Our team isn't the worst off, but I do got to say, Brian Burke won the Stanley Cup with a team he didn't build either.

And so far, the Leafs aren't looking like a Cup winner either, have they made great strides, hell yea they have.

and Burke can talk to every person ever about trades, doesn't mean he's going to land that player or not. Plus, the media will always spew about the big money teams in trades and free agency.

You know Darcy's methods, why even make that discussion. He can build a team without always looking for others. Plus his recent trades haven't always gone to plan, so would you really want him to trade more?

_________________

so the sabres should stand pat because a trade or two recently hasnt worked?

what?

_________________

My only advice to Bagboy is that this is a 'what have you done for me LATELY league'. In case you haven't noticed an assload of coaches have just been shit-canned, and their GM's didn't accept their "oh, but we had injuries" or "small market" excuses. FFS, Randy Carlyle won a cup just a few years back, and he got the boot. As Howie was already kind enough to spell out, Ruff and Regehr haven't won us a cup in 15 YEARS, and done jack shit the last 5. You, my good sir, are the one who needs to wake up, and smell the coffee. I guess I admire that you're a dedicated fan, but you're dedicating yourself to PROVEN LOSERS. I believe the Sabres have a bright future, but I sure as hell expect the necessary changes that ALL SUCCESSFUL TEAMS GO THROUGH. Teams fire tired coaches, and trade slumping players. This is reality. I'm sorry if you feel Roy, Stafford, Ruff et al are doing their jobs well, because they aren't, my friend.

Fair enough, Daz. I do understand (and feel) the frustration. But there is no way I'm giving up on Ruff, and Regier, especially now that Pegula is running things. Let's just say we kick Darcy and Lindy to the curb, for argument's sake. Who is available that is better than either of them? Nobody.

As for the roster, we don't need dumb, short-sighted trades right now. We are fucking solid in goal with Miller and Enroth. We are good on D with Myers, Regehr. We have beautiful youngsters like Weber, Mcnabb, Gerbe, Kassian, and Adam. Roy, Vanek, Ennis and Pomms do not suck in spite of some of the things that have been said about them here.

We have had bad breaks this season, but I'm not about to let that detract from the Buffalo Sabres in general, and specifically our bright future. We are on the right track, and just because this year has been challenging, there's no way we should freak out.

If we don't make the playoffs this year (or go anywhere if we do make them) , under these circumstances, that does not constitute a failure (to me at least). If we have some ADD opinion of what we should do right now, immediately, and piss away valuable assets in the process, then we're destined to continue to fail.

Let's RELAX. Rome wasn't built in a day.

_________________
This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson

The core of Rome was built in less than 15 years; and by someone with vision.

Anyone who wants to still make excuses for inept management has a lot to learn about this game.

Name just one long serving GM in hockey who ever became competent through an ownership change; just one.

If you can't, then just keep stumbling along.

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

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

Fucking solid in net??? You must not be watching these games. Enroth did stepped up when Miller was playing like shit at the beginning of the season. His numbers started to drop off which just shows that he needs some more time to develop. He is definitely a great back up. As for Miller, he's been fucking horrendous this year! He's has a 9.05 SV% and 3.05 GAA. I'm not saying trade him but I also wouldn't say we're "solid" right now. I know I'll take some shit for this from certain people but I don't consider Miller an elite goalie anymore. He's above average....

As for Roy, he has 8 goals right now which is just about half way though the season. He barely is beating an AHL player in points but have the same amount of games played. Oh and that AHL player has 10 goals. Do you realize that Roy is on target for 18 goals this season... Woopty friggin doo. You expect that out of your #1 center, 18 goals???? I don't, I expect at least 20 or more but maybe my expectations are too high. Pommers has been great with assists, mainly on Vanek's goals. He also has 12 goals which isn't too shabby for him since he's becoming more of a play maker. Who here has knocked Vanek?? If they have I would have called them out. Vanek has been the most consistent I have ever seen him (with the exception of his 40 goal season).

Yeah they have a massive amount of injuries this season. Matter of fact they have the most in the NHL but I honestly don't understand this whole "team hasn't been able to gel" crap. Shit, half of the injured players on the list are Amerk players that were injured when called up. The core players have played most, if not all, of the games this season. Not only that but they have also played with each other for years.....Hell, Pominville has been in the Sabres system for 13 seasons and Roy has been in the system for 10. How many more years do they need to gel????

I am optimistic that the Sabres will be a better team under Pegula. I just can't see it with Lindy and the core players that are on the current roster. Lindy has been a coach for this team long enough. NO COACH has been with a professional team as long as Lindy and has NEVER WON their sports championship. My OPINION is to keep Lindy to the end of this season and then let him go. Then trade Roy and Stafford. Since, according to you, every team in the NHL will be pawing for Roy we should be able to get decent player.

BTW, I've been a Sabres fan since the early 80's so I wouldn't call myself a bandwagon fan. Most people who have been fans of this team for many years see that something needs to change. More and more of them are saying Lindy and/or Darcy so I would say you're probably a minority at this point. If Pegula sticks with Lindy/Darcy and they do win the Stanley Cup in three years, we all will gladly eat crow. I really don't think I have to worry about it too much....

_________________

Roy was solid over a year ago. A YEAR AGO. Dude if we don't make a move on someone this team will sputter out and hope for a good draft position. The NHL is a business. I know that if my employees are faltering and production is down that I am willing to shitcan someone and put another in his stead. It is amazing the change in atmosphere that can result in one person being replaced with someone else. There are a lot of players that would relish the opportunity to play on a team that should make the postseason.

Last years success late in the season. Was it new ownership? Maybe, maybe not. Sure does seem to make sense. And that is a man who does not throw on a sweater every game. Change does not ensure success but it is a possibility. And with the lack of aforementioned success lately I am willing to take a flyer on the potential for big change.

We can take this turd of a season turn it into fertilizer and bring up a glorious garden.

Roy is not the problem. I see him skating hard all over the ice, he doesn't float, cherry-pick, or play the purely perimeter game that Connolly started to rely on. Roy is a great PKer, and is good on the half-wall on the PP, but has been put on the point lately for some stupid reason, where he is prone to getting caught in between and giving up short handed chances. That's not Roy's fault...that's Ruff's fault.

He's coming off a long time off, and was stuck with players that haven't produced as planned (Stafford, Leino). All three of those guys should not have been left together to struggle together as long as they did...again that's Ruff's fault. Despite returning from a major injury and stiffs on the wings, he's 3rd on the team in scoring, and doing well defensively. He's on a good contract, so why ditch Roy when the team needs to be better down the middle? I agree that he's on the prima donna side for his personality, but on the ice he hasn't been a liability, aside from TOs while entering the O-zone on a rush. The streak last season without him is WAY overblown. We need to be better at C, and that means getting a top C while KEEPING Roy, not losing him.

Stafford should have the cross hairs on him, but more importantly Ruff needs to re-evaluate his coaching or perhaps get fired. Yes more parts are needed, but too many players have leveled off or gone downhill in their development and on-ice performance. It's not a coincidence.

I understand your point and would be ok keeping him if someone better is found. There is a serious need for #1 center but can the powers-to-be see that? He also needs to learn to dump in because the defense knows exactly what he does and that's why he has alot of turnovers. That could be his ego thinking that he can drive through the defense like he use too.

_________________

I would just like to point out that Henrik Sedin had only 19 goals last year. I'm not trying to compare Roy and Sedin, but your #1 center doesn't have to be a goal-scorer. Preferably, your #1 center is a playmaker, and Roy has certainly put up his fair share of assists. Not anything astronomical like Sedin or anyone of his caliber, but to suggest that your #1 center must be a goal-scorer is a little extreme.

_________________
Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

I never said that, I said you all know darcys methods, and he isn't making a trade to make a trade.

_________________

He does not have the on ice aura of a winner. We have not had that since Drury. When Drury stepped out there I felt like we could and would score no matter what.

Oh, I understand that completely. That's what separates Roy from other #1 centers in the league. I was simply playing Devil's advocate.

_________________
Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Package a winger or two with a d-man or two for a center or a top draft pick. I would prefer to try for a top vet C at the deadline. Staal, Stastny, Getzlaf or somebody like that on a team that's ready to re-build, if possible. If not then go the route of the draft. Anyone but Vanek, Pominville, Myers, and maybe Miller should be trade bait. For sure though, Darcy can't stand pat and rely on "his guys" to win a Cup. They need a new coach or a major player (or two)to help them out.

Staal....pllllleeeaaassseee

I should clarify that I don't think Roy is untouchable by any means, but I'd prefer to keep him while making the center position stronger. For Staal, IF he's available at the deadline, I'd like to pitch Stafford, Sekera, Gragnani, and a 1st/2nd rd pick, and watever other prospect or draft pick necessary. With 3 UFA d-men in the summer, Carolina will need d-men, which we have. They also could really use a RW. Maybe there's a chance...maybe. If Stafford gets traded then sign Boyes long term, which being from Mississauga I'm sure he would agree to that.

I just want to see the whole Stafford, Roy, Pominville, Hecht core broken up. Along with Darcy and/or Lindy with their pink slips. I know we won't see it any time soon, I'm slowing starting to accept that fact. I can't wait till I'm done paying for Center Ice so I don't feel obligated to watch this shit

_________________

I'm thinking this too. They fired a damn good coach in Maurice(who I believe is a top coach). If things don't turn around for them, send em an offer they can't refuse. I think Roy had too much atrophy in that leg. I saw it last playoff. He may be fine next season, but if I could snag Stall using him now, I'd do it in a second. Vanek NEEDS a player like him, and vice-versa.

Staal isn't coming to Buffalo.

That's his and Skinner's team now. He's their captain and they would be stupid to trade him.

What I'd like to do is try to trade up in the draft to land a top pick, not gonna happen, but it'd be very nice to have a top pick in the draft. Or get healthy. I'd like to see the HEALTHY Sabres again.

_________________

The Roy and Staff pairing with Kaleta was not an accident or to put a bruiser with the two pussies. This was a call out by Ruff. Hecht is our #1 center. The guy is playing quality hockey right now. That being said as it was mentioned in yesterdays GDT Kassian with his level of play should be let to play with the top 6. This is not yesteryears rookies. These kids are more physically adapt enough to come up and start playing almost immediately then their predecessors.

Line 1: Vanek-Hecht-Kassian
Line 2: Gerbe-Roy-Pominville
Line 3: Leino-Adam-Boyes
Line 4: Ennis-Goose-Stafford