Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News had some interesting Tweets yesterday around whether Tim Connolly returns, whether he's popular in the locker room, and what the fan reaction will be if he's back in 2010-11.
Here is my take on the situation:
Sabres fans will likely be cranky heading into 2010-11 because the current management will not make the sweeping changes that fans have clamored for for a while.
And given that the Sabres management didn't listen to the fans (and the media) when they wanted sweeping changes last summer and the team won the division this past season, I could see them rationalizing their approach and convincing themselves that they actually know more about building an NHL team than the fans and media do.
I know it hurts some members of the media to think that way, but it's true!
Every fan (including myself) loves to think that they could run the team better than Golisano, Quinn, and Regier have. But any fan that was envious of the moves that Brian Burke made in Toronto last year might want to reconsider things.
I'm less worried about whether guys like Connolly (or Stafford or Pominville or Roy or Gaustad or Vanek) are back next year. I am not expecting the Sabres to make the big moves I'd like to see until the management structure undergoes a huge makeover.
And yes, I'm extremely jealous of Tampa Bay introducing Steve Yzerman as their new GM. That is a move that I would applaud if Golisano and Quinn had been the ones that got it done.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Are the Sabres committed?
Mike Schopp asked if the Sabres are committed to winning the Stanley Cup yesterday.
Personally, I don't question the level of commitment to winning when it comes to guys like Larry Quinn and Darcy Regier. I question whether their approach to how to build a team that is capable of winning the Stanley Cup will ever result in the Sabres ever actually winning the Cup.
I believe that Regier has his plan of attack and he's going to stick with it.
That means that I don't expect him to put together a huge package to acquire a legit #1 center (like if the Penguins actually shop Malkin). I don't expect Regier to give up the king's ransom plus a 1st round pick to acquire Tomas Kaberle to be the PP QB defenseman that this team needs. I don't expect the Sabres to offer a RFA offer sheet to a player that can be a game changer for the Sabres.
I expect Regier to go about building next year's squad like he has gone about things the past few off seasons. I expect the bulk of the roster to return intact. I expect Regier to add a few players that don't cost a ton against the cap and don't cost a ton of the Sabres future to acquire.
So, who will be this year's Grier or Montador or Rivet?
Can Regier pull a Drury or Briere rabbit out of his hat?
Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and cut ties with players that he has drafted and developed, but aren't the kinds of guys that can carry this team to the promised land?
Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and perhaps add a front line player with a Cup ring on his finger?
I hope that Regier will do what is needed. But, I'm not expecting it.
I just can't see Regier "playing out of character".
Personally, I don't question the level of commitment to winning when it comes to guys like Larry Quinn and Darcy Regier. I question whether their approach to how to build a team that is capable of winning the Stanley Cup will ever result in the Sabres ever actually winning the Cup.
I believe that Regier has his plan of attack and he's going to stick with it.
That means that I don't expect him to put together a huge package to acquire a legit #1 center (like if the Penguins actually shop Malkin). I don't expect Regier to give up the king's ransom plus a 1st round pick to acquire Tomas Kaberle to be the PP QB defenseman that this team needs. I don't expect the Sabres to offer a RFA offer sheet to a player that can be a game changer for the Sabres.
I expect Regier to go about building next year's squad like he has gone about things the past few off seasons. I expect the bulk of the roster to return intact. I expect Regier to add a few players that don't cost a ton against the cap and don't cost a ton of the Sabres future to acquire.
So, who will be this year's Grier or Montador or Rivet?
Can Regier pull a Drury or Briere rabbit out of his hat?
Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and cut ties with players that he has drafted and developed, but aren't the kinds of guys that can carry this team to the promised land?
Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and perhaps add a front line player with a Cup ring on his finger?
I hope that Regier will do what is needed. But, I'm not expecting it.
I just can't see Regier "playing out of character".
Monday, May 3, 2010
Off season dream vs reality
The Sabres need an upgrade at center. Heck, even Darcy admitted it in the wrap up press conference.
