Stoner Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 Reasonably witty but of course 100% erroneous. There are opportunities everywhere. You find this not to be the case in WNY? A lot of folks would quarrel with you. Of course it's a tougher road around here, although as someone said, almost the entire country's economy is in the shitter. I find it highly egotistical for those who leave an area to turn around and say, in effect, that their leaving represents a loss of intelligence. Please. Get over yourselves. I deal with it on almost a daily basis during the summer. Folks coming back to my small town and acting like they're better than those who stayed.
Stoner Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 True that! Just somethign, one signing, thats all it would take for us to smile and say, bring on October! I have noe more comment. What does everyone think about the Conolly signing? Pace yourself! Get off the java man. Woman. Whatever.
shrader Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 There are opportunities everywhere. You find this not to be the case in WNY? A lot of folks would quarrel with you. Of course it's a tougher road around here, although as someone said, almost the entire country's economy is in the shitter. I find it highly egotistical for those who leave an area to turn around and say, in effect, that their leaving represents a loss of intelligence. Please. Get over yourselves. I deal with it on almost a daily basis during the summer. Folks coming back to my small town and acting like they're better than those who stayed. It really depends on the field. There was absolutely nothing for me when I left, epecially at that foot in the door, entry level I was in. I think that if I had finished school maybe 2 years later it would've been different. I could see the changes coming right as I left, but the timing couldn't work for me. But yeah, there are always opportunities... if you're willing to completely scrap what you've learned and go in a different direction.
LabattBlue Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 But I am head-over-heels that we still have the Buffalo Sabres.....even if they go 20-62 next year... Ok, now unload on me? Go Buffalo! Easy for you to say living in Naples, FL. Let's see how you would feel about missing the playoffs for a third year in a row with a 20-62 record if you had season tickets. :doh:
wonderbread Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 There are opportunities everywhere. You find this not to be the case in WNY? A lot of folks would quarrel with you. Of course it's a tougher road around here, although as someone said, almost the entire country's economy is in the shitter. I find it highly egotistical for those who leave an area to turn around and say, in effect, that their leaving represents a loss of intelligence. Please. Get over yourselves. I deal with it on almost a daily basis during the summer. Folks coming back to my small town and acting like they're better than those who stayed. where are you at PA? Warren? Bradford?
nfreeman Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 There are opportunities everywhere. You find this not to be the case in WNY? A lot of folks would quarrel with you. Of course it's a tougher road around here, although as someone said, almost the entire country's economy is in the shitter. I find it highly egotistical for those who leave an area to turn around and say, in effect, that their leaving represents a loss of intelligence. Please. Get over yourselves. I deal with it on almost a daily basis during the summer. Folks coming back to my small town and acting like they're better than those who stayed. My point wasn't that my leaving represented a brain drain. It was that almost everyone I grew up with has left (and for that matter I'd guess a majority of the posters on this board have left as well). They went away to college and didn't come back. And it wasn't because of the weather -- it was because the professional opportunities were and are much greater in NYC, DC, North Carolina, Tennessee, Atlanta, Chicago, Vegas, Florida, etc. I certainly don't think I'm better than those who stayed. I would love it if the kind of job I have now existed in Buffalo. It just doesn't. I would also love it if the state and city governments hadn't sold Buffalo (and the other smaller cities in NYS) down the river for the last 30 years by perpetuating a failed status quo. I think Buffalo is a beautiful city that is dying on the vine, and the only reason it's happening is greed on the part of those who are pulling the strings. Oh well.
