- With the Sabres going 3-0-1 in their last four games, perhaps it was too early to dream about owning the 1st overall pick in the 2010 draft......
- Larry Quinn is going to stick with Regier and Ruff? Tell me something I don't know, Bucky!
- This is season #13 of the Regier & Ruff era in Sabres hockey. They have made the playoffs in 7 of their previous 12 seasons and they have won 10 playoff series in that time. While they haven't won it all, that isn't that bad a record given the ownership turmoil and the whole "small market" element that they have had to deal with.
- I'd still like to see things shaken up over at HSBC Arena....
- Vanek's game winner against the Caps was siiiiiick. Maybe I won't burn his jersey just yet.
- It's nice having Miller back, huh?
- The Sabres defense is putting up big numbers offensively so far. And Leopold's early play in a Sabres uniform is making the signing that I hated when it happened look a lot better than I thought.
So far......
But, I am looking right on re-signing Lalime being a bad idea!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
I am a Jessica LaPoint fan
Sabres Edge Blog
Check out Jessica's story over at The Buffalo News' Sabres Edge Blog on why she put up the "Fans show up..... Why don't you?" sign at HSBC Arena.
That is awesome.
And while the players themselves likely look up at the signs less than frequently, it is a great message to put out there.
What else can fans do to get the team on track?
It is always a widely debated topic when a team isn't going well.
There are the boycott ideas, booing of the players (like say Tim Connolly) or teams, or usual venting on Twitter, internet message boards, comments and chats at The Buffalo News site, and blog posts.
The problem with the Sabres right now is that I don't know if meaningful changes will happen if Tom Golisano continues as an absentee owner and has Larry Quinn as the managing partner. Quinn seems married to Darcy Regier as GM. And Regier seems married to not only Lindy Ruff, but the "core" of the team, as well.
It gets back to what The Goose's Roost aptly labeled as The System.
Is it possible for Sabres fans to get the status quo changed?
For me, it all seems to be what motivates Tom Golisano as the owner of the team.
Is he motivated purely by the bottom line and maximizing profits? If so, then I'm not sure what Sabres fans can do to change the club's course as I don't see fans boycotting as a whole.
But, if Golisano was being honest when he talked about buying the team to do something for the people of Western New York, then perhaps he can be convinced to change course and put a higher priority on winning a Stanley Cup.
Seriously, how beloved would Golisano be if he shook things up and the team did finally win a Stanley Cup on his watch? He could probably run for Congress and win in the afterglow of something like that.
Randomness:
- Tyler Ennis is 2nd in rookie scoring so far, but I'll be happy if he finishes in the top three in Calder Trophy voting with the way Jeff Sminner, Michal Neuvirth, and John Carlson have started the year.
- While I don't believe there is any chance that Regier is actively trying to land Jarome Iginla, it is interesting to think about. While I wouldn't mind shipping Stafford and Connolly out of town, I don't want to give up Zack Kassian, yet.
To me, a more interesting conversation would be a deal that centers around Vanek for Iginla. Their cap hits are verys close ($7.14M for Vanek & $7M for Iginla). Vanek is an UFA in 2014 and Iginla is an UFA in 2013. Both are off to slow starts this season.
Iginla is tougher and more of a leader. Vanek is 7 years younger than Iginla and could have more tread left on his tires.
Again, I don't think there is a chance that Regier would make that happen. But, it would intrigue me.
And as far as the Rivet for Jason Blake and a 4th rumor in that piece, no thanks. Blake is so overpriced at $4M per year and the fact that he has another year left on his contract has me not wanting to touch him with a 10 foot pole.
Now if the Ducks wanted to do a deal that landed Luca Sbisa in Buffalo like say Rivet and Chris Butler or Andrej Sekera for Sbisa and a 4th......
Check out Jessica's story over at The Buffalo News' Sabres Edge Blog on why she put up the "Fans show up..... Why don't you?" sign at HSBC Arena.
That is awesome.
And while the players themselves likely look up at the signs less than frequently, it is a great message to put out there.
What else can fans do to get the team on track?
It is always a widely debated topic when a team isn't going well.
