Yes really. This team has had issues for years but it's been masked by Millers outstanding goaltending. The only consistent thing with this team is Miller and being inconsistent.
We all know that Darcy truly believes that the "core" of this team is good enough for a Stanley Cup. If he really believe it then you will not seen any major changes for a long time. Do you believe that Connolly is primed for a Stanley Cup run, how about Stafford or even Vanek???? I would be absolutely floored if these players get sent packing by Darcy in the years to come.

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Dude...Miller has only had ONE outstanding season, and that was last year. Other than that, he's just been average. The only year he's been able to hide any of the teams deficiencies was last season.

Last season was his best, no doubt, but '08-09 was a great season also for Miller. He just couldn't pull out one or two extra wins to put the team over the top.

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Do your homework please. 7 roster players unrestricted after this year. 4 restricted. Even as bad as Darcy sucks, there's no way he's bringing all of them back. There will be turnover on the roster. Only question is if it will be enough turnover, or the right players.

Very true, out of the 7 (Connolly, Nieds, McCormick, Grier, Rivet, Montador, and Lalime) who are "Core" players????? The only one in that list is Connolly (I guess you can make an arguement for Rivet since he's the Capt). I would be very surprised if Darcy lets Connolly go unless he asks for some crazy bank (he is already overpaid at 4.5 mil). Out of the RF, I see him signing Gerbe, Enroth and Butler. The others maybe expandable. I don't see Darcy making any blockbuster deals to make this team better.

I'm probably wrong but we won't see anything happen till the spring

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That entire list is expendable.

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to you and I (and the rest of the fans) but to Darcy Connolly is a core player

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Blockbuster deals rarely make teams better. I'm not confident in Darcy to make the right moves, but a blockbuster isn't the answer.

I don't know if I agree given our situation in Buffalo. Recent play has been shitty but despite that we still have a good core of players. We have a stud goalie and lots of young talent. Play has slipped IMO partly because of a lack of leadership and an apathy that has sank deep into the team. I believe that IF we were to get a big trade to add a legit star goal scorer and perhaps a good playmaker the guys would respond well to it. Getting someone with big goal abilities would breath some confidence into them and a guy like that would also bring a lot of "leading by example" to the team. The addition of new blood might also help shake off the atttitude of "whatever" I'm seeing on the ice. I'm not saying that the season would be an instant turn around and heck, I'm not even saying it has to happen now. Maybe we should wait until the off season, make a big trade or two happen (along with a bunch of minor trades as well IMO) and re-shape this team with new leadership and a new face up front with our forwards.

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I'm not saying a trade shouldn't be made. I'm saying a blockbuster trade shouldn't be made. By blockbuster, I mean Miller / Myers.

I'd take a single trade of 3/4 players with maybe 2 coming back + picks, but it's just not likely based on the salaries these bums have.

I can't wait for these contracts to expire. If nothing else, management *SHOULD* be learning a lesson right now.

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Oh, gotcha. We should hold onto myers and miller of course, everyone else though should be considered up for trade bait. Use the guys like vanek, Roy, pommers, connoly etc to try and snag a trade or pick up a big fish FA in the off season. Now I don't see anything changing unless we have a management change or we tank enough to hurt the profit margin of the owners.

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We, as fans, are too stupid to not show up. I'd like to see a billboard urging fans to skip a stretch of 3 or 4 home games...show the team what we really think.

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I think when I go to the game in January here in denver I'll make a sign that says "hey sabers management! This is getting old!" or "hey darcy! We deserve better!"

Any ideas for signs? Haha

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I'm not even talking about trades. I was leaning towards signing a decent free agent (or two) and letting a few of our FA's walk. I don't think we have enough to put together a blockbuster (I would seriously dis-own this team if mgt traded Miller/Myers).

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Exactly, as the saying goes "Buffalo is a sports town with a drinking problem." We love our teams with a passion (plus the whole bankrupt/selling scare) and I can not see things getting so bad to seriously hurt the bottom line....but ya never know

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I'm guessing i'm the only one in favor of Miller being 'in play' trade-wise. I mean, we'd have to get a really great young scorer, AND a 'decent' goalie to replace him...but he just might have enough respect to garner that right now, especially with his relatively low cost contract. What team WOULDNT pay 6/per (that's what he's getting, right?) for Ryan Miller?

And...he's basically going to waste here. After the last few years, I just cant imagine that he's too thrilled at the prospects for the immediate future.

How bad is our current situation, are we not to the point where we have to get drastic? I'm sure as hell not saying I want him gone, let me repeat that, I dont WANT him to leave, he's great and I really love having him on the team, he represents us so well, but...I dont see him as untouchable. Although, I wouldnt dream of this until the end of the year, give the guys in front of him the chance to right the ship, and if they cant, then do as full-scale a cleanout as possible in the off-season. My untouchables (at this point) would be Myers, Ennis.

Nobody is untouchable; however, I think it would best serve the organization to hold Myers and Ennis.

Miller should definitely be in the mix when it talks bout trade, if the organization is truly committed to winning.

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i would do her...

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