Buffalo Sabres over rated/under rated

by Steve

The Buffalo Sabres officially clinched the Eastern Conference title today and to celebrate, lets break down the roster and see who is over rated and who is under rated:

#30 Ryan Miller Goalie
Has a lot of W's one shut out and a mediocre goals against. Some in Buffalo want to crown him elite our verdict:
OVERRATED

#35 Ty Conklin Goalie
Played in only a few games for the Sabres and looks to get maybe 1 more start if that verdict:
UNDERRATED

#5 Toni Lydman D
Typically plays with Hank the tank Tallinder and can be compared to a leech living off a host verdict:
OVERRATED

#6 Jaroslav Spacek D
Received a large lump sum to the tune of about $10 over three years. Five goals ? verdict:
OVERRATED

#9 Derek Roy C
Plays on a talented line with Vanek and either Stafford or Afinogenov, and has a tendency to dive like Michael Phelps. Seventeen goals 58 points as a sophomore. Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#10 Henrik Tallinder D
Plays on the top line, is the teams top defeseman. When healthy typically balls. Verdict:
RATED

#12 Ales Kotalik F
Played with Chris Drury, has a hard slap shot and takes vacations during the season. Verdict:
OVERRATED

#15 Dainius Zubrus F
Traded to the 'bres at the deadline. Is getting a cold reception among Sabres fans, but keeps getting bounced around on different lines. We'll leave his mark in the playoffs. Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#20 Daniel Paille F
Rookie year and has filled in admirable. Would have liked him more if he wasn't hurt for a while. Has only 10 points but he was born on tax day. Verdict:
RATED

#21 Drew Stafford F
Max who? Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#22 Adam Mair C
Plays on the fourth line, and luck to get that. Not much expected from him but to push people around. Does he even do that? Verdict:
UNRATED

#23 Chris Drury C
Straight up balla CD>Briere Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#26 Thomas Vanek F
Forty goal scorer in his second year, but was a high draft pick. If Ovechkin and Crosby weren't in the same class he would be a phenom as well. Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#27 Teppo Numminen D
Old as dust, but has a kick ass mullet. Played decently well on the penalty kill. Verdict:
OVERRATED

#29 Jason Pominville F
If he didn't come up with the class from the 05/06 campaign we'd be drooling more. 35+ goals in 06/07 ? Verdict:
UNDERRATED

#45 Dmitri Kalinin D
Still waiting for this guy to grow up into a top echelon defensemen. Maybe some new scenery on a new team? Verdict:
OVERRATED

#48 Daniel Briere C
Gets paid five million dollars. Is high up on the scoring list in the NHL, but the whole team is scoring goals right now. Probably rated too high, Verdict:
RATED

#51 Brian Campbell D
Did this guy really start in the All-Star game? Still living off the Umburger hit. Verdict:
OVERRATED

#55 Jochen Hecht C
If this was based on my opinion alone, I'd say overrated however, he has 19 goals. Verdict:
slightly UNDERRATED

#61 Max Afinogenov F
Has the speed and excitement to get the women and children up out of their seats. Hasn't done anything in the playoffs and struggles to finish at times. Still puts up numbers and creates a lot of chances. Verdict:
OVERRATED

#76 Andrew Peters F
Is a bruiser that will fight you, kind of. Also is found drinking downtown more than me. Verdict:
OVERRATED

Other
#19 Tim Connolly C
Can create on the power play and when the game is on the line. Can't stay healthy or skate with his head up. Played great before he got hurt vs. Ottawa in the p-offs. Verdict:
OVERRATED

Lindy Ruff Coach
Has failed to win the big game although got the team to the Cup in '99. Couldn't win the Stanley up with Hasek? Has done a good job with this group however. Verdict:
I'll tell you after the playoffs

Darcy Regier General Manager
Makes some good moves and makes some questionable moves. Getting Ryan Miller was luck, getting Vanek was a solid pick up. Had a long dry spell in the mid 2000's, and takes too much credit for the current team. I'd like to say lightning in a bottle but thats probably unfair. Verdict:
RATED

HSBC Arena
Located right downtown with a metro rail dropping you off for free. Has not spurred any new development in 10 years. Hosts few good concerts, but still looks nice in side. Would be better with a Stanley Cup Banner. Verdict:
UNDERRATED

Buffalo Sabres Fans
Didn't show up early in 05/06 after the lock. Have shown up in huge numbers as of late with too numerous the bandwagon fan to count. Receive a lot of undue credit for loving an extremely talented and winning team. Verdict:
OVERRATED

The Buffalo Sabres
They won the Eastern Conference. But the West is superior. Ottawa started out slow, and the 'bres struggle at times vs. Canadian teams. But argue the record I guess.. Verdict:
RATED