Smile the Future is Bright

by 78sackdance on Apr 27, 2011 9:43 AM EDT

I grew up in Buffalo, and grew to love the Sabres while on punishment (no TV for a month, my dad would say). I'd listen to WGR55 as a huge Bills fans and unknown to me at the time WGR55 also carried the Sabres. My love for the Sabre's began from my enjoyment of listening to the voice of the Sabres Rick Jeanneret. His " May Day. May Day, May Day, Brad May" call sealed my love for the Sabres. Years later I'm a transplanted Buffalonian, in Charlotte, NC.

I don't get many chances to see the Sabres living here, but had the joy of watching on Sunday. I hoped I would see the Sabres polish off, the Broad Street Bums, but it wasn't to be, but I did get to feel the excitement and joy I get from watching my team, my town, go Sabres. There is nothing like seeing your favorite team in the playoffs play an exciting down to the wire all or nothing game. So,even with the loss I was happy to see them play.

Sadly I don't have VS, so I couldn't watch last night and I'm kinda glad I didn't. I wished and hoped they would move on but in my gut I knew Sunday was our time, our time (sorry for the Goonies reference) and as I saw Briere's smiling face I was filled with hopelessness and disgust. (I hate the Flyers) I felt that was our chance, and it slipped away.

But it was a great season, real heart and determination was shown by these guys. I've been in the "Get Lindy outta here" crowd in the past, but after this run, I say give Lindy another year. It's clear, happier times are near, cause we've got our guy Terry right here. I mean right there in Buffalo (sorry I just got in to the rhyming thing there)

Go Sabres

My favorite RJ call is still "top shelf, where momma hides the cookies" Absolutely Classic!!

This is a fanpost written by a member of the community, it doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Die by the Blade

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I agree the future is bright

There are some tough decisions to be made in the off-season. Based on the players that are still under contract and those that people want to see signed immediately.

Left Wing
Thomas Vanek
Jochen Hecht
Tyler Ennis
Nathan Gerbe

Right Wing
Jason Pominville
Brad Boyes
Patrick Kaleta

Center
Derek Roy
Paul Gaustad

Defense
Jordan Leopold
Shaone Morrisonn
Tyler Myers

How many of their own free agents do they sign? Who is available in free agency? the trade market? Who could be traded to upgrade the current roster?

So many questions to be answered this summer.

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

by David Oleksy on Apr 27, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

I’m sure some moves will be made, I expect at least one splashy signing, or trade this offseason.

There is nothing worse than exaggeration!

"This is a long-term plan. We’re trying to build a mansion here."- Carmelo Anthony

by 78sackdance on Apr 27, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I would be pretty content to see Morrisonn not on the roster next season.

As for the RFA’s, I definitely want Gragnani and Sekera back. i would put serious thought into whether we want Butler and Weber back. I also think Buffalo better sign Stafford before arbitration, because at that point, he is as good as gone and they will have nothing to show for it.

I am fine with letting Montador walk. I would prefer they keep McCormick. And, I may be in the minority, but I wouldn’t be opposed to see Connolly return at a drastically reduced price and put him on the third line and lead our PK.

As for the offseason, our center is going to have to come via trade, there really isn’t a decent option on the UFA market. Maybe they want to break the collusion that occurs re: RFA’s and make an offer sheet, but I doubt it. On the other hand, there are some defensemen I really like, and I would look no further than the Vancouver blueline (i.e. Bieksa or Ehrhoff).

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Apr 27, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I would definitely want Weber back.

He’s big and mean. He had some defensive miscues but I expect that to get better with experience. Butler was awful in the playoffs. No problem if he’s gone.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on Apr 27, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Butler was definitely suspect, but he did have a nice second half of season, he posted the team’s second best Corsi (likely a result of being paired with Myers), and he can log a lot of minutes. I would prefer he come back, but I could understand moving on. As for Weber, he does some nice things, but I really think he is a 5/6 defenseman at best. I think all the young defenseman do some nice things and someone could easily convince me to keep them all.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Apr 27, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

You forgot

Chris Butler, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Weber and Sekera on the blue line. That’s the future as opposed to Leopold and Morrisonn

by buffalosportsfan on Apr 27, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Wrong

Butler, Weber, Sekera, and Gragnani are all RFAs this summer. DO was listing the players who would still be under contract. While I think that all of these players will be re-signed, they are technically free agents and Darcy will have to make decisions about who to keep long-term, short-term and what kind of contracts to sign them to.

"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

by willgarr15 on Apr 27, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

True

But I don’t think all them and I may be wrong are able to seek offer sheets, but at the very least they’ll go to arbitration.

by buffalosportsfan on Apr 27, 2011 2:27 PM EDT reply actions

All RFA’s are eligible to receive an offer sheet but most RFA’s have to have played 4 years before they are eligible for arbitration.

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

by David Oleksy on Apr 27, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Also worth noting, this is a pretty strong young group and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if someone came poaching.

And, while we are talking about young defensemen, let’s not forget that the Sabres need to start negotiating an extension with Myers too, after July 1. If anyone thinks he will come cheap, they got another thing coming. he would easily demand top dollar on the open market. i wouldn’t be surprised at all to see him near $7 million per.

It'll be just you, me, and Peter Nincompoop.

by BeastMode on Apr 27, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets hope it’s much less than that. Eventually, yes, absolutely. But right now he shouldn’t command that much quite yet.

"The horse jumped over the f#@king fence."
- KV

by TEMSON on May 1, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Would 7 years, $40Mil do it?

I don’t see any reason not to give him a long-term deal this summer. Just nip the potential drama next offseason in the bud

"An offensive lineman from BC comes with a guaranteed pedigree stamp" - Wash. Post

by JMSF#1 on May 2, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Better make him captain with that kind of contract.

I’d rather see 4 years, 18 million, split into 3/4/5/6. If he’s consistent, he’d be worth re-signing for 7M/year thereafter.

by lassathrax on May 3, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I just don't want a repeat of the Br**re situation

We could have re-signed him for a lot less than he eventually got from Philly and we twiddled our thumbs until it was too late.

"An offensive lineman from BC comes with a guaranteed pedigree stamp" - Wash. Post

by JMSF#1 on May 3, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

We gave Drury first priority.

When Briere found out his acted like a baby and called his pal Biron who convinced him to go to Philly. Now if your objection is about not offering them an extension in-season, that’s on (ex)ownership.

Save Jenrry Mejia!

by Ogre39666 on May 3, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions