What would you do if you were in charge?

[darksabre]

 

But now that he's broken, just how many offers will come in for him?

 

(Please note, I haven't heard the severity of Roy's injury, nor the expected duration of him being out of the lineup. Here's to hoping it's short term.)

 

Maybe he's not even hurt. Maybe they're holding him out...

 

A girl can dream...

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Maybe he's not even hurt. Maybe they're holding him out...

 

A girl can dream...

 

You are freaking me out ... I thought the exact same thing.

[LGR4GM]

Would you still not trade Vanek for him?

Would I trade Vanek for Shea Weber is that the question? The answer is if it was straight up yes, but considering the Sabres are so deep at defense it borders on ridiculous and also that the scoring ability of this team is almost non existent, no at this moment in time I would not trade Vanek + stuff for Weber which is what it would take.

 

Remember it is not about looking for the best players its about finding the right ones. If you look at our younger players they appear to be more of the "right" ones.

Myers, Kassian, Gerbe, McNabb, Adam, etc... these are the guys who will lead this team and who seem to work well and hard together. I just hope Pegula gives them a fresh start with a new GM and a new Coach.

[Randall Flagg]

i'd say much of the AHL talent on roster would be attractive as well as some salary dump guys as a combo.

 

Dumping Leino would be a bold move and send a message through the organization and NHL community about how serious things are.

Dumping Leino would also signify the end of any free agents wanting to come here for the foreseeable future.

[RazielSabre]

Tuomo Ruutu anyone? Carolina is looking to get rid some of their upcoming UFA's before the deadline.

 

Center. Tough. Hits. Fights.

Yer I'd be happy with him on the 4th line. Rather him than Ellis or McCormick for me.

[darksabre]

 

Yer I'd be happy with him on the 4th line. Rather him than Ellis or McCormick for me.

 

And that's about all that trade does for us, unfortunately.

 

I'd even go out on a limb and take Avery off of waivers.

 

Avery and Ruutu > McCormick and Ellis.

 

Edit: before I look like an idiot, obviously he would actually have to be on waivers first.

[Marvelo]

I'd field an all WNY team. Most athletes don't want to go to Buffalo and don't get Buffalo. You hear the potshots. Buffalo is a joke to the rest of the country, a punchline. I'd be willing to bet many of this current roster would rather be somewhere else. Maybe a few of them hate Buffalo. I think it would be an interesting experiment to just go with regional players. I think these types of players would understand what it takes to play for the city of Buffalo.

[Eleven]

I'd field an all WNY team. Most athletes don't want to go to Buffalo and don't get Buffalo. You hear the potshots. Buffalo is a joke to the rest of the country, a punchline. I'd be willing to bet many of this current roster would rather be somewhere else. Maybe a few of them hate Buffalo. I think it would be an interesting experiment to just go with regional players. I think these types of players would understand what it takes to play for the city of Buffalo.

 

Do you have any idea how many former hockey players call Buffalo home?

[darksabre]

 

 

Do you have any idea how many former hockey players call Buffalo home?

 

I often wonder about this line of thought as well though. Sure a bunch of our former guys call this place home, but are we different from any other city with an NHL team in that respect? Might there be just as many guys calling the suburbs of Montreal or Pittsburgh or Dallas home?

[Bmwolf21]

An interesting examination of the Vanek-for-Lucic debate that some have had:

 

 

If Orr can't stick in Toronto, where I wouldn't be shocked to learn that GM Brian Burke has a "truculence" stencil on the wall behind his desk, there aren't many places left for guys like him. But don't think Orr's dismissal marks the end of fighting or the end of toughness. Far from it -- it merely marks the shift. The pure fighter is the past.

 

The fighter-scorer, however, is the future. He's also among the most coveted player types in hockey right now.

 

Last year's Boston Bruins were the quintessential example of what can happen if the players providing your toughness are versatile. It wasn't just that Boston had guys that could drop the gloves -- it's that those guys were still plenty effective when they held onto their equipment.

The Bruins had two players finish in double digits in fighting majors in 2010-11 -- Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell -- and both those players finished in double digits in goals as well. Thornton had 10 goals and 14 majors; Campbell had 13 and 11.

 

Let me put into perspective how impressive this is: there were only seven players in the entire NHL that reached 10 goals and 10 majors in 2010-11, and Boston had two of them.

 

 

http://sports.yahoo...._medium=twitter

[Tom]

Keep Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Meyers and McNabb. Dangle the rest. If not that route, how about trying Ted Nolan as coach again?

