Bills Face Tough Test in New York
In what has to be one of the games of the week this week in the NFL, the 4-1 Buffalo Bills head to New Jersey to face the 3-2 New York Giants. The Bills are coming off a wild win against the Eagles, and will be looking to go into their bye on a strong note. The Giants will be looking to rebound after a tough loss at home against Seattle and will surely be a very focused bunch. A win would send the Bills to 5-1, and one very important game closer to the playoffs.
Both teams have their fair share of injury issues. The Bills will be without Donald Jones, Shawne Merriman, Chris Kelsay and possibly Kyle Williams. In addition, Nick Barnett is dealing with an injury but should play. The Giants are without bruising HB Brandon Jacobs, DE Justin Tuck and starting RG Chris Snee.
Buffalo will need to continue to rely on a quick passing game to help counter the Giants prolific pass rush. The team currently leads the NFL with 18 sacks. Due in part to the offensive scheme as well as a much improved offensive line, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been sacked only twice. It will be interesting to see how much pressure Jason Pierre-Paul and company can put on the Bills. Look for Steve Johnson to bounce back from a tough week last week and have a great game. Fred Jackson has been consistantly great for Buffalo as well, and should find running room tomorrow as well.
The biggest statline tomorrow will be turnover margin. The Bills have allowed over 400 yards of offense each of the last 4 weeks. Winning the turnover battle has allowed the team to go 3-1 in that span. The Giants are going to get their yards and points tomorrow, and the Bills will need to force turnovers and rattle Eli Manning early. Manning was playing great over the first 4 weeks of the year, but was bit by the interception bug last week. If the Bills can continue to force Manning mistakes, they should end up winning convincingly.
This has been the most entertaining season of Bills football in a long time, and I see no reason why that will change any time soon. Chan Gailey has the players to match the scheme he runs, and this is only the beginning of the teams success. My prediction for tomorrow; Bills 31, Giants 21
Mike Vick contract could be one of the worst ever.
Michael Vick’s career has now come full circle, as the NFL’s most controversial star has agreed to a 6 year, 100 million dollar contract extention with the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal will include 40 million dollars in guaranteed money. It was first reported by Andrew Brandt on twitter around 6:45 this evening:
Vick was the story of the year last year, and absolutely deserved an extension. However, I don’t see him playing 6 years wth the Eagles, or living up to his hefty salary while he’s there. Perhaps the Eagles should have learned from Atlanta how well giving the quarterback 100+ million works.
In 2010, Vick started the season as the backup to Kevin Kolb, but quickly entered the lineup after a week 1 Kolb injury. Kolb never won his job back, though he did fill in for an injured Vick midway through the season. The 31 year old lefty finished the season with 3,018 yards passing, 21 TD and just 6 interceptions. Furthermore, he ran for over 600 yards and scored 9 times on the ground. He single-handedly carried my fantasy team over multiple weeks. The one knock on his overall game was the fact that he fumbled 6 times last season.
Looking at his game log from 2010, it’s easy to see that teams were beginning to figure him out. Once teams forced him to roll right, Vick went from a flawless QB to a good QB. Over his first 6 games in 2010, Vick had a QB rating over 100 four times, and threw 11 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. To close out his year, the Newport News native had a rating over 100 just once, and had a TD/INT of 10/6.
I see this trend continuing into 2011, even with the amazing amount of talent that has filtered off to Philly this offseason. Vick battled injuries last year, and his style of play makes him very susceptible to more. While I have no doubt that he is one of the toughest players on the football field, you can only do so much when you’re hurt. If Vick has to play hurt, the Eagles will struggle. He’s already 31 years old, and even with his time off in prison, he’s taken more than his fair share of big hits. One has to wonder how his body will react 2, 3, 4 years down the road.
Maybe I’m just jealous that the Bills don’t have any players on their team worthy of a 50 million dollar contract, let alone 100. Maybe (probably) the Eagles have the deal set up so they can cut him in 4 years if he’s reached the end without losing much money. It’s still a lot of money to pay a quarterback who’s nearing the end of his peak and closing in on his contract with ESPN. Best of luck to you Michael, you’ll need it when you don’t live up to this contact in 3 years.
