Tag Archive for Cody Hodgson

Sabres Move Into A Tie For 8th

March 21, 2012 NHL

Tyler Myers returned from his suspension, Cody Hodgson scored his first two goals as a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and Ryan Miller recorded another shutout giving him six on the season. With the 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres improved their record to 35-29-10 and now with 80 points are tied for eighth place with the Washington Capitals who had the night off. The Sabres are now 11-2-4 since February 17, and their 27 points are second only to Pittsburgh’s 27 (13-1-1) during this stretch.


Download Video from YouTube | YouTube to MP3: Vixy

 

Cody Hodgson, who was acquired by the Sabres before the trade deadline, scored his first goal as a member of the blue and gold just 6:15 into the first period. Hodgson broke into the zone by himself and scored on a wrap around that he bounced off the back of Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. Number 19  followed that up with an insurance goal in the third period, on a nifty one timer  from Derek Roy on the power play. Miller stopped 34 Montreal shots in the shutout, with his biggest save of the night coming late in the final period when he used his right pad to deny Mike Blunden on the doorstep with just over five minutes remaining on the clock. It was the 28th shutout of Miller’s career, improving his standing as second all-time in franchise history behind Dominik Hasek’s 55.

With the win over Montreal, Buffalo finished the season 5-0-1 against the Canadiens. Some other notes from the game include Derek Roy’s third period assist was the 265th of his career, surpassing Mike Foligno for ninth all-time in franchise history. With the assist on Hodgson’s first period goal, Christian Ehrhoff recorded his 200th career assist.  Hodgson becomes the 28th different goal scorer for Buffalo this season, second-most in the league to Columbus’ 30.  And a quick shout out to rookie Travis Turnbull who played his first NHL game tonight, recording a team-high three hits in 6:14 of ice time.

So what did we learn from tonight? Well we learned that Pretty Boy Swag and myself are the Sabres good luck charm since we were at the game. Ya that is right, we were at the First Niagara Center cheering on the Sabres. It was my first game of the year and it could not have come at a better time. We sat a couple of rows up behind the net where the visitor goalie sets up twice. PBS and myself had a great time drinking alcohol and discussing our sweet plans for the website. But ya, back to the point, we are the Sabres good luck charms. They should just give us season tickets in our own suite. Terry, you want to win a cup, get at us.

One comment , , , , , ,

Sabres Involved in Blockbusters

February 28, 2012 NHL

Darcy Regier will drive you to drink, pull out your hair and just flat-out will make you crazy at times.

There are some days though that will lead you to believe he might be the smartest and most calculating GM in the NHL.

It’s no secret that there are GM’s that refuse to work with Regier and say he wants too much for too little. Earlier in the day TSN on air personalities said over and over he was crazy for asking for a 1st round pick in exchange the rights to Paul Gaustad.

Well who is laughing now, Regier sent the forward and a 4th to the Preds for a 1st round pick. First round picks in the NHL can be worth gold (the Sabres will have 2). They will have 4 picks in the first 60 selections. Plenty of room to negotiate moving up to grab a solid player that can help the club immediately.

In a blockbuster deal involving the Vancouver Canuks (last year Stanley Cup loser) Buffalo sent bruising left wing prospect Zack Kassian and seldom used offensive defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani in exchange for highly regarded young centerman Cody Hodgson and defenseman Alex Sulzer (won’t play a hair). It fills an immediate need for both clubs. In the Canuks case Kassian adds the size and toughness they desperately need to advance in the Playoffs and something they desperately needed last year against Boston.

In the case of Hodgson he was a 3rd line center in Vancouver but will immediately jump to the top line with Vanek and Pomminville. Hodgson is 22 and will help this offense now and in the long run.

The Sabres are taking a chance here in giving up Kassian but they had to bring in some offense. This trade also downgrades the notion that Darcy is not a fair GM in trade negotiations as made public in an interview with Toronto GM Brian Burke. Regier clearly gave up a lot for Hodgson. My Kassian take is that the kid seemed to have his head in the clouds. He isn’t an everyday player and gets lost in the shuffle. The Sabres have another tough winger in the system in Marcus Foligno that Buffalo believes can play the role Kassian was expected to fill.

The Sabres could be in trouble in terms of a good shut down center. Jochen Hecht isn’t returning any time soon and with the loss of Paul Gaustad this is a big loss. Gaustad played in key situations night after night, battling opposing tough guys, taking faceoffs and shutting down lines like Patrice Bergeron’s in Boston. That is a huge void and don;t have a clue who will take on that role as well as Goose.

This team should still miss the playoffs, I don’t see them pulling themselves out of the whole they fell into and I do not know if Darcy will be back despite these recent moves. Why couldn’t Darcy have made the Kassian/Hodgson deal sooner?

I am optimistic about the off season. Will they make a run at Rick Nash? Will Regier be back? He had a good day Monday but it might have been too late. My guess is he will be back next season. I think he is best fitted to be there on draft day. I’d like to see what he has up his sleeve still because at 2:30 Monday I had no idea he was going to pull these many scarves out.

No comments , , , , , , ,