1317 replies to this topic

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

LastPommerFan, on 11 July 2012 - 11:57 AM, said:

That's it right there, I appreciate that you make me question what I'm seeing. I need that, badly. But you can't agree that they believe in their vision and then two sentences later question whether he actually believes in it. He outright admitted that the team needs to be tougher. He made moves to address that concern both in personnel (Ott) and training (S.E.A.L.s). It is a conspiracy to think he does not believe these things to be right, but is rather colluding with the coach to put together a team that meets the demands of the owner and will win sufficient games to keep their continued employment safe.

He also said 3 years prior the team needed to be tougher.....and needed to get bigger. It's drip drops. Never a bold move in that direction.

Well then.....let's see what other moves are made. If it was a mandate from Pegula, he got Ott...drafted big...and signed Scott. If Darcy is throwing the dog a bone, it stops there more than likely. Let's see who else comes in. I want to believe he admitted he has been wrong all these years, but I don't know. I have been patient and remain, but I hear that political hack speak come out of his mouth and am reminded he has spent more time working on creating spreadsheets and Corsi numbers to justify his job than he has in actually improving the team. It's very frustrating.......

I think this offseason has been a success so far. Ott and Girgensons are just what the team needs.....but they need more. I applaud the diceroll on Grigorenko. Let's see if Darcy believes what he is saying. You still need Doan on this team or a trade for another REAL leader. That is more important than a Stastny or Ryan.

sizzlemeister, on 11 July 2012 - 01:15 PM, said:

Medical staff.  Two sliced necks, no deaths.

I would also add RJ, even at his advanced age.

RJ....yes

LastPommerFan, on 11 July 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

Rip gets good reviews...

Rip is too busy reading the Racing Form.

[sabres13]

LGR4GM, on 11 July 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

soooo MAG is getting a 2-way deal with Carolina

Congrats carolina you got one heck of a good d-men...........lol I can't say that with a straight face.

[shrader]

Actually people throw out the word conspiracy when someone continuously takes extreme opinions on every single subject.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 11 July 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

He also said 3 years prior the team needed to be tougher.....and needed to get bigger. It's drip drops. Never a bold move in that direction.

Well then.....let's see what other moves are made. If it was a mandate from Pegula, he got Ott...drafted big...and signed Scott. If Darcy is throwing the dog a bone, it stops there more than likely. Let's see who else comes in. I want to believe he admitted he has been wrong all these years, but I don't know. I have been patient and remain, but I hear that political hack speak come out of his mouth and am reminded he has spent more time working on creating spreadsheets and Corsi numbers to justify his job than he has in actually improving the team. It's very frustrating.......

I think this offseason has been a success so far. Ott and Girgensons are just what the team needs.....but they need more. I applaud the diceroll on Grigorenko. Let's see if Darcy believes what he is saying. You still need Doan on this team or a trade for another REAL leader. That is more important than a Stastny or Ryan.

See I think that paragraph comes back from conspiracy to skepticism. That's where I'm at, I'm a hopeful skeptic. I want him to make it work, and I think he can, but I'm not 100% sure he can. There are other skeptics you can see a good move, appreciate it for what it is, but still don't think he has enough GM talent to make a winner. Those positions, in my opinion, are the ones worth staking out. But again, I have to reiterate that I actually do appreciate that you make me question what I am seeing. I'm not exactly sure what made me react to it this morning?

Edited by LastPommerFan, 11 July 2012 - 01:25 PM.

[sizzlemeister]

On the DR thing; I don't see why DR can't be both political hack and competent GM.  Which is different than saying he IS a political hack and IS a competent GM.  I do not see why this is surprising, new, bold, provocative, etc. to anyone.

The nature of the job demands he keeps certain details close to the vest; demands that he has to walk a PR tight-rope; demands that he is aware his comments on players and coaches are not only consumed by the fans/public, but by the players, the coaches, and their respective agents, not to mention all of those on the other teams.

