Best free agent deal so far?

poll by twiigs.com

Comments

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

"Grow up and accept that more than one person in the world may have a different opinion and perspective than you."

We all know the above applies to you, Elma Golf; what about me?

"You're such a hack, it's hilarious."

We all know that you, Chad, are a hack for the Sabres office people; what about anyone else here with an objective worldview?

[Chad]

You're such a hack, it's hilarious. Keep proclaiming yourself victorious in all the fictitious battles raging in your head. We're all really impressed by you, Excuses. And intimidated, too.

I sure hope one day that I'm 40 with kids like you and can be "tooling" on people who disagree with me on a sports message board. Who acts like you?

We'll sure miss your insight like Drew Stafford will accept an arbitration award this year even though he's not eligible for arbitration until 2011. Four days and counting...

[Buffalo Excuses]

"Excuses, I wish I could say that I'm surprised you mentioned me about 5-7 times while I was tending to some business and enjoying my 4th of July weekend, but I'm really not"

Dude, I seriously only recall mentioning you once. If it is worth your time to go back and count, have at it.

" I know, I know, how could anyone not sit on the computer refreshing TSN and Sabres Edge every ten minutes in the middle of summer?"

Laughable that you claim not to have, and yet you know how many times I mentioned you. But reading a long weekends worth of postings is SO MUCH MORE productive use of your time. I know, now you are on the governments/Golisano's payroll, aren't you? It is the SAME THING after all.

Dude, you seriously did not kid me very long as to who you are. Tommie Boy and Larry, this is shameful. It is an absolute joke that you take MONEY for doing this. Think about that LAWYER BOY. One of your job descriptions is "publicly" arguing with people like Lloyd (sorry Lloyd). Next time I see you and chuckle, you may figure it out. Now go ahead and tell the story about the News knowing who you are again LAME ONE! Get ready to back him up "newbies", he is gonna need it!

Even MORE laughable, and sad, is that you invented another persona to be here all weekend and then LIED about it. You truly are....LAME. My GAWD, how you face yourself in the mirror with anything but a sheepish detest is amazing.

"I learned quite awhile ago to just let you go on your nonsensical diatribes."

EXTREMELY laughable that you don't have the courage to publicly face up to the fact that you have NO CREDIBILITY on these boards anymore THANKS TO ME. You stepped in front of The Excuses Train one too many times. Instead you claim it intentional, again....LAME. Like Montador will be claiming to ignore Orr after about 3 go arounds...(Elma, my lack of response to you is because; like Orr will be of Montador, I am tired of tossing you around like a rag doll).

"BTW, not surprised you're still here despite your claims you were walking away when the Sabres didn't do much during free agency. You can't walk away. You care TOO MUCH."

You really ought to read your own posts dude. I know they are EXTREMELY boring, but when your credibility is on the line (oh wait, you have none) you really should. The ONLY reason I stayed here was you threw out the arbitrary date of July 10th as the date I would leave. DUH!

I know shooing me away will make your life easier, but that's ok. Have a ball rebuilding the shredded credibility. The only reason I stayed was in "support" of the other folks who are UNSATISFIED. As we sold WAY TOO MANY tickets this year, my efforts are silly. Yes, I can admit that, you still have delusions of grandeur about your "impact".

What I will always laugh at when I think back on this is how much effort you will put into figuring out if I am still here. You probably have some sort of software to check writing styles....YOU ARE SUCH A LOSER!!!

My last prediction still stands, The Excuses "find a way" (just costcut baby) to get to 90% of the cap.

Last thought:

How much do I care?

This much....

[Chad]

Excuses, I wish I could say that I'm surprised you mentioned me about 5-7 times while I was tending to some business and enjoying my 4th of July weekend, but I'm really not. I know, I know, how could anyone not sit on the computer refreshing TSN and Sabres Edge every ten minutes in the middle of summer? I learned quite awhile ago to just let you go on your nonsensical diatribes. The more I let you go, the more people you alienate. It's perfect, really. You're insane. Seriously.

BTW, not surprised you're still here despite your claims you were walking away when the Sabres didn't do much during free agency. You can't walk away. You care TOO MUCH.

And to answer the poll question: David Booth, by far.

