Darcy Regier Needs to be Patient in Dealing Roy and Connolly
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 10:22 AM EDT
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PrintDarcy Regier has become known as a very patient General Manager that is not influenced by the fans or media. We should all hope that trend continues or he could make a very a big mistake.
The fans and media have been clamoring for a big shakeup since the Sabres season ended prematurely with a first round playoff loss to the Boston Bruins. Most of the criticism has been directed at the Sabres top two centers, Derek Roy and especially Tim Connolly. Many believe these players represent everything that is wrong with the Buffalo Sabres and that getting rid of one or both of them would be addition by subtraction.
I say...be careful what you wish for because it might come true. Who would the Sabres find to replace their top two centers? There are not too many players that could fill the shoes offensively for either player.
Darcy Regier made a comment this week "The Sabres have two of the top 20 centers in the entire league". This comment has been criticized harshly by many. Some called it arrogant and patently absurd, while others thought it to be the most insanely idiotic statement Darcy Regier has ever made.
Mr. Regier is a smart man and he would not make a statement like that without having facts to back it up. It might surprise many of you but Derek Roy (69 points) and Tim Connolly (65 points) finished in the top 22 for points by a center this season. Only the Vancouver Canucks (Henrik Sedin 112 and Ryan Kesler 75), Pittsburgh Penguins (Sidney Crosby 109 and Evgeni Malkin 77) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (Steven Stamkos 95 and Vinny Lecavalier 70) had two players in the top 22.
If this doesn't convince you, we can take the experiment a step further and look at points per game, both Roy (.86 ppg) and Connolly (.89 ppg) finish in the top 20. Only the Canucks and Penguins have two players that finished in the top 20 with points per game.
Neither Roy or Connolly is untouchable on the Sabres roster, it would be great to get a superstar type center, but those type players are usually not available. The Sabres can trade away Roy or Connolly, or both if they wish, but they need to be replaced by somebody that can come in and be an improvement. The addition by subtraction theory is not a good one and will see this team regress from their division title last season.
Are there players available that could make the Sabres better?
They could try to lure Marc Savard away from the Bruins and try to convince him that Buffalo is a good place to play hockey. Would Savard be the upgrade the Sabres are looking for? Not Quite. Savard will be in the first year of a seven year contract that will pay him $7 million the next two seasons and he is coming off of an injury-filled season that seen him score only 33 points in 41 games. Savard is also 32 years-old while Connolly is 29 and Roy is only 27.
The names in free agency aren't overly impressive either. Matthew Lombardi is probably the best of the available centers. He is a great skater and has some offensive upside but would not be an upgrade over Roy or Connolly. After Lombardi the list becomes less than desirable with names like Matt Cullen (could be a third line center option), Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay leading the way.
Darcy Regier has been a patient General Manager throughout the years and the Sabres would be well served if he was patient again this season. If he succumbs to the pressure of the fans and media, the Sabres could feel the effects for a long time. The pressure is on Darcy Regier to make this team a winning team, but change for the sake of change is a bad thing.
Flame away Sabres fans!
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As much as I want Connolly and Roy gonegoneGONE, I’d prefer if there was a positive plan in place to replace either one or both of them and I don’t exactly see that happening this season. At the very least, I’d like to see Roy gone as he has better value (dollar and points-per-game wise) while Connolly has hella chemistry with Hecht and Pominville.
by Philip Kneitinger on Jun 29, 2010 10:26 AM EDT reply actions
I still don’t understand all of the hatred for Roy and Connolly… Sure, Roy is not a tough guy, but he puts up good numbers reliably. Maybe Connolly had trouble in the playoffs, but he had a killer season and the playoffs were only 7 games. Come on people.
Connolly has 21 points in 30 career playoff games, which is close to his career ppg average. Roy has 24 points in 40 playoff games, which is below his career ppg average. Not huge sample sizes, but enough to make snap judgments on.
