Hecht making case for his contract

Hecht is trying to bounce back from a dismal season in 08-09.

The German winger impressed last night playing on a line with Gaustad and Grier, notching a goal and effectively shutting down Toronto’s offense.

But is it too little, too late?

“I still feel he has to get to that 40- to 50-point range,” Ruff said. “He has to be close to 20 goals. That’s where he has to be. His goals are to get back to where we thought he was and where he thinks he should be.”

Hecht showed none of that offensive flair last season, tallying a dismal 27 points and a career worst -9 +/- rating.

There’s value in showing loyalty to players that have performed well with you, even if they’ve had bad seasons. I’ve been a big Hecht fan in the past. He’s been a solid competitor for the Sabres, and sometimes, he seems like one of the few players that’s willing to take a step back, look at his game, and try to improve it.

But when your team has failed – inexplicably – to make the playoffs for two seasons, with all the tools to do so, players need to be held accountable when they don’t step up and perform. It’s why I’ve been hard on a player that I’ve always liked.

Ruff is a big Hecht fan, and given his somewhat encouraging play in preseason and camp, he very well may keep his roster spot. He’ll be given another chance to perform and show why he’s getting cut a check.

Hecht was honest about last season’s performance.

“I still have something to prove,” Hecht said Wednesday before scoring in a 3-2 preseason victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Every year in my career I improved a little bit, and last year I took a big step back. I have to prove to myself and to the coaches again that I can play on the top two lines and be an offensive threat and be reliable in our end.

I hope he can get there.

But if he can’t, the Sabres management needs to show that they want to win and give him a chance to play better hockey for someone else.

- C.