Buffalo Sabres - News: SABRES AGREE TO TERMS WITH JOE DIPENTA - 07/11/2009

There has to be a trade in the works because I don't understand this signing. Dipenta is not a bad player but the Sabres have so many defensemen.

over 2 years ago David Oleksy 12 comments 0 recs |

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More to this, but I'm OK with it

There has to be more to this b/c of the current roster situation, but anytime you have a #5-7 defensemen who has played 174 career regular season games getting around 10-12 minutes a game and only being a minus in 33 of them (at first glance) and playing in 32 career playoff games and being a minus in only 4 of them, I’ll take it. If I don’t notice the #5-7 defenseman, I’m OK with that b/c odds are I only notice them if they screw up. Also, having a cup winner who actually played in a lot of playoff games over a two year period is OK too.

Let’s also not get too confused, this could just be a signing for some veterans in Portland (although I’m not sure he would have come back to the states for the AHL).

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jul 11, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions

Also

there a lot of defensemen in Portland. They are all young and a veteran presence would help but there are already 8 or 9 defense set to start the season in Portland. There is a move or two on the horizon it just hasn’t happened yet.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jul 11, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Well....

9 would include Butler and Weber (at least according to their website). Butler is definately with the Sabres and I think Weber has an outside shot……so I’m just saying, while unlikely, I think the Portland thing is a possibility…perhaps the Sabres have learned a little from the constant complaining from the former management of the Amerks and their fans and want to keep the new affiliate happy.

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jul 11, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

complaining from the former management of the Amerks and their fans

That complaining was legit. Buffalo should never have entered into a partnership with Florida for a minor league team. They had a great relationship with Rochester for many years, only to have it spoiled at the end. It was a stupid move.

by krytime on Jul 11, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

The Sabres didn’t want that relationship either but due to the money issues with the Amerks and the fact that the Sabres weren’t getting paid they needed to be in a duel relationship.

Dipenta is a good signing for the Pirates much like Darche was last year.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Jul 12, 2009 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but the money issues could have been overcome. I always stick up for Sabres ownership when they are accused of being cheap. However, in this one instance, they did go el cheapo.

by krytime on Jul 12, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

No, it wasn’t the organization going cheap, it was an organization that was getting sick of being paid. There is a big difference.

Die By The Blade - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by Zachary Zielonka on Jul 13, 2009 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions

it was an organization that was getting sick of being paid

I think you lost me here. I don’t understand that…

This is what I thought I remember. If I’m wrong, I’ll admit it.

The Rochester owner was having some financial problems. The Sabres were responsible for supplying and paying players in Rochester. They didn’t want to spend money on minor league vets who would help in the W/L column, therefore putting more fannies in the seats.

Splitting a minor league team with another major league team is just stupid. You lose the total control that the original parent organization has.

Not to mention splitting up with Rochester was just dumb with regard to logistics. Aside from obvious marketing reasons, a 45 minute drive for a call up is a lot easier than jumping on a plane from Maine.

by krytime on Jul 13, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Amerks were cool w/ it too.

The Amerks were OK w/ the partnership w/ the Panthers b/c they always felt the Sabres were not living up to their end of the bargain to get them talent….. To be perfectly honest, most of the problems were with the Amerks old management and now that there is new management, hopefully the partnership is restored. If you look back at the end of that relationship, it was the Amerks management that led to that downfall (in my opinion)

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jul 13, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Link

Looks like this is nothing more than organizational depth/Portland signing.

http://www.buffalonews.com/489/story/731161.html

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jul 13, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

My question about this signing is as follows: is it a two-way contract? As soon as that question is answered, we’ll probably get an inkling as to what Darcy will do next.

If it is a Buffalo/Portland deal, then he’s probably a leadership guy paid well over there, as well as insurance for here.

If it’s a one way deal, it tells me this:

- They don’t think Myers is/will be ready at the beginning of the season.
- Someone will get traded.

by krytime on Jul 11, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions