Buyers or Sellers?

[Lanny]

so I just heard Ruff talking about how we are only 7 pts back and we can still go on a run and make the playoffs... what he forgot to say was in a 7 game series versus any team we will get our butts kicked. Not to mention making a run at this point will screw up our draft but hey as long as the status quo is maintained who cares? right?

I wouldn't expect Ruff or any of the players to think any differently. Win every game, that's their job.

[dEnnis the Menace]

so I just heard Ruff talking about how we are only 7 pts back and we can still go on a run and make the playoffs... what he forgot to say was in a 7 game series versus any team we will get our butts kicked. Not to mention making a run at this point will screw up our draft but hey as long as the status quo is maintained who cares? right? :death:

 

Better than him saying "Hey, we're calling it quits, mailing it in. Everyone get the golf clubs, let's hit the course..."

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Better than him saying "Hey, we're calling it quits, mailing it in. Everyone get the golf clubs, let's hit the course..."

 

180 Hydrocodone for broken ribs tends to make an optimist out of anyone.

[dEnnis the Menace]

180 Hydrocodone for broken ribs tends to make an optimist out of anyone.

 

HAHA! true.

 

But my point was, I don't care where we are in the standings, I don't want to hear my coach saying that we're quitting. The actions of this team speak for themselves...they made their bed, now they must lay in it. To hear the coach giving up in press conferences though, that would be down right embarassing and slap to TP's and TB's faces. That's like if I knew I wasn't getting the "big project" here at work to manage in favor or someone else because of my colleagues and people in my group being incomptent, me telling my boss, "yeah, we effed up, so ummmm, since we're not gonna get where we expected to be, I'm calling it quits on what I'm working on..." It's unprofessional, unsportsman like, and just embarassing.

[CallawaySabres]

There are no centers that Buffalo can upgrade to which are better than Roy (and I HATE ROY). I honestly think the only chance Buffalo has at a true #1 center over the next 2 years is going to be the draft. So basically, you have Ennis at line 1, Roy at Line 2, mid tier center FA for line 3 and Adam at line 4.

[qwksndmonster]

I really want to be sellers this year, and be rid of Derek Roy, but Bucky Gleason of Buffalo News reports that despite some struggles this year, Roy wants to remain in Buffalo.

 

Not that this isn't a standard answer from Roy.

[Weave]

There are no centers that Buffalo can upgrade to which are better than Roy (and I HATE ROY). I honestly think the only chance Buffalo has at a true #1 center over the next 2 years is going to be the draft. So basically, you have Ennis at line 1, Roy at Line 2, mid tier center FA for line 3 and Adam at line 4.

 

I would be perfectly content with a fleet of centers that included Ennis, and Jarrett Stoll. And I won't mind Goose coming back at the same or lower salary. Mikhail Grabovski is out there and wouldn't be a bad stop gap for a #2 center. Chris Kelly might still make it to July 1 and would be a good replacement for Goose. Derrick Brassard was all over the rumor mill earlier this season and could probably get picked up. And now that Dallas is in sell mode I really, really want to see Buffalo throw an offer to the Stars for Steve Ott. He's a decent faceoff guy, a bit better than Goose on the scoresheet, and has all the toughness we needed from Goose earlier this season. So there are options that could stock us at center but not get us an obvious #1. In years past I might've poo-poo'd this idea but Boston showed me that if we have 5 or 6 good wingers we can get by with a fleet of no name but capable centers.

 

If it is me I am selling everything I can this week and go into the offseason with Parise, Grabovski, Ott, and Stoll on my shopping list.

[LGR4GM]

Better than him saying "Hey, we're calling it quits, mailing it in. Everyone get the golf clubs, let's hit the course..."

HAHA! true.

 

But my point was, I don't care where we are in the standings, I don't want to hear my coach saying that we're quitting. The actions of this team speak for themselves...they made their bed, now they must lay in it. To hear the coach giving up in press conferences though, that would be down right embarassing and slap to TP's and TB's faces. That's like if I knew I wasn't getting the "big project" here at work to manage in favor or someone else because of my colleagues and people in my group being incomptent, me telling my boss, "yeah, we effed up, so ummmm, since we're not gonna get where we expected to be, I'm calling it quits on what I'm working on..." It's unprofessional, unsportsman like, and just embarassing.

This team quit sometime in November. A true leader knows himself. I hope behind closed doors Ruff is saying that "this team lacks the consistency, mental toughness, and drive to win so lets make some changes." Its not about blatantly saying "hey we are not going to make" it is about someone taking responsibility and that yet again has not happened. Like I have said before, if 7 days from now this team is the same then there is no redeeming quality left in our GM and if our coach is OK that the GM did nothing, then there is no redeeming him either.

 

 

 

The correct thing to do is sell. It is not to perpetuate the lie that is this season and the belief you could win a series against the Rangers/Boston... because we cant.

 

the Rangers have:

Better forwards, goaltending, defense, and coaching

 

Boston has:

Better defense, goaltending, and offense, and is 10X as tough

 

So NO, I am no longer buying into the delusion that this team is anything other than a bunch of underachieving playboys, who have managed to put together about 4, full 60 minute games this entire season.

