Bucky Gleason's column today

[bob_sauve28]

How long do you wait? If you wait too long you are left with a bad hockey team which appears to be the direction this team is going. It's not by accident this team has placed 10th two years in a row.

 

And let's face some facts. The Sabres are on their way to becoming the Kansas City Royals. Always waiting for the young players to develop and when they do you lose them to free agency. Just like KC, the Sabres can't attract free agents of any quality. When they do acquire any talent of note it will be by trade to force the player to the Sabres and when the contract is up they are gone.

 

As far as Ruff? He is going to do what he can with the little he is given each year. It is getting to a point where I would like to see Ruff released just so we can see what he can do behind the bench of a franchise who's goal is the Stanley Cup not sneaking into eight place. I would love to see Ruff in San Jose or New Jersey. They would become the easy favorites to win it all. I think Ruff on the Ranger bench would severely change the perception of the Rangers as a contender. Ruff is a really good coach and deserves at least a little help from his front office.

It's a frustrating process, no doubt. Hockey players take a long time to mature into NHLers. Its a hell of a grind for kids like Sekera to get use to. Yes, they will eventually have to make a trade or something, but I'm not ready to give up on our young players. No way in hell do I trade our young players just to make a trade. I can see this all falling in to place, Paille, Stafford, Gaustad turn into above average players, Pominville returns to what he was, Roy and Vanek get even better, Hecht--oh God, he makes me want to cry, what happened to him?--Gerbe makes a difference--Third line center is a problem, yes. Connolly, well, you know. And the defense doesn't have a number one guy back there, all problems that have to be addressed, and they hopefully will be, eventually. But if those young forwards and defense make improvements, and I expect they will, this is a better team. Better, not great, but let's take this a step at a time.

[jad1]

How long do you wait? If you wait too long you are left with a bad hockey team which appears to be the direction this team is going. It's not by accident this team has placed 10th two years in a row.

 

How long did the Blackhawks, Penguins, and Bruins wait? If this team is rebuilding mode (and I don't know if it is) it's going to take time, possibly a long time.

 

And let's face some facts. The Sabres are on their way to becoming the Kansas City Royals. Always waiting for the young players to develop and when they do you lose them to free agency. Just like KC, the Sabres can't attract free agents of any quality. When they do acquire any talent of note it will be by trade to force the player to the Sabres and when the contract is up they are gone.

 

The Sabres have signed several of their young players, while losing some key FAs. It's hard to argue that they are becoming the KC Royals when they sign Vanek, Miller, Roy, and Pomminstein to multi-year, big-dollar deals. Whether these players deserve these deals is another debate, but they're not letting every young player walk.

 

As far as Ruff? He is going to do what he can with the little he is given each year. It is getting to a point where I would like to see Ruff released just so we can see what he can do behind the bench of a franchise who's goal is the Stanley Cup not sneaking into eight place. I would love to see Ruff in San Jose or New Jersey. They would become the easy favorites to win it all. I think Ruff on the Ranger bench would severely change the perception of the Rangers as a contender. Ruff is a really good coach and deserves at least a little help from his front office.

 

I agree with you to a certain extent. I'd like to know, however, if the Sabres are looking to make a push with their current group of players, or if they are waiting for their next group of young players are ready to make the jump.

 

There's mixed signals right now. Darcy's talking about making trades, while Ruff is happy with the current players.

 

The team could do a better job of laying out the timeline; are they looking to make a push in 2010 or 2012?

[deluca67]

Another fine example of you grasping for straws. If they're developing young players only to let them go, how does that explain the contracts to Vanek, Miller, Roy, Pominville, Connolly, and Hecht? Oh right, they go completely against your point. In the big picture, there are only three players who back up your so called point, Briere, Cambpell, and Dumont. I'm hessitant to even throw Briere and Dumont in there. Briere was an established NHL player when they brought him in, and then he only had one major season while in Buffalo. Dumont put up solid, but not spectacular numbers here, hardly the kind of stuff that leaves you wondering how they will ever replace those numbers. I will give JP one thing though, he's one of the rare few to actually thrive after leaving.

Let's break it down.

 

The Connolly and Hecht contracts are a joke and justifiable reasons to fire Regier.

 

Vanek's contract was a matter of this front office saving face. They screwed up big time letting him hit the market and the Oilers made the Sabres pay big time.

 

Miller and Pominville are grossly over paid. Neither one will finish their contracts here in Buffalo.

 

The only contract Regier deserves any credit for is Roy's. His contract is a value to the Sabres and the only contract they could move without any problems if needed to. A few more 70-80 point seasons and he'll be gone.

[shrader]

Let's break it down.

 

The Connolly and Hecht contracts are a joke and justifiable reasons to fire Regier.

 

Vanek's contract was a matter of this front office saving face. They screwed up big time letting him hit the market and the Oilers made the Sabres pay big time.

 

Miller and Pominville are grossly over paid. Neither one will finish their contracts here in Buffalo.

 

The only contract Regier deserves any credit for is Roy's. His contract is a value to the Sabres and the only contract they could move without any problems if needed to. A few more 70-80 point seasons and he'll be gone.

