GAME DISCUSSION THREAD

[repster]

Lindy Ruff's (and by extension, I guess Darcy's) regular season record over his 12 years behind the bench has only included one season where the team was more than 1 game below .500 (in 2002/2003). The way these guys are going, it looks like it could be #2 and both are in the last years of their contract with a new owner possinly on the horizon. I wonder if Pegula will say, OK you guys prospered when you were able to spend to the cap, but during times when there were constraints on the budget, the team was always a little short. If I was Pegula and could say to Darcy you now have that extra money, spend to the cap, get some stars in here (i.e. change the philosophy of mediocrity and being competitive as opposed to commiting to winning organization-wide consistently). No more excuses, get some immediate results keep it consistent and you can keep your job, otherwise goodbye. Problem is, it was Golisano that balked at signing Drury or Briere. If he hadn't hesitated, we might not be in this mess. After those guys were allowed to go, I think it really became a non-destination for UFAs and that internal cap kicked in after the real cap kept creeping up. We need a Detroit-like franchise mentality and it starts from the top. Hopefully, we can get some decent UFA players in here next summer after ridding ourselves of the contracts of Grier, Neidermeyer, Connolly, Rivet, and Lalime. One more year of Hecht and Gaustad. Please get players like Adam and Kassian on the third line soon, but sign some big name scoring this summer for the first line and make Vanek, Roy, Stafford types second liners where they belong.

[darksabre]

When I look at what Atlanta is doing right now, all I can think is "this is what the Sabres do". Atlanta is pulling a Buffalo. Nobody fears them. Nobody respects them. And then they come out of nowhere and make themselves a player in the league. This is Buffalo's game, and Atlanta is pulling it off in style. You have to respect that as a hockey fan.

[bunomatic]

Make no mistake about it, this all falls on Darcy Regier. There is no worse G.M. in the league today than this pansy. He overvalues his own players and wonders why he can't make a trade. Every team in the league makes trades including the teams on top. The Sabres sit still and wax poetic about how hard it is to make a deal. You are a loser and you have been dragging this franchise down for too damn long. Jump off a bridge. Please.

[bunomatic]

O.K. maybe not the worst. Garth Snow might have that title rapped up but Dammit, Regier certainly sits on his hands and lets things run downhill now doesn't he.

[Kristian]

I'm only prejudice against "Kristians." :thumbsup: :nana:

 

Lol, what you think of me really doesn't interest me.

 

I do however care that this is probably the most unlikeable Sabres team I ever saw, and as long as I go trotting to managements tune, paying for whatever they shove down my throat, I know for a fact nothing changes.

 

Does this mean I hate the Sabres? No freakin' way, it just means I've watched the same ridiculous team for 3+ years now, and nothing has been done to improve the situation. Management has proven more than once they don't care the least about winning, but are all about the bottom line.

 

So yes, at this point, anybody putting money in Tom's pockets are part of the problem.

 

And I'm going to continue voicing that opinion, even if you disapprove :thumbsup:

[deluca67]

Lol, what you think of me really doesn't interest me.

 

I do however care that this is probably the most unlikeable Sabres team I ever saw, and as long as I go trotting to managements tune, paying for whatever they shove down my throat, I know for a fact nothing changes.

 

Does this mean I hate the Sabres? No freakin' way, it just means I've watched the same ridiculous team for 3+ years now, and nothing has been done to improve the situation. Management has proven more than once they don't care the least about winning, but are all about the bottom line.

 

So yes, at this point, anybody putting money in Tom's pockets are part of the problem.

 

And I'm going to continue voicing that opinion, even if you disapprove :thumbsup:

Maybe they can bring Marv Levy in like the Bills did.

[deluca67]

Lol, what you think of me really doesn't interest me.

 

I do however care that this is probably the most unlikeable Sabres team I ever saw, and as long as I go trotting to managements tune, paying for whatever they shove down my throat, I know for a fact nothing changes.

 

Does this mean I hate the Sabres? No freakin' way, it just means I've watched the same ridiculous team for 3+ years now, and nothing has been done to improve the situation. Management has proven more than once they don't care the least about winning, but are all about the bottom line.

 

So yes, at this point, anybody putting money in Tom's pockets are part of the problem.

 

And I'm going to continue voicing that opinion, even if you disapprove :thumbsup:

Keep voicing your opinion. I wish you and others would post a little more often. Fans need to show that even though apathy is widespread amongst Buffalo sports fans it has not infected all of us. There are still some of us focused on the idea that not fielding a contending team is a disgrace and Buffalo sports fans deserve more than what they have been given.

[deluca67]

Seeing the picture of Zherdev in the paper this morning is not a good way to start the day. $2 million for a guy that has 13 goals and is a +5. Add him to the list, with Nathan Horton, of guys that were available while Regier was too busy pleasing himself with his own roster. :angry:

[plenzmd1]

Thank goodness it is the Holiday season as I have not started watching either game this weekend until almost 11pm, and each night having already tipped a few. 15 minutes to watch Fridays game, about 25 minutes last night, and only that slow as i was cooking my self and egg sammy before bed.

