I understand people want to blame the core, but with how Vanek and Pommer have been playing, why in the hell would we want to get rid of them?
+1 for logical thinking. I think those 2 can lead this team (if they get healthy and play reasonably close to whatever the hell their currently unknown potential is) to the 2nd round of the playoffs at the very least. I do think rewarding the entire core with captaincies was a god awful idea. It seems to send a message that we're just going to have more of the same even though all the talk is about building a championship team.
In terms of in house moves, I would have loved it if regehr and possibly even gerbe had been made assistant captains. Regehr could have been a steady mentoring influence, and gerbe could definitely be a lead by example guy. Dude goes all out nearly every game, and I doubt that getting a letter would go to his head.
Does anyone really think that naming the wrong alternate captains has anything to do with the team's recent problems? If someone is a leader or a mentor, then they will act that way regardless of whether they have an "A" on their sweater. You guys are reaching for any reason to blame Lindy. If you don't like his coaching, I can respect that, but stick with your solid hockey arguments.
It's not a bridge-jumping thread, but just a question. How many poor effort games will it be until a move is made to try and light a fire under the complacency?
Yes, injuries, blah blah. But the consistent effort from this team as a whole has been in question since before Briere and Drury left.
Is it a Ruff issue? A "Rochester Core" issue?
I'm guessing that the heat is now on the coaches, for one thing. I don't get the "Rochester Core" thing, what dos that even mean?
As for a trade, look for a deadline deal or two. Even if they suck hard they should still have enough talent to make the playoffs. So there's no real urgency to make a move right now or in the next 2 months.
I'm guessing that the heat is now on the coaches, for one thing. I don't get the "Rochester Core" thing, what dos that even mean?
As for a trade, look for a deadline deal or two. Even if they suck hard they should still have enough talent to make the playoffs. So there's no real urgency to make a move right now or in the next 2 months.
Just about anybody on the team can be traded.
The "Rochester Core" thing refers to Stafford, Vanek, Miller, Gaustad, Pominville, and Roy. Basically, the 6 guys we've built the team around. Aside from Vanek, has anybody on that list played a complete season and a half without aggravating the fanbase in some fashion?
The "Rochester Core" thing refers to Stafford, Vanek, Miller, Gaustad, Pominville, and Roy. Basically, the 6 guys we've built the team around. Aside from Vanek, has anybody on that list played a complete season and a half without aggravating the fanbase in some fashion?
I seriously think about moving a big salary player even if they can only get a draft pick out of it, though I would prefer at defenseman that actually knows the meaning of the word defense.
At the top of my list would be Drew Stafford. The guy is a flat out waste of a hockey player.
1 goal in 18 games.
Seriously, Drew? Just leave.
Unfortunately, he is playing so bad with that new contract he would be tough to deal.
he's a PPG player on pretty much any other team in the NHL. Guaranteed.
Vanek and Pomms are having solid seasons so they stay.
I just don't think Regier has the balls to trade Miller so he stays.
Leaves Stafford and Gausted, two players that epitomize the problems of thus team. Two guys with size that play like lambs. Gausted should have been traded the week after the first Boston game for being on the ice and not going after Lucic. Period. It's his job as a 4th liner. As for Stafford, it's just time for him to go. We look for him to play every night like he did in the 2nd Boston game and what we get are 5 no show games before he plays like that again.
It's time to address the issues this team has had for years: center and grit in the top 9. Same issues since the captains left. Seriously, add Drury & Briere of 05-06 to this team, sans say Boyes & Leino and I'd say that leadership on the ice, and talent would make us contenders. The team would just not play as uninspired as they do now with those two of 05-06.
For anyone who watches the Sabres regularly, it is so apparent they need a guy like Drury of old, a St Louis, Inginla, Doan. If the window is 3 years, and we're in that first year, when is the time to bring in the most important piece??? V. Sooner, rather than later is my opinion.
When will one actually be made?
Who knows, Regier hates trading away players that he's drafted that have found any kind of success.
When should have one been made?
Last year, after they dug themselves in deep.
Looks like too many people bought into this team after their hot run at the end of last season.
I'll admit, they didn't get me until the Regehr trade, as I wasn't even close to confident with them heading into the playoffs.
Shame on me for being fooled, but more importantly, shame on every level of management, as they were fooled into believing too.
