Kristian

Then why is he sticking with Regier, who is Mr. Play-it-safe himself? He's got the failing part down though, I'll give him that.

No, I don't wonder at all :flirt:

Not to hijack the thread, but this is where Darcy's loooong history of overpaying for his own roster began. Too bad it didn't start with Peca :wallbash: End hijack, carry on.

And hit while he did it, too....

That's exactly how I see it - Pegula most likely thought that top free agents would sign with the Sabres as long as he opened his wallet wide enough. Now, whether this belief came from Regier telling him so or not, I don't know, but I do know it certainly surprised the entire front office, that they got snubbed by anyone not called Ehrhoff or Leino, so far. And considering how grossly they overpaid for Leino, it's really no surprise he signed here.

No, but all the while you're playing, it will do it's best to "educate" you.

.... And the machine tells you that you need to suffer for a while.

And if their previous owner's "managing partner" had in fact taken over their jobs for the previous 5 years, pretty much any of said type-A NHL alpha males would've resigned right there and then. Regier is a "yes" man, if ever was one, which is why we keep attracting owners who either need tax-writeoffs or new toys. Not saying there's anything wrong with either, just too bad we so rarely see good hockey as a result.

Which is the real reason they're "rebuilding through the draft" - Nobody wants to play here, if they have anything to say about it. That said, the past 2 years of UFA classes have been pretty darn thin, as it was obvious neither Richards or Doan would ever come here. The fact remains though - Buffalo is not a place you want to sign, unless it's for an obscene amount of money (Leino, Ehrhoff), and the really interesting UFA's can get said obscene amounts from much more interesting franchises than Buffalo. "Rebuild through draft, here we come.....!".

If that is the case, then Darcy should immediately quit is job to pursue a career in acting, cause he looked downright bewildered at the "Ruff is fired" presser. I don't believe for a second this was in any way part of a front office plan.

I believe the premise. I don't believe he has the skill it takes to succeed with it.

Read my sig :P

The fact that they involve the fanbase as much everytime they open their mouthes is a red flag alone. I'd much rather hear them talk more of the Sabres. I guess the problem is there's not much to talk about. Guess nobody told them they're the ones with the power to fix that. I agree. And I feel bad for the players, since they are the ones who end up taking the heat, beeing booed on home-ice.

If Vanek and Miller are gone come October yet Stafford is somehow still on the roster, I'm flat out gonna lose it. For real.

The slow start and strong finish has been a team trademark since 2002, the 05-07 era was an anomoly, if ever there was one.

Well true, but they had the best goaltender in the world. Put Dwayne Roloson and Marty Biron in net for 60+ games, and things look different. This franchise has tried to build from the goal out since Hasek, and seeing as not even #39 in his absolute prime could carry the team to a cup, it's doubtful anyone else could. I'm ready to try the approach that involves serviceable goaltending, good D and guys who can actually score up front.

Good idea, might as well see what he can do with the extra skater. It's not like he can mess anything up.

I'm by no means a Hecht fan, but if it comes down to needing veteran presence, and the choice is between keeping him or Stafford? "Hello Jochen, care to sign a 5 year extension, like right now....??!!"

You know, for once I look forward to this one too. No injuries to blame this time, the coach was fired, and the deadline was a firesale. There are *no* excuses for Regier this time. Hopefully he won't even *be* at the end of the year presser, you ask me. While that wouldn't surprise me one bit, I find it interesting they don't have proverbial "key player injured" crutch to lean on, or any of the same old "core will continue getting better" crap this year.

Yup, cause right about now the general consensus around the league must be that Buffalo, or "Hockey Heaven" as a certain owner likes to call it, is where careers go to die. In other words, forget any big free agent signings - They simply don't want to play here. The alternative is more gross overpaying for mediocre players like Leino.

Oh, no argument there.

Don't know about that, Gerbe doesn't strike me as particularly fast. I mean he's not *slow*, but he's no Alex Mogilny or Max Afinogenov either.

Guess you can only see as much on TV then. That said, I still think his reach is way too short in key situations, like when reaching for a pass or getting his stick in passing lanes. Long stick or not.

Was Hodgson a poor skater last year? I'll gladly take your word for it, as I don't remember.

I agree. He has size, but he's not a physical player, which I doubt anyone expected him to be, but he doesn't use his size to his advantage either, like Vanek for example. That said, Vanek took pretty much 6-7 years to become the Vanek of today, so Grigs has a few years yet to improve in that department, I suppose. My biggest gripe with him, was his skating. He looked like John LeClair after several back surgeries :blink: