My take on the Sabres in general

[VansTheMans]

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.

 

Another personal loss that really upset much of the Sabres locker room was management's decision to sign Kotalik over Dumount. Apparently Dumount was much more popular in the locker room.

[Lethbridge Broncos]

Bucky is the worst. He took over for Jim Kelly -- another clueless fantasy writer. Hacks. Jim Kelly used to write an article re: the National League in general) every Sunday (an entire page). it was pure crap -- and just some stuff he heard on HNC mixed with his own dreams. His trade ideas were two years to late and out-of-wack with reality. He knew no prospects. Of course, there was no Google for the hacks back then. Kelly is perfect for FOX, where he now is. The idiot FOX fans down south read his articles and think he is an authoirty. Bucky is making about $85 K to write his crap. He ought to be writting articles about Maryvale highschool vollyball or St. Collegaite Institute baseball this year. It is odd that Buffalo, so close to Canada, has such suspect hockey reporters. Tim Graham isnt that bad. I recall an article Bucky wrote about Mario Lemiux during the playoff where Darius Kaspiritus scored a weak wrist shot goal on Hasek to end the series. He said Mario was washed up during the series. Ha, ha, ha. THis high school softball reporter thought he knew Mario was washed up. HA, ha, ha. With no standing or credentials -- he was able to shed his opinion on one the greatest. yikes... And for Bucky to play GM is just to damn funny. He needs to get in his car and drive up to Portland and watch the prospects play. he then needs to get a cheap flight out West to Myers and Tyler Enis play this season in the WHL -- he will learn something.

 

To the instant post by the young man from Florida re: the fact that hockey in BUFFALO is lucky -- i agreed. I said this a few days ago. And indeed, regier made great moves to get those guys you note. i will say that Keith Ballard is a VERY GOOD player. He Florida's top defender and a possible olympic defender for TEAM USA. He would look good in a sabres uniform right now. Briere has been injured. He is prolific when healthy (see all star game where he went wild). Drury has marginal offensive upside. His last season in Blfo he hogged a lot of pucks in an effort to boost his stats (per hs agent's advice) for a big contract - which he of course got from Glen Sather -- the sucker.

 

The Sabres will again struggle to be %500. The division is better and even the Leafs now have some piss and vinegar in their lineup. Miller is the best player on the Sabres -- make no mistake about this. He will be TEAM USA's goalie. They ought to build around him. Instead they play soft euro defenders, old guys or hack goons around him. The city can't draw Free agents and players veto trades to buffalo. Tyler Myers is the best defender prospect the club has. But he aint the savior. he is a kid who is green and has no idea how to deal with outside speed whatsoever. I have love his wheels and overall balance and maturity. But guys like OV, Phil Kassel, Danny Alfredson, et al. would go around him as if he was a 55 gallon drum in the middle of rodeo arena.

 

BTW, to the poster above who said Brian Burke built the Ducks cup team -- he did NOT. Brian Murray did all of that work. The fear is that Murray will build the Sens into a contender -- he is a tremendous talent evaluator.

[Taro T]

Bucky is the worst. He took over for Jim Kelly -- another clueless fantasy writer. Hacks. Jim Kelly used to write an article re: the National League in general) every Sunday (an entire page). it was pure crap -- and just some stuff he heard on HNC mixed with his own dreams. His trade ideas were two years to late and out-of-wack with reality. He knew no prospects. Of course, there was no Google for the hacks back then. Kelly is perfect for FOX, where he now is. The idiot FOX fans down south read his articles and think he is an authoirty. Bucky is making about $85 K to write his crap. He ought to be writting articles about Maryvale highschool vollyball or St. Collegaite Institute baseball this year. It is odd that Buffalo, so close to Canada, has such suspect hockey reporters. Tim Graham isnt that bad. I recall an article Bucky wrote about Mario Lemiux during the playoff where Darius Kaspiritus scored a weak wrist shot goal on Hasek to end the series. He said Mario was washed up during the series. Ha, ha, ha. THis high school softball reporter thought he knew Mario was washed up. HA, ha, ha. With no standing or criteria -- he was able to shed his opinion on one the greatest. yikes... And for Bucky to play GM is just to damn funny. He needs to get in his car and drive up to Portland and watch the prospects play. he then needs to get a cheap flight out West to Myers and Tyler Enis play this season in the WHL -- he will learn something.

