. "I always push myself to do more, and as I look back with [47 points], I expected myself to have 70, 80 points."