Watching playoff hockey all week (in Philadelphia no less) has me itchy. I so miss this excitement. Pales in comparison to when your own team is in it. The build up, the nerves, the excitement...I'm pining for next year all ready!! In the meantime....

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Just a lengthy back and forth between befuddled Bills enthusiasts.  2 emails basically saying the same things, good time passer on the john at the least....

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As a blanket statement I like to opine that none of their units have taken steps back from a year ago.  The moves and acquisitions made by this regime are (or appear to be) all wise football decisions made with a clear purpose and unwavering resolve.  Here's my weigh in on the team as a whole and some gut feelings on how the season plays out.

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An elaboration on my lost comment from yesterday's article

The problem we have here is similar to the bills, we’re never awful enough to get a top 5 pick and have to build with lesser touted draft picks. It takes a ton of scouting prowess and good luck to win this way, which we haven’t had.  To compound that, the 1st round picks we do have rarely play to their expectations.

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I know he's had a few failed opportunities to stick with the parent club either in call ups (11 games, 3 points) or winning a roster spot out of training camp but what's wrong with this guy???

At 24 years now he's reaching his make or break point to be a legit NHL player.  Granted he was only converted from defenseman to forward in 2003 while in the WHL but you have to imagine he gets it by now.  Purely based on numbers he's been Rochester/Portland's most consistent forward the last 4 or 5 years.  Put that with several AHL all-star appearances and he's got a great minor league resume.

Year                GP   G   A    P  PIM  +/-

2005-2006     71  18  24  42  80  -1
2006-2007     64  23  34  57  49  +1   
2007-2008     73  29  38  67  61  +9
2009-2010     80  21  36  57  78  -7
2009-2010     60  22  38  60  51  +14

I read one of his knocks is that his success has come because he plays with good players (Corey Locke, Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Tyler Ennis, Clarke MacArthur) but that's what happens on any top line.  With his excellent size (6'4" 225)  and tremendous shot (AHL record 102.8 MPH), I see him as an ideal 3rd/4th line winger with powerplay upside.  Having played defense I'd love to see him inserted at the point on our 2nd PP unit, hoping for Alex Kotalik type production without as much defensive liability.

He's in the final year of his contract and will be a RFA this offseason so a contract decision looms with him from Darcy  Does anyone know what his issues are and why he hasn't been given PT on the sabres?  I'm at a loss.

UPDATE:  Some insight from a 9/2009 post by Dave Olesky paints a better picture:

We'll start with Mancari since he is still a restricted free agent with no intentions of signing with the Sabres.  It appears that Mancari is hoping to sign with a club that is willing to give him a shot at playing in the NHL.  It doesn't look like that chance will come in Buffalo with the depth the Sabres have at forward.

Most of us have not had ample opportunities to see Mancari play live and we relied on statistics and highlights.  We knew that he put up great offensive statistics and had a monster shot.  We didn't know how he actually played the game.

I always wondered why the Sabres never gave him a real shot to play in the NHL.  I stopped wondering after talking to people in the know.  It appears that Mancari is primed to be a career AHL player or a fringe NHL player.  Despite his large 6-3 220 lbs. frame he plays a soft game and is reluctant to battle in the corners.  He is also a very slow skater and has trouble controlling the puck in traffic. 

It looks like we know why the Sabres have been reluctant to give him a shot.  He seems content to play the same style and go somewhere else instead of working hard and trying to earn a spot by playing physical.  The Sabres would love to keep him around in case he ever realizes his potential but they will not give any gaurantees.  Can you blame them?

Looks like Florida has given their GM the green light to reshape their team.  Anyone we like?

David Booth - LW - $4.25M thru 2015, 25 yrs old

Speedy winger with a nice shot, played with a plus 23 and 53 goals over 145 games the last two years.  Has a limited no trade clause, hopefully playing at Michigan State after Miller would be worth something.  Maybe too expensive as he's a big piece of their future and has concussion problems after that viscous Richards hit.

Cory Stillman - LW - $3.53M thru 2011, 36 yrs old

Still a dangerous forward but has fallen off the last few years.  Had 8 PP goals last year and is struggling a bit as the panthers slump.  Not sure he'd be the hard-nosed vet we covet but still a good depth player.

Nathan Horton - RW - $4M thru 2013, 24 yrs old

A former #3 overall pick still has great potential and was finally producing (17G, 29A, +1) until breaking his tibia in January.  Will be out until early march but would be an immediate 1st line winger.  Knocked for his lack of effort at times, do we need more of those?  NTC kicks in July 1.

Bryan McCabe - D - $5.75M thru 2011, 34 yrs old

Expensive vet at his age.  Very good offensively and on the PP - dare I say quarterback - and plays an even 5v5 defensively.  Would have to move some significant salary to make this work.  Has NTC.

Stephen Weiss - C - $3.1M thru 2013, 26 yrs old

Doubtful he's available at his price and production (21 G, 27 A, -5).  Similar to Roy's situation but not as good of a two way game if that's saying anything.  Decent in the faceoff circle, 52.7%.  Has NTC.

Steven Reinprecht - C - $2.05M thru 2012, 33 yrs old

Wily vet center with average numbers for his salary.  Nothing spectacular though and 2nd/3rd line center is not our need.

Personally I'd love to see Horton or Booth come in here in a Regier-esque trade, targeting an "underachiever" with a decent price tag.  I'd give Stafford, a D prospect, and a late pick for either. 

Getting Weiss for a even a reasonable price would be a coup.

Wrote this assessment of the current and future Sabres team for some friends that were busy in law school or out of market.  Turned into a mammoth 7 page write up (mostly done at work - sorry boss) of mostly me trying to flex my hockey knowledge muscle...there's no sabres fans in philly to banter with.

Let me know if my perceptions of anything/anyone are off.

Current Roster

Strengths

Weaknesses

Needs/Trade Possibilities

Recent Play/Future Outlook

Future/Farm highlights

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