Emotional loss

I've never seen Brian Campbell so emotional. He was struggling to hold back tears as he talked about the Sabres' 5-3 loss to Ottawa on Friday night. The pain was threefold:

1, For his team to come back from a 3-0 deficit and tie the top team in the Eastern Conference was an awesome accomplishment. Then, just like that, the good feeling was snatched away and the mood disintegrated with the loss.

2, He was on the ice for the last two goals, and he felt some blame.

3, The team that went to the last two Eastern Conference finals is in very real danger of missing the playoffs.

That's what hurt Campbell most. He knows nothing in hockey is more important than the Stanley Cup playoffs. He also knows every point lost in the beginning and middle of the year can't be made up at the end. Once the wins are lost, they're gone.

"We’ve got to win games here," Campbell said, his voice cracking. "It’s a dogfight to get in the playoffs, and you’ve got to start thinking about them now. I’ve been on this team for the two previous years before the lockout, and yeah you have a good second half, but where does that get you? It doesn’t get you too far. It doesn’t get you in the playoffs. It’s not easy to make up ground. We’ve got to be a desperate team, be accountable."

So where do the Sabres go from here? Are they playoff caliber, or, like Friday's game, are they going to come close and fall short?

---John Vogl

Comments

[James Z from KT]

Someone has to stir the pot, less we sit there and rot.

[freddie]

james z. is a pot stirrer, but he is right about the following:

why on earth keep paying for a product that stinks? would you pay for your doctor to keep misdiagnosing you? would you keep buying rotten meat at the supermarket?

until the sabres management sees their money supply dwindle (in which case they'll probably blame the fans anyway and move the team), they'll keep getting away with this.

vote with your money.
it's the only way you'll get listened to, unfortunately.

freddie

[Dave F]

To everyone: James Z is not R wing or L wing, he is a professional S**t disturber\troll. He usually posts after the Sabres lose or comments on the same things (such as Buffalo is a dirtown, the fans are stupid, fans need to give up your season tickets, ect...) in order to fire you up so that you take his bait rather than actually discussing the contents of the blog. For further illustration just look at his comments previously to get the point.

[Tim from St. Louis]

I know this was a hcokey blog, but I feel compelled to comment. I moved here recently from St. Louis and am getting used to the local radio scene. It is different having one local sports radio option. I have to admit that the man you folks are discussing, Mike Schopp, does appear to have knowledge about various topics but also comes off as a condescending snob. He is rude to all who disagree with him. His partner, the Bulldog, is definitely more of a people person. He may not have as much of a radio voice as Schopp but he has 10 times the ability to relate to and talk to the listener. Personality trumps arrogance every day.

[Captain Says Shoot]

I agree. WGR has high ratings because it is the only sports station in town. Howard Simon is entertaining and so is the Bulldog. However, that imbecile Schopp is impossible to listen to. It's his way or the highway. You can't even voice your full opinion without being cut off and mocked by "Mein Fuhrer." Seig Heil Schopp! He is a disgrace. I would prefer Bulldog be given his own show at another time period and ESPN radio be put on to replace Mr. Personality, Schopp.

[Paper and Scisorrs]

I agree with Rock. It's easy for people to say we need a change. For once (especially with "know it all" Mike Schopp) I would like someone to identify actual people. WGR host Schopp likes to ridicule people's ideas for a new Bills GM but offers nothing in the way of suggestions for a new one. He is the quintessential negative vibe and voice that is all too common in Buffalo. He should do us all a favor and switch stations and host "Cat Fancy" with James Z from Kaisertown. Two losers sharing one mind.

[Rock]

Amen to Cliff on the Ruff issue - he has been criticized by many from day one here. I would like someone to make a real case for an AVAILABLE coach who is out there that you would rather have - and not just throw out some big names without any logic for why. Put out a name with sound reasoning behind it.

