Whether it’s good or bad, if there is any position that is in transition for the Sabres, it’s the blue line. Take a look at the defense pairings from 2007-2008.
Gone are Brian Campbell, Teppo Numminen, Jaroslov Spacek, and Dmitri Kalnin. Obvisoulsy, I’d of driven Kalnin out of town on a tricycle if I could. And as much as a gentleman Numminen was, I think the Sabres kept him around way too long because they realized how foolish they looked when the suspended him for being on the verge of having a heart-attack.
The one thing I’ve been beating the drum on is that the Sabres are missing a play-making defenseman. Campbell and Spacek were those guys. Now of course, was Spacek all world? No. But of the guys on this roster, he was the best blue-liner at getting the puck to the net and carring the puck in the zone.
Now the Sabres on the blueline are younger and only a few old guards remain. Craig Rivet is the anchor of the blue-line. He’s the best all around defenseman on the team and he’s a leader, or maybe he’s a leader amongst boys if you get my drift. Rivet isn’t going to blow you away with his speed but he does possess a decent shot.
Unfortunately just like Rivet being a leader amongst boys, his offensive skills amongst the blue liners is like saying Brad Butler is your best lineman on the Bills. Rivet by process of elimination is the leading scorer on the blue-line, scoring an eye popping 24 points last season. Rivet’s career high is 35 points and he’s going to have eclipse that if no one on the team steps up. But he’s a leader, and that’s what should be expected from him.
Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman are the veteran pair of the Sabres. Tallinder is the longest tenured Sabre, but has also endured a few injury riddled seasons. Since playing all 82 games in 2005-2006, Tallinder has played 47, 71, and 66 games over the last 3 years. He’s suddenly becoming the Dmitri Kalnin of the team.
You know, we have this up and coming defenseman who early in his career looked like he was going to be a main stay for the team. And one thing leads to another and his confidence is gone and he’s developing bad habits. It also doesn’t help matters when the guy tells the media he wants a change and is making more money than he deserves.
This is Tallinder’s last shot with the club. And to be honest even if the guy rebounds from the last couple of bad seasons, I don’t see the Sabres resigning him. The Sabres seem to have to same issues with defensman as the Bills have had with cornerbacks, they don’t like to resign them after their first contract.
The other veteran on the blue line is new comer Steve Montador. It was actually the Sabres first FA signing in 3 years. Now I’m not going to try and be an expert, but I’ve never watched Montador play. From what I read and saw on youtube, the guy is a gritty defenseman who can hit and fight. The Sabres haven’t had a hard hitting defenseman since Jay McKee.
Don’t be surprised if Montador because a Sabres fan favorite. I’ve always said, the way to a Sabres fan heart is punching an opponent in the heart. Sabres fans respect the blue-collar guy and he seems to fit that bill.
The big question for the blueline is will they become expendable at the end of the year. Both Tallinder and Lydman are UFA, and we know the Sabres haven’t resigned a UFA in years (besides Teppo). Rivet will be a UFA after next year. I think judging by the farm system, the Sabres are leaning towards have a full blown makeover on the backline by the end of the year. Even if the Sabres make the playoffs, I just don’t see some of these guys playing here next year.
Coming up, Sabres front line: old guard preview edition.
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