Jiri Novotny out, Vanek in!!

[Bay Side]

Jiri Novotny - C - Sabres


Jiri Novotny, who struggled and played only 5:47 in Thursday night's contest, will likely be a healthy scratch Saturday.
Thomas Vanek will likely draw back in Saturday with Derek Roy shifting back to center from left wing to accomodate the move.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playernews.asp?sport=NHL

[RabidBillsFan]

Not surprised one bit... Vanek has to be better than Novotny!!! :)

[Bay Side]

Maybe the benching did him some good!!

[pigpen65]

Jiri Novotny, who struggled

where the hell did they get that from?

[THATHURMANATOR]

I really didn't think Novotny struggled at all! At least he was putting in a solid effort. I am fine with the move though.

[sabrebraves]

Hopefully a good benching will wake his ass up. We could use a bit of offense from him.

[Bay Side]

Lindy made that statement!!
After earning praise for his NHL postseason debut in Game Three, center Jiri Novotny played only 5:47 in Game Four and seems a top candidate to return to healthy scratch status tonight.

Ruff went with Novotny in place of Connolly so that Roy could remain at left wing on a line with Chris Drury and Mike Grier. But with Novotny struggling, Ruff moved Roy back to center with Ales Kotalik and Afinogenov.

"I thought Jiri struggled early on," Ruff said. "I thought three or four shifts he didn't get much going. It looked for a period of time it was going to turn into a three-line game, and for a period of time it did."

Given the fact the Sabres take great pride in rolling four lines, left winger Thomas Vanek could return to the lineup if Roy remains in the pivot. Vanek has been a healthy scratch the past two games because of poor production.

"I thought the Roy-Afinogenov-Kotalik line really took off," Ruff said, although he wouldn't discuss his line combinations for tonight's game.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060513/1005988.asp

[SHINEdown30]

where the hell did they get that from?


Jiri had good hussel but his sticking handeling was average at best in his first game, in his second game he dissappeared.Hence why he only played 6 mins. Vanek is better offensively by far, and with Connelly out we need more offensive help. Our defense is superior in stopping Ottawa's lines, so we don't really need Jiri's help.

[unklechucky]

Vanek could be a needed spark, on the other hand did the benching motivate him?

[Smapdi]

I hope this wakes Vanek up and he has a big game tonight. He has the reputation of a big game performer after what he did with Minnesota. He certainly has the talent to do some big things for this team.

[BlackRockBills]

All right Vanek let's get it going tonight dude!!!!!!

[The REAL Sabres]

I guess the RAV line is back...

Dumont - Briere - Hecht
Vanek - Roy - Afinogenov
Grier - Drury - Pyatt
Pominville - Gaustad - Kotalik

(or swapping Vanek and Kotalik)

[SHINEdown30]

I guess the RAV line is back...

Dumont - Briere - Hecht
Vanek - Roy - Afinogenov
Grier - Drury - Pyatt
Pominville - Gaustad - Kotalik

(or swapping Vanek and Kotalik)



I dont know why but I would like to see Pominville on the Drury line. He has been quiet and I think he could have an outbreak any time soon!

[Pondslider]

I dont know why but I would like to see Pominville on the Drury line. He has been quiet and I think he could have an outbreak any time soon!

What about Afinogenov with Drury and Grier? Move Pominville or Kotalik up with Roy and Vanek, and put Pyatt down to the fourth line where he can hustle and hit people. Putting someone fast with Drury and Grier would work, I think, and even if he makes a mistake Drury and Grier are solid enough defensively to cover it.

[SHINEdown30]

I dont know why but I would like to see Pominville on the Drury line. He has been quiet and I think he could have an outbreak any time soon!


Boy........I love when I'm right!!!! LOL
GO SABRES..........stanley cup here we come!!!