Be careful what you wish for - there are three quarters of the teams in this league who wish they could have the coaching that we have here in Buffalo - not to mention that Lindy gets what this city is all about AND puts up with constant buffoonery. There are problems with this team and though I don't always agree with every decision (AKA Peters) I for one am happy with our coach.

[gilbert perr-o-no]

i think people in buffalo should look at things in a different perspective:

they almost won the "Poverty Bowl" (sorry, Detroit still won that one...)

They won the "Pothole Bowl" and the "Fat, Dumpy People Cup", and don't forget the "Let's Complain About The State of the Region But Do Nothing Because We Have A Low-Class Mentality" series. They ran away with that one.

So cheer up, people from Buffalo. Change the way you look at things. You are the best at some things...

Gil

[lou in AFG]

in addition:

not sure whats going on with your tweed jacket, but i agree on campbell. he is solid as hell. tough, smart, physical, and a leader. for his sake, it wouldn't break my heart if he left. it would break my heart to see his talent rot.

still love the sabres though

[lou in AFG]

james in kaisertown: i'm so glad i'm in the military and surrounded by a bunch of idiots that sound just like you. four more years W

[cliff]

Mike C is right, but those of us who dared see it in the pre and early season were accused of all sorts of things--being bandwagon jumpers, negative out-of-towners etc. I for one do not blame Regier--does anyone seriously think he did not want to resign Drury? That had to be Quinn and Golisano himself. And Mike Grier walked away from a contract that matched the one he got at SJ--he feared that upper management was not committed to winning. Again that must have been referring to Quinn, not Regier, since Regier in fact offered him what he wanted in terms of money. Two others I don't blame--Miller, who, despite some shaky games, has played overall well and at most could have added a couple of wins to the year's results. And Ruff--I think he deserves a medal for coaching his best while keeping his mouth shut about being chumped by his bosses in terms of personnel. The Sabres need a new Drury, a new Grier and, in addition, a Neil or an Avery. That all could have been accomplished the last two years for well under the cap. It probably cannot now be done, at least not in fewer than 2-3 years.

[lol]

>

Insert Dubya for Darcy and you've finally said something truthful.

[Mike C]

They are an average team. They might make the playoffs as a 7th or 8th, but even if they do they'll be eliminated quickly. Fans need to face the fact that this is not the team of last year or the year before. Not even close.

[danp727]

Dave … I have posted this question before and it is quite simply, “How long does the average NHL team give a General Manager to build a Stanley Cup team?” Love him or hate him, Darcy Regier has been here a long time with one appearance in the finals to his credit. Ottawa wasn’t quite that patient with John Muckler after the finals last season and maybe we shouldn’t be either.

[Dave]

P.S. James Kaisertown, you are either extremely bitter, which I can somewhat empathize with, or you are simply not a Sabres fan at all. If the latter is true, why do you post here? Is it just to try to get a rise out of people? I couldn't care less what you write, but it seems everytime I read something you've contributed, it's always negative.

[Dave]

Golisano needs to can Regier and Quinn. I hate to agree with the skeptics but I really don't have any faith in these two anymore.

[James Z Kaisertown]

Brian Campbell was crying. Not because they lost the game. Campbell lost his purse. WIMP

The Buffalo Butterknives S U C K!! LOST 5 IN A ROW
1-2-3-4-5 we want "6"

One point from being dead Last in the East and 3rd worst team in their conference. Let's go Buffalo. lol YOU LOSERS!

Paille went wimpering to the bench after getting crushed by a heck. Have a seat.

Maybe Buttercups would be a better name. This team is weak.

Why are they keeping Peters? My two dogs have as many points as him and have won more fights.

Dig up Punch Imlach and make him coach. It would be better than Ruff.

[fed up]

It isn't that they have forgotten how to play defense! They are playing defense too defensively! The backskating nonsense has to go! Challenge the man with the puck! Bang into him like Volchenkov did to Paille. Stop backing off, backing off. Don't give the other team free shot after stinking free shot! This is a matter of coaching and setting up defensive schemes. Wake up Lindy! Then, too, besides Spacek, Kotalik, and Roy this year, I don't see any hard-hitting, sustained defensive work.