 

To the instant post by the young man from Florida re: the fact that hockey in BUFFALO is lucky -- i agreed. I said this a few days ago. And indeed, regier made great moves to get those guys you note. i will say that Keith Ballard is a VERY GOOD player. He Florida's top defender and a possible olympic defender for TEAM USA. He would look good in a sabres uniform right now. Briere has been injured. He is prolific when healthy (see all star game where he went wild). Drury has marginal offensive upside. His last season in Blfo he hogged a lot of pucks in an effort to boost his stats (per hs agent's advice) for a big contract - which he of course got from Glen Sather -- the sucker.

 

The Sabres will again struggle to be %500. The division is better and even the Leafs now have some piss and vinegar in their lineup. Miller is the best player on the Sabres -- make no mistake about this. He will be TEAM USA's goalie. They ought to build around him. Instead they play soft euro defenders, old guys or hack goons around him. The city can't draw Free agents and players veto trades to buffalo. Tyler Myers is the best defender prospect the club has. But he aint the savior. he is a kid who is green and has no idea how to deal with outside speed whatsoever. I have love his wheels and overall balance and maturity. But guys like OV, Phil Kassel, Danny Alfredson, et al. would go around him as if he was a 55 gallon drum in the middle of rodeo arena.

Clearly Jim Kelley is a hack. They put a lot of those writers in the HHoF. <_<

[stenbaro]

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!

A team gels together and performs when all the pieces fit together..Take them away instead of adding and the current version of the Sabres is what you get instead of the one only a few pieces away from winning the Cup..Score one for being shortsighted...You can argue all you want about certain playres not playing up to their expectations of the contracts signed but those players fit perfectly in the place they were at and excelled..The numbers dont lie people do..They were at the top of the conference with and now they cant even make the easiest playoff bracket to reach in the history of any major league sport...We dont need to make excuses for them..They screwed up and now they pay the price

[ThePebble19]

And you had to walk to the game, in the snow, uphill, both ways.

 

 

You forgot barefoot!

[shrader]

Clearly Jim Kelley is a hack. They put a lot of those writers in the HHoF. <_<

 

I don't know. If Jim Kelly ever tried to write a hockey article, I'm sure it would be crap.

[hopeleslyobvious]

I don't know. If Jim Kelly ever tried to write a hockey article, I'm sure it would be crap.

:thumbsup:

[red]

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!

 

I would have no problem "getting over it" if the great Front Office of the Sabres would provide me with a reason to get over it.

 

Let's get this straight: 1.) as other have posted here, had Darcy, LQ, or whatever collection of brain-dead baffoons thought up the "no contract talks during the season" garbage dropped it and worked with Briere, Drury, and Campbell, we could have all 3 for much less than their current deals, and 2.) the Sabres were 1 period from playing the Oilers in the '06 Cup. 1 period away. If not for the rash of defensive injuries in the playoffs, I think the Sabres would have won the whole thing.

 

But excuses notwithstanding, overall the Sabres talent in '06 was 1, maybe 2 players away from competing in the Cup. They needed a little more grit, and they would have been there in '07 (keeping the rest intact).

 

And how did the front office react? By letting their shot-blocking phenom and physical defenseman sign with St. Louis. By breaking up their top 2 lines and destroying chemistry by letting both Grier (from Drury's line) and more importantly JP DuMont (from the #1 line of Briere and Hecht) walk for nothing in return. Hecht is still paying for this.

 

At a time when they needed to tweak the roster slightly to win it all, they allowed their top lines to fall apart for nothing in return.

 

You may laude this Front Office for doing much with little, but I'm not buying it.

 

I believe that there exists a fundamental difference between what the fan-base considers winning and what the Front office does. While the fan-base considers winning to be championships, The Stanley Cup, etc, this front office believes success is sold-out seats- that's it.

 

As long as people keep paying for what basically constitutes a major-league farm team, then the great "small market" masterminds at HSBC Arena will keep peddling a second-class product as major league and have no impetus to get off their derriere and improve the darn roster!

[red]

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.

 

Thank you for the insight!

 

This is exactly the feel you got from the comments and the reports that really turned me off from LQ and Regier.

 

Let's get this straight: The club's philosophy is to build via the draft, develop your talent, and have all the players buy into a system of leaving it all on the ice (because we're a small market team, after all!!) with the only rewards being (hopefully) a championship, and a richer contract when it comes time to talk.

 

But then when it comes time to talk, and you bled your heart onto the ice, and some screwball named Quinn with absolute 0 hockey knowledge and/ or experience comes in and denies you your just due, he rewards your loyalty by trying to low-ball you, who would want to play in that environment for that ownership group?

 

Yeah, bleed blue and gold and when it comes time to talk contract get ready to be low-balled and insulted.

 

Drury saw how his friend Grier was treated. McKee was an assistant captain. This is how you repay your leaders? This is how you repay loyalty?

 

And don't a single one of you give me the "this is a business" garbage either.

 

Grier was 100% accurate in his parting statements of this team not being committed to winning.

 

Period.

[red]

A team gels together and performs when all the pieces fit together..Take them away instead of adding and the current version of the Sabres is what you get instead of the one only a few pieces away from winning the Cup..Score one for being shortsighted...You can argue all you want about certain playres not playing up to their expectations of the contracts signed but those players fit perfectly in the place they were at and excelled..The numbers dont lie people do..They were at the top of the conference with and now they cant even make the easiest playoff bracket to reach in the history of any major league sport...We dont need to make excuses for them..They screwed up and now they pay the price

 

Larry Quinn: "Yeah, but let's change the logo of the franchise (making it look like a mad toupee), thereby distracting everyone from the real issue (that being a lousy product) and forcing everyone to cough up more of their hard-earned cash by placing it into our coffers."

[LabattBlue]

You forgot barefoot!

I corrected her in post #44. :)

[Taro T]

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.

Grier left on July 3, 2006; Spacek was signed to a 3 year deal 2 days later and Campbell was signed to a 2 year deal 8 days after that. I find it hard to believe that the Sabres management didn't believe they had to offer players multiyear deals on July 3. The PLAYERS may have believed that was the philosophy, but the claim that management believed it is not likely.

 

Grier also had been on record as wanting to stay a Sabre and wanting to test the UFA waters. Given the case where the Sabres know he won't sign before July 1, how much should they have offered him as a starting point in the negotiations? Grier made $1.36 in '05-'06, he signed for $1.78 and the Sabres supposedly offered to match. My guess is the Sabres opening offer was ~$1.5. What was the actual "low ball" offer?

 

 

I would have no problem "getting over it" if the great Front Office of the Sabres would provide me with a reason to get over it.

 

Let's get this straight: 1.) as other have posted here, had Darcy, LQ, or whatever collection of brain-dead baffoons thought up the "no contract talks during the season" garbage dropped it and worked with Briere, Drury, and Campbell, we could have all 3 for much less than their current deals, and 2.) the Sabres were 1 period from playing the Oilers in the '06 Cup. 1 period away. If not for the rash of defensive injuries in the playoffs, I think the Sabres would have won the whole thing.

 

But excuses notwithstanding, overall the Sabres talent in '06 was 1, maybe 2 players away from competing in the Cup. They needed a little more grit, and they would have been there in '07 (keeping the rest intact).

 

And how did the front office react? By letting their shot-blocking phenom and physical defenseman sign with St. Louis. By breaking up their top 2 lines and destroying chemistry by letting both Grier (from Drury's line) and more importantly JP DuMont (from the #1 line of Briere and Hecht) walk for nothing in return. Hecht is still paying for this.

 

At a time when they needed to tweak the roster slightly to win it all, they allowed their top lines to fall apart for nothing in return.

 

You may laude this Front Office for doing much with little, but I'm not buying it.

 

I believe that there exists a fundamental difference between what the fan-base considers winning and what the Front office does. While the fan-base considers winning to be championships, The Stanley Cup, etc, this front office believes success is sold-out seats- that's it.

 

As long as people keep paying for what basically constitutes a major-league farm team, then the great "small market" masterminds at HSBC Arena will keep peddling a second-class product as major league and have no impetus to get off their derriere and improve the darn roster!

They did talk w/ Drury and Campbell during the season. They royally screwed up w/ Drury, but it was during the season that they screwed up. They didn't talk during the season back in '05-'06 when they would have had to talk w/ 75% of the team during the season.

 

They didn't "let" McKee nor Grier walk for nothing in return. They both were UFA's, the team didn't call the shots at that point. Dumont apparently only wanted a 1 year deal, combine that with his spot in the arbitration order and it isn't surprising the Sabres didn't have enough money left for him by the time his hearing was completed. No doubt all 3 were losses, but it isn't like the team set out to let them walk.

 

Larry Quinn: "Yeah, but let's change the logo of the franchise (making it look like a mad toupee), thereby distracting everyone from the real issue (that being a lousy product) and forcing everyone to cough up more of their hard-earned cash by placing it into our coffers."

The team had a "lousy product" in 2006? Are you serious?

[red]

They didn't "let" McKee nor Grier walk for nothing in return. They both were UFA's, the team didn't call the shots at that point. Dumont apparently only wanted a 1 year deal, combine that with his spot in the arbitration order and it isn't surprising the Sabres didn't have enough money left for him by the time his hearing was completed. No doubt all 3 were losses, but it isn't like the team set out to let them walk.

 

 

please tell me how, as a GM, and being aware of when your players contracts are up, does not offering them anything or basically low-balling them until another team steps up and seriously presents them an offer not constitute letting them walk?

 

hindsight is 20/20, and I think it can be agreed that they made the wrong call on most of the players that left and ones that are currently on the roster.

[Taro T]

They didn't "let" McKee nor Grier walk for nothing in return. They both were UFA's, the team didn't call the shots at that point. Dumont apparently only wanted a 1 year deal, combine that with his spot in the arbitration order and it isn't surprising the Sabres didn't have enough money left for him by the time his hearing was completed. No doubt all 3 were losses, but it isn't like the team set out to let them walk.

please tell me how, as a GM, and being aware of when your players contracts are up, does not offering them anything or basically low-balling them until another team steps up and seriously presents them an offer not constitute letting them walk?

 

hindsight is 20/20, and I think it can be agreed that they made the wrong call on most of the players that left and ones that are currently on the roster.

There is no way that the Sabres were "not offering" McKee "anything." Grier knew the Sabres wanted him back, he chose to go elsewhere. I've given you the Reader's Digest version of why Dumont ended up at the end of the line. The rest of the details are there in the archives.

 

The search function is your friend. There was quite a lot of discussion on these issues back in the summer of '06.

[Stoner]

There is no way that the Sabres were "not offering" McKee "anything." Grier knew the Sabres wanted him back, he chose to go elsewhere. I've given you the Reader's Digest version of why Dumont ended up at the end of the line. The rest of the details are there in the archives.

 

The search function is your friend. There was quite a lot of discussion on these issues back in the summer of '06.

 

I'm not sure this forum is where I would point someone who wants to get edumucated on the Sabres.

[stenbaro]

Larry Quinn: "Yeah, but let's change the logo of the franchise (making it look like a mad toupee), thereby distracting everyone from the real issue (that being a lousy product) and forcing everyone to cough up more of their hard-earned cash by placing it into our coffers."

Our thoughts mirror each others..LOL..Iwas reading your posts in this topic and I thought it was me..lol

[hopeleslyobvious]

There is no way that the Sabres were "not offering" McKee "anything." Grier knew the Sabres wanted him back, he chose to go elsewhere. I've given you the Reader's Digest version of why Dumont ended up at the end of the line. The rest of the details are there in the archives.

 

The search function is your friend. There was quite a lot of discussion on these issues back in the summer of '06.

 

I guess we were supposed to offer McKee an even more ridiculous contract just so he would stay. Of course, then we would have been in even more cap trouble and had to let even more people go. :doh:

[nfreeman]

I've defended DR here as much as anyone, and I'm willing to believe that the no-extensions-during-the-season policy wasn't his call, but there is quite a bit of validity to the notion that they "let McKee walk." I don't recall any reports whatsoever of any talks between the Sabres and McKee during 05-06. Yes, he was a UFA, but I'd guess that they didn't make him any kind of reasonable offer (let alone one in the ballpark with the one he signed) prior to July 1, 2006.