[fan2456]

Too easy. Linde and Darcy. If you want my reason see my post in crisis string. I won't bore you with it by rewriting it.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Keep Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Meyers and McNabb. Dangle the rest. If not that route, how about trying Ted Nolan as coach again?

 

Welcome to the board. Please change your avitar to anything but Timmy ... :P

 

I have made clear my feelings concerning Nolan ... I am not opposed to bringing him back as coach.

 

As for your idea on who to keep and I am not being an ass (although many on the board would attest that I am) but posing a legit question ... who do you think we could possibly get in a trade if you want to keep any "good" players and dangle the not so good players who we have issues with? Just wondering how we could better the team in the immediate.

[Who Else?]

Keep Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Meyers and McNabb. Dangle the rest. If not that route, how about trying Ted Nolan as coach again?

 

Gaustad? Really? You just want to keep him to trade for future considerations (a bag of pucks)?

[fan2456]

Keep Vanek, Pominville, Gaustad, Meyers and McNabb. Dangle the rest. If not that route, how about trying Ted Nolan as coach again?

Get a new GM and coach to bring a fresh acessment of these guys. No one short of McNabb, Meyers, Kassian and until I see him develop, Foligno, should be off the list. News Flash: This isn't the first year post lockout NHL. PLEASE don't tell Regier, as he may die of shock. LOL!

 

Gaustad? Really? You just want to keep him to trade for future considerations (a bag of pucks)?

I don't think you could get a bag of pucks for him unless someone is trying to fill their AHL roster.

[Huckleberry]

meh im not hoping anything will get done before trade deadline even.

pegula will pobably let lindy and darcy ride out the already lost season and make an assesment then.

[Who Else?]

meh im not hoping anything will get done before trade deadline even.

pegula will pobably let lindy and darcy ride out the already lost season and make an assesment then.

 

A complete top to bottom review?

This sounds like deja vu. I thought we got rid of Quinn.

[LGR4GM]

Get a new GM and coach to bring a fresh acessment of these guys. No one short of McNabb, Meyers, Kassian and until I see him develop, Foligno, should be off the list. News Flash: This isn't the first year post lockout NHL. PLEASE don't tell Regier, as he may die of shock. LOL!

 

I don't think you could get a bag of pucks for him unless someone is trying to fill their AHL roster.

Myers no extra E.

 

I am picking on you because in the last 48 hours I've seen mEyers at least 4 times and I am sorry but out of all the players on this team his name needs to be spelled correctly.

 

Darcy has to go and Ruff too. The more I think and read up on the matter the more it becomes clear. The style of hockey being played in buffalo is defunct and the players seem to lack energy... time for a rebuild.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Myers no extra E.

 

I am picking on you because in the last 48 hours I've seen mEyers at least 4 times and I am sorry but out of all the players on this team his name needs to be spelled correctly.

 

Darcy has to go and Ruff too. The more I think and read up on the matter the more it becomes clear. The style of hockey being played in buffalo is defunct and the players seem to lack energy... time for a rebuild.

 

Give the kid a break. I think he got the others right ... :P

 

That's Buffalo ... :P

[5th line wingnutt]

What I would do, thoughts on the Sabres:

 

</serious on>

 

We need to focus on the ultimate goal, which everyone agrees, is winning the Cup. Therefore, we need to separate short term goals from long term goals. I am assuming that we are not good enough to win the cup this year, barring a miracle. Therefore the correct mode is to forget instant gratification (be patient, grasshopper) and think long term:

 

No trades right now as we are in a position of weakness, and cannot get good value. Get injured players back, right the ship (if that is possible), and wait for the trade deadline. Near the trade deadline make a big decision. The decision involves whether or not the current core group is good enough to eventually win the cup.

 

If yes, then Plan A: Make any trade that makes us better long term, no rent-a-player deals.

 

If no, then Plan B: Blow the team up at the trade deadline and maybe later at the draft. Really, really blow them up, and yes, this means your favorite player, the guy you root for, and whose jersey you wear. It also means the player you love to hate. They are both expendable.

 

</snark on>

 

We have available some UFA rent-a-players, Boyes, Gaustad, and Hecht for the standard second round pick.

 

We also have some almost really good puck moving defensemen; Ehrhoff, Sekera, and Gragnani available, your choice, again for only a second rounder. For the next thirty minutes get any two for a first rounder and a mid-level prospect with free shipping and handling.