[danp727]

I liked the line changes Lindy made and hope that he stays with them. And, no, Afinogenov wasn’t missed. Somewhere along the line the Sabres have to make some moves in order to free-up some cap space. Sadly, I think Max is first on the list to go. Great potential never realized.

I thought the Sabres started well but then Peters got on the ice and quickly another nonsensical fight stopped the game. Clearly, this unnecessary interruption changed the momentum and 25 seconds after play resumed the Senators went up 1-0. Even with Paille playing only part of game, Andrew was on the ice for a total of 28 seconds. Put him on waivers and let him go to Rochester or simply let him go.

Anton Volchenkov is an absolute monster on defense. What would the Sabres be willing to give in order to get a defenseman of his caliber???

Campbell should be tearful about those last two goals. On the first one, Roy took out Spezza along the boards and everyone seemed to be admiring that hard check while Heatley was left alone to shoot. Ditto the Alfredsson goal. It seems like the whole team has forgotten how to play defense.

I think “playoff caliber” is a very ambiguous term. If playoff caliber means can they make the playoffs, well, yeah. Right now every team has a shot at the playoffs as only Ottawa and lately New Jersey are really pulling away from the pack. Realistically, I think 100 points would guarantee a playoff position and that means the Sabres would need to go 29-13-1 in their last 43 games. Playoff caliber???

I never liked the “captain of the month” and believe it shows a lack of leadership by the coaching staff. I think Campbell is deserves the “C” and a new contract, but ...

As it stands now, the Sabres are about $3.8M under the salary cap. And, unfortunately, Brian Campbell is not the only Sabre who will be without a contract at the end of the season. Other Unrestricted Free Agents include: Numminen ($2.6M), Kalinin ($2.25M), Thibault ($760,000), Pratt ($560,000) and Ryan ($475,000). Add to this list three notable Restricted Free Agents: Gaustad ($750,000), MacArthur ($625,000) and Paille ($585,000).

So, Campbell, Kalinin and Numminen either need to be re-signed or replaced. As does Thibault and Pratt if the plans are to keep him as a back-up.

Signing Campbell is a crucial part of this puzzle but everyone on that list will be asking for more money. With changing nothing else, by offering Campbell a Markov contract of $5.75M per year (as Bucky Gleason suggested) puts the Sabres just over the current cap so quite simply something has to give.

To complicate matters further, after next season the UFA list includes: Afinogenov ($3.5M), Spacek ($3.3M), Connolly ($3.5M), Miller ($3.5M) and Kotalik ($2.5M). Restricted Free Agents include: Stafford ($984,000), Pominville ($1.375M) and Sekera ($659,000).

I think the Sabres need to strengthen their defensive corps but if a Brian Campbell is worth $5.75M on the open market what will be the price to replace Numminen and Kalinin???

[P.E.Carr]

Hi from Calgary. Jerry's Jacket and Boonies are bang on. It will be really hard to watch #51 leave, but who can blame him? I was at the Flames/Rangers game this week and Drury was invisible. Maybe the big dollars have gone to his head, or maybe Lindy is just a way better coach than Rennie (probably true.) Tip to Sabres' management: forget this "Team UN" stuff and draft North Americans, especially players from the WHL. Have you seen which players are excelling at the World Juniors? And how few of them are Sabres' picks?

[Rock]

PS Read the piece in todays Ottawa Sun about our front office ineptitude in dealing with stars and presently Campbell. The link is in Sabresreport.com

[Rock]

Boonies, that was hillarious but also sadly true!

As you and Jerry's Jacket point out it is the front office who has sadly let down the fans but even worse their own coaching staff and players. The players and coaches are trying anyone who knows the game can see that... But this is a collection of very good PIECES to the puzzle. The great teams all have "that guy" to go to at crunch time. As we saw last night Ottawa has three! Up front there is no one to put the team on their shoulders and carry them when necessary. And the front office will use its bunker mentality in dealing with Campbell, the one guy who seems capable of doing it on the back end.