[ElmaGolf]

"ElmaGolf(aka Chad, aka Guido);"

Lloyd -

You forgot Jeff and Hambone and Heather B. and, etc. etc. etc.

Wow - I am soooo tired trying to keep all my identities straight!

Grow up and accept that more than one person in the world may have a different opinion and perspective than you.

Perhaps that's the portion of "get some perspective" that applies to you.

I'll readily admit I can always afford to be reminded to keep things in perspective - so for once, your formulaic "I know you are, but what about me?" response actually applies.

Thanks for the reminder and have a great day! :) :) :)

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

"Get some perspective"

We all know that the above applies to you, ElmaGolf(aka Chad, aka Guido); what about us?

[ElmaGolf]

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Sincerely,
"Unbitter" Butcher Boy :)

[Buffalo Excuses]

Bitter this butcher boy.

The only thing being proved right here is that Excuses fans are being played by ownership.

We field "basically the same team", only without Spacek (OH, and tickets at 5% more than last year BECAUSE WE DIDN'T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS! But who's counting....)

The teams new chant will be:

"WE'RE NUMBER 12! WE'RE NUMBER 12! WE'RE NUMBER 12!

And yes, I am still LAUGHING at you.

You just KNOW they are going to disappoint you...AGAIN.

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

"yeah, Lloyd, you're a true genius"

I know, CS2. My analyses are spot-on accurate.

"comic relief"

I know that's what you, CS2, have to offer.

"Edmonton as a team to be 'feared and revered'?"

Because they have Stanley Cups in their showcase, as well as Detroit and Pittsburgh.

What to do with the team now... Ask Tom Golisano; his bankroll can accomplish ANYTHING.

[CalgarySabre2]

yeah, Lloyd, you're a true genius, telling us what you "would have done" 3 years ago. Your proposed trades fall into two categories:
1) impossible trades that the other side of your proposed deal would never have made in any state of consciousness.
2) Ludicrous trades that would not have helped this team at all. (Biron for Belfour? Are you serious? Vanek for Ryan Smyth? Smyth has never won anything anywhere and he will be collecting his pension when Vanek is still getting 40 goals a season.)
Why don't you try making suggestions about what you would do NOW with the actual salary cap space you have to work with in Buffalo? I could use the comic relief. And including Edmonton as a team to be "feared and revered"? Get with it Lloyd. Maybe when Magnum PI was still on tv. I guess that is why Heatley is so happy to go there.

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

"You're proving me right and you're proving to everyone how much of an idiot you are."

We know that you, Guido, are the idiot type in the above-captioned quote... proving Buff-Excuses(and others who, like him, know better) to be ever more right in their analyses.

What else, Guido, do you have to offer?

[Ebscer]

I would go with Chicago's signing of John Madden. Money wise it is a much better deal for the Blackhawks than signing Hossa is.

[Jeff]

I was assuming that more people would have read that Chicago didn't properly submit their RFA qualifying offers. Up to 6 of their RFA's are likely to become UFA's, including Cam Barker, Ben Eager, and Kris Versteeg.

While the NHL may like to sweep this one under the rug, the NHLPA will file a grievance that will prevent that from happening.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-05-blackhawks-chicago-jul05,0,2449233.story

[Guido]

Excuses, You're only doing 2 things. You're proving me right and you're proving to everyone how much of an idiot you are.

[ElmaGolf]

"Everything in life has gone your way so far (Daddy buys me everything) so you accept mediocrity. Never having had to truly WORK for something yourself,"

Excuses - I don't know what has happened to you in your work life, but that's not the first time you've assumed that somebody that goes up against you must be some "spoiled rich kid" who's never worked hard.

While you may be considering it "having a blast tooling on people" - perhaps you should channel your anger to an appropriate venue. It sounds like this goes far beyond hockey.

And before you dig into your bag of CPA stereotypes for your retort - my Father was a butcher who only gave me a decent work ethic.

[BUffalo Excuses]

Guido,

All the more reason for me to tool on you LOSER.

Keep watching the mediocre team and diligently buying your jersies cause you are the lucky one right? Everything in life has gone your way so far (Daddy buys me everything) so you accept mediocrity. Never having had to truly WORK for something yourself, guys like Stafford who show up 1 night in 3 are acceptable.

