Stoner Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 On November 30, when the first news of Terry Pegula came out of Boston like Paul Revere riding in the night, the Sabres were 9-13-3 and as close to the bottom of the conference as to the last playoff spot. If I had told you on that day that Pegula's team would consist of Ted Black, Ken Sawyer, Dan DiPofi, Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff, would you have been disappointed?
LabattBlue Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 On November 30, when the first news of Terry Pegula came out of Boston like Paul Revere riding in the night, the Sabres were 9-13-3 and as close to the bottom of the conference as to the last playoff spot. If I had told you on that day that Pegula's team would consist of Ted Black, Ken Sawyer, Dan DiPofi, Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff, would you have been disappointed? If you told me on 11-30-10 that this would be the core Front Office/Coaching Staff at the start of the 11-12 season, yes I would have been very disappointed.
Stoner Posted February 26, 2011 Author Report Posted February 26, 2011 If you told me on 11-30-10 that this would be the core Front Office/Coaching Staff at the start of the 11-12 season, yes I would have been very disappointed. Well Terry has said any additions to the hockey department will be under Darcy, not over him. And it's clear to me that his comments on Darcy ("he's not going anywhere" "tell me what's the problem with Darcy") is much more than a short-term show of support. I'll also reiterate my statement that it will be tough to find a top notch GM to come in when the coach is set. Another Darcy, some kid looking to start a career, sure. But we'll see.
dumb_dumb88 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Well Terry has said any additions to the hockey department will be under Darcy, not over him. And it's clear to me that his comments on Darcy ("he's not going anywhere" "tell me what's the problem with Darcy") is much more than a short-term show of support. I'll also reiterate my statement that it will be tough to find a top notch GM to come in when the coach is set. Another Darcy, some kid looking to start a career, sure. But we'll see. I'm no Darcy fan by any stretch of the imagination. But I will say this, every time the organization refuses to change the GM position, and they get the same results over and over again, they are distancing themselves even further from the fan base. It was a risk to keep Regier from my point of view as a fan. Pegula and Black I am sure have a different POV. We shall see if it pays off for them, becuase quite honestly PASabreFan, if we aren't making an actual Cup run in 3 to 4 years, it will have been proven a failure, and oh lord, if Pegula thinks the media are circling like sharks already what's he going to think when the fan base starts in on him and it won't take long either. Like I said, my opinion is it was a huge risk to keep Regier. There are other GM's out there, that I am sure would at the very least be much more aggressive than Regier. Will it equate out to a Cup run? Let's see what Darcy does in the next 12 to 18 months, if I don't see changes occuring to better the team, I'll be one of the onese calling the radio stations.
Weave Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I'd be a bit disappointed. Not ready-to-drink-tainted-Koolaid disappointed, but disappointed nonetheless. I am still at loggerheads over whether Darcy made the moves he made because he was told to or because he thought that was what was best. In the end, I'd have preferred we remove all possiblity and canned both LQ and DR. Ridding the team of LQ is a start I guess. As I've said before, cautiously optimistic. Very cautiously.
bunomatic Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I'm disappointed. All you have to do is look at the guy in Boston as one example. He's making bold moves and little moves but he's constantly doing what he believes improves his club. I'm sure most can google him and tell us what he was doing or where he came from but honestly who had really heard of the guy before? Look at Gillis in Vancouver. An ex agent who hadn't had a lick at G.M. duties before he was hired. Look at what he's accomplished . Look at Stevie Y. in Tampa. There are other people out there capable of doing the job. The problem is that people tend to hold onto their own afraid of change and I think thats what many fans are doing. Oh we'll give him one more chance without L.Q. holding his hand they say but the fact remains whether Quinn held his hand or not Regier still made those moves. He's had a 13 year interview with Pegula and pegs still retained him. I guess Pegs has the same patience as Regier. I have to add that I'll reserve judgement on the others but they are obviously part of the decision to keep Regier so...
R_Dudley Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Honest answer, yes very disappointed. I thought the body of work DR has done here especially over the last 5 years pretty much sealed his fate. I would allow a new gm to make his own decision on Lindy. I would love to have a guy like Shero in PGH who is always looking at ways to upgrade his team especially for playoff runs. However I am taking a sliver of optimism from the fact the 2 people he brought over from PGH Sawyer and Black had alot to do with putting Shero in that place.
