Dont plan on Darcy doing anything soon...

[sabrebraves]

I wouldnt plan on seeing any big trades soon. Darcy ALWAYS waits and waits and waits until the trade deadline, and then pulls a few cute deals (with the exception of Briere for Gratton). From past years, i highly doubt anything will go on soon.

[two4trippn]

Well a draft pick doesnt help this club until 2 years from now so what do you want him to do? Maybe it is smart to find our biggest weakness and find the right return for whatever leaves. Last I checked, the club looks pretty decent and having assets is a good thing. Usually Darcy makes trades with multiple players in mind (Drury & Gratton trades). I dont think any club will be making BIG trades unless its for pending UFAs, like McKee.

[eSabre]

Exactly. People are complaining that Darcy passed on a 2nd round pick. That doesn't help the team now, so what's the rush? If he can get a better deal in a couple weeks, if it's only gonna be picks, why is that bad? Darcy's playing the best hand of all these GM's, so until he screws it up, I don't see what the problem is.

[Bay Side]

ok good point, but how does having 3 goalies on the 23 man roster help? And if a team offered a 1st rounder, then what since that doesn't help right now?

[sabrebraves]

all good points

[CupCrazy]

ok good point, but how does having 3 goalies on the 23 man roster help? And if a team offered a 1st rounder, then what since that doesn't help right now?
Just wait...we're not even 10 games deep into the season yet. Some teams are getting desperate for a good goalie and eventually they'll offer something decent in trade.

With all the injuries going around, especially to goalies, you never know who will end up needing a goalie.

[buffjoe]

I'm going to give Darcy high marks on this one. If you notice goalies are getting pounded on all over the place. Eventually a big name is going to go down with an injury and Darcy will be there waiting. Hey you never know, Miller may be the one to get crashed into and get hurt. At this point it's probably best to be the team with the abundance of goalies. With the team playing well there's no urgency to do anything.

[MauvaisSang]

If they can get a first round pick back for Bironoronen, that'd be fantastic.

[pigskin]

I actually think you will see a deal in the next couple of weeks. These teams that are desperate for a goalie are just going to become more desperate. The way I see it Regis is really wanting to trade Biron, but with his salary, he is having trouble getting what he wants in a deal. He will have to do something soon, you can't keep Biron and/or Noronen on the bench or in street clothes every game and expect their value to go up.

[dasaybz]

The way I see it Regis is really wanting to trade Biron, but with his salary, he is having trouble getting what he wants in a deal.

So John Rigas is playing GM from behind bars?

[beTough54]

So John Rigas is playing GM from behind bars?

Didn't you hear that Regis Philbin is the new Sabres GM? :bond:

[pigskin]

So John Rigas is playing GM from behind bars?
I always mix those names up.

[buffjoe]

I actually think you will see a deal in the next couple of weeks. These teams that are desperate for a goalie are just going to become more desperate. The way I see it Regis is really wanting to trade Biron, but with his salary, he is having trouble getting what he wants in a deal. He will have to do something soon, you can't keep Biron and/or Noronen on the bench or in street clothes every game and expect their value to go up.
Just exactly who is desperate for a goalie right now? There are a few teams that could use a short term back-up due to injuries (Thrashers) but other than that there aren't any "desperate" teams out there. Nabakov from San Jose got hurt yesterday but no indication that it is serious.

[unklechucky]

The Mighty Quinn is micro-managing this club and Darcy needs more than a pick for any player off the active roster. Players still dont feel Buffalo has the appeal of a Toronto/Philly/NY/Detroit market so its not that simple.

[Hockeystud1414]

Darcy waits every year until the deadline, that's the reason we haven't made the playoffs, well, 1 of them. It is a big factor though.

[two4trippn]

Previous years are tough to compare since financial stability wasnt here.

[Hockeystud1414]

Previous years are tough to compare since financial stability wasnt here.
Well it's here now, and I don't exactly see darcy doing anything. and financial stability wasn't here when we got briere for gratton, which for some reason took until the TRADE DEADLINE. point is, darcy sucks. he could make deals earlier and he doesn't.

[The REAL Sabres]

Darcy waits every year until the deadline, that's the reason we haven't made the playoffs, well, 1 of them. It is a big factor though.Yeah, let's just fail to mention the 1999 trade deadline when we got Stu Barnes, Rhett Warrener, and Joe Juneau for Matthew Barnaby, Mike Wilson, Derek Plante, and Alexei Tezikov or the 2001 trade deadline when we got Donald Audette and Steve Heinze for Kamil Piros and 2 draft picks.

[beTough54]

Yeah, let's just fail to mention the 1999 trade deadline when we got Stu Barnes, Rhett Warrener, and Joe Juneau for Matthew Barnaby, Mike Wilson, Derek Plante, and Alexei Tezikov or the 2001 trade deadline when we got Donald Audette and Steve Heinze for Kamil Piros and 2 draft picks.

