I woke up this morning after a couple hearty-enough weekend nights and asked my wife where the five pounds on my stomach came from. Her answer: You run all summer, and not in the winter. It's true enough, my winter is iced hockey -- more anaerobic than aerobic they tell me -- and my summer is 5ks and grassed soccer.
So after church, I headed to the gym, pumped out my normal routine and then popped on a versaclimber (whatever that means) and decided to move my legs for the entire third period of the Caps and Pens, or at least a half-hour. I entered the work-out entertaining the idea that perhaps Buffalo needed an undeserved but perhaps appropo shake-up behind the bench, and left shaking my head at my naivete. Here's what I learned:
The Sabres don't have the wherewithal to take either of those clubs past five games unless they magically acquire two Ryan Millers and both play at once.
Notice I didn't even type "the Sabres right now." See, the thing about both Washington and Pittsburgh isn't that they just have better players than Buffalo. It's that those players adapt their talent into demanding systems and go balls to the wall for a 'W.'
Read the box score, and you'll assume that the Caps came back from 4-1 down to beat the World Champs because Alex Ovechkin had a hat trick and a helper, which isn't entirely false. Washington got to overtime because Ovechkin will shoot from anywhere on the ice, but they won because Mike Knuble would rather break a beer bottle over his face than quit before a whistle.
Ovechkin ripped a half-wall shot off the post that came to just under Marc-Andre Fleury's leg pad. While they Pens searching for the puck, Knuble dug for the rubber like an oil man and forced it past Fleury for the win.
That one play is indicitive of the difference between the league's best five or six teams and the Sabres. Yes, Buffalo has players who give their guts in the paint (and one of their names is Thomas, seriously). They also have players who will dedicate themselves to playing their parts in Lindy Ruff's system.
But they are too many drifters to call them outliers, and something has to scare these guys. No one meaningful has been moved from this system in years. Yes, they didn't pay Brian Campbell and they traded Ales Kotalik, but the former move wasn't one they wanted to make and the latter was a given.
Somebody major has to move.
This team obviously has the talent to be a Top-4 team in the East, but do they have the make-up? Not yet. If I'm Darcy Regier, I've reached a breaking point where I trade the "untradeable," the guys who are viewed better around the league than they are here. I deal a guy like Derek Roy, who is immensely-talented on the ice and liked in the locker room -- as many of the guys are -- but doesn't commit to playing the style the wins games.
See that word I used and love -- wherewithal -- is one of those crazy "intangibles," and what Buffalo has right now is tangible. Talent that wins when it works hard. And that'll work on its best night against any team in the league (save Ottawa. Ha!), but the Sabres players don't give that. Regier is or was hoping his youngsters would find the right mix, but there's a difference between making taking lemons and making lemonade and trying to make lemonade out of potatoes.
On Sunday afternoon, I watched the Caps and Pens do the same things the Sabres try to do. Ever see a Sabres drop pass and think "too fancy?" You can think that, but Washington and Pittsburgh did it all game and guess what? There was a teammate in the right spot to pick it up. That's dedication to positioning and Buffalo doesn't always have that. Same things with using the boards for passes and defensive pinching. As bad as Craig Rivet has been in 2010, he'd look better if his forwards gave more than a passing thought to hustling back to cover for a risk their captain's made.
Back in my naive world, watching Drew Stafford rip his bucket off and make R.J. Umberger's brain come out of his ear was a solid moment for me, one where I wondered if maybe he's getting it. If I'm going to stay consistent with this column, though, I have to offer him up to this season-saving sacrifice, too.
It's time for more team players, and almost everyone's available (I wouldn't trade Ryan Miller, Tyler Myers and Paul Gaustad. I'd prefer not to trade Chris Butler, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, but you can't type a column like this and then offer up crap to the opposition).
The Sabres are in first place in their division with a team that tries 75 percent of the time at best. It's time for a change, one that says, "We're here for hardware, not hat tricks."
do you rely thnk the sabers are going to be first come the break, there is no chance.
02/07/2010 4:07PM
effort
its not an effort problem dude, they have no talent...they have 20 guys who will score 10 to 15 goals a year..or in other words, 20 role players
02/07/2010 4:11PM
Well Said
I think you just about sum up what every Sabres fan is thinking Nick. While Darcy may admirably want to "build from within" and may believe that "we have what it takes in the locker room right now," the fact remains, neither of these is working. Both the Caps and Pens do a combination of building from within (i.e. really high picks to get great players), but also supplement it with some very key free agent pickups. It's called created financing. Just because we are up against the cap, doesn't mean we can't let loose some excess weight, which at the time includes the likes of Roy. I know that I tried not to get on the "make a trade now" bandwagon when the Sabres lost a few games in a row, but this isn't about a few games. This has been occurring for the last 5 years. Darcy and co. need to realize that it is ok to get rid of a few prospects for someone that can help the team right away. Just like how every team that wants to compete for the cup knows, sometimes it will hurt to give up a top level farm system guy, that is still a few years out, in order to get a gray-beard willing to fight now.
It has been depressing following these last few games. All we want is a team that competes and tries hard, the embodiment of what Buffalo stands for. If the players that we have now can't get it done, Darcy and co. should get someone in here who can.
02/07/2010 4:13PM
Spelling
Do you know how to spell?
02/07/2010 4:13PM
Bob
Great article, I couldn't more. Guys like Roy and Stafford have shown glimpses of promise, but just fail to fully commit to Ruff's system. The team needs a shake up to let everyone know that giving 75 percent on any night isn't good enough.
02/07/2010 4:18PM
Scam
The Buffalo Sabres are a scam..... Keep buying tickets..... It will never change down there until they are playing in front of 9000 or so people!!
02/07/2010 4:26PM
Miller and Myers
are the only untradeables at this point. and that was a great 3rd period today.
02/07/2010 4:31PM
Wrong
Oh yes, drive the team into bankrupty by not showing up to games. That will work for sure
02/07/2010 4:35PM
wrong again Nick
see part of the problem is you see a goalie who in his career has had a half of a "elite season" and like DArcy want to consider him a "superstar" Miller is as much the problem. Do the stats on hos he fares aginst top teams and top skaters. in his career he has choked in the playoffs and doesn't have the mentality to win a cup. No one is intimidated by him. Half the time Hasek won the game before it started. The media acts as enables for darcy and larry, you have them on, ask the softball questions & we just "accept" that darcy will do business a certain way and we all seem to be ok with it. I made a statment years ago we'd never win a cup with larry, Darcy and Ryan. I've been right year after year. and nobody likes it. Fine i'll be the scapegoat. DArcy last interview was very defensive and angry, he hates admitting his way isn't the right way ,he's incapable of change. The arrogance of the managment is killing this team and BTW nick why should ANY player care? Really now think of this, if there is no threat youll be traded and your owner lives in florida and is never involved, why would you try? Human nature. Winning starts at the top. So tired of the guys you list as well who we can't trade. Who cares who you trade, who cares what picks or prospects you give you, you just restock or buy more! BTW, a stairmaster" or whatever won't do it. Try YRG fitness
02/07/2010 4:36PM
Glad!
nice pic of the cup, look good Euphies only time you'll ever see it with an average goalie and a coward/arrogant GM in charge
02/07/2010 4:38PM
Get Vanek outta here!
Edmonton may be interested still...DO IT!
Penner and Gilbert??? Throw in Stafford. Thats a hockey trade what Regier means. Get with it Nick!
02/07/2010 5:17PM
finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey nick u said everything i have been emailing u guys about for 2 years. but when i call howard gives me 20 seconds to say the things i want to say then hits his wonderful cancel button. i have said on air and thru email that this team has 2 many floaters they are talented enough to win now they proved it but arent willing to engage a team that "wants it as much as them". thats why they dont hit. if they hit they might not have an easy night.
why do u finally agree with what im saying must of u guys counterpoint me when i breing this stuff up on air. they have no chance against caps or pitts. none. zero. those teams played a game 7 playoff game in the early stages of february
with reall no playoff implications. imagine that - 2 teams playing hard and entertaining! now imagine roy, stafford, mccarthur, kennedy, lydamn, rivet, and even sometimes pomminville. vanek has been better but he didnt decide to play till the 40th game.
nick u and the guys talk to darcy and lindy instead of accepting their staus quo replies that they like their guys - tell them the fans that pay money to see them want to see
a pens caps type of intensity from our players and these players ARE NOT CAPABLE OF THE TYPE OF EFFORT!
