Sabres want to re-sign Girgensons according to Lance! Seriously? Why?

[Scottysabres]

Oh boy. I just don't see the reason for it. We know what he is. We, of all fan bases, know what he is.

HEY ADAMS, DO BETTER!!!

[DarthEbriate]

On 6/12/2024 at 12:13 PM, ... said:

If Girgensons is re-signed, I expect the real Lindy Ruff to be held captive in the arena's basement while the Lindy Ruff clone makes Z the second line center.

And naturally, if you’re paying a 4th liner what Z has made, it’s because they’re elite at something. Physicality. Selke votes. Former 1st liner with a Cup. Face off expert. 

Good player, but Girgensons is not elite at anything. Now… veteran minimum salary? Sure. 

[JohnC]

3 hours ago, Pimlach said:

Is he a good 4th line player for us?   Sometimes, he is.   He is one of the few grown ups on the team, and one of the few with a physical game.  

He style of play is suitable for 4th line -  yes it us, for sure. 

 My problem is the ten years and no winning thing.  Its not his fault, but maybe we need to flush out the last remaining piece of the Ron Rolston era?   

If we keep him then no big deal, but I think we can improve upon him and maybe for a bit less money too.  

I think with him the issue is more does he want to stay in this environment or does he want a fresh start somewhere else. He's certainly not a central player, but he can be a contributor on the fourth line. He also can contribute as a PK player. We both can agree that whether he stays or not we still need an infusion of new players to better balance the roster and change the chemistry of the roster. For the most part, I would say we are mostly in accord. 

[French Collection]

I like Girgs but I am ready to move on and he might be too. I think he is still an NHL 4th liner but there must be better options for the $2.5M he was paid.

[JohnC]

15 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

I don't think the issue was Girgs being retained last year. I think the issue was him AND Jost AND Okposo being retained.  Girgs is a very good 4th liner.  You don't need him gone to upgrade the 4th line, you need him here with the other 2 spots being upgraded.

Most people would agree that Okposo was at the end of his fading career. It just would have been a difficult/harsh thing to do was to cut him (little value on the market) sooner than when they did trade him to Florida for a small return. The GM handled this delicate situation with class and dignity for this loyal and class guy. Okposo was asked if he was willing to be dealt (or it could have been vice versa?) to a team that was a serious cup contender. In general, I thought it was handled properly. The point I'm making is that there was a human element to the Okposo situation. 

[French Collection]

20 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Most people would agree that Okposo was at the end of his fading career. It just would have been a difficult/harsh thing to do was to cut him (little value on the market) sooner than when they did trade him to Florida for a small return. The GM handled this delicate situation with class and dignity for this loyal and class guy. Okposo was asked if he was willing to be dealt (or it could have been vice versa?) to a team that was a serious cup contender. In general, I thought it was handled properly. The point I'm making is that there was a human element to the Okposo situation. 

I won’t rule out his return, in a non playing capacity.

[mjd1001]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

Most people would agree that Okposo was at the end of his fading career. It just would have been a difficult/harsh thing to do was to cut him (little value on the market) sooner than when they did trade him to Florida for a small return. The GM handled this delicate situation with class and dignity for this loyal and class guy. Okposo was asked if he was willing to be dealt (or it could have been vice versa?) to a team that was a serious cup contender. In general, I thought it was handled properly. The point I'm making is that there was a human element to the Okposo situation. 

I'm not talking about cutting him, I was talking about the decision to bring him back last year in the first place.  You could tell he was 'fading' 2 years ago. He finished the season with 2 goals in his last 18 games then, and several games he had his ice time cut to the 12 minute range (or less).  I don't think the issue was you cut him, I think the issue was bringing him back.

Zemgus still is one of the fastest skaters on this team and the skills he does have (whatever your view of them is), well, they aren't really fading yet. Okposo, it was an issue that many thought they could already see.  The team might have been better if they parted ways with him before last season began.

[WhenWillItEnd66]

Do i think we should resign him? No. Would i throw myself on the ground if we did? Nope. He brings it every game. Give him some good line mates and i have zero probs with him on the 4th line. 

[Weave]

Z with a hard nosed RW and a gritty faceoff guy at center would be a hell of an effective line.

It comes down to price really, and from my standpoint, I don’t care at all about the actual number as long as there is room for the hard nosed RW and center.

[Demoted]

So b.c he is selling his house is the OPs reason to not resign him?  Sabres being bad has destroyed the brains of Sabres fans.

[DarthEbriate]

On 6/12/2024 at 11:17 AM, DarthEbriate said:

On the plus side, he does have an awesome name and nickname. 

With Ruff as coach, don’t be surprised to see Zemgus (if re-signed) higher in the lineup than expected. Or rather, with linemates you might qualify as 2nd liners. Ruff sometimes rolls an all-4th line, but he also mixes and matches based on role, not scoring. Think back to Gaustad on Drury’s line. 

I made it back to my real computer where I track this sort of silliness.

A better Ruffian example of line construction is at the end of the 2011-12 season (yes, I know it's not a playoff team, it's a heroic run to 9th lineup with hot-baby-Foligno). PP time is what got the offensive players the extra minutes -- Tropp was on Vanek's line but not getting PP time.

Girgensons could move around a Ruff team. (I'm still not advocating re-signing Z, but with the new old coach I can easily see a spot for him.)

Leino - Roy - Pominville
Vanek - Hodgson - Tropp
Foligno - Ennis - Stafford
Gerbe - McCormick - Kaleta
(scr: Boyes)

[GASabresIUFAN]

3 hours ago, Demoted said:

So b.c he is selling his house is the OPs reason to not resign him?  Sabres being bad has destroyed the brains of Sabres fans.

The selling the house is an indication that he wants to go. 

I don’t know if he can revive his career here with the return of Ruff and I don’t care.  He needs to go.  

The Sabres brass keep talking about a “new” standard in Buffalo. I assume this means winning is the most important thing, the only thing.  

The means the old standard was “don’t worry be happy” and winning doesn’t really matter.   No wonder they didn’t win.   

Girgensons was part of the internal leadership group for this 3rd failing rebuild and he just isn’t a good NHL hockey player.  He is also overpaid for his production and line assignment.  

It’s time for him to go.  He knows it and hopefully Adams knows it as well.  

[JohnC]

30 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

The selling the house is an indication that he wants to go. 

I don’t know if he can revive his career here with the return of Ruff and I don’t care.  He needs to go.  

The Sabres brass keep talking about a “new” standard in Buffalo. I assume this means winning is the most important thing, the only thing.  

The means the old standard was “don’t worry be happy” and winning doesn’t really matter.   No wonder they didn’t win.   

Girgensons was part of the internal leadership group for this 3rd failing rebuild and he just isn’t a good NHL hockey player.  He is also overpaid for his production and line assignment.  

It’s time for him to go.  He knows it and hopefully Adams knows it as well.  

I don't understand your fixation on this particular player. Your point that he was part of a failed 3rd rebuild doesn't resonate with me. So were a lot of players who will be on this season's roster! Are you arguing that Dahlin should be sent packing because he has been part of this failed reconstruction? Of course you are not. 

Girgs is a fourth line player, nothing more. He's an earnest player who consistently plays hard. And he is a good PK player. If he remains with the Sabres it will be as a fourth line player who plays that role well. So why are you so zealous about dispatching him for a player who most likely plays a similar game and isn't better?

I'm not arguing to keep him or not. I don't believe that it is a consequential decision. But what I'm not going to do is point the finger at an honest player (as you are doing) who has nothing to do with the underperformance of this team.  It's indisputable that this roster needs some reshaping. However you want to look at it, he's not the problem, and never has been. 

Edited June 15 by JohnC

[GASabresIUFAN]

10 hours ago, JohnC said:

I don't understand your fixation on this particular player. Your point that he was part of a failed 3rd rebuild doesn't resonate with me. So were a lot of players who will be on this season's roster! Are you arguing that Dahlin should be sent packing because he has been part of this failed reconstruction? Of course you are not. 

He is a symbol of what is wrong with this organization and what has been wrong with this team for a decade. He has been specifically mentioned by management as part of the locker room leadership group.  Adams has re-signed this guy twice already with diminishingly results.  

The truth is I’m open to moving any player on the Sabres in the right deal.   Benson, JJP, Dahlin and Levi would be hardest to pry loose, but nobody is beyond being traded.  I look at the Panthers, see where they are, look at the aggressive moves it took to get there, and realize there are no scared cows.  

That said, I’m also a realist.  KA isn’t likely to move any of his guys.  But he does have to opportunity to make major changes by simply letting at the FAs walk, except UPL.  That opens 5-6 roster spots that can be upgraded including potentially a top 4 D and a 2/3C.  We have a thread on grit, and with the rest of those roster spots he needs to find new people, who didn’t marinate in our losing culture for a decade, to bring grit and work ethic to a team sorely lacking it.

Edited June 16 by GASabresIUFAN

[Demoted]

10 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

He is a symbol of what is wrong with this organization and what has been wrong with this team for a decade

You can say that with certain fans as well.

[JoeSchmoe]

2 hours ago, JohnC said:

Girgs is a fourth line player, nothing more. He's an earnest player who consistently plays hard. And he is a good PK player. If he remains with the Sabres it will be as a fourth line player who plays that role well. So why are you so zealous about dispatching him for a player who most likely plays a similar game and isn't better?

Don't confuse the fact that he plays on the PK with him actually being good. He is a terrible hockey player who's been single digit assists for the last 4 year.

[GASabresIUFAN]

59 minutes ago, Demoted said:

You can say that with certain fans as well.

Thank you for admitting that you are one of those fans that accepts a terrible on ice product.  

Edited June 15 by GASabresIUFAN

[PerreaultForever]

Based on his actual value I'd say he owes them 1.5 million from last year so if he wants to sign a negative dollar contract happy to have him back. Otherwise let him go to Philly (they just signed some young Latvian, they can do vodka shots together on road trips).

[Flashsabre]

I would let him move on.  He gives you what he has. He is just so associated with the no playoff streak here. There are just so many 4th line players in the marketplace that some fresh blood that offer a little different makeup would be welcome.

[Believer]

On 6/12/2024 at 11:20 AM, JohnC said:

With players like Okposo,  Girgs or Tuch, to a lesser extent, it doesn't matter whether they have that official designation. This type of player leads more by example than by vocally expressing themselves. 

Really?

I’d like to know which of these players let their example lead the team to diss the fans for two weeks. 

If it was one or more other players, these three leaders didn’t speak out against it to my knowledge.

Worse, Adams and Granato didn’t say a word until it was over. 

Told me all I needed to know about this team last season.

Hard to believe Adams is still GM.

Rant over.
 

[JohnC]

10 minutes ago, Believer said:

Really?

I’d like to know which of these players let their example lead the team to diss the fans for two weeks. 

If it was one or more other players, these three leaders didn’t speak out against it to my knowledge.

Worse, Adams and Granato didn’t say a word until it was over. 

Told me all I needed to know about this team last season.

Hard to believe Adams is still GM.

Rant over.
 

The "diss" the fans issue was blown out of proportion. The raising or not raising of the sticks became a meaningless gesture. The stark reality is that the team was not only not talented enough but also wasn't well constructed. Too many people got caught up on a meaningless gesture and used that issue to express their frustration with this exasperating franchise. The attention should be on adding talent, playing better and better coaching. Distractions don't lead to solutions. 

[Believer]

6 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Too many people got caught up on a meaningless gesture and used that issue to express their frustration with this exasperating franchise.

The postgame stick raise may be a “meaningless gesture”  but the diss to Sabres fans was not meaningless.

It was purposeful and intended to express the team’s displeasure with the fan’s reaction to their poor effort and poor results.

It was misplaced anger borne of their own frustration.

My remark was about the absence of both player and management leadership as demonstrated pathetically by the late season diss to fans.

I could care less if the Sabres raise sticks to acknowledge fans next season.

I do care if the team disses the fans in any form who pay good money to be entertained.

We can agree the team is poorly constructed and Adams has a last chance to fix it.

We will know the answer shortly.