Drew Stafford Contract

[LGR4GM]

New York needs at least three d-men. They will probably spend big for 1.

 

that leaves Sather looking for 2.

Does Butler or Sekera count in those 2? I feel like Sekera def does. I like sekera but hes just another puck moving def and hes not as good as our others but he still has value. Its a tough choice but I would think he has something the ranger want. If they let McCabe walk then they need another puck mover and i think for how cheap you could pay him, Sekera would be a good choice. He obviously does not equal dubinsky but that could be a start. Unless of course they want to pay gilroy a crap ton which I doubt, Sekera would be good for them. Also they have Drury, Dubinsky, Anisimov and boyle... they have center depth an apparent lack at defense. Its an interesting scenario to consider. Especially if they really are in on Richards. It would be richards, drury, anisimov, boyle if they dumped dubs and honestly It would weaken them but not in a crippling way. ....that would be a trade I would love. Sekera, 1st, and a prospect for Dubs

[X. Benedict]

Does Butler or Sekera count in those 2? I feel like Sekera def does. I like sekera but hes just another puck moving def and hes not as good as our others but he still has value.

Sekera was great from March through that injury that hurt him in the playoffs.

If he ever gets consistent he could be a home run.

 

Its a tough choice but I would think he has something the ranger want. If they let McCabe walk then they need another puck mover and i think for how cheap you could pay him, Sekera would be a good choice.

 

McCabe is not really a puck mover....more of just a point shot these days. He's limited. I don't think he comes back.

 

He obviously does not equal dubinsky but that could be a start. Unless of course they want to pay gilroy a crap ton which I doubt, Sekera would be good for them. Also they have Drury, Dubinsky, Anisimov and boyle... they have center depth an apparent lack at defense. Its an interesting scenario to consider. Especially if they really are in on Richards. It would be richards, drury, anisimov, boyle if they dumped dubs and honestly It would weaken them but not in a crippling way. ....that would be a trade I would love. Sekera, 1st, and a prospect for Dubs

 

Gilroy doesn't get a huge payday IMO.

A lot hinges on whether Sather goes after Richards.

[LGR4GM]

Sekera was great from March through that injury that hurt him in the playoffs.

If he ever gets consistent he could be a home run.

 

 

 

McCabe is not really a puck mover....more of just a point shot these days. He's limited. I don't think he comes back.

 

 

 

Gilroy doesn't get a huge payday IMO.

A lot hinges on whether Sather goes after Richards.

so then is your assessment the same as mine? Mine is if they go for Richards and get him (lets be honest, TB isnt in play so its NYR or TOR) then Dubs is expendable especially for cheap good defenders.

[X. Benedict]

so then is your assessment the same as mine? Mine is if they go for Richards and get him (lets be honest, TB isnt in play so its NYR or TOR) then Dubs is expendable especially for cheap good defenders.

 

It's a similar scenario....but if the Sabres are going to be proactive they have to move around draft day...

 

While the Rangers for Richard's isn't technically available until July 1. That really hasn't stopped Sather from having things lined up in the past. (Gomez-Drury)

 

I've heard some buzzing about Oshie in St. Louis being available too. (Berglund signed for two years)

[LGR4GM]

It's a similar scenario....but if the Sabres are going to be proactive they have to move around draft day...

 

While the Rangers for Richard's isn't technically available until July 1. That really hasn't stopped Sather from having things lined up in the past. (Gomez-Drury)

 

I've heard some buzzing about Oshie in St. Louis being available too. (Berglund signed for two years)

yea, i saw the berglund deal and was kinda sad but oshie is less developed than dubinsky but could help us. I see us moving on or just before our draft on draft day. Things are bound to happen, we are not going to sit idle and get Jussi Jokinen and Hejda... or we will and I will cry. Maybe we can get Pavelski or Dubinsky on draft day, its possible but unlikely

[beerme1]

If the rangers want Richards and I think they do, my guess is they would be willing to take drurys hit for the last year of the contract if they could not find a suitable trade partner.

