I'd say signing Montador and Grier was getting on the right track.

When we signed Montador, I looked at a guy who had been on 4 teams in 4 years. Now, when I see Montador, I see a guy with experience that carries the puck up the ice with tenacity. I'd have to say other tan Myers, Montador was one of my favorite defensman this year.

The Grier signing was awesome because Darcy recognized the need for a veteran presence and signed a guy with familiarity back to the team, and Grier was arguably one of our most consistent players all year, with regard to the way he plays.

The jury will be out on Darcy July 1st, I guess.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Yet we were out in the first round. Without Miller (draft pick) we are worst in the league. Well, not worst, but close.

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

They should at least make him change the assistant coaches. i mean McCutcheon fired please.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

We can't bring back both Hank and Loods. I'd bring Hank back to play with Myers, then bring Weber up.

If Gragnani is ready, then let him step in for Montador.

And we still need to decide on Sekera or Butler....

Certainly, without Miller, Buffalo is probably an afterthought. But it's funny how the guys we signed were arguably our best playoff performers. Again, Darcy seems to make quality signings of the ones he makes, unless he signs backup goalies.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Certainly, without Miller, Buffalo is probably an afterthought. But it's funny how the guys we signed were arguably our best playoff performers. Again, Darcy seems to make quality signings of the ones he makes, unless he signs backup goalies.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Bring back Lydman. Tallinder has shown he can only play at the level of his partner, which is a liability. Lydman has proven himself to be a rock, especially in the playoffs.

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mechaphil

Let's see what he does in the offseason.

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

But why? The season wasn't over, he had the playoffs to focus on. Why would he be thinking about who he is going to acquire, who he is going to retain, etc. when his team was still competiting in the playoffs? I'm sure part of his evaluation will consist of how this team competed in the playoffs and which players were successful and which ones were not. That all factors into his offseason decisions too.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

Why change a team around when it's in the playoffs?

you don't evaluate your season until it's fully over, and you make your plan accordingly.

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I feel like Lydman is a much better shut down D-man than Tallinder is. Part of me wants to see him get paired with Myers just to see if they have any chemistry. Would give Myers a chance to get more involved in the offensive aspect of the game if he has a partner who is less liable to make a bad move in his end.

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Good. Lindy is easily one of the top coaches in the league and it's great to have him.

Darcy is an idiot from time to time, but he could be much worse. Some people (especially on other fan sites) are making it seem like the only thing that can help this team is to get rid of him.

I'm willing to see what he does this summer. This team could be a move or two away from something big.

We do need a stronger defense though - Sekera/Butler were not ready for the lineup this year and Rivet was awful (possibly justifiably, but who knows if that will be fixed before next year). If we lose Lydman or Tallinder, that's an added void to fill.

I look for Darcy to have a good offseason this year. You could tell by his comments that he is ready to move on from his current "core". The comments on Connolly were very telling. They certainly didn't stick up for him. I think Darcy realizes that his team is not built properly and with a few tweaks and the best goalie in the NHL, he can get it back on the right track. The nice thing is he can make a few additions by subtraction (Stafford,Connolly) that should at least bring draft picks and cap space. Get them out of the locker room and I think things will greatly improve!

Yes.

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Wheelhouse

I agree, toss Tallinder. Lydman I and a little iffy on. He was very shaky at times throughout the season and wasn't very physical. But then he turned around at the end of the season and I was impressed in the playoffs. Good thing I'm not the GM, lol.

I agree Darcy needs to step up and stop being so damn conservative but I have a strange feeling we will be at the same spot again next year but of course not Northeast division champs. I think without the necessary changes and if we lose Tallinder and Lydman I think we might possibly be worse than we are now.

I don't think we would really be worse off losing those two. If that happens we can sign a free agent (or two) or bring Weber up. I don't really trust Gragnani yet, he is a decent offensive d man but we need a two way guy to help in our own end.

My only thing is when Weber had a great chance to make this team out of training camp after playing a handfull of games down the stretch the year before he looked like he had gotten worse instead of better. It was good they gave him time in Portland but it should be interesting to see if he improved his game. I just don't see Darcy doing much because he's so damn conservative and the moves he has made picks for players he has gotten ripped off. Sorry but all those high picks for rentals are wasted and to me not worth it for a team that stresses build from within and thru the draft.

Won't argue with that. If Lydman can play consistently like he was at the end of the season and the playoffs then I would love to extend him, no more than 2 years though. Tallinder I can let go without a hitch though. Hopefully Weber has learned from being in Portland, and plays strong at camp.