Well the Bills are done. I'm sure the next week there will be news on where Jauron goes or stays and the drama that goes around a new coach. But until then the Sabres will be playing some games. But lets look at the Sabres and what holds in the next half of the season.
First, they are in 8th place, so they'd make the playoffs if they started today. But they don't so it doesn't matter.
They are -1 on Goal differential on the year. Yet the team is full of minus players. Especially on the Blue line.
They never seem to be very hot, they do go in the tank at times. They started off great, but since then they are average at best. I will not use injuries as an excuse.
The goalie numbers are a bit of a concern. The exact reason I said that you could wait to sign Ryan Miller. Was in fact he is average goaltender. (They got a decent deal, less then I thought) But the numbers aren't great. 2.62 GAA, thats 24th in the NHL. Yes he and Henrik Lundqvist are right next to each other. So I guess it was right to compare him to Henrik. He's 20th in the league in Sv %. You look at a guy like Tim Thomas and he is in the top 5 of both categories. And you wonder why Boston is so good.
Lalime is falling into the Thibault category again. Below .900 sv%, above 3.00 GAA. Those are ok numbers. But if Ryan gets hurt the Sabres are in real trouble. It seems since Marty left. Who is also have bad numbers this year.
They don't have a goaltender that can win them games consistently. And a defense that can't contain the good offensive players. They can't lock down a game. The Islander game is a good example. They get lazy and they get into trouble. Tallinder still hasn't come back to where he was. Lydman is playing well. Sekera is struggling. Numminen isn't good enough anymore. Spacek is probably the 2nd best defesemen. And Rivet seems to be hurt all the time.
Then the offense. Which has been disappointing compared to years past. Only 4 double digit goal scorers. Boston has 6. Since when do they score? MacArthur has 10 goals, but so does Jason Pominville, he has to be a disappointment so far. Along with Derek Roy. Hecht has 4 goals in 26 games. Stafford only 8 in 33. Max is a whirlwhind disaster. Just someone you need to get rid of no matter what. Dan Paille has only 4 goals. There is a lot of guys having down years. Thomas Vanek kind of hides that fact, by producing so much.
This team has more potential, but they never seem to reach it. Just not enough. Lines are constantly juggled, nothing really gels. The Sabres really need to have a great January. Its vital to the season. Anything less then a .600 win % in the month, and they won't make the playoffs. They need confindence back. They need desire. They need a couple trades. Really shake something up.
The team isn't good enough. A few moves to bring in some real prescene on the bench and locker room would be the prescription for the Sabres. The Rivet trade was a step in the right direction. Now just a couple more, and this team could be something come April. I really believe that.
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