 

You mean as in take the cap hit from a buyout correct?

[nobody]

Isnt Arby's 5 for 5.95? I thought that was there deal... now I want some roast beef sandwiches.... wait, you....ooooo

Its right around what I thought and im fine with it, i thought it would be for shorter time but hey drew could turn into a legit consistent guy I'll give him next season before i pass judgment.

 

 

Why would you go to Arby's if you want roast beef? ;)

[nobody]

They've been listed a couple hundred times here, but here is a listing of items that would not have occurred under the former regime.

 

 

Indeed - good stuff.

 

So far the new management has done everything they said they would do. They said Lindy 'ain't going nowhere' and he was given a new contract. They said Darcy was staying and given no salary cap to do his job - so far that is the case as far as we know. While people might not like those things; the management has been good on their word.

[LGR4GM]

You mean as in take the cap hit from a buyout correct?

Yes, sorry that really was not clear of me, they would not just hang on to dru. obviously they would buy him out or send him to the AHL because they have done things like that before. If they get richards i dont see drury on their roster next year.

 

Why would you go to Arby's if you want roast beef? ;)

...hmmm lol ummmm.... yea got nothing good point.

[Lanny]

Yes, sorry that really was not clear of me, they would not just hang on to dru. obviously they would buy him out or send him to the AHL because they have done things like that before. If they get richards i dont see drury on their roster next year.

Drury has an NMC, AHL is not an option. Buyout saves them $3.33M this year, but has a cap hit the following year of $1.67M.

 

http://www.capgeek.com/buyout_calculator.php?player_id=625

[deluca67]

They've been listed a couple hundred times here, but here is a listing of items that would not have occurred under the former regime.

 

1. Rivet released.

2. Making a trade at the deadline that increased salary.

3. Keeping Enroth up even after Lalime was healthy.

4. Increasing the size of the coaching staff.

5. Increasing the size of the scouting department.

6. Spending their own money to improve the players' "office."

7. Spending their own money to improve the ice conditions.

8. Doing a few dozen little things such as providing free programs at the games.

9. Signing Pysyk 1 year before they had to.

10. Bringing in ALL the alumni that could make it to make them feel they're part of the "family."

11. Putting their prospects in the "prospect cup" (or whatever it's called in Detroit).

 

And here are some things that likely would not have happened under the previous regime.

1. Signing Stafford nearly a full month before the deadline to get him signed.

2. Being a part of the European trip to start the regular season.

3. Making an unsolicited offer to buy the Amerks.

4. Attempting (unsuccessfully, granted) to make a high profile trade at the deadline.

5. Having a tribute to Rico, more than just a moment of silence, w/in hours of his untimely passing. (I think the old regime would have had a full blown tribute to him at the next game the same as how TP & crew did.)

 

I'm certain that I'm missing a few items and I realize that any of these taken individually is not impressive. But to continue to claim that there aren't even "indicators" that things are different now is, IMHO, silly.

 

The 1st significant chance to make a modification to this team comes at the draft. It's only ~3 weeks away. I don't have a problem w/ waiting that long to see how things start to shake out. I won't be happy if they don't make a move there and I won't be happy if TC comes back, but I'm planning on waiting until we see the training camp roster before even beginning to make a judgement as to whether they seem to be moving quickly enough in the right direction or not. (I'll be pleased or displeased by what I see along the way, but I don't think we'll have seen enough to give a grade until mid-September. (Kind of like how I find rating the NFL draft on the Monday after it's done to be a wee tad premature.))

"The 1st significant chance to make a modification" was the moment after the sale was final. I know time has a habit of clouding people's memory so let's not act like the Sabres haven't signed draft picks in the past and signed their own free agents. Let's not pretend that the previous regime didn't make changes to the arena and hold fan friendly events. I'm sure a more impressive list than the one you posted could be made to make the Golisano/Quinn regime seem impressive.

