From: mattb@ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Re: TEAMS TO WATCH (Sabres - better watch quickly)
Date: 13 Aug 92 17:07:32 GMT
Reply-To: mattb@olympus.ctron.com (Matt Brown)
Organization: Cabletron Systems INc.

(Peter Bruce Harper) writes:
>I think there are several reasons why Buffalo will finish before Boston in the
>Adams Division this year.

Smaller intellects respond:
Of course they will, just like this year.  They will be eliminated in an
early round of the playoffs by the B's :-)

More seriously:
>
>I think they have to face the sad reality that Neely will probably
>be several paces behind where he used to be.

I tend to agree.

> Neely was a great player, but
>I doubt that he'll be able to continue his banger style now.

Disagree here.  The banging might well increase, given the lack of other
bangers on the team.  Think: if he is less of a scoring threat, and slower,
he will probably feel inclined to hit more, or will be frustrated and do same.

>Second of all, many of the names listed here as players to watch are rookies.
>...they have yet to prove them selves over 80 - games.

Agree here too.  Solid 3 year experienced players would be better.  But the
sheer amount of talent will likely produce some Hodge-like players.  If they
can avoid shuffling 50 players on the Providence-to-Boston express, they 
should improve.

>(Hodge, Juneau, etc)
Again, some good points, but just as speculative as the pro-Bruins version.
Look, this is going to be a young team, with many new line combinations.
Who knows how they will jell, or how many games rookie (or near rookie)
mistakes will cost them.  But you have to admit that they have gone out and
brought in players who have solid NHL potential.  Maybe not All-stars all,
but good solid Bruins, with a little more quickness and International flavor
than before.  Lindros? What NHL quality challenges has he faced that Juneau
didn't?  Canada Cup = NHL playoffs? Sorry.  Lindros has more potential,
but Joey does have the jump on him.  Lindros had a lazy year in comparison,
and a big head that I'm sure a number of NHL vets are just waiting to bounce.
(This is not a "Go! Maim! Blood!" comment; the reality of all major league
sports is that all rookies get "initiated", especially if they have a big
mouth and a big contract).  Personally, I think Lindros will succeed, and 
will outpoint Joey, but that's because he will be Philly's centerpiece,
while Joey stacks up behind Oates, Nealy, Bourque, and (shudder) Wesley.

The real difference will be: How do the new and old players adjust to the 
Sutter regime?  With the pernicious Winnepeg influence gone (please, no
Ashton, etc.), the B's have to adjust to their 3rd coach in as many years.
Sutter is a different animal than even Milbury, and he will either bring some
intensity to a fairly flat team (reg season al least), or make Psycho Mike
look like St. Francis. I'm gonna enjoy this season!

>Third and lastly, the Sabres have a new-found desire to win.  For the last few

Read: Oh thanks, Mommy, my own punching bag!
The whole division will get Bowness points this year!

>years they've been stuck in a division dominated by the likes of Boston and
>Montreal.  However, both of these teams look to be having their share of 
>problems.

Montreal is in deep Zamboni slush, IMO. Bruins at least have made some _good_
moves. (Boy am I gonna enjoy this season!)

>With the acquisition of Pat LaFontaine last season Buffalo has some
>real hope of being a contender.  Also, if they can get some steady goaltending
>from Dominik Hasek, with a little defensive help from veterans like Petr 
>Svboda, they should do pretty well for themselves.  Add into that the likes
>of guys like Dave Andreychuk and Dale Hawerchuk who are fairly consistent in
>terms of point production, add to them the likes of a Donald Audette and you've
>got the basis for a decent hockey team.

This is not speculation, though it might be laying a little too much weight
on Hasek -- you want to talk about sustaining flashes of greatness?  The
Svboda deal might turn out to be a steal along the lines of Langway->Caps
a few years ago.  Audette, you could apply the Ken Hodge syndrome to
(personally, I think Donald will do well). The `chuk brothers have always
been Bruin-killers, and I don't expect that to change.  This could get nasty!
>
>If you consider that Boston's Defense relies primarily on an aging Ray 
>Bourque (how much longer can he be expected to play 40 minutes a game?), and
>Glen Wesley - decent offensively but makes many costly defensive mistakes,
>and a host of others who have been injury ridden.  Add that to an inconsistent
>and worsening Andy Moog with no good back-up and you can see Boston's quarry.

Reaching here.  Ray may slow down.  Wesley may go back into a pre-playoff
stupor. Others may not fill the gap.  On the other hand, Ray may have less
pressure.  Wesley, only 23, may show some leadership and spark.  Others (young
and old), may stay healthy and imporove.  Crapshoot.
But you can depend that Moog will not decline.  With the strike behind and
some scoring up front, Andy will be just fine, thanks.  His playoff perform-
ances weren't so bad, given the opposition (Buf, Mon, Pitt).  Backups? Ouch.

>And one more thing about Boston.  As much as I like Vladimir Ruzicka (sp?)
>I'd be willing to bet that he had a career season last year.

Sad but true.  He enjoyed being the go-to guy, and when Oates came, it took
the spark out of him.  He wanted another scoring forward to replace Cam, not
competition at center (again, IMO).

All in all, a dogfight for first.  Montreal will spend all year missing
Pat Burns.  Hartford may be slightly better, and Brian Burke will certainly
continue to be an interesting interview.  Quebec will have enough money
for those season ticket refunds they promised.  Ottawa will sign all
available ex-Jets and ex-Flyers, and it will be the worst of both worlds.
Maybe they can sell some Centurion helmets to Canadian street gangs?

Matt
And since you didn't mention Mogilny, I won't mention the B's CIS`ers 
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey