Why is the Population stagnant?
Be sure to check out my chat in Friday's paper with Jason Pominville, who is stuck in quite a rut with one goal in 16 games -- and that one was an empty-netter. For all the great things Thomas Vanek has done most of the season and Derek Roy has done this month, the Sabres need Pominville close to elite status if they want to get anywhere come April.
He had 34 goals two years ago, 27 goals and a career-high 80 points last year. This season, he's stuck on nine goals with 17 assists and don't forget that his big new contract kicks in next year.
What's the problem with Pominville? Too much attention to his line because Vanek is on it? Misses Tim Connolly? Needs to get off the point on the power play? Something else?
---Mike Harrington
