Buffalo Rick

Given the recent developements one must think Luongo could be high on Philly's list to replace their goalie? Or, no, I do not even want to think it. Miller? Na. Luongo. Well NHL.com has Luongo as the top prospect to go to philly. Miller 4th.

Pegula deserves every. single. bit. of criticism he's getting. 16 years with the same GM and the team is going backwards and then the GM comes on at the end of the year and talks about "suffering" that fans are going to have to deal with for the next few years and a full rebuild. Then the owner comes on and says he wants to keep Miller and Vanek and how the Sabres can be a part of UFA still. It seems the like the Sabres have no plan and are just going with flow.

Why dont we reserve judgement until after the draft and see how they handle the Vanek, Miller situation? Too soon to start hurling insults on a man that is keeping a team here. We have alot more to work with than is stated here. We did not miss by much and maybe its better than getting in and being embarrassed like Minnesota did? I believe Darcy will right this ship. After all, he has a pretty big gun being held to his head

@Hockey Junkie

I think he could play for the Sabres. I think it is more likely though he will end up with the Islanders or Devils.

Perhaps he will join Lindy in Dallas? Or are you basing it on his home? I do not think he would ever play for the Islanders. He has a better chance to win in Buffalo than on the Island. But I doubt Regier would go there

Pegula deserves every. single. bit. of criticism he's getting. 16 years with the same GM and the team is going backwards and then the GM comes on at the end of the year and talks about "suffering" that fans are going to have to deal with for the next few years and a full rebuild. Then the owner comes on and says he wants to keep Miller and Vanek and how the Sabres can be a part of UFA still. It seems the like the Sabres have no plan and are just going with flow.

So are you trying to say that letting Miller and Vanek go is the right thing to do? That is just plain crazy. You do not let guys like that get away. There are other teams that did not make it and have star players and I do not see their heads being asked for.

CBS sportsline is reporting that Lindy Ruff will be the next coach of the Dallas Stars. How strange is this? The team he lost to in the 99 finals. I wish him the best

I do not like what Sully has written about Pegula's interview and backing of Regier. Lets give Regier a chance to do what has to be done this draft and free agency. He has done alot of good things. He has never had the money he has now. Some of these damn know it all writers really get me going.

I know Briere likes the fans in Buffalo. And those he had a problem with are now gone. Number one, would Darcy forgive him? Would the fans ever forgive him? Does he have any gas left in the tank? He certainly had some magic with Thomas Vanek. So who knows. I would imagine he would prefer to go to the Sabres over many other options. Maybe I wont toss my Briere plaque in the River just yet

With the depth in this draft, I think the Sabres should just hang on to their picks at 8 and 16. They're a rebuilding team and they can get two very solid young players with those picks. And to move up to one, two, or three they'd have to give up something big. And if it includes Grigorenko, or Armia it's not worth it.

I am in agreement with you. I keep 8 and 16 in a deep draft. Unless they reallly think one of these 3 is worth it? And if they do make the trade, its straight up, Colorado gets 8 and 16 for the number one. No way are they getting a valuable player also. That is nuts. They suck anyway. Let them take the first pick. Darcy is not going to get sucked in by them. I am not looking at this as a comlete rebuild when you have Vanek, Miller, OTT, Erhoff, Myers. More like a retool and they are going to add plenty of young talent. Unless they wish to trade a couple of those picks for an established player. I do not know the lit of unrestricted FA's? I think Buffalo can be right back in the mix next season.

Sabres have a lot of hot young talent, I think the two for one switch would benefit them and perhaps get the superstar to make Vanek moveable or complement him.

I hope so. This town is not very patient right now. The firing of Ruff did not sit well with me. Time to get down to business. They need to sign Vanek, Ott and Miller to long term deals. I do not know how much this Erhoff deal will have to do with it? Maybe they can restucture his?

The Sabres currently have the 8 and 16 picks in the first round. It is out that Colorado may be willing to trade their first pick to the Sabres to get the extra pick. Is it worth it to the Sabres?

One would have to think these two guys would be at the top of the list for established coaches to be hired? I would be surprised if at least one was not hired somewhere. Both would be good pick ups. Far better than this chump we or should I say Darcy hired. Regier had better come through in this draft and free agency event that will unfold soon.

