Is the Robin Regehr Trade one of Darcy Reiger's Five Most Positive Impact Trades?

by BobDH on Jul 1, 2011 9:23 AM EDT

The quick answer is yes.

Before I get started let me clarify why I used the words "Most Positive" instead of "Best". I believe trades can only be evaluated for the impact on the Sabres. For example, Chris Butler may become and all-star in Calgary, but that is no guarantee that he would have become all-star if he stayed in Buffalo. Also, the impact of a trade is not strictly about what happens on the ice. Team chemistry and organizational chemistry are real and do matter. Finally, I prefer the term to "Positive Impact" to "Best". It's my post, feel free to complain.

Anyway, after the jump I list five trades Darcy Rieger has made that have had most positive impact on the Sabres. Afterward I will discuss where the Regher trade fits in this list.

5. Stu Barnes for Matthew Barnaby (1999): Stu Barnes was the veteran "leader" free-agent the Sabre are currently searching for to replace Mike Grier and Rob Niedermeyer. He was named Captain after the Peca trade, scored some key playoff goals, and was an all-around solid player.

4. Doug Gilmore and JP Dumont for Michael Grosek (2000): The impact of this trade is simple: No Gilmore - no playoffs in 2000. He showed Hall-of-Fame credentials by almost single-handedly pushing the Sabres into the playoffs. Also, JP Dumont matured into solid player during his time as a Sabre. Finally, making the playoffs brought a few million dollars to a team in dire financial straits. Making the playoffs, probably delayed the Sabre's journey into bankruptcy, which in retrospect may not have been a good thing, but I digress.

3. Chris Drury and Steve Begin for Rhett Warrener and Kieth Ballard (Net of two trades; 2003): Not much to say here about Drury other than being a Co-Captain of Eastern Conference finalist, scoring clutch goals, and bringing outstanding chemistry to the team.

2. Danny Briere and a 3rd round pick for Chris Gratton and a 4th round pick (2003): It is hard to separate the impact of Danny Briere from Chris Drury as they came to Sabres within months of each other, then left on the same day. That said, the reason I ranked the Briere trade ahead of Drury is because of what the Sabres "gave up" for Briere. When executed, the trade was widely viewed by Sabres fans, among others, as dumping a team cancer (Mr. Chemistry himself - Chris Gratton). The bonus was that Sabres received an relatively unknown young, fiery, center with scoring potential. In Gratton's case, this was a classic example of "addition by subtraction". Years later this trade is viewed quite differently, but it helps to keep in mind the circumstances at the time.

1. Rhett Warrener and a 5th round pick for Mike Wilson (1999): Even if the Sabres had not picked Ryan Miller with the 5th round pick, this trade would have made my top five trades. Rhett Warrener proved to be a younger version of Robin Regher, a tough stay at home defenseman top-four defenseman that made the goalies job (Dominik Hasek) much easier. As a bonus, he was part of the trade that brought Chris Drury to Buffalo. That draft pick is the main reason I gave this trade top ranking. Opinions very as to how good Ryan Miller really is, but at a minimum he is an above average goalie, that would start on most NHL teams. I believe he is a franchise goalie who, last year, suffered from a combination Olympic-hangover, poor back-up, and a defensively weak set of blueliners. With the addition of Robyn Regher, Christian Erhoff, and Jonas Enroth, I expect better performances from him for years to come. Like it or not, Ryan Miller is the face of the Buffalo Sabres and has had greatest impact on this team of any single player since Dominik Hasek.

Where does the Robyn Regher trade fit in?

At best, I would rank this trade first. The greatest impact is on how the rest of the league (teams, players, and agents) view the Sabres. I do not think Christian Erhoff signs with Sabres before free agency opens without this trade. Also, without this trade I do not think the media pundits would consider Buffalo a serious contender to land Brad Richards, which some do. Regardless of how Robyn Regher performs (despite Darcy Regier comments, I do not believe Ales Kotalik will ever play for the Sabres again), this trade's impact will be greatest off the ice. It may save Darcy Regier's job.

At worst, I would rank this trade fourth because this trade greased the wheels for the Erhoff trade/signing. The combination of Erhoff and Regehr should significantly upgrade the Sabres defense, but that remains to be seen.

So, there you have it. What do you think?

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

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I still think you have to evaluate the cost of what you give up in a trade. So we really won’t know until we see how Butler performs 5 years down the road, and if Regehr is as good as advertised for the next two years.

