Still 40 games to be played. If Quinn wants the cup so badly you better get out and do something for it. Right now this team is benefiting from Millers stellar season. Come playoffs other teams will crash the net harder, play tougher this will be the real test. Miller alone can't make it all we gonna need our top six bringing their A game, stellar Miller and a hard nosed defense.

Obviously this team IS a playoff contender but sorry to say it by no way a cup contender. Blackhawks, Sharks, Redwings, Devils are just...well better. Personally I think we're capable of making it to the second round, if we make the playoffs. Maybe next season IF we can get the needed assets which would mean: Golisano/Quinn use money to get the assets.

_________________
Sloppy seconds = 6 games "clean" headhunting = nothing
it's obvious Bettman and Campbell are Pens cocksuckers

Going back a few threads ago, do I think the potential is here to start lighting the lamp for us to be considered a "Scary Good" team? Yup. We've seen it in the guys which we complain about on a daily basis that aren't scoring atm. We know how they CAN play, just seems like they're lazy. In reality, to look at our team on paper against the teams like Chicago, San Jose, Detroit, Pittsburgh, we don't stand a chance. But with the exception of the Sharks, we've played and beaten all of them this season. I think for us to make it past the 2nd round, it would have to be a perfect storm of sorts. Not saying we have all the parts for a cup run, I just think the picture is kind of blurry when some guys who we know can play, aren't performing to past accomplishments. So it makes it hard to think of who we could bring in to add to the mix when we may not have the full idea of what the recipe is to begin with.

While I do agree with bringing in one or two pieces of the puzzle for that final push to get the cup, to bring in some big names would likely mean guys whose contracts are up at the end of this year and will likely test the waters as opposed to resigning in Buffalo July 1st. Should we blow our wad this year on some high end names and we shit the bed, we'd lose too many key guys who can play the system in such trades. No thanks. We have enough of those guys who will be UFA’s on our plate going into this offseason and should any or all of them just decide to walk, we're screwed for another season or two until our kids make the jump from Jr. or the "A". The cycle will continue and the term, “Rebuilding” will be tossed around more than Millers’ favorite, “Consistency”.

I dunno, the whole thing hurts my mind this early in the morning. I'm just glad where we're at right now and will continue to hope for the best. Take it one game at a time for now and hope these next 7 games aren't as painful as they appear.

_________________
If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

The changes for next year were around the 40th Anniversary season.

This HOPEFULLY will be the death of the slug and the move to the 3rd jersey logo as THE primary logo for the club.

But, we shall see.....

_________________
Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I don't believe that there is a trade out there to be made given the Sabres cap situation and what they need that would transform this year's team from a Cup contender to an odds on favorite to win the Cup.

I could just as easily see this team win the Cup by merely tweaking the roster like they have in the past as I could see this team making a "blockbuster" deal and coming up short like say the Penguins two years ago when they dealt for Hossa and lost to Detroit in the Finals.

While I think that a deal for Kovalchuk would make the team better, I could see the lack of Russians on the team and other factors making the headline at the time being bigger than the ultimate impact on the ice.

And historically, the teams that make the biggest splash at the deadline rarely raise Lord Stanley's beer mug.

Plus, how many people think the Sabres are literally ONE PLAYER AWAY FROM WINNING THE CUP?

Quinn said that if they felt that they were one player away, they would make a move.

But, I don't get the feeling that the Sabres brass thinks that the team is that close this year.

I know I don't look at this team and think that they are one player away.....

_________________
Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I don't think a big trade for the final piece is going to be easy to make. Yeah, the Sabres have a good stable of prospects and picks with which to make a trade, but are nearly up against the cap. Many other teams are hindered by the cap as well, limiting moves that can be made.

That being said, I don't know if this year is the right time to empty the pipeline to make a run for the Cup. I don't think a big deadline move would even improve their chances that greatly. I think something along the lines of Darcy's usual small-time, subtle, yet surprisingly effective moves might do just as much or more for their chances. Look at how Grier and Montador have panned out. Nobody was hootin' and a-hollerin' over those moves, but things are turning around for this team.

I trust Darcy to make the right moves. Hell, the guy's got a career in managing a hockey team. I've never even played the game. You gotta have faith (uh, faith-uh!).

Ham

_________________
Do you believe yet?

_________________
Wheelhouse

Does it cross your mind that we have wins against every single one of those teams you have listed, outside of San Jose who we haven't played yet?

How about the fact that you omitted Washington and Pittsburgh, who we also have wins against?

I feel like Buffalo fans are like abused dogs at the SPCA. They get slapped around by misfortune and are afraid of a human hand forever, even if it's holding a T-bone steak.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I don't always agree with what Quinn says and does, but he made an interesting point yesterday.

Since BTG has owned the team, they have the 4th best record in the NHL. They have to be doing SOMETHING right.

Quinn is a good businessman...I think Sabres fans are still irked by Black Monday

_________________
"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

I think there's enough time for the team as is to get the scoring up and be playing at a high enough level to win the Cup. By March 3rd we should have a pretty good idea. If the team struggles, and particularly if MacArthur doesn't improve much or the PP struggles, then I would look real hard at Dennis Seidenberg or Ray Whitney (both will be UFAs this summer).

