Lalime Retires, Grier Now Willing To Play For Other Teams

by Andy Boron on Jul 20, 2011 4:32 PM EDT

Some older Sabres have been making headlines recently, through in Patrick Lalime's case it was to say goodbye. Lalime retired from the NHL today after 12 seasons, spending the last three with the Buffalo Sabres. The 37-year old will join the Ottawa Senators on the RDS Network as an analyst.

Lalime's career has been much maligned in Buffalo due to his inability to, well, win games with any sort of consistency, going 9-26-5 over the past three seasons. However, Lalime can retire with his head held high after 200 career wins, an All-Star appearance, and the legacy of being a great teammate wherever he played. The Sabres may not have gotten his best playing years, but they did get a great locker room presence and one heck of a door-opener.

In other news, Mike Grier's agent told the Boston.com that the former Sabres winger, who formerly said that he'd only return if he returned to Buffalo, is now open to playing for other teams. From the article:

"He’d be particular about where he goes at this stage of his career,’’ noted Fee, his client training with strength and conditioning aficionado Mike Boyle, Grier’s pal from BU. "It’s not just about playing, but being a good fit.’’

It sounds as if Grier knows the Sabres have little or no interest in bringing him back for another season, and is looking for anyone willing to take on an aging winger who could be a great locker room presence for a younger team looking to add some experience and grit.

The Sabres have lost some leadership and experience from the locker room with the departure of Grier and Lalime, but will the loss of their declining production on the ice make up for it?

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Title needs edited

Just a heads up

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Jul 20, 2011 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

I was working on my Engrish

Die By The Blade - Your home for the best Buffalo Sabres talk online.
@andyboron

by Andy Boron on Jul 20, 2011 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

by mob16151 on Jul 20, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Ok Mike

Don’t get me wrong, I love Grier. Especially in the playoffs. But is a team with solid depth and Cup run potential going to be willing to carry Grier on its roster all year just for the playoffs?

by Philaster on Jul 20, 2011 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

The Preds come to mind

They have an opening for that position now that Dumont & Sullivan are gone… and they are the kind of team that would go for a guy like him. And his defensive instincts (and affordable price tag) would suit the team. But if it were up to me, I’d say hang ’em up.

by Katemc on Jul 20, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, Joel Ward signed elsewhere (and I don’t intend for that to be a racial comment, they are similar players in many other respects).

by lassathrax on Jul 20, 2011 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

No, you're right

That’s a good point, I just didn’t think of him because he’s much younger. He went to the Caps, which makes me sad :(

by Katemc on Jul 20, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s uncanny how similar their games are, but I always try to avoid that comparison for fear of just sounding like I’m comparing one to the other purely based on the fact that they are black hockey players.

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

by willgarr15 on Jul 20, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

huh

Didn’t even know Joel Ward was black.

by Philaster on Jul 20, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s a really good point.

by Philaster on Jul 20, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that they have a Cup run in them

but I could see the Islanders being interested.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 20, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

True. But I can’t see big Mike being interested in the Isles.

by Philaster on Jul 20, 2011 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Even in the playoffs he’s too slow and can’t keep up with his linemates.

by Geolover on Jul 21, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

If Grier can find a contender willing to sign him,

more power too him. Good lucky Mike. Love the dude, but he doesnt have it anymore.

Good luck to Patty in broadcasting, Im sure he’ll do fine.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Jul 20, 2011 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

Cheers to Lalime and best of luck at RDS. He may not have been a great goalie, but he was a great guy. As for Grier, while I wish him the best I feel like starting with a new team at this point might be a mistake. He knows his body best, but it would be a shame for him to come back for one year to many and end his career with a dismal – or worse, injury-ridden season. But what do I know.

by Katemc on Jul 20, 2011 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

He was a pretty decent goalie though

…For the Senators way back when…

"Thank you very much fans and let’s go for the next game together!"

— Lubomir Visnovsky

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jul 21, 2011 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions

There is a post up on Silver Seven right now titled, “Was Patrick Lalime the Senators’ best goaltender ever?” Goes to show how spoiled we are as Sabres fans when it comes to that position.

by Frank Reich Revolution on Jul 21, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Or how miserable the Sens have been – I mean, Emery, Gerber, Elliot, LeClaire… Craig Anderson is the best thing that happened to them in years, which is… hrmm.

by Katemc on Jul 21, 2011 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps what’s even sadder is the success that they’ve had against the Sabres. Elliot completely owned the Sabres up until this past season.

by Philaster on Jul 21, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Weird because my most vivid memory of Elliott was Vanek owning him with a SO slapper.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 21, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Elliott had only 1-2 losses vs. the Sabres prior to this season. He was almost automatic. And not a very good goalie. That’s why I was saying that it doesn’t speak well of the Sabres.
Then again, the Sabres have always had a good record against Tim Thomas. It’s just one of those things, you know.

by Philaster on Jul 21, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions