As prospects, sure. But Finley has been the team's most dependable defenseman all season long. There's a reason he earned a 3 year deal.
He originally asked if Finley would be able to make the jump to the NHL soon, which means he is more concerned with his prospects as an NHL'er.
As NHL'ers, McNabb > Brennan > Finley.
Even as AHL'ers, Brennan and McNabb would be better than Finley if they were still in the league at 24 (almost 25), but it's unlikely that either will be.
He originally asked if Finley would be able to make the jump to the NHL soon, which means he is more concerned with his prospects as an NHL'er.
As NHL'ers, McNabb > Brennan > Finley.
Even as AHL'ers, Brennan and McNabb would be better than Finley if they were still in the league at 24 (almost 25), but it's unlikely that either will be.
You said "overall McNabb > Brennan > Finley".
Which I agreed with you as far as NHL potential is concerned, but disagreed as AHL players currently.
When you are evaluating players, wouldn't you look for the weapons or skills that they bring to the table? What can be used at the next level?
Brennan has an nhl shot and offensive game right now. HIs ability to fire on the pp and also join the rush is important. His defensive game has improved greatly and his breakout passes are good.
mcnabb is a big body and that helps . He is a talented player but does not posses the shot brennan does. Assists are great but you still need the people that can put it into the net. Without that, nobody gets an assist. Look at Buffalo during there losing streak, didn't have anyone to put it in the net.
FInley hasn't been the best d guy all year. He is a big body and plays the body well. Not an offensive guy at all. As i said before, not sure its good to have a d guy as a fighter , it makes for unbalanced lines and to switching when you are in the penalty box for fighting.
Finley isn't a "fighter" at all. But he will fight to defend teammates. Saturday he fought Conboy for his garbage on Friday. But he doesn't do it too often.
Finley has without question, in my opinion, been the best defensive defenseman all year. He's a rock defensively. These are the same things that got him called up and signed to a contract earlier this season. He's still doing them. Watch his stick work. He breaks up a lot with the long reach. And he's physical. Not flashy physical, but takes the body and separates the opponent from the puck. He also has an underrated breakout pass. But yeah, he doesn't have much to offer in the offensive zone. But who cares. McNabb, Brennan and Crawford bring that to the table.
In a one goal game with a minute to go, it's a guarantee Finley will be out there. His size and physicality were badly needed going into the season. As far as I'm concerned, he's the MVP this season on defense.
When you are evaluating players, wouldn't you look for the weapons or skills that they bring to the table? What can be used at the next level?
Brennan has an nhl shot and offensive game right now. HIs ability to fire on the pp and also join the rush is important. His defensive game has improved greatly and his breakout passes are good.
mcnabb is a big body and that helps . He is a talented player but does not posses the shot brennan does. Assists are great but you still need the people that can put it into the net. Without that, nobody gets an assist. Look at Buffalo during there losing streak, didn't have anyone to put it in the net.
FInley hasn't been the best d guy all year. He is a big body and plays the body well. Not an offensive guy at all. As i said before, not sure its good to have a d guy as a fighter , it makes for unbalanced lines and to switching when you are in the penalty box for fighting.
Morrison has been very good on d also.
But the things Finley does, and has done well, are actually "weapons". They're not scoring weapons, they're defensive -- reach, pinning out his man, eliminating a player and chipping the puck to a safer area.
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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle
Finley isn't a "fighter" at all. But he will fight to defend teammates. Saturday he fought Conboy for his garbage on Friday. But he doesn't do it too often.
Finley has without question, in my opinion, been the best defensive defenseman all year. He's a rock defensively. These are the same things that got him called up and signed to a contract earlier this season. He's still doing them. Watch his stick work. He breaks up a lot with the long reach. And he's physical. Not flashy physical, but takes the body and separates the opponent from the puck. He also has an underrated breakout pass. But yeah, he doesn't have much to offer in the offensive zone. But who cares. McNabb, Brennan and Crawford bring that to the table.
In a one goal game with a minute to go, it's a guarantee Finley will be out there. His size and physicality were badly needed going into the season. As far as I'm concerned, he's the MVP this season on defense.
A 'rock' defensively?? What is it you watch games with? Special glasses? The dude can't get out of his own way, let alone join a rush and get there before play is coming the other way again. He got brought up to see if he could handle the speed, he can't and he's back.
A 'rock' defensively?? What is it you watch games with? Special glasses? The dude can't get out of his own way, let alone join a rush and get there before play is coming the other way again. He got brought up to see if he could handle the speed, he can't and he's back.
I think you are referring to his play in the NHL, while the poster you are quoting is referring specifically to his AHL play. I think most Sabres' fans would agree with your assessment of his NHL play, but it seems like those that struggle in the NHL sometimes find the game to be simpler and more to their speed in the AHL.
That is finley's play in the AHL as well. Has a real tough time getting beat wide alot and in corners his mobility is not there. Guys come out of the corner and get to the net easily . Off the glass and out is all he can handle. Vision to see open man is not there. He is big and has a big reach but lacks foot speed, mobility and vision
That is finley's play in the AHL as well. Has a real tough time getting beat wide alot and in corners his mobility is not there. Guys come out of the corner and get to the net easily . Off the glass and out is all he can handle. Vision to see open man is not there. He is big and has a big reach but lacks foot speed, mobility and vision
This simply isn't true. He doesn't get beat by players. That's one of his attributes and why he went from being a tryout in training camp to a multi year 2 way contract.