SteamRoller72 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 I thought Grier left because of the front office. No. I don't think so. He has said time and again he loved playing for the Sabres. His wife chose San Jose.... :thumbdown:
spndnchz Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 Easy for you to say living in Naples, FL. Let's see how you would feel about missing the playoffs for a third year in a row with a 20-62 record if you had season tickets. :doh: And you had to walk to the game, in the snow, uphill, both ways.
tom webster Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 No. I don't think so. He has said time and again he loved playing for the Sabres.His wife chose San Jose.... :thumbdown: This is one of the biggest myths and its was perpetuated by DR at the time. Grier clearly stated that he left because he wasn't sure of the organization's commitment to winning and that his family had nothing to do with it. You can choose to not believe him, and to be fair the team did spend to the cap after he left, but don't put words in his mouth. Also, thanks PA for chiming in on my behalf. Have been at a second child's college orientation remembering why my ex-wife drove me nuts and realizing once again why I did better the second time. Finally, I still find it amusing how those who choose to defend the organization tell everyone to get over what happened two years ago and then proceed to start a whole thread rehashing events.
inkman Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 No. I don't think so. He has said time and again he loved playing for the Sabres.His wife chose San Jose.... :thumbdown: This is one of the biggest myths and its was perpetuated by DR at the time. Grier clearly stated that he left because he wasn't sure of the organization's commitment to winning and that his family had nothing to do with it. You can choose to not believe him, and to be fair the team did spend to the cap after he left, but don't put words in his mouth. I'll help you out here TW (really I just didn't want the last 30 minutes of my life to be completey meaningless) Linky A lot has been made about the perceived notion of the Buffalo Sabres lack of committment to winning in recent times. It was the focal point of Daniel Briere's comments after signing that historically moronic contract with the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday. He rebuffed superior money from Montreal, apparently, for a chance to play for a team that he felt was truly committed to winning, and maybe that's the song he'll sing to himself after the Sabres didn't want him back. Mike Grier made similar comments on his way out the door last year, a fact brought up all the time by those who think the Sabres have continually made the wrong personnel decisions over the past two July 1sts.
SwampD Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 I'll help you out here TW (really I just didn't want the last 30 minutes of my life to be completey meaningless) Linky A lot has been made about the perceived notion of the Buffalo Sabres lack of committment to winning in recent times. It was the focal point of Daniel Briere's comments after signing that historically moronic contract with the Philadelphia Flyers yesterday. He rebuffed superior money from Montreal, apparently, for a chance to play for a team that he felt was truly committed to winning, and maybe that's the song he'll sing to himself after the Sabres didn't want him back. Mike Grier made similar comments on his way out the door last year, a fact brought up all the time by those who think the Sabres have continually made the wrong personnel decisions over the past two July 1sts. I think it's funny that those guys said that WHILE they were winning. Wouldn't making comments about not being committed to winning have more sway, if they were made when the team was actually losing? I'm happy they got their money. Good for them.
nucci Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 I stand corrected on some of my comments. I agree on the spending poorly remark. I really thought this year DR would be out there signing some UFA's. There is still a lot of second tier guys around. id love to see Bertuzzi in B&G. Yeah, Im pretty disappointed too that we havent at least signed SOMEOENE of importance Please tell me you are kidding?
BetweenThePipes00 Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 I think it's funny that those guys said that WHILE they were winning. Wouldn't making comments about not being committed to winning have more sway, if they were made when the team was actually losing? They were winning, but they also had an eye on the fact that Miller and Roy and Vanek and Connolly would be due for new deals ... even if they didn't plan on Vanek's HUGE deal, they knew he'd be due a raise and when the young guys get raises, the older guys like Grier and Dumont are the ones who have to move on to make room. But to a veteran player, who is only thinking of the NOW, that is looked at as saving money and not being committed to winning. I understand it from Grier's standpoint ... he's a smart guy and saw McKee and Dumont leaving and had to have a clue that at least one of Briere or Drury might also be moving on ... he could care less about the Sabres being competitive four years down the road. He was thinking 2007 and 2008, and all he saw was young guys taking proven players' jobs. It snowballed and made Grier look like a genius, but at the time he left I think it was more a difference in philosophy of HOW to win. They thought they could do it with younger guys, he thought they needed to reward the vets.
