This commentary maybe a little premature. However, when I saw the news that Stevie Y was placed in charge of the Canadian Olympic efforts, I thought it maybe worthwhile to take a quick look at what players, eligible to play for the US, are emerging as contenders for the 2012 team.

Based on this year's performances to date, the US team should have an abundance of high quality forwards to choose from. There is excellent depth at all three forward positions. In the pivot, you have Kesler, Stepan, Backes, Pavelski, Stastny and even Oshie to choose from. All these guys are still young and in their primes. At LW you have ace Zack Parise followed by emerging stars Max Pacioretty and Blake Wheeler with all around force Dustin Brown. The team's greatest depth maybe at RW. Kessel, Kane & Ryan lead the pack, with Pominville and Callahan fighting for roster spots. Just think of all the havoc a line of Brown, Backes and Callahan would create for our opponents.

In two years, guys like JVR, Nashville's Craig Smith & Colin Wilson and even Kyle Okposo or Drew Stafford could also be pressing to make the team.

While the forwards are good, they aren't in the same class as the talent Canada, Russia and Sweden bring to the table upfront. The great equalizer is that the US team could have the strongest defense group and goaltending in the Olympic Tournament.

In goal, the committee would have to start with 2010 hero Ryan Miller, however emerging stars like Howard and Quick could easily displace Miller on the top rung of the US ladder.

On defense, I can think of at least 14 options right now. I'd start with Yandle, Suter and Byfuglien, and after that I'd choose the remaining 4 players based upon their skill set. Do I need more scoring from the backend? If so, Goligoski and Carle come to mind. Do I need a physical presence? If so, Brooks Orpik would top that list. What about a stopper? Paul Martin and youngster Ryan McDonahg would top that list. If I'm looking for young all-around talent, I'd focus on Shattenkirk, Carlson, Cam Fowler, Jake Gardiner and the Johnson boys Eric & Jack.

If I were choosing the team today I'd pick the following

Forwards: Parise Kesler Kessel; Pacioretty Pavelski Ryan; Wheeler Oshie Kane; Brown Backes Callahan with Stepan or Pommers as the extra forward.

Defense: Yandle Shattenkirk; Suter Byfuglien; McDonagh Orpik with Goligoski in reserve.

Goalie: Miller, Quick and Howard

I must admit I'm finding it hard to leave Carlson, Martin and Jack Johnson off the defense corps. I also think a guy like Brian Burke could easily opt for more experience and sand paper upfront and put Stastny & Malone back into the lineup. Either way, this could be the most talented team ever fielded by the US. Maybe even better then the Modano, Hull, Roenick, & Tkachuk lead 2002 silver medal team.

Thoughts?

Over the last 6 games, the Sabres have gone 4-1-1 and have climbed within 4 points of a playoff spot. But last nights defeat was a crushing defeat and hard to watch. With all of their chips down the Sabres had a chance to get into that 8th and final playoff spot and, in doing so, put a ton of pressure on the other teams like Washington, Tampa, and last night‘s opponents the Winnipeg Jets. It was by far the biggest game of the season and they lost 3-1. Not only did they lose 3-1 but they also where out shot 31-24 and out hit 36-18. Now we could make the argument that the low hit and shot totals were due to them playing 4 games in 6 nights. So I looked at their last 6 games and found a startling statistic. In that span the Sabres where out hit 161-108 and out shot 212-139. That means they are being out hit, on average, 27-18 and out shot 35-23. These are not Playoff quality statistics. In Fact the Sabres are last in the league in hits according to NHL.com.

What I believe this points to is another early playoff exit or the inability to make it to the playoffs. Hits wear down your opponent and apparently the Sabres aren't that tough to play against. Can you guess who has the most hits in the NHL. That's right the East leading NY Rangers, or the team the Sabres will most likely see if they get that 8th, and final playoff spot. How about the most shots? How about a Crosby-less Pittsburgh Penguins team. Another team the Sabres would most likely have to go through to win the cup. But is winning that simple? Statistics don't lie. If you want to win in today's NHL you have to out hit your opponent to wear them down, While out shooting your opponent gives you a greater chance to score more goals. Of course having a great goalie who can steal you games helps. But wouldn't Ryan miller like some goal support oce in a while? If the Sabres don't turn these two statistics around drastically, I fear they will be unable to get into the playoffs. And if they do make it in who ever they play will most likely hit them and out shoot them to death. I hope I am wrong but statistics don't lie

Dear readers, this community is as much about you as it is the writers. So, in an outlet for you to let loose some of your creativity, we want you to cast an inquisitive and acerbic eye on selected photos. Come up with a caption for the picture and see how many recommendations it receives; that should let you know if it was met with applause or disdain. Get adventurous, get innovative, and capture that caption.

Suspect: Andrej Sekera

Setting: Wells Fargo Center

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What a joke these guys are! Couldn't be more thankful that they are gone. They both played harder thant they've ever played in their lives due to spite. I doubt you ever see that type of effort from the two of these guys the rest of their career. Thanks for getting us Cody though! He already looks like the best player on our team.

On a side note, how about swapping Leino with Ennis. The CoHo line is good right now, but I think Leino at wing would make it a true #1 line.

Well Here we go again. After last night improbable wine, Where Miller stood on his head, again, we only stand 4 points out of a playoff spot. Why why why can't the Sabres just Bottom out for once? Believe me when I say I , like many of you, are excited every time they wine. But Statistics never lie. Never has the 8th seed ever won the Stanley cup, which according to Pegula, is this team's mission. On top of that every point gets us further from gaining a coveted 1-5 draft spot. Here is a great article that analyses the importants of drafting high.

http://www.etwsports.com/p/nhl-draft-value-chart.html

So what should we do Sabres fans, root to make the playoffs and hope we can do the impossible, or Hope to lose to gain better draft status?

Hey all.

This is my first post, so along with asking you to be easy on me, I would like to say that my expertise general managing style in NHL 12 gives me not only full entitlement to my opinions expressed in this article, but the knowledge that they are 100% correct.

Continue reading this post »

That's right Sabre Fans. Apologies should be expressed because Darcy has now done everything you've been wanting him to do. First let's list the 3 biggest criticisms that have been written, said, or expressed about Darcy.

1. He is too in love with his core players

2. He can't, or won't, bring in big name free agents (Or he is unable to lure them here)

3. He doesn't make substantial moves during the trade dead-line

First lets discuss his core. We would agree that his core consisted of Roy, Vanek, Pomenville, Gaustad, Miller, and Connoly. In under 7 months he has let Connoly walk and he traded Gaustad for a #1 pick. That leaves Vanek, Pomenville, and Miller who most of us would like them to keep, and Roy who Darcy shopped but was unable to move.(And most of us believe he will be gone this Summer.)

Second lets discuss his ability to sign or attract free agents. Last Summer he dispelled all those rumors(having Pegula loosen up the purse strings helped) and was able to get two of the most sought after free agents in Ehrhoff and Leino, while also getting Regehr to waive his no trade clause.

Third let's discuss his moves at the trade deadline. Yesterday he answered his critics by making a huge move when he traded away blue chip prospect Kassian for a franchise center in Hodgeson. On top of that he stood his ground and got a first round draft pick for a Third/fourth line center in Gaustad. Now in year's Past, when he was unable to spend to the cap, or sign big names like Brian Campbell, he was forced to make a move in order to get value for an asset they wouldn't be able to sign. Having Pegula has allowed Darcy to be more aggressive and deal from a position of power. Hence getting the first round pick for Gaustad.

So step up Sabre fans and apologize to the man. He has answered your criticisms. Let's just hope these moves lead to a cup.

OK, Darcy made some real hay today. Am quite pleased with the turn of events. Would have liked to have seen some more shedding of UFA's, but the return would likely have been meager at best. So. What now?

Continue reading this post »

This Sabres script has been written before and the story, for me , is getting very old. Since 1997 the Sabres have made the playoffs or just missed them 12 out of 13 years. And I, for one, don‘t want them to win more then 10 games over the next 2 months. It in no way helps them to just miss the playoffs a 5th year. In fact, losing the rest of our games gives us a greater chance to win the draft lottery, which would allow the Sabres to pick first overall for the first time since 1987(That year they drafter PierreTurgeon who eventually turned into Pat Lafotaine).

Sabre's fans need to embrace the fact that building a perennial power takes great personnel moves, great drafts, and a few years of bottoming out. Bottoming out would allow us to get that top end talent previous cup winners have gotten. But first, let me stick up for Darcy Regier.

