Vanek and the All-Star game

[jamze132]

So I didn't get a chance to watch it, did Vanek see the ice? Wasn't there like 28 total points from both sides and he couldn't muster 1?

[BlackMetalNinja]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

I'd have to look it up, but I'd almost be willing to bet that he had the least ice time of anybody.

[jamze132]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

I'd have to look it up, but I'd almost be willing to bet that he had the least ice time of anybody.

Why would he have the least? Isn't he in the top 5 in scoring?

[BlackMetalNinja]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Why would he have the least? Isn't he in the top 5 in scoring?

Don't ask me, I'm not a coach, just telling you what I saw. I tried to check the stats, but neither NHL or ESPN has anything beyond the goals and penalty. He was on a line with Ilya Kovalchuck and Jeff Carter. They were the 4th of the 4 lines, and the shifts were very extended for this game, 2-3 minutes on average. He had maybe 6-7 shifts for the game, and in OT, when it was 4 on 4, he didn't even get on the ice.

[Philagape]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Vanek's TOI was 16:59; only Carter and Kovalchuk had more among forwards (and they didn't have any points either)

http://gamecenter.nhl.com/nhlgc/console.jsp?id=2008040057

[jamze132]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Don't ask me, I'm not a coach, just telling you what I saw. I tried to check the stats, but neither NHL or ESPN has anything beyond the goals and penalty. He was on a line with Ilya Kovalchuck and Jeff Carter. They were the 4th of the 4 lines, and the shifts were very extended for this game, 2-3 minutes on average. He had maybe 6-7 shifts for the game, and in OT, when it was 4 on 4, he didn't even get on the ice.

I was simply responding to what you initially said; that you would be willing to bet that he had the least amount of ice time as anyone. That is why I asked you why. I wanted your opinion.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Vanek's TOI was 16:59; only Carter and Kovalchuk had more among forwards (and they didn't have any points either)

http://gamecenter.nhl.com/nhlgc/cons...?id=2008040057

Wow, I'm surprised, he really didn't seem to be out there that much at all.

[Tiburon1724]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

He was a -3 with 1 SOG, go Vanek!

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Vanek scoring wasn't in the script.

[OpIv37]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

He was a -3 with 1 SOG, go Vanek!

and here we get to the heart of the problem with the Sabres. Vanek not doing well in the all star game is the symptom, not the problem.

Statistically, Vanek is our best player. He scores a ton of goals, but he's streaky and tends to excel against inferior competition (either by the Sabres beating up on the crappier teams in the league, or by Lindy putting him out on the PP or against other teams' 3rd and 4th lines). When he has to face top-level competition, it's pretty clear that he's not up to par. It's a microcosm for the entire Sabres team.

[chernobylwraiths]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

and here we get to the heart of the problem with the Sabres. Vanek not doing well in the all star game is the symptom, not the problem.

Statistically, Vanek is our best player. He scores a ton of goals, but he's streaky and tends to excel against inferior competition (either by the Sabres beating up on the crappier teams in the league, or by Lindy putting him out on the PP or against other teams' 3rd and 4th lines). When he has to face top-level competition, it's pretty clear that he's not up to par. It's a microcosm for the entire Sabres team.

Many of Vanek's goals come from standing in front of the net and tipping pucks as well as working around the crease. There is nothing like that in the all star game.

It is a terrible analogy as the all star game doesn't even compare to real hockey.

[OpIv37]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

Many of Vanek's goals come from standing in front of the net and tipping pucks as well as working around the crease. There is nothing like that in the all star game.

It is a terrible analogy as the all star game doesn't even compare to real hockey.

funny how all the guys who score in real hockey also score in the all-star game... except Vanek.

And did you even read my post- it's the SYMPTOM, not the PROBLEM. On paper, Vanek looks like top-tier competition, but when he plays top-tier competition, he clearly doesn't live up. This is just one more example.

[hydro]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

3 G - Montreal in 3 games
2 G - Rangers in 2 games
3 G - Boston in 5 games
2 G - NJ in 3 games
3 G - Wash in 3 games

13/28 goals against the top 10 in the league (THE WHOLE LEAGUE)

He does just terrible against good competition...

[OpIv37]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

3 G - Montreal in 3 games
2 G - Rangers in 2 games
3 G - Boston in 5 games
2 G - NJ in 3 games
3 G - Wash in 3 games

13/28 goals against the top 10 in the league (THE WHOLE LEAGUE)

He does just terrible against good competition...

2 of those goals against Washington came at hope without Ovechkin. Washington also excels at home, so the Caps on the road without Ovechkin are HARDLY a top 10 team. So that doesn't count. 11/28 goals against top 10 teams- that means 17/28 came against competition that was average at best. Good try, though.

[hydro]

Re: Vanek and the All-Star game

2 G - CHI in 1 game
3 G - NJ in 3 games
1 G - MON in 3 games
1 G - BOS in 2 games
3 G - NYR in 3 games

10/30 against the top 10 teams in the LEAGUE. Wow, I guess this guy isn't a big game player either...

Any guesses?