shrader Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 I think it's funny that those guys said that WHILE they were winning. Wouldn't making comments about not being committed to winning have more sway, if they were made when the team was actually losing? I'm happy they got their money. Good for them. The Grier one seems strange to me. According to the inkman link, he wasn't happy with them making the wrong decisions on the previous two July 1sts? Let's take a look at those two days/offseasons: 2005: -Trade for Lydman (~1 month after the start of free agency, a number to keep in mind for people who complain about not doing anything yet) -Sign Numminen -Signed a long series of one year qualifying offers, which the players themselves had to accept -"Key losses" of Satan and Zhitnik 2006: Grier signed with San Jose on 7/3/2006. The only loss up to this point was Jay Mckee. No additions yet. So there are only two things I can see that would be as things to not be happy about, the perceived inactivity at day 1 and the wave of accepted qualifying offers in 2005 (Grier being one of them). While 2005 took some shots for not doing much of anything, we really can't argue with the results that season. 2006 is another tough one since he was gone relatively quickly. He can say what he wants about not being happy with the front office, but it seems like a bit of spin to me. It all comes down to one thing, the money wasn't there.
X. Benedict Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 A Ok, now unload on me? Go Buffalo! You probably lived in Devereux. That's all I got. Welcome to the board.
X. Benedict Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 Please tell me you are kidding? Play defensemen for a second....what has you more worried... A wrong turn in front of MacArthur or Betruzzi? I'm betting he has some mileage left. Even w/ the baggage of games past, he can still change a team's profile.
nucci Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 Play defensemen for a second....what has you more worried... A wrong turn in front of MacArthur or Betruzzi? I'm betting he has some mileage left. Even w/ the baggage of games past, he can still change a team's profile. 10 years ago maybe. I just don't think he is effective anymore. You can put anyone next to MacArthur and they would strike more fear in to you. Not fair!
nobody Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 Check out the 2006-07 numbers - http://nhlscap.com/2006-07_cap.htm ... That was the year they were sending guys back to the minors during off days to keep themselves from going over the cap; correct?
LabattBlue Posted July 17, 2009 Report Posted July 17, 2009 And you had to walk to the game, in the snow, uphill, both ways. Yes! In bare feet with no coat or gloves! :D
hopeleslyobvious Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 The Grier one seems strange to me. According to the inkman link, he wasn't happy with them making the wrong decisions on the previous two July 1sts? Let's take a look at those two days/offseasons: 2005: -Trade for Lydman (~1 month after the start of free agency, a number to keep in mind for people who complain about not doing anything yet) -Sign Numminen -Signed a long series of one year qualifying offers, which the players themselves had to accept -"Key losses" of Satan and Zhitnik 2006: Grier signed with San Jose on 7/3/2006. The only loss up to this point was Jay Mckee. No additions yet. So there are only two things I can see that would be as things to not be happy about, the perceived inactivity at day 1 and the wave of accepted qualifying offers in 2005 (Grier being one of them). While 2005 took some shots for not doing much of anything, we really can't argue with the results that season. 2006 is another tough one since he was gone relatively quickly. He can say what he wants about not being happy with the front office, but it seems like a bit of spin to me. It all comes down to one thing, the money wasn't there. My point before being that Grier made the decision to leave. He was given an offer "similar" to the one from San Jose and he decided to leave. It's not like they did nothing to try to keep him...he just didn't want to stay. Not much more the front office can do in that situation, except ridiculously overpay, which would have cost us even more in a season where we already had cap problems.
tom webster Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 The Grier one seems strange to me. According to the inkman link, he wasn't happy with them making the wrong decisions on the previous two July 1sts? Let's take a look at those two days/offseasons: 2005: -Trade for Lydman (~1 month after the start of free agency, a number to keep in mind for people who complain about not doing anything yet) -Sign Numminen -Signed a long series of one year qualifying offers, which the players themselves had to accept -"Key losses" of Satan and Zhitnik 2006: Grier signed with San Jose on 7/3/2006. The only loss up to this point was Jay Mckee. No additions yet. So there are only two things I can see that would be as things to not be happy about, the perceived inactivity at day 1 and the wave of accepted qualifying offers in 2005 (Grier being one of them). While 2005 took some shots for not doing much of anything, we really can't argue with the results that season. 2006 is another tough one since he was gone relatively quickly. He can say what he wants about not being happy with the front office, but it seems like a bit of spin to me. It all comes down to one thing, the money wasn't there. [/quote When Grier left, management still believed that they could sign everyone to one year contracts. The team eventually offered to match San Jose's offer but only after first trying to low ball him. Some of the veteran players were also not happy that the team used a loop hole after the lock out to screw McKee out of $250K and then played hard ball with him in negotiations. Sorry, no link just gossip from the garage attendant. That they eventually settled most of the arbitration cases and ended up spending to the cap was a surprise to most everyone.