02/07/2010 5:19PM
oh yeah
do we forget darcy let go drury briere and campbell
and paid the same money they wanted to pomminville. miller and roy. do u belive it. then to top it off he pays vanek 7.5mil/yr instead of ttaking the 4 first round piks.
do we always have to have incompetent management of our teams.
02/07/2010 5:25PM
No Grit
Too soft, reflect the personality of the Gm. Same old, same old excuses we keep hering both from the players and managment.
02/07/2010 5:34PM
never going to happen
our wonderful gm darcy regier does not have the guts to shake up this team. its the same old line from the front office year after year. i honest fell for the character angle when they signed mike greer . but i guess that can only take you so far. once again they show lack of hustle and are just plain boring. im likin the caps more and more these days!
02/07/2010 5:47PM
Half correct....
I don't care how much the guy makes Vanek needs to get benched, he is lazy and has no talent in the open ice. I also think your missing the mark on Roy, the guy hustles alot more then players like Mac, Stafford, and Connolley. Just look at last night Roy was a major piece of every scoring chance and people need to open their eyes and look at what others on this team do and for alot it's about half of Roys effort.
02/07/2010 6:23PM
There is no fear here
As much as the fans know that there will be no trade, the players know it too. To be successful, you need the internal drive but you also need some external reinforcement. What's missing is the fear that, if they don't give their all every game, they might be replaced with someone who will. Failing that, you see what we have now- the same guys playing some decent hockey but with more poke checking than finishing their checks.
02/07/2010 6:32PM
rumor
i heard a possibility of selanne and koivu both coming here from anaheim. then i realized we have regier and just laughed
02/07/2010 7:46PM
Get Real
Anyone who wants to get rid of Vanek should whatching hockey and wash the dishes. He's the only guy on this team that stands in front of the goal and get sticked cross check and beat up every night to dig out a rebound or get a deflection to help this team score. He would score 50 if someone could get the puck to the front of the net. Roy is the guy if he could put on some training wheels and stay on his feet to make a play would score 40 himself. Stafford needs to look in the mirror so he can see he's a hockey player and not a figure skater. Adam Mair roller derby is your sport dude.
02/07/2010 8:29PM
Ruff Patch
Nick... You're right on with the fact that this team needs a big shake up. I agree that we need to cut some dead weight. In my book that's most of the players on the team. I've been thinking along these lines for weeks actually. But then while I was at the game last night, sitting right behind Ruff. I watched the reactions of the players the few times Lindy lost his temper and gave the guys a good scream. A couple rolled their eyes. But most of them seemed not to care at all.
I live in down here in Columbus now, so I am constantly watching the away team feeds (mostly because those ones come in HD, MSG does not!). Every game the announcers mention the 150 coaching changes since Lindy took over in Buffalo. Well, last night for the first time I thought maybe that is part of our problem. As great of a coach and human being as Lindy Ruff is, maybe that needs to be the change. It seems like he just doesn't reach these guys anymore.
It might no be realistic but I would honestly like to see a Ted Nolan style team in Buffalo again. A team that lives up to the heart of it's fans and is truly hard working every night!
02/07/2010 9:13PM
will never happen
Team has never been big trade buyers at deadline, plus it would take 3 or 4 of our players to get maybe 1 or 2 good players from another team.Team has no guts,management speaking to make a big move.As long as the arena is sold out every night,there is no need to make a desperate move.I have said it before,and will say it again,Darcy and Quinn have great job security.As long as the team is competitive,and tickets are selling,they have a job for life.Its us fans who think yr after yr that we will have a stanley cup,are the real loosers here.I hope im dead wrong on this,but i don`t think i am.
02/07/2010 10:17PM
Deeper problem?
I would be willing to trade every player on the roster, in the AHL, in Juniors, and draft picks for a top 20 goal scorer. But lets not forget Vanek was a top 10 goal scorer only a year ago... until he broke his jaw he held the lead in goals with OvIe and Jeff Carter. But what has he done since? Vanek is being paid more money than Kovy and he has roughly 20 more goals than Vanek right now (17). We have a team of average scorers that fit Lindy's system. Now this could be the problem, don't get me wrong I love Lindy, but if he's the reason a guy like Vanek can't regain his form because he is being held by a ball & chain than it might be time to move on in the coaching department. Anyways the 5 players I wouldn't trade: Miller, Connolly, Ennis, Myers, Butler. I would think that Roy, Pommer, and Stafford would bring in the most, but the problem is that teams don't like to part ways with their top scorers. Maybe Patrick Marleau, Mike Cammallari, or Bobby Ryan... all from teams that have another top scorer and are in need of the role players that Buffalo seems to be chalk full of.
02/07/2010 10:50PM
SABRES ELITE
Only in THEIR MINDS!
NO ONE WANTS THEIR PLAYERS!!!!!
THE BIGGEST NICKLE AND DIME FRANCHISE IN MAJOR LEAGUE SPORTS and have been for the last 15 years!
02/07/2010 11:33PM
What?!?
You honestly get paid to write this garbage? Honestly you just sound like a typical bandwagon fan
02/08/2010 12:00AM
No one is SAFE
Pominville, Vanek, Roy should all be in trade moves, they are all OVERPAID and hurting our team, make some moves Darcy. Its TIME!
02/08/2010 6:31AM
Darcy , Lindy and Larry
all are too nice. Larry is not qualified to handle sports decisions. Darcy is slow and always waits till the last minute to make a trade. Lindy success can be summed up in the way the Sabres are playing. 'they play just like he did 20 years ago. The game between Pittsburgh and Washington yesterday was great playoff caliber hockey. Both are big tough strong teams and will be solid in the playoffs. The Sabres are too weak and nice to compete at that level. Get a guy in here to manage let a Rick Dudley..then the team would reflect a more nasty side. I'm tired of having the nicest team in the NHL.
02/08/2010 7:22AM
Agree
After watching that train wreck on Saturday night, I not only found myself wanting to move anyone on this team not named Miller, Myers or Gaustad, I for the first time wanted Lindy Ruff gone also. As great as he is, this team needs a bigger injection than any trade Darcy can (or will) pull off. Not sure it's fair to do it while the team is in first place....but it needs to happen.
02/08/2010 7:53AM
still missing Defensive Stud
We need a stud on defense...still. Lydman is horrible. He has the weakest shot to clear our zone. Miller is the reason we are barely clinging to 1st place. He needs a stud defenseman to police the cheapshots and runs at him that are happening. I'd trade Roy,he's too small. Dump Lydman anyway we can. Sign Myers to a 10 year deal asap. He's amazing but needs a Ray Bourque/Neidemier/even Chara type mentor to make him the superstar he could be.
02/08/2010 9:07AM
ITS NEVER LINDYS FAULT
i dont believe what im reading...are people actually holding ruff accountable???no i wont believe it, hes a nice guy and therefore hes a great coach right? at least thats what im told when i say ANYTHING bad about the "great motivator" lindy ruff. he plays a defensive system and yet gives up some of the most shots in the league, his powerplay is a joke, his goalie use is a joke, the players clearly dont take him seriously, they make the same mistakes game after game, only vanek and sekera get benched while rivet and butler get to give the puck away and stand like pilons on 2-1s every single game. want to know why the sabres are so soft? becuae the coach lets them be, guess what if lindy is so great im sure he could convince darcy to get bigger stronger players, but agrees with everything darcy does and loves this team too, though they clearly dont love him. nick, be sure to give lindy a kiss. LETS GET RUFF!!!a.k.a sit back and....HOPE!
02/08/2010 9:08AM
olympics
im just glad that lindys running the powerplay for the canadians. if its anything like it is here we might as well pull miller for the two minutes and give him a quick rest.
02/08/2010 9:10AM
day off
hope Darcy is using these days off to look for trades
02/08/2010 9:13AM
RE:Darcy , Lindy and Larry
Rick Dudley? Wasnt he here already?
02/08/2010 9:26AM
concur
During last season's locker cleanout day one player said that if he just listened to Lindy he'd be a better player. That play is Derek Roy. That should've been enough for him to be traded. That's not the type of player I'd want on the team if I were running the show. The only issue is are the Sabres, or anyone else, willing to eat the remaining part of his contract. If they are he needs to go.