Bills @ Bears Impressions
Football is back finally, I think…After sitting through a major snoozer – even for the preseason – there were things to be excited about after tonight’s game. Yet, it is easy to see how far behind teams (at least the Bears and Bills) are in terms of efficiency; especially on the offensive side. Nevertheless, here are some things I liked, and didn’t like from the game:
The Good
1.) Shawne Merriman – That’s a given. Merriman recorded 2.5 sacks in just 2 series. He was explosive, and showed a lot of power by beating the lineman on the inside for one of his sacks.
2.) Marcel Dareus – Everyone knows how big and strong Dareus is, but the greatest thing I saw out of him tonight are his speed and agility in getting to the quarterback. He can knife through tiny holes in the line very easily for someone his size, and his future looks very bright.
3.) Chris White and Danny Batten – Both players made some big plays tonight. Batten finished the game with 2 sacks, while White seems to have a good knack for being around the ball. White even broke up a deep pass about 35 yards down the seam, something Paul Pozluszny has yet to do as a pro.
4.) Brad Smith – Smith could well be the Bills best free agent pickup this year. He isn’t a great passer, but he’s enough of a threat in that area to keep teams on their toes. He is a great wildcat QB, who recorded a first down on all of his runs. I can’t wait to see what the Bills have drawn up for him once the regular season starts.
The Bad
1.) The offense – It was nice to see the Bills trying to use a tight end for a change, but Buffalo was pretty bad offensively all night. Ryan Fitzpatrick didn’t really test anything deep, and finished 7/9 for just 44 yards. The right side of the line, had their issues, and CJ Spiller got blown up in the backfield after a missed block by Kraig Urbik. I thought the pass protection was decent, with Fitzpatrick having a good amount of time to pass. Still, the unit has a lot of work to do if they want to be a top 20 offense this season.
2.) Aaron Maybin – Maybin was supposed to get extended time tonight. I noticed him once, on a punt….running down the field, watching the return man run by him, and then running the other way. It’s expected at this point, and it’s time for him to get cut. He’s had plenty of chances to make a play, and we’ll never see any out of him.
3. ) Backup quarterbacks – Tyler Thigpen and Levi Brown were both awful. Thigpen is athletic and shows some good ability in escaping pressure in the pocket, but he was off on his throws all night. I’m not sure how he ever threw 19 touchdowns in a season with the Chiefs. I’m really hoping Fitzpatrick stays healthy all year, because there isn’t anything below him worth being on this team. Brad Smith isn’t an every-down QB, and if he had to become one, I wouldn’t expect good things to come from it.
It was nice to see the Bills play against a different team, but it’s not really enough to get a feel for how good the team will be. Hopefully the starters get a good amount of time in their next game, and they show a bit more polish in their game.
Bills vs. Bears kick off the Preseason tonight
Football is back! It is just the preseason, a game in which both teams starters will be lucky to make it 8 minutes into the game, but football is football. This game still has me interested in quite a few different aspects of the team. It will be nice to see how the teams offense and defense fare against a different unit. So far in training camp, the Bills defense has been the superior group. Tonight, we begin to figure out whether this retooled defense is actually good, or if our offense is just offensive.
It's your chance to shine, Don
One of the main things I will be watching early on tonight, is Shawne Merriman. He will not get many reps tonight, but this will be our first real chance to see how much explosiveness he has regained after his injury issues. Will he help the Bills become a team with a respectable pass rush? Or is he just another player who’s play-making days are behind him and will only be a mediocre starter at best (Takeo Spikes).
Another big story tonight will be the state of Buffalo’s wide receiving corps. With Lee Evans now gone, someone new has a prime opportunity to become a star receiver in the NFL. Donald Jones has been named the #2 receiver tonight, while David Nelson will line up in the slot. This is the lineup I feel will last throughout the preseason and into the regular season. I feel Jones will surprise a lot of people this year and put up some big numbers this year. In his rookie campaign last year, Jones caught 18 passes for 213 yards and scored a touchdown in 15 games. Jones was a secondary option last year, and didn’t get much of a chance at all until the injury that shelved Roscoe Parrish midway through 2010. If Jones gets put in a position where he gets 5+ throws his way every game, he could be a fantasy steal.
Parrish is another solid option for Gailey, once he returns from his injury. I’d rather see him roam around in the slot myself. He seems to fit Gailey’s system very well, and was one 0f Ryan Fitzpatricks go-to guys last year. With more depth around him (even with Evans gone), he should be able to find space more easily and could have a solid year. Naaman Roosevelt is probably the player who benefits most from the Evans trade. He played well last year as a late season step-in, but might have had trouble making the team had Evans remained a Bill. Roosevelt is a player who runs good routes and has great hands, which is always something I love to see on the Bills.
