Quinn's comments on the off-season

[Bmwolf21]

Larry, meet Negotiations 101; Negotations 101, "Larry probably not a good idea to completely reveal your hand before you play it. Why? Well, if I were Pominville or Miller, I would demand a boatload of money because you already stated you are going to sign us, it is not an option for you."

 

Appreciate the change in off-season behavior (which is also serving as an implicit admission of mistake - given the change in such behavior) as well as the message it is sending fans, but this guy is ridiculous. If the Sabres are so concerned with cutting costs (ie. video scouting), why not start with this guy & his salary? Not to mention his mere presence is a significant cost, with all of his brillaint decision-making

Didn't he say something similar about Vanek, right after losing DB and CD?

[apuszczalowski]

DR doesn't write the checks. Apparently he isn't even given a budget. TG said in one of his three public service announcements that he has to sign off on every deal and he knows what everyone makes and keeps a running log of what their position is to the cap and more importantly, to their own budget.

 

Darcy's main fault lies in his inability to convince his superiors of his convictions. Instead, he plays the loyal soldier and does what he is told. (He also tends to fall in love with his own players(figuratively connee) but that is another story) Remember, Darcy is the only man in America who couldn't convince John and Tim Rigas to spend money that they didn't have!

He is a great organizational man and built a scouting staff that leads the league in number of drafted players presently playing in the NHL. Do you think it was his idea to dismantle that organization?

 

All I will say about the last two points is that his track record validates his abilities. He has not been perfect, but he has been more than good.

But how much of that track record is Quinn then? The attitude is always that Darcy is the hockey genius that is making all the right moves until somethinbg bad happens, then it was all Quinn.

 

My arguement is and has always been that you can't blame Quinn for everything wrong, if you aren't giving him credit for the good things, and if he is really running things, then DR is nothing more then a puppet

 

And if its true that you say that DR can't convince the higher ups of his moves, then he needs to go, or the higher ups need to go, because this current ownership is going to keep a tight budget, and the team will need someone who can convince them that what they want to do is the right thing. If Darcy put together this great scouting team and didn't believe in video scouting, why didn't he fight to keep it? And if this scouting team is one of the best, like you said, why would they get rid of them for video scouting?

[Bmwolf21]

But how much of that track record is Quinn then?

Well someone would have to look at Darcy's moves pre- and post-Quinn, something I'm too busy to research right now.

[shrader]

Just out of curiousity, what would you like to hear Quinn say? Given the fact that many people are far too stubborn to admit their own mistakes, short of making that admission, what kind of statement would you find acceptable?

[Done]

Just out of curiousity, what would you like to hear Quinn say? Given the fact that many people are far too stubborn to admit their own mistakes, short of making that admission, what kind of statement would you find acceptable?

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Buffalo......I am an egotistical sociopath that has been swindling money from the good people of Buffalo for 35 years, be it through state grants, misappropriated funds, or a professional hockey team. I have no morals, will lie straight to your face multiple times, and micromanage every aspect of every project I'm involved with in order to make up for my small dingdong. I have no real emotion except for jealousy and vengence, and I think I find Jason Pominville attractive. I want to thank you all for funding my multiple vacation houses, the education of my children, and my monthly subscription to "Tranny-Time". I am going to jump off of the Skyway now."

[inkman]

"...to make up for my small dingdong..."

:lol:

[LabattBlue]

Just out of curiousity, what would you like to hear Quinn say?

I made a decision today to devote all my energy to waterfront development. Therefore, I am stepping down as Managing Partner of the Sabres and will have no involvement with the organization from here on out. :D

[RichyRich]

I made a decision today to devote all my energy to waterfront development. Therefore, I am stepping down as Managing Partner of the Sabres and will have no involvement with the organization from here on out. :D

 

 

Nice

[nfreeman]

"Ladies and Gentlemen of Buffalo......I am an egotistical sociopath that has been swindling money from the good people of Buffalo for 35 years, be it through state grants, misappropriated funds, or a professional hockey team. I have no morals, will lie straight to your face multiple times, and micromanage every aspect of every project I'm involved with in order to make up for my small dingdong. I have no real emotion except for jealousy and vengence, and I think I find Jason Pominville attractive. I want to thank you all for funding my multiple vacation houses, the education of my children, and my monthly subscription to "Tranny-Time". I am going to jump off of the Skyway now."

