I'm sure it's fair to assume that those of you reading this blog all like the Buffalo Sabres, and probably like them more right now than any other time in recent memory.  For the sake of this post, I want you to be as unbiased as possible and tell me who you actually like to win the Eastern Conference this year, and give a reason or two why that's your pick. 

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So, the deadline has come and gone.  The Sabres acquired forward Brad Boyes from St. Louis, and early indications are that he will start on a line with Tim Connolly because they played together successfully in juniors.

That means someone will come out of the lineup that has been playing.  Boyes, Hecht, McCormick, and Ennis are all likely to play, and they each can play both center and wing.

My question to you is this: What would the lines look like if you were standing behind the bench?  Keep it as realistic as possible.  If you want to throw Luke Adam or Paul Byron in there then, go for it, but we all know that they are the only guys breaking in from Portland right now.

I will go ahead and give my lines and leave you to critique them, and give your own version.  I am just going with forwards here.  The top six defensemen are a whole different conversation.

Vanek- Ennis- Stafford
Gerbe- Connolly- Boyes
Pominville- Hecht - Kaleta
McCormick- Gaustad- Grier

Odd man out- Rob Niedermayer

Let me know what you think.  I think you could also have Gaustad center Pominville and Hecht, and move McCormick to the center  between Kaleta and Grier.  Any way you slice it though, I think Nieds needs to sit.

Is there anyone out there who thinks Craig Rivet is a good captain for the Buffalo Sabres?  Stupid question I know.  Just making sure you are paying attention.  A better question is this:  Is there ANYONE out there who would object to Thomas Vanek wearing the C like... Immediately?  I have never been an NHL player and have never met any of the buffalo Sabres face to face.  Doesn't it just seem like he's the real captain of the team though?  He seems to me to lead them in every way, the way you want a captain to.  I think they should put the C his sweater before the NEXT GAME.  Nobody is talking about it in the locker room, but don't you think this team would be excited for him to be named captain?  I think they would rally around the guy, and have a little extra jump in their step for at least a game or two.  That could make all the difference in the world between making the playoffs or not.  Besides, he's earned it.  Tell me what you think.

       Let's play General Manager for a moment without worrying about player salary or contracts.  I want to know everyone's pure, honest, opinion about the players on the Sabres roster.

       I think most Sabres fans are in agreement that about  eight or nine Sabres have lived up to expectations, and we would like to see them return next season. Miller, Vanek, Roy, Stafford, Myers, Montador, Leopold, Ennis, and McCormick are all guys I think most of us want to see wearing the blue and gold a year from now. 

      I also think there are a few guys we all want to see leave town at the end of the year.  Niedermayer, Rivet, Grier, Connolly, and (to a lesser extent) Patrick Lalime headline that list. 

      I want your opinion on the guys in between.  I am going to rank them in order from the guys I would most like to see return, to the guys I would hold the door for on their way out.  Then, you let me know if my list is off the mark.

KEEP EM                                                                                                               DUMP EM 

Pominville, Kaleta, Sekera, Adam, Gerbe, Hecht, Weber, Gaustad, Grier, Connolly, Butler                                                                                                 

      What do you think?  I would probably draw the line right around Weber.  He shows potential, but I'm not sold on him just yet.  I would keep Hecht for the PK and the fact he plays well with Pominville. I hate to say this about the Goose, but I am not impressed by his play at all.  He wins a bunch of faceoffs early in games against third line centers, but what else does he really contribute?  I expect you to kill me for this, but if we're honest with ourselves, McCormick is really the guy we wanted Gaustad to be.