Grier, Niedermayer eager to contribute
Mike Grier and Rob Niedermayer have been linemates pretty much since the Buffalo Sabres started training camp, forming a veteran pair that is supposed to frustrate opponents with tight defense, hard work and physical play. They haven't reached annoying status yet, but Grier knows it's possible.
After all, Niedermayer used to irritate him.
Veterans in their mid-30s are bound to have had encounters through the years, and Niedermayer and Grier are no different. Early in their careers, they competed in the Battle of Alberta, the western Canadian throwdown that gets province-wide attention whenever Calgary and Edmonton face off.
"He's someone I've been playing against for a long time," Grier, a former member of the Oilers, said Tuesday. "We go back a long ways, back to the Edmonton-Calgary days, so I've admired the way he plays the game, and it's nice to play with him.
"Playing against him, he's always someone who gets under your skin a little bit. He always finishes his checks, doing the little things that kind of irritate you as an opposing player, so it's good to have him on our side."
It'll be even better for the Sabres if the pair starts clicking. Neither player has registered a point heading into tonight's game against Atlanta in Philips Arena. They have a new left winger in offensive-minded Tyler Ennis, and Lindy Ruff is hopeful the trio can help the Sabres end their five-game winless streak.
"Sometimes when you put too much skill and not enough workers together, you don't get much done," the coach said. "I think we've got a good blend right now with every line."
Grier is taking the tough start harder than most because he feels he could have singlehandedly made a difference in some of the defeats. During a 2-1 loss to Montreal, for example, he and his linemates could have had two goals on one shift had he converted a net-front deflection or hit a wide-open Thomas Vanek with a short pass.
"I've had some great opportunities the first six games, and I should probably have at least three goals," Grier said. "The fact they were at crucial moments of the game that could have tied the game or put us up in the game, it's frustrating. You have to keep working at it so hopefully the next chance you get you put it in.
"We should be able to score some goals. Rob and I have some offensive upside to us, and [Ennis has] really got the skill of a top-six forward. He's got the best patience on our team with the puck, and he's one of our better passers, so hopefully soon we can get a few pucks to go in the net and help out offensively."
Grier and Niedermayer historically have been known more for their defensive work than their offensive contributions. General Manager Darcy Regier and Ruff linked the duo the day the team signed Niedermayer over the summer, pointing to them as a potential shutdown unit.
They've had a rough start at that end of the ice, too. They are both minus-5, made possible after Marian Hossa tormented them with two goals in the Blackhawks' 4-3 win on Oct. 11.
"Mike Grier has missed a handful of great opportunities," Ruff said. "We've got to start converting those. You first look to your top couple lines to have the edge in scoring, then you want depth in scoring to come from that line. They had one tough night together where collectively they were on the ice for three against, which can't happen."
The top lines against the Thrashers will be Derek Roy in the middle of left wing Thomas Vanek and right wing Drew Stafford, and Tim Connolly centering for Cody McCormick and Jochen Hecht. The other line will have Paul Gaustad flanked by Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta.
Defenseman Shaone Morrisonn tested his groin injury prior to Tuesday's practice in HSBC Arena, but he will miss his third straight game.
"We're trying to find some chemistry on lines," Ruff said. "Right now we have a little trouble with our top, we have a little trouble with our bottom six chipping in."
Niedermayer and Grier hope to take care of the latter problem.
"You always want to try and contribute, for sure," Niedermayer said. "That's something that we both want to do. You don't want to press, but I think we can't pass up any shots, and hopefully it will come soon."
Mike Grier and Rob Niedermayer have been linemates pretty much since the Buffalo Sabres started training camp, forming a veteran pair that is supposed to frustrate opponents with tight defense, hard work and physical play. They haven't reached annoying status yet, but Grier knows it's possible.
After all, Niedermayer used to irritate him.
Veterans in their mid-30s are bound to have had encounters through the years, and Niedermayer and Grier are no different. Early in their careers, they competed in the Battle of Alberta, the western Canadian throwdown that gets province-wide attention whenever Calgary and Edmonton face off.
"He's someone I've been playing against for a long time," Grier, a former member of the Oilers, said Tuesday. "We go back a long ways, back to the Edmonton-Calgary days, so I've admired the way he plays the game, and it's nice to play with him.
"Playing against him, he's always someone who gets under your skin a little bit. He always finishes his checks, doing the little things that kind of irritate you as an opposing player, so it's good to have him on our side."
It'll be even better for the Sabres if the pair starts clicking. Neither player has registered a point heading into tonight's game against Atlanta in Philips Arena. They have a new left winger in offensive-minded Tyler Ennis, and Lindy Ruff is hopeful the trio can help the Sabres end their five-game winless streak.
"Sometimes when you put too much skill and not enough workers together, you don't get much done," the coach said. "I think we've got a good blend right now with every line."
Grier is taking the tough start harder than most because he feels he could have singlehandedly made a difference in some of the defeats. During a 2-1 loss to Montreal, for example, he and his linemates could have had two goals on one shift had he converted a net-front deflection or hit a wide-open Thomas Vanek with a short pass.
"I've had some great opportunities the first six games, and I should probably have at least three goals," Grier said. "The fact they were at crucial moments of the game that could have tied the game or put us up in the game, it's frustrating. You have to keep working at it so hopefully the next chance you get you put it in.
"We should be able to score some goals. Rob and I have some offensive upside to us, and [Ennis has] really got the skill of a top-six forward. He's got the best patience on our team with the puck, and he's one of our better passers, so hopefully soon we can get a few pucks to go in the net and help out offensively."
Grier and Niedermayer historically have been known more for their defensive work than their offensive contributions. General Manager Darcy Regier and Ruff linked the duo the day the team signed Niedermayer over the summer, pointing to them as a potential shutdown unit.
They've had a rough start at that end of the ice, too. They are both minus-5, made possible after Marian Hossa tormented them with two goals in the Blackhawks' 4-3 win on Oct. 11.
"Mike Grier has missed a handful of great opportunities," Ruff said. "We've got to start converting those. You first look to your top couple lines to have the edge in scoring, then you want depth in scoring to come from that line. They had one tough night together where collectively they were on the ice for three against, which can't happen."
The top lines against the Thrashers will be Derek Roy in the middle of left wing Thomas Vanek and right wing Drew Stafford, and Tim Connolly centering for Cody McCormick and Jochen Hecht. The other line will have Paul Gaustad flanked by Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Kaleta.
Defenseman Shaone Morrisonn tested his groin injury prior to Tuesday's practice in HSBC Arena, but he will miss his third straight game.
"We're trying to find some chemistry on lines," Ruff said. "Right now we have a little trouble with our top, we have a little trouble with our bottom six chipping in."
Niedermayer and Grier hope to take care of the latter problem.
"You always want to try and contribute, for sure," Niedermayer said. "That's something that we both want to do. You don't want to press, but I think we can't pass up any shots, and hopefully it will come soon."