[Taro T]

"The 1st significant chance to make a modification" was the moment after the sale was final. I know time has a habit of clouding people's memory so let's not act like the Sabres haven't signed draft picks in the past and signed their own free agents. Let's not pretend that the previous regime didn't make changes to the arena and hold fan friendly events. I'm sure a more impressive list than the one you posted could be made to make the Golisano/Quinn regime seem impressive.

You know darn well that I was referring to the on ice product. (Or did you think they were going to make wholesale roster moves the instant the ink dried?) And the REALLY rich guy w/ connections w/in the league (some of whom are now at the top of the or-gan-i-za-tion) decided that WASN'T the time to make either modification that you wanted to see. (Time will tell whether it was right or wrong, but again, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.)

 

They tried to make a significant move at the trade deadline. They weren't able to pull it off, (there weren't a whole lot of significant moves at the deadline for other teams, definitely none that I was particularily upset that the Sabres weren't in on) so the 1st chance they'll really have to significantly modify the roster will be the draft. When's the last time prior to that that they tried to make a "significant" move? (Hint, I'm having a very hard time coming up w/ one since the one where the primary player in the particular move eventually became the Srangers' captain.)

 

No one here is "pretend(ing) that the previous regime didn't make changes to the arena and hold fan friendly events." It is a nice straw man to set up. How many of those changes and events that TG/LQ hosted that you refer to (without specifically pointing out) DIDN'T put additional money in TG's pocket &/or give LQ an opportunity to aggrandize himself. (Aren't the slugs just DREAMY? :sick: ) How many of those on my 1st list do you believe TG/LQ would have done? Heck, I'll throw you a bone and let you tell me how many of those on the 2nd list you expect they would have done.

 

While you are so certain that a nice impressive list of improvements for the fans and the product on the ice could be put together, why don't you put one together? I'll stand by my list. Let's see how yours compares. It'll be fun to compare. I believe the list does "indicate" that times are different. Maybe when you actually go through the exercise you'll see that things aren't as gloomy as you'd (apparently) like them to be.

 

I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing those items on your list that should have / did improve the on ice product. At least 2/3 of my list are geared toward directly or indirectly improving the on-ice product. My expectation is that most of the items on your list will be geared toward improving the bottom line, NOT the on-ice product.

[Derrico]

"The 1st significant chance to make a modification" was the moment after the sale was final. I know time has a habit of clouding people's memory so let's not act like the Sabres haven't signed draft picks in the past and signed their own free agents. Let's not pretend that the previous regime didn't make changes to the arena and hold fan friendly events. I'm sure a more impressive list than the one you posted could be made to make the Golisano/Quinn regime seem impressive.

 

Deluca, I don't always agree with your ideas but you generally back up your points with fact. Please try and create a list that would make the previous regime 'more impressive than the one posted'. Losing Drury and Briere? Comming out and friggen saying that the only order DR was to follow was to break even? I give the last ownership group all the credit in the world for saving this franchise and (if this was in fact true) not selling to a higher bidder who was willing to move the team. But Pegula is a dream owner. Maybe I'm drinking the kool aide being sold but from all I've seen and heard this ownership group really will spend and do what's necessary to win the cup. This may be the most exciting time to ever be a Sabres fan. If you want to p@ss and moan about things fine, but why do we have multiple pages of posters trying to state that the Sabres are and will continue to act as they have in the past? It's unbelievable that we have this owner, he has done everything he has promised thus far except change the roster which is better suited for the offseason and not at the deadline. Please compile a list of what the previous regime completed that makes it any better than what has been done in the three months current management has been in place.

[Braedon]

"The 1st significant chance to make a modification" was the moment after the sale was final. I know time has a habit of clouding people's memory so let's not act like the Sabres haven't signed draft picks in the past and signed their own free agents. Let's not pretend that the previous regime didn't make changes to the arena and hold fan friendly events. I'm sure a more impressive list than the one you posted could be made to make the Golisano/Quinn regime seem impressive.