The Dream: San Jose Sharks C Joe Pavelski - Joe currently leads all playoff goal scorers with 9 and leads the league with 3 Game Winners for the chronically un-clutch Sharks. He is set to becomes a RFA if San Jose doesn't sign him to an extension prior to July 1st.
The Reality: I want to believe that Regier pulls off a deal for a guy like St Louis Blues center David Backes. But the reality is likely to be that the Sabres once again have Tim Connolly & Derek Roy as their top 2 centers......
Another area of need that Regier mentioned was a PP QB Defenseman. Regier even said that they almost landed one at the deadline, but felt the asking price was too steep.
The Dream: I don't want to help the Maple Leafs, but trading for Tomas Kaberle would be pretty dreamy. On the UFA market there will be Sergei Gonchar who would not only bring a solid PP guy, but someone with a Stanley Cup ring, as well.
The Reality: Regier could bank on growth from within and bank on Marc-Andre Gragnani making the jump or he could go the less than premium UFA route and sign Kurtis Foster from Tampa Bay. Foster was signed dirt cheap because he was coming back from a wicked leg/hip injury. But in the regular season, he was 7th in the NHL in PP pts amongst defensemen. Not bad for a guy that cost $600k against the cap.
The Sabres need a back up goalie that Lindy Ruff is comfortable enough with to play him 25+ games to ensure that Ryan Miller is rested for the playoffs.
The Dream: I wouldn't mind the Sabres getting a guy like Dan Ellis that has been a back up, not played a ton, and still put up decent stats. I know that a lot of people will be beating the drum for Marty Biron's return to Buffalo, but I think there are better options out there.
The Reality: I think the Sabres will sign a goalie that they can get on a two-way contract so that they can have a competition between that guy and Jhonas Enroth for the back up job in Buffalo. One guy that might fit that description is Yann Danis who backed up Marty Brodeur this past season. One other option could be trading for a guy like Corey Crawford who has been stuck as the #3 guy in Chicago for a while.
I hope that Darcy and crew have a shocking move, like say when the Sabres traded for Chris Drury, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Dream: San Jose Sharks C Joe Pavelski - Joe currently leads all playoff goal scorers with 9 and leads the league with 3 Game Winners for the chronically un-clutch Sharks. He is set to becomes a RFA if San Jose doesn't sign him to an extension prior to July 1st.
The Reality: I want to believe that Regier pulls off a deal for a guy like St Louis Blues center David Backes. But the reality is likely to be that the Sabres once again have Tim Connolly & Derek Roy as their top 2 centers......
Another area of need that Regier mentioned was a PP QB Defenseman. Regier even said that they almost landed one at the deadline, but felt the asking price was too steep.
The Dream: I don't want to help the Maple Leafs, but trading for Tomas Kaberle would be pretty dreamy. On the UFA market there will be Sergei Gonchar who would not only bring a solid PP guy, but someone with a Stanley Cup ring, as well.
The Reality: Regier could bank on growth from within and bank on Marc-Andre Gragnani making the jump or he could go the less than premium UFA route and sign Kurtis Foster from Tampa Bay. Foster was signed dirt cheap because he was coming back from a wicked leg/hip injury. But in the regular season, he was 7th in the NHL in PP pts amongst defensemen. Not bad for a guy that cost $600k against the cap.
The Sabres need a back up goalie that Lindy Ruff is comfortable enough with to play him 25+ games to ensure that Ryan Miller is rested for the playoffs.
The Dream: I wouldn't mind the Sabres getting a guy like Dan Ellis that has been a back up, not played a ton, and still put up decent stats. I know that a lot of people will be beating the drum for Marty Biron's return to Buffalo, but I think there are better options out there.
The Reality: I think the Sabres will sign a goalie that they can get on a two-way contract so that they can have a competition between that guy and Jhonas Enroth for the back up job in Buffalo. One guy that might fit that description is Yann Danis who backed up Marty Brodeur this past season. One other option could be trading for a guy like Corey Crawford who has been stuck as the #3 guy in Chicago for a while.
I hope that Darcy and crew have a shocking move, like say when the Sabres traded for Chris Drury, but I'm not holding my breath.
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