326 replies to this topic

[fiftyone]

Just wondering if the "what have you done for me lately" phenomenon is making rounds around here. Considering the general attitude towards Darcy leading up to the deadline, have any of your minds' changed (assuming that the Sabres are done now and nothing still has to be finished up) now that the day is over?

Personally I try not to get too high or too low about anything, but I'm pretty happy as a Sabres fan right now. I think Darcy proved a lot of people wrong getting a first round pick for two months of a 4th line center. Of course there is a chance that Nashville could re-sign him, and the Sabres gave up the 4th, but I'm still more than satisfied. Many people didn't think the Sabres could have gotten more than a 2nd for Roy, let alone Gaustad.

Also, it's hard for me to actually look at the Sabres as "sellers" today. I would go as far as saying I think they're now better equipped to make a run at the playoffs this year (not that that is necessarily a high priority) than they were earlier today. To be in that position after also adding a first round pick in the upcoming draft is pretty surprising and equally encouraging.

What do you think?

[d4rksabre]

I like the moves he made today. I still don't like Darcy, but I'm willing to give these moves a chance to work out. It's the first deadline I can remember where he actually addressed a real need on this team.

[LabattBlue]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 04:48 PM, said:

I like the moves he made today. I still don't like Darcy, but I'm willing to give these moves a chance to work out. It's the first deadline I can remember where he actually addressed a real need on this team.

^^^ I'm hopping on this bandwagon.

[d4rksabre]

I'll also be the first to jump on Darcy if these are the only moves he makes before next season. I expect more from him over the summer. A lot more.

[stevecana]

After today, I think it safe to say that Darcy knows how to negotiate. Regardless of what some pinheads may think, we stole Hodgson from the Canucks. Kassian showed little progress this year and can be easily replaced. And getting a FIRST rounder for Gaustad is just ridiculous.

I think Darcy can and will field a championship caliber team. Ruff should be on a much shorter leash, IMO.

[IKnowPhysics]

I'm pretty patient with the front office; I've never really given up on Darcy.  I believe the man got what he wanted at the trade deadline last year, on July 1st, and the trade deadline this year.  It turns out some of those moves were great (Regher, Goose), some were ok (Ehrhoff), and some sucked (Leino, Boyes).  You can't win every battle, even (especially?) in the front office, but the man is capable.

I like the moves today.

Gone:
30 games of Goose
30 games of Marc Andre Gragnani (love this)
Zack Kassian
4th round pick

Get:
Cody Hodgson (like this)
1st round pick (love this)
Alex Sulzer

Time will tell.  If Hodgson is as good as the hate mail from Vancouver is suggesting, DR could look brilliant.  If Kassian transcends into a Lucic and Hodgson goes Leino on us, he'll look pretty stupid.

Edited by IKnowPhysics, 27 February 2012 - 05:02 PM.

[Eleven]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 04:56 PM, said:

I'll also be the first to jump on Darcy if these are the only moves he makes before next season. I expect more from him over the summer. A lot more.

I agree.  We just might see more, too, with those four big cards he's holding.

stevecana, on 27 February 2012 - 04:59 PM, said:

After today, I think it safe to say that Darcy knows how to negotiate. Regardless of what some pinheads may think, we stole Hodgson from the Canucks. Kassian showed little progress this year and can be easily replaced. And getting a FIRST rounder for Gaustad is just ridiculous.

I think Darcy can and will field a championship caliber team. Ruff should be on a much shorter leash, IMO.

I think he knows how to negotiate with other teams.  I can't think of too many deals that turned out badly, and of course, we never will know about the deals not made.  We did see shades of "Old Darcy" today, though, and that was good.

Now, as far as negotiating with his own players is concerned, that seems to be a weakness.

[shrader]

Three common ideas around here really need to be revisited:
1. Darcy does not take risks
2. Darcy overvalues his own players
3. Darcy waits too long to do things

There are obvious question marks for each, but the Hodgson-Kassian deal clearly contradicts ideas 1,2.  Waiting on Guastad looks to be pure brillance right now.  If he does stick around, hopefully there is more of this to come.

[yall]

So am I understanding this correctly; Do we have 5 of the top 45 picks in this year's draft?

