NHL Rookie Watch: The Goose is Loose
Six games into the season and the most impressive rookie so far for the Buffalo Sabres is …
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OK, Vanek has been as advertised: creative, bordering on dazzling offensively. He has even shown some defensive responsibility and doesn't seem to be floating too much.
No, the rookie receiving the greatest accolades thus far is 6-foot-5 wrecking ball Paul Gaustad.
Mission for big, physical center: Destroy opponents with big hits…check. Draw attention from line mates…check. Win faceoffs…check. Score goals…check. Kill penalties…check.
Not bad for a seventh-round pick who coach Lindy Ruff admits was not thought of as an NHL player up until recently. Gaustad has two goals and an assist to show for his efforts, all a result of his doing the kind of dirty work teams need to win games.
The Sabres have not used a consistent fourth line due both to an injury to Adam Mair and the need to dress seven defensemen, instead choosing to rotate players like Taylor Pyatt and Mike Grier with Gaustad. Mair is scheduled to come back against the Bruins on 10/20 and will no doubt be paired with Gaustad and Taylor Pyatt to wreck havoc on the opposition, and to provide some supplemental scoring.
Look out, the Goose is loose.