Buckys Article: Kennedy, Gerbe, Butler

[tom webster]

Don't worry someone will find a way to bitch about it if it gets screwed up. That and Good ole' Bucky will be there to pick up the pieces and tell us all how smart he is cause he knew it all along.

 

And Gerbe is real small...like 6th grade small.

 

 

And exactly whose fault will it be it they don't sign?

 

Have you even read the article? He doesn't say anything about them not signing. He's just pointing out what happens if they don't sign this off season.

[wonderbread]

And exactly whose fault will it be it they don't sign?

 

Have you even read the article? He doesn't say anything about them not signing. He's just pointing out what happens if they don't sign this off season.

 

 

I wasn't really citing bucky's op-ed. I was speaking in more general terms. Thanks for playing, help yourself to some of our fabulous parting gifts.

[deluca67]

Why does anyone still read Bucky Ecklund?

[SabresFan526]

And I'd put money on Gerbe staying in BC. Maybe I'll even stop complaining about your username, allowing you to drop the "o" if he does sign.

What makes you so sure that Gerbe will stay in BC? If he wins the Hobey Baker and/or National Title this year, what does he have left to prove at the college level besides getting a degree? He's got an excellent shot at winning both the Hobey Baker and National Title this year, and if he gets one or both I don't see why he would stay. His stock would be at its highest this year and he would easily get the rookie maximum this year. Kennedy's already won the national title, what does he have to prove? As for Butler, I know very little about him, but I would not mind adding someone to the blue line as maybe our 8th or 9th defenseman in an emergency situation. I think the Sabres will probably get all 3 guys signed this year, but that's my opinion.

[Buffalo Wings]

And I'd put money on Gerbe staying in BC. Maybe I'll even stop complaining about your username, allowing you to drop the "o" if he does sign.

I think I'd rather see Gerbe in college for one more year. The big minus on him was his attitude, but from what I've seen of him this year, he's not doing as many stupid things (like showing up the opponent, etc). He might be ready now talent-wise, but it may be best to see him get one more year with Jerry York.

[inkman]

And Gerbe is real small...like 6th grade small.

:lol:

 

My kid is in 6th grade and is pretty close. I think he goes 5'2" 135lbs.

[bob_sauve28]

:lol:

 

My kid is in 6th grade and is pretty close. I think he goes 5'2" 135lbs.

He have any ink yet?

[inkman]

He have any ink yet?

Yep. In the pens he takes to school. <_<

[shrader]

What makes you so sure that Gerbe will stay in BC? If he wins the Hobey Baker and/or National Title this year, what does he have left to prove at the college level besides getting a degree? He's got an excellent shot at winning both the Hobey Baker and National Title this year, and if he gets one or both I don't see why he would stay. His stock would be at its highest this year and he would easily get the rookie maximum this year.

 

I think those are two possibilities that could heavily influence his decision. As of right now though, the general idea around BC and their fans/supporters is that he is leaning towards staying. Some of those supporters are more connected than others, so I'd put some weight behind what they say.

[That Aud Smell]

He is doing his job and reporting the facts. He didn't make anything up, he just asked the question and given their track record, there has to be a little doubt out there. Kennedy apparently wanted to sign last year and Buffalo felt they didn't have room because of the dual affiliation. You telling me there wasn't a player down there they couldn't have jettisoned?

 

such is sophistry worthy of bucky himself.

 

that is to say, the track record with whom insofar as the relevant cohort is concerned? vanek out of minnesota? miller out of mich state? stafford out of north dakota? i can't think of one coveted or intriguing college prospect that the team has failed to sign in recent memory.

 

and setting aside that our first pick in 1999 was apparently for naught, the fact that they didn't compound the error by signing heisten should be viewed as shrewd.

 

as for wideman, iirc, he was coming out of juniors, not the college ranks -- thus, not the relevant cohort, imo.

[shrader]

I won't blame them for Heisten either, regardless of how his career turned out. The Van Ryn loophole was a horrible oversite in the previous CBA that luckily they have now corrected.

[That Aud Smell]

The Van Ryn loophole was a horrible oversite in the previous CBA that luckily they have now corrected.

 

:unsure:

 

(the lesson, as usual: i'm an ignoramus.)

[The_Swannie_House]

Bucky Gleason= Dicky Dunn

 

Dickie Dunn: "I tried to capture the spirit of the thing"

[tom webster]

such is sophistry worthy of bucky himself.

 

that is to say, the track record with whom insofar as the relevant cohort is concerned? vanek out of minnesota? miller out of mich state? stafford out of north dakota? i can't think of one coveted or intriguing college prospect that the team has failed to sign in recent memory.

 

and setting aside that our first pick in 1999 was apparently for naught, the fact that they didn't compound the error by signing heisten should be viewed as shrewd.

