What would you do if you were in charge?

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

You are probably right about this, but a nonsensical trade requires a third party to do something it would never do, while changing the C and the As just requires the Sabres to make the decision.

 

Korab's point makes sense in that Pominville may HAVE to be considered a likely trade candidate if you are really going to remake this team. Can you imagine signing Doan in the offseason, having Regehr on the team, and maybe trading for another leader and coming into next season with Pominville as your captain? Who's kidding who?

 

Oooff.....this is not a simple fix when you start taking everything into account. I would hope a veteran leader is on the radar.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Korab's point makes sense in that Pominville may HAVE to be considered a likely trade candidate if you are really going to remake this team. Can you imagine signing Doan in the offseason, having Regehr on the team, and maybe trading for another leader and coming into next season with Pominville as your captain? Who's kidding who?

 

Oooff.....this is not a simple fix when you start taking everything into account. I would hope a veteran leader is on the radar.

 

Hi Chad,

 

IMHO Pominville will not be captain next season, even if he is still with the team.

 

That being said, I would disagree with nFreeman on his point to change the lettered players. IMHO at this point, there is no point to doing so. I would rather wait to see what happens in the off-season. Now, if Iginla, or someone like him, were to come in at some point this season then I would think the Sabres brass would have some thinking to do. The letter decision was made and the Sabres should live with it, but I am convinced that they must see the error in judgement by now ... the proof is in the pudding as they say.

[LabattBlue]

Can you picture any of the guys currently wearing letters, standing up in the locker room, and ripping the team? Vanek? Pominville? Stafford? Roy? Gaustad?

 

I'd be surprised if these guys even look one another in the eye between periods? I picture a bunch of players staring at the logo in the middle of the locker room floor?

[nfreeman]

Korab's point makes sense in that Pominville may HAVE to be considered a likely trade candidate if you are really going to remake this team. Can you imagine signing Doan in the offseason, having Regehr on the team, and maybe trading for another leader and coming into next season with Pominville as your captain? Who's kidding who?

 

Oooff.....this is not a simple fix when you start taking everything into account. I would hope a veteran leader is on the radar.

 

In other words: if they were to strip Pommer of the captaincy, they would have to trade him? You are probably right about this but it wouldn't be unprecedented to keep him after taking the captaincy -- this is what happened with Marleau in SJ. And Pommer seems like the kind of guy who could live with it.

 

Either way, it's OK with me. As I've said before, he's a good player but far from a great one and he's well overpaid.

[apuszczalowski]

I appreciate getting the thread back on track. My point is that if you want to say what you would do if you were in charge, you need to stay within the bounds of reality. I don't think Carolina is going to trade Staal under any circumstances. If there were to do so, however, like a deal for Getzlaf, it would require either Myers or Vanek coming back. I think Anaheim trading Getzlaf, while also pretty unlikely, is at least more possible than Carolina trading Staal because Anaheim's GM has essentially announced that he will consider trading anyone on the team other than Selanne and Koivu.

 

As for what I would do, I would trade Roy ASAP for whatever the Sabres could get for him on an addition-by-subtraction theory. I would also strip the C and the As from the current "leadership group" and give them to the younger guys who play hard.

How do you know whats reality and whats not? What other teams may accept in a trade and whats any team is going to do?

 

His trade proposal does sound reasonable, but would probably have to include a 1st round pick and maybe one or 2 more picks. Roy and Stafford may be viewed as useless pieces of trash here, but thats in our opinion and eyes. We all thought/think they have potential to be better, and other GMs might see the same thing. Alot of players just need a change of scenery to reach their potential.

 

Teams may ask for Vanek/Myers in return for a Staal, Getzlaff, Ryan type player, but I doubt any will get a player that caliber in return, why would you give up those players to get one of those players? Your trading away your best players to acquire another teams underperforming best player? Its more likely that you will see picks and High ranked prospects being traded to get those players then top players on their NHL roster. I would think Anaheim/Carolina would likely end up getting kassian, McNabb, Adam, and some picks to rebuild on

[james duncan]

I see a lot of bold ideas mentioned here regarding trades, captaincy, etc. I guess my question is, can ANYone see Darcy pulling any of these off? I don't. And it's why I voted to let him go.

[apuszczalowski]

Also, I don't see a problem with pommers as Captain, I don't think he deserves being stripped of it, his play has been really good this season along with Vaneks. The only Sabres player on the roster who would fit the mould of NHL Captain is probably Regehr because he has that image of a grizzled, tough, NHL veteran, but remember the last time the Sabres made a move like that for the 'C'? Everyone whined about giving Rivet the 'C' because he was new to the team

 

There are 4 high tier veteran players possible available that I would be trying whatever to acquire besides anyone from the Ducks right now

 

1. Jerome Iginla from Calgary

2. Eric Staal from Carolina (or any Staal brother)

3. Vincent Lecavalier from Tampa (or St.Louis)

4. Rick Nash from Colombus

All 4 of them are also great candidates for the C

 

All 3 are potentially available, and all 4 would give the Sabres a legitimate star player.