02/08/2010 9:32AM
trade
how about getting Biron, Gonchar, and Lecavlier? .... send any of the following to make it happen: lydman, butler, montador, roy, pommer, staff, vanek....we need a guy like Vinny, badly
02/08/2010 9:52AM
Like I said by SD
I said this two days ago 10th place by March 31 they're playing sh**ty when the rest of the pack is getting better
02/08/2010 9:54AM
UGH!
That Stanley Cup picture gave me the chills. Please, Buffalo has never won anything in any sport, don't torture us.
02/08/2010 10:06AM
great article
This was a fair assessment, followed by typical Buffalo fan reactions. "Vanek doesn't produce and gets paid (insert wrong salary cap figure here - not to mention the fact that he makes less per year now since his contract was front-loaded.) "Miller isn't a superstar because he's had a rough 4-5 game stretch." My biggest problem is Darcy always preaches the importance of youth and building from within. This philosophy has brought the organization some success over the years; however, it has ultimately failed us. We have 0 Stanley Cups to show for it, so at some point maybe the philosophy has to change. It's a tough subject though, because for the past couple years we've lacked "veteran leadership." This year, whether or not it shows in the locker room, some of our "veteran leaders" aren't showing it on the ice (see Craig Rivet).
02/08/2010 10:30AM
Easy Money
Do you really make a living writing this kind of stuff? Where can I apply? This article is riddled with grammar errors & words used incorrectly. How can anyone be taken seriously when they write like this? It is a given that some of the people that post can't spell or use proper grammar or punctuation especially since the internet & texting are dumbing down our society but reporters should have the professional respect & courtesy to proofread before finalizing an article. Get it together man!
02/08/2010 10:42AM
Re: Get Real
Your right on about Vanek taking the punishment in front of the net and not having quality players around him but the gut never finishes his checks,he doesn't go hard into the corners either, with his size there is no excuse for that, if the right deal came along he's got to go!
02/08/2010 11:27AM
Re: Its never Lindy's fault
Thank you..
02/08/2010 12:44PM
Idea
How would a resignation sound for both Regeir and Ruff? I'll buy the beer!
02/08/2010 1:54PM
Re: Get Real
He does need quality players around him... Connolly should be his center and I dont care how many games it takes for them to gain chemistry just do it. Im sick of seeing him with Kennedy and Grier they are 3rd line players. I dont need Vanek to finish checks thats what kaletta mair and grier and Goose are for he is a proven 40 goal or more scorer, he just didnt lose his touch in the offseason and it obviously isnt because he makes alot of money now as he is in his 3rd year of that contract already.
02/08/2010 2:03PM
idiots
well see what happens when the sabres win the cup this year!!!! Just a little bump in the road right now, thats too be expected. Ruff is the best coach in the nhl.
02/08/2010 4:07PM
foolish
These fools had the best GM in the business in John Muckler a few years back. And there egos got in the way. Like the Bills it is more than the coach and GM.I think they need to get rid of the Pres and bring someone in who is not just going to accept what they have to realize is unaaceptable. Little chance of that happening too.
02/08/2010 5:12PM
Regarding Rick Dudley
He would do a better job at GM than the current "rocks for Brains' GM. One of the best fights I ever saw at the old Aud was Dudley cam to the defense of one of his teammates during the Philly playoff series way back and beat the BaJesus out of Battleship Kelly. One of the best fights I ever saw. The current players would rather exchange Oh Ya's instead of drooping their gloves for their teammates. This team is the nicest team in the NHL. No other team in the NHL is afraid of these munchkins.
02/08/2010 11:48PM
Soft
Why don't you guys attack Darcy for a legit trade instead of asking him the softest questions when he's on the air? You guys are a joke. Instead of worrying that you might offend him and he won't comeback on the air why don't you use your platform to put direct pressure on Darcy. Have some guts next time he's on with you guys....
02/09/2010 12:15PM
FINE
It's called a slump people!! ALL teams go thru them during the season. Stop making more of a deal out of it than need be. Everyone is so freaking impatient with this team. RELAX!!!!!!!!!!
02/09/2010 5:42PM
Re: Fine
Patient? I can see you are brainwashed with this management. Wake up, coffee is on douchebag! Look at the standings to ninth place. It has narrowed. Fire Regeir!
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