HockeyRhetoric

Here’s Robyn Regehr explaining to CBC’s Eliotte Friedman the difference between playing defense for the Flames and the Sabres.

One: “Here, they want the defence to go much further up ice. That doesn’t affect me as much … but I know I’ll have to cover for [partner Tyler Myers].” Two: “[Lindy Ruff] plays some different systems here, including a 1-3-1. I’ve never played that before. In Calgary, we always played a 1-2-2 … As the left defenceman, I’ll be the one [farthest back], but it will still be new for me.” Three: “They play an attacking collapse in the defensive zone … Everywhere I’ve been, there is always supposed to be one defenceman in the front of the net. Here, when the puck goes below the line, both defencemen and a forward pursue, with another forward going to the front.”

Based on what Regehr told Friedman, defensemen on the Flames were instructed to play a safe, traditional, style. » Read the rest of this entry «

Before I get into this, let me ask a totally subjective and slightly ridiculous question. If you could pick any defensemen to have on your team for the next five years, anyone in the league, how far do you objectively have to go down that list until you get to Tyler Myers? Forget about contracts and money. Just based on talent and what’s reasonable to expect in the following years, where does Tyler Myers rank on your list? » Read the rest of this entry «

I tend to be pretty optimistic about the Sabres. I have a pretty high regard for the management and coaching staff. Coaching can certainly overcome some personnel shortcomings, but in the case of the 2008-2009 Buffalo Sabres, I don’t suspect it will be enough.

This team has talent issues, plain and simple. » Read the rest of this entry «

The Sabres have a defensive system in place where they try to mix young developing defenseman with cerebral older veterans. If you look back, you see it in every Sabres team since Lindy Ruff’s been coaching here. The Sabres prefer a quick skating, puck control type of defense. It works well if you have the right players. But the effectiveness of this defense is also directly dependent on the forwards and defenseman playing within the system.

That means that the players need to play with a lot of effort. The Sabres win when they play harder than other teams. That’s fine, I’m confident with Lindy Ruff’s ability to motivate his players but this is the National Hockey League, everyone is literally a professional. As an organization, you can’t expect your professional team to outwork every other professional team in order to win games. » Read the rest of this entry «