Darcy's Team

[PotentPowerPlay22]

I'll reserve comment until after the playoffs on both Ruff and Regier. ;)

 

You have over 10 years of data on Ruff and Regier - why can't you form an opinion by now?

[Eleven]

Well, I've been a DR supporter, and I generally agree, but it's far too soon to start counting chickens. DR got kneecapped by his bosses in 2007, but he's been calling the shots since the summer of 2008. If the Sabres lose to Boston in 5 or 6 games, DR is accountable.

 

 

Just curious as to why you think 2008 was the year that Regier gained--or regained--control over personnel decisions. I have nothing for or against that position; just want to know your reasons.

[Eleven]

You have over 10 years of data on Ruff and Regier - why can't you form an opinion by now?

 

I'm not answering for Blue, but...

 

1. Most of those years, no salary cap.

 

2. Some of those years, BK.

 

3. Some other of those years, Quinn.

[tasker48b]

DR Traded up to get Myers in 2008 draft.

 

The Sabres made the conference finals (top 4 in the league) 50% of the last 4 seasons.

 

After losing many key players from the 2006 and 2007 playoff runs to free agency, the Sabres missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

 

In 2009-10, however, the Sabres rebounded and won the NE division.

 

The Sabres, unlike say - Calgary - appear to have some decent talent in the pipeline (e.g. Ennis and Gerbe winning back-to-back AHL rookie of the year awards).

 

The team has addressed the most important position.

 

There is youth on the squad. Stafford - who Sabres nation is ready to run out of town - is about 6 months older than Toronto's Bozak (who after an 8 goal in 37 game rookie season is about to get the key to the city). Roy-Vankek-Pominville-Connolly aren't old yet. Sekera and Butler have potential to develop further.

 

I'm starting to think that this Reiger guy ... maybe ... just maybe ... has a clue.

[LabattBlue]

You have over 10 years of data on Ruff and Regier - why can't you form an opinion by now?

Maybe because I'd like to see if all the players that DR has hung on to for the last 3 years and that Ruff claims are maturing, are ready to be playoff studs or duds.

 

Is that good enough reason for you? <_<

[bob_sauve28]

DR Traded up to get Myers in 2008 draft. The Sabres made the conference finals (top 4 in the league) 50% of the last 4 seasons.

 

After losing many key players from the 2006 and 2007 playoff runs to free agency, the Sabres missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

 

In 2009-10, however, the Sabres rebounded and won the NE division.

 

The Sabres, unlike say - Calgary - appear to have some decent talent in the pipeline (e.g. Ennis and Gerbe winning back-to-back AHL rookie of the year awards).

 

The team has addressed the most important position.

 

There is youth on the squad. Stafford - who Sabres nation is ready to run out of town - is about 6 months older than Toronto's Bozak (who after an 8 goal in 37 game rookie season is about to get the key to the city). Roy-Vankek-Pominville-Connolly aren't old yet. Sekera and Butler have potential to develop further.

 

I'm starting to think that this Reiger guy ... maybe ... just maybe ... has a clue.

For the whole post: :thumbsup:

 

For the emboldened part: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :beer:

[nfreeman]

Just curious as to why you think 2008 was the year that Regier gained--or regained--control over personnel decisions. I have nothing for or against that position; just want to know your reasons.

Pure speculation and circumstantial evidence -- and I shouldn't have stated it as a factual assertion. Anyway, here's the theory: Black Sunday was in July 2007. The 2007-08 season was a debacle. In addition to the team falling off the table, they traded Soupy at the deadline -- after offering him, at the last minute, the same contract he had requested 6 months previously, which they had refused to give him when he proposed it. Of course, they had had Soupy in their system for about 9 years at that point and knew what they had, and they also had a fair amount of market information as to what he was worth, but they still butchered it. Then they completed that year something like 2-18 against upper echelon teams. It was obvious that their process wasn't working.

 

Then, that summer, they traded for Rivet, extended Miller, Pommer, Gaustad and Hecht, drafted Ennis and Adam and traded up to draft Myers. In each case, there was no splash and no hint in the media that the move was about to happening. These all seemed like DR moves to me -- not splashy, generally within the system, and no confrontational press conference afterwards. (Frustratingly, there was also no move to bring in a #1 center, only a reliance on Connolly, which is also DR's style). So, my guess is that either TG or LQ or both of them realized that the non-hockey guys were acting as a destructive force on the team and decided to let DR run the hockey side of it as long as he kept payroll within the budget -- and they trusted him because he had built the team that was so good in 2005-2007.

 

I of course cannot prove that LQ and TG took a step back from personnel decisions and gave the reins back to DR. My theory is probably unfair to LQ and TG in that it essentially blames them and absolves DR for the personnel screwups prior to the summer of 2008. But I like the theory.

[bunomatic]

If you believe Darcy has'nt done the job in getting the personel required to challenge for a cup then you can't believe that Ruff needs to go.Ruff is a great coach who has proven this year that he can learn and grow and change his style if necessary.He is'nt a one dimensional coach,he's a coach thats sometimes been saddled with maybe the wrong personal to get it done.And even if you believe Darcy has failed in a quest to bring the cup you have to admit that under his watch this team has been stocked on the farm with a slew of promising young talent.He refused to sell the farm for a quick fix that might not have won us the cup anyways.Darcy may have to go but simply because he's had more than enough time to assemble a winner but thats not Ruffs job.Ruff has to coach what he's got.

[SabresneedaCup]

If you believe Darcy has'nt done the job in getting the personel required to challenge for a cup then you can't believe that Ruff needs to go.Ruff is a great coach who has proven this year that he can learn and grow and change his style if necessary.He is'nt a one dimensional coach,he's a coach thats sometimes been saddled with maybe the wrong personal to get it done.And even if you believe Darcy has failed in a quest to bring the cup you have to admit that under his watch this team has been stocked on the farm with a slew of promising young talent.He refused to sell the farm for a quick fix that might not have won us the cup anyways.Darcy may have to go but simply because he's had more than enough time to assemble a winner but thats not Ruffs job.Ruff has to coach what he's got.

 

yeah its just what you said its ruffs job to coach them, and you just said that we have a slew of talent, darcy gets the talent and then ruff coaches them, so its ruffs fault not darcys if the players fail in the long run

[henysgol]

I take this team over anyone but the Caps and Pens in the East.

 

I think the Sabres can beat them both.

[PotentPowerPlay22]

Maybe because I'd like to see if all the players that , are ready to be playoff studs or duds.

 

Is that good enough reason for you? <_<

 

Next year you'll say the same thing...and then next year ....and then next year...

 

How about forming an opinion on the guys who missed the playoffs the last two years?

 

Will Connolly suddenly become durable? Will Stafford remain invisible? Will Roy and Pominville and Vanek continue to be marshmallows?

 

Will Torres continue to be a complete and utter bust? Can you guess who will be the studs among these mentioned? Take a shot. It will cost you nothing and you could look like a genius.

 

What is your opinion on the players before the playoffs start? Predict how the players "DR has hung on to for the last 3 years and that Ruff claims are maturing" that you are waiting "to see" will be either "playoff studs or duds".

 

Let's see if you can form an opinion on the players with the information you have today?

[LabattBlue]

Next year you'll say the same thing...and then next year ....and then next year...

 

How about forming an opinion on the guys who missed the playoffs the last two years?

 

Will Connolly suddenly become durable? Will Stafford remain invisible? Will Roy and Pominville and Vanek continue to be marshmallows?

 

Will Torres continue to be a complete and utter bust? Can you guess who will be the studs among these mentioned? Take a shot. It will cost you nothing and you could look like a genius.

 

What is your opinion on the players before the playoffs start? Predict how the players "DR has hung on to for the last 3 years and that Ruff claims are maturing" that you are waiting "to see" will be either "playoff studs or duds".

 

Let's see if you can form an opinion on the players with the information you have today?

WTF is your problem?

 

You want an opinion RIGHT NOW? See how this f***ing fits...Lindy's message to the players is stale and Darcy is in love with the team he has built. They both should have been let go last May.

[red]

His top priority was keeping Miller, that has turned out to be a smart move and the younger players are starting to pan out. He hasn't been perfect, but I'd say his approach is working. I'd take this team over the Flyers, Rangers or Maple Leafs

 

I totally agree.

 

I was not a big fan of our past offseason, and did not think that we would be making the playoffs. In fact, I have been quite a vocal critic of gutting the scouting department in favor of video and less experienced scouts, but it all appears to be paying off. I liked our free agents (Grier), and really liked the trade for Raffi Torres. I'm hoping that Torres can find his game in time for the Boston series, and I would like to see him as part of the team for years to come.

 

To also consider that the Sabres lost the relationship with the Rochester Americans and had to practically build a completely new minor league roster in Portland and one can begin to see the great job Regier is doing.

 

Now, IMO the Sabres are short of the Caps or Penguins. I would say overall, they are a solid #5 out of the entire NHL. But here's to seeing the Sabres go deeeeeeeeeeeeeep into the playoffs and I'm ready for the excitment!

 

Bring on the BRUINS!!!!!

 

Let's Go Buff-A-LO!!!