Sabres' Leino gets his shot with Vanek, Pominville

October 31, 2011 - 12:19 PM | 1 comment
The Sabres signed Ville Leino to be one of their top two centers. It hasn't worked out so far, with just one goal and one assist in 10 games. He's about to get his shot with Buffalo's hottest wingers to see if it can kick-start his season.
The Sabres are on the ice in First Niagara Center for the first time since Saturday's 3-2 meltdown loss to Florida, and Leino is skating in the middle of left wing Thomas Vanek and right wing Jason Pominville. Luke Adam had been between the wingers, who have combined for 13 goals and 29 points.
Adam has moved to left wing for center Derek Roy and right wing Drew Stafford.
The other two lines remain the same: Nathan Gerbe-Paul Gaustad-Patrick Kaleta; and Cody McCormick-Matt Ellis-Brad Boyes. Jochen Hecht, who was placed on injured reserve over the weekend, is not skating with the team.
We'll have more following practice

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It was only a matter of time till his contract gave him another shot on the top line.

Yeah I was going to post that yesterday, but (1) too busy at work and (2) just no oooomph after saturday's loss.

Leino whines, and is then rewarded w/PP time. Whine's again, and then put on top line....a heretofore rather successful top line. He's rapidly winning me over.

This theoretically should help Roy, since many blamed his lack of production on Leino. Which, followed logically, would imply that this move then hurts Pommer and Vanek.

I'll be at the game Wed night....watching closely.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

So last week I wrote something to the effect of....if Gragnani isn't producing on the PP there is no need for him to be in the line up (being the PP specia list that he is).

Well lo-and-behold he's been taken off the power play, w/ Roy supplanting him as the point-man. Good news for Roy owners.

Very bad news for Gragnani owners (eg to the GM in my $$$ league that drafted him in the first round)...look for him to sit tonight and probably next couple of games in favor of the more defensive minded Weber. (not confirmed)

Long story short - Grags just wasn't shooting the puck at the net, coupled w/the fact that his d-play was mediocre at best and...voila, off the ice ya go.

Looking at the big picture: Ruff had the team practicing very hard on Monday, changing of the lines, benching of Grags (assumption, on my part) and I think we will seer a short term spike in goals and overall offense play.


Good time to start Roy and Leino. Bench Grags for now.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

CONFIRMED: Gragnani- OUT; Weber-IN

D-Pairings are as follows:
Weber/Regehr
Myers/Sekera
Leopold/Ehrhoff

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Well this sucks as a Gragnani owner. But as it's 3-0 after the first 7 minutes maybe this is a blessing in disguise! Weber -2.

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24teams;26players(20roster,6bench)dynasty(full keeper);
NHL cap league based on NHL salaries (not cap hit);
pool points:
F/C: G 4pts; A 4pts; +/- 2pts
D(min5,max9): G 8pts; A 5pts; +/- 4pts
G(min2,max3): W 9pts; OTL 5pts; SO 5pts
extra points for PPP

F:Giroux,H.Sedin,D.Sedin,Kessel,St.Louis,JVR,Selan ne,Jagr,Brouwer,Dupuis,
Johansson,Conacher,Galchenyuk,Brock Nelson,Brett Ritchie
D:Markov,Enstrom,Edler,Leddy,Niskanen,Gardiner,Orl ov,Vatanen,Krug
G:Quick,Lehtonen

"It's such a fine line between stupid, and clever."

not much of disguise, Buf couldn't defend a rookie team.Weber looks horrid.

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Milbury saying ruff is doing some poor coaching.

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Is this the 2010 playoffs-redux??

I love Miller, honestly. I fully support him as the team's #1. I am so glad he was pulled.

Not just the three goals, it was his body language as a whole that had me worried right from the get-go....not to mention he was gettin' zero help from his supporting staff. Not confident in any of his movement. His eyes were quite telling. Very unfortunate, I love the guy, but man...he had to go.

As for Regehr, Weber, Roy, and Ellis....all minus-2. My glory hole has better shut down defense.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Lieno off the first line already. Those that dropped Adam are looking foolish it seems, But with Ruff who knows.

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