All of you people talking about how horrible the sabres are right now should be ashamed of yourselves. First off its only about 20 games into the season right now not enough time to deturmine anything about how the whole season will go with this team. Second we have SEVEN injured roster players at this point in time. How in gods name do you expect them to be great with that many injuries. As it stands thay have a rookie dman pairing, with another rookie that will probably need to be recalled, and an entire line that has been called up from rochester PLUS another forward. Our goaltender is a rookie, and our backup is a callup. Really hard to succeed in those conditions don't you think? Also you realize that we are at this moment only a tie breaker out of 6th place, and 5 points out of first! I could see this reaction if we were in the islanders position with only 14 points but we have 25! How about we wait until at least some of our players come back from injury before we start even thinking about missing the playoffs. And people talking about stopping going to games? Those people aren't even real fans. As to the complaints about Ruff, are you saying our players are elite? That they are good enough on their own at this point to be doing considerably better? I think that Ruff is doing a fine job working with what he has. With so many injuries Id be shocked if we stayed competitive before some of our injured players started to come back. The fact is that there isn't much we can do when we are dipping this much into our depth all at once. We have above averagwe depth in nearly every position except center, whis is our only position that is healthy. Nobody could have forseen this. Especially Boyes and Regehr. They are two players that NEVER get hurt. Id also like somebody to PLEASE explain to me how Pommer and Vanek aren't first liners on any other team. The fact is that they are both at the top of the league in scoring/points, which is hard considering that the only center on the team they havnt played with is Gaustad. Some of you people need to get a clue. You can't throw away a season at 20 games. Learn your hockey.
I would like to see them trade Roy....Get tougher up the middle somehow. He's wayyyyyyyy to soft, and for being our "#1" center it seems that he hardly ever takes games over by himself. Is it me, or does it seem he scores a lot of "meaningless" points? You know when the sabres lead like 4-1 in the third, or when the sabres are maybe on the other end of that score late in the game as well.
I think Ruff is an amazing coach but I think his message went stale to THIS "core" years ago. Ruff, on almost any other team, puts you into the playoffs with his system. (I do hate his line juggling).
I wanted DR gone. I was hoping they would have bought him out, sat down with Lindy, and discussed who he felt he could win with, and what type of players he needed to balance out this team. This team is full of mental midget players who play a soft, I mean finesse game. I don't need 20 Kalateas running around (even though that would be interesting), but a better balance of size, and skill.
As I posted in another thread, just because you are big in size, does not mean you play "big."
You have to make a move but with DR at the helm, it seems unlikely..
Vanek and Pomms are having solid seasons so they stay.
I just don't think Regier has the balls to trade Miller so he stays.
Leaves Stafford and Gausted, two players that epitomize the problems of thus team. Two guys with size that play like lambs. Gausted should have been traded the week after the first Boston game for being on the ice and not going after Lucic. Period. It's his job as a 4th liner. As for Stafford, it's just time for him to go. We look for him to play every night like he did in the 2nd Boston game and what we get are 5 no show games before he plays like that again.
It's time to address the issues this team has had for years: center and grit in the top 9. Same issues since the captains left. Seriously, add Drury & Briere of 05-06 to this team, sans say Boyes & Leino and I'd say that leadership on the ice, and talent would make us contenders. The team would just not play as uninspired as they do now with those two of 05-06.
For anyone who watches the Sabres regularly, it is so apparent they need a guy like Drury of old, a St Louis, Inginla, Doan. If the window is 3 years, and we're in that first year, when is the time to bring in the most important piece??? V. Sooner, rather than later is my opinion.
This ^^. The Sabres need to bring in a guy like Drury of old, a St Louis, Inginla, Doan A.S.A.P. ! One of those men would change so much on this team. Oh what i would do to trade Roy for Parise. Roy is a panzy.
anyone watch that Bruins/Wings game today?
some phenomenal, PHENOMENAL hockey played in that game. the puck movement and tempo was great to watch...
when's the last time you saw a Sabres team play like that?
I can't ****ing remember.
Wednesday, first period. 60 minutes of that would have been nice though. It sucks that it basically took being called wusses by the hockey world to get ONE period of play like that.
They were physical in the playoffs last year but as Chain has said before, some of the guys who brought that style of play like Grier and Neids are gone....
After being given Carte Blanche by Pegula, Regier has nowhere to hide anymore. If this team is not being structured properly to contend I think Regier will be gone. However, I don't think it will be done as quickly as most fans might want---Pegula has talked about winning the cup in three years (I think it was?). If we see no progress after year two of the Pegula era I think we will see major changes then.
No need to trade Vanek or Pominville-they work hard in both ends of the rink and have been producing. Stafford has all the tools but like Roy may be better suited somewhere else. Miller has not won many games for us in the last couple years if you think of stand on your head steal a game type of thing--but he would be hard to replace. Toughness (mental and physical), finishing (goals when we need them), and constant hustle is what we are looking for. Philly dumped Richards and Carter because they were not prepared to give 100% every game even though they were talented and did produce. From each according to his ability......
Bottom line I cannot see a huge trade now. We have to bring along our draft choices and try for something in the off season. I do not want the kind of player usually available at the trade deadline at hyperinflated prices. However I am getting off the Ruff bandwagon--we are getting out worked and outsmarted in too many games with less talented teams.
Unless the bottom falls completely out and this team tanks (which won't happen under Ruff, no matter how you feel about his coaching), we will stay the course thru the year and then the evaluations will begin.
I believe Pegula's serious and Ted Black does not have the allegiances (or ego/arrogance) that kept Quinn from doing what needed to be done to build a true winner.
So, I am reconciled to make the best of what we have. I can live with the result as long as the players play with effort, intensity and heart.
That's what gets me most frustrated with this team.... pure and simple.
even though all the talk is about building a championship team.
