I promised the other day I would get around to doing an approximately 1st quarter Team Report Card. Frankly, I was a little daunted by this as I wasn't sure I'd really have the time to do it. But, my usual lunch-mate cancelled and I found myself with an entire hour to ponder the play of the entire roster and make some notes.
After 25 Games the Sabres are 15-9-1 for 31 points and in a 3-way tie with Toronto (Hiss!) and Philly (Boo!) for 5th place in the Eastern Conference. That puts them on pace for a 49-29-5 record and 104 points, significantly ahead of my pre-season prediction of 40-30-12, 92 pts. They're going to have a lot of proverbial 4-point games coming up as they've yet to play Philly at all, Tampa only once and the Leafs just twice. They've done good work against the Isles taking all 3 games so far, and those points represent the difference between being in the playoffs as of right now and not.
All in all it's been a solid first quarter (and a bit) with the squad having to play through injuries to key personel (Miller, Briere, McKee, Lydman) and sub-par play from others (Kalinin, Hecht).
Onto the individual grades, in no particular order except by position:
Forwards:
Daniel Briere: Grade A: He's on pace for 39 goals and could easily get 50 if his groin injury heals rapidly. He's become our go-to guy offensively and his leadership and desire make everyone who plays with him better. Rapidly becoming a feared player around the league.
Chris Drury: Grade B-: He had a slow start offensively, but has picked it up recently, quietly picking up points (6g,9a). Has had the checking assignment most nights. A monstrous face-off guy, but we're paying him $3+million to do more than win draws and he knows it.
Thomas Vanek: Grade C: 17 points, is on pace for 14g/47a/61pts, which for a rookie is a lot, but those numbers would be better if the effort was more consistent. He's battled a flu and opposition goal posts for sure, but more snarl more consistently will elevate his game.
Tim Connolly: Grade A+: Timmah! is no longer a joke on us. The prize of the Peca deal is beginning to grow up. He's stronger, meaner, faster and just plain better than he's been before. If he's not careful he could wind up Team MVP... he's improving every game.
Paul Gaustad: Grade A: Chainshot's favorite prospect has me wondering where this team would be without him, that's how valuable he's become to this organization. He's got Captain written all over his face. Works hard, wins crucial draws, chips in goals, can drop the gloves... See Ian Laperriere for a comparison as to where he's headed. Makes whoever's on his wing better.
Jochen Hecht: Grade D+: Disappointing to say the least. Not the same player who ended 03-04 so strongly. More hustle. Take less for granted, there are people who want your job.
Mike Grier: Grade B: Next to Goose the hardest worker shift in/shift out. Too bad he's got hands of granite. He's exactly as advertised. Strong forechecker/PK'er. Would be better paired with Goose and Mair/Pyatt
Maxim Afinogenov: Grade B-: Has added both sand and vision to his game, but not enough of either. I gave up a while ago thinking he would ever be a finisher. On pace for 12-39-51. Rarely puts himself in a position to be set up by his linemates, if he adds that to his game the goals will come.
Ales Kotalik: Grade A: Becoming a more complete player every game. Playing with real confidence right now. On pace for 42!-16-58. The goals he's scoring are big goals. Instrumental in the resurgance of the PP (3rd in the League right now), with a huge shot from the point. Wants to be The Man(tm), and has followed through so far.
Adam Mair: Grade C: Not bringing enough of his role every night. When he does he and Goose are hard to handle. Been hampered by injuries which hasn't helped at all.
J.P. Dumont: Grade B-: He's played through a serious abdominal injury that looked like a lack of committment on the ice. For the most part he has performed well on Briere's wing. May be out for a long time.
Derek Roy: Grade B-: Was trying too hard in the first few games after his call up from Roch. Is playing with tenacity and fire with his increased ice time since Dumont and Briere went down. Excellent on the PK and seems to have found a way to control Max.
Andrew Peters: Grade Incomplete: Has dressed 5 times. Goose and Mair can fill his role and he should be waived.... especially with Huselius et. al. available.
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