Will the offensive line hold its ground? The one place on the team that arguably needed upgrading the most, didn’t see any improvement. While the left side of the line (Bell, Levitre, Wood) should be ok, I am concerned about what Kraig Urbik and Erik Pears may allow by them. With a weakness spanning more than one position on the line, I would expect teams to bring a lot of pressure from the right side, creating havoc in the pocket.
Finally, assuming he gets some extended playing time from the rest of the starters, I will keep an eye on CJ Spiller. Spiller had a rough rookie campaign, and is looking to show to Bills fans that he was worth a top 10 pick. I would like to see Spiller have some patience on outside runs tonight and not just look to outrace people to the corners. Hopefully the Bills have given him all the Chris Johnson tape he can handle, and the Clemson man shows what he can do tonight.
While it is just the first preseason game, I can’t wait for it to start. It’s a fresh start for 32 teams, and even in years where things don’t look promising…..anything can happen in the NFL. It is the league of parody, and there should always be room for hope. A good game tonight would do wonders for the psyche of the fan base, and it might even get me a little excited for the season forthcoming.
So Long, Donte
When the news came across twitter late last night that Donte Whitner would be taking his talents to Cincinnati, I found myself grinning like I’d just won the lottery. Goodbye, good luck…..never come back. There isn’t a player I’ve despised more over the past couple years, and a change of scenery for Donte is long overdue.
Whitner, who the 8th overall pick in 2006, was just one of many bad decisions made by former Bills GM Marv Levy. In his tenure with the Bills, Whitner compiled 451 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 5 interceptions. Hardly worth the 8th overall pick. Whitner was touted as a playmaker when he came to town, but made the papers more for his mouth than his abilities on the field. Back in 2008, Whitner guaranteed a playoff berth for the Bills:
When asked if he expects the Bills to make the playoffs, Whitner makes it clear how serious he is. “Do I expect us to make the playoffs?” he says. “I’m guaranteeing it.”
We all know how that worked out. Having confidence is one thing, but guaranteeing a playoff berth when you haven’t made it there in that century is a bit much. Whitner is a player who thinks he’s one of the best in the league, and certainly talks like he’s one. In reality, he is nothing more than an average player who has ridden his 8th overall pick into the media spotlight.
In 2009, Whitner was arrested (and tased) in Cleveland for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest:
Police in Cleveland say they were outside the House of Blues attempting to quell a near riot. Whitner allegedly attempted enter an area where numerous fights were occurring. Officers say that he began swinging his arms in a violent manner when police tried to restrain him then broke free and took a fighting stance. Officials say an officer had to deploy his taser so that officers could put Whitner in handcuffs.
You won't be missed.
Regardless of the reason for jumping into the brawl, as a professional football player, he should have known better. There were no positive outcomes from an action like the one he took. He told the Bills he wanted to be paid like a top safety this past season. Whether that was his way of saying he did not want to return, or him actually believing he was a top safety I have no idea.
Of all the moves that the Bills have made this offseason, not retaining Whitner may have been their best one. Sadly, Buffalo probably tried to resign him, and it took the player himself leaving to actually make the Bills a better team. Too many times over the past 5 years, I’ve seen plays where Whitner arrives to the play a step late, or drop an easy interception. He never carried his playmaking ability over to the NFL. George Wilson, who figures to start in his place, is a much bigger playmaker. Since 2007, Wilson has 8 interceptions, 4 fumbles recovered, 3.5 sacks and 2 touchdowns, which was mostly done in a backup role. Whitner had just 18 pass breakups for the Bills, compared to Wilson’s 14.
To Whitner’s credit, he has never said anything bad about the city of Buffalo, and has always played very hard. He hated losing, and I have never doubted the commitment and effort he has given while on the team. That is a rare trait in the NFL today, and he deserves to be saluted for it. He could also lay a lick on a player, something Chad Ochocinco could definitely talk about.
In the end, Whitner was just an average NFL play who never lived up to the massive expectations put upon him. While he should have never been drafted 8th, his lack of maturity as an NFL player is ultimately what caused many Bills fans to lose their support of him. Have fun on the Ohio, Donte…I’ll enjoy my Bills much more without you.