[mrm33064]

shrader, on 27 February 2012 - 05:06 PM, said:

Three common ideas around here really need to be revisited:
1. Darcy does not take risks
2. Darcy overvalues his own players
3. Darcy waits too long to do things

There are obvious question marks for each, but the Hodgson-Kassian deal clearly contradicts ideas 1,2.  Waiting on Guastad looks to be pure brillance right now.  If he does stick around, hopefully there is more of this to come.

I think Darcy did a nice job today, but at the same time it's difficult to honestly evaluate some of these nuances without knowing all the facts, not the least of which is knowing what deals were available (today and historically) that weren't made, etc.

All we're left with is seeing what actually did get done (or didn't get done, e.g. players we lost) and - ultimately - what his teams have accomplished.

[will]

personally, i feel this cody/kassian deal looks like a mirror image of briere/gratton from 9 years ago.  sure, time will tell, but if only ever deal darcy made were like this/that...he'd be the best gm in the league.  alas...we still have leino on the squad, and stafford comfortable with his 4mil/yr contract.

so no, my opinion hasn't changed.  it's always been teetering on the fence, and it continues to do so, even with this new "break the bank" mentality.

[waldo]

Nope...Distraction trades... Gaustad and a 4th for a 1st and  Kassian for a small young center ...big deal.. we can all wait  five years to see if the trade and the 1st work.. Sulzer.. another AHL  defenseman? a 1st..more ahl fodder.  Mags essentially goes for nothing..... I guess it was good for Kassian that he gets to escape Ruff's influence. Hope his trade turns out to be something like the Yankees decision to trade  Ian Kennedy.

Miller, Pom , Vanek , Reghr and Hoff should be begging  to go before next year , if they are smart. This is going to be another ten year rebuilding process.They will all be old and grey before they get another shot at the cup.

Edited by waldo, 27 February 2012 - 05:30 PM.

[shrader]

mrm33064, on 27 February 2012 - 05:16 PM, said:

I think Darcy did a nice job today, but at the same time it's difficult to honestly evaluate some of these nuances without knowing all the facts, not the least of which is knowing what deals were available (today and historically) that weren't made, etc.

All we're left with is seeing what actually did get done (or didn't get done, e.g. players we lost) and - ultimately - what his teams have accomplished.

Sure, you can't know all the little nuances, but if you're saying that to counter my idea, you're stretching quite a bit.  The Kassian deal is clearly a bit of a gamble.  And it may be possible that they could have gotten a better return for Gaustad at some other time, but what exactly would that deal have been?

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

shrader, on 27 February 2012 - 05:06 PM, said:

Three common ideas around here really need to be revisited:
1. Darcy does not take risks
2. Darcy overvalues his own players
3. Darcy waits too long to do things

There are obvious question marks for each, but the Hodgson-Kassian deal clearly contradicts ideas 1,2.  Waiting on Guastad looks to be pure brillance right now.  If he does stick around, hopefully there is more of this to come.

Gaustad is fine, but so would have been Connolly, Montador and Stafford last year.

The entire year was tanked after having $80 million in salaries. Is it really a celebration to squeak an extra 15 spots out of a draft pick for a guy after watching an entire season go down in flames?

Maybe he learned a little bit and they will get Doan/Iginla...those types of guys in here in the offseason. If not, it's just another pull of a slot machine.

[d4rksabre]

waldo, on 27 February 2012 - 05:18 PM, said:

Nope...Distraction trades... Gaustad and a 4th for a 1st and a Kassian for a small young center ...big deal.. we can all wait  five years to see if the trades work.. Sulzer.. another AHL  defenseman?  Mags essentially goes for nothing..... I guess it was good for Kassian that he gets to escape Ruff's influence. Hope this trade turns out like the Yankees trade of Ian Kennedy.

How does 6' - 190lbs at 22 translate into small? He sure doesn't look small to me.

http://blogs.theprov...ded-out-of-van/

[Formerly Allan in MD]

I have a feeling it's not over yet.  Another shoe may drop.

[fiftyone]

I agree. People keep saying he is small. Hodgson is an averaged sized center at worst.

[shrader]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 27 February 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

Gaustad is fine, but so would have been Connolly, Montador and Stafford last year.

The entire year was tanked after having $80 million in salaries. Is it really a celebration to squeak an extra 15 spots out of a draft pick for a guy after watching an entire season go down in flames?

Maybe he learned a little bit and they will get Doan/Iginla...those types of guys in here in the offseason. If not, it's just another pull of a slot machine.

Do you think it's completely out of the realm of possibility at this point?  Something's clearly different around here, I'm just not sure how different it is yet.

[LGR4GM]

Formerly Allan in MD, on 27 February 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

I have a feeling it's not over yet.  Another shoe may drop.

huh?  the deadline has passed.  its over.


I feel the same, which is highly skeptical darcy can build a winner.  He did do some nice things but could have done more.

[waldo]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 05:22 PM, said:

How does 6' - 190lbs at 22 translate into small? He sure doesn't look small to me.

http://blogs.theprov...ded-out-of-van/

Actually dark one he is listed at 185 and if you see him in person, in street clothes he is 175 max.. A nice third line center/ player but not know for his physical presence...Have seen him play maybe 30 games? Ok on the pp ..no better or worse than Roy on the pp,,time will tell ..if lindy gets him ..no hope.

Edited by waldo, 27 February 2012 - 05:49 PM.

[d4rksabre]

waldo, on 27 February 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Actually dark one he is listed at 185 and if you see him in person, in street clothes he is 175 max.. A nice third line center/ player but not know for his physical presence...Have seen him play maybe 30 games? Ok on the pp

But size doesn't always translate to strength and playing style. He might not weigh a lot, but he looks strong, and his frame is a good height to build on. Does he get taken off of pucks easily?

[IKnowPhysics]

DR acknowledged that the team, with two 1st round picks and two 2nd round picks, is well-armed going into the draft and mentioned that all options, including trading picks for players, will be examined.  He conceded that even if no beneficial trades are available, he'll be happy to execute those picks.

This is a terrible approximation, but still interesting.  What our first three rounds of draft picks would be, based on today's league standings (ignoring lottery/playoffs, etc):

1st round, 6th overall
1st round, 26th overall
2nd round, 36th overall
2nd round, 41st overall
3rd round, 66th overall

[Who Else?]

IKnowPhysics, on 27 February 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

DR acknowledged that the team, with two 1st round picks and two 2nd round picks, is well-armed going into the draft and mentioned that all options, including trading picks for players, will be examined.  He conceded that even if no beneficial trades are available, he'll be happy to execute those picks.

This is a terrible approximation, but still interesting.  What our first three rounds of draft picks would be, based on today's league standings (ignoring lottery/playoffs, etc):

1st round, 6th overall
1st round, 26th overall
2nd round, 36th overall
2nd round, 41st overall
3rd round, 66th overall

I like it.  If they want to go out and trade for a significant player from ateam looking to rebuild like San Jose, Anaheim, here is your ammo.

[waldo]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 05:36 PM, said:

But size doesn't always translate to strength and playing style. He might not weigh a lot, but he looks strong, and his frame is a good height to build on. Does he get taken off of pucks easily?

watch him play..then we can chat..will be interested in your take

Edited by waldo, 27 February 2012 - 05:51 PM.

[d4rksabre]

waldo, on 27 February 2012 - 05:50 PM, said:

watch him play..then we can chat..will be interested in your take

Well that's what I'm waiting for as well. As long as he's not Derek Roy I expect many will be satisfied.

[waldo]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

Well that's what I'm waiting for as well. As long as he's not Derek Roy I expect many will be satisfied.

i doubt lindy will let him anywhere near vanek and pom

[mrm33064]

shrader, on 27 February 2012 - 05:27 PM, said:

Do you think it's completely out of the realm of possibility at this point?  Something's clearly different around here, I'm just not sure how different it is yet.

Let's hope.   Trading Kassian - a guy who was unfairly ascribed legendary qualities solely because many Sabres fans (including me) desperately wanted him to have those qualities - didn't strike me as something that would earn Darcy riverboat gambler credentials.  But I liked the trade, and getting a 1st for a decent short-term rental was darn good value to be sure.

IMO, Darcy has done a great job consistently IDing solid, above-average young talent and providing depth.   I think he's among the best in the league at it, and the results can be seen.   However, his other "GM skills" - payroll negotiations, free agent acquisitions (and losses), trading record, etc. - seem very fair to question.   He had a good day today, but after watching Darcy for 10+ years I still wonder what other deals were out there (Roy, Stafford, etc.) that didn't get done.

It's a counterpoint, but a mild one.    Overall, I think it was a good day for the Sabres.

[Who Else?]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 05:51 PM, said:

Well that's what I'm waiting for as well. As long as he's not Derek Roy I expect many will be satisfied.

Maybe this puts a little more pressure on Roy to perform.  Doubt it, but it is wishful thinking.

[d4rksabre]

waldo, on 27 February 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

i doubt lindy will let him anywhere near vanek and pom

That has nothing to do with the conversation.

[TheChimp]

I like the words "possible Calder candidate" and "first-round pick".  But we got alot smaller and gave up a top pick of our own that I had THOUGHT the team saw alot of promise in.

Anyway, I'd rather wait until these trades have a chance to actually pan out before I make a decision.

I am happy Darcy had a phone under his desk, though, that I'll say

[ThirtyEight]

I think we can get bigger. Those two firsts and two seconds and our excess of top 9 players we have mean we have a shot at more trades at the draft. We get the centre we need, and 6' 180-190 is not that small. We resign Goose this offseason and we have some of our size back. Being strong through the middle is more important than size (my opinion)

Cody is a leader. He could well be our future captain

[korab rules]

Sabres3819, on 27 February 2012 - 06:10 PM, said:

I think we can get bigger. Those two firsts and two seconds and our excess of top 9 players we have mean we have a shot at more trades at the draft. We get the centre we need, and 6' 180-190 is not that small. We resign Goose this offseason and we have some of our size back. Being strong through the middle is more important than size (my opinion)

Cody is a leader. He could well be our future captain

Christ - no one knew who he was 3 hours ago and now he's a future captain?  How can we know that before we even know what number he will wear?

[TheChimp]

korab rules, on 27 February 2012 - 06:37 PM, said:

Christ - no one knew who he was 3 hours ago and now he's a future captain?  How can we know that before we even know what number he will wear?

Right??  We don't even know what his wife is like for Christ's sake, right korab?  

[TheMatrix31]

Today helped, and if it works out then I'll be happier.

Whether it's luck or knowing the market, trading Gaustad for a 1st while still (well, according to some of you guys commenting about it) having the chance to just re-sign him in the offseason anyway? Pretty nice.

[TheChimp]

TheMatrix31, on 27 February 2012 - 06:42 PM, said:

Today helped, and if it works out then I'll be happier.

Whether it's luck or knowing the market, trading Gaustad for a 1st while still (well, according to some of you guys commenting about it) having the chance to just re-sign him in the offseason anyway? Pretty nice.

I'd be shocked if ANY player we trade decides to come back.

[nucci]

I've always thought Regier was a decent GM. My opinion on Ruff has changed a lot, though.

[PromoTheRobot]

waldo, on 27 February 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Actually dark one he is listed at 185 and if you see him in person, in street clothes he is 175 max.. A nice third line center/ player but not know for his physical presence...Have seen him play maybe 30 games? Ok on the pp ..no better or worse than Roy on the pp,,time will tell ..if lindy gets him ..no hope.

Okay, eagle-eye!  

Reading people's assessment of Darcy Regier is high comedy.  Folks who rarely leave their basements and know all they know of the NHL playing XBOX pontificating on what Darcy is expected to do.  Darcy proved again he knows what he's doing.  And to those who say he won't take risks, I think holding out for a #1 for Gaustad was pretty risky.  That blowhard Brian Burke who said Darcy overvalues his players would have schatt his BVDs playing that kind of poker.  So eff the haters and eff Bucky Gleason...Darcy's back, baby!

PTR

Edited by PromoTheRobot, 27 February 2012 - 07:08 PM.

[weave]

PromoTheRobot, on 27 February 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:

Okay, eagle-eye!  

PTR

Cut him some slack.  In the summer he runs the "guess your weight" booth at carnivals.

[sizzlemeister]

d4rksabre, on 27 February 2012 - 04:48 PM, said:

I like the moves he made today. I still don't like Darcy, but I'm willing to give these moves a chance to work out. It's the first deadline I can remember where he actually addressed a real need on this team.

Woid.

[waldo]

korab rules, on 27 February 2012 - 06:37 PM, said:

Christ - no one knew who he was 3 hours ago and now he's a future captain?  How can we know that before we even know what number he will wear?

thank you ...our 22 year old ,yet to play a 70+ game season, captain ?.Right now he is just Luke Adam.

Edited by waldo, 27 February 2012 - 07:30 PM.