Numminen suspension raises brows
The Sabres didn't advertise it, but The Buffalo News on Thursday night learned they suspended Teppo Numminen without pay for failing to report to training camp in proper physical condition. The 39-year-old defenseman must have his heart worked on a third time, although this procedure is for a different condition than the previous two.
The suspension is a formality, but it doesn't reflect well on the organization at first blush. There are reasons to suspend a player, as the Ducks did earlier this week with captain Scott Niedermayer, who's hemming and hawing about whether or not he's going to retire.
Suspended players don't count toward the salary cap, and the Ducks are jammed up against it. Despite a legitimate justification, Ducks GM Brian Burke said "It wasn't a fun phone call," when he had to suspend Niedermayer.
The Sabres are nearly $5 million under the cap and have insisted they won't get near the ceiling. Numminen isn't screwing around like Niedermayer, instead facing a career-threatening, non-hockey-related medical issue. If he's going to miss an extended period, the Sabres could put him on long-term injured reserve and spend his $2.6 million if they somehow go over the cap.
Furthermore, the Sabres knew of his heart conditions when they signed him two years ago. They've since re-signed him twice. Numminen had a procedure done to correct an irregular heart beat before the lockout and had the same thing done last summer.
What do you think the Canadiens would have done if a team physical showed Saku Koivu's cancer had returned over the summer? Suspend him?
Sports is a business, and the Sabres have every reason to suspend last season's alternate captain just in case they need to wiggle out of the $2.6 million guaranteed contract they gave him two months ago, fully aware he has a history of heart problems.
So it's well within the rules, like Kevin Lowe's offer sheet to Thomas Vanek. But it sure doesn't look too classy. Maybe that's why the Sabres didn't announce their suspension as the Ducks did with Niedermayer.
---Tim Graham
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Posted by: Buy Viagra | August 06, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I found it really interesting that the Sabres already took Teppo's name off their website. While he's suspended, isn't he still part of the team? I'm sorry but this is starting to play out like the LaFontaine fiasco all over again. Mark my words, Teppo's days as a Sabre are over. He'll never suit up in a Sabre jersey again. And this has nothing to do with his physical health. When he failed his physical it gave Regier a way to get off the hook for his $2.6 million salary--money they'll need if they are serious about re-signing Campbell. Teppo definitely deserves better. Regier, meanwhile is just a piece of human garbage.
Posted by: stash | September 15, 2007 at 08:15 PM
I don't know how the NHL works but maybe this is a way of reaching a settlement on his contract, presuming he doesn't come back. Everyone here is blaming Regier but I am sure he had to run it by Quinn or Golisano, so let's blame Larry Quinn, he usually has things screwed up. I also have to wonder if looking back if Darcy isn't thinking he should have become a free agent and looked elsewhere.
Posted by: Mark | September 15, 2007 at 05:55 PM
So Regier says, "It's not personal" that he suspended Numminen because of his health problems. It may not be personal but it's yet another example of the Sabres organization not "getting it". The disregard that Quinn and Regier show for the players and the fans is unacceptable. It's not all about the money, guys - show some compassion!
Posted by: Carol Robinson | September 15, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Teppo has great vision and some beautiful transition passes, I can see why he was resigned. Knowing he has some heart trouble, regardless if it's the same thing as the past surgeries or a new ailment with his heart, the organization could have taken the high road. Hopefully the surgery is a success and he can get on with a healty life. Hockey is too much of a business in the new era, some organization had to be the first to try a stunt like this, and I’m just saddened by the fact that it's the Sabres.
Posted by: Stu | September 15, 2007 at 02:36 PM
"(F)an support depends on the organization putting forth their best efforts to put a competitive team(on the stage)."
You said it, Hoopster! Sad to say, the powers that be at HSBC Arena, and at 1 Bills Drive, don't seem to get this concept.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall Jr. | September 15, 2007 at 08:49 AM
Regier, the Sabres aren't Paychex! In your effort to save a buck, and mistreating a loyal player at a very serious moment in his life, you will, ironically enough, lose more than you save. In one off-season, you have successfully flushed away several years of good will, PROFITS, because of the organizations incredibly incompetent dealings with Drury, Briere and now Numminen.