Keep in mind that Roy was a third line player for most of those playoff games. He was a top line player this season and didn’t produce but I’ll argue that him and Vanek were the best two players for either team the first four periods of the series. Once Vanek went down, Roy struggled to find his game.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Another Perspective
You talk about Connolly and Roy and how they’re top 20 centermen with POINTS but what about the intangibles?? Do either lead? Are they a force in our own end of the ice? Come playoff time will either perform? I do agree that we can’t go out and replace a center like either of them, but with Tyler Ennis in the background, Buffalo fans see a player like both of them, cheaper, and with more potential.
And when it comes right down to it as a Sabres fan it’s about the last attribute: potential or better known as, hope. The Sabres organization thinks the 06-07 explosion in fan base was based off of previous years success, but I honestly believe it was the offseason actions that got this city behing the Sabres. We signed all restricted free agents instead of letting them walk, we moved towards the cap, and it was the first sign in awhile that a Buffalo sports organization was willing to put their money where their mouth is and give us a team with high expectations. That season was magical because as a fan I could walk around my college campus in Pittsburgh with a swagger. In fact, Buffalo booster clubs put over 4500 fans in Mellon arena. To this day the best hockey experience of my life. Regier making a move this offseason does more than just better our hockey club. It’s Regier saying we’re not staying static. We’re moving forward.
It gives us hope
Neither player is perfect
there are definitely intangibles that need to be considered but why replace somebody because the media tells you they aren’t good? It doesn’t make sense. If there is a better option, by all means, trade them away. As a Sabres fan, I want to see the very best product on the ice and at this point that includes having Roy and Connolly on the ice. Not every good offensive player is a leader, they need other people to lead while they continue to put up points.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Spare me the intangibles
Chris Drury, the wet dream of proponents of “clutch” and “grit” and “leadership” and “intangibles” and “Bucky Gleason,” is currently intangibly leading the Rangers to a year with zero playoff games. So, please, don’t try to tell me how important intangibles are.
I’m comfortable trading Connolly or Roy, or Connolly and Roy, but this post hits the nail squarely on the head by saying “addition by subtraction” is a myth. Connolly and Roy (plus Vanek and Pominville) are the only guys on the roster capable of generating offense in Lindy Ruff’s “system.” Which, I might add, suffocates many players. The list of guys who flame in Buffalo, only for a rebirth elsewhere is depressing (Afinogenov, Satan, Dominic Moore, and (coming soon) Raffi Torres). Who’s fault is that? Darcy isn’t the guy benching and scratching players.
Connolly and Roy are good, but flawed, hockey players. If we’re going to get rid of them we need good hockey players in return. Savard is not the answer. At this point, Savard is merely a more expensive version of Tim Connolly.
I agree with what you're saying about intangibles being overvalued
but I have a big problem with this:
The list of guys who flame in Buffalo, only for a rebirth elsewhere is depressing (Afinogenov, Satan, Dominic Moore, and (coming soon) Raffi Torres)1. Afinogenov got to play with Kovalchuck for half in a season in a willy-nilly system where he didn’t have to concern himself with defense at all.
2. Satan never matched the numbers he put up in Buffalo (with Buffalo: .388 goals/game , after Buffalo: .301 goals/game).
3. I’m calling small sample size on both Moore and Torres.
Also, Savard isn’t a more expensive version of Connolly either; mostly because Connolly’s cap-hit is 4.5M while Savard’s is 4M.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
cap hit means nothing to the Sabres
it is all about salary. Connolly will get paid $4.5 million this season and Savard will make $7 million. That is a big difference in salary.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 30, 2010 7:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I guess we're both right.
He’s not more expensive in terms of cap hit, but is a lot more expensive in terms of total salary owed and length of contract.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I can appreciate the small sample size part, but the fact remains: Raffi Torres scored 19 goals for the Blue Jackets in about sixty games. He then scored zero (0) for the Sabres in almost twenty. The sample size may be small, but he played what amounts to a quarter of a season without a single goal. Did he mysteriously lose the ability to score?