 

But all our young players end up going somewhere else. Oh wait, you're changing your point on the fly. You never do that.

[nobody]

For three years I have been begging for a UFA vet or two to be signed for the 3rd or 4th line and instead DR continued to make Peters a rich man.

 

The summer is still young. Does anyone really expect that Peters will not be resigned?

[bob_sauve28]

Let's break it down.

 

The Connolly and Hecht contracts are a joke and justifiable reasons to fire Regier.

 

Vanek's contract was a matter of this front office saving face. They screwed up big time letting him hit the market and the Oilers made the Sabres pay big time.

 

Miller and Pominville are grossly over paid. Neither one will finish their contracts here in Buffalo.

 

The only contract Regier deserves any credit for is Roy's. His contract is a value to the Sabres and the only contract they could move without any problems if needed to. A few more 70-80 point seasons and he'll be gone.

You would have let Miller walk?? I mean come on!

 

I'm very happy he is signed long term

[nobody]

You would have let Miller walk?? I mean come on!

 

I'm very happy he is signed long term

 

 

If you build a team around the Detroit model then you don't need a high cost goaltender. Obviously Lindy and Darcy are more of the build around a top goalie types.

[X. Benedict]

But all our young players end up going somewhere else. Oh wait, you're changing your point on the fly. You never do that.

 

The KC Royals, remember. Losing all the young homegrown talent, even though they haven't lost ANY young home grown talent.

[shrader]

If you build a team around the Detroit model then you don't need a high cost goaltender. Obviously Lindy and Darcy are more of the build around a top goalie types.

 

I think we may be giving the Detroit model a bit too much credit here. This was really the first season where they didn't have that high cost goalie. They had been buying them nonstop right up until their low cost backup Osgood had his resurgence last year.

[North Buffalo]

Darcy's fault or building within, the fact is since Drury and Briere left the Sabres have been without a consistent 2nd line center. When they both were here with Connolly, the Tin Man's injuries and Briere's wearing down at the end of the season because his size and the grind could be overcome by the depth of Roy. Without them it creates a huge hole in the line-up Connolly still cannot be depended upon despite his talent and the Sabres have no one at center behind those two that can make plays... Kennedy needs to grow up fast, but the Sabres still need a veteran. Olivier Latendresse from the Canadians is still available and from what I remember he is a horse who can make plays. There are guys out there.

 

Here is the available FAs of all forms still out there... Any suggestions on Center?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=34760&a...vid=DL|NHL|Home

[LabattBlue]

The summer is still young. Does anyone really expect that Peters will not be resigned?

I'm referring to two seasons ago when for no good reason, DR gave Peters a new 2 year deal.

[carpandean]

but the Sabres still need a veteran. Olivier Latendresse from the Canadians is still available

I'm not sure who you are thinking of. Olivier Latendresse is 23 years old and hasn't played in the NHL yet. Guillaume Latendresse is a 22 year old power forward (right wing), who is a RFA for the Canadiens.

 

 

Any suggestions on Center?

Depending on how his surgery went and what he is looking for salary-wise, I'd be looking at Robert Lang. Of course, somebody has to go before that happens. Otherwise, you should be looking at trades only.

[nobody]

I'm referring to two seasons ago when for no good reason, DR gave Peters a new 2 year deal.

 

 

So when Darcy gives Peters another 2 year contract this summer you will be happy? ;)

[red]

agreed, agreed, and agreed. Stop the insanity! Its seems as if DR is afraid to make a move for fear that the player moved may become a better player with his new team. Careful talking about Gaustad, The grit lovers will be out in full talking about how he provides an edge that the sabres are lacking. :wallbash:

 

I'm a grit lover, and don't think Gaustad really fits the bill.

 

As with most of the Sabres current roster, he is much ado about nothing.

[red]

So when Darcy gives Peters another 2 year contract this summer you will be happy? ;)

 

Peters is such a useless oaf.

 

I can remember that slug fest with Ottawa when he even got his worthless paws on Emery, and Emery was laughing at him the whole time. I mean, the goalie was laughing at your "tough guy".

 

With the exception of throwing an endless series of roundhouses, Peters isn't worth a contract.

 

I seem to think that it would be a different image entirely if the 'ol Rob Ray or Brad May had been throwing punches at Emery.

 

They'd probably still be trying to scrape his smile off of the ice...

[X. Benedict]

Peters is such a useless oaf.

 

I can remember that slug fest with Ottawa when he even got his worthless paws on Emery, and Emery was laughing at him the whole time. I mean, the goalie was laughing at your "tough guy".

 

With the exception of throwing an endless series of roundhouses, Peters isn't worth a contract.

 

I seem to think that it would be a different image entirely if the 'ol Rob Ray or Brad May had been throwing punches at Emery.

 

They'd probably still be trying to scrape his smile off of the ice...

 

Emery, FWIW, is no lightweight. Over 6'0 200..... and a trained boxer.

He's kicked the tar out of some heavyweights in the AHL and NHL.

