Boring
Detroit is up, 3-0, over Dallas. Pittsburgh won the first two games against Philadelphia. Who would have thought a drive down the 190 would be more exciting than the conference finals?
With a few exceptions, these playoffs have been pretty weak. That said, the DVR rewind button did come into good use when Henrik Zetterberg set up Pavel Datsyuk for a hat trick in the closing minutes. (The play is at about the 1:37 mark of the video.) One guy goes into the corner and beats four coming out ... now that's playoff hockey.
---John Vogl
The Sabres are the talk of the town and much of that talk will be here. Sabres beat writers John Vogl and Mike Harrington get you behind the scenes, and columnists Bucky Gleason and Bob DiCesare provide perspective with frequent postings on the team and the league.
TrickDICK,
Search hard for a story about the backup goalies, and scope even harder for the mention that they are ex-Sabres. I think one of the teams may also have an ex-Sabre either on their farm squad, as a trainer/assistant coach/massage therapist/weight trainer. While looking for the story on Hasek/Conklin and how much the current Sabre management gives a frick about them, look for something on the rest as well...
Good use of your time, Dil....DO
Posted by: Bster | May 16, 2008 at 10:06 AM
David in Amherst sees that "other franchises do not stand still or just build for the future. What I see is an owner thirst for winning NOW. As a fan, that's what I want. In pro sports, the future is now."
I second that sentiment, Dave.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall, Jr. | May 16, 2008 at 08:28 AM
So the backup goalies in the finals are Hasek and Conklin.
Posted by: Tricky Dick | May 15, 2008 at 07:31 PM
Matt,
Thanks for letting us know that we can laugh at YOU too...
Enjoy the summer.
Posted by: Sports and Business | May 15, 2008 at 04:36 PM
Sabres management is enjoying this result. No ex-Sabre story....none. I kinda like that too.
Fresh Sheets.
Posted by: Bster | May 15, 2008 at 12:05 AM
This is what makes 'horse trading' an occupation, and an occupational hazard. But, to me a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You may never get another chance the way deals and contracts are done. Will the Sabres even retain Ryan Miller? Who knows? The other franchises do not stand still or just build for the future. What I see is an owner thirst for winning NOW. As a fan, that's what I want. In pro sports, the future is now.
Posted by: David, Amherst | May 14, 2008 at 05:48 PM
David, I think the poster you're referring to is me. And, yes, I stand by my statement that the Hossa trade was not a good trade unless Pittsburgh wins the Stanley Cup. As articulated by Elma, Hossa is a rental player. Pittsburgh gave up two very good young players, an elite prospect, and a first round draft pick for Hossa. That's too much in my opinion. If they don't win it this year, coupled with compromising their future chances with this trade, then that is a BAD trade for the Pens.
Besides, how do you know they wouldn't be in the same exact position without Hossa and with Armstrong and Christiansen? Pittsburgh hasn't exactly encountered much resistance in these playoffs. I just think Crosby and Malkin will be ready to win a Cup in the next few years and having those guys would have helped the cause. Now, they likely won't have those guys AND won't have Hossa. That's why it was a bad trade, in my opinion.
Posted by: Chad | May 14, 2008 at 04:29 PM
David wrote -"I posted that the Marian Hossa trade was a committment from Penguins management, compared to the Sabres letting Brian Campbell go. Another poster said it "wasn't worthwhile unless the Penguins won the Stanley Cup." Really? It's about positioning and having the best opportunity. Hossa scored again and that trade was worth it."
You are correct the Hossa trade is working out for Pittsburgh. But that doesn't invalidate the other posters point.
If Pittsburgh doesn't win the Cup, they will be without two very good younger players for the next few years, and will certainly be without Hossa (he's purely a rental). Is that worth it? Perhaps it is in your eyes since they were given the "best chance."
But you have to assess whether taking your "best chance" in the next few months is worth sacrificing a potentially "better chance" in the upcoming years - especially since making the moves is no guarantee of success.
For every successful Hossa trade, there are many unsuccessful moves (Campbell / Richards this year, Tkachuk / Guerin / Forsberg last year).
And, in light of the whole "trade = commitment to winning" assumptions that I often see bounced around, I found this "trade deadline grading" from the 2006-07 season that I found pretty funny:
"Losers: Anaheim Ducks - Perhaps the only side in the West not to add a piece to their roster. ....there is a feeling they lost out in some of the big moves for the likes of Keith Tkachuk, Todd Bertuzzi and Bill Guerin."
Posted by: ElmaGolf | May 14, 2008 at 03:08 PM
before this series, I posted that the Marian Hossa trade was a committment from Penguins management, compared to the Sabres letting Brian Campbell go. Another poster said it "wasn't worthwhile unless the Penguins won the Stanley Cup." Really? It's about positioning and having the best opportunity. Hossa scored again and that trade was worth it. The Sabres will only be marginally better, if that, next season.
At least San Jose knew the coach as a problem and said good-bye. But here, it's the owner! Gawd, what a revoltin' development.
Posted by: David, Amherst | May 14, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Pittsburgh vs Detroit in the final with Detroit winning in 5 games.
Posted by: Stanley Cupless | May 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Matt,
I think S&B was referring to Briere's disapearance during this series, which continued in game 3. He has 2 shots, 1 assist and is a -3 through game 3. But then again there aren't a lot of good stats coming out of the team as a whole, during this series.
Posted by: Ken | May 14, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Yo Sports and Business:
Get a clue man, Briere leads the Flyers in playoff points with 15, eight goals and seven assists - which is sixth best in the league through the playoffs.
He also leads the team with five power play goals and three game-winners. For his career in 55 playoff games, he's got 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points - not a bad career ratio.
Oh, and by the way, in the 2006 and 2007 playoff years for Buffalo, he had 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points in 34 games - exactly one point per game.
So when exactly did "he disappear?" Don't be bitter because you root for a team that won't pay its best players.
And do us all a favor - come up with a new screen name because you surely don't know a thing about sports.
Posted by: Matt | May 14, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Actually, I am loving The Penguins series as Danny has decided to take it off. His disappearing act is great for jilted Sabres fans morale. Biron hasn't necessarily been a stone wall either.
The funny thing is Briere gets booed in more cities than Buffalo...
Posted by: Sports and Business | May 14, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Part of it is we don't have a team left. It's definitely got to be exciting for Detroit fans and Pittsburgh fans, and even Philly fans tonight. But for others, I couldn't agree more. I can't remember a more dull playoffs in recent years - Sabres or no Sabres. The drama is at an all-time low.
Posted by: Craig | May 13, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Couldn't agree more. With the exception of Montreal v. Boston and Calgary v. San Jose in the first round, these have been horribly dull playoffs. It pains me to admit as a hockey fan but I have found the overwhelming majority of games tediously unwatchable.
Posted by: Mike M. | May 13, 2008 at 12:07 PM