 

outstanding.

[tom webster]

But how much of that track record is Quinn then? The attitude is always that Darcy is the hockey genius that is making all the right moves until somethinbg bad happens, then it was all Quinn.

 

My arguement is and has always been that you can't blame Quinn for everything wrong, if you aren't giving him credit for the good things, and if he is really running things, then DR is nothing more then a puppet

 

And if its true that you say that DR can't convince the higher ups of his moves, then he needs to go, or the higher ups need to go, because this current ownership is going to keep a tight budget, and the team will need someone who can convince them that what they want to do is the right thing. If Darcy put together this great scouting team and didn't believe in video scouting, why didn't he fight to keep it? And if this scouting team is one of the best, like you said, why would they get rid of them for video scouting?

 

Look, it is no great secret that I am not one of LQ's biggest fans, and while I find Darcy to be as good of people as you could find, I have also been one of his harshest critics.

 

However, there is no denying the success of the team during both these gentlemen's regimes. While Larry was largely instrumental in blowing up the Muckler and Nolan team, he was also instrumental in turning the franchise around and getting the arena built. After his initial departure, Darcy and Lindy along with Jim Benning, Don Luce, Larry Carriere, Terry Martin, et al took Muckler's team to the next level.

With the return of Quinn along with the arrival of TG, the team has gone to two ECF's and has won more games since the lock out than anyone in the league save for Detroit and Dallas.

So its hard to say fire someone given their track record in spite of the mistakes. I believe they deserve this off season to prove that they have learned from those mistakes. I think the biggest mistake could turn out to be the ripping apart of the scouting department but its way too early to tell. Video scouting gave them Dennis Perrson in 2007 but it also gave them Enroth and Weber in the second round so who knows?

As far as fighting for what he believes in, Darcy may be getting closer to frustration boiling over, but he may also be in that position all too familiar to a lot us. You know that there are battles you can win and those you are better conceding defeat.

The bottom line is TG controls the cash with advice from LQ. Dan DiPofi has a lot to say about business matters also. If Darcy leaves, any other General Manager will have to abide by the rules and wishes of those three. We just have to hope that this group gets it right, partly by design, partly by accident because quite frankly, we have little choice.

One thing I am sure of is that Larry Quinn would like nothing more than to be bring the Cup to Buffalo and tell us all how smart he was in doing it. Whether he has the wherewithal to do that, thats another question.

[apuszczalowski]

Look, it is no great secret that I am not one of LQ's biggest fans, and while I find Darcy to be as good of people as you could find, I have also been one of his harshest critics.

 

However, there is no denying the success of the team during both these gentlemen's regimes. While Larry was largely instrumental in blowing up the Muckler and Nolan team, he was also instrumental in turning the franchise around and getting the arena built. After his initial departure, Darcy and Lindy along with Jim Benning, Don Luce, Larry Carriere, Terry Martin, et al took Muckler's team to the next level.

With the return of Quinn along with the arrival of TG, the team has gone to two ECF's and has won more games since the lock out than anyone in the league save for Detroit and Dallas.

So its hard to say fire someone given their track record in spite of the mistakes. I believe they deserve this off season to prove that they have learned from those mistakes. I think the biggest mistake could turn out to be the ripping apart of the scouting department but its way too early to tell. Video scouting gave them Dennis Perrson in 2007 but it also gave them Enroth and Weber in the second round so who knows?

As far as fighting for what he believes in, Darcy may be getting closer to frustration boiling over, but he may also be in that position all too familiar to a lot us. You know that there are battles you can win and those you are better conceding defeat.