Afinogenov playing with Kovalchuck certainly helped. But remember, while he was stuck in Lindy’s doghouse in his last year he was either 1. benched, 2. scratched, or 3. grinding it out on the fourth line with the likes of Adam Mair. Don’t you think he could’ve produced a bit more if he was let out of purgatory for more than a shift or two a game? Max led the Sabres in points on 2005-06, but in his last two seasons for Buffalo only averaged .5 and .417 points per game. He put up strong numbers with Kovalchuck, but even after the trade with New Jersey, Max averaged .607 ppg.
Satan managed to still produce his first couple of years in New York, including a 35 goal season coming out of the lockout. No Sabre scored more than 30 that year, and that was arguably (emphasize arguably) the best Sabres team in the last decade (better even than the President’s Trophy team the following year).
As for Savard, I wasn’t aware of his cap hit, I admit, but he’s a much longer term investment and, much like Connolly, his head has already been turned into scrambled eggs. Shipping out Connolly and bringing in Savard would be doing things for the sake of doing things. Reminds me of an adage I heard a while back: “Don’t confuse activity with progress.”
In the end, my main point is Lindy Ruff deserves way more heat than the fans give him. It’s his “system,” and that system doesn’t typically put offensive players in a position to succeed. That’s what makes me nervous about any trade for a forward, or bringing in an “offensive” defenseman.
by patrick.m on Jun 30, 2010 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I love Lindy, I think most people can tell that about me if they've read my comments in the past
But if I have to choose between a system that emphasizes defensive responsibility at the expense of 5 goals for a few players every couple of years and a free-wheeling one that let’s players do whatever they want on their way to missing the playoffs, I think it’s a pretty easy decision. I’d choose the defensive oriented one every day of the week.
Max was a turnover and offsides machine. Yes, he could stick-handle in a phone booth, but at what cost? He had his best years playing with Vanek and Roy on the 3rd line where he didn’t have to go against the oppositions top defensive players. If Lindy put him among the top-6, he would not only just be weakening the defensive awareness of that line, but would be killing their puck-possession. I think by now we should all know the quickest way to get on Lindy’s bad side; act like you don’t give a poop about defense.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
“But if I have to choose between a system that emphasizes defensive responsibility at the expense of 5 goals for a few players every couple of years and a free-wheeling one that let’s players do whatever they want on their way to missing the playoffs, I think it’s a pretty easy decision. I’d choose the defensive oriented one every day of the week.”
We might as well have “missed the playoffs” last year. We got a humiliating first round exit via an old, hated rival. Those were Red Sox fans in Bruins jerseys who were laughing at our expense, Ogre.
You can have your first round exit system. I want something else.
Can you say injury bug?
No Hecht, 2 games worth of Vanek, a one-footed Connolly, and a one-armed Rivet.
And I could care less about what baseball team they rooted for.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Even Stength playoff victory
Do not forget Regier’s famous comment we beat the Bruins 15-10 on even strength goals and lost the series on special teams. Ruff’s quotes during the series was powerplay was going to struggle and nothing he could do about it. I see 3 coaches all defensive minded and none offensively creative. The last offensive coach that I can recall was Scotty Arniel who finally landed a NHL coaching job. I think one offensive coach to replace a defense minded coach, One center change and one defense change would be enough shake up/ wake up call that this team needs.
One can go
I believe with Tyler Ennis, one of Roy or Connolly is expendable. I would think that Trading Roy is better than trading Connolly. Sure they both produced points, but how many games were there when Roy was just so frustrating? I can see him moving out for some help on the powerplay and tha makes the team better.
I like Ennis too but he was better in his natural position of left wing. I think it would be a mistake to have Ennis be counted on as a top six forward in his first full season.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I would think we already did count on him as a top 6 forward in the playoffs last season, I would think the next naturally progression would be for him to be a top 6 next year. I think Ennis would work will with Hecht and Pominville on a line, with Hecht and Ennis switching off at center to make the transition easier for Ennis. That frees up Connolly to play with Vanek, which seems to be something everyone keeps asking to happen.
