Golisano expects playoffs; Regier gets extension

Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano just wrapped up a half-hour press conference, right, that was easily his widest-ranging affair in several years. It started as an announcement of a two-year contract extension for GM Darcy Regier and included political talk about Responsible New York pushed by radio news reporters (and of little use to your intrepid sports bloggers).

But these things stood out about Golisano's talk -- he's come around to the idea of longterm contracts, he needed to be convinced by Larry Quinn and Darcy Regier to be aggressive with Ryan Miller's deal to prevent another Sabre from walking away in free agency and he expects the team to make the playoffs this season.

Said Golisano: "If we don't make the playoffs this year, we'd be really disappointed. In fact, I'd probably chew this microphone."

Golisano, by the way, was adamant that the team is not for sale, speculation heightened by the fact he was absent a lot last season and has taken on minority partners in Larry Quinn and Dan DiPofi.

"There are no plans [to sell], no offers," Golisano said. "There's nothing."

---Mike Harrington

(Photo: Mark Mulville-Buffalo News)

Comments

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

"...of the top 5 GM's in the NHL..."

Yeah, one of the top 5 GM busts in the NHL.

[Chad]

Great news that we locked up one of the top 5 GM's in the NHL through 2011. Well done!

[Buffalo Excuses]

Elma,

Please, don't go soft on me. I can take criticism. It's no fun when everyone around you agrees with you (but secretly do not!).

As for The Excuses, the moniker sticks til they show me. Show me that they don't need to make excuses anymore. Signing the same team to long term deals and wildly celebrating them can be viewed as insane. Now I get the fact of injuries and a young team maturing so no need to debate.

But show me that when you make a run at the cup and Connelly, Afinigenov and/or Kotalik are significant factors you have the audacity to sign them (on top of your "core") and not make excuses. And if they aren't back to form you have the same audacity to go out and get the right talent that is. We need more to get over the top.

Darcy can do this. He just hasn't been given the benefit of unfettered access to the cap.

In short, I won't be happy if they just make the playoffs. In fact, I will say I told you so. Yes, I will say I told you so, that's the fun of blogging.

I will concede to your I told you so if they make it to the Finals, or are VERY competitive being just shy.

Not making it is a joke.

Losing to the team that does make it in round one or two is average.

Getting blown out in round 3 is pretty much the same thing.

Just setting the stage for the future debate.

Now, bring it on!

[ElmaGolf]

Excuses -

"We'll see in the very near future how good we are. My guess remains, average. I could be wrong and hope I am. Spare me the criticism til then."

Sorry, wasn't trying to be "critical" of you, just hoping that maybe you'd acknowledge that things may have changed over there and that your "Excuses" moniker for the team may not be as strongly appropriate as you felt around July 1st.

Whether the team remains "average" may be a wholly separate issue from the actions of management.

Like we've both said, we can let the on-ice results settle that for now.

But I'm glad we'll at least have some actual hockey to debate, rather than only newswire transactions.

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

As the article for this blog stated: "Said (Tom) Golisano: 'If we don't make the playoffs this year, we'd be really disappointed. In fact, I'd probably chew this microphone.'"

Says I: Should the Sabres fall short of the Stanley Cup title, it's an indictment on Golisano's leaving off on his true obligation---making the Sabres a Stanley Cup winner.

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

W begins "like Lloyd says, we want a Gm that knows how to put together..."

I'll finish "...a Stanley-Cup winner."

Glad to be of service, W, and even more glad you finally have seen the light.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Elma,

This is the best news of the offseason. I honestly feel so. This was my biggest concern this off season....right after I recognized how futile it was to be concerned about our competitive standing. They aint gonna budge on this one.

Also, I said VERY late that Pommer was as good as gone but also said on many occasions it was more likely a marketing campaing by The Excuses. I was frustrated at seeing the all too familiar handwriting on the wall. As it turns out, The Excuses one upped me in their marketing. Ehhh, they got me.

We'll see in the very near future how good we are. My guess remains, average. I could be wrong and hope I am. Spare me the criticism til then.

[W]

Yeah, like Lloyd says, we want a Gm that knows how to put together a post lockout team that puts up more than 100 points and wins the President's Trophy...oh, wait..nevermind.

Shut up Lloyd.

[ElmaGolf]

Hey Excuses -

Can we add "Regier wants out of here" to the "oops" pile now? (right on top of the "Miller's as good as gone" and they'll "never get a Pomminville deal done" by training camp)

How about some kudos here from you? You've repeatedly said you love Regier as a GM, and the team did what you wanted (and you can't even say it was Darcy's doing).

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

Regier shouldn't be GM of the Sabres; he should be looking for a new job elsewhere.

C'MON, Tom! Get a REAL gen-mgr, someone who knows how to put together a WINNER!