 

 

 

Sometimes a non-move is the best move. Just because things don't happen on your clock doesn't mean that they aren't in fact happening. Wow, it's amazing how jaded part of the fan base has become. We have an owner that continued to move forward and put money where his mouth is, yet it isn't enough. I don't recall the previous regime going demolition on the arena in order to improve player relations. I don't recall the previous regime listening to its season ticket holders and increasing the transparency of the front office by this magnitude.

 

What if they do make the big splash on draft day or on July 1? Is it moot because they didn't act fast enough when the sale when final?

[beerme1]

Yes, sorry that really was not clear of me, they would not just hang on to dru. obviously they would buy him out or send him to the AHL because they have done things like that before. If they get richards i dont see drury on their roster next year.

 

Thanks

[Weave]

What if they do make the big splash on draft day or on July 1? Is it moot because they didn't act fast enough when the sale when final?

 

No, it won't be moot. It would be the first truly meaningful thing they've done to move the team forward. And that is what the jaded segment of the fanbase is looking for, something tangible and meaningful that is going to change the on-ice product. Until now it has all been window dressing. I'll grant you that maybe the re-decoration is needed to change the culture. But I don't want to celebrate the redecoration until I've seen concrete evidence that it isn't anything more than polishing a turd. Draft day and July 1 will be big days for my evaluation of what to really expect.

[deluca67]

Deluca, I don't always agree with your ideas but you generally back up your points with fact. Please try and create a list that would make the previous regime 'more impressive than the one posted'. Losing Drury and Briere? Comming out and friggen saying that the only order DR was to follow was to break even? I give the last ownership group all the credit in the world for saving this franchise and (if this was in fact true) not selling to a higher bidder who was willing to move the team. But Pegula is a dream owner. Maybe I'm drinking the kool aide being sold but from all I've seen and heard this ownership group really will spend and do what's necessary to win the cup. This may be the most exciting time to ever be a Sabres fan. If you want to p@ss and moan about things fine, but why do we have multiple pages of posters trying to state that the Sabres are and will continue to act as they have in the past? It's unbelievable that we have this owner, he has done everything he has promised thus far except change the roster which is better suited for the offseason and not at the deadline. Please compile a list of what the previous regime completed that makes it any better than what has been done in the three months current management has been in place.

1) They saved the franchise.

 

Do I actually need to add more?

 

2) The Ribbon scoreboard.

3) The Party in the Plaza.

4) Hosting the World Juniors

5) Hosting the Frozen Four.

6) Multiple uniform changes that fans ate up.

 

There is another list.

 

1) Retaining Regier.

2) Retaining Ruff.

3) Overpaying/overvaluing their own players.

 

That is a list of mistakes that Quinn/Golisano made and that Pegula seems all too happy to repeat.

[LastPommerFan]

1) They saved the franchise.

 

Do I actually need to add more?

 

2) The Ribbon scoreboard.

3) The Party in the Plaza.

4) Hosting the World Juniors

5) Hosting the Frozen Four.

6) Multiple uniform changes that fans ate up.

 

There is another list.

 

1) Retaining Regier.

2) Retaining Ruff.

3) Overpaying/overvaluing their own players.

 

That is a list of mistakes that Quinn/Golisano made and that Pegula seems all too happy to repeat.

 

The bolded items all put a significant amount of money into the owner's pockets. Not saying they were not good for the organization or fans, but they were no brainers for the "Business".

 

The second list involves some speculation to accept. Giving Ruff and Regier a chance to work without financial handcuffs (and it goes beyond spending to the cap, things like the Teppo debacle) could be worth a shot, I don't like keeping regier, but it could work. #3 in that list is based primarily on the stafford contract, and if the same tactic had been in place in 2007 we'd have Vanek for $5-6M rather than $7M+ and he'd be an absolute steal.

 

I agree that nothing significant has changed in the on-ice product, but pegula's w-l record is solid, and I don't think the Canucks would be leading the finals if you take Kessler, Raymond, and one of the Sedins out of their line-up (*see disclaimer)

 

*Disclaimer- I am not saying Roy, Connoly, and Pommers are on par with the Kessler, Raymond, and a Sedin, but the fact is three of our top 4 forwards were out with injury during that series.