The bottom line is TG controls the cash with advice from LQ. Dan DiPofi has a lot to say about business matters also. If Darcy leaves, any other General Manager will have to abide by the rules and wishes of those three. We just have to hope that this group gets it right, partly by design, partly by accident because quite frankly, we have little choice.

One thing I am sure of is that Larry Quinn would like nothing more than to be bring the Cup to Buffalo and tell us all how smart he was in doing it. Whether he has the wherewithal to do that, thats another question.

I give more of that credit to the guy in goal then the FO, the rest of the team was not that impressive and would have never gone as far without Hasek in net

[tom webster]

I give more of that credit to the guy in goal then the FO, the rest of the team was not that impressive and would have never gone as far without Hasek in net

 

 

As I stated at the beginning, it is hard to argue with the results. Quinn was instrumental in getting Hasek signed to that huge contract at the end, mostly because he kissed his a**, but its the results nonetheless. You start picking away at results and you can discredit almost anyone.

What would Belicheck and Pioli have been like if a nondescript 6th round draft choice didn't turn into a hall famer?

What would Muckler's legacy had been if San Jose or Anaheim picked Hasek in the expansion draft?

Would Bill Walsh have been a genius if Marv Levy took Joe Montana instead of Steve Fuller?

[nfreeman]

Look, it is no great secret that I am not one of LQ's biggest fans, and while I find Darcy to be as good of people as you could find, I have also been one of his harshest critics.

 

However, there is no denying the success of the team during both these gentlemen's regimes. While Larry was largely instrumental in blowing up the Muckler and Nolan team, he was also instrumental in turning the franchise around and getting the arena built. After his initial departure, Darcy and Lindy along with Jim Benning, Don Luce, Larry Carriere, Terry Martin, et al took Muckler's team to the next level.

With the return of Quinn along with the arrival of TG, the team has gone to two ECF's and has won more games since the lock out than anyone in the league save for Detroit and Dallas.

So its hard to say fire someone given their track record in spite of the mistakes. I believe they deserve this off season to prove that they have learned from those mistakes. I think the biggest mistake could turn out to be the ripping apart of the scouting department but its way too early to tell. Video scouting gave them Dennis Perrson in 2007 but it also gave them Enroth and Weber in the second round so who knows?

As far as fighting for what he believes in, Darcy may be getting closer to frustration boiling over, but he may also be in that position all too familiar to a lot us. You know that there are battles you can win and those you are better conceding defeat.

The bottom line is TG controls the cash with advice from LQ. Dan DiPofi has a lot to say about business matters also. If Darcy leaves, any other General Manager will have to abide by the rules and wishes of those three. We just have to hope that this group gets it right, partly by design, partly by accident because quite frankly, we have little choice.

One thing I am sure of is that Larry Quinn would like nothing more than to be bring the Cup to Buffalo and tell us all how smart he was in doing it. Whether he has the wherewithal to do that, thats another question.

 

excellent post.

[shrader]

So its hard to say fire someone given their track record in spite of the mistakes. I believe they deserve this off season to prove that they have learned from those mistakes. I think the biggest mistake could turn out to be the ripping apart of the scouting department but its way too early to tell. Video scouting gave them Dennis Perrson in 2007 but it also gave them Enroth and Weber in the second round so who knows?

 

Well, that and the fact that there were scouts on the ground watching these guys. I really wonder how many of the players we drafted in the past were ever actually seen by the guys making the decisions. Most of their decisions were probably made by video anyway. Now the quality and quantity of the video available is far better than what it was even 5 years ago.

[tom webster]

Well, that and the fact that there were scouts on the ground watching these guys. I really wonder how many of the players we drafted in the past were ever actually seen by the guys making the decisions. Most of their decisions were probably made by video anyway. Now the quality and quantity of the video available is far better than what it was even 5 years ago.

 

Almost all the players drafted previously were seen by Jim Benning, Terry Martin and David Volek. That is why Darcy deferred to Benning when it came time to draft. That is why I smile when Darcy gets too much credit for pre 2004 drafts.