He wasn't questioning the content of the deals, just the timing. He's still wrong.

You don't see a lot of trades from ANY GM before the trade deadline. The only exception is All-Star weekend, and even then there are only minor deals.

Darcy would love nothing more than to get a top 4 D-man for one of his goalies. That chance will be higher when more GMs are interested in trading.

[LALAFONTAINE]

The Mighty Quinn is micro-managing this club and Darcy needs more than a pick for any player off the active roster. Players still dont feel Buffalo has the appeal of a Toronto/Philly/NY/Detroit market so its not that simple.

What the hell are you talking about?

Did Kozlov want to come here when we dealt for him?

You just named 4 markets that will not make the playoffs. Some marquee value.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Regier has already been patient with dealing goalies. He could deal a goalie today and he'd still have to be considered patient.

[beTough54]

What the hell are you talking about?

Did Kozlov want to come here when we dealt for him?

You just named 4 markets that will not make the playoffs. Some marquee value.

I remember an article not too long ago that said NHL players really like Buffalo. It's a small industrial town, very similar to the place a lot of hockey kids grew up. Canadians like how close it is to Ontario.

[LALAFONTAINE]

You would be correct. There are tons of NHL players, past and present, that currently live in Buffalo. unklechuckup is full of crap.

[Hockeystud1414]

You would be correct. There are tons of NHL players, past and present, that currently live in Buffalo. unklechuckup is full of crap.
DAMN STRAIGHT:bling:

[The REAL Sabres]

He wasn't questioning the content of the deals, just the timing. He's still wrong.Well the key to what I was getting at was "at the trade deadline". It had nothing to do with the content. That said, they still look pretty damn good. ;)

[unklechucky]

What the hell are you talking about?

Did Kozlov want to come here when we dealt for him?

You just named 4 markets that will not make the playoffs. Some marquee value.
Refering to Aucoin this offseason for one. Kozlov did come here. bitched, cried, sat out and was moved because of his discontent so that should be enough to prove that point.

Are you really that ignorant to assume that 2 clubs currently in first place of their divisions (NYR & Det) along with Philly - 3pts and Toronto -2pts back are not playoff contenders? What bizzarro world have you been slipping back & forth from? There are many rehab facilities available and it is OK to ask for hlep - the first step is admitting your afflicted.

BTW, nice catching up again LALA!

[two4trippn]

I have to wonder what Larry Quinn truly does for this club. The media makes it look like TG lets Quinn run the show for him as far as NHL comprehension AND might make Darcy look over his shoulder.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Refering to Aucoin this offseason for one. Kozlov did come here. bitched, cried, sat out and was moved because of his discontent so that should be enough to prove that point.

Are you really that ignorant to assume that 2 clubs currently in first place of their divisions (NYR & Det) along with Philly - 3pts and Toronto -2pts back are not playoff contenders? What bizzarro world have you been slipping back & forth from? There are many rehab facilities available and it is OK to ask for hlep - the first step is admitting your afflicted.

BTW, nice catching up again LALA!

Perhaps you should continue reading the Buffalo News article where Lawton said there was no such rumor, and you could have listened to Dickerson interview Peca where Peca told him how much he loved playing for Ruff. Peca's problem was with the Rigas'.

The Rangers, Devils (part of the NY market), Philly and the Queefs will not make the playoffs. The Rangers have 11 points in 10 games? First place? That just indicates how crappy the Atlantic is, and three of the teams I've mentioned are part of that. I think the Isles will make it, but with DiPietro hurting, that would alter that prediction.

It is nice catching up, especially with the full payroll and slow D the Flyers have.

[beTough54]

Perhaps you should continue reading the Buffalo News article where Lawton said there was no such rumor, and you could have listened to Dickerson interview Peca where Peca told him how much he loved playing for Ruff. Peca's problem was with the Rigas'.

The Rangers, Devils (part of the NY market), Philly and the Queefs will not make the playoffs. The Rangers have 11 points in 10 games? First place? That just indicates how crappy the Atlantic is, and three of the teams I've mentioned are part of that. I think the Isles will make it, but with DiPietro hurting, that would alter that prediction.

It is nice catching up, especially with the full payroll and slow D the Flyers have.

The Devils should be fine, I think in the long run they will do better than the Islanders.

Rangers are already collapsing, and if Jagr ever gets hurt they have NOTHING.

Philly is old and slow and they still don't have good goaltending.

The Leafs are old and slow, and one injury away from total collapse.

So I agree with you for the most part.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Why are the Devils fine? They still have to deal with defensive depth with Stevens and Niedermayer gone. It will be even worse when, say, Rafalski or White get hurt. And what happens when Elias comes back? They have no salary cap flexibility.