There are the boycott ideas, booing of the players (like say Tim Connolly) or teams, or usual venting on Twitter, internet message boards, comments and chats at The Buffalo News site, and blog posts.
The problem with the Sabres right now is that I don't know if meaningful changes will happen if Tom Golisano continues as an absentee owner and has Larry Quinn as the managing partner. Quinn seems married to Darcy Regier as GM. And Regier seems married to not only Lindy Ruff, but the "core" of the team, as well.
It gets back to what The Goose's Roost aptly labeled as The System.
Is it possible for Sabres fans to get the status quo changed?
For me, it all seems to be what motivates Tom Golisano as the owner of the team.
Is he motivated purely by the bottom line and maximizing profits? If so, then I'm not sure what Sabres fans can do to change the club's course as I don't see fans boycotting as a whole.
But, if Golisano was being honest when he talked about buying the team to do something for the people of Western New York, then perhaps he can be convinced to change course and put a higher priority on winning a Stanley Cup.
Seriously, how beloved would Golisano be if he shook things up and the team did finally win a Stanley Cup on his watch? He could probably run for Congress and win in the afterglow of something like that.
Randomness:
- Tyler Ennis is 2nd in rookie scoring so far, but I'll be happy if he finishes in the top three in Calder Trophy voting with the way Jeff Sminner, Michal Neuvirth, and John Carlson have started the year.
- While I don't believe there is any chance that Regier is actively trying to land Jarome Iginla, it is interesting to think about. While I wouldn't mind shipping Stafford and Connolly out of town, I don't want to give up Zack Kassian, yet.
To me, a more interesting conversation would be a deal that centers around Vanek for Iginla. Their cap hits are verys close ($7.14M for Vanek & $7M for Iginla). Vanek is an UFA in 2014 and Iginla is an UFA in 2013. Both are off to slow starts this season.
Iginla is tougher and more of a leader. Vanek is 7 years younger than Iginla and could have more tread left on his tires.
Again, I don't think there is a chance that Regier would make that happen. But, it would intrigue me.
And as far as the Rivet for Jason Blake and a 4th rumor in that piece, no thanks. Blake is so overpriced at $4M per year and the fact that he has another year left on his contract has me not wanting to touch him with a 10 foot pole.
Now if the Ducks wanted to do a deal that landed Luca Sbisa in Buffalo like say Rivet and Chris Butler or Andrej Sekera for Sbisa and a 4th......
Friday, November 5, 2010
Jealousy & Team Sean or Team Ryan
There was a two part documentary on the overhaul that the Edmonton Oilers overtook this past off season called Oil Change that ran on the NHL Network in the last week.
I was jealous.
After the horrible season that the Oilers had last year their owner (who's company produced the documentary, FWIW) felt that they needed a huge culture change and to commit to a sizable rebuild.
I was jealous that the Oilers had an owner that cared about his team and was involved in a shift in direction for the on ice product.
I was jealous that they had a buch of really good young forward prospects like Eberle, Paajarvi, and then Taylor Hall.
I was jealous that their GM was willing to cut ties with guys that were seen as part of the problem.
While many Bills fans have gotten to the point where they don't have a lot of hope for the team while Ralph is the owner, I wonder if there is any chance that the culture change the Sabres need will ever happen with Golisano & Quinn are the owner/managing partner duo with the Sabres.
I was jealous of Tampa Bay getting Steve Yzerman to take over that club.
I hope that one day Golisano will wake up and make the culture change that the Sabres need to really compete for the Cup.
I'm just not very hopeful that that day will ever come......
Team Sean or Team Ryan?
Red Line Report
Since the Sabres are currently dead [radio edit] last in the NHL and would be guaranteed a top 2 pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft if the season were to end today, let's start talking about the top end prospects in the 2011 Draft.
Most people agree that there are 3 elite prospects in this year's draft.
I'm going to take Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson off my radar for a few reasons:
A) He's Swedish and the Sabres have been drafting only North American kids for a while
B) He's a RH defenseman and the Sabres have selected RH defensemen Mark Pysyk (2010) and Tyler Myers (2008) in the first round of 2 of the last 3 drafts
C) The Sabres really need a franchise center and the other two guys are potential franchise centers
So, this year's Taylor vs Tyler debate will be Sean Couturier vs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Couturier will be the guy that people that want the Sabres to get bigger will favor as he has 3 inches and 15 to 20 pounds on Nugent-Hopkins.
Personally, I am leaning towards Nugent-Hopkins because of the talk that he has high level hockey sense and his vision and puckhandling ability is getting compared to Patrick Kane.
Couturier looks to be the better goal scorer. Nugent-Hopkins is more of a playmaker.
Couturier might be more responsible defensively.
Nugent-Hopkins led Canada in scoring at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament with 7 points in 6 games.
Couturier is good at the faceoff dot and his work ethic is getting solid reviews, as well.
If the Sabres season does go in the absolute tank, they likely won't go wrong with either kid. But, I tend to like prospects that see the game better, so for now, I'm on Team Ryan.
I was jealous.
After the horrible season that the Oilers had last year their owner (who's company produced the documentary, FWIW) felt that they needed a huge culture change and to commit to a sizable rebuild.
I was jealous that the Oilers had an owner that cared about his team and was involved in a shift in direction for the on ice product.
I was jealous that they had a buch of really good young forward prospects like Eberle, Paajarvi, and then Taylor Hall.
I was jealous that their GM was willing to cut ties with guys that were seen as part of the problem.
While many Bills fans have gotten to the point where they don't have a lot of hope for the team while Ralph is the owner, I wonder if there is any chance that the culture change the Sabres need will ever happen with Golisano & Quinn are the owner/managing partner duo with the Sabres.
I was jealous of Tampa Bay getting Steve Yzerman to take over that club.
I hope that one day Golisano will wake up and make the culture change that the Sabres need to really compete for the Cup.
I'm just not very hopeful that that day will ever come......
Team Sean or Team Ryan?
Red Line Report
Since the Sabres are currently dead [radio edit] last in the NHL and would be guaranteed a top 2 pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft if the season were to end today, let's start talking about the top end prospects in the 2011 Draft.
Most people agree that there are 3 elite prospects in this year's draft.
I'm going to take Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson off my radar for a few reasons:
A) He's Swedish and the Sabres have been drafting only North American kids for a while
B) He's a RH defenseman and the Sabres have selected RH defensemen Mark Pysyk (2010) and Tyler Myers (2008) in the first round of 2 of the last 3 drafts
C) The Sabres really need a franchise center and the other two guys are potential franchise centers
So, this year's Taylor vs Tyler debate will be Sean Couturier vs Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Couturier will be the guy that people that want the Sabres to get bigger will favor as he has 3 inches and 15 to 20 pounds on Nugent-Hopkins.
Personally, I am leaning towards Nugent-Hopkins because of the talk that he has high level hockey sense and his vision and puckhandling ability is getting compared to Patrick Kane.
Couturier looks to be the better goal scorer. Nugent-Hopkins is more of a playmaker.
Couturier might be more responsible defensively.
Nugent-Hopkins led Canada in scoring at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament with 7 points in 6 games.
Couturier is good at the faceoff dot and his work ethic is getting solid reviews, as well.
If the Sabres season does go in the absolute tank, they likely won't go wrong with either kid. But, I tend to like prospects that see the game better, so for now, I'm on Team Ryan.
Monday, November 1, 2010
The perfect storm
It's starting to look like the 2009-10 division title the Sabres won last year was an epic fluke.
With the Sabres sitting in one point ahead of the NJ Devils for DFL in the Eastern Conference and the entire NHL, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Will Tom Golisano notice?
Will Darcy Regier make any changes?
Will this team bottom out and get a shot at Sean Couturier or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the top of the 2011 draft? I'd throw Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson in the mix, but the Sabres need an impact center, big time.
The one good thing is that it would appear that re-signing Tim Connolly might be completely out of the question.....
With the Sabres sitting in one point ahead of the NJ Devils for DFL in the Eastern Conference and the entire NHL, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Will Tom Golisano notice?
Will Darcy Regier make any changes?
Will this team bottom out and get a shot at Sean Couturier or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at the top of the 2011 draft? I'd throw Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson in the mix, but the Sabres need an impact center, big time.
The one good thing is that it would appear that re-signing Tim Connolly might be completely out of the question.....
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