We counted on him because Hecht was injured and Vanek missed most of the series. Ennis proved he had good hands and good stick handling but his passing was less than adequate. He seemed to always have the puck and didn’t use his line mates very well. I still have visions of the errant pass that led to a crucial goal in game two, the turning point game of the series.
I like Ennis as a player and I think he will be a very good player at some point but if he is counted on to be a top six player this season, the Sabres will definitely regress.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
I intend on having him in a Tim Kennedy role next year.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Me too
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
All I remember about his passing
was the sick move he pulled on the rush to set up a (I believe) Roy goal on the doorstep.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
The problem with Roy and Connolly is that they didn’t show up in the playoffs. Neither player is a “gamer” or has the toughness to compete successfully in the playoffs.
I think the only way Regier can get a quality players to replace them is through trades. It is unfortunenate the neither Roy or Connolly have become the players most of us thought they would become.
The truly great players are not only skillful they have an indominatable desire to win.
I have gone over this argument many times
Derek Roy played most of the series with Tyler Ennis and Jason Pominville. They were physically outmatched by Zdeno Chara and Johnny Boychuk…end of story.
Tim Connolly spent most of the series playing with Paul Gaustad and Mike Grier. How is a play-making center going to succeed with two grinders on his line. When Connolly was playing with Ennis and Pominville, it was Ennis that gave away the puck that led to a goal and yet he is some kind of hero in Buffalo while Connolly can’t perform in the playoffs.
I just don’t get the logic.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Without good center depth and key injuries on the wing why are we surprised that Connolly and Roy struggled against a big, physical Boston team? I’m getting more used to the idea that they both will be back this fall but that Regier will be active attempting to fill in the center position with someone who is an upgrade over Gaustad, who should be a 4th liner. Lombadri, Koivu, Cullen, Malhotra…. any of them would work (in different roles, obviously) to solidify our depth at Center and make us much harder to key on come playoff time.
If Regier is successful moving Connolly it has to be for someone who is an upgrade over him, and that means a BIG trade.
Ta,
Not to mention
when you actually look at their playoff points/game, neither one is terrible (Connolly’s being quite good actually).
Save Jenrry Mejia!
This team still hasn’t replaced Dr*** and Br**** yet! If Darcy had added just one one 30+ goal scoring Center to the roster to replace one of these guys this team would be in far better shape. Roy and Connelly are great 2nd/3rd line centers.
Nothing will change. They have a built in excuse – the quality wasn’t there in FA. But when there were quality players available over the last 3 offseasons Darcy did nothing.
Package Roy OR Connelly, Gerbe, a minor league prospect and offer them for David Backes from St Louis.
by buffaloranger on Jun 29, 2010 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I like Backes
I like Backes but if it takes that much to get him, I’ll pass. He scored 17 goals and had 48 points last season while posting a minus-4 rating. He is a big strong kid and would look great on the right side but that doesn’t fill the need at center.
I would love to see DR inquire about Backes. He is definitely a gamer.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
The fact that you're complaining about the team's centers
yet advocating to trade its 1a or 1b center for a right wing is so illogical, it’s laughable.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
How did this get rec'd????
Save Jenrry Mejia!
by Ogre39666 on Jul 3, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I say…be careful what you wish for because it might come true.
Thats exactly how I feel about the Connolly and Roy situation. Ive always been a Connolly fan, so Im against trading him. Hes the best stickhandler, passer on the team. Youre not going to be able to dump him and then just “get better.” He is not a player that we get better with addition by subtraction.
Roy shouldnt be a top 2 center IMO. Roy should be on the 3rd line. Thats when he played his best, and I feel thats where he should be now.
