Last year at this time they were tearing up the NHL. Is it because they lost Briere and Drury?
2007-11-01 01:45:43 · 16 answers · asked by Il toro 6 in Sports ➔ Hockey
It has nothing to do with Briere and Drury. This was an average team from December 16th of last year through the rest of the season (5 games over 0.500) and they had both Drury and Briere for 95% of that. During that time, Ottawa made up 17 points in the overal standings, New Jersey made up 12 points, and Pittsburgh made up 14 points.
This is an average team that got off to a hot start last year, and settled into averageness the rest of the way. But the hot start was enough to give them a lead they did not relinquish.
2007-11-01 02:26:38 · answer #1 · answered by Like I'm Telling You Who I A 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Because they are an average team...
even last year, the team was good but was only just above average on paper... the players really clicked together and (sorta relating to what Andrew V said) I think they over achieved...
Yes... it is because they lost Briere and Drury... they combined for 69 Sabres goals last season and tagged 85 assists in creating goals... unless the Sabres are blown out these nights, Briere and Drury would of been the difference of those 1 or 2 key goals per game and maybe a confidence momentum shift in the flow of the game...
I still also think the Sabres traded away the wrong goalie...
2007-11-01 02:32:42 · answer #2 · answered by Virus Type V 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Losing Briere and Drury hurt but Vanek seems to have shrunk under the pressure of his enormous contract. Its up to Nolan to get these guys going and to try and get the kids to fill in for the missing parts but you really can't fill the void left by Drury's leadership and Briere's playmaking. That said there are still two more lines that are still in tact that should be performing and aren't and the defense is suspect as is the goaltending.
2007-11-03 18:09:29 · answer #3 · answered by quick13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
losing drury and briere is a reason but it also has to do with the slow start that afiniganov is off too, he has only got 4 points this year and for them to be a better team those player that are left are the ones that have to pick up the slack
2007-11-01 04:30:28 · answer #4 · answered by foreverstud 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A slow start for Afinogenov, an injury to Numminen and then to Spacek, the loss of Briere and Drury (and McKee the year before, who was pivotal in their run to the conference finals, leading the league in blocked shots, etc.), young guys like Gaustad and Stafford haven't really stepped up, and, quite frankly, Ryan Miller's not stealing any games for them.
They're coming off back-to-back road wins though, so we'll see. They still have good, young talent and a great coach.
2007-11-01 06:30:19 · answer #5 · answered by jpaultk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well they lost Briere and Drury yes but two guys don't make a team. I think the other teams got better.
2007-11-01 02:01:41 · answer #6 · answered by Tim Fitz 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, its because the team is trying to click with a new captain. The team is young. you cant expect them to win every game basically starting over. Briere was scum and didnt do anything for buffalo. Drury, it sucked losing him but he was only needed in clutch situations. This year they either win by a landslide..or lose by a landslide.
2007-11-01 08:59:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They lost Biron, Breire and Drury. They also lost Zubrius after trading to get him. And then Numminen is down with heart problems.
They have had an average start because as of the right now start they have an average team.
2007-11-01 10:05:33 · answer #8 · answered by PuckDat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would you expect them to lose Brier and Drury without showing any effect? Take the top 2 players off any team and not replace them, of course they won't be as good.
Take Crosby and Malkin off the Penguins, or Heatley and Spezza off the Sens, they wouldn't be as good either.
Teams pay top stars big bucks because they would make their team better. It only makes sense that losing your top stars makes your team worse, especially if you don't replace them.
2007-11-01 03:20:16 · answer #9 · answered by cme 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Last year this team won MANY games by one goal, in overtime and in shoot outs. They lose their top two centers(also captains). I just think that right now the average start is because they are an average team.
2007-11-01 01:50:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