 

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security" 5 years since Drury and Briere and we have not won a playoff series sense... How much longer must this piddling continue before someone in this organization puts the pipe down and says "HEY! We need to change the way we do things!"

 

sorry,

/end rant

[TrueBlueGED]

I still can't bring myself to cheer for the Sabres to lose, but I also don't want them being dumb enough to think they can make the playoffs and not sell. Thus, I believe I can bring myself to cheer for all of the other teams to keep winning, so what the Sabres do is irrelevant.

[TrueBlueGED]

180 Hydrocodone for broken ribs tends to make an optimist out of anyone.

 

Hydrocodone is wonderful :wub:

 

I want Ruff to believe they're a playoff team, and I want every single player to believe it too. Their job is to win, not worry about anything else. But I also want Regier to be smart enough to realize they're not a playoff team, and that selling to put is in a strong position heading into the offseason is the best thing for this franchise.

[Eleven]

What it says to me is that most of the top teams that already are probably most likely to win the Cup have a ton of money to spend to help them get even better while the Sabres are fighting not to finish near last in the league and have no money to spend.

 

I think that's what he meant. The team has players to sell, and there are teams who can afford to buy.

 

Worst. Case. Scenario.

 

Not exactly. While I favor a rebuild and getting rid of one jackass as soon as possible, who wouldn't mind a dash to the playoffs? Seriously, that would be cool. Sure, it is VERY unlikely to happen, but it doesn't really matter to me whether they get rid of Stafford next weekend or next July. (Yeah, I would prefer next weekend, but it's not that big a deal as long as he goes.) And if somehow the team were to get within one point of eighth this week, I can just imagine the posts two months from now if they sell and don't make it.

 

(That said, I'd sell, sell, sell.)

[Eleven]

I would be perfectly content with a fleet of centers that included Ennis, and Jarrett Stoll. And I won't mind Goose coming back at the same or lower salary. Mikhail Grabovski is out there and wouldn't be a bad stop gap for a #2 center. Chris Kelly might still make it to July 1 and would be a good replacement for Goose. Derrick Brassard was all over the rumor mill earlier this season and could probably get picked up. And now that Dallas is in sell mode I really, really want to see Buffalo throw an offer to the Stars for Steve Ott. He's a decent faceoff guy, a bit better than Goose on the scoresheet, and has all the toughness we needed from Goose earlier this season. So there are options that could stock us at center but not get us an obvious #1. In years past I might've poo-poo'd this idea but Boston showed me that if we have 5 or 6 good wingers we can get by with a fleet of no name but capable centers.

 

If it is me I am selling everything I can this week and go into the offseason with Parise, Grabovski, Ott, and Stoll on my shopping list.

 

I don't hate your plan, but are you keeping Roy as one of the centers? (I still wouldn't hate it; I see him as having an aberrational year, and with trade value if the Sabres decide to redo it all, but as a decent, if not great, #2C.)

[Weave]

I don't hate your plan, but are you keeping Roy as one of the centers? (I still wouldn't hate it; I see him as having an aberrational year, and with trade value if the Sabres decide to redo it all, but as a decent, if not great, #2C.)

 

I don't care to keep Roy on this team. I have no clue if he really is a cancer or not. What I do know is what I have seen from him over the years and I don't like the effort, grit, or level of compete along the boards and for loose pucks that I see from him. He plays a soft game and disappears in the playoffs. I would rather the devil I don't know over Roy at this point.

[Weave]

I think that's what he meant. The team has players to sell, and there are teams who can afford to buy.

 

 

 

Not exactly. While I favor a rebuild and getting rid of one jackass as soon as possible, who wouldn't mind a dash to the playoffs? Seriously, that would be cool. Sure, it is VERY unlikely to happen, but it doesn't really matter to me whether they get rid of Stafford next weekend or next July. (Yeah, I would prefer next weekend, but it's not that big a deal as long as he goes.) And if somehow the team were to get within one point of eighth this week, I can just imagine the posts two months from now if they sell and don't make it.

 

(That said, I'd sell, sell, sell.)

 

Now is the time to get rid of the expiring contracts, not in the Summer. Deciding to get nothing for our expiring contracts two seasons in a row when it is obvious that the team goes nowhere even if they manage to get into the top 8 is an unforgivable act IMO.

 

Like I said, a run towards 8 and a consequent buy position at the deadline is a worst case scenario for the lead up to next season.

[Eleven]

Now is the time to get rid of the expiring contracts, not in the Summer. Deciding to get nothing for our expiring contracts two seasons in a row when it is obvious that the team goes nowhere even if they manage to get into the top 8 is an unforgivable act IMO.

 

Like I said, a run towards 8 and a consequent buy position at the deadline is a worst case scenario for the lead up to next season.

 

Oh, I didn't mean the expiring ones. They go now.

