Buffalo Rick

Why is it that there is this talk of eating part of Vanek's contract if a deal is made and this rebuilding talk? Nobody in the NHL uses the word rebuild any more. Unless you have a horrendous lineup and we are no way in that category. It sounds to me like if things don't go well they can fall back on this rebuild talk as damage control to Pegula's promise's he made when he took over? That is how I perceive it. But if the Sabres excel and play better than the critics expect, then what? Why not lock Vanek and Miller in long term and move on from there. Far more sensible to me than moving your star players. Both players are willing to be here. Sure if it were to get real ugly that could change. But if they play well, they could re sign them. They must have gotten off dirt cheap keeping a coach like Rolston over signing a proven guy like Ron Wilson? Does anyone agree with this? I am not sure what to think of this guy to be quite honest but I would not be giving him the kind of slack they gave Lindy Ruff. More slack perhaps than any coach in NHL history. I was for signing Patrick and he is now Lindy's assistant in Dallas once again. Or Wilson. I think Regier was fast on this decision. His neck is next on the chopping block if things go South I am sure of it. As a fan I certainly hope they win. But I do not like how they handled things with Lindy. I have to go back and see the schedule but I think we play the Blue Jackets in pre season two or three times. I expect them to be a tough team to play against this year. We open in Detroit. Thanks for that Mr schedule maker. Why not send us to the salt mines next

Thank God this deal is done. We could not let Cody get away. He is a big part of this team going forward. This is great news.

I cannot remember in recent history going into a season with more uncertainty. They are sending me emails to buy mini packs (tickets) and I do not have a clue how this team will perform? On paper they really do not look bad. They have a pretty good roster. If Miller plays well and makes a run for the Olympic position, we should at least be in the race for a seed. This Miller/Vanek thing is hanging over them. I wish Regier would talk to them about extending their contracts. We need them both. We are not going to find another Miller. Or a guy like Vanek that is a true scorer. Steve Ott and Hodgeson are other key guys up front and our defensive lineup is pretty good. We got the best D man in the draft, the Fin. We have Myers and Erhoff and Tallinder is back to be a good smart stay home guy on penalty kills especially. If they keep the puck out of the net they can win more games than anyone here believes.

Isn't it amazing you can buy a season ticket for the Amerks for pretty much the same price as one Sabres game. I am wondering how they will pull off an outdoor game in California? Even though it never rains in Southern California as the song goes.

The Sabres farm team the Rochester Americans will host the Lake Erie Loch Monsters in an outdoor game at Frontier field in downtown Rochester. Dec 13th is the date and this being a great hockey town it will sell. This town supports the Sabres and Americans both very well. An alumni game between Sabres and Amerks will be played two days later outdoors as well.

You betcha. And with a revamped defense, expect Ryan to really play better. Especially knowing it could land him the Olympic job if Quick does not play well for the first half?

You mean Hodgeson? I have not heard anything but he will get signed. I have no doubt.

That is not accurte info. Yes they are longshots but there are many below them

Two Eastern conference finals and one finals is CERTAINLY OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND!!!!!

I would not say we are OK with it. Most in Buffalo are calling for his head. I am not one of them because I know what else is out there. And I know he has done the right things most of the time and he has not had money since just over a year ago. He has not had the Rangers payroll. Once again, I am not OK with it. But he should have had the Cup here in 06 and only injuries prevented it. That game 7 loss to Carolina with Edmonton awaiting the winner with no chance. Regier has made the right moves lately and since he has had money, only a little over a year, he has really not done anything major wrong except fire Lindy. I dont like seeing that punk coaching our team but what can I do.

And they are now talking about changing the equipment and its long overdue

Flynn just signed and this Sabres team is no longer a small team like they were once accused of being. Gerbe is gone, and if anyone knows if he was picked up, please tell? I think he was put on waivers? But I believe he is gone. The defense already had Myers but the two they drafted are big players. I do believe the Sabres will be better than people suspect. I have a friend that is a Vancouver fan that thinks he is playing possum. If these young guys they drafted can play now, that will help. I expect the number one pick to make it. The Finnish kid. We wont have to wait long to see if we can continue our dominance over the Penguins as we get them 3 games in. So anyway, we only play the Metropolitan division teams 3 times, and the Western teams twice. Each home and away. And of course there is the Olympic break

Just like your boy Holmgren?

If they do not make it then Ill be the first one to show him the door

Somebody translate this mess for me. Whats your point?

You have to try and make the playoffs first. Then anything can happen. You cannot just walk into the season saying we are going to win it all. You have to be wiling to go out, work, and if you make it in, then you shoot for the stars. Your Flyers I am sure are taking the same approach. I am sure your coach is not coming right out and saying "we are going to win it all" a year after missing the playoffs? I look at our depth chart, and there are many worse ones in the league. Go Sabres!!!!