 

We have a pair of mighty mites who can add some speed and scoring depth, available for a second and a third, and you can have both for a first.

 

We also have Regehr, a capable defensive defenseman and physical presence who is offered for two second round picks, but call in the next thirty minutes, and we will throw a fourth round draft pick,

 

We have a Weber and a Leopold available for the one-time, low-offer price of a second rounder.

 

We have some bargain basement top six guys like Stafford and Roy available for a first rounder. Additional considerations may apply for for some teams without a pick in the top 15.

 

And lastly we have some almost top shelf merchandise. We offer P-ville for a first, and a second or good prospect, Miller for two first rounders and a backup (west coast teams may need to bid more based on the poon-tang factor). We have a Vanek (Austrian for “scoring forward who comes to play”) for two first rounders (but at least one of them must be a lottery pick). We also have Myers, a truly talented but about to be overpaid defenseman, available for a first and a second and a third (you will either need some cash on hand to complete this deal, or have to wait until July 2, when the price will increase to a two firsts).

 

But wait, there is still more! We can take your overpaid or underachieving player back to make this work, salary cap wise. No reasonable offer refused (additional considerations and conditions may apply, not all buyers will qualify, no take back player can be signed beyond next season). Additional younger players/prospects are available for “the right price”. Make us an offer for some depth guys like McCormik, or Kaleta, as sweeteners to clinch a deal. Will accept 2013/2014 draft picks from some buyers but additional charges may apply. Additional incentives may be available depending on your probable draft position. Call 1-ARGHH-Sabres for full details of this amazing one time deadline offer. Be the first in your division to acquire an underachieving Sabre. But wait! There is still more… enter our secret code (available on our infomercial on MSG) and get a coupon good for a free AHL player (certain restrictions may apply).

 

<{/snark off>

 

I looked at the standings and blowing the team up also means our first rounder is a probable lottery pick ... and a high second rounder It also means a couple of other first and second rounders this year and next. We will really suck next year and get another lottery pick. We will not trade all our young players and prospects. They are not infected by “Sabres Softness Syndrome”. These players, plus two lottery picks, plus two or three additional first rounders, plus three or four additional second rounders, and a few carefully chosen free agents could make a really good team.

 

I have no faith in Plan A so I vote for Plan B.

 

Sabres Softness Syndrome needs to be addressed by Darcy/Lindy. Otherwise they need to be replaced. Should they be replaced before blowing the team up, after the blow up, or not at all. If replaced, then by whom?

 

</serious off>

[Marvelo]

What I would do, thoughts on the Sabres:

 

</serious on>

 

We need to focus on the ultimate goal, which everyone agrees, is winning the Cup. Therefore, we need to separate short term goals from long term goals. I am assuming that we are not good enough to win the cup this year, barring a miracle. Therefore the correct mode is to forget instant gratification (be patient, grasshopper) and think long term:

 

No trades right now as we are in a position of weakness, and cannot get good value. Get injured players back, right the ship (if that is possible), and wait for the trade deadline. Near the trade deadline make a big decision. The decision involves whether or not the current core group is good enough to eventually win the cup.

 

If yes, then Plan A: Make any trade that makes us better long term, no rent-a-player deals.

 

If no, then Plan B: Blow the team up at the trade deadline and maybe later at the draft. Really, really blow them up, and yes, this means your favorite player, the guy you root for, and whose jersey you wear. It also means the player you love to hate. They are both expendable.

 

</snark on>

 

We have available some UFA rent-a-players, Boyes, Gaustad, and Hecht for the standard second round pick.

 

We also have some almost really good puck moving defensemen; Ehrhoff, Sekera, and Gragnani available, your choice, again for only a second rounder. For the next thirty minutes get any two for a first rounder and a mid-level prospect with free shipping and handling.

 

We have a pair of mighty mites who can add some speed and scoring depth, available for a second and a third, and you can have both for a first.

 

We also have Regehr, a capable defensive defenseman and physical presence who is offered for two second round picks, but call in the next thirty minutes, and we will throw a fourth round draft pick,

 

We have a Weber and a Leopold available for the one-time, low-offer price of a second rounder.

 

We have some bargain basement top six guys like Stafford and Roy available for a first rounder. Additional considerations may apply for for some teams without a pick in the top 15.

