Rene Robert on Radio Today: Slams Sabres

[Southside]

Bizarre radio interview this afternoon with Buffalo's WEDG 103 FM Shredd and Ragan and Rene Robert.
Shredd and Ragan assured listeners that it will be online at wedg.com (5 pm hour) later.

Readers Digest Condensed version: Robert agreed with the Buffalo Snews Bucky Gleason on his assesment that the Sabres have a serious problem with how the team is perceived amongst players in the NHL.

While its not news to those of us on the board, it is a bit unusual for a regular on the alumni circuit with a team to speak out so openly in such a negative fashion.

As soon as the link is live I will post it, unless one of the faithful post it here first.

Anybody else catch it?

Best
Southside

[ricogarion]

http://wedg.com/Article.asp?id=780664&spid=22412

here ya go Southside.

[pigpen65]

I haven't listened to it, but you would have to be an extremely deluded fan boy to defend the few really really terrible decisions the FO has made the past couple years. So i don't think there's anything bizarre about a person saying as much publicly, former player or not.

[TheAnswer74]

I haven't listened to it, but you would have to be an extremely deluded fan boy to defend the few really really terrible decisions the FO has made the past couple years. So i don't think there's anything bizarre about a person saying as much publicly, former player or not.

Even Schopp and the Bulldog are being critical lately. Looks like not signing Commodore really got to Bulldog. I wonder if he knew something we didn't about the Sabres wanting Commodore.

It was just odd hearing them talk about the Sabres not placing the right value on their players.

[D34dm4n]

i was so mad that i missed that interview tonight thanks for the link rico

[pigpen65]

It was just odd hearing them talk about the Sabres not placing the right value on their players.

Well, i guess the disheartening part about Robert coming forward is that we can be pretty sure he isn't just making it up. He's probably talked to actual players, and that probably is the actual sentiment. What can they do about it now? I think most people who were paying attention knew we were in for more ****ups once Quinn returned. The Nolan / Muckler offseason was more than enough proof the guy didn't know what the hell he was doing. I think Darcy is still a great guy to have in charge. I just hope from here on out Quinn keeps the hell out of the important hockey decisions.

[D34dm4n]

is anyone else having problems with the link.. mine keeps telling me the page cant be displayed when i click download this show

[ricogarion]

yes D34dm4n I am trying to get the transcripts or an audio link that works.

[D34dm4n]

i think its their site cause i cant get any of the podcasts to download

[TheAnswer74]

Well, i guess the disheartening part about Robert coming forward is that we can be pretty sure he isn't just making it up. He's probably talked to actual players, and that probably is the actual sentiment. What can they do about it now? I think most people who were paying attention knew we were in for more ****ups once Quinn returned. The Nolan / Muckler offseason was more than enough proof the guy didn't know what the hell he was doing. I think Darcy is still a great guy to have in charge. I just hope from here on out Quinn keeps the hell out of the important hockey decisions.

He already opened his big mouth about Miller and Pominville, saying they will sign both of them this summer.

To sign Pominville they actually have to call his agent.

Also, I love the interview when he says "Some teams follow the rules". He was talking about how teams were negotiating before July 1st. Then the Sabres started talking to Miller on June 30th, lol. Mike Schopp said maybe Lary Quinn misinterpreted the rule, or maybe the Sabres think within a 24hr period is ok.

Honestly, I love a lot of the trades and draft picks Regier has made, but I still have no confidence in those guys over there working as a team.

[anEinherjer]

Just think if our front office didn't "suck", we might actually, you know, make it deep into the playoffs or something.

So some folks think our management style sucks. So what? We either change it (somehow..... I like how everyone is real good at pointing out flaws) or just ****ing well deal with it. I'm in the latter camp. Just go. Just win. Then it won't matter.

[Southside]

I haven't listened to it, but you would have to be an extremely deluded fan boy to defend the few really really terrible decisions the FO has made the past couple years. So i don't think there's anything bizarre about a person saying as much publicly, former player or not.

You're absolutely right that it is common knowledge, Pigpen.