[Eleven]

I don't care to keep Roy on this team. I have no clue if he really is a cancer or not. What I do know is what I have seen from him over the years and I don't like the effort, grit, or level of compete along the boards and for loose pucks that I see from him. He plays a soft game and disappears in the playoffs. I would rather the devil I don't know over Roy at this point.

 

Fair enough; it just seemed that your proposed roster was lacking a C, so I was wondering if he was a "keeper" for you.

 

He's not, for me, but I do need a player and not a prospect/pick for him.

[JJFIVEOH]

I still can't bring myself to cheer for the Sabres to lose, but I also don't want them being dumb enough to think they can make the playoffs and not sell. Thus, I believe I can bring myself to cheer for all of the other teams to keep winning, so what the Sabres do is irrelevant.

 

I want them to do all they can to make the playoffs as well as the rest of the teams to slide. I look forward to the last month of the season whether you're a team pushing for the last playoff spot, or a team already going and you get to watch and see who your first round opponent is. Not to mention the fun of being in the playoffs. I'd rather not be watching games with a month to go knowing they're meaningless. Getting a top draft pick does not guaranty you a superstar player. The chances are a tad bit better, but going over the last 10-15 years of the draft many superstars come out of the bottom of the first round if not well beyond that. I'd rather pick 14th and make the playoffs than pick 5th and have to play spoiler the last month of the season.

[Weave]

Fair enough; it just seemed that your proposed roster was lacking a C, so I was wondering if he was a "keeper" for you.

 

He's not, for me, but I do need a player and not a prospect/pick for him.

 

Ennis, Grabovski, Stoll, Ott, Adam if need be.

[Weave]

Oh, I didn't mean the expiring ones. They go now.

 

Ahh. Did not get that vibe from your post.

 

I will say that if I can get what I consider fair value for the likes of Stafford, Roy, Gerbe, Leopold on deadline day there is no way I wait until July and risk no deal getting done. IMO priority #1 is setting up for next season. If a playoff run fits into priority #1 than fine.

[Eleven]

Ennis, Grabovski, Stoll, Ott, Adam if need be.

 

I don't hate your plan, but this is not what I want the C depth chart to look like, at all.

[JJFIVEOH]

Not that Connolly helped much last year, but DR kept him because of a potential playoff run. I wouldn't be against holding on to Goose. Now Boyes on the other hand, if DR can get a 9th round pick for him I say GO FOR IT.

[Weave]

I don't hate your plan, but this is not what I want the C depth chart to look like, at all.

 

It isn't my ideal either. But I don't think trading for a #1 is a realistic option anymore. If I am wrong and there is a deal to be made for a real upgrade over Roy than I am more than willing to amend this idea. Failing a trade for an upgrade, this would be my plan for the offseason.

[TrueBlueGED]

I want them to do all they can to make the playoffs as well as the rest of the teams to slide. I look forward to the last month of the season whether you're a team pushing for the last playoff spot, or a team already going and you get to watch and see who your first round opponent is. Not to mention the fun of being in the playoffs. I'd rather not be watching games with a month to go knowing they're meaningless. Getting a top draft pick does not guaranty you a superstar player. The chances are a tad bit better, but going over the last 10-15 years of the draft many superstars come out of the bottom of the first round if not well beyond that. I'd rather pick 14th and make the playoffs than pick 5th and have to play spoiler the last month of the season.

 

I want my coach and players to give 110% to make the playoffs. As a fan it would be a fun run to watch. But at the same time, I want my management to be smarter than that. I want them to recognize the team as constructed is seriously flawed, and the best thing would be to sell assets to acquire picks/prospects and hopefully unload a slacker or two and free up money going into the offseason. Management has to recognize opportunities when they are available and be able to objectively evaluate the team's position, they can't just ra ra for in ill-fated run at the #8 seed.

[Eleven]

I want my coach and players to give 110% to make the playoffs. As a fan it would be a fun run to watch. But at the same time, I want my management to be smarter than that. I want them to recognize the team as constructed is seriously flawed, and the best thing would be to sell assets to acquire picks/prospects and hopefully unload a slacker or two and free up money going into the offseason. Management has to recognize opportunities when they are available and be able to objectively evaluate the team's position, they can't just ra ra for in ill-fated run at the #8 seed.

 

Jack Kemp: Well, the whole thing boils down to leadership, Pat. You know, when I played quarterback for the old Buffalo Bills, I gave 110%, and that inspired the guys around me to give 110% or better. The same thing applies to this budget - with the proper leadership, you can get that budget to give 150%! That means that you can spend 80% on the military, 40% on education, and still have 30% left over for rebuilding our infrastructure!

[Weave]

I want my coach and players to give 110% to make the playoffs. As a fan it would be a fun run to watch. But at the same time, I want my management to be smarter than that. I want them to recognize the team as constructed is seriously flawed, and the best thing would be to sell assets to acquire picks/prospects and hopefully unload a slacker or two and free up money going into the offseason. Management has to recognize opportunities when they are available and be able to objectively evaluate the team's position, they can't just ra ra for in ill-fated run at the #8 seed.

 

This about sums it up for me. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of confidence that management looks to next season if the team tightens up the race this week.