[That Aud Smell]

Emery, FWIW, is no lightweight. Over 6'0 200..... and a trained boxer.

He's kicked the tar out of some heavyweights in the AHL and NHL.

case in point.

 

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[shrader]

Peters is such a useless oaf.

 

I can remember that slug fest with Ottawa when he even got his worthless paws on Emery, and Emery was laughing at him the whole time. I mean, the goalie was laughing at your "tough guy".

 

With the exception of throwing an endless series of roundhouses, Peters isn't worth a contract.

 

I seem to think that it would be a different image entirely if the 'ol Rob Ray or Brad May had been throwing punches at Emery.

 

They'd probably still be trying to scrape his smile off of the ice...

 

He wasn't laughing at Peters. He was laughing at the fact that he was actually in an actual fight, as opposed to tossing Marty around for a few seconds. He has having fun.

[North Buffalo]

I'm not sure who you are thinking of. Olivier Latendresse is 23 years old and hasn't played in the NHL yet. Guillaume Latendresse is a 22 year old power forward (right wing), who is a RFA for the Canadiens.

Depending on how his surgery went and what he is looking for salary-wise, I'd be looking at Robert Lang. Of course, somebody has to go before that happens. Otherwise, you should be looking at trades only.

My bad, I was thinking of Guillaume... never mind.

[deluca67]

But all our young players end up going somewhere else. Oh wait, you're changing your point on the fly. You never do that.

Not even close padawan.

 

The Sabres, under Regier, are paying a heavy price on those contracts. Over paying to make up for previous bad decisions is not a way to build a team. That they had to be embarrassed into Vanek's contract says volumes.

 

The Sabres are on the same path as the Royals. The Sabres are sitting back and waiting for their "core" to mature. There will always be "young players that need to develop." As Roy and Pominville head out the door we will be hearing how the core, Gerbe-Myers-Kennedy, need to mature. It's a constant cycle of waiting. Unless the Sabres decide to be dedicated to winning the cycle will never end. The Sabres will be doomed to being 10th place hoping to sneak into 8th.

[deluca67]

You would have let Miller walk?? I mean come on!

 

I'm very happy he is signed long term

He's not a $6 million dollar goalie. Another example of Regier overcompensating to make up for past mistakes.

[darksabre]

He's not a $6 million dollar goalie. Another example of Regier overcompensating to make up for past mistakes.

 

Agreed. If he was, I wouldn't get as nervous as I do every time the other team makes it past the blue line. I'm not comfortable watching Miller in net. A 6 million dollar goaltender should take that edge off a little.

[spndnchz]

blah blah blah. Go sell a newspaper homey.

[SabresFan526]

He's not a $6 million dollar goalie. Another example of Regier overcompensating to make up for past mistakes.

I don't know about that. If Miller is not a $6 million goalie then who is? If you look at his numbers, they are almost identical to Henrik Lundqvist, and Miller has beaten Lundqvist head-to-head in the playoffs and has gone further in the playoffs than Lundqvist has. The numbers are really close. For Lundqvist in 265 NHL games he is 142-83-34 with a 2.31 GAA and .917 save percentage. In 264 NHL games, Ryan Miller is 146-86-26 with a 2.66 GAA and .910 save percentage. Lundqvist has 20 shutouts to Miller's 12. The numbers are really almost identical between the two guys. Lundqvist is earning $6.875 million/season while Miller earns $6.25 million/year in his new deal. If you tell me Miller is overpaid, then you are also telling me that Lundqvist is overpaid as well.

 

I'll give you guys like Broder, Nabakov, Luongo, and Kiprusoff deserve to earn more. I'd even be willing to go with Tim Thomas, Marty Turco, Niklas Backstrom as deserving more money than Miller/Lundqvist. But aside from that, I can't really justify any other goalies in the NHL deserving better pay than Miller and Lundqvist. The numbers speak for themselves and he's pretty consistent over the last 4 years. He's put up better numbers than a lot of goalies considered to be "better" such as Giguere, Cam Ward, Khabibulin, Chris Osgood, Marc Andre Fleury, and others around the league. If you look at the numbers, Miller is a top 10 goalie in the NHL and deserves to be paid like a top 10 goalie. If Miller is not a $6 million goalie, then neither is Lundqvist, Thomas, Turco, Backstrom, Giguere, Fleury and others.

 

Miller was the difference between the Sabres making the playoffs and missing the playoffs. He is the best player on this team whether you like him or not. He means more to this team than any other player on the roster right now and you can see it in their performance with him in the lineup vs. without him in the lineup, it's that simple.

[deluca67]

Agreed. If he was, I wouldn't get as nervous as I do every time the other team makes it past the blue line. I'm not comfortable watching Miller in net. A 6 million dollar goaltender should take that edge off a little.

I've never felt going into a particular game "great Miller is in net, the Sabres have this one." He's a good goalie. Probably the best this team can afford. He's not elite. You can say the exact same for Pominville. He's a good goal scorer. The fans are lucky to have such a decent guy on the team. I would trade him in a heart beat. $5.3 mil is a hefty salary.