I'm living in the world of "what ifs" here, so bear with me!

IF the Sabres would have been able to overcome some inexperience, their own diminutive statures, and some annoying discipline issues (and untimely zebra farts) I think they would have made it all the way to the SCF! I think they would have defeated the Flyers by now, and I also think they match up great against the Canadians and would have out lasted them in a 7 game series! Once there, I don't like their chances vs. the Sharks or Blackhawks but I think they are capable of stealing a couple games from either of them.

Would have been a heck of a run.

Back to reality for just a second, winning the Cup is a lengthly process that teams must undertake. Experience IS paramount when the nervous system is involved and even one round of the playoffs can prepare a young man to be a part of a championship team. So this season, in my opinion, was a HUGE step in the right direction!

Looking ahead, here's what I think the Sabres GM needs to address in the off season to maintain a winning team and give it a more potent playoff punch. It's not rocket science, and a lot of these things are what the Penguins have done over recent years to finally win another Cup.

1. Veteran presence. It's important to have a couple of guys on the team who are not only important players, but likable and knowledgeable. Older players that have been through it all before and know what kind of attitude it takes to be a champion. Players like Recchi, Roberts, and Guerin have helped the Penguins young players focus on their roles by providing a steadying influence. Looking at the Sabres roster, I think they REALLY need to add a guy like this, somebody who can get them all thinking about the ultimate prize and what it takes to get it.

2. Toughness. I think the Sabres have a lot of heart but I don't think they have enough guys that are just flat out tough. Guys like Matt Cooke, who do all the dirty work and stick up for their teammates. The Sabres have guys like that, they just need players that are more willing to dive on those hand grenades, so to speak. They need some of that nastiness, it's important to have a balanced cast of characters on a team.


It's going to be a great season next year!

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"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

Regarding veteran presence, the Sabres would do well to bring in a veteran player known for scoring and toughness. My ideal situation would be dishing off a combination of roster players, a pick, and a prospect for Jarome Iginla, then signing a center for the new top line of Vanek-XXXXX-Iginla. If that's not a possibility, Tomas Holmstrom and his reputation should would be a welcome addition to this team (and he's UFA with a <$2.5 salary he's coming off of, to boot).

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mechaphil

I think the problem isn't so much that we need these things because we have guys that fill these roles. Mair fighting that monster Lucic while already suffering from a broken nose? There's a guy with some balls. Gaustad constantly harassing and trying to get into the head of Chara... Chara for crying out loud. Rivet occasionally sitting guys on their asses for chirping to the ref's. Veteren presence can be seen in some guys, again Rivet... maybe Grier. Probably some guys I'm forgetting about. Maybe it's not in large enough numbers, but we've started filling that void.

The problem in my opinion is that we don't have these things in our top 2 lines. For the first time in the last few years we have a defense that can stand up for itself (especially if we somehow ship Butler out), and we've always had a capable 3rd and 4th line spearheaded by Mair and Gaustad, and more recently guys like Grier and Kaleta. But what we desperately need is a guy or two on the top 2 lines that can both lay someone out and pot some freakin goals. Bringing in Torres was obviously a cheap attempt to do that, considering he was leading in goals when he came here and had a decent mean streak to him... nothing doing though.

Unfortunately guys like that don't come cheap... it'll be an interesting offseason if Darcy actually tries to find someone.

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if holmstrom plays next year, no way he leaves detroit.

but fuck i like that idea.

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Creative Center + Sniper + Net Crasher = Successful Line.

They are not cheap, and they are really hard to find. Ryan Malone and Scott Hartnell are the only two I can think of off the top of my head. Drafting Kassian was awesome, he's going to fill one of those top two line roles in 2 or 3 years. Who knows, the way the league is today with so many young players finding success early in their careers, he might be one strong training camp away from cracking the opening day roster.

I guess the Sabres are tougher than I gave them credit for, maybe the checking lines are good enough.

As for the experience, I don't think any of the Sabres veteran guys have won a Stanley Cup, maybe Rivet did with Montreal? Man he's been around forever! RIvet is a great guy to have on your team, and he can certainly still play good enough for at least a 5th or 6th defender role. I think they need somebody else, in addition, to lead and inspire.

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"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

Rivet, I believe, joined the team the season after St. Patrick led them to the Cup.

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mechaphil

Completely agree. I think our bottom two lines fill their roles well. The problem lies within the top 6. Bouts of inconsistency killed this team. A consistent, experienced scoring forward would do wonders for this team. Iginla would be awesome as he has all those qualities and wants to win a cup before he retires. Just a pipe dream though.

I like Holmstrom and think he'd be a huge benefit. He's got experience and toughness. If I were Darcy he'd be on my radar. The problem finding where he fits in with our glut of forwards. It should be an interesting summer.

That's going WAY back, and tough break for Rivet I guess. Still, I don't believe that a guy can't be a leader because he doesn't have a Cup on his resume, I just think that with this particular team, it would help a great deal if they did have that additional voice of wisdom.

Holmstrom would bring a little more swagger to the team, and he's still one of the best at one of the toughest jobs in the sporting world. Working the front of the net.

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"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

Yea, I really wanna say 1993-1994 was his rookie season, but don't quote me.

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mechaphil

I like the idea of having someone with a cup ring on the team. I remember in 05-06 during the playoffs during an intermission they were talking about teams winning the cup with previous winners on it. If I remember correctly, no team has won the cup without a previous winner on it.

That actually surprised me!

You know, Bill Guerin can still play. He's got at least one more year in him. he can roll out on any line, work the front of the net, snipe, fight, and he's a blue collar guy that has earned a lot of respect around the league. Add him to the radar.

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"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'd love Guerin. It also helps to have a vet towards the end of his career that wants to win a cup before he retires. Owen Nolan is an UFA and he might be worth taking a look at.

Christ, a little warning next time? Now i've got to go clean the cum out of my underwear.

I'd even say get Mark Recchi for a year. He can still play and score some timely goals.

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shane doann... shane doannn...

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Shane Fucking Doan.

Fuck yes...

But, after X amount of years waiting for his team to finally be good, I doubt he wants to leave now. And he likes horses and hot weather.

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"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 was actually thinking that this year could be our year and I still don't know why things turned out the way they did. For next season we definitely need some more veteran player, that's the only that I can come up with.

We need to learn how to cheat better. We are one of the worst teams at rule bending.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

HAHAHA you've been watching Montreal play, haven't you? I think they call that "veteran savvy", but to me, it's just 96'-04' pre-lock out clutch n' grab flop till you drop hockey. Having said that, it's not a bad idea to have 1 or 2 guys on the squad who know how to change momentum with a subtle Dive.

Nobody knew that better than Mario Lemieux who was a master thespian. It's hard to blame him though, because he was held, hooked, and interfered with just about every shift he ever took and they sure didn't notice a lot of it.

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"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 hate the NHL. Looks like it's the NHL when people would check you when you didn't have the puck or ram you in the knee with your stick. UGH.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.