Guys like you get fired on a regular basis softie. All companies have to do now is figure out how to keep you coming in the front door. Probably the day AFTER Daddy figures out he is your problem cupcake.

BTW, I am having a blast tooling on you. Bitter? Hah! This is more fun, and more reliable, than rooting FOR the Excuses.

You just KNOW they are going to disappoint you AGAIN...

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

From Jeff: "(E)ven if (the Sabres) signed Drury, Briere, and Campbell to ideal deals at the right time... where does this team sit? It's still a soft team and significantly older. It probably makes the playoffs the last 2 years, but (likely won't go too far)."

I see my posting last night got deleted, probably because it ruffles the feathers of those who hesitate in having to demonstrate some effort, as opposed to merely following the path of least resistance.

Let's try AGAIN, folks...!

First of all, it's not a matter of "small-market" anything; it's the size of the THINKING in that particular market.

If better decision making was in effect at HSBC Arena after the 2006 playoff run, this team would likely have 1 or 2 Stanley Cup trophies in the showcase by now. Sure, the Sabres would be sacrificing some draft picks. Sure, the Sabres would possibly not have Tom Vanek, Jason Pominville, or some of these "kids" today. But, they'd have a Stanley Cup or two to show that "we weren't turning back after going so far."

If I'm in that GM position July 1, 2006, here's what I do...

1: Re-sign Mike Grier, Jay McKee, and JP DuMont.

2: Look around the NHL; find out that, while Chris Drury, Tom Vanek, and Danny Briere are free agents come July 2007, the same applies to Scott Gomez in NJ, and even Ryan Smyth in Edmonton.

3: Given #2 above, trade Briere and a draft choice to Jersey for Gomez.

4: Make a trade of a couple Rochester players, and a draft choice, to Columbus, and bring defenseman(and Stanley Cup winner) Adam Foote.

5: Bring Brendan Shanahan in from free-agency.

6: At trade time in Feb-07, make these trades: Martin Biron to Florida for Edd Belfour, Tim Connolly and a pick to Carolina for Rod BrinDamour and a pick, and Tom Vanek to Edmonton for Ryan Smyth.

All the Sabres needed was a little more vision, and they'd right now be spoken of in the same breath with Detroit, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh... as a team to be feared and revered. Sadly, we know the opposite is the case.

And a later Jeff posting: "Still consider Chicago a smart organization?"

For lots of years, the old man Wirtz ran that team as cheaply as one can be cheap. After he died, his son took over, and started making things better. Look how far they went.

Hoewver, I would fault the Black Hawks for signing Marian Hossa, as opposed to anyone who played on the last three Stanley Cup winners. Hossa played for Ottawa, Pittsburgh, and Detroit, in this order, between the 2007-09 Stanley Cups. What do those teams have in common? They LOST. I would rather they have signed a free agent or three from the 2007-09 winning teams.

All you need is VISION!

[Jeff]

Still consider Chicago a smart organization???

[Chris]

And by the way, if Regier & Quinn want to impress me, hire Drury as the new head coach. I could actually exhibit some patience if I knew that was going to happen in the next 2 years.

[Chris]

Hey Buffalo News reporters: do some real reporting and explain why exactly Hecht, Pomenville, Roy and the rest decided to take a couple of years off!

Explain what the heck Lindy Ruff is doing.

I think the answers can be found and I think they also apply to the Bills.

[Jeff]

Chicago has built their team much like Pittsburgh... superstars through extended incompetence. Did Darcy build our post-lockout contender through foresight, or dumb luck? He hasn't adapted well to post-lockout contracts or the change in style of play, so all signs point to a fluke. Briere and Drury are just not superstars on the level of Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews, Zetterburg, and Datsyuk...even if their contracts suggest they are.

Like Elma said, the Vanek situation was unavoidable. But, even if they signed Drury, Briere, and Campbell to ideal deals at the right time and avoided the Hecht, Pomminville, and Afinogenov deals....where does this team sit? It's still a soft team and significantly older. It probably makes the playoffs the last 2 years, but it's not contending for anything.