Paul Posluszny a Jaguar
I was really hoping my first NFL post after the lockout would be a positive one, but who am I kidding, we’re the Bills. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports and Jason La Canfora of NFL Network are reporting that the Bills middleman will be heading off to Jacksonville on a 6 year deal:
I am not particularly thrilled with this. While Poz is by no means a star, he was a solid starter on the backbone of the Bills defense. Perhaps Paul lied about wanting to come back to Buffalo, and only said so in case he never found a solid offer. Maybe the Bills low-balled him with a terrible offer, though I find that hard to believe when the team has so much cap space and the reports that they really tried to keep him. Add another need onto the pile, a pile that is already far too high. What makes this even worse, is the Bills general attitude towards spending in free agency.
“We’ve said from Day One we’re never going to be huge spenders in free agency”
Who will replace him? Poz wasn’t great, but he’s sure as hell better than Kelvin Sheppard, Reggie Torbor, Chris White, Danny Batten..etc. If you want to improve your defense, using Reggie Torbor or a untested draft pick as a starter in the middle isn’t exactly an A+. I’d give that plan an F. Buffalo needs to spend 99% of the cap, why not overpay? They aren’t going after top players, so who will they spend the money on? Who is their free agent “splash” to bring in the fans? Todd Heap? Marion Barber? Maybe they could bring back Willis. There aren’t any big names who will come to Buffalo, so again…why not overpay?
Now, I’m sure that wasn’t the Bills plan, but they better have a plan B ready. Otherwise, we can watch Torbor make 15 tackles a game 15 yards down the field as the Bills give up 30 points a game. Sadly, we may have to deal with this until a change of philosophy comes from a change all the way up top.
Sekera Signed to Extension
The Buffalo Sabres continued their busy summer today, agreeing on contracts with both Andrej Sekera and 4th liner Matt Ellis. Sekera – who is just 24 – is now locked up through June of 2015. His contract will pay him 11 million dollars over that span, making him the 4th highest paid defensemen on the team (Regehr, Ehrhoff, Leopold). Ellis was signed to a two year deal, which will be a 2 way deal this year, followed by a 1 way deal in 2012-13.
Here is the breakdown of the Sekera deal:
2011-12 $4.25 Million
2012-13 $3.25 Million
2013-14 $1.75 Million
2014-15 $1.75 Million
Ellis is a great 4th line signing for the Sabres. He will most likely split time between Portland and Buffalo this year, filling in as depth whenever injuries begin to mount. He doesn’t have much, if any flair, but works hard and the Sabres seem to do very well with him in the lineup:
The Sabres had a staggering record when the veteran Ellis played in 2010-11. Although he did not score a goal, the Sabres went 11-1-and-2 with Ellis playing.
Sekera played in 76 games for the Sabres this year, and had some very good stretches. If he becomes more consistent, this will turn out to be a great signing for Buffalo. The Slovak was one of 3 Buffalo defensemen to average over 20:00 of ice time per game. He shouldn’t see that amount of ice time in 2011 though, with Christian Ehrhoff and Robyn Regier both joining the blue-line ranks. While he only scored 3 goals this year, he seems to make the Sabres much better offensively. If Sekera can continue to be a threat on the rush, and improve his defensive game, Buffalo could have the best defense corps in the league.
It’s still surreal to look back on the events that have occurred in the past month. Terry Pegula and Ted Black have transformed Buffalo into “hockey heaven,” the only thing left to do is start winning. The team looks stocked and ready to go for 2011-2012, with a Stanley Cup in view. I know I’m enjoying the ride immensely so far, and can’t wait for games to start up again.
And the First-Half MLB Awards Go To . . .
With the Major League Baseball season just past the halfway point and currently on its all-star break, now’s the perfect time to take a look at the key standouts from the first three-plus months. Here, with a sabermetrics slant (stats courtesy of FanGraphs), we’ll discuss MVPs, Cy Young-caliber pitchers, rookies of the year, and the premier managers of 2011. Let’s get to it. . .
American League MVP
Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto: Bautista spent several years as the quintessential journeyman who bounced around a slew of different organizations (including four in 2004) as an inconsequential figure. That all changed in 2010, though, with Bautista’s stunning 54-home run season north of the border. Many were sure it was a fluke – and those same people laughed when Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos signed Bautista to a big-money, long-term contract in the winter – but the 31-year-old’s encore has thus far been even more dazzling than his breakout. In fact, he ranks first in the AL in homers (31), on-base percentage (.468), slugging percentage (.702), walk rate (19.7 percent) and wins above replacement (6.6), and his .334 batting average is “only” good for second. Simply put, Bautista has fled the world of anonymity and irrelevance to become the preeminent player in baseball, silencing scores of doubters along the way. And, assuming his current play continues, the man called “Joey Bats” will have an MVP award to show for it by season’s end.
