Vancouver Canucks at Buffalo Sabres: Reactions

What was the message conveyed by Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan and General Manager Tim Murray a few weeks ago to their Buffalo team? “Want to be traded? Play like it.”

A depleted yet invigorated Sabres squad roasted the Vancouver Canucks, 6-3 Thursday. Missing their top 2 scorers, Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons, and their top defenseman, Josh Gorges, this was quite a treat (if you are on the anti-tank side of things).

Chris Stewart, doing his best hockey impression of Marshawn Lynch, bulldozed down the ice for a breakway goal. About a minute later, he broke out on another breakaway, and hit nothing but iron. Later in the game, his beast-mode continued as his exuberant efforts led to another goal.

Should the Buffalo Sabres trade Stewart? Absolutely not. Unless, of course, he has made it clear that he will not sign a new contract with Buffalo after this season. Games like the one that he had Thursday must have the Boston Bruins drooling.

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If Tim Murray is trying to build a nasty team, Stewart will fit in as a great piece. Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian, Nikita Zadorov, Girgensons, Nic Deslauriers, Hudson Fasching…Stewart needs to be kept.

If he wants to be traded, Torrey Mitchell sure looked like it. This animal was a +4 in the game. He scored two goals, and along with veterans Brian Gionta and Matty Moulson, he was all over the ice.

For a while, I felt like he would be a good fit with the Montreal Canadiens, but their recent trade for Smith-Pelley probably cancelled that idea. I personally don’t see him having a future with the Sabres, but wow, what a game for him tonight.

Rental player Andrej “The Mess” Meszaros also netted a goal Thursday, only his 2nd of the year. His trade value is probably nill at this point, and he is not in the future plans of the Sabres.

I was also impressed by the improvised “Amerks” line of Johan Larsson, Zac Dalpe, and Philip Varone – at least, early in the game. I am not sure if they vanished for the remainder of the game, or if their ice time was drastically reduced, but these guys got the job done early on.

*****Interruption alert – 14 different lightbulbs in my house all blew at the same time*****

Where were we? Who is tradeable?

I would love to know everyone’s thoughts on Michal Neuvirth – the guy has been lights out for a string of games now, yet had a mediocre night in a game where he did not have to be sharp. Is he the goalie of the future in your mind? If you ask me, I am not convinced. At least, not yet.

These has been 2 games in a row where these Sabres have been entertaining to watch. With the Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs playing like hot garbage, are these wins worth what the Sabres might potentially be losing in just a few months?

Please leave your thoughts and comments below. Next game: Saturday against the playoff-pushing Florida Panthers.

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