[two4trippn]

The Devils are fine because they continously remain well coached and have one of the best goalies ever to play. The Rangers are surprising teams but have alot of youth that could aid in acquiring potential castoffs looking for a better fit. Philly needs what they've always needed, a solid goaltender but I feel their offense can overcome average goaltending.
The Atlantic division is weaker right now but if 4 teams come out of the Northeast, thats a good thing. I cant see the Isles winning their division though - coaching will factor in somewhere along the line, which gives Hitchcock or Robinson the advantage.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Brodeur isn't one of the best goalies this year, let alone ever. His .912 career save percentage is mediocre. Marty Biron's save percentage is .911.

[two4trippn]

Brodeur isn't one of the best goalies this year, let alone ever. His .912 career save percentage is mediocre. Marty Biron's save percentage is .911.
Since you are quoting stats - can you give me his career wins versus Marty? How about playoff wins? Cups? Vezina? Wake up! Brodeur might have been a product of Scott Stevens and Ken Daneyko for some years but that's like saying Hasek was only decent with Zhitnik and Smehlik.

[unklechucky]

Perhaps you should continue reading the Buffalo News article where Lawton said there was no such rumor, and you could have listened to Dickerson interview Peca where Peca told him how much he loved playing for Ruff. Peca's problem was with the Rigas'.

The Rangers, Devils (part of the NY market), Philly and the Queefs will not make the playoffs. The Rangers have 11 points in 10 games? First place? That just indicates how crappy the Atlantic is, and three of the teams I've mentioned are part of that. I think the Isles will make it, but with DiPietro hurting, that would alter that prediction.

It is nice catching up, especially with the full payroll and slow D the Flyers have.

Who the hell is Lawton or Dickerson, better yet who cares? To quote the Buffalo News as a source is very weak considering YOU are more knowledgeable and qualified than any of their beat reporters.
I noticed you left out Detroit - no comment there?
Aucoin did not come to Buffalo because of Peca's comments about the Sabres organization - like it or not. Mike is as two faced as they come and hasnt succeeded since leaving Lindy's system, so he should recognize the coaches he had here, which got him paid very well after his pity sitout.

As much as I like Buffalo as a city and other former players and coaches enjoy it, doesnt make it a hockey mecca. Some of it is the smaller media market and coverage, its also limited as a town with nothing else. Its either the Bills or Sabres here and in small markets when you start to struggle, you're under the microscope more. Too many players chased the money this off season, mostly ending up in Pittsburgh and now are finding out that it didnt help.
If Buffalo continues to show they are strong for another 10 - 20 games, league perception will change as the players recognize stability not found here in nearly 8-10 years.

[The REAL Sabres]

Who the hell is Lawton or Dickerson, better yet who cares? To quote the Buffalo News as a source is very weak considering YOU are more knowledgeable and qualified than any of their beat reporters.
I noticed you left out Detroit - no comment there?
Aucoin did not come to Buffalo because of Peca's comments about the Sabres organization - like it or not.Yeah, the same reporter that bashed Ruff in that article would still relentlessly praise him being signed to a contract extension. :rolleyes2

Anybody can think facetiously like Tim Graham did. Aucoin was talking with the Sabres (and I'm sure many, many other teams; you mustn't though) and signed with Chicago. Well, there's only one conclusion: Peca must've bad-mouthed us. :rolleyes2

Here's a thought. Maybe he didn't sign with Buffalo because, I don't know, money? The Sabres were not going to overpay (well, at least not that much... see: Numminen for that explaination) him when they wouldn't re-sign Zhitnik at the same price.

Thank you though. Your gullibility, like the few others back in August, is priceless. I, along with the many others, will continue to be not born yesterday and not believe everything we read.

[unklechucky]

Aucoin might have chosen money but I feel the Sabres had that deal done, especially after assuming Satan and Zhitnik were not returning. Teppo got $2mil leftovers as the band aid, hence the short term deal (along with his previous health issues)

[unklechucky]

Yeah, the same reporter that bashed Ruff in that article would still relentlessly praise him being signed to a contract extension. :rolleyes2

Anybody can think facetiously like Tim Graham did. Aucoin was talking with the Sabres (and I'm sure many, many other teams; you mustn't though) and signed with Chicago. Well, there's only one conclusion: Peca must've bad-mouthed us. :rolleyes2

Here's a thought. Maybe he didn't sign with Buffalo because, I don't know, money? The Sabres were not going to overpay (well, at least not that much... see: Numminen for that explaination) him when they wouldn't re-sign Zhitnik at the same price.

Thank you though. Your gullibility, like the few others back in August, is priceless. I, along with the many others, will continue to be not born yesterday and not believe everything we read.

I think youre missing the point Jeff. My reference to The Buffalo Snooze and its beat reporters was that they were no names and the average fan was more knowledgeable. You may be right about the $$$$$ but if our play stays at the same level its at now, im willing to say that we will have more suitors.