My point, and the reason that I called it bizarre, was because Robert put himself in an ackward situation by speaking out "unprompted"--he really doesn't have a horse in this race, so to speak. It speaks to the level of perception by Alumni (and, by extension current players) of the depth of problems facing the organization.

It also speaks to credibility for exactly the same reason. Where Bucky is perceived as having an axe to grind (for good reason) Robert is beyond reproach for a number of reasons, the least of which is that he continues to work for a team that does not have a stellar history in how its handled veterans of his era. For those in my age demographic or older, you may recall that there were alot of hard feelings between members of the French Connection and how they departed the organization--Martin with his back troubles and lawsuits against the Club (under Bowman and the Knoxes) and Perreault got stiffed on some money in those days as well. That they work with the club at all is a testament to their class and the type of people that they are.

Readers Digest Condensed version: If Robert is saying it out loud--the problem is worse than we think,

IMHO
Southside

[Meathead]

this team better rebound strong on the ice or we could see the bottom drop out on the organization. i agree that winning would solve all these problems, but if this perception lingers through another nonplayoff season you would likely see season tickets fall off sharply. after that an implosion wouldnt be far behind

fortunately i dont think that will happen as i believe the team will be strong enough to get back to the playoffs. but if they dont look out

[eyedog]

You mean hockeytown will lose all the bandwagon fans they obtained the last three years ?

[gebobs]

You mean hockeytown will lose all the bandwagon fans they obtained the last three years ?

Blow me.

[Rockstar]

You're absolutely right that it is common knowledge, Pigpen.

My point, and the reason that I called it bizarre, was because Robert put himself in an ackward situation by speaking out "unprompted"--he really doesn't have a horse in this race, so to speak. It speaks to the level of perception by Alumni (and, by extension current players) of the depth of problems facing the organization.

It also speaks to credibility for exactly the same reason. Where Bucky is perceived as having an axe to grind (for good reason) Robert is beyond reproach for a number of reasons, the least of which is that he continues to work for a team that does not have a stellar history in how its handled veterans of his era. For those in my age demographic or older, you may recall that there were alot of hard feelings between members of the French Connection and how they departed the organization--Martin with his back troubles and lawsuits against the Club (under Bowman and the Knoxes) and Perreault got stiffed on some money in those days as well. That they work with the club at all is a testament to their class and the type of people that they are.

Readers Digest Condensed version: If Robert is saying it out loud--the problem is worse than we think,

IMHO
Southside


Obviously we could all tell stories, but I’ll never forget the Sabres trading Mike Foligno right before the team Christmas party. Disgusting..

[CBennett]

You mean hockeytown will lose all the bandwagon fans they obtained the last three years ?

Unfortunately its the people like you that dont realize how IMPORTANT those bandwagon fans are to the teams survivability/income/profitability..when the team wins that invigorates the WNY Sabres fans and a lot more than normally would come out of the woodwork that adds $$ to the Sabres bottom line and make them more $$$ more profitable I mean the 2 years prior to this after their ECF runs there were fans all over you could not walk/drive without seeing something Sabres..thats because of the "bandwagon" fans..I WELCOME the band wagoners with open arms and hope for even MORE of them.

[eyedog]

Unfortunately its the people like you that dont realize how IMPORTANT those bandwagon fans are to the teams survivability/income/profitability..when the team wins that invigorates the WNY Sabres fans and a lot more than normally would come out of the woodwork that adds $$ to the Sabres bottom line and make them more $$$ more profitable I mean the 2 years prior to this after their ECF runs there were fans all over you could not walk/drive without seeing something Sabres..thats because of the "bandwagon" fans..I WELCOME the band wagoners with open arms and hope for even MORE of them.

All true. Big problem if they miss the play-offs again though.

[mikgaes]

These types of negative perspectives about playing for the Sabres hangs directly around the owners neck. He is the one to initiate changes that would change that opinion (like dumping Quinn). Also a signing of the caliber of, say, a LaFontaine would go a long way in changing everyone's perspective.

[GoBillsTom]

the sabres didn't need to overpay big-name free agents during the two runs into conference finals. they don't need to start now.