The situation now dictates that they wait out this season. As much as everyone wants to dump cap problems, it's just not that easy. Best case is we see a problem for problem deal. If they stay healthy and get a few players to rebound or perform better than expected, they can make the playoffs. If not, then they are trade deadline sellers. Either way, they'll be one of few teams with cap room next summer. That's when we see the real transition.

[ElmaGolf]

Dwight - I think you're right - we have more common ground than initially thought.

The love affair with current players has to end in certain situations. Unfortunately, the Guaranteed Contracts and ridiculous terms given are forcing people to make a long commitment, so it's going to happen to many teams unless they're willing to spend tons of cash on buyouts.

I agree that new blood, either at Coach / GM would help. I think they needed a different perspective and failed to get it. Not that Lindy's a bad coach, but some type of change is necessary.

As for you examples of mismanagement:

DRURY - no doubt; blew it completely.

BRIERE - Was gone the minute he went to Arbitration and got the $5MM One year deal. By the time they could negotiate with him (January 1, 2007), there was no way he was going to accept $25/5 anymore and his production in the first half of that season (despite what Bucky claims).

VANEK - Not much they could have done to avoid it. When were they going to give him an extension? When he was watching portions of the 2006 playoffs from the Press Box? Once he made his value known in 2006-07, there was NO incentive on his part to not at least see what offers would be fetched as an RFA. He held all the cards.

I just don’t think those last two items are easily classified as mismanagement as some may think. Does this excuse the “inaction” you were referring to replace what Druriere took away? NO. I think they patiently decided to see who could step up as leaders, but the time for patience is over. They need someone new to add that character through some type of trade or other move soon.

[Guido]

Dwight, I've got to disagree with you that just by getting rid of Darcy we will have our problems solved. Quinn is the one that has to leave. Darcy has proven before that he can do the job when Quinn wasn't getting involved.

Excuses, You're just an old, bitter man that is mad at the world cause nothing goes his way.

[dwight in philly]

my problem with the sabres has been simple mismanagement. i e:.. getting backed into a corner in the vanek situation after totally messing up drury and briere. telling the fans.. (from the mouth that roared)."we want to win the stanley cup.". there is no feasible way that happens unless you reconize that your love affair with YOUR players must end!.. regier gets lauded for his patience, i think his "patience" is the result of sheer incompetance. fantasize this:.. if rick dudley, neil smith, were brought in, we would not be having this dialogue.. WE WOULD BE WITNESSING ATTEMPTS AT GETTING BETTER!.. in the sabres case, change for the sake of change could only be a positive.

[ElmaGolf]

dwight -

I agree I was more patient with this group than I should have been.

I gave them a chance last season, because, even though the league was reverting back to a "clogged up style", they somehow managed to be 4th in goals in 2007-08. Last year proved it was a "smoke & mirrors" miracle.

I thought the minor "tinkering" could have worked if people like Pommer, Hecht & Paille hadn't fallen off the map last season - but I simply accept that changes are needed.

As for waiting to see what the market bears - I don't think Darcy was alone on that among GMs. Salary Cap flattening, some big UFA flops causing Cap Issues - it's a pretty uncertain time for many teams.

Despite the publicity of teams that made big moves, the list of teams with no activity, net lost players or simply re-signed existing players is much longer, including Anaheim, Boston, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Dallas, and many others.

I think (and hope) there's going to be transactions in the next few months as teams restructure their make-up and need to make salary cap planning moves for next year (i.e. teams with UFAs coming due next July 1st).

That's the period when Darcy needs to get something done.

As for not accepting "small market" - sorry, you're simply in denial if you don't think that it's a huge factor. It's just a reality - this community can't afford multi-year buyouts. Nor can they afford to make "salary cap loophole" contracts like with Hossa.

The Sabres are going to end up pretty near the Cap this year, simply due to the raises given last offseason. Their ticket prices will not be even close to the top spenders. Only people in blind-rage denial will fail to see how "small market" isn't a factor.

********
Finally -

Sorry, you can't even try to use the Penguins as a "small market" comparison.

You ask "what gives here?"

Well, like I said before, it has to do with stinking out loud for years and completely retooling with Four Top 3 prospects, who all came into the league close enough together that you could make a run before their staggeringly underpaid initial contracts expired.