BADMOFO518 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 no because it would be rash and foolish to make a change that drastic in the middle of the season. i think pegula is doing the right thing by watching for traffic before crossing the road, giving darcy one last chance to justify his existence before booting him off the plank. as for sawyer and black, i dont know (if someone does please let us know) of any other better additions to upper management he could have possibly made. if sawyer could make the pens what they are today from what they were, just imagine what he is going to do with the sabres in the position they are in right now....
dumb_dumb88 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 no because it would be rash and foolish to make a change that drastic in the middle of the season. i think pegula is doing the right thing by watching for traffic before crossing the road, giving darcy one last chance to justify his existence before booting him off the plank. as for sawyer and black, i dont know (if someone does please let us know) of any other better additions to upper management he could have possibly made. if sawyer could make the pens what they are today from what they were, just imagine what he is going to do with the sabres in the position they are in right now.... This is a half truth when it comes to Sawyer. He was very, very fortunate to have drawn the lock-out 1st overall pick, and as can be attested to by history, the way Sidney Crosby goes is the way the Penguins go. They had their bad seasons, and the draft picks were important, but it was pure luck on the Crosby pick. That made the team, the other draft picks are secondary players when you compare their performances to Crosby. For example, does Malkin come close to achieving the numbers he has if he doesn't play on the power play with Crosby? I don't believe so, but Malkin was still a good pick at 2nd overall. Remember, 35 to 44 percent of Malkins scoring comes from that Power Play tandem with Crosby.
carpandean Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I would have been a little disappointed, but not totally surprised. As much as I would have been in favor of cutting Darcy and, possibly, Lindy loose at the end of the season (didn't see it happening with one week left before the trade deadline), this way will let us get to the truth about Darcy. Golisano's mandates are gone and so are Larry Quinn's meddling hands. Nothing is holding back Darcy, now, but himself. I'll pass judgment in October of this year. However, the one thing that I hope is true, but am less sure after that Pegula interview, is that there will be accountability if he fails to get things done. I see/hear TP talking like a casual fan, but I'm hoping that the two guy he brought with him know better and that he is willing to listen to them if/when the time comes. I'm more skeptical than I was, but only time will tell.
Weave Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 no because it would be rash and foolish to make a change that drastic in the middle of the season. i think pegula is doing the right thing by watching for traffic before crossing the road, giving darcy one last chance to justify his existence before booting him off the plank. as for sawyer and black, i dont know (if someone does please let us know) of any other better additions to upper management he could have possibly made. if sawyer could make the pens what they are today from what they were, just imagine what he is going to do with the sabres in the position they are in right now.... If a team can go from floundering to winning the Stanley Cup after a coaching change in mid-season why can't a GM change mid-season have a dramatic postive impact as well? (08-09 Pens) Soemtimes its nothing more than a new strong message being sent to the team that creates the desired effect. Maybe an owner change is enough. We''ll never be able to tell for sure though.
BADMOFO518 Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 If a team can go from floundering to winning the Stanley Cup after a coaching change in mid-season why can't a GM change mid-season have a dramatic postive impact as well? (08-09 Pens) Soemtimes its nothing more than a new strong message being sent to the team that creates the desired effect. Maybe an owner change is enough. We''ll never be able to tell for sure though. i think there is more going on behind the scenes than we know honestly. pegula knows more about the situation than we do, because if darcy was and is really as bad a gm as we think ((and rightfully so) pegula wouldnt be singing his praises, he would be saying something along the lines of he needs time to a s s e s s his personnel before he makes any judgements. (sorry when i spelled it out is blocked the word)
Taro T Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 On November 30, when the first news of Terry Pegula came out of Boston like Paul Revere riding in the night, the Sabres were 9-13-3 and as close to the bottom of the conference as to the last playoff spot. If I had told you on that day that Pegula's team would consist of Ted Black, Ken Sawyer, Dan DiPofi, Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff, would you have been disappointed? Considering I don't see any Q's in that sentence, no, I'd be alright with it. Remember, back when the news of Pegula's offer 1st came out, we expected Quinny to be out but didn't know it for certain. I also never expected to here that Quinny was getting out of the Buffalo land development scene. (Hopefully, it's permanent, but any reprieve is a good one.)
LabattBlue Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Considering I don't see any Q's in that sentence, no, I'd be alright with it. :lol: Excellent point!!!
Derrico Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 I'm disappointed. All you have to do is look at the guy in Boston as one example. He's making bold moves and little moves but he's constantly doing what he believes improves his club. I'm sure most can google him and tell us what he was doing or where he came from but honestly who had really heard of the guy before? Look at Gillis in Vancouver. An ex agent who hadn't had a lick at G.M. duties before he was hired. Look at what he's accomplished . Look at Stevie Y. in Tampa. There are other people out there capable of doing the job. The problem is that people tend to hold onto their own afraid of change and I think thats what many fans are doing. Oh we'll give him one more chance without L.Q. holding his hand they say but the fact remains whether Quinn held his hand or not Regier still made those moves. He's had a 13 year interview with Pegula and pegs still retained him. I guess Pegs has the same patience as Regier. I have to add that I'll reserve judgement on the others but they are obviously part of the decision to keep Regier so... And for every Gillis there is a Burke in T.O. making all the wrong moves. When he came in he was like a hero to that franchise. That Kessel trade has sure worked out for them so far....