Actions mean something, words generally do not.  This is how I judge people, and DR, as far as I'm aware, is people.  His actions, so far, lead me to believe he's making positive roster changes, and I approve so far.  The lack of action, as well, says to me that he's not very willing to parlay his new, young, talent, for older talent which suggests that he does not see this coming season as the season the Sabres make a run for the Cup.  The Sabres also still have LR as coach.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

LastPommerFan, on 11 July 2012 - 01:24 PM, said:

See I think that paragraph comes back from conspiracy to skepticism. That's where I'm at, I'm a hopeful skeptic. I want him to make it work, and I think he can, but I'm not 100% sure he can. There are other skeptics you can see a good move, appreciate it for what it is, but still don't think he has enough GM talent to make a winner. Those positions, in my opinion, are the ones worth staking out. But again, I have to reiterate that I actually do appreciate that you make me question what I am seeing. I'm not exactly sure what made me react to it this morning?

I've actually approved of just about everything this offseason so far. I think I have been pretty patient and supportive. It was hearing Regier's voice that triggered me......and my reaction which triggered you.......which just may be a sign that no matter how much things look like they are changing on the surface, you react off of instincts and how you really feel. That alone is probably the best reason to either get rid of Ruff, or totally gut this roster so the group of losers that have been tainted can't fall back on their cowardess at the first sign of trouble.

sizzlemeister, on 11 July 2012 - 01:28 PM, said:

On the DR thing; I don't see why DR can't be both political hack and competent GM.  Which is different than saying he IS a political hack and IS a competent GM.  I do not see why this is surprising, new, bold, provocative, etc. to anyone.

The nature of the job demands he keeps certain details close to the vest; demands that he has to walk a PR tight-rope; demands that he is aware his comments on players and coaches are not only consumed by the fans/public, but by the players, the coaches, and their respective agents, not to mention all of those on the other teams.

Actions mean something, words generally do not.  This is how I judge people, and DR, as far as I'm aware, is people.  His actions, so far, lead me to believe he's making positive roster changes, and I approve so far.  The lack of action, as well, says to me that he's not very willing to parlay his new, young, talent, for older talent which suggests that he does not see this coming season as the season the Sabres make a run for the Cup.  The Sabres also still have LR as coach.

Some people judge Regier since Pegula took over.......I judge someone from a total body of work...which includes 15 years and surviving 4 major ownership changes....2 groups which admitted to not having winning or the fans best interests in mind...........that's how I judge a person.

[Assquatch]

LGR4GM, on 11 July 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

soooo MAG is getting a 2-way deal with Carolina

Gragnani? I thought the Sabres just re-signed him.

[Spndnchz]

Gragnani signs with Canes.  Two-way deal.

Charlotte Checkers.  Well that's ironic.

[sizzlemeister]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 11 July 2012 - 01:43 PM, said:

Some people judge Regier since Pegula took over.......I judge someone from a total body of work...which includes 15 years and surviving 4 major ownership changes....2 groups which admitted to not having winning or the fans best interests in mind...........that's how I judge a person.

Of course.  That's why I don't think anything he does or says by now should shock anyone.  Depress you, sure.  The guy is still the GM, what's more to say?

[shrader]

Assquatch, on 11 July 2012 - 01:49 PM, said:

Gragnani? I thought the Sabres just re-signed him.

You're thinking Mancari.

[X. Benedict]

Lanny, on 09 July 2012 - 11:27 AM, said:

Gomez is probably available via trade.

I bet they would let him go for a coupon book and movie passes.

[nfreeman]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 11 July 2012 - 01:36 PM, said:

I've actually approved of just about everything this offseason so far. I think I have been pretty patient and supportive. It was hearing Regier's voice that triggered me......and my reaction which triggered you.......which just may be a sign that no matter how much things look like they are changing on the surface, you react off of instincts and how you really feel. That alone is probably the best reason to either get rid of Ruff, or totally gut this roster so the group of losers that have been tainted can't fall back on their cowardess at the first sign of trouble.

There's been a pretty substantial amount of turnover in the roster in the last couple of years.  Look at the guys who were playing in April 2010 who are now gone:

Connolly
Ellis
Gaustad
Grier
Hecht
Kennedy
Mair
Roy
Torres

Lydman
Montador
Tallinder
Rivet

13 out of 18 skaters.

IMHO, the biggest problems with this team since Black Sunday have been (i) insufficient toughness (both mental and physical) and (ii) inadequate group of top 6 forwards.  There have been some improvements on the physical toughness side, and, one hopes, on the mental toughness side as well by subtracting Roy.

At this point, the holdovers from the top 6 are Vanek, Pommer and Stafford.  I'd like to see one more of those 3 shipped out, and I'd really be fine with trading any or all of them for a good return, but I could live with keeping all of them.

[dEnnis the Menace]

nfreeman, on 11 July 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

At this point, the holdovers from the top 6 are Vanek, Pommer and Stafford.  I'd like to see one more of those 3 shipped out, and I'd really be fine with trading any or all of them for a good return, but I could live with keeping all of them.

That "I don't really care what happens with them mentality" is how I feel about the situation with the remaining three as well.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

nfreeman, on 11 July 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

There's been a pretty substantial amount of turnover in the roster in the last couple of years. Look at the guys who were playing in April 2010 who are now gone:

Connolly
Ellis
Gaustad
Grier
Hecht
Kennedy
Mair
Roy
Torres

Lydman
Montador
Tallinder
Rivet

13 out of 18 skaters.

IMHO, the biggest problems with this team since Black Sunday have been (i) insufficient toughness (both mental and physical) and (ii) inadequate group of top 6 forwards. There have been some improvements on the physical toughness side, and, one hopes, on the mental toughness side as well by subtracting Roy.

At this point, the holdovers from the top 6 are Vanek, Pommer and Stafford. I'd like to see one more of those 3 shipped out, and I'd really be fine with trading any or all of them for a good return, but I could live with keeping all of them.

As far as who is here still.....Vanek, Pominville, Stafford, Miller......those are all your captains and take up 1/3 of your salary cap....and have heard Lindy for a cumulative of 30 years.

The only outliers on this team are Regehr, Ott, Lieno, Ehrhoff, Leopold, McCormick.....................everyone else was under Lindy since a baby, or are still very young.

[Assquatch]

shrader, on 11 July 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

You're thinking Mancari.

Get out of my head!
(you're right, thank you.)

[weave]

nfreeman, on 11 July 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

There's been a pretty substantial amount of turnover in the roster in the last couple of years.  Look at the guys who were playing in April 2010 who are now gone:

Connolly
Ellis
Gaustad
Grier
Hecht
Kennedy
Mair
Roy
Torres

Lydman
Montador
Tallinder
Rivet

13 out of 18 skaters.

IMHO, the biggest problems with this team since Black Sunday have been (i) insufficient toughness (both mental and physical) and (ii) inadequate group of top 6 forwards.  There have been some improvements on the physical toughness side, and, one hopes, on the mental toughness side as well by subtracting Roy.

At this point, the holdovers from the top 6 are Vanek, Pommer and Stafford.  I'd like to see one more of those 3 shipped out, and I'd really be fine with trading any or all of them for a good return, but I could live with keeping all of them.

Minor quibble but I think Ellis is still under contract with Buffalo, no?

[Sabres Fan In NS]

Seems that Doan has set another deadline to see if the Yotes ownership situation is straightened out.

http://www.nhl.com/i...s.htm?id=637672

[sabres13]

I've been pondering this for a few days what if Buffalo offers a contract to peter mueller do you think it could help or hinder the team?

IMO I like Peter mueller, I know he's had concussions but if we could get him for cheap what the heck.

[TrueBluePhD]

Sabres Fan In NS, on 11 July 2012 - 04:52 PM, said:

Seems that Doan has set another deadline to see if the Yotes ownership situation is straightened out.

http://www.nhl.com/i...s.htm?id=637672

It's been a mess for what, 3-4 years?  I don't know why he thinks it will get better in another week.

[carpandean]

Wojtek Wolski to Capitals for 1 yr, $600k.

Edited by carpandean, 11 July 2012 - 08:04 PM.

[K-9]

carpandean, on 11 July 2012 - 07:57 PM, said:

Wojtek Wolski to Capitals for 1 yr, $600k.

Is it just me or does "Wojtek Wolski" sound like something Elmer Fudd would say?

GO SABRES!!!

[thesportsbuff]

sabres13, on 11 July 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:

I've been pondering this for a few days what if Buffalo offers a contract to peter mueller do you think it could help or hinder the team?

IMO I like Peter mueller, I know he's had concussions but if we could get him for cheap what the heck.

Mueller to FLA, 1 yr 1.725 mil.

[LGR4GM]

sabres13, on 11 July 2012 - 06:57 PM, said:

I've been pondering this for a few days what if Buffalo offers a contract to peter mueller do you think it could help or hinder the team?

IMO I like Peter mueller, I know he's had concussions but if we could get him for cheap what the heck.

Mueller signed with the panthers for 1yr at 1.725mil

[sabres13]

LGR4GM, on 11 July 2012 - 08:42 PM, said:

Mueller signed with the panthers for 1yr at 1.725mil

I go and watch a movie and this happens. Lol

[Bullwinkle III]

thesportsbuff, on 11 July 2012 - 08:42 PM, said:

Mueller to FLA, 1 yr 1.725 mil.

Ah ######.  Hoping we'd take a crack at him.  He has more talent than most of our forwards.

[sabres13]

Bullwinkle III, on 11 July 2012 - 10:24 PM, said:

Ah ######.  Hoping we'd take a crack at him.  He has more talent than most of our forwards.

I agree I wish they would have gave mueller an offer but i guess hes not in DR's plans.

[Andrew Amerk]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 11 July 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:

1) No- not at all....but many throw the word "conspiracy" around for what is actual critical thinking. I think Pommer clarified that he was actually talking about Darcy having some hidden agenda, not using the word to belittle critical thought.

2) So Babcock and Lindy are the 2 elite coaches in the league? That's what I want to know...what is Darcy's definition of elite? Who does he value Ruff's ability along with? Is it 2...5....10...30 coaches? I can see Darcy backpeddling..."Well, just to be able to coach in the NHL makes you elite in some sense because there are only 30 jobs in the world available."

That's what has me going. There isn't one member of the organization that is elite, save Pegula's wallet.

So, you aren't a fan of Ted Black?

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Andrew Amerk, on 12 July 2012 - 12:43 AM, said:

So, you aren't a fan of Ted Black?

Again.....I'd like to hear what people define the term "elite" as being.

Ryan Miller played like an elite goalie for a stretch of 3 or 4 months, a few years ago.

Thomas Vanek can play like an elite forward for a few weeks at a time.

Drew Stafford looks elite 3 or 4 games a year.

Here is the chain of command in ascending order.........Disgusting, Horrible, Bad, Poor, Mediocre, Decent, Good, Very Good, Awesome, Elite

Maybe in Darcy's world....all Sabres start at Decent and curve up. If you show me Lindy's track record and attempt anything over Very Good with a straight face, you are a joker. I would peg him at decent to good. I would also peg eating cottage cheese for a week as decent to good. Make of that what you wish.

[Andrew Amerk]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 12 July 2012 - 01:03 AM, said:

Again.....I'd like to hear what people define the term "elite" as being.

Ryan Miller played like an elite goalie for a stretch of 3 or 4 months, a few years ago.

Thomas Vanek can play like an elite forward for a few weeks at a time.

Drew Stafford looks elite 3 or 4 games a year.

Here is the chain of command in ascending order.........Disgusting, Horrible, Bad, Poor, Mediocre, Decent, Good, Very Good, Awesome, Elite

Maybe in Darcy's world....all Sabres start at Decent and curve up. If you show me Lindy's track record and attempt anything over Very Good with a straight face, you are a joker. I would peg him at decent to good. I would also peg eating cottage cheese for a week as decent to good. Make of that what you wish.

So, are you not a fan of Ted Black?

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 12 July 2012 - 01:03 AM, said:

Again.....I'd like to hear what people define the term "elite" as being.

Ryan Miller played like an elite goalie for a stretch of 3 or 4 months, a few years ago.

Thomas Vanek can play like an elite forward for a few weeks at a time.

Drew Stafford looks elite 3 or 4 games a year.

Here is the chain of command in ascending order.........Disgusting, Horrible, Bad, Poor, Mediocre, Decent, Good, Very Good, Awesome, Elite

Maybe in Darcy's world....all Sabres start at Decent and curve up. If you show me Lindy's track record and attempt anything over Very Good with a straight face, you are a joker. I would peg him at decent to good. I would also peg eating cottage cheese for a week as decent to good. Make of that what you wish.

With or without pineapple?

My definition of elite is top 15 winger/defense-man, top 10 center, top 5 goalie/coach/GM over a stretch of at least 3 years.

[Lanny]

sabres13, on 11 July 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

I agree I wish they would have gave mueller an offer but i guess hes not in DR's plans.

Technically we don't know that they didn't.

Also, from what I've been reading Mueller had no longer been playing center and finished the season as a full time wing. That could have been due to the depth that the Aves have at the center position, but the sentiment I was getting was that he was better suited at wing.

[LGR4GM]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 12 July 2012 - 01:03 AM, said:

Again.....I'd like to hear what people define the term "elite" as being.

elite: Lidstrom, Malkin, Sedin, Stamkos, Crosby, Weber those types of guys are elite.

[K-9]

Ghost of Dwight Drane, on 12 July 2012 - 01:03 AM, said:

Again.....I'd like to hear what people define the term "elite" as being.

Ryan Miller played like an elite goalie for a stretch of 3 or 4 months, a few years ago.

Thomas Vanek can play like an elite forward for a few weeks at a time.

Drew Stafford looks elite 3 or 4 games a year.

Here is the chain of command in ascending order.........Disgusting, Horrible, Bad, Poor, Mediocre, Decent, Good, Very Good, Awesome, Elite

Maybe in Darcy's world....all Sabres start at Decent and curve up. If you show me Lindy's track record and attempt anything over Very Good with a straight face, you are a joker. I would peg him at decent to good. I would also peg eating cottage cheese for a week as decent to good. Make of that what you wish.

I think arbitrary is an elite word.

GO SABRES!!!

[d4rksabre]

K-9, on 12 July 2012 - 09:31 AM, said:

I think arbitrary is an elite word.

GO SABRES!!!

[Spndnchz]

K-9, on 12 July 2012 - 09:31 AM, said:

I think arbitrary is an elite word.

GO SABRES!!!

I think obtuse is one too.

[Sabres Fan In NS]

How about brilliant.

I really like that elite word.

[Heimdall]

Semin still is out there, haven't heard much about him or his asking price, but i wouldn't mind having him on our top line.

[Sabres Fan In NS]

Selanne returns to Ducks for another year ...

http://www.nhl.com/i...vid=DL|NHL|home

Salary reported to be $4.5M

[wjag]

Sabres Fan In NS, on 12 July 2012 - 05:38 PM, said:

Selanne returns to Ducks for another year ...

http://www.nhl.com/i...vid=DL|NHL|home

Salary reported to be $4.5M

The ageless wonder...

[IKnowPhysics]

Heimdall, on 12 July 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

Semin still is out there, haven't heard much about him or his asking price, but i wouldn't mind having him on our top line.

DR said he's not interested, per interview on WGR this past week.