I'd want to make way more moves than Regier is likely to make.

I'd move Stafford & Connolly.

I'd let Tallinder walk.

I'd do everything to keep Grier.

I'd look to move Gaustad to try and upgrade the center position as Gaustad's growth has stunted.

Pieces I'd look to add:

- A legit #1 center
- A minute munching d-man to pair with Myers
- A PP QB d-man
- A grizzled vet 3rd line center to replace Gaustad

there needs to be a changing of the guard from behind the bench and up.

Connolly is a horse and as such should be treated like one.

Next injury, shoot him.

HAMILTON: Sabres offseason - The marriage must end


Paul Hamilton Reporting
Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier is a fiercely loyal man. He has told me that he will never fire Lindy Ruff because he believes in him. He said he learned that from Bill Torrey and the Islanders organization that won four Stanley Cups. Al Arbour was Torrey's coach no matter what. In this day and age of professional sports, that type of loyalty is rare.

Regier gets married to his players too and that's where the problem lies. This year's Sabres were near as inconsistent as the past two years. That was proven by winning the division, but when times got rough and the playoffs began, the guys that have been groomed to be the key players failed miserably.

It took me a long time to land where others did last year with Tim Connolly. I thought if he could only have an injury free year, he'd light it up. Off and on he did this season, but where was he when it mattered. He told me last night he was NOT injured so that means that pathetic performance he put on for six games was all him. One assist. That's it! He had two goals in his last 22 games. He had 11 overall points during that time. The time when his team needed him the most. I don't like that the NHL has decided to get away from its stance after the lockout. The league has decided more obstruction is good for the game and less skill is what the fans wanted to see. Connolly played like one of the best players in the league when obstruction was called, but it's more than just that. I think he's lost his will to play. My guess is injuries are the reason. It's rare you see him sell out to block a shot like he used to. It's rare you see any passion in his game. I thought $4.5-million would have been a bargain for him if he stayed healthy. As it turned out, it was a huge mistake.

Derek Roy ended the season with no goals in his last 13 games. Overall he had six points in his last 11 games. Here's a guy who thinks he has all the answers. I was disappointed he wasn't traded in the last off season and now more than ever they have to see that he is not a coachable player. Anytime he does things Ruff's way he is successful, but it's not enough to merit him here. Maybe Ruff thought putting an "A" on his sweater would make him grow up, but I haven't seen it on the ice or in his life choices. He has been protected in this town and he has worn out his welcome. He is a guy who can overcome his size, but all the good players on the way except Luke Adam are his size or smaller.

When was the last time Regier made a huge trade? It was July 3, 2003 when they acquired Chris Drury and Steve Begin for Rhett Warrener and Steve Reinprecht. They had just gotten Reinprecht from Colorado for Keith Ballard. That's seven years, it's way too long. A huge trade is needed and Derek Roy needs to be in the middle of it. I know Roy has a reasonable contract, but that can't matter any more. That should actually help them get better value for him. His cap figure in four million dollars and he's signed through 2013. That's the same year Thomas Vanek, Jason Pominville and Ryan Miller all run out too.

As far as the Sabres unrestricted free agents Mike Grier is the only one who interests me and he's interested in coming back. Matt Ellis and Adam Mair are good fourth liners so I suppose bringing them back is fine although I doubt Mair is coming back since they waived him earlier this year. I can do without his undisciplined penalties. Cody McCormick is good for depth. Raffi Torres does not interest me in the least.

In goal it seems like it's time to find out about Jhonas Enroth or bring back Martin Biron.

On defense, I think Henrik Tallinder had a good comeback season and Toni Lydman was solid much of the time. The problem is this team needs change so maybe the thing to do is let them both walk. I think they'll keep one of them. Now's the time to see if Mike Weber or Marc Gragnani can play. A trade landing a defenseman would be nice. Former number one pick Dennis Persson did not play in any of Portland's four playoff games. In 60 regular season games he had seven points. Second round pick Drew Schiestel had 12 points in 52 games. Another second round pick T.J. Brennan had 23 points in 65 games.

I think Chris Butler and Andrej Sekera still have a chance to be good. I also think they need to take the "C" away from Craig Rivet. I think he's a very good leader, but it really limited Ruff because Rivet had a poor season and you can't put your captain in the Press Box. I have an idea that would either work very well or be a huge flop. It's taking a big chance, but I would consider giving it to Thomas Vanek. I think he would flourish with the responsibility. He cares. He's very focused in the room and takes responsibility for his play and actions. It's something I think could and likely would make him a better player.

So the offseason is here. It's earlier than any of you wanted. I think one thing we all can agree on is status quo is no longer acceptable. The plan must move this franchise forward.

It'd be an experiment, for sure, but...

Fire Darcy, promote Lindy. Lindy brings in Randy Cunneyworth (HC), Scott Arniel (AC), Teppo Numminen (AC), as his coaching staff. I like it. It won't happen, but I like it.

I would try to pry Malkin away from the Pens!

The GM is too smart to do that, but believe it or not the fans will turn on Malkin in a blink of an eye! They want him gone and a winger for Sid brought in! Vanek is an elite goal scoring winger, and he's only 26 (Malkin will be 24 in July). The thinking from the Pens fans is that Staal is ready to be the #2 center (he can't pass for shit and the GM knows this) and that a winger for Sid is the most important thing in the entire universe!

In fact, the media has already blamed a playoff exit on Malkin 3 months before it even started! Malkin is going to be traded, when and where I don't know.

I'm hoping the Pens get swept in round two and somehow Malkin doesn't get a point (even with the lame wingers they give him to work with, this is still an impossibility)! This city will want Malkin's head on a pike!

Wishful thinking, but I would just love to see what Geno could do in a system like Buffalo's with the best wingers on the team helping him out, instead of second or third helpings.