Rox11 Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 I couldn't agree with you more! I say dump Bucky Gleason and bring YOU on! I, too, bleed B&G, and am thankful that the FO doesn't get into those crazy money signings. I think Hecht will have a much better year - as well as Pominville - and our defense looks very solid to me. A HEALTHY team will be a playoff team, definitely.
North Buffalo Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 I couldn't agree with you more! I say dump Bucky Gleason and bring YOU on! I, too, bleed B&G, and am thankful that the FO doesn't get into those crazy money signings. I think Hecht will have a much better year - as well as Pominville - and our defense looks very solid to me. A HEALTHY team will be a playoff team, definitely. Still need another center. Hecht is not going to cut it.
Calvin Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 The Grier one seems strange to me. According to the inkman link, he wasn't happy with them making the wrong decisions on the previous two July 1sts? Let's take a look at those two days/offseasons: 2005: -Trade for Lydman (~1 month after the start of free agency, a number to keep in mind for people who complain about not doing anything yet) -Sign Numminen -Signed a long series of one year qualifying offers, which the players themselves had to accept -"Key losses" of Satan and Zhitnik 2006: Grier signed with San Jose on 7/3/2006. The only loss up to this point was Jay Mckee. No additions yet. So there are only two things I can see that would be as things to not be happy about, the perceived inactivity at day 1 and the wave of accepted qualifying offers in 2005 (Grier being one of them). While 2005 took some shots for not doing much of anything, we really can't argue with the results that season. 2006 is another tough one since he was gone relatively quickly. He can say what he wants about not being happy with the front office, but it seems like a bit of spin to me. It all comes down to one thing, the money wasn't there. When Grier left, management still believed that they could sign everyone to one year contracts. The team eventually offered to match San Jose's offer but only after first trying to low ball him. Some of the veteran players were also not happy that the team used a loop hole after the lock out to screw McKee out of $250K and then played hard ball with him in negotiations. Sorry, no link just gossip from the garage attendant. That they eventually settled most of the arbitration cases and ended up spending to the cap was a surprise to most everyone. so the basic logic is.. - when management on any other team make a player a lower offer than he asked for, then they are asking the player to take a 'home town discount'.. - when the Sabres FO makes a player a lower offer than he asked for, then they are lowballing a player and being tight-a$$ed and playing hard ball.