While doing my research for this article I became more and more impressed with Darcy Regier's capabilities. Darcy should be commended for the things this team has accomplished since 1997. In fact, we should all remember that Darcey Regier, utilizing a small market team's budget, (before Mr. Pegula Purchased the team), was able to find, and develop, such talents as Brian Campbell (6th round) ,Maxim Afinogenov (3rd round), Henrik Tallinder (2ndround), Aleš Kotalík (6th round), Ryan Miller (5th round) , Paul Gaustad (7th round), Derek Roy (2nd round), Jason Pominville (2nd round), Andrej Sekera (3rd round), Patrick Kalets (6th round), Thomas Vanek (5th over all), Tyler Myers (12th overall), Tyler Enis(26th overall). Jhonas Enroth and Mike Weber (2nd round), Brayden McNabb (3rd round), Luke Adam (2nd round), and Nathen Gerbe (5th round).

Darcy Regier should also be given credit for trading for players like Chris Drury for (Rhett Warrener), Tim Connolly and Taylor Pyatt for (Mike Pecca), Daniel Brière and a 3rd round pick that turned into Andre Sekera for (Chris Gratton), and Jean-Pierre Dumont, Doug Gilmour and a draft pick for (Michal Grosek). These trades all worked in the Sabre's favor and he gave up very little, in most cases, for these players.

Now Darcy Regier has made some mistakes . He has stuck with his core players too long, his team hasn't won a playoff series in over five years, and he made the wrong choice when it came down to Danny Brier and Chris Drury. But Darcy does need to be commended for his ability to put a competitive product on the ice with limited resources. Since he has taken over the Sabres have been to the playoffs 8 out of 13 years, made the conference finals 4 times and the Stanley Cup finals once, with no cup wins. Lets compare that to 7 of the cup winners since 1997.

Pittsburgh Penguins have been to the playoffs 9 times in that same span, 3 conference finals, 2 Stanley Cup finals, and 1 Stanley Cup win

Chicago Black Hawks have been there 4 times, 1 conference final, 1 Stanley Cup appearance, and 1 Stanley Cup win

Colorado Avalanche have been there an amazing 11 times with 5 conference final appearances, 1 Stanley Cup appearance with 1 win

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been there 5 times with two conference final appearances, 1 Stanley Cup final appearance and 1 Stanley Cup win

The Carolina Hurricanes have been there 5 times, the conference finals 3 times, the Stanley Cup Finals 2 times and have won 1 Stanley cup

The Anaheim Ducks have been there 7 times, the conference finals 3 times, the Stanley Cup finals 2 times and have won 1 Stanley cup

The Boston Bruins have been there 9 times, the conference finals once, the Stanley Cup finals once and they have 1 Stanley Cup win

Besides making the playoffs 8 of those years the Sabres have had 4 competitive years where they barely missed them by an average of 3 points (this average is minus the 2002-2003 season where the Sabres drafted Thomas Vanek). Because of this the Sabre's average draft position in the first round has been around 18. There other 15 picks, besides Vanek, were 21 Mika Noronen, 18 Dmitri Kalinin, 20 Barrett Heisten, 15 Artem Kryukov, 22 Jiri Novotny, 11 Keith Ballard, 20 Daniel Paille, 13 Drew Stafford, 13 Marec Zagrapan, 24 Dennis Pearson, 12 Tyler Myers, 26 Tyler Ennis, 13 Zack Kasian, 23 Mark Pysyk, 16 Joel Armia. Some of these picks are still young, and could become great players as they get older like Drew Stafford, Tyler Myers, Zack Kassian, and Tyler Enis. The rest are non contributors to this team. Let's compare that to the teams mentioned above who won the cup.

The Boston Bruins have had 7 top ten picks in that time including #1 pick Joe Thornton who, in 2005, then turned into (Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and defenseman Brad Stuart). Sergei Samsononv 8th overall who eventually turned into Milan Lucic. Number 5 pick Phil Kessel who was traded and then turned into turned to players Tyler Seguin, Jared Knight and Dougie Hamilton.

The Chicago Black Hawks Have had 6 top ten Picks including # 9 pick in 2001 Tummo Rutoo who was traded for Andrew Ladd, #3 pick in 2004 Skille who then was traded for Michael Frolik, #7 pick in 2005 Cam Barker who was traded for Kim Johnson and Nick Leddy, #3 pick in 2006 Jon Toews their captain and Stanley cup MVP, and the first overall pick in 2007 Patrick Kane who scored the game winning goal to win the cup.

The Pitssburgh Penguins have had 5 top 5 picks since that time.. 2002 #5 pick Ryan Whitney who turned into Chris Kunitz 2003 first overall pick Marc-Andre Fleury, 2004 2nd overall pick Evgeni Malkin, First overall pick Sidney Crosby, and 2006 2 overall pick Jordan Staal. Enough said about this stacked team.

The Carolina Hurricanes have had 4 picks in the top ten (five if you include Chris Pronger Picked 2nd over all by Hartford in 1993) Pronger's eventual trade turned into captain Rod Brindamour. However, after 1997 they drafted, #2 pick in 200 3 Eric Staal who led them in points during their cup win, #4 pick in 2004 Andrew Ladd, #3 pick in 2005 Jack Johnson who turned into Tim Gleason (who just signed a 16 million dollar contract with the hurricanes), and Jeff Skinner (7th overall) in 2010 who was rookie of the year that same year.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have had 7 top ten picks including #7 overall pick in 1997 Paul Mara which turned into Stanley cup winning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, #1 overall pick, and captain of the Lightning, Vincent Lecalvier, # 3 0verall draft pick in 2001 Alexander Svitov who turned into Daryl Sydor. 2008 #1 overall draft pick Steven Stamkos, 2nd overall draft pick Victor Hedman in 2009, and 2010 6th overall draft pick Brett Connolly.

The Anaheim Ducks have had 7 top ten picks since 1995. ( I realize this is two yeas before Darcy began his career with the Sabres but the two picks prior to 1997 helped the ducks immensely) They drafted Chad Kilger 4th overall in 1995 and he eventually turned into Teemu Selane, They drafted Ruslan Salei 9th overall in 1996 and he became the Ducks all time leader in games played on defense, Vitaly Vishnevskiy 5th overall in 1998, Stanislav Chistov 5th overall in 2001, Joffery Lupol 7th overll in 2002 and Ladislav Šmíd 9th overall in 2004 (Both Smid and Lupol eventually turned into Chris Pronger), and Bobby Ryan 2nd overall in 2005.

The Colorado Avalanche have had 8 top ten picks since 1989 (Again I realize this is years before Darcy took over for the Sabres but it helps prove a point) From 1989-1991 they had 3 #1 picks in a row that included Owen Nolan in 1989, Matt Sundin in 1990, and Eric Lindros in 1991. Lindros of course , as most of us know, turned into a treasure trove of draft picks and players including Peter Forsberg, as well as Ron Hextall, Chris Simon, Mike Ricci, Kerry Huffman, Steve Duchesne, a 1st round selection (Jocelyn Thibault) in 1993, a 1st round selection (later traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, later traded to the Washington Capitals-Nolan Baumgartner) in 1994, and $15,000,000 cash. However after 1997 they received only 1 top ten pick which was 3rd overall matt Duchene in 2008.

I hope you're understanding what I am saying Sabre's Fans. We should all begin to hope that the Sabres continue to stay at the bottom so we can start to build a younger , more talented team. It is my estimation that it will take between 2-3 poor years in order to get the necessary pieces a team needs to win in the NHL. Now, I know what most of you are thinking, that no team should lose on purpose, and that there are teams like Detroit who don't need high draft picks, and teams like Columbus that miss use their high draft picks every year. You're probably also thinking that if Darcy was truly great he would have hit on those first round picks even if they weren't in the top ten. These are all valid points, but I truly believe that elite NHL talent comes from the top of the draft. You're getting a high end commodity without having to trade away other assets to get them, and I believe a general manager like Darcy can find great players in the top end of the first round. I mean if you're in the top five all you need to do is throw a dart at your draft board and your bound to find a super star. Just look at the top five picks from 2003-2007.

2003 1. Marc-Andre Fleury 2 Eric Staal 3 Nathan Horton 4 Nikolai Zherdev 5 Thomas Vanek

2004 1.Alexander Ovechkin 2 Evgeni Malkin 3. Cam Barker 4. Andrew Ladd 5. Blake Wheeler

2005 1. Sidney Crosby 2 Bobby Ryan 3 Jack Johnson 4 Benoit Pouliot 5 Carey Price

2006 1 Erik Johnson 2 Jordan Staal 3 Jonathan Toews 4 Nicklas Bäckström 5 Phil Kessel

2007 1 Patrick Kane 2 James van Riemsdyk 3 Kyle Turris 4 Thomas Hickey 5 Karl Alzner

I would say that with picks like this you have a great chance of building a championship team. Being competitive is nice, But winning a Stanley Cup would be better.

I'll be with about 7 Sabre fans all going to the Garden to see Buffalo beat the Rangers this Saturday. Is there a preferred place near MSG for Sabre fans to meet before the game for something to eat and have a brew or two? I suppose we could go just about anywhere and fall in with a bunch of Ranger fans, but our blue and gold crossed swords might make us not so welcome.