Sabres lines; blue Jackets
Tim Connolly is sidelined again, this time with a bruised chest, so the ever-changing Sabres forward lines were changed again. Here's what coach Lindy Ruff put together today:
Thomas Vanek-Derek Roy-Ales Kotalik (same)
Jochen Hecht-Clarke MacArthur-Jason Pominville (new)
Daniel Paille-Adam Mair-Drew Stafford (new)
Andrew Peters-Paul Gaustad-Patrick Kaleta/Maxim Afinogenov (new)
Not sure if Ruff has forgiven Max for careless play with puck or if he'll bench him for Friday's game against Columbus.
The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, should come in with an attitude after coach Ken Hitchcock blasted their effort in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Phoenix.
In other NHL news:
*Philadelphia's Daniel Briere, who just returned from abdominal surgery, is out for a week with a groin strain. He's is targeting the Nov. 21 game in Buffalo as his return date.
*Yahoo has the Sabres as the NHL's fourth-best team in its latest rankings.
*Former Sabres defenseman Keith Carney retired.
---John Vogl
Park Connolly's butt and bring up Gerbe or Mancari to take his spot.
Posted by: Chuck | November 13, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Bench Max for one game but don't think for a minute that Connolly can replace Max. Trade Timmy,he is just too brittle!
Posted by: Jason from Chicago | November 13, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Jason- What team in their right mind would buy or trade for damaged goods at a cost of $3+ mill a year??????
Posted by: Rich | November 13, 2008 at 05:57 PM
as soft and squishy as Tim is I wonder...should it be spelled Cannoli?
Posted by: boonies | November 13, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I don't know how many players would play next game after being checked as hard as Connolly was. Considering his skills with the puck and injury history, he is a target for many opponents, they know he is a clear danger on PP. I think Tkachuk (see Lindy's comment about that) made that move hoping to get him out of the game. Unfortunately, he succeeded.
Posted by: rusty | November 14, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Unless something extraordinary happens Connolly and Afinogenov are unlikely to be re-signed at the end the season. I think it is important that players like Kaleta, Paille and Stafford continue to get ice time and valuable experience. The same goes for Nathan Paetsch. He needs to get more game experience. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to dress a 7th defenseman who could play forward on the 4th line. The Sabres need to be focusing on the future. Unfortunately, despite all of their talent neither Connolly or Afinogenov are very likely to be part of that
Posted by: danp727 | November 14, 2008 at 09:13 AM
Signing Tiny Tim again was one of the biggest mistakes the team made. He is ridiculously brittle and certainly cannot play through pain. The team better not even consicer re-signing him. And nobody will trade for him. Just let him go...
Posted by: DC Sabres Fan | November 14, 2008 at 09:28 AM
If Connolly plays more than 6 consecutive games consider it a miracle...It's time to sit him for good and bring up some rookie that could possibly become a standout in league....
Posted by: George | November 14, 2008 at 09:44 AM
There are three guys down on the farm building up to get a chance. The only way the Sabres or anyone else re-signs Connelly is for the league minimum and a two-way contract.
Posted by: Mark | November 14, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Hey John, you should check All-Star Fan Balloting leaders...You can vote unlimited times and it looks like Montreal fans are waaaay ahead of anybody. All Montreal players are leading with a huge margin so I won't be surprised to see a All Star Game between Montreal Canadians and West Conference Stars. What a joke !
Posted by: rusty | November 14, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Yahoo did not rate the Sabres as the fourth best team. They rated them 4th among teams with the best chance of having a current roster player eventually elected to the Hall of Fame. The players selected were Vanek and Miller.
Posted by: Don H | November 14, 2008 at 09:59 AM
I take my Yahoo comment back. Sorry. They were also ranking them in team performance and did rate the Sabres fourth this week.
Posted by: Don H | November 14, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Please! Connolly got hit on the friggin' shoulder. Almost ALL players at any level of hockey would be back on the ice the next game after that hit.
What a pansy.
Posted by: trevor | November 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
The thing is, when he's healthy, Connoly is one of the more creative playmakers in the league, not just on the Sabres. He's a UFA next year, and it's a shame that a player with so much talent probably won't get resigned because he just can't stay healthy.
Posted by: drew | November 14, 2008 at 03:09 PM
At the rate Connolly is going, this will be his last season as a member of the Sabres. When he's healthy, he's a great playmaker. It's sad that all the injuries have limited his playing time.
He's become a target for opposing players to go hit him and take him out of the game. This will be Max's last year as part of this team as well. He really needs to get back to working on just playing basic hockey-- getting the puck out of the zone, making simple passes, going to the net, do some forechecking, etc. as a start. The attempts at doing the fancy stuff leads to coughing up the puck to the opposition or throws a line mate offsides. Teams won't trade for Connolly because he can't stay healthy. Max has been "trade bait" for awhile, nobody seems to want him. There are other players who are(and will be)a part of the Sabres who should get more ice time and game experience.
Posted by: jan | November 14, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Come and meet Daniel Paille at the Niagra Falls Kmart on 11/23/08 from 1-4PM! Everybody’s favorite Buffalo based professional hockey player will be signing autographs, meeting, and taking pictures with fans. Don’t miss this rare and exclusive opportunity to meet one of professional hockey’s favorite sons. Come early for special offers, chances to win great prizes and more….
All at your local Kmart!
Sunday 11/23/08 1-4PM
Kmart
2590 Military Rd
Niagara Falls NY
Posted by: Sbobby | November 18, 2008 at 11:17 AM