That said, yes, I the trade has the possibility of joining or surpassing those listed above. I view the trade as Regher and a second round pick for Butler, Byron, and $3M (which just has to be paid to Mr. Kotalik in Rochester). And that’s a good trade, at least on paper. You’re correct that it’s also a landmark trade, proving Buffalo’s legitimacy as a hockey destination. I don’t know if the Ehrhoff deal happens without Regehr. And Regehr will bring some much needed leadership. So yeah, good stuff all around.

by kallinan on Jul 1, 2011 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Cost of what you give up

To me this only applies if the player has the same circumstances with both teams, which will never happen with different team-mates, coaching staffs, FO’s, oppnents, etc ……

I hope Regehr is as good as advertised, but unless he suddenly morphs in Chris Pronger or Zdeno Chara, the greatest impact of this trade remains the off-ice message. Plus there is still the potential impact of the draft pick.

From an on-ice perspective, I agree with your assessment of the trade.

by BobDH on Jul 1, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

We gave up Chris Butler for him

That’s a big upgrade for us.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 1, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice write-up!

And I really think Regehr can crack these top five…in less Butler turns into a stud, we robbed CGY in that deal. Again, good analysis and write-up, I cannot think of any other trades that could break your top five.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jul 1, 2011 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

The " Best " ?

Here is a question , how long does Regehr has left in his engine ? Ehrhoff , is , only here for the PP , which the Sabres don’t have one . This team , before this day , was build for Run And Gun . But , the coach , Ruff , didn’t know how to play that . So , he came up with Defense . How can you come up with that ? In my opinion , 13 years on the same team is the death of this team . They should have fired him about 6 years ago . I think they aren’t going to get Richards , which if they do , it’s the BIG hit on the Cap . They have to get rid of Niedermayer , Grier , Lalime , ( Butler , which they did ) and a couple other players who didn’t make their pay . I said this before , Ruff wanted this team to play defense , but , they didn’t have any defense players . They needed to get those kind of players to play defense first . They seem to start that , and they still need a number one center . I think they need to trade for that , and , with the UFA , everybody knows that you will have to pay that . The question of that is , how much are you willing to pay for that ? They should get rid of Gerbe . He might be a good player , but not for a defensive team , which the Sabres are looking for . He’s too small for that . And , he can’t score , 15 in the last half of the season ? How long will they give him to start to EARN his pay ? Three season isn’t enough ? So they give him another 3 , with a health raise , come on !!

by Dwight Hill on Jul 1, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Nieds, Grier, and Lalime are not coming back….I am fairly sure of it. I think Gerbe was a solid signing and though he might be slightly overpaid, he is a player with a TON of heart that would be a good player on any team. People need to get over his size; yes he is small, but what he brings to the team is much more important than his size. Also, Gerbe has played in 3 seasons but only in 84 games…I think the last 41 games he played is a better display of the player he would be then the previous 43.

I am sure that if they don’t score Richards, they will go out and trade for an improvement at center. I also wouldn’t say we are a defensive team; while we do not have any 90 point all stars on our team, we have been the top 10 scoring team in hockey since the lockout with rankings of 9th, 11th, 10th, 4th, 1st, and 5th from our past season to 2005-2006. Therefore we are a solid scoring team, but we need to have a solid D to help Miller defend while he is in his prime. Yes, it is early to tell if Regehr is the “best” trade Regier has done, but it very well could be. This trade could be the one that shows the hockey world that Buffalo is indeed “Hockey Heaven”.

"We’re gonna win the Stanley Cup. Then, you know what, we’re gonna win it again,"
-Terry Pegula

by bgred105 on Jul 1, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

.

we have been the top 10 scoring team in hockey since the lockout with rankings of 9th, 11th, 10th, 4th, 1st, and 5th from our past season to 2005-2006.

Shhh, don’t let facts get in the way of his rant.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 1, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

So I guess that Presidents Trophy winning team was defense-first and not at all "run and gun"?...

They should get rid of Gerbe . He might be a good player , but not for a defensive team , which the Sabres are looking for .

What? Gerbe is a good two-way winger.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 1, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Gerbe

Gerbe may have had 3 years with the team, but only ONE full season. The Coyotes gave-up Briere to early and it was the Sabres gain. I think giving up on Gerbe now would be repeating the Coyotes mistake.

by BobDH on Jul 1, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Longevity can be very good

Most successful pro and college sports programs have an element of longevity to them. Think Steelers, Pre 2000 Dolphins, Red Wings, New England since 2000, and too many college programs to mention.

Lindy Ruff has become much better at adapting a teams system to the players. His system’s have ranged from run and gun to mind-numbingly boring traps and several in-between. So placing blame on him is rather pointless, especially when this year’s team probably overachieved.

Darcy Regier has a history of good drafts, trades, free agent signings when Ownership allows. Do you think it was a coincidence, that the Sabres performed so well coming out of the lock-out, when he very little ownership oversight for two straight years? He built that team and then Larry Quinn ripped it apart.

by BobDH on Jul 1, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions