GalaxyMerchant
April 5th, 2008, 1:22:40 PM
Well my prognostication from over a month ago that the Sabres were “done” as far as the 08 playoffs are concerned has become a reality. The Presidents Trophy winner from last year has fallen to team that has struggled all season long with inconsistency, and mistake prone play in their own zone. A power play that continues to be inept as they have difficulty just getting shots on net, let alone scoring goals. However in all fairness to this years squad, the PP lameness has been carried over from last spring. Even though the 07 Presidents Trophy winning team were seemingly dominant, they struggled on the power play…and it turned out to be their undoing in the playoffs. Also we have seen a management that has been unwilling, or unable to bring in quality players to replace quality players that were let go. Why would GM Darcy Regier choose to not resign either of his top two players from a year ago, or try to replace them with players of comparable ability? Can it be that Regier is just plain arrogant when negotiating contracts, adopting a “take it or leave” attitude…or are his hands tied as far as spending goes?
Earlier this season Tom Golisano stated in an interview that “they were unable resign Danny or Chris, and afford to resign Vanek.” This is a confusing statement when you look at last years succsess the Sabres franchise enjoyed. Their team merchandise outsold every other professional sports team including the NY Yankees! And even with the new salary cap in place, other NHL cities seem to be able to retain and even sign top players to their roster. Both Pittsburgh and the NY Rangers are filled with top talent, not being afraid to spend the money needed to bring in, and retain playoff caliber players. Can it be that Larry Quinn, under direct instruction from owner Golisano, has in effect limited the spending that Regier can do?
I find it perplexing that a team so close a year ago can fall so fast into mediocrity a year later. It’s not like the team won a championship, then sat back and just gave half effort the following year as they enjoyed their victory. The sabers never completed their Stanley Cup mission so rather than adding to the current squad, management chose to take away from it. So now the results are in for the 08 sabres, a team that was just not good enough.
If the scenario of limited spending can be factual, what possible rational can Golisano have for this? Lets speculate for a moment. Tom Golisano has hinted in the recent past that he would be interested in purchasing the Buffalo Bills once the football team is available. Bills owner Ralph Wilson has stated that the team is not available for sale while he is alive, and his heirs have maintained that they will sell the franchise. So can it be that Mr. Golisano is sacrificing the current sabers Stanley cup aspirations so he can save his pennies in order to swoop in and purchase the Bills? It may take a few years, as 90 year old Ralph Wilson is still in good health and not ready to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet.
Can Mr. Golisano be saving up his money in order to pay the Bills??
Earlier this season Tom Golisano stated in an interview that “they were unable resign Danny or Chris, and afford to resign Vanek.” This is a confusing statement when you look at last years succsess the Sabres franchise enjoyed. Their team merchandise outsold every other professional sports team including the NY Yankees! And even with the new salary cap in place, other NHL cities seem to be able to retain and even sign top players to their roster. Both Pittsburgh and the NY Rangers are filled with top talent, not being afraid to spend the money needed to bring in, and retain playoff caliber players. Can it be that Larry Quinn, under direct instruction from owner Golisano, has in effect limited the spending that Regier can do?
I find it perplexing that a team so close a year ago can fall so fast into mediocrity a year later. It’s not like the team won a championship, then sat back and just gave half effort the following year as they enjoyed their victory. The sabers never completed their Stanley Cup mission so rather than adding to the current squad, management chose to take away from it. So now the results are in for the 08 sabres, a team that was just not good enough.
If the scenario of limited spending can be factual, what possible rational can Golisano have for this? Lets speculate for a moment. Tom Golisano has hinted in the recent past that he would be interested in purchasing the Buffalo Bills once the football team is available. Bills owner Ralph Wilson has stated that the team is not available for sale while he is alive, and his heirs have maintained that they will sell the franchise. So can it be that Mr. Golisano is sacrificing the current sabers Stanley cup aspirations so he can save his pennies in order to swoop in and purchase the Bills? It may take a few years, as 90 year old Ralph Wilson is still in good health and not ready to shuffle off this mortal coil just yet.
Can Mr. Golisano be saving up his money in order to pay the Bills??