I honestly have no idea what game some of you are watching. As many know around here, I'm usually pretty harsh on players. I'm always finding some fault. But Finley is one of my favorite Amerk defenseman in years. He's that solid.
Like I said, 14 straight games as an even or plus player. That doesn't happen to players who get beat a lot or who struggle defensively.
seen alot of games this year, i agree with spittoon. FInley started out strong but has faded. He is not the same player he was 6 weeks ago. The nhl is to fast for him and the ahl seems to be also.THe plus /minus is overated. If you watch him play he doesn't stand out on defense at all.
seen alot of games this year, i agree with spittoon. FInley started out strong but has faded. He is not the same player he was 6 weeks ago. The nhl is to fast for him and the ahl seems to be also.THe plus /minus is overated. If you watch him play he doesn't stand out on defense at all.
What do you mean by he doesn't stand out? Because thats not a bad thing for a defensive dman.
Wow, getting some very interesting responses here. When I saw Finley in the NHL, I wasn't too impressed, but his size and physicality and ability to throw 'em is what appealed to me most. Will he be able to make the jump? Even has a bottom pairing guy, I would love to see him on the Sabres some day.
Wow, getting some very interesting responses here. When I saw Finley in the NHL, I wasn't too impressed, but his size and physicality and ability to throw 'em is what appealed to me most. Will he be able to make the jump? Even has a bottom pairing guy, I would love to see him on the Sabres some day.
Doubtful. He'll be a very good AHL player. With his skating and size he would be an interesting player for many European teams.
What a mess in the Western Conference of the AHL. Two teams have separated themselves: St. John's (86) and Toronto (79). Then there are eight (8) teams that have between 74 and 70 pts occupying the 3rd through 10th spots in the conference. The Amerks are 8th in points (71), and 7th in win% (.563).
Amerks fans likely wouldn't mind Buffalo missing the playoffs, as that would likely lead to the return of Tropp, Foligno, and McNabb. Buffalo's season finale is on April 7, and the Amerks have four games after that date. Those guys could aid the playoff chase, and help the team significantly in the playoffs.
Amerks fans likely wouldn't mind Buffalo missing the playoffs, as that would likely lead to the return of Tropp, Foligno, and McNabb. Buffalo's season finale is on April 7, and the Amerks have four games after that date. Those guys could aid the playoff chase, and help the team significantly in the playoffs.
Actually they're already hoping pretty hard. McNabb will go back down after Monday's game anyways (if not sooner).
It's not Amerks/Glads related but it looks like old friend Dennis McCauley is finding success.
After refusing to sign with us, he signed with the Reading Royals of the ECHL this season and has 22 points in 43 games.
On March 6th, he was traded to the Chicago Express by the Royals.
Shortly after that, on March 8th, he was added back to the Reading Royals roster for whatever reason.
On March 9th, he was waived by the Royals and claimed the Utah Grizzlies on March 10th.
On March 16th, he was added to the Royals roster yet again.
Seems like he's a sought after commodity or something.
They just aren’t a very big team, and when a big team leans on them, they’re in trouble.
That’s why it’s impossible to envision how a smallish team like the Amerks could survive a pounding best-of-seven series in the Calder Cup playoffs against a team with big forwards and defensemen.
But the Amerks must first just get to the playoffs. Tonight they hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They have 71 points in 63 games. Fourth-place Houston has 76 and 10th-place San Antonio has 70.
The Amerks have 13 games to play (6 home, 7 road). That includes three more against the Crunch, a team that has football-team size. That’s not good news because it’s not a good matchup for the Amerks, especially with rookie left winger Marcus Foligno (6-3, 227) and rookie defenseman Brayden McNabb (6-5, 212) on recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
This is why the trade that sent right winger Zack Kassian to the Vancouver Canucks was so costly to the Amerks. His big body could negate some of what opponents do. So, too, does Kassian, but not when he’s with the Sabres.
Quote:
“If you spend all night in your own end, they you run out of gas,” Amerks coach Ron Rolston said. “If you can’t finish people in your own end, you’re never going to get the puck out.”
It’s a doubly fatal, though. With so much energy expended just to get the puck out, there’s not much energy left to mount sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
“6-3, 6-4, 6-5, 6-2; they’re big and strong and they play a grinding game,” Rolston said.
A sampling of Crunch forwards: J.F. Jacques, 6-3, 231; Josh Brittain, 6-5, 230; Patrick Maroon, 6-4, 225; Troy Bodie, 6-4, 219; John Mitchell, 6-5, 216; Ryan O’Marra, 6-2, 220; John Kurtz, 6-2, 210; and Peter Holland, 6-2, 195. They didn’t even have Luca Caputi (6-3, 200) or Mark Bell (6-4, 220) on Friday.
Oh, and then on defense are Matt Smaby (6-6, 227), Ryan McGinnis (6-2, 206) and Sean Zimmerman (6-3, 220).
The good news: The Amerks wouldn’t meet the Crunch in the playoffs, unless both somehow reached the finals. Of course, who knows if the Amerks will even reach the playoffs.
If the Amerks make the playoffs and the Sabres don't, can guys like Ennis and Hodgson be sent down? They are still on their ELC so they wouldn't have to pass through waivers right? Is it feasible that this could happen to help the team?
If the Amerks make the playoffs and the Sabres don't, can guys like Ennis and Hodgson be sent down? They are still on their ELC so they wouldn't have to pass through waivers right? Is it feasible that this could happen to help the team?
Neither were on the Amerks clear-day roster, so they wouldn't be eligible for the AHL playoffs.
