Comments for Clear Separation - Part One at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 23 out of 20 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Tue, 21 May 2013 22:55:39 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15296 Really nice article. I love stuff like this. - Stuart McDonald Sat, 16 Jul 2011 05:00:23 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15291 Thank you Tim, i like it with exception of one thing - previously both, Russ Miller(east) and Ryan Ma(west) used same terminology and name of the series - Earmarked for Success (West/East). Nevermind, it's just a detail i will get used to soon, or later.. My opinion about Leino - they will try him at center. I think though he will last there as long as Bobby Ryan did... - Michal Sk Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:16:29 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15270 I've watched virtually all Leino games in the nhl since Det. And for a nolan fan _ far more Ruff games than I care to admit. When healthy and if they don't get help at center, the centers will be Roy, Hecht, Goose, and a fourth liner, my best guess being Adam. I'd be shocked if Leino sticks at center. The reason he got a few faceoffs in Philly is because that is how Lavs rolls, plus Briere got chased from the circle a lot. But the way Ruff trusts his current centers and Leino would need to learn a new position on a brand new team.... I just don't see it unless injuries force Ruffs hand. - Chad Burly Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:07:06 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15269 Mid-July - love the debate. Leino - he'll be tried at center, for sure. His game is more suited to center, but he needs to be better on the draw. - Jeff Angus Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:56:05 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15267 Buffalo: Vanek really took off after Roy went down so maybe something like this could work as well. Ennis-Roy-Stafford / Vanek-Leino-Pominville / Gerbe-Hecht-Boyes. Also Carolina could look like: Jokinen-Staal-Stewart / Skinner-Dalpe-Ruutu / Poni-Sutter-Larose. Just my perspective. - 5hole Thu, 14 Jul 2011 10:18:28 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15265 Definitely agree that it may not stick...I was more surprised by the comment that "Leino will not be a center" than anything. Especially considering that Buff had stated he would be there. Totally agree that it is much different to play center in the NHL, but the opportunity for him to do so is there, that plays a big role. Ennis could easily be that number 2 center, or even Gerbe, but as stated below, that's a pretty under-sized center group. Who knows what will end up sticking, the only thing I do know is that Leino is getting the first look there. As a Gerbe owner I'd love to see him step up into the top 6, though as an Ennis owner I am also against it! Great piece, btw. - ryan Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:49:15 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15264 Whoops, make that Bobby Ryan, not Booby Ryan :D - Karbinkopy Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:29:38 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15263 In Carolina reverse Dalpe and Bowman and you got me won over, but with Buffalo I have to agree with the others. Leino will be playing centre there. I for one never thought Booby Ryan was going to succeed as a centre and couldn't wait for him to be moved back to wing. With him and Benn moving to centre they ruined my fantasy squad in the early going. Now Leino, which I also own like Benn, I can see succeeding in a move to centre. You make it sound like at 23 he was playing in the ECHL or something. The guy was in the Finnish Elite League and played centre until he moved to Jokerit in his final year before moving to North America. I'm sure he's plenty qualified to play centre in NHL. Probably, more so than Ennis and Gerbe at this time. - Karbinkopy Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:28:45 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15262 After reading the article (great job, btw), my only 'eyebrow raising moment' was Ennis outside the top 6. I was going to comment, and then noticed so many other people have already said what I was going to say. But, for what it is worth, I think the top 6 in Buffalo will go like this: Thomas Vanek – Derek Roy – Drew Stafford Tyler Ennis - Ville Leino – Jason Pominville At least I hope so cause I just acquired Ennis! - SeaDawg Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:19:52 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15260 If you want to make a bet, Pengwin, feel free to email me at duballstar014@hotmail.com. ;) - Tim Lucarelli Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:06:56 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15259 Tim, you like to make your bold statements... eh? ;) "[b]I'd put money on Ennis taking that role before Leino.[/b]" Consider two more things: 1. Even on a center-heavy team like PHI last year, Leino still took 136 faceoffs. 