 

Otherwise I would try and get

 

1. Getzlaff, Perry and/or Ryan from teh Ducks

2. Parise from the Devils

[R_Dudley]

Can you picture any of the guys currently wearing letters, standing up in the locker room, and ripping the team? Vanek? Pominville? Stafford? Roy? Gaustad?

 

I'd be surprised if these guys even look one another in the eye between periods? I picture a bunch of players staring at the logo in the middle of the locker room floor?

 

As a CI direct TV game subscriber I have seen they often between peiods pan the the new dressing room from what appears to be a fixed camera that shows the logo and approx a 1/2 of the lockers/circle including one open exit.

 

You are correct the room often looks empty typically only 2-4 players can be seen with sometimes someone walking in or out. Everybody appears to be doing their own thing with very little to no interaction. I thought this odd awhile back based on how bad they were just playing that particular day and wondered why Lindy and or the coaches didn't have this team huddled in their video area reviewing what did or did not just happen on the ice. I thought with the upgardes they were equipped to do cool neat technical stuff like this but then again that would take coaching. Seems Robbie is always able to pull a few plays between periods and telestrate specific plays good or bad.

 

I thought this upgrade to locker room was to help the team but I can't help wonder now if it allows these guy's to all seek out their separate spaces to meditate or do hot yoga or whatever floats a particular player's boat instead of keeping them close and talking about what just did or did not happen.

[nfreeman]

How do you know whats reality and whats not? What other teams may accept in a trade and whats any team is going to do?

 

His trade proposal does sound reasonable, but would probably have to include a 1st round pick and maybe one or 2 more picks. Roy and Stafford may be viewed as useless pieces of trash here, but thats in our opinion and eyes. We all thought/think they have potential to be better, and other GMs might see the same thing. Alot of players just need a change of scenery to reach their potential.

 

Teams may ask for Vanek/Myers in return for a Staal, Getzlaff, Ryan type player, but I doubt any will get a player that caliber in return, why would you give up those players to get one of those players? Your trading away your best players to acquire another teams underperforming best player? Its more likely that you will see picks and High ranked prospects being traded to get those players then top players on their NHL roster. I would think Anaheim/Carolina would likely end up getting kassian, McNabb, Adam, and some picks to rebuild on

 

Well, you're right that I don't really know that Anaheim wouldn't take Roy and Stafford for Getzlaf, but I also don't really know that the sun is going to rise in the East tomorrow. Both are items that I believe based on having lived on this planet and observed events over a period of time.

 

I would give up Vanek or Myers to get Staal or Getzlaf (not Ryan, because he's not in the same class as Staal and Getzlaf) because Staal and Getzlaf are significantly better than Vanek and Myers.

[james duncan]

Well, you're right that I don't really know that Anaheim wouldn't take Roy and Stafford for Getzlaf, but I also don't really know that the sun is going to rise in the East tomorrow. Both are items that I believe based on having lived on this planet and observed events over a period of time.

 

I would give up Vanek or Myers to get Staal or Getzlaf (not Ryan, because he's not in the same class as Staal and Getzlaf) because Staal and Getzlaf are significantly better than Vanek and Myers.

Even IF Anaheim would do that, I'm guessing another team would offer more. Making the trade even less likely to ever occur.

 

Despite our huge need at center and as much as I like him, I'm not trading Vanek straight up for Staal.

[nfreeman]

Even IF Anaheim would do that, I'm guessing another team would offer more. Making the trade even less likely to ever occur.

 

Despite our huge need at center and as much as I like him, I'm not trading Vanek straight up for Staal.

 

I would do this in a heartbeat.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Even IF Anaheim would do that, I'm guessing another team would offer more. Making the trade even less likely to ever occur.

 

Despite our huge need at center and as much as I like him, I'm not trading Vanek straight up for Staal.

I would do this in a heartbeat.

 

Me too, but I'd give the Bruins one more chance at Lucic for Vanek first and if they bite then see what along with Myers it would take to get Staal. If the Bruins don't go for Lucic for Vanek, then I'd trade him for Staal.

[qwksndmonster]

I would do this in a heartbeat.

I know for a fact that I value Vanek way higher than you do... But I would also do this in a heartbeat.

[Samson's Flow]

I would do this in a heartbeat.

Given the way that Staal and Vanek are performing this year, Carolina might actually consider trading away their franchise player. Now that would be buying low/selling high.

 

Intriguing none the less, even if it would never happen.