 

And lastly we have some almost top shelf merchandise. We offer P-ville for a first, and a second or good prospect, Miller for two first rounders and a backup (west coast teams may need to bid more based on the poon-tang factor). We have a Vanek (Austrian for “scoring forward who comes to play”) for two first rounders (but at least one of them must be a lottery pick). We also have Myers, a truly talented but about to be overpaid defenseman, available for a first and a second and a third (you will either need some cash on hand to complete this deal, or have to wait until July 2, when the price will increase to a two firsts).

 

But wait, there is still more! We can take your overpaid or underachieving player back to make this work, salary cap wise. No reasonable offer refused (additional considerations and conditions may apply, not all buyers will qualify, no take back player can be signed beyond next season). Additional younger players/prospects are available for “the right price”. Make us an offer for some depth guys like McCormik, or Kaleta, as sweeteners to clinch a deal. Will accept 2013/2014 draft picks from some buyers but additional charges may apply. Additional incentives may be available depending on your probable draft position. Call 1-ARGHH-Sabres for full details of this amazing one time deadline offer. Be the first in your division to acquire an underachieving Sabre. But wait! There is still more… enter our secret code (available on our infomercial on MSG) and get a coupon good for a free AHL player (certain restrictions may apply).

 

<{/snark off>

 

I looked at the standings and blowing the team up also means our first rounder is a probable lottery pick ... and a high second rounder It also means a couple of other first and second rounders this year and next. We will really suck next year and get another lottery pick. We will not trade all our young players and prospects. They are not infected by “Sabres Softness Syndrome”. These players, plus two lottery picks, plus two or three additional first rounders, plus three or four additional second rounders, and a few carefully chosen free agents could make a really good team.

 

I have no faith in Plan A so I vote for Plan B.

 

Sabres Softness Syndrome needs to be addressed by Darcy/Lindy. Otherwise they need to be replaced. Should they be replaced before blowing the team up, after the blow up, or not at all. If replaced, then by whom?

 

</serious off>

 

get therapy.

[Eleven]

What I would do, thoughts on the Sabres:

 

</serious on>

 

We need to focus on the ultimate goal, which everyone agrees, is winning the Cup. Therefore, we need to separate short term goals from long term goals.

 

 

Had to snip the rest of it, but this point is very important. Anyone who expected a Cup out of this roster is deluded. And anyone who expected the Sabres to turnover a roster with this many holes in one summer is equally deluded. There was one top center in FA last summer, and he wasn't going anywhere that didn't either end in a K or begin with a T.

 

That said, the silence out of Darcy's office is more than just an annoyance, at this point. He needs to do his job, and he needs to do it NOW.

[mudberry]

I feel as though we have too many offensive defensemen. Sekera and Gragnani make too many mistakes and haven't put up enough numbers to justify being here. They simply make me nervous when they are in the defensive zone. Ehrhoff hasn't done much but I don't think trading him is a posibility, and I haven't been completely displeased with him either. Leopold has been pretty solid both ways and Myers is good offensively and defensivly. I would rather keep those three as offensive defensemen, and have the rest be stay at home types. By the way, McNabb has been great.

I would love to see what we could get for Roy and Stafford. I wanted to give Roy the benefit of the doubt after having such a strong showing last year, but he hasn't shown it lately. Stafford seems to be good at times, but never consistent. I would take a couple of lesser players for one of him. I'm leaning on a Miller trade. I'm not sure how much time is too much to prove his worth. He's still a name that GM's would drool over even if his numbers don't back it up. I'd also like to bring Ted Nolan back.

[nfreeman]

Am I the only one who thought they actually played pretty well vs. Winnipeg? They just seemed to have quite a bit more jump and they seemed to create more scoring chances.

 

Enroth looked really good.

 

And Myers made it clear (to me, anyway) that he continues to be the best player on the team. Getting him back is a big step in the right direction.

 

They still need, desperately, a shakeup in the top 6, but I was encouraged by what I saw.

 

Am I kidding myself?

[fan2456]

Had to snip the rest of it, but this point is very important. Anyone who expected a Cup out of this roster is deluded. And anyone who expected the Sabres to turnover a roster with this many holes in one summer is equally deluded. There was one top center in FA last summer, and he wasn't going anywhere that didn't either end in a K or begin with a T.

 

That said, the silence out of Darcy's office is more than just an annoyance, at this point. He needs to do his job, and he needs to do it NOW.

 

But, and I think it is avery big BUT, does he have the vision to build a team that can win the cup in the current NHL? His track record of 14+ years answers that question with a resounding NO.