Perhaps it will take a return to the old days of a half empty arena and a woeful team that regularly finishes out of the playoffs to realize that fan support depends on the organization putting forth their best efforts to put a competitive team on the ice. At this point your credibility is at an all-time low.
Posted by: hoopster | September 15, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Lloyd, and Stash, are right.
Posted by: Geoffrey Anger | September 15, 2007 at 01:35 AM
Another classless move by Regier. How'd you love to be in that locker room today? First the crap with Drury & Briere (after countless other poor relations with mcKee, Grier, DuMont, Peca). And now Teppo. This has to be great for team morale. While I wasn't a big fan of the decision to re-sign him, you don't mistreat him like that. He (nor any employee) doesn't deserve to be treated in such a manner
Posted by: stash | September 14, 2007 at 08:36 PM
Chris... did they ever teach you about "critical thinking" in school? If they didn't, you missed out. If they did, and you didn't take to it, you REALLY messed up!
Sabres fans need to stop accepting everything the team does as good when it really isn't, and need to start being critical.
And, about "fair weather fans," a column writer named Manya Warn said it best a decade ago: "Some may call us fair-weather fans, but we end up realizing when it's time to come in from the rain."
Demand more. Demand better. Be critical.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall Jr. | September 14, 2007 at 06:54 PM
Just another classless move from what is fast becoming the a classless organization. But hey at least there going to "support" Teppo. Incredible. Golisano had better wake up soon.
Posted by: John S. | September 14, 2007 at 06:52 PM
I wonder if we'll forget about all this if the Sabres go deep into the playoff's with the new roster?
God I hope so, I used to think we were the class of the league, the David vs all the Goliath's! I dunno, some of the moves that mgmt is making...... But that's why they get the big bucks!
I'll just wait and see on this one, if the team sucks for the next couple of years then we can blame mgmt. If not, great decisions guys!! Either way, good or bad the Sabres are still my team!!
Posted by: Doogie | September 14, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Here's the real issue. Why would the Sabres re-sign him in the first place? (knowing ahead of time his pre-existing condition and age factor.) Secondly, If it was a case of Teppo getting done what he needed done before the season starts, why wasn't he on top of the situation and why didn't he have this evaluation performed by doctors right after the end of the season. Lastly, since I'm sure Teppo wasn't planning on this and he needs to have it done and Sabres knew ahead of time about his condition, they have no class suspending him to save a buck since it was their gamble in the first place. Why wasn't it written into his contract if for whatever reason he cannot play due to his condition that the Sabres were not liable for the amount of time missed due to off ice injury's and or surgeries?
Posted by: Kein S. | September 14, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I was scratching my head when they resigned Teppo in the first place. We needed some size and North-American toughness on the blue line and we should have gone after Andy Sutton instead. Could have got him for less too I think.
Posted by: Andrew | September 14, 2007 at 11:46 AM
I was scratching my head when they resigned Teppo in the first place. We needed some size and North-American toughness on the blue line and we should have gone after Andy Sutton instead. Could have got him for less too I think.
Posted by: Andrew | September 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Amazing ... just when you thought it was safe to admit you were a Sabres fan. What a sad and sickening turn of events. The funny part is the almost immediate confirmation in the press from Regier that of course the Sabres are "happy" with the other six defensemen--nevermind there was talk of giving Teppo a "C"--and that no one else will be brought in to take his place.
God forbid this should be an opportunity to upgrade the freakin' roster.
Posted by: Geoffrey Anger | September 14, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Chris Clark-professional boot licker. How do Darcy's feet taste, you pathetic clown? Suspending Teppo for this is just another reason to show the management of this team the door.
Oops ... forgot ... any "real" fan wouldn't dare criticize the team! Blinders on everyone--Chris Clarke says we're not REAL fans--jerk.
Posted by: Mr. Rivers | September 14, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Teppo is a professional athlete. Just as every professional football player has his knee worked on in the offseason, or baseball pitcher has his shoulder cleaned out in the offseason, Teppo -- especially with his history -- needs to be hyper-aware of what his body is doing and take care of it before showing up at camp for a physical and finding out the problem is back.
It's his responsibility when you sign a $2 million contract to take your health seriously enough, that you aware of everything, and that you show up in the best shape possible.
Yes, the Sabres probably should have mandated a physical before the contract was tendered. But they also should have some realistic expectation that Teppo would be monitored or voluntarily visit his doc every so many of weeks to ensure his cardiac issues are in check and he is physically able to perform and earn that $2 million.
Yeah, I know easier said than done, hindsight, whatever.
It's a crappy thing that Regier has done, and some physical ailments are unavoidable, as Tim points out in his blog.
But this doesn't sneak up on you when you have a history, and it isn't something you wait till camp to explore again.
Posted by: Little Steven's Wig | September 14, 2007 at 11:12 AM
I'm sure Pisani's contract is insured
Posted by: Kate | September 14, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Oilers didn't suspend Pisani for a known problem and he's out indefinitely. Are the Sabres that cheap?
Posted by: Nelson | September 14, 2007 at 10:05 AM
Another classless move from what is turning into a classless organization. If we were up against the cap, that would be one thing, but the Sabres should be doing the right thing through this and supporting Teppo. Seems totally gutless to me. No wonder we rank at the bottom of places that NHL players want to play for. I just hope this offseason isn't the beginning of the end of a good run.
Posted by: BIFF | September 14, 2007 at 09:28 AM
Chris, your post shows you understand nothing at all about this situation. The suspension has nothing to do with the Sabres belief in Teppo's ability to play - they just signed him to a lucrative one-year deal this summer. This situation has nothing to do with Paetsch. It has nothing to do with getting rid of Teppo. Read Tim Graham's blog again.
Posted by: Mike Z | September 14, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Wah, wah, wah...I'm a Buffalo Sabres fan and all I've done all offseason is complain about Sabres management. Wah....here's another reason to complain...blah, it's the end of the world and the Sabres are gonna stink this year...wah.
SHUT UP....and be real fans, you bunch of bandwagon hicks. Good to see Darcy and crew came to their senses and realized they wasted tht money to begin with on a player who was washed up five years ago. No they no choice but to start the more talented faster and younger Nathan Paesch. What a raw deal...
Posted by: Chris Clark | September 14, 2007 at 08:10 AM
Regier, for the sake of the Sabres and himself, better provide a legitimate explanation and soon. This reeks of bush league practices and, with the way the organization botched everything else since the end of last season, probably signals a downward spiral for the franchise.
Posted by: hoopster | September 14, 2007 at 08:02 AM
The problem is that the language makes the situation sound terrible. "Suspension" makes it sound like Teppo's being punished and "inadequate physical condition" makes it sound like the Sabres are accusing him of trying to slip a new heart problem by the team doctors. The Sabres knew what they were getting into when they re-signed Teppo but they also went into knowing this was an option if they needed it. And I would assume that Teppo - who is not a kid and who has dealt with heart issues for a while now - knew the risks of signing an uninsured contract. He should've atleast.
I'm not crazy about the way the team released the information so late at night and I certainly hope that someone spoke to Teppo personally, but I'm really not sure this is something to get up in arms about. It's good business. If Teppo doesn't come back and the team is on the hook for his money and it comes out that there was a way for the team to get out of the contract, how many people here complain that the team didn't do it?
Posted by: Heather B. | September 14, 2007 at 07:50 AM
As much as I appreciate everything that Teppo has done for the Sabres over the past few seasons, the Sabres would have been wise to cut ties with him after this past season, considering his health issues and age. It's time to give a player like Nathan Paetsch a more active role on the "D" line.
Posted by: Richard Dry | September 14, 2007 at 07:28 AM