Yes, Ray Shero made trade deadline moves, but he was adding them to a core of ceters that included 2 of the last 3 MVPs, and Jordan Staal. Did you honestly think the Sabres were anywhere near a comparable situation at trade deadline time the last 2 seasons?

[dwight in philly]

i do think we share more common ground that not, ELMA GOLF.my major problem is the lack of effort in securing upgrades to the team. i wont bore anyone with regier's past inaction, but one would simply think that 2 straight years out of the playoffs would warrant a more concerted effort on his part. i will not accept "small market".. "wait to see what the market will bear".. its horse hooey!.. go get the job down... do whatever it takes.. see ray shero if you need an example. the pens play in an arena that is the LEAST revenue producing.. their market is "small". what gives here?.. that is the essence of my point

[ElmaGolf]

dwight -

"the point is not making a "splash" in free-agency, its about being able to actually make moves to better your team."

I agree, but many of the comments here were extolling the moves made with "big tickets" (see Poll Question).

Montador did help with some toughness. I know it's being portrayed as as "replacing Spacek", but that's really not true.

I was a big Spacek fan, but he was simply gone. 7 players / $9.5MM space - no way he was coming back. It's not "dumping salary" - it's a salary cap casualty.

Spacek needs to be "replaced" by one of the prospects outperforming their contracts (sort of like Kris Letang in Pittsburgh). Sorry, but it's up to Weber / Butler / Sekera / Myers?? to step up. There isn't money left to get another $3-$4MM Defenseman.

On offense, the Salary Cap situation is going to mandate an "AHL Promotion" line - one of them is going to have to step up.

But I still want (and have always wanted) another lunch-bucket forward to help them out up front. I still hope it may be available via trade.

If nothing more happens this offseason - I'm with you. I just think UFA fixes are overrated.

[dwight in philly]

i must totally agree with EXCUSES.. he nails it time after time. the pollyanna's on here do not seem to get it. to continue to reconcile the sabres outright failure in their mind is pitiful. is regier just plain inept?.. what is stopping him from making some salary dumps?.. how about being PROACTIVE!.. just once!.. as we sit and watch, we are supposed to believe that this organization wants to win. that is boarderline insane.

[ElmaGolf]

Brian -

"But how hard is it to grab a Scuderi or Larose or other "lunch bucket" type of player for $2 - 3M per year?"

When you have 7 players to sign and only $9.5MM of cap space, it's pretty tough (especially if you have any designs on keeping Stafford). Montador was the "lunch bucket" added to the blue-line.

That is, until you clear up some cap space or find replacements that make some of your existing players expendable.

I'm hoping the Montador signing makes Tallinder expendable and he can be used to pick up a "lunch bucket type" forward via trade.

I don't know how successful they'll be in dumping any of their other contracts.

Don't get the impression I'm fine with what they've done so far - more is definitely needed. I'm just saying that it isn't going to get done with UFAs in the first few days after July 1st, especially when you're handcuffed by the cap and have designs on keeping Stafford.

[Buffalo Excuses]

"Toronto isn't going to do anything but be a bunch of talentless goons"

They will finish ahead of The Excuses.

" but at least the team is still in Buffalo"

Please.

" Be a fan elsewhere if you're not happy."

The Excuses make this as easy as our politicians make it easy to move south.

" I'm sure Excuses is "astonished" that after all that activity, the Rangers finished an astonishing 4 points better than the Sabres."

Ummmm...that would be IN the playoffs, not OUT.

"The Penguins didn't win the Cup"

Ummm...yes they did. Everything after that is MOOT.

"The Wings didn't get to the Cup again"

Ummm...no comment necessary.

"But otherwise, everyone needs to chill out about July 1st."

And LAST July 1, and the trading deadline, and missing the playoffs, and the ticket price increase and...

"The Sabres aren’t losing"
Ummm...yes they are.

"It’s not a function of cheapness"
Ummmm...yes it is.

"Excuses, these really do look like drunk rants from you."
I have never been so right when I have been so drunk.

"Is Chicago really a team you'd point to as a smart organization"
Remember this when you are on the outside of the playoffs looking in...AGAIN.

"It's great to Elma back here to lend some perspective."
HIs "perspective is as old as Quinny's excuses."