I wouldnt mind us going after Lombardi. Then we would have Connolly on the top line, Lombardi running the #2, Roy on the 3rd and Gaustad on the 4th.
People need to start realizing there arent enough top 2 line centers for every team in the league to have them. There are the ‘A’ stars, ‘B’, etc… We have two ‘B’ stars. Thats not the worst thing in the world…
I wouldnt mind seeing lines similar to this next year:
Vanek – Connolly – Kennedy
Ennis – Lombardi – Pominville
Hecht – Roy – Kaleta
Grier – Gaustad – McCormick
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.
Roy should be on the 3rd line. Thats when he played his best, and I feel thats where he should be now.
That’s probably because he wasn’t facing the best (or second best) defensive lines of the opposing team when he was on the 3rd line.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Yes. But thats why I also would want him playing on that 3rd line, but that would involve us getting another top center. Chances are Roy will be our #2 next year, and Im OK with that… but I still feel, his style of play, is best suited for #3 center or 2nd line winger.
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Lets Go Buffalo!!
I like Lombardi too. With your lines I assume you are letting Mair and Ellis go, no problem, although I like Ellis a lot for his role and the price. I guess Gerbe speands another season in Portland, although I’d like to see him get an extended shot in Buffalo.
What about Stafford? I know all the knocks on him, but he is young and you do see flashes of brillance from him on occasion. He would look great on the third line IMO. He would have lower expectations and compitition there and get his confidence up, if not trade him later. (or now for the right player) Buffalo has a glut of 3rd-4th line players. Kennedy should be on a third line, but who do you put in his place in the top 6? My lines would be:
Pominville – Connolly – Hect
Kenndey – Lombardi – Vanek
Ennis – Roy – Stafford
Grier – Gaustad – Kaleta
With McCormick and Gerbe fill-ins
In “my offseason” the healthy scratches would be Ellis and Gerbe. I would try to package Stafford in a deal for something, anything. Maybe a pick and a good looking forward prospect. Im not sure Im ready to give Stafford another shot… hes had many chances and has never stepped up. Its getting tiring with me.
And I was thinking about having my 4th line look like yours… but Im interested to see how Kaleta would play next to a center like Roy. I think Kaleta could score 15 goals with Roy feeding him on the 3rd line.
And Ive always wanted to see Connolly and Vanek play together… I think Vanek could have his best season to date if Connolly played with him all year.
But adding Lombardi would help move some players around… I like that idea.
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centers
Why would you really want to keep Timmy the tin man/ He disappears when crunch time comes. He has been living off of his past hot streak in the playoffs from a long time ago. He had one decent short stretch during the season, and disappeared as usual when needed.
He should have been packaged with an extra third round pick in the draft for something better.
As for Stafford, I’m inclined to give him one more year. Roy, if you can get better by trading him, do so.
I think we’ll agree to disagree. Connolly is nearly a point-per-game player and those type of players don’t come around very often. I guess he will never get rid of the tin-man stigma but he played more this year than in the past. He was injured near the end of the season blocking a shot, something critics will not give him credit for.
Connolly is one of those players that fans have created an opinion and they will not stray from it, even if he plays well.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm so sick of this "Nearly" Argument with these guys...
The difference you’re talking about is night and day. “Nearly” a point per game? This drives be absolutely nuts…. a .300 hitter is a lot different than a ,270 hitter.
The problem is that there aren’t any better options, but I doubt that we resign Connolly after this season…so much for his “nearly” stat.
We can use 1 of these guys, not both. Granted both Roy and Connolly have a lot of good things about there game, but we don’t need 2 centers who can’t skate the puck into the zone on the PP and turn every 2 minute minor into 1:20 PP because of it. Love him or hate him at least Max could do that. Neither of them take an ounce of a beating and allow Vanek to not get blown up nightly.
Both of these guys can kill the momentum built up by the team during a game, and lately they do that more than build the momentum.
There’s a reason that Boychuk went after Vanek and then when after Ennis…and left Roy and Connolly alone in the playoffs last year….
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
The difference between a .300 hitter and a .270 hitter
is about 1 base hit every 2 weeks.
Not exactly what I’d call a lot.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
We wouldn't be having this conversation if...
Connolly netted another goal / assist every 2 weeks. So it’s a pretty big difference
We’re talking on another thread about adding a guy like Lombardi as our 3rd line center…check the stats, his aren’t far off from Connolly’s, but everyone wants to think that Connolly’s abilities with the puck net us more value such that it would be a crime to deal him?
Frankly, I just tired, of tick tack to nowhere Connolly. I’m sick of watching him play with the puck on the PP and allowing teams to get into the shooting lanes. I tired of the giveaways and I’m especially tired of the weeks where he’s invisible. I can’t watch another season of his powerplay futility.
He’s a big reason why we had a short stay in the playoffs last year.
Bottom line, at what point do we stop giving Connolly the “great hands” benefit of the doubt?
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s a big reason why we had a short stay in the playoffs last year.
Hes also a big reason we were in the playoffs.
I get you dont like Connolly… but we cant throw 16 Crosbys out there. Youre going to have some Connollys out there. Is he a perfect player? No. But hes a decent player who helps this team more than he hurts us. Its not like we can just replace him. We need to add to him… not send him packing and then just adding a replacement.
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by bflo on Jul 1, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I was as tough on Connolly's performance in the playoffs as anyone on here
but like bflo said, he was a major reason they were there at all.
And I’m pretty sure you missed my point completely about the difference between .300 hitters and .270 hitters.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
That makes zero sense.
That “short stretch” was 16 games. That’s 20% of the season. And he was better than a 1.5 ppg player during that period. That’s the very opposite of both short and decent. They also took points in 12 of those games.
And yet you’re fully willing to give Stafford one more year?
by twoeightnine on Jun 29, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Connolly
He’s also a great penalty killer and our best powerplay man other than vanek. Centers that are better than him don’t hit the market… Ever. (they also tend to sign 7 million dollar contracts) Roy is hilariously underpaid. I don’t see any need to trade them for anything that isn’t a first line player in a one-for-one+stafford deal.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Lomardi's on the market...
Frankly, I don’t wanna hear about Connolly’s hands as those people never wanna own up to Timmy also being a turnover machine.
He hesitated like Trent Edwards way too often last year.
I’ll take Lombardi over Connolly at this point as I’m just tired of waiting for a Tim Connolly that we’ve been promised, but will never arrive. I think I’ll see Godot or Roxie Carmichael first.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Im not sure why you would want to give Stafford another shot but are giving away Connolly. Stafford has never put together any hot streaks, ever… Connolly is important to this team. Stafford isnt, unless hes part of a package deal.
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I just don’t think trading our top two scorers is the answer. They underperformed in the playoffs, but with Vanek out for 3 games and Hecht out for the entire series, the Bruins were able to easily shut down Connolly and Roy. That being said, if they could trade one of them (packaged with Stafford) to get either a PP QB (Streit?) or a solid two-way forward with playoff experience (Sharp, J. Carter, St. Louis), I would be all for it.
As far as FA’s, I think Tallinder and Lydman go. I really like Kurtis Foster from TB – I saw him several times this year and he has a booming shot, he’s cheap, he’s young, and he could be our PP QB. I like Michalek in PHX too. Lombardi would be a nice addition, as would Matt Cullen or Ray Whitney, but I think the latter two would likely cost too much.
There's no way the Islanders trade Streit.
