The Name of the Game is Center.

[Ebenezer]

Take a look at the centers who play for the top teams in the East:

Boston:
David Krejci
Patrice Bergeron
Marc Savard (when not hurt)

Philly:
Jeff Carter
Mike Richards
Daniel Briere

Tampa Bay:
Vincent Lecavalier
Steven Stamkos

Washington:
nicklas Backstrom
Jason Arnott

Pittsburgh:
Sidney Crosby
Evgeni Malkin
Tyler Kennedy

Compare them to the Sabres...:ill:

[G Wolly]

Gaustad.

That's about it.

[PTI]

Roy is fine at Center. Connolly was too.

Arnott had 17 goals and 14 assists. Backstrom had 65 points. He is slightly better than Roy, and if Roy played with Ovie he would have 100 points too. Conolly is just as good or better than Arnott at this point.

The other 4 teams, yes, stronger up the middle with Bruins not that much better.

[Philagape]

Cup champs almost always have a great center.
Oilers: Gretzky, Messier
Penguins: Lemieux, Crosby
Avalanche: Sakic, Forsberg
Red Wings: Yzerman, Datsyuk
Lightning: Lecavalier
Hurricanes: Staal
If you don't, you better have a HOF goalie like Brodeur or Roy

[OpIv37]

Roy is fine at Center. Connolly was too.

Arnott had 17 goals and 14 assists. Backstrom had 65 points. He is slightly better than Roy, and if Roy played with Ovie he would have 100 points too. Conolly is just as good or better than Arnott at this point.

The other 4 teams, yes, stronger up the middle with Bruins not that much better.

if you think Conolly is fine, then either you don't watch the games or you don't understand hockey. He's not nearly as good as the majority of guys that Eb mentioned and I hope we let him walk.

[PTI]

if you think Conolly is fine, then either you don't watch the games or you don't understand hockey. He's not nearly as good as the majority of guys that Eb mentioned and I hope we let him walk.

Sabres had that series in their grasp, everyone knows that. I know Connolly is not the best, but he isn't nearly as bad as people make him out to be.

[G Wolly]

I know Connolly is not the best, but he isn't nearly as bad as people make him out to be.

Yea.

He is.

[The King]

Hopefully Seguin can make this list someday

[PTI]

Yea.

He is.

Wait until he gets at least 3 million a year to play on the Rangers, Red Wings or someone decent next year.

[ct bills fan]

I know his PK was very good and his draws were vastly improved but hasn't Connolly gone like 27 playoffs games without a goal? That's hard to do.

[G Wolly]

Wait until he gets at least 3 million a year to play on the Rangers, Red Wings or someone decent next year.

And does what?

Gets another concussion?

[PTI]

And does what?

Gets another concussion?

18-20 goals and 43-49 assists. He will do something like that I would bet.

[G Wolly]

18-20 goals and 43-49 assists. He will do something like that I would bet.

In ONE season?

Please.

[PTI]

In ONE season?

Please.

He had 13 and 29 this year in 68 games, he had 17 and 48 last year in 73 games, on a team with more skill those numbers are very achievable based on his track record, without a doubt, and it is hard to deny.

[rbochan]

Bring me Getzlaf.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Right now the centers they have are Roy, Gaustad. and McCormick? Connolly is an unrestricted free agent and I can't see them signing him again.

[PTI]

Luke Adam next year full time.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Right now the centers they have are Roy, Gaustad. and McCormick? Connolly is an unrestricted free agent and I can't see them signing him again.

Actually, isn't McCormick an UFA also?

[Philagape]

Wait until he gets at least 3 million a year to play on the Rangers, Red Wings or someone decent next year.

3 million?? Quite the bar you set there!

[chernobylwraiths]

Name of the game is good players. If you look at the good teams, they have several really good players at several positions.

Sabres are young and have some potential very good players in the making in Ennis and Myers. Add a top line center and strong, tough defenseman and we can make a run.

[Ebenezer]

Anybody want to make a cold analysis and say that every one of those centers I listed is better than the Sabres #1 center? He (assuming it is Roy) may not be in the top 20 in the Eastern Conference. Great players? Fine. You must have better at center than the #20 in the conference. That is what is killing this team.

[SkateZilla]

Cup champs almost always have a great center.
Oilers: Gretzky, Messier
Penguins: Lemieux, Crosby
Avalanche: Sakic, Forsberg
Red Wings: Yzerman, Datsyuk
Lightning: Lecavalier
Hurricanes: Staal
If you don't, you better have a HOF goalie like Brodeur or Roy

Rod Brind'Amour
Ryan Getzlaf
Kris Draper
Henrik Zetterberg