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 And for every Gillis there is a Burke in T.O. making all the wrong moves. When he came in he was like a hero to that franchise. That Kessel trade has sure worked out for them so far.... Darcy makes moves to be a slightly better than middle of the pack team and hopes to luck into a trip to the Cup. Burke takes the risks needed to win a championship. By taking bigger risks, you will have bigger failures, but you give yourself a chance for the biggest reward. By never taking big enough chances and risking massive failure, you assure yourself no chance at the prize. Darcy is afraid. he always has been. He is scared of a living, breathing market. He does not understand that if you are the one to dictate and make that market, you have control of your own destiny, be it right or wrong. By allowing other teams and GM's to decide who Darcy will eventually end up with and what he will pay, he shows himself to be the weakling that he is. It doesn't matter what directive he was under....he's said the same things this week that he always does. If Darcy was on the floor in a commodities pit, he would soil his pants. Burke would have a whiskey in one hand and a fistfull of tickets in the other.
Derrico Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Darcy makes moves to be a slightly better than middle of the pack team and hopes to luck into a trip to the Cup. Burke takes the risks needed to win a championship. By taking bigger risks, you will have bigger failures, but you give yourself a chance for the biggest reward. By never taking big enough chances and risking massive failure, you assure yourself no chance at the prize. Darcy is afraid. he always has been. He is scared of a living, breathing market. He does not understand that if you are the one to dictate and make that market, you have control of your own destiny, be it right or wrong. By allowing other teams and GM's to decide who Darcy will eventually end up with and what he will pay, he shows himself to be the weakling that he is. It doesn't matter what directive he was under....he's said the same things this week that he always does. If Darcy was on the floor in a commodities pit, he would soil his pants. Burke would have a whiskey in one hand and a fistfull of tickets in the other. Living in 'Leaf nation' I get all there media and trust me, it aint rosy up here. I'm sure Darcy isn't 'scared' if everyone claims his job is pretty much alwasy safe. Let's just give him one year and see what he does under the new owner. If its status quo then I agree, a change is needed then.
bunomatic Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 And for every Gillis there is a Burke in T.O. making all the wrong moves. When he came in he was like a hero to that franchise. That Kessel trade has sure worked out for them so far.... And I didn't mention Burke in my post for that very reason.
Derrico Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 And I didn't mention Burke in my post for that very reason. That's my point though you can't name all the new great GM's without considering the failures. The grass isn't ALWAYS greener on the other side is my point.
bunomatic Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 If a team can go from floundering to winning the Stanley Cup after a coaching change in mid-season why can't a GM change mid-season have a dramatic postive impact as well? (08-09 Pens) Soemtimes its nothing more than a new strong message being sent to the team that creates the desired effect. Maybe an owner change is enough. We''ll never be able to tell for sure though. All one needs to do is look at Jay Feaster in Calgary. When they got rid of Sutter as G.M. and brought in Feaster while retaining the other sutter as coach the team took off. Simple change and dramatic results. Same coach. Whats the problem?
bunomatic Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 That's my point though you can't name all the new great GM's without considering the failures. The grass isn't ALWAYS greener on the other side is my point. I get your point but I've always disliked Burke despite his success. Totally unlikable character albeit with a certain degree of results. I still wouldn't hire him. He's all about Brian Burke and a media hound.
cdexchange Posted February 27, 2011 Report Posted February 27, 2011 Darcy makes moves to be a slightly better than middle of the pack team and hopes to luck into a trip to the Cup. Burke takes the risks needed to win a championship. By taking bigger risks, you will have bigger failures, but you give yourself a chance for the biggest reward. By never taking big enough chances and risking massive failure, you assure yourself no chance at the prize. Darcy is afraid. he always has been. He is scared of a living, breathing market. He does not understand that if you are the one to dictate and make that market, you have control of your own destiny, be it right or wrong. By allowing other teams and GM's to decide who Darcy will eventually end up with and what he will pay, he shows himself to be the weakling that he is. It doesn't matter what directive he was under....he's said the same things this week that he always does. If Darcy was on the floor in a commodities pit, he would soil his pants. Burke would have a whiskey in one hand and a fistfull of tickets in the other. The Sabres had "no chance" in the 06 and 07 playoffs? Really? C'mon... I get your overall point though and I do agree with it. However, it's reasonable to suspect that the lack of "big" moves was mandated by ownership rather than a result of incompetence by Darcy. We're all going to find out in the near future.
Kristian Posted February 27, 2011 Report Posted February 27, 2011 Would still like to see Darcy and Ruff gone.
Derrico Posted February 27, 2011 Report Posted February 27, 2011 The Sabres had "no chance" in the 06 and 07 playoffs? Really? C'mon... I get your overall point though and I do agree with it. However, it's reasonable to suspect that the lack of "big" moves was mandated by ownership rather than a result of incompetence by Darcy. We're all going to find out in the near future. +1 those are my thoughts exactly. Although it is a little worrisome that we haven't made a trade yet. I know most of the changes will come via the summer but I thought something would be done by the deadline. Common Darc, only 25.5 hours remaining!
cdexchange Posted February 27, 2011 Report Posted February 27, 2011 +1 those are my thoughts exactly. Although it is a little worrisome that we haven't made a trade yet. I know most of the changes will come via the summer but I thought something would be done by the deadline. Common Darc, only 25.5 hours remaining! I'm not even that worried about Monday. I don't expect us to be big sellers when we're on the cusp of a playoff spot, and I also don't expect any rentals coming in. Like you said, the real moves will be made this summer.
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