But I love the Michalek idea. Lombardi and Foster would be nice too (although adding 2 D-men means Weber won’t be here except for fill in for Rivet while he rehabs)
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Meh..speculation speculation
We’re not trading Connolly or Roy this offseason. Our draft history has always been to draft what we’ll need to replace…and we drafted all defensemen and 1 forward. If actions speak louder than words, then I’d say goodbye to Lydman and Tallinder. I agree with most, Connolly did play a majority of the time with Goose and Grier in the playoffs. Sad that Mike Grier and Tim Kennedy were our two best forwards after Vanek went down that’s all I’m saying. Just throwing it out there…you think there was a reason why Burke took Kennedy over Connolly and Stafford for Worlds after the playoffs?? I’ll still waste half a paycheck on games, be adament that we can win the Cup, and hate Leafs fans when the season starts. But if we post an 8th seed and go out first round….and believe me i love Ruff…it’s time for a regime change. And if Darcy doesn’t do anything this offseason…he’s got cajones. Let me tell you.
As for lines for next year…assuming we keep all forwards you’re pretty much looking at Ennis playing in Portland. I don’t think Ruff will keep him up if he’s not in our top 6. But I think that’ll send half of Buffalo into a frenzy so…I’ll give it a whirl with Ennis in there. Heres what I predict opening day to look like
Pommers-Connolly-Hecht
Kennedy-Roy-Vanek
Ennis- (Insert FA center here) Lombardi?-Kaleta
Grier-Gaustad- Stafford
Butler- Rivet
Myers-Weber
Montedor- Sekera
(Ruff loves to model his coaching strategy off of Russia’s team…which takes one offensive defenseman and pairs him with a stay at home)
Miller
Backup: COMMMEEEE ON SIGN US A ST. JOE’S ALUM: DAVE LEGGIO
I like the lines
I switch Kaleta and Stafford though. You will get more out of Stafford if he plays with other offensive players while Kaleta will get by on will and determination, he doesn’t need to play with talented offensive players.
D.O.
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by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
Very true. Just a bias of mine that’s all. I didnt’ like what Ruff did with the top 6 in the playoffs…but I thought when he gave Kaleta a chance with a playmaker he always shined. And (if we move Stafford) I LOVED when he put Gerbe on with two grinders. I thought that’s when the Lil’ Man played at his best. He’s a fiesty one who loves the puck…putting him with Goose and Grier give him decent finishers and allow him to be as creative as he wants.
Maybe Burke picked Kennedy over Connolly and Stafford because
Timmy was hurt and Stafford isn’t that great (something we should know by now).
Beyond that though, even if we go one-and-done from the 8th seed (I see us finishing >8th btw), change for the sake of change is still a bad idea.
And Rivet will miss some time because offseason shoulder surgery so it’s highly unlikely he’ll be in the opening night roster.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Connolly
My thinking is that Roy is way too cheap (valuable) for his production levelto trade. It’d be a bad business AND hockey move to swap him for equal salary, because you’d be getting less talent in return.
Connolly is slightly lower bang for the buck and only has 1 year left on his deal. I see Regier riding out his final season and possibly moving him at the deadline if we’re somehow out of contention. Otherwise we hold on to him for the stretch, hoping he produces in the playoffs.
Either way this has gotta be his last year in buffalo without taking a surprise paycut. Luke Adam is our future top 6 center filling his spot and depending on how he plays in portland next year it could be sooner rather than later. The kid has a bright future and Darcy is likely banking on that.
killabstingz
i agree with you. do you think that kassian will get the same chance to make the team as meyers did? meyers had a great camp and played outstanding in those 10 games before finally making the team. what if kassian is just so-so at camp will he still get a couple of games with the sabres before being shipped back to his junior team?
time to ring that championship bell
Kassian is not ready. He has an NHL-caliber shot but his foot speed is slow and his skating needs work. He would be two steps behind in the NHL.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 29, 2010 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
So...he's Stafford is what you're saying...
Other than a few small stretches that’s what Stafford looks like out on the ice.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but rather than being lazy like stafford, he’s just plain slow. This is good, because slowness is easier to fix than laziness.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
... where as Stafford wont hit anything.
Unless Drury gets cheapshot’d.
Old school Bills tattoo [ √ ] Old school Sabres tattoo [ √ ] ... see the avatar.
