Player Profiles Part 1

In this blog, I'm going to write a short paragraph about all players on our team.

These Paragraphs will include accomplishments, pros and cons, and other information.

Forwards

Tim Connolly:
6'1'', 191 lbs. -C

Tim Connolly is known as one of the most injury-prone players in the NHL in the past several years. Past concussion problems have limited him to very minuscule numbers that don't match the underrated skill-set he possesses.

Pros: Very very calm, can control the puck as good as the best, very good passer, sets up many plays and runs the power play whether in the corners or on the point, strong and accurate shot

Cons: Lacks consistency, passes not always as good as they should be, not physical at all, needs to add bulk to his large frame, gives up on the play easily, not very good defensively

This Season: For the first time in a while, Connolly has managed to stay healthy throughout the length of a season. While the season may not be over, he is producing points on a consistent basis. He may not always consistent but he his quietly remaining Buffalo's top scorer


Matt Ellis:
6'0'', 212 lbs. -LW

Matt Ellis is a young player who constantly is improving his game. He works harder than the average player and what he may lack in skill he makes up for in heart. Usually stays on the fourth line and continues to keep a roster spot.

Pros: Very hard worker, battles well in the corners, very speedy, possesses a quick shot, good defensively

Cons: Turns over the puck a lot, has trouble passing, doesn't work well in open ice, shaky skater

This Season: Hasn't been much of a factor, never lacking consistency and comes to play every night, but hasn't put very many points up. He's been a healthy scratch a number of times to make room for other players, and 2 goals don't say much.


Tyler Ennis
5'9'', 163 lbs. -LW

I don't have much to say about Ennis, I haven't seen enough of him. I thought he looked pretty good in the one game he played this season, and he backed that up with a goal in his only NHL game.


Paul Guastad
6'4'', 220 lbs. -C

Guastad has been one of my favorite Sabres throughout the years. An extremely hard worker and not afraid to drop the gloves (one of the few). Always does big things in big moments and throws his body around no matter what.

Pros: Very large frame causes for intimidating stature, always one of the league leaders in faceoff percentage, good in puck battles, very physical and tough

Cons: Slow skater, puck control is not very good, sometimes can't keep his balance, could improve shooting

This Season: Hasn't put up numbers he has in the past, but is still trying his best every game and battling it out. He always sticks up for his teammates (especially Ryan Miller) and has dropped the gloves a few times, but could still use a few more pucks in the back of the net.


Nathan Gerbe:
5'6'', 173 lbs. -C

Nathan Gerbe is officially the shortest player in the National Hockey League. He has not played a full season but has seen quite a bit of action as a result of injury call-ups. I really enjoy his play because he brings energy to the offense and that is needed from him because of his tiny stature.

Pros: Extremely fast, can blaze past defenders, plays bigger than he is, always throwing the body around, decent shot, very crafty, can become a good player in the future

Cons: His height, sometimes seems too small for the tough game being played out there, puck control is not where it needs to be, injury-prone

This Season: Gerbe saw a lot of action last season but not to long into this one he was called up as a replacement and showed improvement from his last time up. He scored his first NHL goal this time around but just when things started to go good he went down with an injury. He hasn't seen any action since.


Mike Grier:
6'1", 227 lbs. -RW

Mike Grier has been around a long time and is coming back to his second stint with the Sabres. The rugged veteran plays with a lot of heart and leadership and has been well liked by his teammates at any of his stops during his career.

Pros: Displays great leadership, plays with a rough edge, never gives up on the play, good puck control, adapts well to his linemates

Cons: Very slow skater, not always as physical as he should be, lacks consistency, age may be taking its toll on the veteran player

This Season: Grier brings good leadership and calmness to the locker room, but on the ice he has been nothing short of a disappointment. His play has been sub-par all year and he has had to deal with the death of his mother as well (which may have contributed to his play)


I will continue this through my next several blog posts, comment on them and tell me what you think, who's your favorite player? why? what do you think will happen at the trade deadline for the Sabres this season?

Note: I'm doing these players in alphabetical order, I know it seemed like a few strange selections to open up with