Kristian

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:

He's certainly bang-on regarding the leadership void that has plagued this team since 2007, and the "wasteland of bad contracts" bit. I also whole-heatedly agree with his assesment that Vanek and Miller likely don't want to stay here, unless things change drastically in the off-season, starting with the GM position. That said, and Darcy being Darcy, I can easily seem him keep both around for another season where they really don't want to be here, only to walk for nothing as UFA's next year.

Another reason why the Gerbe experiment needs to stop - A couple of times last night, a teammate would put a nice lead pass to him, cross-ice through the neutral zone, only to elude him simply because his stick is so damn short, and his reach equally short. Anyone else on the team receives that pass with no problems, but Gerne simply can't reach them more often than not. Seen it happen several times this season, and it just annoys the heck out of me.

And a division title. Don't forget the division title. Regier got us that division title. Did I mention there was a division title??? /sarcasm off :flirt:

Of course. I don't have access to info you don't, just like you don't have access to info that I don't, so that door swings both ways. Ever had a stiff neck after a game? Wouldn't suprised if that happened from spilling head-frist into the boards, especially seeing as muscles usually don't tighten up for real until the body relaxes. That's enough reason to sit one out. Or maybe it was his wrist... Or his shoulder.... Or his elbow.... Or whatever bodypart he managed to hold during the time he was rolling around on the ice, what do I know?