 

Like many of the decisions that were made that summer, it seemed reasonable at the time -- McKee was injury-prone, not much of a skater and getting older, while the Sabres were a pretty deep skating team. But in retrospect I think they didn't prioritize heart and guts nearly enough. They most likely could've extended McKee and Grier during the season at reasonable contracts. (Of course, they didn't really know how good of a team they had until that playoff season, when it was probably too late for McKee -- but not Grier).

 

The Sabres made a lot of bad decisions in 2006 and 2007. They in many respects were victimized by circumstances, but they certainly didn't conduct themselves like savvy managers.

[Calvin]

The Sabres made a lot of bad decisions in 2006 and 2007. They in many respects were victimized by circumstances, but they certainly didn't conduct themselves like savvy managers.

absolutely. the one right thing management did was presage what things would be like post-lockout and build a great team to deal with the new set of circumstances. it was a shame that we didn't win the titles when we still had that competitive advantage.

 

a couple of years on, the game has changed again, and this time the FO did not have the foresight to get ahead, which is why we're on the outside looking in the last two years. which is why the team is lop-sided with skilled and fast players, but little grit and mental toughness.

 

the last two drafts have been positive in that we're sitting up and making changes in the kind of players we're picking up, but that only means we're 2-3 years away from being genuine contenders again. hopefully the game doesn't change too much from what the FO has in their vision a couple of seasons from now.

[nfreeman]

absolutely. the one right thing management did was presage what things would be like post-lockout and build a great team to deal with the new set of circumstances. it was a shame that we didn't win the titles when we still had that competitive advantage.

a couple of years on, the game has changed again, and this time the FO did not have the foresight to get ahead, which is why we're on the outside looking in the last two years. which is why the team is lop-sided with skilled and fast players, but little grit and mental toughness.

 

the last two drafts have been positive in that we're sitting up and making changes in the kind of players we're picking up, but that only means we're 2-3 years away from being genuine contenders again. hopefully the game doesn't change too much from what the FO has in their vision a couple of seasons from now.

A lot of people would agree with this, but I think it's less a case of the game changing and leaving the Sabres behind than it is a case of the Sabres simply losing too much talent and leadership. The guys who left the '05-'06 team -- primarily Briere, Drury, Dumont, Grier, McKee, Campbell -- were huge parts of that team. That group comprised 4 of the top 9 forwards (including the top 2 centers and co-captains) and 2 of the top 4 defensemen.

 

The guys who "replaced" them were largely promoted from within the system. The replacements haven't performed nearly as well as the guys who left. In addition, the guys who were lower on the depth chart and have now stepped up to fill out the 3rd and 4th lines and #5 & #6 defense spots, haven't performed nearly as well as the guys who stepped up to replaced the departed talent. For example, instead of having a killer 3rd line of Roy-Max-Vanek, we now have a far less imposing 3rd line of Gaustad-MacArthur-Paille (or something similar).

[SwampD]

absolutely. the one right thing management did was presage what things would be like post-lockout and build a great team to deal with the new set of circumstances. it was a shame that we didn't win the titles when we still had that competitive advantage.

 

a couple of years on, the game has changed again, and this time the FO did not have the foresight to get ahead, which is why we're on the outside looking in the last two years. which is why the team is lop-sided with skilled and fast players, but little grit and mental toughness.

 

the last two drafts have been positive in that we're sitting up and making changes in the kind of players we're picking up, but that only means we're 2-3 years away from being genuine contenders again. hopefully the game doesn't change too much from what the FO has in their vision a couple of seasons from now.

Who are these "skilled and fast" players of which you speak?

[nucci]

Who are these "skilled and fast" players of which you speak?

Thanks. I was going to ask the same question. Just goes to show how long reputations last. I was watching a game last year with the other teams announcers and they were describing the Sabres like it was 3-4 years ago.

[Packer76]

You probably lived in Devereux.

That's all I got.

 

Welcome to the board.

 

 

Thanks. WOW, I certainly struck a chord with come of my comments. Just wanted to start off with some friendly banter....and now there is perconal attacks....

[Packer76]

I'm back boys and girls from a fun-filled weekend at the beach and on the golf course. I want to begin by saying "WOW" this is the first message board I have ever posted to in my entire life and clearly there are some very vocal, opinionated Sabres fans out there....which is a good thing. After reading most of these replies I only want to add a few things about UFA's, DR, FO and the rest of the organization....

 

Here we go....

 

2005 -2006 team. This team had the cup in their hand until almost ALL of their defensemen went out with injuries. Has anyone EVER heard of a player being sidelined with a staff infection? I mean...holy s**t....you know the Gods are not on our side when this s**t happens. You couldn?t have scripted this in a million years. So basically what I?m saying is that someone had the vision during the lockout to assume the league would make good on their promise to call the clutching and grabbing and let the smaller speedier, skilled players shine..e all remember the remarks that Buffalo adjusted the best out of any team. Remember Darien Hatcher being turned around more times than a turnstile at the Aud?

 

I saw someone post something about "brain-drain" and that people like me that relocate somehow think they are better than people back home when they come visit. I truly take offense to that as I only WISH I could have found a job in my field and I would have stayed. ......"you can take the boy outta Buffalo but you cant take the Buffalo outta the boy......" Brain-drain is true.......like it or not. How else does Buffalo rate as the lowest per-capita income behind Detroit in the ENTIRE U.S.

 

If anyone believes any pro athlete when they say "Yeah, I love it here in ______ and really want to stay in _____. My family and I have really taken a liking to _______ and I feel at home with the community"........It?s a load of crap. The pending UFA wants to hit paydirt, they want the contract regardless of where they play. Of course they are going to pay lip service to the media. Do you think they are going to say. ?Yeah _____ sucks and I hope they don?t offer me the most money or else I?m going to have to stay in ____ " even though they are thinking it?...........of course not. This is especially true with the Euros as do you think they understand or even care about winning a Stanley Cup........"Who is Stanley......and why would I want his cup anyways?"...You think Spacek give a s**T. Sidebar??..Why does MSG and Kevin Sylcester continue to interview this guy during intermission. I laugh my ass off every time. (read this with that thick Russian accent)

 

Kevin: So Jaroslov, what do you think the team needs to do to pull out a win tonight?

Spacek: we need to shoot puck. Skate hard, play gooder than the udder team? we need shoot puck?.score goal. You know, pass hardest puck to udder guy on team , he shoot puck..

Kevin: Back to you in the studio Mike?..

 

 

 

More random thoughts (I have ADD if you couldnt tell already)

 

Drury - He had no intentions of re-signing in Buffalo. As you all know, he is from Trummbel, CT and was ahuge Rangers fan all his life. This is where he wanted to play.... True story here.... I was at a Florida Panthers game and I got to meet him as a teammate from my mens league grew up nextdoor to him (Paul Stanton, cup-winner in 91-92 with The Pens). So anyways, I just HAD to ask Drury if he wanted to stay in Buffalo ......his only reply, with a snicker..."What do you think?"......

 

 

After re-reading my original post I see how many of you could get the impression that I am happy with where the Sabres are.....Let me repeat, I am not....All I was simply saying is that, although DR was slow to the punch of signing some guys, all-in-all he isn?t horrible. I mean take a look at Atlanta. We could have sold our souls to the Devil and given away, how many draft picks, all for Keith Tachuck and a silly run in the play-offs, which was worthless?..

[shrader]

I saw someone post something about "brain-drain" and that people like me that relocate somehow think they are better than people back home when they come visit. I truly take offense to that as I only WISH I could have found a job in my field and I would have stayed. ......"you can take the boy outta Buffalo but you cant take the Buffalo outta the boy......" Brain-drain is true.......like it or not. How else does Buffalo rate as the lowest per-capita income behind Detroit in the ENTIRE U.S.

 

Since this is your first time on a messageboard, you're going to have to realize that not ever comment is directed at you. The brain drain thing was a shot at the actual idea of a brain drain, not the people who have left. That and it's just old man PA pushing people's buttons. He loves to do it even though I'm amazed that the arthritis allows him to.