[That Aud Smell]

In other words: if they were to strip Pommer of the captaincy, they would have to trade him? You are probably right about this but it wouldn't be unprecedented to keep him after taking the captaincy -- this is what happened with Marleau in SJ. And Pommer seems like the kind of guy who could live with it.

 

if anything, he might feel jesus-ian relief.

 

let this cup pass, father.

[james duncan]

I would do this in a heartbeat.

Shades of Andreychuk for Fuhr. I think Vanek is the best pure scorer the Sabres have had since Andreychuk. And we couldn't deny the need for a goalie at the time just like Sabres need a center now. But I wouldn't make that trade 1 time out of 100. I feel the same way about moving TV.

[fiftyone]

Maybe a new player to target here, I'll be honest though and say I didn't read every post in this thread. How about Jeff Carter from Columbus? I know Columbus just got him in free agency, but this can't be what they had in mind so far this season. He is a center and one that can definitely score goals. He costs 5.3 million, but goal scorers cost money. The Blue Jackets would theoretically be a team that would be looking to go with youngsters to try and build their franchise from the bottom up. And they didn't give anything up to get Carter, so if they dealt him now, what they get in return would be all "profit."

 

Thoughts?

[carpandean]

Maybe a new player to target here, I'll be honest though and say I didn't read every post in this thread. How about Jeff Carter from Columbus? I know Columbus just got him in free agency, but this can't be what they had in mind so far this season. He is a center and one that can definitely score goals. He costs 5.3 million, but goal scorers cost money. The Blue Jackets would theoretically be a team that would be looking to go with youngsters to try and build their franchise from the bottom up. And they didn't give anything up to get Carter, so if they dealt him now, what they get in return would be all "profit."

 

Thoughts?

 

Check your facts. He was traded from Philly for a good young player (Jakub Voracek), a 1st (7th overall, became Sean Couturier), and a 3rd.

[Eric in Akron]

It's how the Penguins, a bigger market team than Buffalo, got Lemieux AND Crosby. (how does that happen?)

 

Sorry for the late response, but how does that happen? Buffalo had 3 balls in the draft when Pittsburgh (who also had 3 balls) got Crosby. We picked Zagrapan... ugh. Knowing our luck, if we did get first pick Darcy would've taken Zagrapan anyways. :cry:

[wonderbread]

Check your facts. He was traded from Philly a good young player, a 1st, and a 3rd.

\

Bammm!

[SwampD]

Quoted from the GDT

Come - on - lockout!

If I were in charge, I would do everything possible to pull a Pittsburgh; make sure we tank the rest of this season, get the #1 pick, then make sure there is a work stoppage and get another #1 pick.

[carpandean]

If I were in charge, I would do everything possible to pull a Pittsburgh; make sure we tank the rest of this season, get the #1 pick, then make sure there is a work stoppage and get another #1 pick.

 

The second #1 wasn't guaranteed, though. The Sabres had the same shot (# balls in the lottery) at that one as the Penguins did.

[SwampD]

The second #1 wasn't guaranteed, though. The Sabres had the same shot (# balls in the lottery) at that one as the Penguins did.

..sure they did..

[Who Else?]

Quoted from the GDT

 

If I were in charge, I would do everything possible to pull a Pittsburgh; make sure we tank the rest of this season, get the #1 pick, then make sure there is a work stoppage and get another #1 pick.

 

The Penguins tanked more than one season. It was more like five. And how do you know that is not what the Sabres are doing. The deadline hasn't come yet. Thats when the Pens, Caps and Hawks competed for the #1 for about a five year period

[Samson's Flow]

After going to the 'sabres veiwing party' tonight at the F'N Center, I had a sudden realization. Going to all that effort to watch the game made me notice that it was the same as every other game, stupid giveaways, bad 2 on 1 rushes giving up goals and failure to capitalize on scoring chances. It's like watching Groundhog Day where you wake up thinking it will be different but every game is the exact same.

 

What would I do if I were in charge? I would be sellers at the trade deadline, and clear the organization from the cap jail that they are in this season. Sell all the expiring contracts, anyone that the team doesn't recognize as being part of a winning team in 2-3 years. I know this isn't popular as we have been "building" for many years now, but the team has never fully committed to it. Attempting to buy a superstar (Getzlaf, Staal, etc.) is not feasable because in order to bring in someone like that we would need to ship out equal salary and overwhelm the other team with additional talent.

 

I would look to build the team around young, gritty players that want to compete. Anyone else move in order to do a full on philly/boston talent reload with young players. The current crop is just spinning its wheels and will not win a championship ever (IMO). My short list is:

 

Myers

McNabb

Kassian

Adam

 

We are stuck with Vanek, Ehrhoff, Leino long term but with a new cast I feel these guys can be effective players for us when the team is ready to compete.