"i think the coyotes are outspending the sabres"
Factually sad.

"I hadn't really thought about Connolly as being "overpaid" - just "overinjured"."
When you can't dazzle the with brilliance...

"TO ELMA GOLF:enjoy another year watching teams other than buffalo compete for the stanley cup."
Couldn't have said it any better myself. Everything else is an EXCUSE.

"dude, excuses, you crack me up."
You are most welcome. And I am old.

The marketing types are out after the shockwave of silence has passed on free agency. Here to begin to drive optimism after the blatant disappointment that was the nothingness of Regier.

Have fun following "The Disappointment Bunny" into the cellar.

This team stinks, plain and simple. It just got "stinkier".

Walking away shaking my head...with a shred of dignity left in tact.

[lounotinafghanistananymore]

dude, excuses, you crack me up. if you're as old as i suspect you are (based on references to being a fan for quite some time), you should at least act to some level of maturity. Ex: "Dear Guido (LOSER)"; "Chad, I know this is you in disguise. You don't have the guts to face me anymore do you?" Guy, you're picking fights ONLINE. Come on. I understand being disappointed, hence your name, but channel that frustration towards the front office.

[lounotinafghanistananymore]

wow. all you think miller is worth is a couple number one picks and a "player"? the guy is likely on the US olympic team, and should've been last time. and he's only worth a couple of college/ junior kids and "a player"? and that player thing is rather vague. if you want to dump miller for a couple #1 picks and a player, that guy better be somewhere in the ballpark of a bill guerin or marty havlat.

and if you free up cap space getting rid of miller and the plenty of other dead weights, you're gonna have alot more cap space to sign guys better than khabibulin, havlat, and mckee.

i respectfully disagree with your comment.

[Muckler]

This is what I would have done:
Get rid of dead weight to open up more cap space.
Trade Miller for two #1 picks and a player.
Sign Khabibulin.
Sign Havlat
Sign McKee.
A moot point now, since the only one still available is Mckee.

[cannibalking525]

Boy, Scott Burnside just wrapped up this entire blog fight...he nailed where we're all coming from...we're all on the same side after all.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=4305073

[Lloyd Marshall, Jr.]

From Guido: "from what I've read from (Chad), he atleast has a logical mind to him..."

Can you say, "BA-BUM-BUM-CRASSSSSHHH!!!"?

[dwight in philly]

TO ELMA GOLF:enjoy another year watching teams other than buffalo compete for the stanley cup. the point is not making a "splash" in free-agency, its about being able to actually make moves to better your team. in the past year, we have seen craig rivet and dominic moore comprise the only personnel change(s). now its spacho for montador!.. will that make this team better?.. make a gosh darn trade.. dump some players for picks.. free-up cap space!.. why is it we are always "building from within"?.. "patient darcy".. PATIENT THIS... if you are satisfied with believing in the regier -quinn BS... GO FOR IT.. but your justification for it is weak..

[Brian]

I don't think everyone was clamoring for the BIG ticket UFAs and the best players on the marketplace, just the RIGHT players.

Obviously, no one is just going to help us out by taking Hecht, Lydman or Tallinder off our hands. Even if there were, that wouldn't mean the front office was going to go out and spend like crazy.

But how hard is it to grab a Scuderi or Larose or other "lunch bucket" type of player for $2 - 3M per year?

I suppose all of the bitterness on these boards is from the Sabres saying one thing (we're going to build a winner; we're going to have a top-down review; the fans deserve a winner; etc.) and then seemingly doing another thing all together.

Granted it's going to take time to fix what they royally F'ed up the past few years, but you could at least exude confidence and a feeling that things are going in the right direction. Instead we're left with the "woe is me" attitude about being a "small market" and the status quo in the locker room and on the ice.

[ElmaGolf]

Cannibal -

I hadn't really thought about Connolly as being "overpaid" - just "overinjured". But really, compared to some of the other contracts out there for talented, but too injured players, $4MM is a bargain (I bet Philly wished they were on the hook with Briere for only 2 more years).

