What to do with Myers
Tyler Myers continues to be a towering presence in the Sabres' organization, standing 6-foot-8 and looking impressive at the rookie development camp at Niagara University. The question remains, however, as to what the Sabres should do with him this fall.
As a 19-year-old, he has only two options: play for the Sabres or go back to Kelowna of the Western Hockey League. Says here the Sabres should keep him and live with any mistakes a 19-year-old might make.
---John Vogl
I think the story with Paetsch is that he's not that good. He's good enough to be our seventh defenseman, but I wouldn't want him suiting up every night and neither does Ruff.
For as much as Tallinder and Lydman get ripped on these boards, I think we could do worse. For as much as Tallinder has degenerated as a hockey player over the last four years, when he is out of the lineup, our PK absolutely tanks. As for Lydman, he is one of about four players on our team that actually throws a check once in awhile and on a team that is really lacking in the physicality department, he brings something to the table there. If you look at the stats, as far as hitting people and blocking shots, Lydman is the best we have on defense. That said, I would trade them both (and just about anyone else on the team besides Miller and Gaustad) in a heartbeat if the price was right.
Moral to the story: our defense is definitely average, at best, but it's not the crisis that some people make it out to be. I'd rather see Myers dominate in juniors another year rather than have him BE dominated in the NHL. He's 19, he should be learning the game and growing as a hockey player, not having his confidence dashed by the elite hockey players of the world. Anyone that watches sports knows that confidence matters A LOT. See: Trent Edwards during the first four games of last season vs. Trent Edwards against the Browns in Week 11. Better yet, compare Tallinder in 2005-2006 vs. Tallinder in 2007-2008. Confidence matters. Bring the kid up when he's ready, be that in 2009 or 2012.
Posted by: Vandy Adam | July 08, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Vandy, I agree with you again. However I still have some qualifiers.
I'd rather pay to see inexperienced guys play with some heart, instead of the lazy debacle of the last 2 years.
Sticking with Defense for a moment. I love Weber's attitude; just hope his recovery allows him to play up to his potential.
Sekera's mindset is worrisome. Hope he's not another Kalinin.
What's the story with Ruff and Paestch? That guy should play more.
Get rid of Talinder. Lydman should drop to the 7th position if Sekera steps up.
Then there are the prima donna forwards. Hecht, Pomminville, Roy, Connolly. Nuke 'em.
Gerbe doesn't belong in the NHL. Trade him while another team can be fooled.
Bottom line is the culture of the Sabres (comes from management) and destroys players with leadership skills. So nothing good will happen anytime soon.
Posted by: Chris | July 08, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Why make a decision now? Wait till after training camp.
Posted by: Qbert | July 08, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Bring Myers up-he;'s better than any defenseman we have right now. How many impact players from the 2008 draft are already playing in the NHL? Luke Schenn, Zak Bogosian, Doughtery, Stamkos the list goes on. Let the kid play.
Posted by: World Be Free | July 07, 2009 at 09:55 PM
King Quinn here. Only I can say what shall happen.You peons know nothing. I am the Great and Powerful one. Darcy and the rest of you shall bow to me. I am a true hockey God!
Posted by: BigLar | July 07, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Myers will probably look ready to play, but knowing darcey he probably couldn't stand the thought of having to put somebody like Tallinder on waivers, so he'll take the easy way out as he always does, and send Myers back to Kelowna.
Posted by: Maverick | July 07, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Chad: I'm sorry, but I really do not remember McNabb. I know he played for Kootenay Ice and that is about it. They made the playoffs but were swept in the first round. They are generally a pretty solid team so I expect he has been well coached.
Posted by: CalgarySabre2 | July 07, 2009 at 05:43 PM
The Sabres might as well bring the kids up to the big leagues. At least the new players won't tune Lindy Ruff out yet like the vets have the last few years. Lindy will quit at year's end anyway.
Posted by: Harry K | July 07, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Sorry to disturb your nap Darcy
Posted by: Sal | July 07, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Chris,
Then if Myers is better than them, he should start.
There's one thing I agree with Regeir about: I like my prospects well-seasoned before they're thrown into the big leagues. Besides, every hockey development guy that has ever had a microphone thrust in their face has said that defenseman take longer to develop, so let's give Myers the time he needs in lower leagues if he's not ready to break the Sabres top 6 just yet. Myers even admits that he needs to add a solid 15 pounds to swing it with NHLers.
With Rivet, Butler, Lydman, Tallinder, Sekera, and Weber, we have a competent top six, though not great. If Myers needs more time, we're not so desperate that we need to bring him up for lack of NHL-quality defensemen. To those that say, "we're going to stink anyway, we have nothing to lose by bringing him up:" that's assuming that bringing a 19 year old kid along too quickly can't have irreversible, negative effects on his long-term career. I think it can.
That said, if he blows everyone away in prospect camp and in August and September, welcome to Buffalo, Tyler.
Posted by: Vandy Adam | July 07, 2009 at 04:33 PM
myers MUST play big. dunno if he can do that at the nhl level yet.
Posted by: roy | July 07, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Vandy, the 'best' players on the Sabres don't want to play ice hockey. They just want to collect paychecks.
Posted by: Chris | July 07, 2009 at 04:23 PM
He should be in the NHL. Let him play with men, not junior boys.
Posted by: chuckster | July 07, 2009 at 04:00 PM
That's a question that can't be answered until we see how he performs over the summer. Forget where he was drafted and forget how he performed in juniors, if he looks out of place in training with the team, then send him back to juniors. Myers must earn it, just like everybody else. It's conceivable to me that players like Weber, Gragnani, and Paetsch are more prepared to step up to the big leagues than Myers, despite his upside. The best players should play and that's all there is to it.
Posted by: Vandy Adam | July 07, 2009 at 03:55 PM
This team isn't contending for a Cup this year. Let the young guys learn; Myers, Kennedy and Gerbe should all see significant NHL action this year.
CS2, what is your opinion of that guy McNabb that Buffalo drafted in the 3rd round this season? I know he played in the Dub last year, that's about it.
Posted by: Chad | July 07, 2009 at 03:37 PM
nice comments Sal. You should be an comedian. Do you ever get tired of being the jokes at parties? I bet your wife and kids don't even like you.
Posted by: Darcy | July 07, 2009 at 03:28 PM
During the WHL playoffs against Calgary Hitmen, the tv play-by-play announcers said: "You folks in Kelowna better come out and see Myers play in this series, because you certainly won't get to see him in Kelowna next fall." I agree with James: he has little to learn back in Junior. Let him play, live with the mistakes, and learn what it takes to be an NHL player.
Posted by: CalgarySabre2 | July 07, 2009 at 03:17 PM
I'd rather them have Myers and Weber then Tallinder and Lydman and they'd save $5+ million.
Posted by: Kent | July 07, 2009 at 02:30 PM
I think they have to keep him up as he has little to learn back in the Dub.
Posted by: James | July 07, 2009 at 01:59 PM
Na, they don't need a big guy that can hit and is not a sissy they'd rather wear their clown makeup.
Posted by: Sal | July 07, 2009 at 01:43 PM