Shutdown Pair

Tag: Mark Mancari

  • Split Down The Middle

    The Sabres returned home from Philly with a split in the series, 1-1.  Two one goal games, a cubic ass-load of penalties and one goalie switch already happening with Boucher getting the game 3 start after ‘Bob’ was chased.  I like what Lindy said about the physical play, that he’d rather see the team go too far with it than not far enough.  Cut down on the interference-type penalties, keep up with the physical play, and bring home game 3.  Some notes:

    • Looks like Pronger is still out.  Yes.
    • Mancari and Persson are sent back.
    • Nathan Gerbe is small.
    • Patrick Kaleta is from Angola.
    • Tyler Myers played Junior Hockey in Kelowna.
    • Sorry about those last three, thought I was Pierre McGuire for a second.
    • Drew Stafford needs to score, if only for everyone to see that he’s growing a mustache w/mutton chops from the looks of it.

    Taking the boy to his first official Taekwondo class tonight, but will be DVRing the game and watching as soon as I can.  Let’s go Buffalo!

  • Back to Back

    Another weekend, another pair of back to back games for the Sabres.  Tonight they host the Florida Panthers (7:30pm start, take note) and tomorrow it’s the New Jersey Devils.  Steve Montador and Jochen Hecht practiced and may return, though lineup changes may be tough to justify.  Unless the Sabres burn one of the few remaining non-emergency callups they have, Mancari would have to go back if someone gets back in.  He’s played well (Lindy said Mancari/Gerbe/Gaustad might be their best line right now) so it’ll be interesting to see what is done.

    For Florida’s part, they’ve been shut out the past two games, by Chicago and the Rangers.  If I’m Ruff, and Enroth is in the plans for this weekend, I’d be tempted to put him in tonight.  Don’t think it happens though, with Miller fresh off a shutout.  Speaking of, it was GREAT to see Miller finally out-duel another good goalie.  If that can continue on into the playoffs, there’s no team they’d face in the first round that would intimidate me.

    New Jersey’s run is over, as they’ve fallen 9 points back of the Sabres and 8th place.  They’ve lost 3 of four, managing just 4 goals, and will also be on the downslope of a back to back.  I hesitate to ‘expect’ 4 points out of these games, but if I’m Buffalo, I’d be disappointed with anything less.

  • Sabres RFAs

    Thankfully, the Buffalo Sabres won’t have a lot of RFA drama this offseason.  As far as RFAs that made any sort of roster appearance with the big show this year, well, there ain’t that many:

    • Tim Kennedy
    • Patrick Kaleta

    You know those guys are coming back.  Neither one is worth enough for another team to make an offer sheet for, but they hold down important roles on the Sabres.  The next tier of RFAs are the ones leading the way for the Portland Pirates:

    • Mark Mancari
    • Marc-Andre Gragnani
    • Mike Weber
    • Phillip Gogulla

    Mike Weber (who got some PT with the Sabres a couple of years ago) is a guy that some are looking to step up to the show potentially, if Tallinder and Lydman both end up leaving.  No guarantees though, considering that Sekera and Butler had basically been sharing the 6th d-man spot down the stretch.

    The third tier of RFAs are guys I know very little about, to be honest.  You can get more info on them at Sabres Prospects, but if there are any RFA types that don’t get tendered an offer by the Sabres, it’s these guys

    • Matt Generous
    • Jean-Phillipe Lamoreaux
    • Michael Kostka
    • Derek Whitmore

    Not a bad year for Restricted Free Agency for Buffalo.  Only one guy is arbitration eligible, and he’s in the third tier (Generous).  Shouldn’t be too much stress there.