Found this article pretty interesting with some names popping up that you might not necessarily consider leaders...
Ruff calls Roy "new and improved", mentions Montador as a leader (which suggests he probably won't come out when Lydman gets back), Jochen, and says Hank the Tank has even been sounding off in the room. Short little read.
(WGR 550) -- For years, Lindy Ruff has spoken about buying into the system, and some fans and critics dismissed the philosophy as simple jargon. At 12-4-1 and everything going well, Ruff is still citing the philosophy.
"We've got a group of guys who've bought into the way we've gotta play," Ruff said during his weekly 8 a.m. Tuesday morning appearance on The Howard Simon Show. "That leadership group has taken a hold of the team."
When asked who his leadership group is, Ruff cited the additions of Craig Rivet, Mike Grier and Steve Montador as well as the growth of home-grown products Paul Gaustad, Jason Pominville and Derek Roy, calling Roy "new and improved." He also noted Jochen Hecht's presence, and said you'll hear Henrik Tallinder's voice inside the room, which would be a far cry from the area's summer perception of the blueliner as a defender on his last legs as a Sabre.
Buffalo has won three-straight since dropping its first back-to-back games of the young season. Ruff loved his team's response.
"I felt it was a real important week for us with the type of teams we were playing," Ruff said. "We played two physical teams. We played really well for the most part. It was a two-game series I was looking forward to, and I thought our team came out hard."
The Sabres coach also enjoyed the way his team rebounded from an embarrassing home loss to Philadelphia to top the Flyers one week later in Pennsylvania.
"The grit, the special teams, how hard we came out in Philly in a back-to-back situation... I think that's the great thing about playing a team that we had just played previously and had their way with us," Ruff said. "The loss hurts, but it's how you respond, and I thought our team responded well in Philadelphia."
"Roy is great"
"I love Roy"
"Haha, Roy is a leader in creating turnovers, diving, and sucking on powerplay"
"Shut up. What has Vanek done for us lately?"
"Vanek stinks"
"The reason of Vaneks struggling is Ruff"
" "
"Why didn't he mention Miller?"
"Kaleta eats babies..."
..... and start again with the first sentence......
No doubt they've made major improvements, but they're still one more gritty leader/veteran in the top-six away from making me feel comfortable they can make a deep playoff run.
I'm a little upset not to hear some younger names mentioned, particularly Patty K. Seemed like this would be the year he strts taking on a leaders role.
"Roy is great"
"I love Roy"
"Haha, Roy is a leader in creating turnovers, diving, and sucking on powerplay"
"Shut up. What has Vanek done for us lately?"
"Vanek stinks"
"The reason of Vaneks struggling is Ruff"
" " "Why didn't he mention Miller?"
"Kaleta eats babies..."
..... and start again with the first sentence......
Actually, that one is a bit interesting. I don't think any of us question that Miller is a leader in the room from reports the past couple season...but the fact that he wasn't mentioned is definitely curious. Probably means that there are more guys stepping up--and I wonder if not having to bear the brunt of the leadership burden has translated into better numbers for him.
Actually, that one is a bit interesting. I don't think any of us question that Miller is a leader in the room from reports the past couple season...but the fact that he wasn't mentioned is definitely curious. Probably means that there are more guys stepping up--and I wonder if not having to bear the brunt of the leadership burden has translated into better numbers for him.
I think it's a given that Miller has been the #1 leader on this team for a few years now.
I this this article is talking about how the leadership has changed the past few years and how a combination of new guys and the core guys stepping up is changing the team.
"Roy is great"
"I love Roy"
"Haha, Roy is a leader in creating turnovers, diving, and sucking on powerplay"
"Shut up. What has Vanek done for us lately?"
"Vanek stinks"
"The reason of Vaneks struggling is Ruff"
" "
"Why didn't he mention Miller?"
"Kaleta eats babies..."
..... and start again with the first sentence......
Aaaaand /thread.
As for Miller it's probably just assumed at this point Miller is the captain and leader of this team, even though he doesn't wear the C.
It's unreal how much of a turnaround Tallinder has had from one year to the next.
What can't get lost is how ****ing HUGE these two games just were.
The more I think about it, the more impressed I am. Coming off back to back losses, playing two teams who will surely make deep playoff runs. That's the kind of back-to-back outing that saw us take 1 lucky point of 4 in season's prior. That was HUGE. Posted via Mobile Device
What can't get lost is how ****ing HUGE these two games just were.
The more I think about it, the more impressed I am. Coming off back to back losses, playing two teams who will surely make deep playoff runs. That's the kind of back-to-back outing that saw us take 1 lucky point of 4 in season's prior. That was HUGE. Posted via Mobile Device
Billy Fuccillo HUGE ?
for those that don't know Billy here he is ....
and as far as the topic at hand, it is always good to hear that the players 'get it' and are taking into their own 'hands'
where does miller fit in the leadership of this team? if it was officially allowed by NHL rules, and wasn't so unconventional, could you see Miller as the captain of this team?
where does miller fit in the leadership of this team? if it was officially allowed by NHL rules, and wasn't so unconventional, could you see Miller as the captain of this team?
Miller would wear the C and nobody would complain.
"