[Don Luce]

I would offer the following suggestion to the Sabres, who are lacking in offensive punch. Try the backhand. That and my 70's afro made me a local icon. LUUUUUCE!!!

[Jerry's Pipe and Slippers]

We agree with Jerry's Tweed Jacket. Why is there the need to rotate the captain every month? Certainly there must be one or two Sabres that Lindy considers to be the true leaders of this team. If not then I nominate Harry Neale to be March Captain, and the Earl of Bud for April.

[fed up]

The Sabres' defensive scheme is a losing proposition.

Preceding those final two Ottawa goals, the guys on defense were backskating, refusing to challenge the Sen guys with the puck.

It's the same story over and over on just about all the goal scored against the Sabres. They are backskating, playing way too defensively, not challenging the guy with the puck, and allowing shot after shot.

This prescription for disaster should have been apparent in the playoffs last year. But it keeps going on and on this year. Wake up Lindy! Change the defensive scheme NOW!

[Gman]

Losing your captains is one thing but signing Vanek for 10 mill is way worse. That guy is the biggest candy *ss in the league. Notice he was the only Sabre playing with a head scarf on Jan 1. He looked ridiculous and has played that way pretty much all year.

[Gary]

Sabres have to shoot more @ the net & start to use the wrist shot more. Stop looking to make a pass just shoot & good things will happen

[Jerry's Tweed Jacket]

While there is no lack of playoff experience on this team, this team lacks foundational leadership. Who answers for this team? The captain-of-the month? A front office that has Drury/Briere-esquely gone into a new year by leaving its best defensemen unsure of his future by not locking him up? Please, for the sake of the team, its fans and self-proclaimed New Hockeytown: put a permanent "C" on #51 and lock him up with a contract worhty of the effort and committment he puts forth every time he laces up the skates. This guy epitomizes what this town stands for and the braintrust in the owner's box can't get this done? The merry-go-round captains didn't work before and isn't working now; the old captains were models for the youngsters on the team and those watching on TV. Let Campbell be the next captain and watch how the team becomes a model of his consistency.

[Wendy]

I just wanted to comment on the Ice Bowl. I was totally disappointed that this was a game played in Buffalo that made history and all the announcers did most of the game was talk about Crosby even when he didn't have the puck and wasn't on the ice. Was this "The Crosby Winter Classic"? I love my Sabres and I think they should have talked 50-50 on both teams. This was a game played in Buffalo!!!

[boonies]

Relax Soupy, as a graduating senior on this team you are certainly being scouted by your former hometown team in Ottawa,so you will have a new home next year. After the front office duo of Dumb & Dumber have negotiated with you (probably via postcards in the mail beginning in late May) all will be well.
Hey maybe we need some veteran leadership and scoring from the center position...any names come to mind...?
Lindy was asked at that Star Chamber press conference back when he was re-signed , if this team can be as competitive next year without Drury and Briere...and he cut off Quinn to say bluntly NO!.
He was right.
A related thought...how are ticket renewals looking for next year, Larry? heh..heh...heh

[Don H]

This is obviously not a team as good as last year's version. That team struggled in the playoffs even with the now departed ex-Sabre stars. The young players on this team have not progressed sufficiently to fill the gap. The Sabres have trouble competing with the better teams and will not make the playoffs.

[John]

This team lacks something. They just don't have it. They don;t have any skill players, players who can make clutch plays when needed. When Ottawa needed a goal, they got their big man Heatley to step up. Who is Buffalo's big man right now.

At least the NHL is exciting this season with all the teams bunched up like they are.

[Chuck Sheen]

Its time like these that I am thankful we have a competent and strong front office to support the team. Oh wait.....

[Jeff]

Are they playoff caliber, or, like Friday's game, are they going to come close and fall short?

Really?

A better question:

What do Buffalo teams USUALLY do in a spot like this?