Sabres Draft

So the Sabres drafted a bunch of big, tough kids. I'm resisting the urge to climb up on my office chair -- arthritic hip and all -- and dance in celebration. Gee, does this mean they finally figured out what it takes to compete seriously for a Stanley Cup? It's a little surprising, though. Didn't Larry Quinn point out that the Red Wings won the Cup a year ago with a small roster?

Maybe the new kids will be ready to create havoc in the corners two years from now. What exactly has management done to win right now? Is there some huge free-agent signing in the works, a gesture to the fans to show they mean business? Of course, there hasn't been any real reaction from ticket-buying fans to the last two seasons -- mulligans, if you will. So it's understandable if Tom Golisano and Co. are content with business as usual.

Henrik Tallinder and Jochen Hecht are still on the team. What does that tell you? Once again, Regier held onto diminishing assets until they lost worth in the trade market. And hey, what is Max Afinogenov up to lately?

One other item: Fans seem up in arms about the Sabres not re-signing Jaro Spacek to a new contract. Reading the Sabres blog, you'd think Spacek was some Mark Messier type leader in the dressing room. He's a stand-up guy, but come on. If Spacek represents the leadership on that team, you know they're hurting. Plus, Spacek is a free agent. UFAs almost always go out on the free market and find out what they're worth. It's very rare when a team outbids the free-agent market before a player even gets to test the waters -- as they did when they overpaid Tim Connolly on trade deadline day.

Comments

[The ghost of Jerry Korab]

* Sorry spelled pompous wrong...typing to fast.

[The ghost of Jerry Korab]

Darcy Regier = Yes Man - You can see why he has not been fired.

Larry Quinn = Know it all - Pampas, arrogant guy who has no business running a team much less developing the Bass Pro space.

Tom Golisano = Absent - Bought the team as a toy, now sees it as a nuisance.

[siket71]

Oh no.... you didn't have to go after Tiny Tim did ya! Spacek has his value but if he wants 3 mil i say by bye. Plus i'm more excited about seeing all the kids on the blueline...Sekera, Butler, Weber and Myers....although i'm not too excited for all the mistakes that surely will happen often next season.

[PKB]

"Of course, there hasn't been any real reaction from ticket-buying fans to the last two seasons -- mulligans, if you will. So it's understandable if Tom Golisano and Co. are content with business as usual."

This is completely wrong. Going far in the playoffs is crucial to the financial success of the Sabres. They don't just want but need to make the playoffs every single year and their profits are almost directly dependent upon them doing so. Ticket sales are important but qualifying and going far in the playoffs isn’t just a standard response given to the media by Regier and Quinn but it is the policy set in order to keep the franchise profitable.

[super saber]

max will sign with different team and score 40 goals,he nead different system.sabres system smell!!!!!!!!

[ihateny]

Darcy(which is a girls name) said in an interview i saw sunday that he wasnt going after any "homerun FA's". Spineless wimp.

[Sal]

The Sabres are a team full of gutless pink pantie wearers. Timmy, Choken, Tallnfragile, Roy please don't touch me or i'll fall, etc, etc--you don't win when these are your feature players

[Iceman]

Right on Sully! I like the draft but after not making the playoffs for 2 years they had better have a plan to win now! Bring in a couple of gritty veterans to show these pretty boys what it takes to win in this league and especially in the playoffs. It would be nice if the likes on Tallinder, Lydman and Hecht can be moved to open up some slots and salary cap space but I fear there won't be any takers for them.