 

as for wideman, iirc, he was coming out of juniors, not the college ranks -- thus, not the relevant cohort, imo.

 

1) I was referring to their track record with negotiations and foresight in general, not to specific examples of college and/or college

prospects

 

2) I believe Wideman, along with Heisten and Zigomanis, are relevant examples. There is no guarantee that any of the three college players above will have a distinguished career either. Wideman, Heisten and Zigomanis are three players that were considered prospects that the team didn't sign.

 

3) I still don't see the problem with the column. Kennedy and Butler could be signed already and are not. Bucky was making a point, but like me wasn't saying they will not sign them. He was just pointing out that the players had some leverage and that there is some urgency to get a deal done.

[That Aud Smell]

1) I was referring to their track record with negotiations and foresight in general, not to specific examples of college and/or college prospects

 

That's what I figured.

 

2) I believe Wideman, along with Heisten and Zigomanis, are relevant examples. There is no guarantee that any of the three college players above will have a distinguished career either. Wideman, Heisten and Zigomanis are three players that were considered prospects that the team didn't sign.

 

I disagree, like I said -- you're tracing a track record based a patchwork group comprised of Zigomanis (un-good times, admittedly), a low-round juniors guy (Wideman), and a college guy who never did anything in the league and eluded us using a loophole in the prior CBA (thanks, shrader) -- I'm pointing to the recent college picks of Vanek, Stafford and Miller.

 

'Nuff said.

 

3) I still don't see the problem with the column. Kennedy and Butler could be signed already and are not. Bucky was making a point, but like me wasn't saying they will not sign them. He was just pointing out that the players had some leverage and that there is some urgency to get a deal done.

 

I do. But I don't have any problem with that piece of it -- thing is, you and Gleason were saying more than that -- I responded only in re: the issue addressed in point 1 above.

[tom webster]

That's what I figured.

I disagree, like I said -- you're tracing a track record based a patchwork group comprised of Zigomanis (un-good times, admittedly), a low-round juniors guy (Wideman), and a college guy who never did anything in the league and eluded us using a loophole in the prior CBA (thanks, shrader) -- I'm pointing to the recent college picks of Vanek, Stafford and Miller.

 

'Nuff said.

I do. But I don't have any problem with that piece of it -- thing is, you and Gleason were saying more than that -- I responded only in re: the issue addressed in point 1 above.

 

 

What do you "think" Bucky and I were saying.

We can debate possiblities all we want, one fact that is before us is that Kennedy'e teammates have already signed with Philadelphia and Detroit. Buffalo will again be behind the curve when they finally get around to it.

As for deciding which guys apply and which guys don't, your response is typical of those that don't want to see both sides of equation. It is always different when someone else is involved.

You also seem to think that "most" people can't read his column for what it is and you have the need to explain some underlying message to those that can't comprehend for themselves, sort of the way the left seems to always feel the need to look out for the ignorant masses.

One final thing, in case you haven't read all my posts on the subject, I have stated that I expect the team to sign all three. As per usual, I expect they will do it at their own maddening pace.

[X. Benedict]

What do you "think" Bucky and I were saying.

We can debate possiblities all we want, one fact that is before us is that Kennedy'e teammates have already signed with Philadelphia and Detroit. Buffalo will again be behind the curve when they finally get around to it.

As for deciding which guys apply and which guys don't, your response is typical of those that don't want to see both sides of equation. It is always different when someone else is involved.

You also seem to think that "most" people can't read his column for what it is and you have the need to explain some underlying message to those that can't comprehend for themselves, sort of the way the left seems to always feel the need to look out for the ignorant masses.

One final thing, in case you haven't read all my posts on the subject, I have stated that I expect the team to sign all three. As per usual, I expect they will do it at their own maddening pace.

 

and then they can be assigned to the farm team......wherever that may be.......

[shrader]

1) I was referring to their track record with negotiations and foresight in general, not to specific examples of college and/or college

prospects

 

2) I believe Wideman, along with Heisten and Zigomanis, are relevant examples. There is no guarantee that any of the three college players above will have a distinguished career either. Wideman, Heisten and Zigomanis are three players that were considered prospects that the team didn't sign.

 

There is one major difference between those two groups of players though. The window for signing was much shorter for Wideman, Heisten and Zigomanis. Yes, there's still a cutoff that they have to deal with, but the extra year or two allows for a lot of things to happen.

 

As for Wideman, if I remember correctly, the team just wasn't interested in signing him. Was that a poor decision? Maybe, but its also possible that his recent development was a result of his time in St. Louis or Boston and could never have happened here. But either way, not wanting a guy is far different than trying to sign a guy but not being able to get anything done.

[tom webster]

There is one major difference between those two groups of players though. The window for signing was much shorter for Wideman, Heisten and Zigomanis. Yes, there's still a cutoff that they have to deal with, but the extra year or two allows for a lot of things to happen.