Its beyond comprehension that they have not met in the playoffs since the 70's. I could not believe my ears. The Rangers have Boston banged up and with 3 starting D men out and still, going to OT. The Rangers are the most underachieving team in hockey when you consider their talent. They should have fired Tortorella months ago. He gets no credit for them being here. With their money and roster how can they not be here?

Its time they did something about the size of these goalie pads. Its gotten crazy the size of them. How can you score if there is no room to shoot? They must go back to pads somewhere between now and the ones in the 70's. Remember when you used to see them measure the curves on sticks during a game and guys would go to the box for an illegal stick? I expect the same in goaltenders to take place at some point.

I am not that familiar with the junior or college class? Would anyone here rate the crop to be better out of college's or out of juniors? Does anyone venture a guess as to how many top picks will play in the NHL immediately?

It always helps to win game one in a series. I like the Rangers for a few reasons tonight. They face a team coming off a miraculous win so it may take a game for the Bruins to get "involved". The Rangers should be well focused and have the far better goalie. Maybe Nash will shine in this series. He is the type that can give Boston fits. The last reason is my money is on them as I parlayed them with Chicago last night. I am halfway home. Go Rangers!!! Even though I cant stand either team.

I just dont get it? Ottawa has played very well this year and way over their heads. Pittsburgh has been lucky much of the time and I just do not for the life of me knkow why Ottawa just cant seem to beat them. The Sabres I will use as a measuring stick. We cant beat Ottawa this year. Pittsburgh we handled pretty well. Including sweeping them on their ice. i think Ottawa simply believes they cant beat them? There is no reason to think they cant beat them on paper.

You are right about Hecht and he is now gone. Pommer and Roy, it was time to part ways. Vanek, they must keep him and Ott. Erhoff is locked in and he has played very well. The two poison players that absolutely killed us were Regehr and Leopold. Both turned the puck over constantly. After we got rid of them we swept the Penguins. We actually did well against the good teams. Just not the bad ones. Go figure

Never liked Roy, but I did think Pominville had some good times and more potential in Buffalo. Now it's in Minnesota.

I just have little respect for Roy's "game". Too much like Connolly for me - loads of talent and doing precious little with it.

Well Vanek was the most important guy on this team along with Miller. Now add Steve Ott. I am not sure about Buffalo because I do not know what Regier is going to do in June. If he screws up he will be gone but it will be very costly to the entire organization. They have rolled the dice and decided to let him steer the ship through dangerous waters. If I were him I would use my top pick, and trade several of the other ones and twos for established players if I could get the likes of Bergland or Bacchus from St Louis for an example. We have to stay with Myers and give the kid more time. Too soon to give up on a Calder trophy winner. Especially when he leaves a wake of bodies in his path after leaving the corners. He can be a monster in this league. Rolston is on a short leash I am sure.

I had Vanek on my FHL squad so I know exactly what he did. Again, with him and Miller it will almost certainly be a results-oriented decision.

Having cut Pominville loose, I don't see them sticking with Vanek and Miller on big UFA deals if they don't see significant improvement (Second Round?) next year. And both would likely have massive trade deadline value.

Give me a team with 20 Steve Otts and we'll rule the world.

I fell in love with Ott real fast. And he is not only tough, he can play. He can shoot and score too. He blasted one by Fluery when we beat the Penguins up there that was a beauty. He will get the C I am sure. We got alot for Pommenville. Far more than we should have . Pommer was a great guy for us for a long time as was his close friend Derrick Roy. I wish them the best. Pommer was a great penalty killer. A very smart penalty killler. And back when he had the help he could score you 30 goals. Those days are most likely over unless he really mesh's with Parise. He is going to be in Minny alot longer than Roy will be in Vancouver. I still think Roy has something to offer so someone should take him. Regier is on the clock and he is being watched very closely as I am sure your GM is also.

Those three you mention are signed through next season and I'll wager their status is almost entirely results-oriented - if Buffalo does well and is on the rise, they will make efforts to lock them up. If not, don't be surprised to see them dealt at the deadline as part of the rebuild.

I'd certainly keep Ott, but Vanek isn't really a $7M player any more and I don't know that Miller's a $6.25M goalie, either.

I think they see in Rolston a guy who is used to dealing with young players and that can develop them effectively during the rebuild. That was certainly a failing of Ruff.

Well it is nice to know they are locked in but I wonder if Darcy has plans to trade Miller this summer if the price is right? Crazy in my book if he lets Miller get away. Too hard to find great goalies and with the team playing well in front of him he is great. I will take him over any goalie on a breakaway or in a shootout. Ott, I am sure will be wearing the C and be signed for long term if they can get something done. Vanek is worth the money i my book. Just look at the game he had vs you guys. what does he have to do? He was out about 10 games injured but his numbers were great when he was in. He is a stud. Can you see him and your boy Giroux on the same line? Scary. I am disappointed they did not give James Patrick a shot. And now he lets the assistants go. He had best not bring anyone from Rochester up.

Hitchcock had better make a change at goalie if he wants to win in LA. Elliot has been bad. He lets in a stinker to seal it in OT

I do not know what to make of this. But if they do not make a serious effort to keep the best guys they have, Miller, Ott, Vanek and such, I am not going to be sucked in. And people are not going to buy tickets. They had better sign Miller and realize you cant win without a goalie. Ask St Louis

They certainly made no effort to look around. They were just lazy about it and hired this Rolston guy. He had better keep Patrick at least. James has done a good job. I do not want Rochester's damn staff brought up.

I believe we also own Minnesota's number one this year. And their number two next year. I think Darcy should trade the picks if he can get a good return? First he must decide on the coach. Then if he does decide its better to trade the picks, he must make sure Vanek and Miller are committed. And I do not mean to the state psychiatric facility. If he screws up this business in June Mr big bucks Pegula will no doubt finally axe him. He is probably in Alaska right now working on the pipeline.

I have not seen the conference yet as the Buffalo News has changed their online subscription policy and I am not going to bite. I heard it was a bit nasty. Ted Black has backed Regier. I am a bit surprised by the developments. I have heard someone asked about Pegula and someone said he does not have a computer. Are you kidding me? The guy has more money than God and no Mac or I Pad? In this world of technology? I am sure he had the conference streamed to him one way or another. I guess the media held no punches. Like "how can you raise season ticket prices now?" And "are Miller and Vanek going go stay?" No good solid answers to anything. But I do know Ryan Miller is willing to stay and Vanek too if these blockheads do the right thing. They should do what the Detroit Red Wings are doing. Keep the handfull of stars they have and build around them. Franzen and Dadzuk are there. We can keep Miller, Vanek, Ott, Erhoff, Myers and build around them. Maybe keep Flynn and Gregorenko and Ennis, and I am not sure on Foligno who disappointed me this year. I will lose it if they do not make a solid effort to keep Vanek and Miller. Black and Regier have not said anything about who the coach will be. They will have us hanging it seems until June. Maybe they are going to wait for the playoffs to end to see if anyone else becomes available. As if the strike was not bad enough, and then a season like this? Maybe its a good thing that the Sabres went through this during a strike year, so they can fix things faster. If they had to suffer through an 82 game schedule with the same results it would have been even more painfull for all of us to watch. Anyway, Mr big bucks needs to remember us fans. And so dose Darcy and Ted Black.

Now that Regier is to stay, and I am one that agrees with this, he must decide on a coach. Rolston did do a decent job with what he had to work with. He kept the team motivated it seems. Or was it Steve Ott? Steve Ott is a huge piece of the puzzle. He has brought grit and spirit. If they chose to not go with Rolston, my choices would be one of three individuals. Ron Wilson, James Patrick or Randy Cunneyworth. Those that will be back IMO for sure are Erhoff (locked into long deal). Myers (too young to give up on and a Calder trophy winner), Steve Ott (they will not only keep him but he wants to be here), but after that, who knows? I would have said keep Vanek at any cost and I still say that. But Regier? I do not know if he has alienated Miller or Vanek? If he has, then I am going to buy a brick with my name on it and put it right through the office window at the Niagra Center. Sign Miller and Vanek and then move on Hecht has retired so that is solved. Once we see how we fair in the lottery we can decide whether to trade or use the picks. I think a bit of both will occur. Buffalo is in good shape with picks.