Lets Go Buffalo!!
I think Connolly is worth keeping around. He had a great season, and I think he was just out of gas in the playoffs. It had been years since he played that much in a year. I hope he can stay healthy next year too. He could be a real asset. As far as Roy. He drives me crazy. He is starting to remind me of Afinagenov at the end of his time in Buffalo. He turns the puck over way too much, and avoids contact any time he can. I would send him down the road in a heartbeat for any guy who could be considered a top 6 forward on our team.
Depends on the trade market
We shouldn’t trade them away for the sake of trading them away, but if a good offensive D-man (on a not Brian Campbell contract) could be had for Connolly, picks, and prospects I’d say fire away even if it meant overpaying by a bit. I’d risk Jokinen, Lombadi or Tanguay if it meant we added a solid two-way defenceman.
Connolly and Roy are fine...
… as many people alluded to above, they just need the right players to complement them. I have every confidence that Regier knows that and will do something about it. Maybe the answer is to have some bruisers backing them at the blue line, or maybe they need to have one of those annoying pests who can plant himself in front of the opposition’s goal all day without being moved out. I’m not sure, but I think something must be in the works.
how about they set up the players around them better?
If I have to watch Connolly play with the puck this year on the PP allowing the defense to clog up the shooting lanes…I’m gonna need a couple new TVs by the end of the season.
If I have to watch Roy try to skate through 4 opponents on the PP, I’m gonna commit hari kari.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Also..stay on the reservation Derek...
We axed Max for skating to the beat of his own drummer, but Lindy won’t even mention this to Roy. Ruff has been seen yelling at Vanek, Max, and others on the bench, but won’t even say another to Roy when he’s skating off in La-La land …there’s something to be said about this.
At least Max could skate the puck into the zone w/o creating multiple odd-man rushes going the other way per night.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions
What?
At least Max could skate the puck into the zone w/o creating multiple odd-man rushes going the other way per night.
Yeah, maybe when he was playing on the 3rd line with Roy and Vanek. Max was as guilty as anyone with turnovers.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
homey dont play that
im fully confident that regier will build a playoff team that we can enjoy watching all season long. those poor bruin fans lol. you gotta remember the only draft pick in the top 10 on the team in vanek. most good teams have atleast 2 or 3 top 10 draft picks on their team.
time to ring that championship bell
That's because they tanked for year after year after year.
by twoeightnine on Jun 30, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
It wasn’t usually tanking as having a terrible front office staff.
So maybe firing Regier and Darcy is the solution then. Then we’d suck so bad we’d have loads of first overall picks and easily win a cup in 2018!!!
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Cough-Mike Milbury-Cough
You can say all you want about how Ray Shero was lucky to have so many high picks when he got to Pittsburgh (and he was) but you still have to pick the right guy and manage the team in such a way that you can keep those guys and a good supporting cast around them.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I think Darcy is hockey's version of Billy Bean/Theo Epstein.
Very, very good at acquiring high-value players and reading the market, but very under-appreciated.
And the reason why I say Bean/Epstein is because he’s had more success (i.e. playoff success) than Bean, but doesn’t have the 2 titles that Epstein does.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Trade with Philly
Get Jeff Carter. He’s your answer at centre. Hopefully, Sttafford is part of the deal in some way. Connolly is a great player, but watching him go down the wing and then throw it to no one in front of the net got a little tiresome. If he can’t stickhandle into good shooting areas, then he needs to go.
You probably wouldn't want to give up the pieces necessary to get Carter.
I know I wouldn’t. Roy, Ennis, & a high pick would probably be the starting point. If it’s possible to get him cheap, by all means; but he won’t come cheap.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I don't know if Marleau is a free agent...
… but it’s about time we finally got a guy like that on our team. Not to mention we haven’t had a real “top” line in years. When was the last one, Lafontaine & Mogilny?
Please, no more mild trades.
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