Buffalo Rick

Briere just went to Montreal. So you are wrong.

Now wait just a minute there pal. The Islanders made the playoffs for the first time in how long? And now you are going to annoint them a playoff team? They may just as easily wind up sweeping the cellar again. And the Sabres are not without a chance if they are smart enough to retain Miller and Vanek and we know Ott is going no where. So do not comletely count the Sabres out and put teams like the islanders and florida in. None of us know how this will play out. There is alot of deals left before the puck drops. So lets wait and see how the teams look before we jump to conclustions. Tim Thomas by the way could wind up in Philly. I thought the Islanders had his rights? I think Roy will be signed somewhere. Why not Minnesota?

No way does he chose the Island over Buffalo. Report is we are talkiing to Hodgeson now. What the hell is there to talk about. Sign him you idiots!! And Vanek and Miller. And Briere too. There are so many rumours nobody knows what to believe until its final. Tim Thomas? Is he going to play on the Island? Derick Roy is not going to be re signed by Vancouver. I wonder if he will go to Dallas again to join Lindy? I think the Wild should grab him as he has good chemistry with Pommenville. We all have to sweat for the next month or so. I know you guys are excited in Philly to get Lecavalier. And you should be. He is still good. Smart with the puck. Can he hell with Giroux on the PP. I know Briere let you guys down with injuries. But do you truly think he is done? How old would he be? I just get sick over the thought of losing Miller or Vanek. Sick

Yes he is also talking to other teams but one has to think Buffalo would have the edge where his heart is concerned? Those he did not like are gone. There was magic when he and Vanek were on the ice. Maybe he can bring back some damn magic. Why not. I think he realizes he should have stayed. His numbers would have been better. Ill bet Dallas is on that list too? Lindy Ruff and him did not have a problem. I once said I would never want to see him again. Now I may be willing to see him in camp.

The Sabres have the potential to have the best blue line in the NHL very soon, with these two top picks and Erhoff and Myers now more experienced. This may make Miller wish to stay put.

I am a bit surprised Darcy did not trade a pick for an established player? perhaps he tried and just could not work anything out? I am sure he was on the phones. I doubt this coach we have had any say whatsoever on anything. Unlike in Vancouver were I am sure Tortorella had some input with Gillis. I wish the Sabres had gone wtih James Patrick if they were going to give some young guy a shot. Not Rolston. I still do not know why Rolston got the job. Its not like Rochester did that well with him.

http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/blog/eye-on-hockey/22586884/nhl-draft-grades-evaluating-every-firstround-pick-in-2013 According to sportsline the Sabres have landed the best two defensemen available in the draft.

Does anyone think he is still worth alot on the market? I wonder where he will wind up? I sure hope not a Ranger. I am sick of them buying up all the talent. Time for Pegula to put up some money. A friend of mine in Vancouver says the Canucks may want Leino. So that would open some cap room

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.

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

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

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

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.

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