2. [b]Ennis took just 9 faceoffs[/b]. (Probably all "center gets thrown out" types). Ruff is showing no signs of giving a second under-sized forward a chance to play center. If a team's top two centers are under-sized, that team is going to get muscled around in the corners & in-front of the net all game long. It's just not going to happen with a coach as smart as Ruff. Where do I sign up for that money-bet? :D - Pengwin7 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:54:45 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15258 The Sabres will definitely give Leino a shot at the center ice position for the second line. There is no question about that, as they have said so themselves. Ennis is easily a top 6 forward. That is also quite obvious to those of us who follow the Sabres religiously. If anyone goes to the third line, it will be Gerbe. Here are the lines that I believe are most probable: Vanek - Roy - Pomminville (if he adequately recovers from his injury) Ennis - Leino - Stafford Gerbe - Hecht - Boyes McCormick - Gaustad - Kaleta Certainly the third and fourth lines are interchangeable, e.g. Hecht could move to wing on occasion or McCormick to center. - Richard J. DAngelo Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:52:04 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15256 Lock was probably the wrong word for Gerbe. That was a poor choice on my part, particularly since I. Misread his positional situation from last year. With your (all of you) feedback, id say I am more comfortable with slotting Ennis there. Apologies. In regards to Leino at center, the Sabres do have a need for a second line center. So did Anaheim last year when they tried Bobby Ryan at center. This time last year everyone was predicting Ryan play all year at center. They can try him (Leino) at center, but playing center up until age 23 vs playing center in the NHL are two different things and I don't see him transitioning smoothly there. I'd put money on Ennis taking that role before Leino. - Tim Lucarelli Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:41:46 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15255 Pomminville has spent most of his time with Connolly the last few years. He hasn't played very much with Roy at even strength. You'll probably see Stafford start off with Vanek and Roy on the top line. I'd also put Ennis in the top six with Gerbe knocking at the door. It should be an interesting top 9, though. All three lines can score and a bundle of wingers who can take draws. - Rad64 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:38:21 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15254 apparently he played center up until he was 23...it's been a while but they want him to have the puck a lot as he's great with it on his stick...this seems to be the best way to do it, but things could change if he isn't successful there.. - ryan Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:15:44 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15253 http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nhl/137309/v-leino-signed-to-center-sabres-2nd-line - ryan Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:13:50 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15252 Can't see that happening..Why put Gerbe in the top-6 when Ennis was so good there? Not sure how you refute that Leino "will not play center" when the team has stated that he will be tried there.. - ryan Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:04:33 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15250 Leino will not play center. He's a winger all the way. He could play RW just fine, but Buffalo has far too many RW. I have Gerbe as the second-line center for the sheer fact that there's not really any other competition. I don't see Boyes as their L2 center. I don't care that he took more faceoffs or lined up there in his limited stretch at the end of the year. He's not very effective at center, so he's not very strong competition. I really only see Ennis as a strong competitor for that #2 C role, but he's been used quite a bit at LW. I did fail to realize how little apparently that Gerbe was used there as well though, so it's more of a coin flip between Gerbe and Ennis for that spot. I gave the edge to Gerbe, but you have valid reasoning why the edge might be given to Ennis. - Tim Lucarelli Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:49:14 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15249 Carolina: Jim Rutherford has said that Dalpe will play with Ruutu and Skinner next year. Ponikarovsky has no place in the top six. Bowman is not even close to Dalpe or even Boychuk on the depth chart. According to Rutherford, if there's only one rookie next year, that will be Dalpe. They love him there. Buffalo: Leino will be tried at center, making the top six Vanek - Roy - Pominville and Ennis - Leino - Stafford. Gerbe has excelled with limited icetime and most Buffalo fans are slotting him in on the third line where he can be kind of a wild card. Kotalik will most likely be shipped to the AHL or Russia to clear his cap hit. - sentium Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:46:37 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3826-clear-separation-part-i#comment-15248 Ennis not a lock for the top six? Ummm.... - Blackie_O Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:43:21 +0100