 

Is it me, but 19 and 20 in lineup seems to lead to these types of efforts :wallbash:

[R_Dudley]

When I look at what Atlanta is doing right now, all I can think is "this is what the Sabres do". Atlanta is pulling a Buffalo. Nobody fears them. Nobody respects them. And then they come out of nowhere and make themselves a player in the league. This is Buffalo's game, and Atlanta is pulling it off in style. You have to respect that as a hockey fan.

 

 

The real kicker for me is they are doing it with 2 ex Bflo players leading the right way. Ramsey as coach and Dudley as GM. Anyone notice how the great teams keep a lot of their great players involved in their organization in terms of their legacy and influence, we just kick them off the island or chase them off in Buffalo.

 

They were available for Buffalo instead of current NOT dynamic duo of stale DR / LR

[SDS]

The real kicker for me is they are doing it with 2 ex Bflo players leading the right way. Ramsey as coach and Dudley as GM. Anyone notice how the great teams keep a lot of their great players involved in their organization in terms of their legacy and influence, we just kick them off the island or chase them off in Buffalo.

 

They were available for Buffalo instead of current NOT dynamic duo of stale DR / LR

 

:blink:

 

I guess I'm uncertain who Lindy Ruff played for back in the day...

[donteatyellowsnow]

O.K. maybe not the worst. Garth Snow might have that title rapped up but Dammit, Regier certainly sits on his hands and lets things run downhill now doesn't he.

 

 

I think there is a reason he sits on his hands. It's because they are tied by LQ and TG. I think Darcy wants to do things but can't.

 

It will be interesting to see how he performs when ownership changes hand.

[Stoner]

I think there is a reason he sits on his hands. It's because they are tied by LQ and TG. I think Darcy wants to do things but can't.

 

It will be interesting to see how he performs when ownership changes hand.

 

Oh no you di'n't.

[Stoner]

Anyone know when the 2011 draft is? Time to switch the focus from the playoffs to getting a top pick? I know, this isn't TBD, but I'm still asking and it's not even Christmas. We can't catch the Devils or Islanders, and we always beat the Leafs. Maybe top 5? Last time we were that low we got Vanek at 4.

 

Gotta get in the bottom five to have a shot at the top pick, right, in the weighted lottery?

[R_Dudley]

:blink:

 

I guess I'm uncertain who Lindy Ruff played for back in the day...

 

No shaught, and you know I know that, so did Patrick although late in his career, but maybe just maybe he has had plenty of time already to make his mark.

 

Thats my feeling anyway.

 

So you don't like it? You disagree? Don't like people talking smack on your man ?

 

Since when are Gm and coach jobs with one team lifetime jobs?

[nfreeman]

It's like nfreeman referred to early, it's like waiting for Jouron to be fired. It's a lame duck franchise waiting for the next era to begin.

I really think the players knew this long before the fans got a whiff of it. Making no significant moves, backing off on the internal budget, not extending Ruff or Regier, it all makes sense now. (Well, the making no significant moves part of the equation was no surprise.)

Well, I'm not sure how they backed off on the budget, but the other 2 factors really do shout out "management is mailing it in." I definitely think the players heard it loud and clear.

 

That points to a character flaw that is found throughout this roster, lack of personal pride. This roster not having talent is one problem. The lack of of this roster's willingness to play with desperation and intensity is another and maybe a great problem.

I think this is where the attitude of the top 2 or 3 guys really makes a huge difference, and the rest of the team takes its cue from them. Phoenix's situation last year was worse than the Sabres' -- team in bankruptcy, maybe moving, lousy attendance -- but they dug deep and made the playoffs. Doan is their captain and still their best forward. Mailing it in would never even occur to him as a possibility. Who among the Sabres "top 6" has that attitude? No one. Not even close (although Miller does).

 

The Sabres used to have a guy like that and they let him go. You reap what you sow.

 

When I look at what Atlanta is doing right now, all I can think is "this is what the Sabres do". Atlanta is pulling a Buffalo. Nobody fears them. Nobody respects them. And then they come out of nowhere and make themselves a player in the league. This is Buffalo's game, and Atlanta is pulling it off in style. You have to respect that as a hockey fan.

Seeing the picture of Zherdev in the paper this morning is not a good way to start the day. $2 million for a guy that has 13 goals and is a +5. Add him to the list, with Nathan Horton, of guys that were available while Regier was too busy pleasing himself with his own roster. :angry:

Exactly. Imagine the Sabres right now with Horton, Zherdev and Byfuglien instead of Niedermayer, Morrisson and Hecht. All were there for the taking.

 

Make no mistake about it, this all falls on Darcy Regier. There is no worse G.M. in the league today than this pansy. He overvalues his own players and wonders why he can't make a trade. Every team in the league makes trades including the teams on top. The Sabres sit still and wax poetic about how hard it is to make a deal. You are a loser and you have been dragging this franchise down for too damn long. Jump off a bridge. Please.