I'm not so sure we "overpaid" for players as much as they are sadly underperforming a "mid-range" contract. We didn't pay Hecht to be a superstar - we paid him to keep being a near 20 goal / 50 point guy who was defensively responsible. I don't remember too much complaining about his contract when he was meeting those expectations. Similarly, I don't remember too much complaining about Pomminville's contract last year either, when it was signed (now, on the other hand - "he's too small, can't score, yada yada").

It seems like most people who complain here have the following requests surrounding free agency:
- Spend BIG Money
- Only spend it on Players who are guaranteed to perform optimally for their entire career

With respect to existing players:
- Spend money on players who perform well (RIGHT NOW!!!)
- Guarantee that they will keep performing well or we'll tell you what an idiot you were for signing then "RIGHT NOW" a few years from now.
- Get rid of all those people who are overpaid ("I can do it on my PS3, why can't you?")

As for the "disingenuous" comments - you are correct. They don't like going after Overpaid FAs - which your article from SI showed is not an unreasonable philosophy.

There's plenty of reason to be upset about the make-up and performance of this team. It has VERY LITTLE to do with not making splashy moves on July 1st. Yes, they need changes - but they simply aren't happening through big ticket UFAs.

All the winning teams right now were there because they received performances way above what people were being paid (Toews / Kane in CHI; Malkin / Staal / Letang / Talbot in PHI; Zetterberg / Franzen in DET). Sort of like the performances the Sabres received from 2005-07 from most of their team.

Or else they stunk for years and had the best of both worlds with MVP Players like Ovie / Crosby / Malkin falling in their laps at entry-level contracts.

Either way - these teams didn't become successful through unrestricted free agency (or by taking people's overpaid trash off their hands - Gomez? really?!)- an observation that is seemingly lost on people when I read the knee-jerk reactions here.

[dwight in philly]

i think the coyotes are outspending the sabres... what does that say?.. oh yea.. "the marketplace".. just keeping spewing that nonsense regier

[Jeff]

Excuses, these really do look like drunk rants from you. It's impossible not to see the similarities between this Chicago team and the Sabres a few years ago. They have a serious, young, contender, but haven't won much yet. Now they have to start dealing with new contracts. They will suffer for it, it's just a matter of time. They have a window to win in, and signing Hossa increased their chance of winning this year, but lessens their window because they won't be able to afford to keep their own players around. It's already happening in Pittsburgh, where they are quickly starting to look more like Ottawa than Detroit.

Is Chicago really a team you'd point to as a smart organization? Much like Pittsburgh, they are contending because they were so terrible for so long that it netted them 2 super stars. If anything, it makes it painfully obvious that Buffalo doesn't have these stars.

It's great to Elma back here to lend some perspective. I couldn't agree with him more.

[cannibalking525]

ElmaGolf,

I stand corrected. You are absolutely correct... look no further than "a point per game skills" Tim Connolly. $4M+ a year for a guy who has actually produced .66 pts per game during his Buffalo "career". Regier and Quinn are the problem. But, as was said by Dwight in Philly, they can hardly be accused of being "disingenous". They have clearly told all of us they intend to never pursue high profile FA's, but rather, they have been honest telling us they will adjust the roster through trades, the draft and promoting within. It's too bad Regier only possesses the ability to find third line "talent"...which is who we are. Like it or not, and I certainly don't, they cannot be labeled as "disingenuous" for saying they want to put together a winning team in Buffalo... "incapable" of providing Buffalo with a winner on the other hand...well, we all know that...

[ElmaGolf]

cannibalking525 -

Great link - hopefully it puts a little perspective on the "JUST DO SOMETHING!!!!" crowd.

They could have dedicated an entire article just to Tampa Bay's "Yayyy! - they made a huge splash!!!" debacle from last July 1st.

I was impressed by the density of NY Rangers signings on that list. I'm sure Excuses is "astonished" that after all that activity, the Rangers finished an astonishing 4 points better than the Sabres. If it weren't for the Habs stupidity in saving NY from the Gomez contract, I don't think we would have seen much more activity from the Rangers this year. But at least the Rangers may have another entry for SI in a couple years.

Unfortunately, you were a little off about the Sabres not "overpaying middling players" - we certainly have a few of those still around. If we can get someone stupid enough to take Hecht for draft picks or prospects, that problem would lessen.

