Kennedy back to Portland

Tim Kennedy's first NHL experience was an unforgettable one, but it was also short. The South Buffalo native was sent back to Portland today. He was called up for Saturday's 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders in case Thomas Vanek couldn't play, but the left winger got through the game.

Kennedy showed promise in his debut.

"He did some good things in the game," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "He drew a penalty and went hard to the net a couple of times. First games are always tough to evaluate. You're nervous, and I know exactly how he feels. You try to put him in a pretty good situation. He had to be pretty excited -- hometown boy getting to play.

"What a thrill for his family and friends. You can chalk that up as a good game and a win. Your first game, being part of a win is a great thing."

---John Vogl

Comments

[Buffalo Excuses]

Internet Heroes? They have those???

I see...so you post your first name (as if it really is Derek) and that makes you a man? So let's see, I meet a guy named Derek from the street and I wonder...Gee! Is this THE Derek I admire and respect on the internet? Nah, his shoulders aren't slumping.

Then I go to the mall and I meet another Derek and wonder, maybe THIS is my hero! Nah, he actually seems sure of himself.

Son, the whole board knows you just slunked away after taking a pot shot at me. Nice try Junior. You're going to have to do a little more than just post your first name to get one over on me.

BTW, I recommend you stay in the shadows. If that's all you got for game, it would be like playing hoops against my 5 year old.

[Derek]

Excuses, i'm sorry that you're not man enough to even put a real first name.

Also, my favorite player has nothing to do with what I know.

I'm sorry that you wanna be an internet hero and all, but i'm not gonna waste the time responding to your nonsense anymore.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Derek,

Your last point is valid. Now...Imagine what impact a tough guy who can actually play would be.

The only problem with your logic is that our beneficial owner considers the impact on the bottom line before the impact on the hockey team...

[Buffalo Excuses]

Dave,

Nothing really other than the marketing blitz is well underway selling next year.

This year is fading fast frugal fans. Unless, of course, we get another "do-over".

Been watching this owner for a while and it is now about spinning the lackluster results into hope for the future.

Expect The News to fall in line as it sells papers and online adds too.

Next will be trade rumors about who "we may go after" or "who is eligible". Just enough teasing to keep "superknowledgable" fans like Derek interested (psst...and spending...).

Oh, and BTW Derek The Hockey Genius, I know more about hockey than a guy whose favorite player is Peters. And I know more about marketing than that.

We are being sold a bill of goods folks, a rotten bill it is at that.

Thanks for the gumball Mickey!

[Derek]

That's fine. But the more rookies we call up, the more toughness we take out. Then, these small skill guys start getting hammered more, its a chain of events in my opinion.

[Chad]

Derek, I understand you're a Peters fan. That's fine, I understand the importance of his role. I thought Kennedy played a pretty good game and his skill set is one that the team can use. We've scored two or fewer goals in half of our games. While toughness is lacking, so are goals. Last I checked, we get points for scoring more goals than the other team. Kennedy could help us do that. That's all I'm saying.

[Derek]

Chad, relax.

Kennedy has played 20 some games in the AHL. I don't know what makes people think that making that jump is easy.

To me, he looked invisible for most of the game.

You can't call up the whole team, and with injuries, call ups are limited.

That's fine if you wanna take Max out of the lineup, but with the lack of toughness on this team Kaletas/Peters are welcomed.

[dumbunny]

The only reason these young minor league players are up on the big club is that the veteran players no longer are enthused playing for the old turtle and he`s hoping these young recruits will push them into playing better.Let`s face facts,these young guys are no where near ready for the NHL.Managment won`t make any trades to shake up the team or fire the old turtle so we are left with a medicore effort everynight.You can have it - not me,i`m not buying any of it !!

[Chad]

George, I am aware that Vanek spent an entire season in the AHL. Of course, that was the lockout season so there wasn't a choice in the matter. I think we're kidding ourselves if we don't think Vanek would have been called up for good during a season in which he scored 42 goals in 74 games and was clearly better than just about everyone at that level.

That said, I don't think Kennedy or Gerbe are quite at the level that Vanek was in the AHL. However, both Gerbe and Kennedy bring something to the table that this team desparately needs, namely some offensive creativity that is missing since Connolly is injured and Max has lost it. If Connolly came back, which is a huge if, the need for one of them would be diminished. But I think it's a tough sell, to me at least, to say that Buffalo is a better team with guys like Max and Peters in the lineup, and Gerbe and Kennedy down on the farm.

[jan]

Kennedy,Butler,Gerbe, etc. got their chances to play for the Sabres. They now know what they need to do to stay with the Sabres. They are better off playing every day in Portland until they are called up again. There's only so much room in the press box and mgmt. doesn't want to or can't buy out players' contracts so there is room for the younger guys. The rest of this team ought to start improving their game NOW -- Kennedy and co. have shown that if they continue to work hard on the skills they have to have to be successful in the NHL, they'll be contending for spots on the Sabres roster next year. As far as the coaching situation, maybe it's time to show someone the door. Are these players tuning out the message from the coaches? -- or does this team need different coaches who will make changes needed with game plans for this team to improve their play and get to the playoffs?

[George]

Chad, you do realize that Thomas Vanek even played a year in the AHL after winning a college championship at Minnesota, right? Are Gerbe and Kennedy exciting? Of course they are, but the Sabres have developed a lot of amazing talent in the AHL so why mess with the great thing we have going? Let him play there for a year and next year if he is ready then bring him up.

[Chad]

I don't see the logic in sending him down. He had two very good scoring chances. He's more creative than most of the forwards. I saw no glaring defensive mistakes and he was buzzing around in the offensive zone. Why did we send him back? So that we could dress Peters against Washington? I'm sure Brashear is wetting himself just thinking about squaring off with Andrew Peters. Really? We're taking Kennedy's offensive abilities out of a lineup that needs more creativity for Peters? I find that questionable.

What Regier is missing is that guys like Kennedy and Gerbe are ready NOW. They played at two of the best college hockey programs in the nation. They both were key cogs on National Championship-winning teams. They're 21 and 22, respectively, not 19 and fresh out of the OHL. Kennedy and Gerbe could be the Roy and Pominville of the 2005-06 club. Now we have to see if Darcy gives them the opportunity to be. The future is now.

[Derek]

Excuses showing that he really doesn't know hockey. I believe competitive would be a playoff race, correct?

[Dave]

Excuses, what does that have to do with Kennedy?

[Buffalo Excuses]

Dear Mr. Golisano,

Please send us some competitive hockey. We miss it.

Signed,

An unsatisfied FORMER paying customer.

Anyone else interested in sending a similar message?

[Brian]

WHEW!

Kennedy just squeaked by with a positive experience.

He came thisclose to being witness to one of the more memorable team meltdowns in recent history.