Right off yahoo sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_d ... nhl,253671

Buffalo Sabres: Sabres fans thank GM Darcy Regier for continuing their summer rite of "celebrating the mediocrity."

Wow, you actually consider Ryan Lambert's douchey sense of humor as news. Don't read his stuff much do you?

_________________
mechaphil

Fail at detecting sarcasm much?

Fail at detecting sarcasm much?

_________________
"I can't really hear what Jeremy says, because I got my two Stanley Cup Rings plugging my ears...." -Patrick Roy in reference to Jeremy Roenick's trash talking

We're getting better.

_________________
Wheelhouse

where?

_________________

Everywhere, the whole entire team has gained invaluable playoff experience and now that they got a sniff, they want the trophy even more. It's like in that movie, Major Payne.

_________________
"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

Experience and depth.

My guess is... we get a more potent offense, a slightly weaker defense, and a better goaltending tandem.

If Miller gets proper rest with Jhonas backing him up, it won't matter that our D makes a stumble or two.

And if we're poised to take a run at the cup, I expect the defense to be the area that Darcy tries to bolster.

Not to mention we still have a long summer ahead.

_________________
Wheelhouse

The team, as built right now, is not better than it was last year. That may change between now and the start of training camp, but right now:

- They're weaker on defense with the departure of Lydman and Tallinder.
- They're weaker at backup goaltender, even if they keep Lalime. If he stays, he's older and still has busted hips. Not a good combo.
- They still have a lack of scoring depth up front.

On paper, you might think that.

But with Gerbe and Ennis poised to be full time players, we're actually deeper up front than we were last year, assuming nothing drastic happens.

Also, I'm banking on Enroth being a better backup than Lalime.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I don't agree with the first of your points. We all know that Tallinder was only good in contract years, and besides, Leopold is just as mediocre, if not better than Tallinder. He also has just a bit more upside as he is younger.

Lydman's toughness will be sorely missed, but I think Weber can keep it just as tough, if not more.

Let's also keep in mind that Rivet finally repaired his double-torn shoulder, so that should make him all the more reliable.

Also, backup goalie you can only put so much stock in since Miller plays about 70 games, anyway.

The lack of scoring depth, however, is 100% correct.

_________________
Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I'll agree that if you put Leopold with Myers, you'll probably get the same results that you got from Tallinder/Myers.

Lydman's loss hurts more though. Weber may be able to provide you the same physicality that Lydman did, but he's weaker defensively, and he's nowhere near good enough to give you 20 minutes a game like Lydman did. I'm not sold on Weber, not in the slightest.

I'm hoping for a resurgance from a repaired Rivet too. I've liked the guy a lot over his career, and would love to see him finish it out the right way, and not bogged down by injury. A healthy, grumpy Rivet is just what the doctor ordered.

am i the only guy excited for weber?

_________________

Yep. Pretty much. I really don't see why you're excited; because of potential?

_________________

I am. I think he's going to be better than people think.

Defenseman that play his style typically need more time to develop.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I'm excited for Weber. I've been excited for Weber and I've got a track record of posts to prove it. But Tom is right - Weber's potential doesn't equal Lydman's proven defensive play.

_________________
mechaphil

I'm hoping he'll do well, but just not confident.

Hopefully I'm wrong.

Don't forget that Myers is going to be better prepared going into this season, physically and mentally. The minutes he plays might even go up by 1-3 on average. There are a few other young guys on that blue line that should be better players going into camp this fall as well, most notably Butler who could be ready for a bigger role on the team.

Up front Stafford took a step back last year but this is a kid who has the skill to up 50-60 points/season. He needs better consistency in his game, and to pick up the tempo on the back check. Some forwards take Miller for granted and that's not going to cut it in the playoffs as we all witnessed last season.

Regier isn't done yet, and but blowing up the team was never a good idea as some seem to suggest.

_________________
"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

I like that some of our young guys are getting better, especially Myers. Everyday he plays is making him bigger and more sure of himself so of course tha experience that the young players are getting or have got is great. Tat being said though, so far I don't think anything has been done to make our team better when it comes to trades and or signing for quite some time. I would like to see a larger name come to Buffalo to help out our forwards but I'm not Darcy and I don't know what's realistically available.

_________________