[nobody]

No, it won't be moot. It would be the first truly meaningful thing they've done to move the team forward. And that is what the jaded segment of the fanbase is looking for, something tangible and meaningful that is going to change the on-ice product. Until now it has all been window dressing. I'll grant you that maybe the re-decoration is needed to change the culture. But I don't want to celebrate the redecoration until I've seen concrete evidence that it isn't anything more than polishing a turd. Draft day and July 1 will be big days for my evaluation of what to really expect.

 

 

No - they're getting rid of all things slug. ;)

[spndnchz]

Stafford on GR @ 9AM

[Derrico]

1) They saved the franchise.

 

Do I actually need to add more?

 

2) The Ribbon scoreboard.

3) The Party in the Plaza.

4) Hosting the World Juniors

5) Hosting the Frozen Four.

6) Multiple uniform changes that fans ate up.

 

There is another list.

 

1) Retaining Regier.

2) Retaining Ruff.

3) Overpaying/overvaluing their own players.

 

That is a list of mistakes that Quinn/Golisano made and that Pegula seems all too happy to repeat.

 

LastPommersFan answered points 3-6 and I actually found point 6 offensive. As a fan, there is nothing worse than wearing a goathead jersey to a game when they've changed to the slug. Can't blame a fan for 'eating that up'. What was with the red third jersey that looked like it only had a puck on it?? I think it was in existance for one year as a money grab. If you want to talk about saving the franchise, maybe Pegula did. Even if the team is still around, it needed to be saved.

[dEnnis the Menace]

1) They saved the franchise.

 

Do I actually need to add more?

 

2) The Ribbon scoreboard.

3) The Party in the Plaza.

4) Hosting the World Juniors

5) Hosting the Frozen Four.

6) Multiple uniform changes that fans ate up.

 

There is another list.

 

1) Retaining Regier.

2) Retaining Ruff.

3) Overpaying/overvaluing their own players.

 

That is a list of mistakes that Quinn/Golisano made and that Pegula seems all too happy to repeat.

 

The world juniors and frozen four were money making opportunities that any owner would take up. I wouldn't be surprised to see the frozen four or some other money making opportunity hockey competition/tourney make it's way back to Buffalo, as TP and TB are trying to sell this city as Hockey Heaven.

 

The uniform changes, well, now that we have our original logo back (which "fans ate up"), so I wouldn't expect another uni change for a while (except maybe the third jerseys, although, I liked last seasons throwbacks).

[dEnnis the Menace]

LastPommersFan answered points 3-6 and I actually found point 6 offensive. As a fan, there is nothing worse than wearing a goathead jersey to a game when they've changed to the slug. Can't blame a fan for 'eating that up'. What was with the red third jersey that looked like it only had a puck on it?? I think it was in existance for one year as a money grab. If you want to talk about saving the franchise, maybe Pegula did. Even if the team is still around, it needed to be saved.

 

+1! I agree. It needed saved from mediocrity.

 

I like the previous list compiled of things indicating change. It shows that there is a plan in place, and at least on the surface, the plan is not empty promises. I think we need 1 full offseason to see what T-Pegs truly brings to the table, and possibly some of next season. It takes time to clean the stench of the previous owner out the building.

 

I like the optimism, as cautious as it is.

[spndnchz]

1) They saved the franchise.

 

Do I actually need to add more?

 

2) The Ribbon scoreboard.

3) The Party in the Plaza.

4) Hosting the World Juniors

5) Hosting the Frozen Four.

6) Multiple uniform changes that fans ate up.

 

There is another list.

 

1) Retaining Regier.

2) Retaining Ruff.

3) Overpaying/overvaluing their own players.

 

That is a list of mistakes that Quinn/Golisano made and that Pegula seems all too happy to repeat.

 

Funny how you criticize Pegs for doing nothing except off the ice stuff, then list your top 5 for sugar packets as off the ice stuff.

[SwampD]

Stafford on GR @ 9AM

I like Stafford. I'm glad he's signed. I think it's a good deal for all.