There are no do-overs
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- So let me get this straight. The Sabres team that is following me to the Sunshine State is 0-0? What did all these training camp comments mean then?
*"We want to get a good start," defenseman Toni Lydman said. "Points are getting harder to get toward the end of the season, and if you start slow it’s tough to make up for it at the end."
*"People are anxious to get the season going," Derek Roy said. "It’s been a long summer, a long summer for everybody. Everybody’s ready to get started and get off on the right foot."
*"We need all our young players to learn that not making [the playoffs] is something that’s unacceptable," coach Lindy Ruff said. "When you talk to most of them, you see that in their eyes."
So, what? It wasn't in their eyes anymore, so let's play a game of make-believe to try and get that back? What an insult. Not only to the fans who expected their team to be ready, but to the players (Thomas Vanek, especially) who actually stayed ready.
The simple fact is, there are no do-overs. The Sabres are 11 points behind Boston in the Northeast Division, and they are 11 points behind the Bruins and Rangers in the Eastern Conference. They are 11-10-3, and they deserve to be 11-10-3.
Elsewhere in the real world:
*Sean Avery is a whackjob, not that that's breaking news. Here are good comments on his stupid comments about one of the best-looking women around by Scott Burnside. Also, here is a short take by Matthew Barnaby.
*Mats Sundin doesn't appear to be in the plans of new Leafs boss Brian Burke.
*My pal George Richards of the Miami Herald tells of how well the Panthers, who host the Sabres on Thursday, are playing.
---John Vogl