He should never never say such things I will give you that. But when I look at this roster with Vanek and Miller and Ott and Myers and Erhoff and alot of young talent, I am not going to write them off. That is just plain ridiculous. Toronto played way over their heads with a no name roster last year, and for the first time since I can remember, got in. Do you think they are a cinch to repeat? I do not.

I am not going to throw in the towel and just discount this roster as having no shot. I could do the same to your team saying you have no defense and no goalie. Surprises happen every year in the NHL. Tell Steve Ott they have no chance.

Maybe he is here reading. Well if you are Darcy, hear this. Keep Miller at all costs you damn fool. Where are you going to get a goalie as good as him? You are not. Have you gone mad? Miller and Vanek must stay you fool!!!!

Raw numbers and stats in sports do not tell the entire story. You have to watch the games. Watch the playres. And see what they can do. His numbers were down last year due to circumstances beyond his control. Defensive injuries and meltdowns galore.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22828118/nhl-rumors-jaromir-jagr-to-devils-is-99-percent-done Unreal

You cannot blame Miller for last season. No way. They guy was spectacular on many nights and he was hung out to dry by his defense. Miller will bounce back and when he is healthy, nobody is better. NOBODY. He is the best goalie in the NHL. Nobody I would rather have back there in a pressure situation on a breakaway. I wish I had spoken to him when I had the chance. He was on the sideline right next to me before a game vs Vancouver, and my seat was next to where the Sabres take the ice next to their bench He was going through his pregame thoughts and I could have tapped him on the shoulder but I decided I better keep my mouth shut. I wanted to tell him to "use the lumber" on a few chosen players. Like Hextall used to. Hit em in the chops when the refs turn their back and they skate the other way. Neil of Ottawa was the guy I wanted. Or half of Boston's team.

Looks like we only play the Metropolitan division teams 3 times? So everybody plays everybody at least once at home. I wonder what the reaction will be when Lindy Ruff comes in with Dallas? It will be a very strange moment in sports. A coach that was loved and was here "forever" compared to other coaches in other cities. Lindy must have seen it on the schedule. Miller will want that one I am sure. He is still and always will be respected in this town and someday his name will be in lights here. I thought the Rangers would hire him. Anyone see anything that jumps out at you on the schedule? Wonder how it will be with Detroit being in our division? We open there and its Miller's hometown. His mother and friends will be there and he will be going against his brother Drew.. The trash talking has probably already begun. Any rivalry that may have developed between Buffalo and Philly is now extinct. We will see less of you guys now. But I will keep an eye on your team on Center Ice. I think you guys will be able to score as always. I think Mason is way better than Emery. So I am sure he will win the job. But more moves could be coming. Your concerns will be on defense. Ours will be on offense. Good luck. At least now we get a whole season. And we play the West again. I predict Giroux will score 46 if healthy. Maybe more. I think Vanek can score 40 too if healthy. Its hard to keep guys healthy for 82 games

We open in Detroit. Yikes. Oct 28th Lindy Ruff comes to town with his Dallas Stars. Man is that going to be strange.

I know that one of the key issues on the table at the CBA was the limit on contracts. Well the Kings have locked Brown in for life. But is this wise business? You have to ask yourself how good he will be in 5 years and then the last 3 on his contract? I suppose when you compare it to baseball and basketball hockey players certainly deserve more money than they have gotten. But the cap space is a huge problem. You make one mistake, a GM makes one mistake, and the paying fans who support this sport and all others, pay the price watching their team have to wait years to win again. Let me look at my own team. It is well documented I want Miller and Vanek to remain Sabres. Do I think an 8 year contract is what it will take to get them to stay? I sure hope not, but when they see deals like this go down, its going to make it tougher for all of the other teams to try and get their players to sign for a fair amount of time. These damn agents are holding a gun to the heads of GM's in some ways. But it stems from baseball and basketball first. I am not including football because your career can be over on one play and one hit. Not so likely in baseball or baskets but more likely in hockey than those two. There should be more of an even keel; in handing out contracts. I know Crosby is going to make more money than your average Joe grinder who does the dirty work and goes into the corners. But I think its a bit too much of a glaring difference in contracts. There has to be a limit. The economy is terrible in this country. The ticket prices will rise, and the greedy players will want more and more. It cannot go on forever. I did not see the fine print enough to understand exactly what was agreed to on contract term limits. So by all means enlighten me. I would like to turn on my PC tomorrow and read the Sabres have come to an agreement with Miller and Vanek for 4 yrs each. I know I am dreaming and its not happening. More likely to read "Oilers offer Vanek 8 yrs, 57 Mill, and the keys to the city".