- Great Uniform, Greater Player
AL Cy Young
Jered Weaver, Los Angeles: This is an extremely tough one to pick because Weaver, CC Sabathia, Justin Verlander and James Shields are all having glorious seasons. The ace of the Angels is atop the pack in ERA (1.86) and fielding-independent pitching (2.39), so we’ll hesitantly give him the nod. Weaver’s 4.7 WAR is a hair behind Sabathia’s pace-setting 4.8 and he’s fifth in innings pitched (140.2).
AL Rookie of the Year
Michael Pineda, SP, Seattle: As if Felix Hernandez wasn’t enough for opposing hitters to deal with, Pineda has burst on the scene at the tender age of 22 and given the Mariners another top-of-the-rotation pitcher. The all-star leads AL starters in strikeouts per nine innings (9.0), has shown good control (2.87 BB/9), and boasts a terrific ERA/FIP/xFIP triple slash line of 3.03/3.17/3.50. That 2.4 WAR is awfully solid as well.
AL Manager of the Year
Manny Acta, Cleveland: With the White Sox, Tigers and perennially playoff-bound Twins in front of them, the question entering the season was whether the Indians or Royals would finish last in the AL Central. However, the young upstarts from Cleveland are five games above .500 and trail division-leading Detroit by merely half a game. At least some of the credit can go to the forward-thinking Acta, a sabermetrics-minded manager who insists he expected the formerly cellar-dwelling Indians to turn heads this year. So far, so good.
National League MVP
Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh: The last time the Pirates had a player of this caliber, Barry Bonds was roaming the outfield at Three Rivers Stadium in the early 1990s. McCutchen is a third-year pro who had back-to-back excellent seasons to begin his career, but 2011 has truly been his coming-out party. “Cutch-22,” as he’s known, is the face of the resurgent Pirates, having put together a BA/OBP/SLG triple slash line of .291/.390/.505 with 14 HRs, 15 steals, and a second-place WAR ranking (5.1). McCutchen is also enjoying an elite defensive season. He ranks third in the NL in ultimate zone rating (8.3), seventh in UZR/150 (14.4) and tied for 12th in defensive runs saved (six). Pittsburgh has been searching for a true franchise player since Bonds signed with San Francisco in ’93, and it has found one in this 24-year-old center fielder. He’s gonna need a pretty big trophy case to house all the oncoming awards.
- MVPirate
Roy Halladay, Philadelphia: Excuse the hyperbole, but Halladay is so unbelievably good that you’d almost be crazy to suggest he isn’t the foremost pitcher in the sport. The ace of aces is in the midst of another phenomenal season with an ERA/FIP/xFIP triple slash of 2.45/2.16/2.51. He leads the NL in FIP, xFIP, tERA (2.24), pitcher WAR (5.1), BB/9 (1.07) and K/BB (8.12). Just to give you an idea of how far ahead of the pack Halladay is in K/BB, second place is 5.04. At age 34, Halladay is well on his way to his third Cy Young – not to mention Cooperstown.
NL Rookie of the Year
Danny Espinosa, 2B, Washington: While his .242 average isn’t impressive, Espinosa more than makes up for it in other areas. Among NL second basemen, Espinosa ranks second in home runs (16), slugging percentage (.460) and WAR (3.3). He leads at his position in steals (12) and has been a solidly above-average defender (3.3 UZR). The only 2B better in the NL this year has been Brewers all-star Rickie Weeks.
NL Manager of the Year
Clint Hurdle, Pittsburgh: Maybe the apocalypse really is near. What other explanation can there be for the fact that the Pirates are 47-43 through 90 games? But seriously, in a division with St. Louis, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, absolutely no one expected the Bucs to be just a game back of first place at the all-star break. Like the Indians’ Acta, Hurdle (who previously went to a World Series as Colorado’s manager) should get some credit. Good for him and the Pirates, whose last playoff appearance came in 1992. Their résumé of awfulness also includes six straight last-place finishes in the NL Central and 18 consecutive sub-.500 campaigns. For now at least, Steel City fans can dream of October for Hurdle’s Pirates.
