Mistakes of the Sabres FO

by willgarr15 on May 7, 2009 5:02 PM EDT

Is there anything more telling of the mistakes the Sabres front office has made in choosing certain personnel over others than watching Vancouver play?

Steve Bernier and Taylor Pyatt are prime examples of the kind of tough, big bodied forwards this team needs. Here these guys are scoring goals for their team in the 2nd round of the playoffs while our soft Sabres sit at home and watch. That's just two examples of mistakes made by the front office of the Sabres to let this style of players go.

Darcy Regehr must need a tall drink whenever he sees these guys play. I'm not annointing Pyatt or Bernier to be the next Messier, but these guys seem to have the things this team needs and we just let them walk right out the front door.

Granted we got a 2nd round pick for Bernier that helped us land Rivet last Summer. I just can't believe they thought so highly of him to bring him in at the deadline and then ship him off almost as soon as he arrived. His first game here may have been the only high blip of offensive output he had since the deadline last year, but he showed promise and a willingness to play hard in the corners and defend his teammates.

The way this organization holds onto its home grown talent is ridiculous at times and yet they let Taylor Pyatt go. Embarrassing.

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Pyatt stil gets lauded by Sabres fans for his lack of doing anything physical while he was here in Buffalo. I think that circumstances have changed for Pyatt and he was playing with the Sedin twins before Sundin came into town.

In the case of Bernier, he really didn’t do much while he was in Buffalo. Nothing that warranted the $2.5 million deal he got over the summer. In fact, the whole RFA situation surrounding him probably would have seen him shipped off to St. Louis if we hadn’t traded him to the Canucks.

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by Zachary Zielonka on May 8, 2009 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

I realize the circumstances are not right at the time to keep these guys necessarily. But it really burns me seeing these guys tear it up for other teams when we basically let them walk out the door

by willgarr15 on May 8, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

If you want him that bad

If you really think Pyatt is a difference maker, I think he’s a UFA this year. Not sure he’s anything but the “gentle giant” who left a few years ago. Also, not sure his demeanor is such that he wants to play with Ruff who might have messed with his head when he was here.
Bernier simply cost too much. The Sabres have already given too many large contracts to frustrating underachievers. Let’s not add to that (if honestly feel the same about a guy like Pyatt)

Knuble is a free agent and probably could be had for $3 mil or so (less than Max made this year). He’s hard nosed and occassionally puts the puck in the net. The type of guy this team needs 2 or 3 more of. Also the type of guy that even if he isn’t scoring, you’ll notice him and he’ll work hard.

by bluecollarbuffalo on May 10, 2009 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

Many Good Points

The Sabres are lacking some toughness but it’s not to the level that many people want you to believe. Players like Kaleta, Mair, Gaustad and Rivet are all tough and would equal the toughness that most teams have. If there is an area that the Sabres need to be tougher, it is on the blue line. Pyatt and Bernier would not help the Sabres in this area. I think management made the right decision with both players because neither guy is a top six forward in my opinion.

D.O.
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by David Oleksy on May 10, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions