tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post3061390705616564792..comments2023-11-03T09:36:40.604-04:00Comments on Top Shelf: Talking Baby SabresHeather B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-18046047620677125182009-07-09T14:49:16.387-04:002009-07-09T14:49:16.387-04:00Vanek's Hair, I totally would have taken you u...Vanek's Hair, I totally would have taken you up on the offer of an exclusive. I'll have to remember that for next season.<br /><br />Kate, as an addition, considering his history with prospects, even the very best ones, I would guess that Darcy is reluctant to throw a teenager into the NHL. I think if Portland were an option, that's where Myers would be, no matter how much fans and media are clamoring for him to be on the big team. The fact that he can't play in Portland this year is a thorny thing. I mean, obviously I haven't spoken to Darcy about this issue or anything but historically, he's been very cautious with prospects.Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-47296592212826628822009-07-09T14:42:21.888-04:002009-07-09T14:42:21.888-04:00Caroline, I'm sure the the "WHL or NHL?&q...Caroline, I'm sure the the "WHL or NHL?" question is contributing greatly to Myers probably being pushed up. I only saw him in a few Kelowna games so I'm certainly not saying I'm an expert, but he did stand out. There probably is a very good chance that he's developed all he's going to skills-wise down there. But going from Kelowna to Buffalo is a huge jump. I just think it's unfortunate that he's going to have to do one or the other as Portland is really probably the best choice for him right now. Even if he pulled a Chris Butler and only played in the AHL for a few months before getting called up, at least we would know - and he would know - he'd been successful on another step along the way. And as much as I hate to be pessimistic, I'm not sure he is going to pull a Chris Butler. Butler is three years older than him and wasn't dealing with the physical issues Myers is.<br /><br />It really is his frame and physical stature that concerns me the most. I cannot stress to those of you who haven't seen him in person how very thin he is. I think there's a very good reason that there aren't many defensemen on the list of teenagers who have come in and made an immediate impact in the NHL.<br /><br />Kate, I hear you but in fairness, everyone wants/needs a shut-down d-man who can also maybe man the point on the power play. They're not the easy to get if you don't already have them. The last couple of years we were mostly relying on young players who had been in the NHL for a time which a lot of teams do, especially in the cap era (it just hasn't worked out as well for us :P). This year we're potentially looking at a number of kids who have very little NHL experience being contributors. (But I do understand what you're saying!)<br /><br />On a totally different note, I'm very interested to see how the fans and media who are currently saying, "Let them play and live with their mistakes, the team isn't winning anyway" are going to be responding in February when a team full of struggling babies is a reality rather than just a concept. Weber, Butler, Sekera and Myers have an average age of 21.25 and have played 178 NHL games combined (and 108 of those are Sekera's). If three or four of them are in our starting six, the chances are very good that we're going to see some ugly defensive games. I don't wanna hear any of those people complaining then, "Wow, why are we playing all these damn kids?" :P<br /><br />I don't really mean to sound pessimistic. I like all the baby d-men discussed here and I think they have the potential to be a good, solid group. I'm just leery about expecting too much of them too soon especially as a unit and I do wonder how Myers in particular is going to handle any setbacks.Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-71328930259855333092009-07-09T13:08:06.954-04:002009-07-09T13:08:06.954-04:00I am 100% in agreement with you that Myers should ...I am 100% in agreement with you that Myers should stay in juniors and develop, not only his hockey playing ability, but also his frame. I can't imagine a guy that tall, at that age being at the appropriate stage of physical development to take the grind that is an NHL season. Too bad he cannot sign with Portland and work back and forth. There is still time, because I don't think the guy is hitting UFA status next July or anything.<br /><br />I like Weber a lot. He impressed me in his brief stints in the 2007-2008 season. As an aside, I completely forgot that it was two seasons ago that he saw action. I guess the past two seasons have run together into one boring mess at this point.<br /><br />And I known Top Shelf was doing a live remote from camp, I would have made the five minute drive to give a Vanek's Hair exclusive interview. Not that anyone would be interested in that.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770585105343162265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-80121053120420227282009-07-09T12:39:22.530-04:002009-07-09T12:39:22.530-04:00It would be very convenient for the Sabres if Myer...It would be very convenient for the Sabres if Myers would've been able to be in Portland this upcoming year. I have personally thought about Myers making the jump right away, but after reading your post, I'm looking at it differently now. It isn't Darcy's style to have kids make the jump right away without spending some time in the minors, to go through all the things that happen there. Team bonding, road trips, three games in four nights. If it's going to be better for Myers to stay in junior for one more season, then go to the minors the season after, then I would rather have it that way then have him up here straightaway.<br /><br />I pretty much agree with Caroline's comments. I have high hopes for the guy too after having a stellar year in juniors but I'm not sure now if he's ready for the jump just yet.Shelbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11187905529507918508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-42426372399248268862009-07-09T11:14:20.970-04:002009-07-09T11:14:20.970-04:00I think the Sabres are ready commit to Myers becau...I think the Sabres are ready commit to Myers because he has already learned and developed as much as he is going to in Kelowna and they feel as though he just isn't going to develop any more in the WHL. I haven't seen him play, but from what I've heard from people who have, apparently he just looks miles ahead of the players (and not because of his height lol) and he's already playing 30+ min a night.<br /><br />I guess the Sabres think he's worth the risk. He's 19 and I'm sure they're prepared for him to make typical rookie mistakes, but I think they feel as if those mistakes are worth it if he needs to take the next step in his career in order to ensure his developement because I believe he's a potential number 1 defenseman once he develops.<br /><br />I have high hopes for him, but at the same time I realize he is just 19 and I'm not expecting him to be our savior at the blueline (yet). But obviously the Sabres saw something in him early enough that they decided to sign him to an entry-level contract and see what he can do in the NHL, because apparently he's done all that he's needed to do in the WHL.Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01486889541963109439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-78027123221857210472009-07-09T11:13:07.082-04:002009-07-09T11:13:07.082-04:00Everything you've said about Tyler is rational...Everything you've said about Tyler is rational and well thought out. But it depresses me. The possibility of the big guy being in the lineup is the main thing that keeps me excited about the Sabres right now. Basically because this team looks the same if not worse than last year on paper. Sad, but true.<br /><br />Now if Darcy will actually make some changes before September, I may feel differently.Mark Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495690715950782958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-83073357093886610172009-07-09T10:59:42.458-04:002009-07-09T10:59:42.458-04:00WOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Butts is MINE, all MINE!
I agree...WOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Butts is MINE, all MINE!<br /><br />I agree with you about Tyler Myers, but maybe for different reasons. I'm hugely annoyed by any plan from Darcy which relies on a teenager to be NHL ready. I feel like we've been crossing our fingers and hoping kids pan out for two years now. It's time to get us some freaking NHL players, Darcy.Katebitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364106843885805603noreply@blogger.com