A Hidden Gem Right in our Backyards
There won’t be many posts about soccer on this site, so don’t go running for the hills yet. Today was the first chance I’ve had to watch the great Brazillian soccer sensation Marta on TV. Marta, who is just 25 years old, has already been named the FIFA women’s player of the year 5 times. She happens to be a member of the Western New York Flash, who have played all their games this year in Rochester, NY.
As a former soccer player in high school, and an all around fan of the game, I’ve always been interested in the progress of our national teams when the World Cup comes around. I like to follow both the Rochester Rhinos and the Flash as well. I’m not writing this claiming to be a soccer expert or die-hard fan saying I told you so. I’ve usually get to 3 or 4 Rhinos games a year, but haven’t ever had the itch to see the ladies play. That all changed today. I think there are a lot of people in the same boat as me when it comes to actually attending a Flash game. But assuming many people in the area watched the thrilling cup game today, the team could see many more people flock to the gates when the great striker returns.
People need to get out to Sahlens Stadium, before it’s too late. This is a world class talent, who somehow plays in Rochester. Abby Wambach, a native of Rochester, is a huge draw for the team. The problem is that she plays in Florida, limiting the big time crowds to games when Wambach visits town. Marta should be just as big of a draw. I’ve already marked next Wednesday, July 20th down on my calender. Assuming the World Cup players are back on their club teams by them, it could be an electric game. It should also be a sellout, which makes soccer games so much more exciting.
I knew Marta was good, I knew all the accolades that followed her around. Now, I’m almost in awe of her skill, and won’t miss out on the chance to see her live. It’s something that everyone in the area should try to do, before some big market team steals her back again.
Sabres Prospects Looking to Shine at Camp
As most members of the Buffalo Sabres relax by their pools this summer, the organization’s prospects are hard at work. Lindy Ruff and his associates are running their annual development camp at Niagara University this week. This is a great time for future Sabres to showcase their skills in front of their coaches directly, as well as learn about what it takes to be an NHL player.
Most prospects are in attendance. One exception is Buffalo’s newest first-round pick, winger Joel Armia, who was excused from camp to work out with the Finnish national team. Also at the camp is Sabres forward Tyler Ennis, the only full-time member of the team in attendance, and he is using it as a way to become a leader as he matures into an NHL veteran.
“My first camps there were guys here who had played in the NHL, and I know I learned a lot from them,” Ennis said. “They always had a good attitude, so I’m just going to try and work hard, have a positive attitude and be respectful to all these young guys, try to be a good role model for them.”
There are plenty of intriguing players who have a solid shot of playing in Buffalo this year. Center Luke Adam, the team’s second-round pick in 2008, could be atop the list. He is a natural center, a position at which the Sabres currently have a need. The reigning AHL rookie of the year got his first taste of the NHL this past season, tallying three goals and an assist in 19 games. He seemed to have trouble getting accustomed to the speed of the NHL game, and is spending the summer doing everything he can to get a full-time promotion:
“Going into training camp my goal is to be on this team,” said Adam. “There’s no second thought in my head right now that I would want to play in the American League next year. I want to play in the NHL and I’m putting in a hard summer of work and I’m going to do everything in my power to earn a spot here in training camp.”
Another name being talked about is the Sabres’ 2009 first-rounder, Zack Kassian, a physical winger who had a good preseason for the Sabres last year before going back to the OHL. He would give the Sabres more of an edge on account of his toughness, yet would also bring scoring touch to the team. The 20-year-old amassed 77 points (26+51) in 56 games last season for Windsor, and was a PPG player in 16 playoff games, before ending up with Buffalo’s ex-AHL affiliate, Portland, to end the year. If Kassian plays well in the preseason, he could find his way onto Buffalo’s roster; however, current odds are in favor of him starting in Rochester to fine-tune his game.
The Sabres seem like a team loaded with future NHL talent, including a solid group of blue-liners led by Brayden Mcnabb, TJ Brennan and Mark Psysk, and depth at forward with Adam, Kassian, Marcus Foligno, Daniel Catenacci, Corey Tropp and Jacob Lagace all in attendance at this week’s camp. The problem is that there’s not enough room for all of these players in Buffalo, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Image courtesy of the Buffalo News.
Connor
Kevin
Timothy
Brandon
Crease Crashers 