[Hawerchuk]

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

Exactly. Shouldn't Darcy be making the player transactions and discussing that with the media? Man, Quinn isn' even a hockey guy. Probably grew up playing marbles and jump rope!! <_<

[LabattBlue]

Almost all the players drafted previously were seen by Jim Benning, Terry Martin and David Volek. That is why Darcy deferred to Benning when it came time to draft. That is why I smile when Darcy gets too much credit for pre 2004 drafts.

For all those who don't believe(Not pointed at you TomW) that canning Luce, Martin & Benning was penny pinching at it's best, bring to the table for discussion who replaced them?

[X. Benedict]

For all those who don't believe(Not pointed at you TomW) that canning Luce, Martin & Benning was penny pinching at it's best, bring to the table for discussion who replaced them?

Sam Sung, Pan Asonic, Matt Tsushita

[inkman]

...bring to the table for discussion who replaced them?

Don't you mean what replaced them?

old_20tv.bmp

[SabresFan526]

Personally, I think if the Sabres are going to go to video scouting, then really, we should call it community scouting. I mean, it's ingenious what they have done. Think about it. They have a list of interesting prospects, and all they have to do is go to youtube. Once there, it's not just one scout, it's a bunch of scouts who all posted comments to the video. It's brilliant. No reason to go out and watch games and actually pay scouts when you could just go to youtube and read the comments section and you have a full scouting report. Frankly, it's not just cheap, it's brilliant!!! Sarcasm off.

[Kristian]

Didn't he say something similar about Vanek, right after losing DB and CD?

 

But that's alright though, cause every GM in the league got the message, and thus didn't offer Vanek an outrageous contra... Hang on...??!

[K-9]

For all those who don't believe(Not pointed at you TomW) that canning Luce, Martin & Benning was penny pinching at it's best, bring to the table for discussion who replaced them?

 

Perhaps you can clear this up for me. I was under the impression that they trimmed the front office layer of scouting (Luce, Martin, Benning) but still maintain scouts in the field. Is that true?

 

GO SABRES!!!

[R_Dudley]

Sam Sung, Pan Asonic, Matt Tsushita

 

:lol: :lol: Classic.....

 

Personally I have been very skepitcal about this change because we gave away some very good scouts to other organizations and those are tough to come by but I guess we will have to see how some of the picks play out....

 

Maybe that saying about people looking bigger on TV is why we picked the little guy's (gerber, kennedy, etc..).. :rolleyes:

[carpandean]

But that's alright though, cause every GM in the league got the message, and thus didn't offer Vanek an outrageous contra... Hang on...??!

I'm sure that 28 other GM's said "ain't no way I am going to risk having to pay Vanek over $5 million a year and give the Sabres four first round picks as compensation just to call LQ's bluff." Unfortunately, it just took one really crazy GM to say "aw f**k it, let's see just how high they are willing to go." The really scary part is that most of us thought Vanek would take a while before he made that deal look like a good one, if he ever would, and we didn't have to give up the four first rounders, too. While I still think Vanek will prove he is worth his contract, tack on four first round picks and I doubt he would ever be worth that much.

 

The only part that makes this any better is that Pominville/Miller have another year before their contracts are up, so the Sabres don't have to worry about offer sheets (for Pominville) or higher offers (for Miller) for another year. They also said it's a priority to lock these guys up, not that they will be willing to pay any price for them like they did with Vanek.

[X. Benedict]

:lol: :lol: Classic.....

 

Personally I have been very skepitcal about this change because we gave away some very good scouts to other organizations and those are tough to come by but I guess we will have to see how some of the picks play out....

 

Maybe that saying about people looking bigger on TV is why we picked the little guy's (gerber, kennedy, etc..).. :rolleyes:

 

The changes in scouting I think are overplayed. I think given the time and $1200 I could put together a draft board that would be comparable to most NHL team just based on Central Scouting and other services.

 

Things may get a little tricky by the late 5th....but $1200 can buy a lot of good times these days.