The team could really use a d-man that can play the point, but the availability of Seidenberg will depend on Florida's playoff chances. They're in 12th spot right now and I'll be hoping that they crash in the next few weeks. He could be had for Sekera or any d-man prospect and a pick. Carolina is done anyway, and Whitney is a solid two way LW that brings experience. If Darcy doesn't feel good about re-signing MacArthur (a pending RFA) than he may as well trade him for a better LW that can provide leadership and scoring in the top six. MacArthur and Whitney should be a straight up deal since MacArthur's rights would remain under Florida's control, and he's much cheaper with potential.

These two players are not blockbusters, but they are reasonably priced upgrades to the few small weaknesses that the team has. Whitney would strictly be a rental, but Seidenberg could be a long term signing that would be worth giving up a young talent like Sekera (or Gragnani, Paetsch, Brennan, etc).

I think the best thing we could do at this point is evaluate who we think will be sellers at the trade deadline, and come up with a list of players from each team that we think would work well in the system here in Buffalo.

We'd also have to take a look at where we think we need the most help. I think we're pretty well set defensively. If Vanek and Pominville don't start steam rolling down the stretch, I'd be interested in a winger who is solid at finishing.

I think Stafford has been much better lately as well.

I'm feeling pretty confident that all of these forwards are going to blossom at the right time. Time will tell.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I'm confident enough in Darcy that if there is a move out there that could make the team better, and make sense for the team, he'll do it.

If there isn't, he won't.

I agree with Squanto on this.
I don't believe trading Kassian, Ennis, McNabb, Adams or other promising talent in the Jr. pipeline is necessary. They may show further promise at higher levels.
There is current talent on the NHL and AHL rosters that have the possibility of being moved to secure what the team needs. But it is all up to Darcy, and he and Ruff have proven myself and many like me wrong. They have surprised me with this current squad. I'll never truly know what the reasons were for the Drury/Briere decisions, but a mere 3 seasons later those moves appear to have been justified based on the salary situations Philly and the Rangers find themselves in with those 2 players.

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

PSP, sellers in the East (at this point) would be Carolina, and probably Florida and Tampa Bay. Toronto won't trade with Buffalo. I was spouting off on Kurtis Foster last summer. He signed a one year deal with TB for only 600k. He's currently their PP MVP and has 7-12-19 for the season. He's from Ontario, a right handed shot, and is 6-5 220 lbs. He apparently is well over the broken femore he suffered almost two years ago. He could be another possibility if Seidenberg is too expensive or not available, or maybe even a better option. I don't see anything else out there on Eastern teams for now.

In the West, the only possible players on the market that might help Buffalo are Modin and Jurcina in Columbus, or Jere Lehtinen from Dallas.

I only look at pending UFAs since they are the most likely trade bait. Otherwise players under contract provide endless scenarios that Darcy probably won't get involved in anyway.

But remember, if a team is looking to get younger and they're not getting the return they're looking for on a UFA, it can also be very effective to trade someone talented that you have locked up, and use the cap space over the summer from the UFA walking to bring in some other talent.

As an example, lets take a look at the Dallas Stars, who have tons of UFA's at the end of this year, and will most likely be a seller at the trade deadline.

None of their UFA's are any that will attract some major returns at the deadline, except for MAYBE Turco, if a team is desperate for a goaltender. But they'd have to be reallllly desperate.

We've made trades with them before, and I see some opportunity there.

After this year, Brad Richards has 1 year left on his contract. If we can't get Vanek going, then Richards for Vanek and some pucks might be a good deal.

Dallas would get a young goal scorer and Buffalo would get a playoff dynamo for this season and next season.

Yes, he's a center. But you could always move Roy out to wing, which he played alongside Drury with Grier in the 2006 playoffs.

It's an unlikely scenario, I know, but it's just an example of a possibility.

_________________
Wheelhouse

I just doubt that Darcy commits to any player with a high contract with years attached to it. That kind of player would have to be someone that Darcy wants anyway - a player that doesn't bring a real high cap hit, a player he wants anyway, and a player that is actually on the trading block. It's pretty unlikely even if teams start shopping players under contract.

BTW, Minnesota may put Sykora up for sale even if they are in the playoff hunt, but I doubt Darcy would want him either.

Let's go ask Eric Staal if he wants to play in a real hockey market.

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

_________________
Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

I would disagree with trading away a prospect or two. There doesn't appear to be any power house teams this year. Several good teams; us amongst them.

If a difference maker is available, and can fit under our cap; we'd be foolish not to go for it. We have no sure fire prospects in our system. Might Zack Kasian, Tyler Small, or a Luke Adam develop into good NHL players? Maybe, maybe not.

The only prospect I have thought as untouchable over the last year is Tyler Myers. Mind you, I find Kassian an intriguing combination of size, skill, and toughness that I'd hate to see him moved. The rest I wouldn't lose any sleep over.

_________________
"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Minnesota may put up Owen Nolan as well. Minnesota has drafted really well the past few years, and they have young talent ready, and have many core players being UFAs this year. May make Nolan the odd man out, and I've always felt he'd play great under Ruff, and would be a valuable forward for this team still.

_________________
"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010