Sabre Dance Posted July 18, 2009 Report Posted July 18, 2009 At the risk of offending many Buffalo Sabres fans, I apologize in advance but here goes.... I'm a huge fan first and foremost, have since relocated to Naples Florida (Golisano's new home and boy is his house UNBELIVEABLE). I've relocated here shortly after college (Go Bonnies) as there just simply isn't any opportunity in WNY anymore...I digress... We Buffalo Sabres Fans should be thankful we even have a team. With the amount of Brain-Drain WNY has seen, the decrease in population, corporate sponsorship, etc.....we truly are lucky. I'm so sick of people complaining about how the Sabres are run by DR et al, as on the whole, they do a pretty good job at keeping a contending team together in a small-market with a smaller team budget. We need to get over the Briere, Drury UFA of 2007 as it does nothing....its over, done with......Lets move on. Tell Bucky Gleason to as well.....Gosh am I sick of reading his column as he mentions this EVERYTIME he writes. Apparently he thinks he would made a good GM in the NHL........hum, then why is he writing columns instead of putting together rosters...........GET OVER IT ALREADY Let's review the "non-signings" of UFA's over the years and their subsequent on-ice performance after landing the big contract McKee - how many games did he actually play in St. Louis? Not many....Score one for Darcy Drury - He hasn't been too spectacular either and has a huge contract. Guess what team of overprices Free agents scored the least amount of goals last year.....any takers? Score one more for Darcy Briere - 11 goals last year while making ($8 mm, I think) That's a pretty steep price/goal. Again, a huge contract ......Score one more for Darcy Grier - No real loss here Campbell - Clearly a top-notch offensive defensemen but come on, his contract is ridiculous... Let's not forget he is pretty darn good and drafting and grooming players to become NHLers. Take a look at the production of these guys like Drury, Briere and others....Darcy gets these guys in their prime and lets them go after they have produced for the Sabres.... Granted, that's how these guys land huge contracts but how many of them actually live up to these outrageous deals......not too many... Also, lets recap how Darcy gets these guys, he gets them on the cheap....Briere was acquired from Phoenix for Gratton (what has he dones since 2004) and a 4th rounder and got Briere and a 3rd rounder and lets not forget a ton of production from Briere over the next 4 seasons...........score two more for Darcy Drury - They got him from Calgary for Steve Reinprecht (who?????) and Rhett Warner (is he in the league anymore?).......again, nice job Darcy We will NEVER spend to the cap, we will never sign huge contracts for UFA's that are nearing or past their prime and we will never have big name son the roster. We will find good talent which hopefully blossoms into great talent.....we will watch these players grow and then when its time for them to sign a huge contract we will let them go.....and the cycle repeats itself. Will we be the Red Wings and contend each year?....nope . But will we make a run at it every so often.........hopefully..... But most of all.......I am simply happy that the Buffalo Sabres are still in Buffalo. Lets not forget in 2003 after the Rigas' went belly up and the franchise was bankrupt......how many of you were almost in tears thinking that the Sabres could "poof" vanish........move.......relocate.......and how many were hoping, praying that someone would step in and buy the team and promise to keep them here........Well, someone did and we still have a team. And now everyone complains at how he runs the organization all because he doesn't want to bleed red every year. Trust me?.Losing money year after year on this franchise is a sure fire way for him to say "I'm done" and he would then find a buyer and we then go through the process of "nail biting" hoping , praying that the new suitor will keep the team in Buffalo. In closing........I bleed Blue & Gold, I love the team, but I am also a realistic person and understand why it is run a certain way. Am I happy coming in 10th place? , no.......But I am head-over-heels that we still have the Buffalo Sabres.....even if they go 20-62 next year... Ok, now unload on me? Go Buffalo! Hi, Packer - welcome to the board. Let me say that I am also a huge Sabres' fan and have been since I heard that Buffalo was awarded an NHL franchise (yes, I am that old). I am thrilled that we still do have a team. I fully realize that we could have easily lost them. However, they were "saved" and for that Mr. Golisano should be rightly thanked. I have not spent any time wringing my hands over the losses of any of the players you mentioned. Whatever the circumstances were that led to them leaving, they are gone and we need to deal with it. The issues I have with the current administration are that after building a contender, they did not do what was needed advance to the next step. The Ducks, Penguins et al did. (After coming close, the front offices of those teams made moves that got their teams to the next level, winning the Cup.) The Sabres got within one game of the Finals and (even though they won the President's Trophy the next year), bowed out of the playoffs and then dropped like a rock. The Ducks (with Brian Burke) and the Penguins (with Ray Shero) made moves that allowed their teams to grow and then win the Cup. In the case of the Ducks, the team has only been in the league a few seasons longer than Darcy and Lindy have been with the Sabres. After waiting nearly 40 years for a Stanley Cup parade on Delaware Avenue, my tolerance for failure is not what it used to be. Professional sports is not the concrete business - you can start a concrete business, do a creditable but not particularly inspired job at it, make a few bucks and have a nice life. Championships are (or should be) the goal for any professional sports franchise. If not, why not pour concrete (or make pizzas)?
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