Some day I'd like to know whether or not DR's hands have been tied. As 11 has pointed out, DR has made exactly one real trade since LQ returned to the organization.

[Weave]

The real kicker for me is they are doing it with 2 ex Bflo players leading the right way. Ramsey as coach and Dudley as GM. Anyone notice how the great teams keep a lot of their great players involved in their organization in terms of their legacy and influence, we just kick them off the island or chase them off in Buffalo.

 

They were available for Buffalo instead of current NOT dynamic duo of stale DR / LR

 

Technically, they both did serve in their current positions for Buffalo. Neither one of them had enough success to warrant long tenures. Granted, Rammer didn't get much of a chance under Muckler and was still learning the job, and Dudley reigned about the time the Knox's stopped being able to compete with the big money teams.

 

I do like the point tho.

[deluca67]

I think there is a reason he sits on his hands. It's because they are tied by LQ and TG. I think Darcy wants to do things but can't.

 

It will be interesting to see how he performs when ownership changes hand.

I don't get the whole idea that Regier's hands are tied. I wish his hands were tied. Just maybe this franchise wouldn't be weighed down by ridiculous contracts he passed around.

[darksabre]

I'm still not convinced that the plan this year wasn't to sit on their hands and let contracts expire before making some big changes.

[Stoner]

Well, I'm not sure how they backed off on the budget...

 

Stop being obstinate and look it up.

[bunomatic]

I don't get the whole idea that Regier's hands are tied. I wish his hands were tied. Just maybe this franchise wouldn't be weighed down by ridiculous contracts he passed around.

 

 

Deluca67 you make a great point. If Regiers hands were indeed tied by Quinn and co. how is it that he was able to hand out what most would consider stupid contracts that have handcuffed both himself and this organization. The part of his ineptness that eats away at me is when he states publicly that this is a league that is very hard to make deals in while every other G.M. seems able to do so. In the broadcast between periods last night one of the speakers was saying how Regier has overvalued his players to the point of not being able to swing a trade. Apparently the speaker had heard that from other league executives. If that is indeed the case how is this organization justified in continuing to employ Regier? Regier has jettisoned players for little or no return in the past to clear up cap space maybe it is time he thought about going that route again on a couple in our so called top 6. To do that he would have to admit he was wrong.

[carpandean]

Exactly. Imagine the Sabres right now with Horton, Zherdev and Byfuglien instead of Niedermayer, Morrisson and Hecht. All were there for the taking.

Hecht was under contract, so swap in McCormick (or maybe Gerbe or Ennis, given their two-way contracts) for Jochen.

 

I'm still not convinced that the plan this year wasn't to sit on their hands and let contracts expire before making some big changes.

Then why sign Leopold for three years and Morrisonn for two? Could have promoted Weber and had six defensmen with Gragnani (among others) waiting in Portland.

[darksabre]

Hecht was under contract, so swap in McCormick (or maybe Gerbe or Ennis, given their two-way contracts) for Jochen.

 

 

Then why sign Leopold for three years and Morrisonn for two? Could have promoted Weber and had six defensmen with Gragnani (among others) waiting in Portland.

 

To have some veteran D-men for cheaper than Toni and Hank. It's not like those contracts are weighing this team down. They would be easy to move if they wanted more cap space in the off season.

[deluca67]

Deluca67 you make a great point. If Regiers hands were indeed tied by Quinn and co. how is it that he was able to hand out what most would consider stupid contracts that have handcuffed both himself and this organization. The part of his ineptness that eats away at me is when he states publicly that this is a league that is very hard to make deals in while every other G.M. seems able to do so. In the broadcast between periods last night one of the speakers was saying how Regier has overvalued his players to the point of not being able to swing a trade. Apparently the speaker had heard that from other league executives. If that is indeed the case how is this organization justified in continuing to employ Regier? Regier has jettisoned players for little or no return in the past to clear up cap space maybe it is time he thought about going that route again on a couple in our so called top 6. To do that he would have to admit he was wrong.

That is why I don't concentrate as much on Quinn as others do. The money is there and is being spent. It is just being spent poorly. As much as I would like the Sabres to make some moves I really don't trust Regier to make them. I said it before, I don't want Regier to touch one penny of the $22 million of cap space available next off-season. I don't think he is qualified to make the moves needed to turn this franchise around.

 

The roster make up does not excuse Lindy Ruff. There is no excuse that Lindy Ruff supporters can use that will justify this team coming out this weekend with zero intensity. You don't need talent to play with emotion.

[nfreeman]

Stop being obstinate and look it up.

Look what up? They're spending close to $55MM this year, and the cap is $59MM.

 

Hecht was under contract, so swap in McCormick (or maybe Gerbe or Ennis, given their two-way contracts) for Jochen.

You are right, but I meant dumping Hecht in trade or via waivers. Unlike Pommer, I think they could've found someone to take Hecht off of their hands.