But otherwise, everyone needs to chill out about July 1st. The Penguins didn't win the Cup because they signed Satan and Fedotenko to $6MM in salary last July 1st. They won because they sucked out loud for years and built a core of centers unequaled in the league. They won because Staal and Malkin had a COMBINED cap hit of $6MM last year (and Malkin had the same hit as Hecht). They won because Kennedy, Latang and Talbot had a combined cap hit of $2.6MM.

The Wings didn't get to the Cup again because they spent $7.5MM on Marion Hossa. They got there because Zetterberg & Franzen had a combined hit of $3.5MM. They got there because they drafted "pansy Europeans" while all the Don Cherry disciples wanted tough North Americans.

The Sabres aren’t losing because they were missing big name signings. They’re losing because they bet on the league keeping the style wide-open after the 2005-06 season and signed players accordingly (when seemingly everyone’s contract came due). They couldn’t afford to buy out that many contracts and tried to bandage things together. And unlike other teams mentioned above, they didn’t have many “underpaid” players who exceeded their price tag.

It’s not a function of cheapness – it’s a function of whether the players are doing what they should be. Right now the Sabres have 7 players to sign and only $1.3MM per player to do it. What big signing did people expect to do with that little space?

Sure Bucky, we’ll sign J-Bo, even at $6MM which leaves room for 6 players at $600k. Oh that’s right, I forgot – Darcy has a call sheet 10 pages long of teams that want to take Hecht off our hands so we can do that. Just like Philly has people begging for Briere’s rights.

[dwight in philly]

just a thought..hey cannibalking:.. do you work for wgr radio?.. if not, you should!.. your outlook is exactly like their agenda

[cannibalking525]

Now that's the proper attitude. Be a fan elsewhere if you're not happy...good move...and take Kevin S. with you...

[dwight in philly]

the attitude of "at least the team is still in buffalo".. is part of the problem,,, fans are willing to settle for a disingenous organization , preying on that very emotion. i am sick of the sabres and how they abuse the fans.. could care less anymore..

[cannibalking525]

We all have our misgivings about Regier and how the organization is generally run, but at least the team is still in Buffalo. Take a look at this article regarding big free agent contract busts... 2. Brian Campbell, 4. Chris Drury, 8. Daniel Briere, 12. Jay McKee, 19. Donald Audette, 23. Uwe Krupp...not to mention 6. Ryan Smyth, who Darcy wouldn't over pay for when the whole town was hot for the guy... I'm happy the team isn't bankrupt and moving to Hamilton due to overpaying middling players.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0906/nhl.free.agent.busts/content.1.html

[Guido]

First off, I'm not a DR fan. Just a Buffalo fan. Secondly, I'm not Chad but from what I've read from him, he atleast has a logical mind to him.

Toronto isn't going to do anything but be a bunch of talentless goons, without a Goalie that can't make a save even if his life depended on it.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Dear Guido (LOSER),

You're as soberly smart as Darcy.

Have fun with these losers as Orr and The Leafs bounce Montador (The "Mediocre Tough Guy") around. I am leaving but will be sure to make a cameo to LAUGH at you and your commitment when this happens.

Larry loves guys like you. He will even talk to you in a bar to show you how much you mean to him so you can tell all the other dolts about your "brush with greatness". I'll bet you even puck up the tab! Guys like you are how he affords the lifestyle that you have NO HOPE of achieving.

But is fun to be a "superfan" isn't it?

You're the best!!!!

PS: Chad, I know this is you in disguise. You don't have the guts to face me anymore do you? ONCE AGAIN, I am right...and YOU ARE WRONG:

SPACEK - GONE!
STAFFORD - ON HIS WAY OUT.

Montador - in.

The basement door is now inevitable...

[Guido]

Dear Excuses, instead of constantly complaining about the Sabres, why don't you just start rooting for a different team. Over half the stuff you complain about is stupid, the other half sounds like it comes from a drunken idiot. I'm sure that no matter what team you decide to root for next, your going to just be the bitter person that you are here.

[Buffalo Excuses]

The Excuses should dump Sabretooth in favor of a new mascot:

"The Disappointment Bunny".

Why? Cause you just know they are going to disappoint you...again.