 

As for Wideman, if I remember correctly, the team just wasn't interested in signing him. Was that a poor decision? Maybe, but its also possible that his recent development was a result of his time in St. Louis or Boston and could never have happened here. But either way, not wanting a guy is far different than trying to sign a guy but not being able to get anything done.

 

This subject has gone a lot longer than it merits. Like I said earlier, you can always look for similarities and dissimilarities(sic?). Just like they say with stats and making them say whatever you want them to say.

 

The only point I was trying to make earlier is that given Buffalo's penchant for taking their time and analyzing the hell out of things, you can't take it for granted that the deal gets done. I am pretty sure it will, but why haven't Butler and Kennedy already been signed and assigned to Rochester just like Weber, Sekera and Kaleta? Obviously, Buffalo sees some worth in doing that or they wouldn't have assigned the other players.

[shrader]

There really isn't much point to doing it at this point. There's almost no ice time to be had. Does Rochester even have any games left at this point? I have no idea what their schedule is, but if given the option, I'm sure the team would like to avoid placing young guys in that situation at this point. With the two previous signings, they had to do it then because those guys were free agents and could go anywhere. They have control over Butler and Kennedy.

 

Also, they guys are gods on campus. They may want to finish out the year. They've got a lot of friends at school, so why leave now? The salary for a couple weeks isn't all that much. For examples, look no further than Vanek (September) and Stafford (May) and their signing dates.

[tom webster]

There really isn't much point to doing it at this point. There's almost no ice time to be had. Does Rochester even have any games left at this point? I have no idea what their schedule is, but if given the option, I'm sure the team would like to avoid placing young guys in that situation at this point. With the two previous signings, they had to do it then because those guys were free agents and could go anywhere. They have control over Butler and Kennedy.

 

Also, they guys are gods on campus. They may want to finish out the year. For examples, look no further than Vanek (September) and Stafford (May) and their signing dates.

 

Or look at Kennedy's two teammates (Ratchuk and Abdelkader) that already signed. Like I said, you can use whatever examples make your argument.

[X. Benedict]

Or look at Kennedy's two teammates (Ratchuk and Abdelkader) that already signed. Like I said, you can use whatever examples make your argument.

 

I'm not really sure. But doesn't Ratchuk go to Philly, at least he gets to play for the Calder, doens't he?

[gregkash]

I stopped reading as soon as I saw "Bucky"

[Taro T]

Or look at Kennedy's two teammates (Ratchuk and Abdelkader) that already signed. Like I said, you can use whatever examples make your argument.

They are, but in different situations. Abdelkader played a couple of games for Detroit and they probably see value in having him around during a playoff run to let him be around the team.

 

Ratchuk is on an AHL team tied for the lead in its division and one would guess that he'd be used some in the playoffs (although a quick check of the Phantoms' website makes it look like he hasn't dressed yet). At a minimum, he'll be practicing with a pro team in the playoffs.

 

Kennedy could have been a part of, what, maybe 5 Sabres games when they were desperately trying to make the playoffs (not the best time to try a rookie); or a part of the disaster that is the '07-'08 Ra-cha-cha Americans.

 

Yeah, it's possible there's smoke, but there are several reasons for Kennedy to stay in East Lansing til the end of the school year. (That goes for the other 2 as well.) There aren't so many reasons to bring them up right now. I guess they could have learned how professionals clean out their dressing room stalls, but I don't see much else they gain by being in Buffalo or Ra-cha-cha this April.

[tom webster]

They are, but in different situations. Abdelkader played a couple of games for Detroit and they probably see value in having him around during a playoff run to let him be around the team.

 

Ratchuk is on an AHL team tied for the lead in its division and one would guess that he'd be used some in the playoffs (although a quick check of the Phantoms' website makes it look like he hasn't dressed yet). At a minimum, he'll be practicing with a pro team in the playoffs.

 

Kennedy could have been a part of, what, maybe 5 Sabres games when they were desperately trying to make the playoffs (not the best time to try a rookie); or a part of the disaster that is the '07-'08 Ra-cha-cha Americans.

 

Yeah, it's possible there's smoke, but there are several reasons for Kennedy to stay in East Lansing til the end of the school year. (That goes for the other 2 as well.) There aren't so many reasons to bring them up right now. I guess they could have learned how professionals clean out their dressing room stalls, but I don't see much else they gain by being in Buffalo or Ra-cha-cha this April.

 

Like I said, you can come up with reasons the others are different, but Buffalo thought enough of the five game Rochester experience to send the other three veterans there as well as the two college players they just signed.

How about this for a reason to get off their arse, they have $1800 of my money there for playoffs they won't play and how about throwing me and other season ticket holders a bone and signed the players they can sign now.